Regional Indigenous Tourism Specialists

Rocky, a proud member of the Beaver First Nation, brings over 30 years of expertise in hospitality and tourism, with a focus on heritage operations and First Nations relations, particularly in economic development with the Kwantlen First Nation. In 2019, he left city life behind to embrace his passion for history, following the Gold Rush Trail to the Cariboo. Settling in the charming village of Wells, Rocky spent the past five years as the Commerce and Indigenous Relations Manager for Barkerville Historic Town and Park, collaborating closely with eight partner First Nations in the region.

A natural storyteller, Rocky is thrilled to step into his new role as the Regional Indigenous Tourism Specialist for the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast, where he aims to enhance the value of Indigenous tourism. Known for his love of nature and often spotted with a camera, Rocky finds deep connections with the land, nurturing his respect for the world we all call home.

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.

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.

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 to the team as Indigenous Coordinator, Training and Development, and as Indigenous Tourism Resiliency Program Advisor. 

Jamie works to assist Indigenous communities in the Thompson Okanagan region to support Indigenous individuals and businesses develop 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.

Sy-Lynne Bell, a member of the Haida Nation, brings over 15 years of experience in the tourism and hospitality sector, along with 4 years in community economic development. Throughout her career, Sy-Lynne has been dedicated to advancing Indigenous business development and promoting sustainable tourism practices. Her background equips her to work effectively with stakeholders, fostering the growth of Indigenous businesses and Northwest communities.