Charlie Lake Cave Nominated for Prestigious Indigenous Tourism Award

A historical site in Charlie Lake, British Columbia, has gained recognition by being shortlisted for a prestigious Indigenous tourism award. The Tse’k’wa Heritage Society’s national historic site, commonly referred to as the Charlie Lake cave, is nominated in the ‘Indigenous operator or experience’ category by the Tourism Industry Association of BC (TIABC). This site, which has roots dating back to the Ice Age, has been owned by the Doig River First Nation (DRFN), Prophet River First Nation (PRFN), and West Moberly First Nations (WMFN) since 2012.

The Charlie Lake cave is one of the few national historic sites in Canada that is owned by an Indigenous community. It has served as a gathering place for the Dane-zaa people for approximately 12,000 years. The nomination was supported by the Spinal Cord Injury BC program, Access BC, reflecting the site’s commitment to inclusivity.

Significant Developments and Community Support

Alyssa Currie, executive director of the Tse’k’wa Heritage Society, expressed her enthusiasm regarding the nomination. “It is a really exciting nomination,” she stated in an interview. “Less than five years ago, we were building public infrastructure and really transforming Tse’k’wa as a site into a tourism destination.”

Since 2021, the site has undergone significant development, which includes the addition of accessible trails, signage for visitors, an amphitheatre, and an archaeological dome structure. Currie emphasized that the recognition is not just for the Tse’k’wa organization but for the entire community and its knowledge holders. She noted, “This award, this nomination, this shortlisted finalist position, belongs to them just as much as it belongs to anybody within the Tse’k’wa organization.”

The nomination places Tse’k’wa among notable competitors, including the Best Western Plus Tin Wis Resort in Tofino, operated by the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation, and Takaya Tours, based in Vancouver and run by the Tsleil-Waututh Nation. Currie remarked on the significance of being in such esteemed company.

Acknowledging the Impact of Indigenous Tourism

The TIABC award nominations are designed to highlight the “passion, innovation, and dedication” present throughout British Columbia’s tourism industry. The winners of these awards will be announced on March 5, 2024, during a conference in Kelowna.

The recognition of the Tse’k’wa Heritage Society serves not only as an acknowledgment of the site’s historical importance but also of the ongoing efforts to promote Indigenous tourism in Canada. As the industry continues to grow, the impact on local communities and cultural preservation becomes increasingly significant.

For more information about the Tse’k’wa Heritage Society and its initiatives, interested individuals can visit their official website or their Facebook page.