About JW Consults

Thank you for the opportunity to introduce myself and share my experiences working with Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities across Canada.

First, a point of clarification – I’m not Indigenous, and I don’t pretend to be an expert on Indigenous cultures. In fact, I consider myself fortunate to have been welcomed in so many Indigenous communities by so many kind and accepting people.

I’m someone who listens, tries to understand, and who commits to helping my clients achieve their goals while I remain in the background so they can shine.

Over the past quarter century I’ve had the opportunity to explore more of our country than almost anyone I know through the tourism work I’ve done.

I have spent time with Indigenous and non-Indigenous clients and communities in BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, and Nova Scotia, and have contributed to projects in the Yukon, Nunavut, and Newfoundland.

From small family-owned shops to multi-million dollar cultural centres - and projects ranging from community-based businesses to regional, provincial, and national initiatives - I’ve been immersed in a breadth of tourism-related experiences I couldn’t have imagined.

Now, having ventured from the firm I helped build for more than 20 years, my goal is to take what I've learned and get back to smaller projects where I can establish genuine relationships with my clients.

ABOUT JW Consults

Collaborative Partners

EPS' mission is to support organizations and institutions in setting and meeting their strategic objectives through proactive, innovative, solution-oriented, and outcome-focused interventions hinged on global best practices.

EPS is lead by highly skilled professionals with experience in Accounting, Auditing and Internal Control, Financial Management, Investment Advisory, Community Economic Development, Supply Chain Management, Public Health and Development Practice, Housing and Homelessness, Resource Development and Environmental Impact, Food Security, and Criminal Justice.

They have applied their knowledge and efforts with Indigenous communities here in Canada, and in a number of International projects.

ZenFri Inc. is an internationally recognized and award-winning interactive studio that leverages cutting-edge design and technology to push the boundaries of storytelling.

Working across an array of mediums, including Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), Mixed Reality (MR), immersive narratives and games, they create lovingly crafted experiences for clients and consumers across Canada and around the World.

ZenFri has created a range of innovative and industry-leading XR experiences including games, product apps, university research, and interactive educational experiences for interpretive centres, tours, museums, festivals, and galleries - including some of the first integration of AR and VR technology into Indigenous cultural tourism.

Giiwe Media is an Anishinaabe owned and operated multimedia and tourism business based in Manitoba, Canada. It is dedicated to supporting and elevating Indigenous voices and history throughout Canada.

Through storytelling, Indigenous tourism products and experiences, events, and bridging communities, Giiwe Media will create relationships that support future generations of creators, storytellers, helpers and leaders.

For owner Aaron Michael McKay who grew up on Rolling River First Nation, Giiwe Media is more than his business, it is his journey home, and his journey to reclaim and prepare it for those who come next by using sacred gifts.

His sacred gifts of voice, thought, and the power to create - combined with art, culture and experience - make up the business and journey of Giiwe Media.

I am fortunate to have met some very genuine people in my career. People with the true desire to help others, and who have created businesses based around their abilities and passions.

I consider myself fortunate to collaborate with them on projects where our values align and our skills are complementary, and would welcome the opportunity to learn about your business' or community's goals.