Welcome to the Waterton Springs Campground Revitalization Survey!

The Blackfoot Confederacy Tribal Council (BCTC) is conducting a feasibility study to explore the potential for creating a Blackfoot eco-cultural destination at the Waterton Springs Campground, a 77-acre property adjacent to Waterton Lakes National Park. This area, known as Paahtómahksikimi (inner sacred lake within the mountains), is at the heart of Blackfoot territory and offers an opportunity to honour and share our responsibility to care for the land, while creating social, environmental, economic, and cultural benefits for our nations.

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Grassroots cultural tourism development means taking care of our people first. The concept being explored can establish a place for our communities to gather and practice culture, participate in knowledge transfer, honour our ancestral lands, and build capacity through Siksikaitsitapi-led sustainable development. This project aims to empower our people by creating career opportunities in Indigenous tourism, with artisans, storytellers, chefs, and cultural entrepreneurs or all kinds at the heart of the initiative.

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We want your voice to be heard! This feasibility study will determine how the BCTC will move forward with the project, therefore your ideas, thoughts, and opinions are critical. Currently all information is purely conceptual as we are exploring the viability and desirability of this project.

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Any information you provide will remain confidential and will not be used outside the scope of this project.

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Thank you for your time and contribution!

Completing this survey enters you for a chance to win a $250 Amazon gift card!

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* 1. Please identify which category you fall under (select one).

Community member

Elder

Knowledge Keeper

Youth

Community leadership

Tourism operator, employee, or cultural entrepreneur (artisan, guide, chef, etc.)

External partner

Other (please specify)

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* 2. Which Nation are you from?

Siksika

Piikani

Kainai/Blood Tribe

Aamskapi Pikuni

Other (please specify)

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* 3. Rate the level of importance that the following community-based benefits have for you, as outcomes of developing a Blackfoot eco-cultural destination. (1 – not important, 5 – extremely important)

	Not important				Extremely important
Blackfoot job creation	Blackfoot job creation Not important	Blackfoot job creation	Blackfoot job creation	Blackfoot job creation	Blackfoot job creation Extremely important
Support for Blackfoot entrepreneurs & businesses	Support for Blackfoot entrepreneurs & businesses Not important	Support for Blackfoot entrepreneurs & businesses	Support for Blackfoot entrepreneurs & businesses	Support for Blackfoot entrepreneurs & businesses	Support for Blackfoot entrepreneurs & businesses Extremely important
Opportunities for our people to actively practice and pass on their Blackfoot culture	Opportunities for our people to actively practice and pass on their Blackfoot culture Not important	Opportunities for our people to actively practice and pass on their Blackfoot culture	Opportunities for our people to actively practice and pass on their Blackfoot culture	Opportunities for our people to actively practice and pass on their Blackfoot culture	Opportunities for our people to actively practice and pass on their Blackfoot culture Extremely important
Enhancing Blackfoot pride and identity	Enhancing Blackfoot pride and identity Not important	Enhancing Blackfoot pride and identity	Enhancing Blackfoot pride and identity	Enhancing Blackfoot pride and identity	Enhancing Blackfoot pride and identity Extremely important
Preservation of our traditional knowledge	Preservation of our traditional knowledge Not important	Preservation of our traditional knowledge	Preservation of our traditional knowledge	Preservation of our traditional knowledge	Preservation of our traditional knowledge Extremely important
Enhancing cultural pride amongst our communities	Enhancing cultural pride amongst our communities Not important	Enhancing cultural pride amongst our communities	Enhancing cultural pride amongst our communities	Enhancing cultural pride amongst our communities	Enhancing cultural pride amongst our communities Extremely important
Increased understanding and appreciation of the land, waters, and the natural environment	Increased understanding and appreciation of the land, waters, and the natural environment Not important	Increased understanding and appreciation of the land, waters, and the natural environment	Increased understanding and appreciation of the land, waters, and the natural environment	Increased understanding and appreciation of the land, waters, and the natural environment	Increased understanding and appreciation of the land, waters, and the natural environment Extremely important
Conservation and protection of our ancestral lands	Conservation and protection of our ancestral lands Not important	Conservation and protection of our ancestral lands	Conservation and protection of our ancestral lands	Conservation and protection of our ancestral lands	Conservation and protection of our ancestral lands Extremely important
Sharing our culture with visitors to foster their understanding and appreciation	Sharing our culture with visitors to foster their understanding and appreciation Not important	Sharing our culture with visitors to foster their understanding and appreciation	Sharing our culture with visitors to foster their understanding and appreciation	Sharing our culture with visitors to foster their understanding and appreciation	Sharing our culture with visitors to foster their understanding and appreciation Extremely important

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* 4. Are there any other benefits that you would like to see as a result of the development of a Blackfoot eco-cultural destination?

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* 5. How can we ensure that we fulfill our role as stewards of this ancestral land and preserve this environment for future generations?

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* 6. When envisioning a Blackfoot eco-cultural destination, what kinds of programs and activities would you like to see offered to the members of our Blackfoot communities? (Choose all that apply)

Cultural gatherings and events

Cultural camps

Land-based learning

Traditional teaching, knowledge transfer, and storytelling

Arts and crafts

Language preservation

Skills training and capacity building

Traditional foods and culinary

Environmental preservation and monitoring

Plant-based knowledge and medicines

Ceremonies

Other (please specify)

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* 7. When envisioning a Blackfoot eco-cultural destination, what kinds of experiences and amenities would you like to see available for visitors? (Choose all that apply)

Nature-based guided tours

Hands-on cultural activities and workshops

Sharing Blackfoot teachings, cultural heritage, and stories

Language learning

A venue for hosting special events (festivals, performing arts, etc.)

An Indigenous market with products and services from Blackfoot artisans, makers, and entrepreneurs

Year-round seasonal activities

Camping (tent and/or RV)

Stays in traditional dwellings (e.g. tipi camp)

Eco-luxury accommodations

Culinary/food and beverage experiences

Other (please specify)

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* 8. Do you have any concerns or see potential challenges in the revitalization of the Waterton Springs Campground as a Blackfoot eco-cultural destination? Can you offer any solutions to these challenges?

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* 9. Is there anything else that you would like to share relating to the revitalization of the Waterton Springs campground as a Blackfoot eco-cultural destination?

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* 10. If you would like to be entered into the draw to win a $250 Amazon gift card, please provide your contact information. Your information will not be used or shared with anyone outside the scope of this project, and you may choose to submit this survey anonymously, although you will not be entered into the draw.

Name:

Phone Number:

Email Address:

Thank you for your valuable feedback, it's respected and appreciated! For more information, please contact Kimmy Houle, Director of Environment, Lands, and Economic Development for BCTC at kimmys@blackfootconfederacy.ca.