Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Indigenization, and Accountability

We strive to create a tourism landscape that is welcoming, inclusive, and accessible to all visitors, residents, and industry partners alike. We actively seek to learn from and collaborate with Indigenous communities, local creators, and diverse voices to ensure our work honours the heritage, identity, and future of the land now known as Prince Edward County.

Accountability guides how we operate, from transparent governance of tourism investments to the continual reflection and adaptation of our practices. We believe that a thriving visitor economy is one that uplifts the entire community, celebrates authenticity, and embraces the differences that make The County vibrant and unique.

Through our marketing, partnerships, and destination management, we are committed to advancing a more equitable, inclusive, and sustainable tourism future, one that truly reflects the spirit of The County and all who call it home.

Our team continues to meet each month for honest conversations about inclusivity and accountability in our work. These sessions deepen our understanding as we grow more comfortable discussing challenging topics and applying lessons from our ongoing training. We’re focused not just on theory, but on putting what we learn into meaningful, everyday practice.

Our strategic plan for 2026 makes this a major priority. This summer, we will begin developing a formal Culture and Belonging action plan that will guide our marketing, partnerships, and product development moving forward. In the meantime, we are already working to embed accessibility, inclusion, and reconciliation considerations into every program Visit The County runs.

We are also continuing our conversations with our Indigenous partners. We are eager to find a path forward that allows us to share Indigenous history and present-day context while amplifying Indigenous voices and experiences across the region. We look forward to learning more and sharing that journey with you as it unfolds.

We want to share an update on our ongoing DEI journey, particularly around the development of Indigenous-focused content for our website. While we had originally set internal timelines for this work, we’ve learned that arbitrary deadlines don’t matter as much as building trusting, respectful relationships with the Indigenous partners guiding this content.
We are committed to ensuring that the information we share, including historical context and cultural insights, is accurate, respectful, and approved by those leading its development. We look forward to sharing this content once our partners feel confident and comfortable with it.
Going forward, we will provide quarterly updates on the progress of our initiatives as they relate to Culture and Belonging, keeping our community informed and holding ourselves accountable every step of the way.

We’re moving forward with our work alongside Dr. Rye Barberstock of Okwaho Equal Source. On Tuesday, October 7, our team will participate in a full day of staff training led by Dr. Barberstock to support a thoughtful and consistent approach in how we engage with Indigenous history, present-day context, and community partnerships.
At the same time, we are finalizing updates to our website. By the end of October, visitors will see a refreshed land acknowledgement, new space dedicated to sharing Indigenous history and perspectives in Prince Edward County, and a page highlighting Indigenous-owned businesses in The County and neighbouring communities.
We look forward to sharing these updates with you soon.

We’re excited to be working with Dr. Rye Barberstock of Okwaho Equal Source on a review of our practices and website. This includes updating our land acknowledgement, creating space to share Indigenous history and present-day context in Prince Edward County, and building a webpage to highlight Indigenous-owned businesses in The County and in neighbouring communities. Dr. Barberstock will also lead staff and board training to help guide us in a thoughtful and consistent approach. Much of this work will be completed by the end of October, with more updates to come.
In addition, we are undertaking a broader review of our policies and practices to ensure they reflect inclusive, equitable, and community-centered values. We will share specific action items as these plans progress.
Ryan “Rye” Karonhiowanen Barberstock
Dr. Ryan “Rye” Karonhiowanen Barberstock is a Haudenosaunee (Rotinoshonni) and Michi Saagiig Nishnaabeg scholar, business owner, and community leader. He is a member of the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte and has family roots in Curve Lake First Nation, Hiawatha First Nation, and Alderville First Nation.
Rye earned his PhD in Human Geography from Queen’s University. His research examined the Dish with One Spoon Wampum Belt treaty in Southern Ontario and how it can inform Indigenous governance, economic independence, and cooperation between Nations today.
He also completed a Master’s degree at Queen’s University, where he studied the Mohawk Aerodrome on Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory during the First World War. His work shared the community’s perspective and examined the impacts of the Government of Canada’s actions on a Haudenosaunee reserve.
As co-founder of Okwaho Equal Source, Rye has worked with Indigenous governments, national Indigenous organizations, and the federal government. He helped lead national conversations and workshops on how to improve Indigenous procurement in the federal government. He has also written important reports and created learning materials on Indigenous procurement, entrepreneurship, and community business development. In his community, he has supported early planning for the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte Haudenosaunee Child and Family Law, as outlined in Bill C-92.
Rye’s work is deeply connected to the Bay of Quinte region. He draws on Wampum Law, the Great Law of Peace, and Indigenous ecological knowledge to guide governance, economic development, and environmental care. His vision is to help build strong Indigenous nations that can fully exercise their rights while promoting peace, respectful relationships, and care for the land.
In addition to his policy and governance work, Rye is often invited to Queen’s University and other colleges and universities to give Land Acknowledgements, give guest lectures on Indigenous relations, and lead courses on local Indigenous history and treaty responsibilities.

Visit The County remains committed to taking action and accountability in our journey of truth and reconciliation. 
We have been connecting with members of the Indigenous community to find a consultant to assist us in the development of historical context and storytelling that includes and celebrates the Indigenous peoples who have tended this land, and who are still active in our community today. We are grateful to have Ogwari Brant, a Councillor with the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte and a valued member of our board, participating in this important work with us.
A plan is in the works to update our website, and to commit to inclusive organizational practices that showcase The County as a safe destination where diversity is celebrated. 
While it may seem on the surface that things are moving slowly, we want to do this correctly and respectfully. We’ve been meeting with a number of experts in the realm of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion to ensure that we’re looking at the big picture, and creating a plan that takes a holistic approach.
As summer comes to a close and the fall routines begin, we look forward to updating you in September with specific actionable items.

On July 6, a Facebook post highlighting the lack of Indigenous history on the Visit The County website was made in several community groups. This is something that we take very seriously and are committed to taking measures to correct this issue. We can do better.
While we had outlined in our plans for 2025 to do an audit of our practices as they pertain to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, it was not high enough on our priority list. As the Destination Management and Marketing Organization for Prince Edward county, we recognize our responsibility in telling the full, inclusive story of The County, and our website should have reflected that fact from the beginning.
One of the values that has been identified for the organization is Inclusivity: We are dedicated to shaping a Prince Edward County that is diverse, inclusive, equitable, and accessible to all, and we work to amplify tourism operators creating experiences that reflect this value.  
At this time we are formulating a plan that includes working with members of the Indigenous community, reviewing our website, and identifying other opportunities for the organization to put our commitment into practice. We are starting with how we tell the story of The County, but intend to take a holistic approach of reviewing the organization to ensure that we amplify diverse voices, and offer resources and education opportunities that support The County as a safe and welcoming destination for everyone.
In order to keep ourselves accountable and to keep the community updated on the steps we are taking to evolve - both as an organization and as a destination - we will be making monthly updates in this newsletter and on our website.
If you have any questions or feedback about this process, please send us an email at hello@visitthecounty.com.
Thank you for coming on this journey with us.