Indigenous Tourism Specialists

Jordie Johnson | Sxoxomic is of Secwepemc decent, born and raised in Esk’etemc First Nation.  He has more than ten years experience working in corporate communications and community engagement. Jordie has a great appreciation for Indigenous languages and protocols throughout the province and beyond.

Jordie holds a BA in Professional Communications from Royal Roads University, and a diploma in Sports Management from Thompson Rivers University.

Jordie worked more than eight years with the First Nations Health Authority, developing provincial wellness initiatives and supporting corporate communications.

Darnell Stager is an Urban Indigenous man, born and raised in Vancouver. He proudly identifies as Ts’msyen from Kitsumkalum and S’tat’imc from Lil’Wat First Nation. Darnell is committed to promoting and sharing Indigenous culture with others and believes a vibrant experience awaits every curious visitor.

With a strong passion for facilitating meaningful encounters, Darnell has made it his mission to support Indigenous Stakeholders and their goals to create captivating Indigenous experiences. His approach, founded in a solution-based mindset, has developed over 15 years of experience in the restaurant industry, including his role as the General Manager of Salmon n’ Bannock Bistro.

Darnell’s unique blend of Indigenous heritage, extensive restaurant industry knowledge, and dedication to sharing Indigenous culture makes him a valuable resource for Indigenous tourism operators interested in creating authentic cultural experiences for visitors.

As a proud member of the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations, Wendy has spent two decades in the food and beverage industry, with ten years in managerial roles where she focused on the professional development of her team. Her dedication to creating supportive and inclusive environments has been instrumental in her past successes, and we are confident that she will bring the same level of commitment and excellence to our team.

In her new role, Wendy will work closely with Indigenous communities, cultural leaders, and tourism businesses to develop and promote unique and authentic Indigenous tourism experiences. Her extensive background in team building, customer relations, and operational excellence makes her a valuable addition to our team.

Jamie worked for a wealth management company for two decades before entering the tourism industry in 2020. A graduate of the Tourism and Professional Development program at Okanagan College, Jamie joined the ITBC team in early 2021, contributing as Indigenous Coordinator, Training and Development, and Indigenous Tourism Resiliency Program Advisor. 

Jamie works to assist Indigenous communities in the Thompson Okanagan, Cariboo Chilcotin Coast, and Kootenay Rockies regions in supporting Indigenous individuals and businesses in developing the skills, abilities, and tools to offer market-ready tourism products, programs, and services. She supports Indigenous organizations and communities through information–marketing business skills and training programs in Indigenous economic and business development efforts in order to promote Indigenous culture, products, and services. Jamie believes that Indigenous-led cultural tourism can balance socio-economic development for Indigenous people and communities.