In this series of short profiles, Capital Current introduces key persons of influence in the city to the community.
Who is Trina Mather-Simard?
From hosting Ojibwe Spirit Horses to sitting on tourism boards, Trina Mather-Simard has more than 20 years of experience as an Indigenous tourism entrepreneur. She has contributed to the local and national industry as part of her mission to “preserve, promote and pass on Indigenous cultures.”
What’s her background?
More than 25 years ago, Mather-Simard launched her company, Indigenous Experiences, which shares authentic culture through events and tourism. In 2021, Mather-Simard opened Mādahòkì Farm, an ever-expanding Indigenous agrotourism destination in the Ottawa area.
Mather-Simard is a member of Curve Lake First Nation and grew up in Oshawa. She says her urban Indigenous background plays a role in her passion for Indigenous tourism as an entrepreneur.
“It helps create a platform for our Indigenous communities to share our culture, so not just with tourists, but with our own children and youth and future generations,” Mather-Simard said.
What is she known for in Ottawa?
Described as a “trailblazer” for Indigenous tourism by the Ottawa Business Journal and the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario, Mather-Simard is known for her early contributions to organizations such as the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada and Indigenous Tourism Ontario.
“If her and a few others didn’t do that work, where we’re at with Indigenous tourism right now, we simply wouldn’t be there,” Kevin Eshkawkogan, the president and CEO of Indigenous Tourism Ontario, told Capital Current.
What do people say about her?
Eshkawkogan says beyond her work as an entrepreneur, Mather-Simard’s priority is always to serve the people.
Recently, Eshkawkogan and Mather-Simard co-organized a drone show that was then postponed due to inclement weather. To make it up to youth who had to wait an extra day for the show, Eshkawkogan says Mather-Simard immediately went and shopped for glow sticks to make the delayed show extra special.
“She goes above and beyond all the time,” Eshkawkogan said.
What’s a lesser known fact about her?
For Mather-Simard, becoming an entrepreneur was always in the cards. She recalls spending her childhood summers organizing pet shows and carnivals, filling the neighbourhood with posters to seek prize donations.
“My love of this type of work goes back pretty far.”
