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LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON
His willingness to share his culture and his welcoming demeanour were two of the things that visitors to Blackstone Territorial Park noted about Raymond Michaud.

Industry, Tourism and Investment Minister David Ramsay, left, addresses Raymond Michaud of Fort Simpson after presenting him with the Parks Hospitality Award on Nov. 8. - photo courtesy of NWT Tourism

"Raymond is a terrific host. We felt like we were visiting an old friend," one visitor wrote in a comment. "I appreciated his connection to the stories he shared about the cultural and natural history of the Dene people in this area."

Another visitor praised the information Michaud provided about fishing, trails, facilities and the customs of the area.

"The host of this park was the best. The information he shared was top notch," they wrote.

It was comments like these that led to Michaud being chosen to receive the 2012 Parks Hospitality Award. Michaud, from Fort Simpson, spent the summer working at Blackstone. His wife Mavis Cli-Michaud had the contract to run the park for the season.

Michaud was presented with the award in Yellowknife on Nov. 8 during a gala dinner that closed the NWT Tourism annual general meeting and conference. Created in 2005, the award recognizes people who exhibit extraordinary hospitality and service in the NWT parks and visitors centres. Staff are nominated for the awards by visitors to the territory.

"It wasn't expected," Michaud said about the award. "You don't always get an award for something you enjoy doing."

Michaud can't say enough about how much he enjoyed working at Blackstone. He spent every day this summer at the park, except for one.

"I enjoyed every minute of it," he said. "Every day was different and every day was fun."

It was a busy season at the park. Including people from Nahanni Butte and the rest of the territory, 1,800 visitors came to Blackstone.

First Nation custom

It was a joy to meet them, said Michaud. Following the First Nation custom of always offering guests something to eat, Michaud made sure he always had coffee and cookies on hand at the visitors centre in the park.

Michaud also offered a talk to anyone who was interested about the culture of First Nations people prior to colonization and after colonization, including some current issues. The talks could last up to 45 minutes depending on the group's interest.

"We included some funny things, including moose calling," he said.

Other added touches Michaud and his wife brought to the park included screened-in gazebos to help visitors beat the mosquitoes and other insects. Michaud also invited people to eat their lunches in the visitors centre's screened in porch.

Michaud said his general philosophy was that if he makes the life of a tourist better, hopefully they will tell their friends, who will also want to come to the territory. Quality service supports tourism, which is a major industry for the territory, he said.

"We're all ambassadors for tourism," said Michaud.

One can't understate the importance of having good staff like Michaud at the territory's parks, said Mike Mageean, the regional superintendent for the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment.

The staff are the initial point of contact for the visitors to the parks.

"They are our ambassadors," Mageean said.

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