Desiree Bangal
Tansi, my name is Desiree Bagnall, I am Cree, Dene, Inuvialuit, and Scottish. I am 35 years old, a single mother with two beautiful young girls. I specialize in Indigenous Tourism and I am passionate about tourism as a means of reconciliation and reconnection to self, community, and culture. I hold a certificate and diploma in Indigenous Tourism Management from the Native Education College (2014), a Bachelor of Arts in Tourism Management from Capilano University (2017) and a Master of Arts Tourism Management from Royal Roads University (2019). Currently, pursuing the Doctor of Social Sciences at Royal Roads University (2028). I have 7+ years of studying and working in the Indigenous tourism field; working my way up from front line positions to working in the public sector. My doctoral work is an auto-ethnography of my experiences overcoming adversity by pursuing and finding success in post-secondary education. I want to share my story with the hopes that it will contribute meaningfully to the growing body of auto-ethnographies written by Indigenous women.
Currently, I am the Tourism Resource and Programs Coordinator for the Government of the Northwest Territories holding this position for five years. My work includes administering funding for tourism operators in the territory to diversify and expand their tourism operations. My aspiration is to become a professor teaching Indigenous tourism at Royal Roads University.
