Derek Neary
Northern News Services

Blackstone Park (June 03/05) - Earl Hope has been whisking tourists and oilfield workers around on the Liard and South Nahanni rivers for several years.

He has a licence to operate a small vessel, but last week he decided to go after a certificate qualifying him as an introductory tour guide.

"If I could get into tourism, I could probably go somewhere," said Hope, a Nahanni Butte resident who is also contemplating offering snowmobile tours in the winter. "I just love the wilderness. If I could be in the bush every day I'd be in the bush."

He was one of 20 people accepted to take Interpretation Canada modules one and two at Blackstone Territorial Park May 25-27. There were more than 40 people who applied.

"It says to me that there are a lot of people who are interested in tourism," said Michael Pealow. "That's good because there is a heck of a lot of tourism potential in the area."

Pealow, economic development officer in Fort Liard, and Sophie Borcoman, senior heritage programs officer for Nahanni National Park Reserve, organized the training session. They contracted Rosanna Strong, a Yellowknife-based heritage interpreter and biologist, to deliver the workshop.

In tourism, interpretation refers to giving meanings of culture and heritage using artifacts, objects or sites. Strong encouraged students to use props, like a Dene drum, and to "paint a picture" using descriptive terms. She also told them never to make assumptions about tourists.

Angus Sanguez, another workshop participant, said he will be offering boat tours on the Mackenzie River with Michael Cazon this summer. Sanguez, from Jean Marie River, wanted to learn how to better impart to tourists what he knows about animals, hunting and fishing and other aspects of aboriginal culture.

Having worked at Sambaa Deh Park in the past, he said he realizes communication with tourists is essential. He recalled an instance where he could only use hand gestures to help an Italian-speaking group get set to go fishing.

Hope has also had some memorable moments with guests in the Deh Cho.

"It's just amazing the people that you meet," he said.