At his Queeneesh Studios on Vancouver Island, Krentz and a team of carvers built the first five canoes, combining traditional methods with modern tools and techniques, including the services of a naval architect. The prows of the cedar canoes are carved into a wolf head design. At a small school next to his studio on Saratoga Beach, Krentz is training the steersmen, pilots and shore dancers as well as the crews of the Zodiac boats that accompany the canoes. Vision Quest Story is Continued on its own special page. Cultural tourism is a growing industry in the province, as communities diversify their economies and treaty settlements progress.
Foreign visitors are keenly interested in the culture and history of Canada's Aboriginal people.
German, United Kingdom and Japanese tourists have indicated a keen interest in the opportunities for education, understanding and spiritual renewal that cultural tourism represents. The Hiwus Feast house on Grouse Mountain is setting a benchmark for authentic Aboriginal tourism. Although the process is not yet in place, some criteria, such as majority Aboriginal ownership or control, are outlined in the draft of a workbook developed by the association. The workbook assists an Aboriginal person setting up a cultural tourism business by identifying operating standards. Inuit ambassador makes Macleans' annual honor roll Mary Simon, Canada's first Inuit ambassador for circumpolar affairs, has been named to Macleans' magazine's 11th annual honor roll.