ITO Team
Kevin Eshkawkogan – Chief Executive Officer
Kevin is an Anishnabek and is a member of the M’Chigeeng First Nation on Manitoulin Island.
Kevin has been a key player in the development of Indigenous cultural tourism in Ontario since 2003. Kevin was an integral part of the development and growth of the Great Sprit Circle Trail (GSCT) on Manitoulin Island, one of the country’s most renowned Indigenous tourism organizations that provides culturally authentic Indigenous experiences to visitors along with marketing support to Indigenous operators.
He has provided leadership to GSCT for over 15 years and has imparted his guidance to countless individuals throughout Manitoulin Island, Ontario, Canada, and beyond.
Kevin works tirelessly to unite Indigenous tourism providers, grow market reach and bring meaningful employment opportunities to the region.
Kevin is a mentor and visionary who works closely with his community to ensure sustainable and organic growth within the Indigenous tourism industry.
In 2015, Kevin was named the Tourism Champion of the Year by the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario. He has also been recognized by numerous media outlets for his accomplishments within the industry.
Kevin sits on a variety of boards including the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO).
He has also helped establish ITO, Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC), Northeastern Ontario Tourism, Destination Northern Ontario, the Manitoulin Hotel and Conference Centre, and many other tourism organizations and businesses. He also sits on the Destination Ontario Sector Advisory Committee, Tourism Skillsnet Ontario Council, and the Trans Canada Trail Indigenous Advisory Committee.
Sherry Mayer - Vice President of Operations
Sherry is a proud Métis person with Algonquin- Mohawk heritage, and a life long resident of Northern Ontario. With a passion for the helping profession, non-profit sector, her career focus is on building sustainable, economic outcomes for communities across Ontario, with a special focus on supporting Indigenous prosperity (reconciliation) along with population attraction and communal growth initiatives.
With an Honours diploma from Cambrian College in Social Services and Honours, Bachelor’s of Indigenous Social Work, her work has resulted in improvements to the socio-economic conditions in Northern Ontario, both in urban and rural communities. Her current focus is in the tourism industry, helping to enhance the economic opportunities for Indigenous communities.
She has a keen ability to enhance organizational systems and align key relationships, helping to advance the strategic vision. She helps with the implementation of best practices in nonprofit organizations with a special focus on advocacy for equality, for repressed social structures.
Sherry also owns and operates her own yoga business and advocates for mind-body therapies that are inclusive of therapeutic yoga modalities.
Barbara Bond – Office Manager
Barbara was born and raised on Manitoulin Island. Stepping out and experiencing life adventures for thirty-six years, Manitoulin eventually called her back home to her roots. Barb worked for thirteen years as the Administrator for Movati Athletics in Thunder Bay and had the pleasure of working at the various locations throughout Ontario.
Her greatest passion is travelling and learning about cultures everywhere she goes. Her favourite pastime is working in her flowerbeds, the game of curling, and horseback riding.
Cassidy Phillips - Operations & Special Projects Lead
Cassidy is a non-Indigenous settler of mixed ancestry who is a committed ally to Indigenous Peoples. She is also an avid reader, a film & television aficionado, and an Oxford comma user. Cassidy’s pronouns are she and her.
Steven Debassige - Cultural Integrity Lead
A proud Ojibway Anishinaabe with a close and strong connection to his home community of Manitoulin Island’s, M’Chigeeng First Nation; Steven brings to Indigenous Tourism Ontario as its Membership Coordinator, over 30 years of senior hospitality, business management and development experience.
Steven is an experienced operator with some of Canada’s leading hospitality corporations, from the small and independent to some of the industry’s leading major national and global brands from many points across this nation. A business development focused leader with a passion for excellence in customer service, attention to detail and overall guest satisfaction. Steven most recently and independently completed the design, outfit and opening of M’Chigeeng Freshmart, a fully owned and operated, full-service grocery store in the heart of M’Chigeeng First Nation.
Steven continuously brings the Seven Grandfather teachings into his personal life and business operations.
A committed lifelong learner that loves the outdoors and continues to explore his history, culture, the world around us and being one with nature. From hiking to hockey, canoeing and snowshoeing, to exploring the land; Steven loves to travel, his family, his daughters, his grandson, and everything that interests them.
Lisa Marie Lavallee - Project Administrator - 4 Pillars Intern
Lisa Marie Lavallee is Anishinabe originally from the Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory on Manitoulin Island. She was born and raised in Toronto, until her Family relocated to Southern Alberta for several years. She now resides in the Greater Sudbury-Manitoulin Area. Lisa Marie attended Cambrian College’s Tourism and Travel program. Upon graduating she began working within the Hospitality Industry with IHG’s Holiday Inn and most recently Hilton’s Homewood Suites. Lisa Marie has grown up on the Pow-Wow Trail. As a Jingle Dress dancer, she has traveled across Turtle Island to attend Pow-Wows and gatherings. Her dancing has also allowed her to travel internationally to present the Anishinaabe Jingle Dress and her culture. Lisa Marie has a deep passion for cultural exchanges. With a love for traveling to other regions to learn and experience culture, language, cuisine and seeing sites, she has the same love for sharing the same from her Region with others from around the World.
