Corporate
McMurray Métis and Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo Economic Development & Tourism Sign Memorandum of Understanding
Pursuing economic development and tourism opportunities, together.
Fort McMurray, AB – Today’s signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the McMurray Métis marks the first formal collaboration between Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo Economic Development & Tourism (FMWBEDT) and an Indigenous community.
“The MOU we have established with Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo Economic Development & Tourism is good news for our members,” said Bill Loutitt, Chief Executive Officer of McMurray Métis. “Together we are stronger, and this shared understanding will support Indigenous tourism and economic development in Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo. We are proud that the Métis Cultural Centre will be a key component of this MOU.”
McMurray Métis and FMWBEDT will focus on building on the areas that bring measurable and meaningful benefit to both organizations.
“The McMurray Métis’ knowledge, insights, and perspectives are integral to the future of economic development and tourism for our region,” said Kevin Weidlich, President and CEO of FMWBEDT. “We look forward to listening, learning, reflecting, and then acting together with McMurray Métis to support shared value creation and a meaningful, long-term and sustainable relationship.”
McMurray Métis and FMWBEDT’s next steps will include establishing an Implementation Committee and creating an Economic Development and Indigenous Tourism Action Plan to identify and respond to immediate and long-term economic opportunities in Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo.