THEBACHA/FORT SMITH
A new ecotourism initiative is expected to launch this summer in the Fort Smith area.

Francois Paulette: Wants to create a tourist experience. - NNSL file photo

The venture is being organized by Smith's Landing First Nation (SLFN) to highlight the beauty, culture and history of the band's traditional lands.

It is called Dene Chanie Tours.

"The closest word that English comes to that is 'culture,'" said Francois Paulette, co-ordinator of the new venture.

Paulette said Smith's Landing has been looking at developing cultural ecotourism for many years.

The chief and council have now decided to begin working on the idea, because the First Nation has such a beautiful territory and it's untapped for tourism, he said. "There is so much history, and there are so many things to show visitors and guests that come to our territory."

That includes things such as the Slave River and its rapids, and traditional trails.

Paulette used Cassette Rapids and its islands as an example.

"That is such a beautiful spot," he said, noting the rapids would be a huge attraction for birdwatchers.

Paulette said there are also many more things to see in the whole area.

However, he explained it will not just be sightseeing, because visitors will have an opportunity to experience traditional culture in one-day and two-day tours.

"We're not just going to be pointing things out," he said, noting guests will be walking the land, paddling on the river, fishing, cleaning fish, experiencing drumming and singing, and more.

He added SLFN is working with Parks Canada to look at offering tours in Wood Buffalo National Park.

"Smith's Landing First Nation is a valued co-operative management partner of

Parks Canada and we will continue to work with them as they develop this unique and valued product," said Rob Kent, the superintendent of Wood Buffalo National Park. "Aboriginal cultural heritage and on-the-land activities would be a wonderful addition to the visitor experiences in Wood Buffalo National Park."

One of the overall goals of the ecotourism initiative is to involve the First Nation's youth to learn such things as traditional storytelling, preparing country food and driving a boat.

"I'm going to be leading the tours and young people are going to be travelling with me," said Paulette, a respected elder with SLFN. "There's so much for the young people to learn."

That will include learning more about their language and the spiritual part of being a Dene.

Paulette said the ecotourism project may also involve other people.

"It's not just for Smith's Landing. We will utilize as many people as we could," he said. Paulette said that may include people with skills such as cooking traditional food or leading dog teams in the wintertime.

Paulette is hoping the venture will provide at least three full-time jobs in several years.

For now, he is working on the details of establishing Dene Chanie Tours, such as securing funding.

"We'll take it a step at a time," be said. "We're not going to rush into this."

Smith's Landing First Nation has its reserve land just south of the NWT/Alberta border, but many band members live in Fort Smith.

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