As the president and CEO of Indigenous Tourism Ontario (ITO), Kevin Eshkawkogan remains fully commited to leading the mission of the business.
And all through the previous pair of a long time that incorporates rising the Indigenous sports tourism sector in just the province.
ITO officers kicked off its involvement with Indigenous sports activities events by lending support to a pair of sporting actions.
For starters, Eshkawkogan’s association supported a pair of video games that the Toronto Maple Leafs’ alumni affiliation staged in Indigenous communities very last tumble. All those matches ended up held in Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory and Taykwa Tagamou Country.
ITO then partnered with reps of the Very little Indigenous Hockey League event, which was held this earlier March in Mississauga.
That event, which is normally just referred to as the Little NHL, celebrated its 49th anniversary this year. The youth hockey tourney has become the major Indigenous one particular in the province.
ITO’s most recent sports partnership was declared earlier this month when it signed an settlement with officers from Golfing Ontario and the Ontario Indigenous Championship.
The arrangement formalized the parties’ dedication to progress Indigenous sporting activities tourism within just the province.
For the second straight calendar year, the Ontario Indigenous Championship will be held at the MontHill Golfing & State Club, situated on the Six Nations of the Grand River.
This year’s tournament, which will aspect each women’s and men’s divisions, is scheduled for Aug. 13 to Aug. 16.
“We’re usually hoping to be supportive of folks accomplishing great work, and that aligns with what we’re undertaking,” Eshkawkogan stated of ITO’s latest athletics partnership.
Eshkawkogan, who not long ago joined the board of administrators for Activity Tourism Canada, stated ITO will carry on to seek partnerships that will advance Indigenous activity tourism.
“We’re navigating some of that stuff now,” he explained. “Some of it is pretty fresh new.”
Eshkawkogan stated those people designs include expanding to other sporting activities further than the hockey and golf work ITO has completed so considerably.
“Baseball is on our radar,” he stated. “And absolutely lacrosse also. I would adore to see a little something with lacrosse, like an global lacrosse event in Ontario. We want to operate with championships in these gatherings to support grow these occasions.”
Eshkawkogan reported for now there is not a massive total of operate ITO officials have to do with the forthcoming provincial Indigenous golfing match.
The four-day party will kick off with a working day of apply rounds and opening ceremonies. That will be adopted by three times of levels of competition in the 54-gap function.
The event is open up to Ontario citizens who have Very first Nations, Inuit or Métis ancestry.
“We’re merely a supporter and striving to unfold the information,” Eshkawkogan mentioned of the 2023 tourney.
Tournament organizers, having said that, do have some grand programs for the occasion.
Although this marks the next straight yr it will be staged in Six Nations, the objective is to have the match go all over to different locations just about every calendar year.
The inaugural function highlighted members representing 41 Indigenous communities.
“They’re hoping to increase the celebration to be a strong Indigenous function for Indigenous folks,” Eshkawkogan added.
Steve Tooshkenig, the match chair for the Ontario tourney, is obviously in favour of the event’s new partners.
“Our perception is to consist of and deliver collectively partnerships that will be beneficial for the future 7 generations,” he said. “We value the work of both equally Indigenous Tourism Ontario and Golf Ontario. We sit in a circle with each other, cheering on the very best golfers from Turtle Island and providing thanks to the Creator for our path shifting forward.”
Kyle McFarlane, Golf Ontario’s CEO, is also pleased with news of the partnership.
“Golf Ontario is fired up to set up this alliance with Indigenous Tourism Ontario,” he said. “This partnership exemplifies our shared eyesight to elevate the Indigenous Ontario Championship and enable Indigenous athletes to showcase their extraordinary talents on a provincial stage. We glance ahead to bringing folks and communities alongside one another to share in the pleasure of the championship.”
Local Journalism Initiative Reporters are supported by a financial contribution produced by the Government of Canada.