Tasked with leading the growth and development of the Indigenous tourism industry in Manitoba and in collaboration with Travel Manitoba and Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada, Holly will lead efforts for implementation of the Manitoba Indigenous Tourism Strategy, which focuses on the development of sustainable market-ready and export-ready Indigenous tourism products, as well as increasing the demand for Manitoba’s Indigenous tourism experiences. Holly was born and raised in Peguis First Nation where she owned and operated multiple successful businesses. She understands the barriers and complexities of owning a business both on and off the reserve and brings that first-hand knowledge to tourism operators in Manitoba.

Through her previous work as the Manitoba Regional Coordinator at ITAC from 2019 to 2022, Holly guided many Indigenous entrepreneurs and community-owned tourism enterprises to strengthen their offerings into market and export-ready products. Holly’s connections and leadership within the region are proven and she is a true advocate for Indigenous tourism in Manitoba.

David Daley is a Métis man, and long-time resident of Churchill, Manitoba. David and his wife Valerie have worked hard to become a part of Churchill’s tourism industry including owning and operating the Wapusk General Store (hand-built by Dave) and Wapusk Adventures, an award winning Indigenous Tourism experience.

Dave served his community as the Chairman of the Churchill Métis Local, a previous President of the Churchill Chamber of Commerce, and Founder of the Hudson Bay Quest dog sled race. Dave also chaired the Manitoba Indigenous Tourism Advisory Committee and is now the Chair of Indigenous Tourism Manitoba and is a board member for the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada as the Manitoba representative.

Melanie Ferris is a writer based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. She is a proud member of the Long Plain First Nation in Treaty One Territory.



As intergenerational Survivor of the residential schools, Sixties Scoop, and foster care systems, Melanie has been working with First Nations across Manitoba for more than five years. She has travelled to more than 20 of the 63 First Nations across the province, including many remote, fly-in communities.



Melanie loves stories and has written numerous books. Her most recent publication is called “Honouring our Ancestors: Remembering the Legacy of the Residential School System in Northern Manitoba.” She is the Director of Communications for the Southern Chiefs’ Organization, a political advocacy organization that represents more than 85,500 Anishinaabe and Dakota citizens.



She loves practicing hot yoga, cycling, gardening, travelling, music, beadwork, and ribbon skirts! Melanie is also a proud mom. She is pleased to bring her skills to Indigenous Tourism Manitoba to help promote the hidden gems of our beautiful prairie province.

Edna Nabess was born and raised in Cormorant, Manitoba and is a proud member of the Mathias Colomb Cree Nation. Edna was taught the traditions of her Cree culture by her mother and is the founder and principal designer of Cree-Ations. Edna is a well-known artisan creating one-of-a-kind designs and is a founding member of the Manitoba Artist Showcase.



Edna received the Aboriginal Business Service Network Award in 2009, the BMO Expansion and Growth in Small Business Award in 2017 and was a Recipient of a Canada 150 Medal that same year. In addition to the Winnipeg Police Board, Edna serves on the boards of Efficiency Manitoba, Manitoba Public Insurance, Manitoba Social Services Appeal, Manitoba 150 Celebration Committee and the Advanced Education Training and Literacy Aboriginal Advisory Council (AETLAAC). Edna was a candidate in the 2016 Provincial Election in the riding of Kewantinook.

Lee Sinclair is the Director of Operations for PBDC and oversees its portfolio of current businesses including Otineka Mall, OCN Shell Gas Station, Kikiwak Inn and Conference Centre and PBDC Gravel & Sand. Her leadership and operational strengths come from significant management and senior finance roles with Swampy Cree Management Services, Opaskwayak Health Services, and PBDC before its most recent restructuring. She has often lent her business perspective and experience to a variety of boards including the Opaskwayak Education Services, Opaskwayak Lands Authority, and Rod McGillivary Care Home. She has a diploma in business administration and a certificate in business accounting through University College of the North in The Pas and most recently has achieved her Certified Aboriginal Financial Manager designation through AFOA Canada. A proud OCN member, Lee spends quality time out on the trapline with her family. She is passionate about her community and Cree language, and passes this knowledge on to youth through the Land Base Program at Kakepaskak camp.

A Manitoban at heart, Darcie graduated with honours in tourism and then travelled the world for 25 years as an award-winning travel consultant and as Director of Business Development. Darcie’s expertise is in Product Development and Mentorship. With an open heart and an open mind, she works closely with our Indigenous Operator’s to elevate them to the next level.



