Bear River First Nation off-grid lodge and geodome to offer authentic Indigenous tourism experience

August 23, 2024 · Bear River First Nation · Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)

Today’s travelers are looking for authentic, meaningful experiences that connect them to land and culture, while promoting personal growth and learning. Indigenous tourism provides these opportunities while helping to keep cultures alive and growing economies.

Premium, eco-friendly adventure in nature

Today, the Honourable Gudie Hutchings, Minister of Rural Economic Development and Minister responsible for ACOA announced a non-repayable contribution of $250,000 to the Bear River First Nation to support the construction of an off-grid lodge and geodome on Lake Franklin.

This investment enables Bear River First Nation to complete its third and final lodge in a series of sites allowing multi-day canoe travel between Bear River and Kejimkujik National Park. The project, which includes the construction of a five-bedroom lodge and twenty-foot geodome, is part of the Seven Paddles initiative, an ecotourism project to re-establish traditional Mi’kmaq canoe routes in Nova Scotia.

Today’s announcement will help re-establish a traditional Mi’kmaq canoe route and provide for sustainable economic development by investing in tourism assets, embracing recreation and the great outdoors, and partnering to grow Indigenous tourism.