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Robert Bernard is a Mi’kmaw business owner of a capacity building firm called Diversity Management Group (DMG). It is based out of We’koqma’q First Nation in beautiful Cape Breton, Nova Scotia.
Since starting his business back in 2000 DMG has created numerous partnerships with both Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal companies with one goal in mind – to help create capacity building opportunities for Aboriginal people. This includes working with businesses and communities with a focus on long term socio-economic benefits & supporting authentic cultural tourism development in Aboriginal communities.
For the past ten (10) years he has worked with the Wagmatcook Culture & Heritage Centre as a part time consultant and recently took on the role of Operations Manager and Culture & Tourism Planner for the Wagmatcook First Nation. The community is now in the midst of building a brand new cultural and tourism plan involving elders, youth and leaders through an advisory council. Over the past seven (7) years the community hosts one of the only Aboriginal Arts & Culture Celtic Colors International Music Festival.
Some of his most recent work includes being an integral part of bringing the 2016 International Aboriginal Tourism Conference (www.iatc-canada.ca) to Membertou First Nation (Sydney, NS) this Dec. 12-14. His role as the Conference Chair and Event Manager for the initiative helped to bring together over 300 participants from around the world at this very successful and sold out event.
Mr. Bernard currently sits on Executive Committees of the Unamaki Tourism Association (Cape Breton Island) as well as Aboriginal Tourism Association of Canada (ATAC). He has also recently been appointed to the Emerging Leaders Council (ELC) for the Tourism Industry Association of Nova Scotia (TIANS).
In December of 2016 he was also elected as the Executive Chairperson for the Aboriginal Tourism Association of Canada (ATAC) for a two (2) year term. His goal is to help deliver on the national five (5) year ATAC strategic plan with regions across Canada with a focus on building cultural and tourism capacities for local Aboriginal businesses and community enterprises as well as supporting the growth of authentic products and experiences.Mr. Bernard is also working to bring together Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal partnerships with the goal of helping to establish a Provincial and Atlantic based Aboriginal tourism organization.
He is also a very dedicated family man and community volunteer is married to his beautiful wife Kelly and has four children Jordynn, Kaylyn, Kassidy & Karmin.
For more information, please visit his company website at www.diversitymg.ca or his profile and organizational involvement at the national level at www.aboriginalcanada.ca.