Huron-Wendat Nation

Four Quebec First Nations buy majority stake in downtown hotel

Peter Black, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

peterblack@qctonline.com

Four Quebec Indigenous groups have partnered to buy a majority stake in Quebec City’s Hilton Hotel.

Under the deal announced Jan. 16, the business corporations of the Naskapi of Kawawachikamach, the Mi’gmaq of Gaspé, the Huron-Wendat of Wendake and the James Bay Cree made the acquisition through a new corporation called Atenro, which means friendship in the Wendat language.

The hotel will continue to be managed by Hilton Quebec, which is owned by InnVest Ho- tels, a Toronto-based company owned in turn by Bluesky Hotels and Resorts, described in business publications as incorporated in Ontario but financed by money from Hong Kong.

InnVest owns or manages more than 100 hotels in Canada, including 17 in Quebec, under various brands. The Hilton is the company’s only holding in Quebec City. With 539 rooms, it is also one of the city’s largest hotels.

Besides the representatives of the First Nations partners, other notables in attendance at the announcement included Quebec City Mayor Bruno Marchand and Quebec Minister for Relations with First Nations and Inuit Ian Lafrenière.

In a news release, the partners said they “plan to implement joint initiatives with Hilton Quebec and InnVest Hotels to provide employment and training opportunities for members of all First Nations. All current jobs will be maintained.”

Fred Vicaire, CEO of Mi’gmawei Mawiomi Business Corporation, owned by the Mi’gmaq communities of Gesgapegiag, Gespeg and Listuguj, told the QCT in an interview that the corporation’s board raised the idea of investing in a hotel back in 2023 as part of the tourism element of its strategic plan.

He said initially the partner- ship would have been between the Mi’kmaq and the Naskapi, but “we realized [the Hilton] was much bigger than we could handle.” They approached the Huron-Wendat group, whose members immediately liked the idea, and the James Bay Cree quickly got on board as well.

“The stars lined up. We all wanted to make an impact in the hotel industry,” Vicaire said, noting the Hilton is a “symbolic hotel” and a landmark of the Quebec capital.

Vicaire said the four First Nations contributed equal shares to come up with the $85.6 mil- lion to acquire 51 per cent of the hotel ownership.

While the Hilton was not necessarily for sale, InnVest having poured some $70 million into a recent major upgrade, Vicaire said the company had done similar deals with Indigenous groups in Western Canada, and “loved the idea of partnering up with First Nations, and wanted to do something in Quebec, especially at the Hilton.”

Huron-Wendat Grand Chief Pierre Picard said in a news release, “This historic transaction honours the memory of the Wendat ancestors who once had an important network of trade and trade alliances. We continue in the same tradition and set an example for our younger generations where collaboration, ambition and visions can converge into con- crete successes that promote our financial independence.”

Vicaire said the acquisition of the hotel creates opportunities to showcase Indigenous culture, featuring design, artisanship and dining experiences.

As for renaming the hotel to reflect the new ownership, Vicaire said that would be a matter for the board to decide. “You never know in the future.”