News & Resources

The latest Thompson Okanagan tourism industry news from TOTA, tourism businesses, and communities.

Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association 10/28/21 Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association 10/28/21

Glohaven Community Hub Announces Indigenous Globox™ Campaign with Shop First Nations & Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association

Glohaven Community Hub, Shop First Nations, and the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) are collaborating on the Indigenous Globox™ Campaign, an Indigenous gift box featuring authentically local First Nations products and experiences from the Nlaka’pamux, Syilx Okanagan, and Secwepemc in the Thompson Okanagan region.

Glohaven Community Hub (Glohaven.com), a socially impactful eCommerce platform that makes it easier for people to explore, shop, and support local economies in a more sustainable way, has announced a collaboration with Shop First Nations (SFN) and the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA). In recognition of the Truth & Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action, the organizations are co-creating an Indigenous gift box platform that will feature authentically local First Nations products and experiences from the Nlaka’pamux, Syilx Okanagan, and Secwepemc.

Through the Indigenous Globox™ Campaign, Glohaven and Shop First Nations will work with tourism partners like TOTA to develop, promote, and distribute a specially curated gift box that will showcase the creations of local Indigenous artisans, crafters, and experience providers in the Thompson Okanagan region.

The Indigenous Globox™ contains several Indigenous products from the Thompson Okanagan region, including:

Cover art by Syilx artist Janine Lott;
Angie’s N8ive Beading Orange Shirt Day pin and hoop earrings;
Moose Hide Campaign pins;
LIVN GIVN art card;
Stickers from Shop First Nations and North Okanagan Apparel;
Calling My Spirit Back book by Elaine Alec;
Okanagan Select Smoked Salmon made with organic Maple Roch syrup;
Glohaven Community Hub recycled plastic tote bag;
Up The Hill At Loakin’s Chocolate and Roses Lotion Bar, Birch Bath Salts, and a 2-pack of Rose Petal Blend Tea.

The Beginnings of the Globox™

In 2021, TOTA and Glohaven Community Hub connected and discovered a shared goal to support the many small and medium size tourism businesses in the Thompson Okanagan region. TOTA and Glohaven worked together to create the Globox™, a tourism gift box showcasing a variety of locally curated products and experiences from Thompson Okanagan businesses. Each Globox™ proudly features at least one Indigenous product or experience as well as a product or experience from a Thompson Okanagan Biosphere Committed Company.

“TOTA appreciates our ongoing relationship with Glohaven and working together with their team to help bring awareness to Indigenous Tourism experiences and products within the region,” said TOTA CEO, Ellen Walker-Matthews. “It has also provided a tremendous opportunity to elevate the many Biosphere Committed Companies we work with throughout the Thompson Okanagan.”

Growing Indigenous Tourism & Economic Reconciliation through the Indigenous Globox™

“Indigenous tourism was the fastest growing sector in the Canadian tourism industry prior to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Glohaven CEO, Michael Benedek. “With leisure and business travel grinding to a halt during the pandemic, many tourism businesses - especially those owned by Indigenous entrepreneurs - have been severely impacted by significant losses of revenue and livelihoods.”

“The goal of the Indigenous Globox Campaign is to amplify the voices of Indigenous owned businesses and provide consumers with the opportunity to demonstrate economic reconciliation by consciously shopping for and supporting the unique products and experiences of Indigenous creators,” said Shop First Nations President, Rob Schulz.

TOTA, Glohaven, and Shop First Nations recognize the power of working together to leverage each other's unique skills and resources to support Indigenous businesses with innovative, creative, and tangible sales and marketing solutions. Furthermore, this campaign contributes to the recognition of the Thompson Okanagan region as a sustainable Indigenous tourism destination.

Show Your Support for Indigenous Owned Businesses in the Thompson Okanagan

You can show your support for Indigenous entrepreneurs and businesses based in the Thompson Okanagan by:

Purchasing an Indigenous Globox™ at www.Globox.Market/products/Indigenous-Globox™
Learning about and supporting Indigenous businesses and artists, like Syilx artist Janine Lott, creator of the Indigenous Globox™ cover art - watch the Glohaven video about Janine's work to learn more.
Visiting TOTA’s Indigenous Tourism webpage.
Taking a photo of your favourite Indigenous product or business in the Thompson Okanagan, then posting your photo to social media with these tags: #GlohavenCommunityHub #ShopFirstNations #IndigenousBC #IndigenousBusiness #ThompsonOkanagan #ExploreBC