Brenda Baptiste

Brenda Baptiste is the project manager for the Osoyoos Indian Band Centre for Aboriginal Community Enterprise – a leading edge leadership training program that is inspired by the innovative economic development model of the Osoyoos Indian Band. Previously she was responsible for the development of the Nk’Mip Desert Cultural Centre, including managing Phase 1 of this operation, and playing a key role in the planning and development of the second and final phase of this centre.

As a consultant, Brenda worked with Tourism British Columbia to support the development of Aboriginal communities that are involved in tourism. As a champion for Aboriginal Tourism, her focus was to build capacity and opportunity with the belief that Aboriginal tourism balances socio-economic development with heritage preservation and promotion.

As the former chair of Aboriginal Tourism British Columbia, Brenda’s focus was to actively promote tourism as a foundation for socio-economic development for Aboriginal communities. She has committed her energy to the development and promotion of the Aboriginal Cultural Tourism Blueprint Strategy, an innovative and leading edge initiative to develop the Aboriginal tourism industry in BC. She also served as a regional director for the national board of Aboriginal Tourism Canada and other national and regional committees. Brenda continues her work with Aboriginal Tourism British Columbia as an ex-officio member of the board.