A Conversation with Ahous Adventures New General

Manager, Corene Inouye

various marine-tourism related positions, eventually leading to a family move to Tofino in 2010 for an opportunity as General Manager for Jamie’s Whaling Station, which successfully lasted for 10 years.

ṕiʔačit: What aspects of your past work experience are you bringing into this new role?

CI: It’s hard for me to believe that I’ve been working in tourism for 25 years! I still feel very young at heart and have a lot of energy to bring to this role! I’ve been extremely fortunate to work with some amazing people throughout my career, and my connections within the marine tourism and hospitality industry are plentiful. I was a board member with Tourism Tofino for 8 years, as well as 2 terms with Tourism Vancouver Island (now 4VI). I spent a lot of years intently listening and learning from business owners and fellow managers, and I’ve become increasingly confident in my leadership style, and in expressing my voice, my personal values and ideals, to help inspire and grow more leaders in this industry and beyond.

ṕiʔačit (MHSS): To start off with, tell us your name and a bit about yourself! What is your history and background, including your past work experience?

Corene Inouye (CI): My name is Corene Inouye. I grew up in Steveston, BC, which used to be the largest commercial fishing harbour in Canada. My first work experience at 15 was as a deckhand aboard my father’s gillnetter “Tranquility”, on the Fraser River and in Barkley Sound. Right out of highschool I ended up working in an office role with the Steveston Harbour Authority for 5 years, which led to a management opportunity with my sister, Nadene, who started her own whale watching company, ‘Orca Spirit Adventures’, in Victoria, BC. That involved my first move to the Island back in 1996. Several years later, a change in life circumstances (including having two children), was followed by ṕiʔačit: When you first heard of the position, what excited you about the prospect of joining the team in a leadership position? Now that you’re starting to settle into the role, what are you most excited about? ṕiʔačit: One of the goals that we have with Ahous Adventures is to mentor Ahousaht community members into positions at all levels of operation from boat drivers and guides to management. Can you talk a bit about this? ṕiʔačit: One of the most exciting aspects to me is the growth component - it’s not even just creating jobs, it’s creating careers. I think it’s so important that people know that these aren’t just positions they go and apply to and that’s the job that they’re going to do - there’s so much room for internal growth, moving up, doing more - it can be a longterm journey. These are potentially very fulfilling career opportunities.

CI: One of the main reasons I wanted to join this organization is that it closely aligns with my personal values that have changed and grown over time. An opportunity to work with Indigenous peoples, especially in this region, is very meaningful to me. I want to become a better ally and advocate, and if I can utilize my years of experience and skills to be of service, then I’m grateful for the opportunity and will do my very best. Another attraction for me is the larger vision, including the Tofino Wilderness Resort. To hear about the healing retreats that are planned for the resort really inspires me.

In 2020 I journeyed through a medicine wheel and that experience helped to connect me with indigenous healing practices and a deeper personal relationship with the forest, ocean, animals, mountains and the spirit realm. The health and wellness of mother earth and all of its inhabitants is of growing importance to me, and I hope both my learning and leadership will translate into more eco-initiatives through Ahous Adventures and the resort.

CI: As a leader, I love to encourage and support members of the community by offering opportunities to grow skills and experience. It is very rewarding to witness people living out their dreams and creating lifelong careers. When Hasheukumiss mentioned mentoring Ahousaht community members, I knew right away that creating mentorship programs for all positions (in the office and on the water) would be a meaningful and fulfilling part of my work here. I’m very excited, especially for Ahousaht youth, to have access to more diverse job opportunities in Tofino that are secure and that offer fun, adventure, and personal growth and development.

CI: Yes, I agree! I love helping to build the confidence of team members over time, and exposing them to opportunities they may never have thought were possible. I also want Ahous Adventures to grow a strong reputation, where people feel valued and supported, and want to work here for many years to come. ṕiʔačit: What is going to make Ahous Adventures unique in comparison to the many other wildlife tour companies in Tofino? The idea of being a bridge and sharing this knowledge, this whole really big body of local and cultural history and language is a big one. ṕiʔačit: Reciprocity and rooting things in exchange is a big one. We have an opportunity to foster a deeper connection. ṕiʔačit: To touch a bit more on those thoughtscolonization and residential schools took a toll on all indigenous communities, and our community is no exception. The Nisga’a nation, as just one example, is investing in tourism of their territory, creating new branding that invites visitors to “reawaken their spirit.” ṕiʔačit: Going back to the idea of “not just a vacation destination”, when people are wondering what they can do in terms of reconciliation, this is a very tangible thing that they can do: honor and learn about the histories and cultures of the original inhabitants of the lands they now occupy. To come participate in guided experiences like what we’ll be offering, to become educated and to support usthat’s tangible action. ṕiʔačit: To put this on the community’s radar, what kind of jobs will be available at Ahous Adventures? ṕiʔačit: When will more information be available regarding job opportunities? Who should interested applicants send their resumes to?

