Experience the Connection
Erik and Miel Blaney run I’Hos Cultural Tours out of Lund, B.C. Launched in 2010, the couple’s dreams inspired them to take the risk and start their own business. Their first step was to create a business plan, which they did with the help of Community Futures. From there, they used their own savings to purchase a small 20’ boat to conduct cultural tours. Their first summer was so successful that they made the decision to go bigger and purchase a larger zodiac.
Cultural tourism is booming in B.C., Canada and beyond, as travelers are turning more and more to the indigenous peoples to educate them on their cultural practices, beliefs and way of life. Erik Blaney is a trailblazer and a strong advocate of reviving the culture of the Tla’amin peoples. Erik feels that the education of others is a good way to learn and revive your own culture.
“Having people come and join you on a tour with the goal of learning the ancient ways is so rewarding and makes you strive to learn more, as they ask questions you might not know the answers to,” says Erik. “Teaching people the history that has been left on the land by the ancestors is very important in the path to reconciliation, as the public tries to understand the history of the first peoples and learn the lessons of the past.”
I’Hos Cultural Tours is respectful and walks lightly over the lands that they use for their tours. They strive for a high quality and intimate tour versus loading their boats to full capacity and trying to get as many tours out in a season as possible.
I’Hos is named after a mythical two-headed serpent. The serpent was a protector of the lands and kept an eye on everything in the area. Erik says that enlightening his visitors while caring for our sacred lands is of the utmost importance to him.
What is it that makes this cultural experience truly amazing? Erik explains that learning from a passionate company about the rich pre-contact history of the area is key. Tla’amin’s oldest village sites are over 8000 years old!
I’Hos is a genuine labour of love for Erik and his wife Miel. Miel works as the bookkeeper and Erik as guide, and they manage the business together. Additional staff include Drew Blaney, a full time guide and skipper, and Sosan Blaney, a master weaver who leads the weaving workshops. Gail Blaney assists Sosan with the workshops as well as the traditional food catering, which offers their clientele a unique cultural experience.
The company’s expansion was supported by Community Futures.
“We were able to take out a loan from Community Futures to purchase a bigger boat,” says Erik. “This allows us to reach farther up into Toba and Bute inlets comfortably. Community Futures was pivotal in helping us grow in year two by loaning us the funds necessary to purchase the long distance boat.”
I’Hos Cultural Tours’ clients experience the beauty of Desolation Sound, where they can get a glimpse of wildlife in their natural habitat. The newest tour is a Grizzly Bear Adventure into Bute Inlet! Contact Erik and Miel about booking a tour at 604.483.1308 or info@ihostours.com, and online at ihostours.com
