Elsipogtog First Nation’s Mi’kmaq Heritage Path Tour tourism experience opens for the season on July 6

NEWS RELEASE

July 2, 2020
For immediate release

Elsipogtog First Nation’s Mi’kmaq Heritage Path Tour tourism experience opens for the season on July 6

ELSIPOGTOG, N.B. – Elsipogtog First Nation announced today that the 2020 season of its popular Mi’kmaq Heritage Path Tour tourism experience will officially open to guests on Monday, July 6. This year’s version of the experience will have extra safeguards in order to protect visitors and staff during the current COVID-19 pandemic, but all efforts will be made to ensure a meaningful and educational experience for everyone who takes part. For instance, reservations are required before taking part to ensure safe attendance numbers.

“The tourism project management team has worked very hard to modify and enhance the cultural experience and product offerings at Elsipogtog for the 2020 tourism season,” says Lynn Francis, Director of Economic Development for Elsipogtog First Nation. “Indigenous tourism is an integral part of economic development in the community – equally as important is the cultural awareness role that the tourism experience provides.”

After its start in 2018, the Mi’kmaq Heritage Path Tour tourism experience soon proved to be extremely popular. Elsipogtog First Nation is greatly looking forward to welcoming guests again this year and is continuously working to improve the experience. The entire team looks forward to welcoming the public this year.

“We have been working closely with the Heritage Interpreters to help modify the product offerings and experiences by enhancing training capacity and product development,” says Adam Simon, Tourism Project Coordinator with Elsipogtog First Nation.

The 2020 season begins on Monday, July 6, and runs until Friday, October 9. Due to COVID-19 enhanced safety protocols, reservations are required. Private tours are available upon request.

Mi’kmaq Heritage Path Tour overview

After a traditional greeting, guests will enter the community-raised tipi for a smudging ceremony with teachings and insights that will help connect the past ways to present-day Elsipogtog Mi’kmaq cultural ways and customs. Guests will then be led by one of the interpretive knowledge keepers into the pristine forested Heritage Path where they will learn about traditional and time-honored ways of using Mother Nature’s gifts and medicines to better oneself and the community.

The last part of the Heritage Path journey takes place in the community’s cultural centre where guests have a safe place and space to ask any and all questions they may have about the Mi’kmaq culture in order to further their understanding of the true way of life at Elsipogtog. Guests will leave enriched by a deeper understanding and connection to the cultural teachings and ways of the Mi’kmaq.

Reservation and contact information:

506-521-0308 or heritagepathtour@outlook.com

Times:

Monday to Friday
10-11:30 a.m. or 2-3:30 p.m. daily
(Weekends are available with advance reservations of two weeks.)

Admission fees:

Adults: $45
Seniors: $40.50 (ages 65+)
Youth: $35 (ages 6-17)
5 years of age and younger: Free accompanied by adult
A snack is provided.

All guests should check in at the Elsipogtog Mi’kmaq Cultural Centre located at 29 Big Cove Road, Elsipogtog First Nation, off Route 116 approximately 14 kilometres from Rexton. Address link: goo.gl/maps/P3k8Fr14y28XwHgZ6

Strategic partnerships

Elsipogtog First Nation has also formed strategic partnerships with a number of other tourism-related organizations and will be bringing the Mi’kmaq Heritage Path Tour on the road during the month of July for in-person experiential previews:

• Wednesday July 15: Albert County Museum, Hopewell Cape, 1:30-3 p.m.
• Wednesday July 22: Magnetic Hill Wharf Village, Moncton, 1:30-3 p.m.
• Wednesday July 29: Rodd Miramichi River, Miramichi, 1:30-3 p.m.

For more information about these off-site experiential presentations or about potential partnerships please contact Anna-Marie Weir at 506-521-0308 or email at heritagepathtour@outlook.com.

For more information on the Mi’kmaq Heritage Path Tour, visit www.mikmaqbasketmaking.com (changing to www.heritagepathtour.com effective July 6). For more information on Elsipogtog First Nation, visit www.elsipogtogband.ca.

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Media contacts:

Adam Simon
Tourism Project Coordinator
Elsipogtog First Nation
adam.simon@efned.ca
506-523-4726

Lynn Francis
Director of Economic Development
Elsipogtog First Nation
lf@efned.ca
506-523-3217