Wiinipaakw Tours Solidarity Cooperative (WTSC) is a Cree owned non-profit organization created in April 2018 under Québec law “Loi sur les Coopératives”. WTSC’s mission is to develop sustainable coastal tourism in Eeyou Istchee, respecting authentic Cree culture and values, in
harmony with nature. WTSC’s vision is to collectively build the marine tourism industry on the coast of James Bay in Eeyou Istchee by bringing businesses and communities together for the greater benefit of all. The Cooperative will provide visitors in the Eeyou Istchee region a variety of original boating eco-tours along the Eastern James Bay coast.
WTSC is the first tourism cooperative to be created in Eeyou Istchee. Many advantages of a cooperative structure were identified. For instance, it is open to partnerships and allows the responsibility and risk to be shared amongst many stakeholders. According to statistics from the Québec Government, the average survival rate of cooperatives is double that of private businesses. The coop model is considered efficient and sustainable, due to the flexibility of the model and its capacity to adapt to various situations.
Below are links to documents related to the planning and initial operations of WTSC. For more information on their exciting tours and experiences, visit wiinipaakwtours.com.