The Canadian Tourism Awards, presented by the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC), recognize some of the most promising up-and-coming, and established businesses and organizations in the Canadian tourism industry. This recognition is no small feat, especially for Indigenous Tourism Award nominee Monique Collins and her business Dragonfly Spirit CreeAtions, which started as a passion project in April 2023.
Inspired by her grandmother’s teachings, Monique first began running Indigenous Moon events and cultural programs in the tipi at Rig Hand Distillery in Leduc County, Alberta. Here, she started to share ancestral wisdom and offer a way for people to connect with Cree culture, the land, and each other through drumming and community-building.
“Our approach integrates ancient wisdom with contemporary holistic practices to create a transformative experience for each individual. We believe in the power of healing through cultural connection and the deepening of spiritual practices,” describes the Dragonfly Spirit CreeAtions website.
Prior to her nomination for the Indigenous Tourism Award, Monique joined Firecircle, Canada’s award-winning, fully-digital small business accelerator for tourism entrepreneurs, back in September 2023. Firecircle was awarded Innovator of the Year at the 2023 Canadian Tourism Awards for its programs and support of new and existing tourism businesses. It was through Firecircle’s tailored programs, mentorship and community that Monique realized the potential to transform her offerings into a thriving business, which resulted in the eventual expansion of Dragonfly Spirit CreeAtions into a range of experiences for tourists, locals, and businesses.
“Firecircle has empowered me to develop a robust program that promises a richer and more comprehensive experience for my Moon and other events. With this groundwork, I’m now poised to move forward confidently, ensuring that my business operates sustainably,” says Monique.
Offering everything from collaborative workshops to weekend mountain retreats, Dragonfly Spirit CreeAtions serves as a sanctuary for visitors, allowing for both personal growth and collective healing, all rooted in the preservation of Indigenous wisdom.
With the help of this Indigenous Tourism Award nomination, Monique hopes to continue expanding her practice and teachings to offer additional services, including medicine walks, community drum-building projects, online programming, and more.
The Indigenous Tourism Award is given to “an Indigenous tourism business that has demonstrated a commitment to the development, promotion, and delivery of an authentic, innovative, and enriched Indigenous tourism visitor experience.”
Monique is one of only five nominees for this award, a recognition that marks a monumental milestone for Dragonfly Spirit CreeAtions and commemorates how far the company has come since becoming a part of Firecircle just over a year ago.
“I am deeply grateful for the support from everyone at Firecircle, especially my mentors Kim Jones and Gina VandenDool. Their guidance has been invaluable in shaping my vision, refining my business model, and aligning my offerings with community and tourism needs. Thank you all for helping me find my “why” and empowering me to build a sustainable, evolving business that I am proud of,” says Monique.
As a finalist for the prestigious Indigenous Tourism Award, Dragonfly Spirit CreeAtions has been invited to attend the Canadian Tourism Awards on December 5, 2024, at the Sheraton Wall Centre in Vancouver, BC. For more information about the Awards ceremony, visit the TIAC website: https://tiac-aitc.ca/
Source: Monogram Communication
