New Indigenous networking space at Palais des congrès de Montréal

In one of Montreal’s largest gathering places, the Palais des congrès, a new cultural project has taken shape, a networking space featuring the 11 Indigenous nations in Quebec.

The space unveiled last week is called Autochtone Quebec. Indigenous Tourism Quebec and the Montreal convention centre teamed up to create the space.

“We feel that Indigenous tourism is definitely at the core of our culture here in Quebec. So, working with the team at Indigenous Tourism Quebec was a great opportunity to collaborate on a space allowing for our business travellers to immerse themselves with the Indigenous culture,” said Emmanuelle Legault, president and CEO of the Palais des congrès de Montréal.

Legault says the space targets business travellers from around the world who would like to use the space for networking purposes.

“It’s a space that allows for events to maybe create a little cocktail area or really to showcase what Indigenous populations are doing in Quebec,” said Legault.

The space is surrounded by carved wooden poles to illustrate traditional Innu houses carved by Innu designer and artisan Serge Ashini Goupil.

Located in the middle of the room, there is a 3D map on the main table showing where the 55 Indigenous communities in Quebec are located.

Surrounding the table are 11 chairs, representing the 11 Indigenous nations.

Several events organized by and for Indigenous peoples will be held at the convention centre in coming months, including the Assembly of First Nations of Quebec and Labrador in July.

“Being a convention centre, whose main mission is to have international conventions, we really try and focus on giving those areas to those organizers and those business travellers,” said Legault.