Step 2
Sharing our Voices: Indigenous Guide Training
Module 1: Visioning
- Indigenous welcome and participant introductions
- Sharing your stories, guiding aspirations
- Recognize the key responsibilities and expectations for guides in different settings
- Develop a personal professional vision of how guiding can align with personal and/or community values
Module 2: Foundations of the tourism industry
- Gain a basic understanding of the tourism industry, the key players
- Learn about how tourism operates in Manitoba and Canada including key trends for Indigenous tourism
- Understand the importance of Indigenous perspectives in contributing to meaningful and respectful tourism experiences
- Appreciate the benefits and challenges of tourism in Indigenous communities
Module 3: Welcoming, engaging and communicating with guests
- Recognize the responsibilities and expectations for guides in different settings
- Understand the importance of cultural protocols and how they will vary between communities and businesses
- Apply strategies for clear and inclusive communication with diverse audiences
- Learn how to create a welcoming atmosphere for guests on arrival and departure
- Discover ways to adapt communication to different guest needs
Module 4: Group management
- Learn techniques for guiding diverse groups efficiently while maintaining cohesion and ensuring guest safety
- Apply methods to keep groups interested and engaged during tours or experiences
- Address challenges such as varying energy levels, diverse backgrounds and address guests who may demonstrate insensitivity, lack of awareness or make ignorant or racist comments
- Appreciate the importance of time management with guests and the experience being delivered fits into their overall travel plans
Module 5: Storytelling – sharing your stories and those of your employers
- Create and share authentic stories that resonate with guests, emphasizing local culture, history, and traditions
- Incorporate stories provided by employers in a way that aligns with personal and community perspectives
- Enhance guest connections using storytelling as a tool to build deeper connections between guests, the guide’s community and environment
Module 6: Safety and Risk Management
- Recognize and mitigate common safety risks in guiding scenarios
- Apply best practices for ensuring the safety and well-being of all participants during activities
- Practice handling unexpected situations and emergencies efficiently
- Understand the importance of managing your own mental health with guests who unintentionally offend
- Appreciate the legal consequences with guiding as an employee or self-employed
Prerequisite: Step 1: Discovering the Possibilities
Co-requisite: First Aid Certificate by end of the course
