More than 300 students, community members, leaders and elders packed the Chief Drygeese Conference Centre in Dettah May 12 to attend the 8th Annual Yellowknives Dene First Nation Career Fair. Industry, Tourism and Investment (ITI) was there to make sure careers in tourism were top-of-mind.
Eugene Green, ITI Tourism Development Officer and Douglas Dillon, ITI Aboriginal Tourism Development Officer, were on hand at the career fair to explain the many opportunities available within the industry.
Dillon noted the increase of visitors seeking Aboriginal cultural experiences — something many Northern communities are well equipped to provide, and a possible future opportunity for many present.
Tourism is the single largest renewable resource based industry in the NWT, bringing over $146 million in spending to the territorial economy in 2014-2015. As the industry continues to grow, positions will need to be staffed.
If this career fair was any indication, there will be plenty of energetic youth waiting to snap up those jobs as they come.