CI: Yes, the added elements of indigenous culture, language, history and storytelling is what will set us apart from other eco-tours in this region. I believe by openly sharing this knowledge, visitors to the region will more easily tap into the true spirit of this remarkable place. Perhaps visitors will feel called to honor the sacredness of these lands/ocean/people and better understand that a guest-host relationship needs to be rooted in reciprocity.

CI: Yes, a much deeper connection. By sharing Ahousaht stories and traditions, the culture is strengthened and will become better known and understood. The openness, patience, and respect of visitors are gifts that they can offer in return. Reciprocity and regenerative tourism supports the local economy, helps better protect the environment, increases understanding and fosters unity. Regenerative tourism requires a fundamental shift in how visitors experience the places they ‘vacation’.

I think that people in our community who may be feeling uprooted or a little lost in regard to our cultural roots and connection to the land will, I hope, find purpose and reconnection in this opportunity, and on the larger scale with what we’re trying to do across all the different businesses and opportunities we’re working on in putting culture back at the forefront of things. I think that this movement for us will have a similar effect to what the Nisga’a are experiencing.

I first realized that there was this latent potential and desire for Indigenous tourism in our territories when I went to New Zealand in 2016. The Māori have set such an excellent example for all of this. They’ve been at the forefront of establishing Indigenous tourism in a major way. They’re a huge success story that other indigenous peoples can point to and say, “they did it and so can we.” That’s another exciting thing about what we’re doing here - we’re trying to build this up in such a way that we can be that nation that other nations can point to and say “we can do this too.” We’re at a turning point in history right now, and I think it’s fair to say that Indigenous tourism is definitely our path forward in investing into ourselves and our community.

CI: The path forward is very inspiring. I believe it is beneficial to learn from the nations that have already started on this path. The vision is coming together for Ahousaht peoples, the right supporters are coming together, things are falling into place and prayers are being answered!

CI: Yes, one hundred percent ! As I mentioned previously, I am learning more each and every day and I feel the call to become a stronger ally and advocate for indigenous peoples. When we know better, we do better! I have made a personal commitment to make more of a difference, to be of service and to offer support when and where I can.

CI: Starting this spring, we will need a full team of small vessel operators, marine mechanics, front desk/customer service agents, baristas, marketing, administration and finance. Additionally, we will also be commissioning artists to produce handmade works (such as carvings, paintings, silk-screened clothing, jewelry, knitwear, etc) to sell in the gift shop. We strongly encourage emerging and established artists in the community to reach out about this opportunity!

CI: Job ads will be posted (initially through Facebook, Indeed and Go2HR), and resumes with cover letters and references can be emailed to: adventure@mhssahousaht.ca ṕiʔačit: As somebody who has tons of experience working in the wildlife viewing tour industry, what kind of work environment does this work entail?

CI: A strong team environment - supportive, caring and reciprocal in nature, with safe operations at the forefront. Similar to my past team(s), I’m definitely eager to grow our work environment so we feel like a family, as cliché as that sounds. Diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging, is of great importance to me. And I am a strong proponent of women in this industry! I would love to help facilitate more women finding a passion for working on the ocean. Looking back at my history at both Jamie’s and Orca Spirit, I have a lot of pride in the number of women we supported to confidently get behind the wheel of a boat ! Whether we are at the helm of a boat or a company, we can use our voices and our spirits to lead with care and confidence! ṕiʔačit: That’s wonderful - thanks for your time!

MHSS, Ahousaht Haw’iih, and Ahous Adventures General Manager Corene Inouye would like to extend a warm welcome to musčim interested in joining the Ahous Adventures team, and encourage applications from both qualified individuals and youth interested in mentorship opportunities!

Tofino Wilderness Resort Construction Update & Opening Dates

Renovations at the Tofino Wilderness Resort are continuing to progress. In the time elapsed following the previous update, much work has been done. All materials got barged out in early January, and progress throughout the month has been focused on replacing the longhouse deck. Other efforts have been directed towards layout and excavation work, building forms and placement, concrete pouring, beam line placement, and joist and frame installation. Tyler Hubner is generously assisting with the cutting of 2x6 planks to be installed on the top of the deck.

Regarding opening dates, it is with careful deliberation and thought that MHSS and the Tofino Wilderness Resort team have made the decision to postpone the opening of the resort until May 2024.

Though we are very excited to welcome guests into our haḥuułii, to host them and to give them a life changing stay with us, we want to ensure that we are able to deliver a fully realized and awe-inspiring experience upon opening. This is an objective that necessitates an extended timeline leading up to opening, but will ultimately afford us the capacity to complete infrastructure upgrades, refine resort programming (including cultural experiences), and facilitate employee training.

As always, we will continue to provide updates as construction progresses.