Far North island hosts award winning lodge.A small island in the Far North is the proud owner a national tourism excellence award. The Cree Village Ecolodge on Moose Factory Moose Factory, trading post, NE Ont., Canada, near the mouth of the Moose River on James Bay. A fort was built there by Charles Bayly, governor of the Hudson's Bay Company, in the early 1670s. Island won the Air Canada Business of the Year Award at the TIAC See Thrift Institution Advisory Council. National Awards for Tourism Excellence on Oct. 24 of last year. Moose Factory Island is made up of 1,300 acres of land and is located on the Moose River Moose River River, northeastern Ontario, Canada. It flows northeast for more than 60 mi (100 km) to empty into James Bay. A wide stream, it is actually the estuary for several rivers, including the Abitibi and Mattagami. . The lodge, which has been open since 2000, is a major tourist attraction Noun 1. tourist attraction - a characteristic that attracts tourists attractive feature, magnet, attractor, attracter, attraction - a characteristic that provides pleasure and attracts; "flowers are an attractor for bees" on the island and is the only Aboriginal developed, owned and operated ecolodge in the Northern hemisphere. Even with the building's modern design and structure, it is a top Eco-tourism facility. It is operated by members of the community according to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. the traditional values Traditional values refer to those beliefs, moral codes, and mores that are passed down from generation to generation within a culture, subculture or community. Since the late 1970s in the U.S. of the James Bay James Bay, shallow southern arm of Hudson Bay, c.300 mi (480 km) long and 140 mi (230 km) wide, E central Canada, in Nunavut Territory between Ont. and Que. Numerous rivers flow into the bay; many of these have been developed for hydroelectric power in Quebec (see Cree culture who have kept its harmony with nature and ecological concerns. The Ecolodge houses 20 guest rooms that offer comfort amidst the local natural resources while still feeling like a hotel. The lodge has natural wool carpeting, natural wool blankets and offers organic mattresses for guests to sleep on. The great hall is known as Shabatwon, which translates to "long teepee with doors at each end." This building is designed from a traditional Cree establishment and is held up by a pure pine and cedar structure. Pictures of the elders are displayed on a wall near the lounge and the dining area overlooks the Moose River. Before the awards ceremony took place last year, the lodge's manager, Greg Williams, told his staff how proud he was and reminded them that whether or not they won they were still at least third in the country and that made them winners (there were three nominees for the award). "We were very excited about the award, excited to be in the running," said Williams. The award ceremony has been acknowledged by both tourists and return guests. They receive many congratulations from the guests who heard about the award. Business has picked up a noticeable amount and as of March 31, this has been a good year for the lodge. "This is our best year ever and we're expecting bigger and better things to come," said Williams. The lodge suffered after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks on the United States but things picked up and now things are better than ever. MacLeod Farley and Associates worked alongside of the MoCreebec Council to develop the Cree Village Ecolodge. The MoCreebec Council of the Cree Nation does not qualify for funding for personal projects so all of the money invested into this project came from the council. The time and investment that the Cree community put into the lodge shows the importance of keeping its heritage alive hundreds of years later. The lodge offers tourists and people familiar with the island a friendly place to stay and take in nature and all it has to offer, while contributing to and learning to appreciate the Cree culture, its values and beliefs. www.creevillage.com By MARIE Marie (mərē`), 1875–1938, queen of Romania, consort of Ferdinand. The daughter of Alfred, duke of Edinburgh and of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, she was the granddaughter of Czar Alexander II of Russia and of Queen Victoria of England. CLARKE For Northern Ontario Business Northern Ontario Business is a Canadian magazine, which publishes monthly in Greater Sudbury, Ontario. The magazine covers business news and issues in Northern Ontario. |
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