Darcie’s passion for supporting Indigenous tourism is unwavering and she looks forward to connecting with each and every Indigenous operator in Manitoba.

Doreen Booth joined ITM as a Project Manager. Having worked in the tourism industry for the past 16 years, she brings extensive experience to the team. For many of those years, she helped international clients fulfill bucket list dreams such as polar bear viewing, beluga whale watching, and chasing the elusive northern lights.



Doreen is always on the lookout for authentic and immersive experience, those that bring her close to nature. Growing up in British Columbia, then living in the Yukon and now in Manitoba she feels most at home among the wildlife and wilderness. She has a deep appreciation for the lands she grew up on and now, as a certified diver, is developing a similar appreciation for the underwater world.



As a Project Manager, Doreen plays a pivotal role in developing and executing initiatives to advance Indigenous tourism in Manitoba. Through her years of working with travel trade clients and partners from around the world, Doreen has become a masterful relationship builder. This, combined with her industry expertise and community-first mindset, puts Manitoba’s Indigenous tourism industry on a path towards exciting growth and development.

Renée has worked in public relations since 2010. It was in 2020 that she began working directly with Indigenous communities as communications manager at Southeast Tribal Council until 2025. It was during those 5 years her understanding of Indigenous culture and tradition deepened, having grown up largely detached from that part of her heritage.

Renée’s professional background is an eclectic mix, including 10 years in the agriculture industry across various levels of government, while at the same time working in the arts and music industry managing a music festival, marketing for a vintage clothing store, and even a year with a veterinary clinic. This varied experience has given Renée an open-minded approach to the work she does connecting with people from many walks of life.  It helps her understand the many voices and experiences that Indigenous tourism operators bring to Manitoba’s growing tourism industry.

Outside of work— in the warmer months Renée enjoys foraging wild mushrooms, cycling, and hiking. In the winter, she spends time cross-country skiing, and in all seasons she’s a big time foodie. Renée recharges at her cabin on Lee River whenever possible fishing, kayaking, blueberry and chanterelle picking—simply enjoying the land.

As the Director of Finance, Cecilia contributes to the overall success of Indigenous Tourism Manitoba by effectively managing all financial matters, ensuring compliance with internal policies and procedures and external funding requirements.

A member of the Musqueam Indian Band, Cecilia has worked in the travel and tourism industry in excess of 25 years. She has donated a tremendous amount of her time to her nation in beautiful British Columbia, and a number of local Indigenous causes which currently includes sitting as a volunteer board member on two cultural and women’s organisations in Vancouver’s downtown east side.

My name is Erica Martin. I’m from Swan Lake First Nation. I was raised on the reserve by my grandparents and mother. Later on, I built a life for my children in Winnipeg continuing post-secondary education with training in Business Management, Administration, Accounting, Tax & Payroll.

I’m committed to continuous growth and community impact today, I’m honored to be part of the Indigenous Tourism Manitoba team and excited to help uplift Indigenous stories and tourism across the province.

Taytum Assiniboine is a proud Indigenous leader in Manitoba’s Tourism and Economic Development sector.

Through her work as Store Manager at Indigenous Tourism Manitoba and Board Director at SEED Winnipeg, she is passionate about supporting Indigenous entrepreneurs, amplifying cultural experiences, and strengthening community through sustainable tourism and development. She is committed to fostering meaningful relationships between visitors and communities across Manitoba. She believes that tourism is more than travel, it is storytelling, connection, and a pathway to economic empowerment.

Owner/Operator, Borealis Beading

Melanie Gamache is the one woman show that created Borealis Beading. She is a francophone Red River Métis with a passion for sharing Métis culture through authentic cultural experiences. Her journey into beadwork over the past decade has deepened her connection to Métis history, stories, and traditions, which she now shares through tourism experiences that connect people to culture, land, and community.

As a board member, Melanie is committed to representing Indigenous tourism operators—especially small and rural businesses—and helping increase their visibility and opportunities within the tourism sector. She values collaboration and mentorship and believes strengthening connections between operators helps build a stronger Indigenous tourism network.

Melanie brings strong relationship-building skills and a broad network of partners, artists, and tourism stakeholders. She is dedicated to using these connections to support business growth and raise awareness of Indigenous Tourism Manitoba while helping Indigenous tourism experiences reach wider audiences.