From February 26 to 28, 2024, 1000 delegates gathered in Ottawa, which is situated on unceded Algonquin Anishinabeg Territory, for the 2024 International Indigenous Tourism Conference (IITC). IITC is the largest international Indigenous tourism conference in the world and is hosted by the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC).
Indigenous communities from Turtle Island (also known as North America and in some Indigenous communities is used to refer to Earth as a whole) and beyond met in downtown Ottawa’s Shaw Centre for an unforgettable three-day event.
This year’s IITC theme was “Where Nations Meet,” a fitting nod to Ottawa's three rivers and the diversity of folks who arrived for the 2024 conference. The convergence of the Ottawa, Gatineau and Rideau Rivers has served as a gathering place for Indigenous communities for thousands of years — and this year, hundreds of international delegates from Colombia, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Finland and beyond connected in Ottawa.
The Shaw Centre, winner of “World’s Best Convention Centre” in 2020 by the International Association of Convention Centres, was the ideal place to host IITC. The space is dedicated to fostering an inclusive atmosphere for Indigenous events. Recognizing the cultural importance of traditions like smudging, their security team closely monitors fire panels to facilitate seamless smudging ceremonies. Their Event Services team also collaborates with event organizers to designate specific spaces for elders and drumming. Continuing their mission to honour Indigenous cultures, they recently partnered with Indigenous chefs for this conference, integrating traditional foods into their culinary offerings.
The space offers incredibly welcoming staff, flexible meeting spaces without columns and a 200-degree view of Canada’s capital. The building, situated in the heart of the downtown core, is also LEED Gold-certified, a certification from Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) that verifies the facility has enhanced efficiency and low carbon emissions. The beauty, accessibility and flexibility of the venue was the perfect backdrop for unforgettable memories of authentic Indigenous experiences, knowledge-sharing and newfound friendships.
The week began with several engaging cultural tours. Delegates explored local Indigenous tourism firsthand with a complimentary ticket for an Indigenous tour. Delegates had a variety of options to choose from, including Indigenous Walks, a walk and talk through downtown Ottawa with an Indigenous lens and a Medicine Bag workshop at Makatew Workshops where delegates crafted a sacred traditional item.
