Some of Bobbie’s thoughts and reflections shared through podcasts, interviews, news reports, conferences, creative outputs and other platforms online…
February 2025
As part of the JUST TOUR Seminar Series led by the University of Glasgow’s School of Social & Environmental Sustainability, I was able to join my colleagues in a discussion on the topic of (in)justices in tourism. Specifically, we shared some of our approaches and work experiences in navigating the intersections of tourism, (in)justice and relationships between people and place. My reflections focused on my work documenting Indigenous-led toxic tours, climate justice in tourism and Indigenous communities pursuing tourism as an alternative to mining.
November 2024
By: Bobbie Chew Bigby
Returning to my alma mater at Nulungu Research Institute in Broome, Western Australia, I was able to share insights with community members from two key projects from this past year. These included the Climate Justice and Tourism white paper, as well as writing on transition mineral mining, tourism and impacts on Indigenous peoples.
October 2024
Bloomberg: Australia First Nations See Opportunity in Tourism Where Politics Failed
By: Lebawit Lily Girma
This piece reflects on the growing potential and opportunities for Indigenous Australian-led tourism one year out from the referendum where the majority of the country voted ‘No’ to an Indigenous voice in Parliament. Voices from Aboriginal tourism leaders including Johani Mamid of Mabu Buru Tours in Broome are highlighted, showing the incredible potential of Indigenous tourism, but also the challenges faced by the industry. Having been hosted by Karajarri Traditional Owners in Broome during my own PhD on Indigenous-led tourism models, I’m able to offer a reflection to the conversation also.
September - October 2024
Podcast: Bolivia, Cambodia and Oklahoma: Tourism and Environmental Justice
By: Dr. Vincie Ho, Rise Travel Institute
In this conversation on the RISE Traveler podcast, Vincie and I talk about a wide range of topics and communities that have been part of my own journey in understanding tourism. These include toxic tourism, Bolivia, mines, Cambodia, climate justice and lots in between.
Additionally, I had the pleasure of contributing a couple of my thoughts to RISE’s recently released eBook on decolonizing tourism, entitled “Pathways to Equity: RISE Travel Institute’s Decolonial Guide to Travel for the Conscious Traveler.” Be sure to download your free PDF copy here!
September 2024
Sierra Magazine: Indigenous-led Tourism Alliances are Taking back Recreation on their Land
By: Cinnamon Janzer
In conversation with Sierra Club’s Magazine and mentors from AIANTA and ITAC (Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada), I share my perspective that we are in a new age of tourism where Indigenous communities have the opportunity to take back control of the industry and how we use it to tell our stories.
August 2024
The Conversation: Climate Justice is a critical issue for the tourism industry
By: Bobbie Chew Bigby & Freya Higgins-Desbiolles
In this piece in The Conversation, climate justice report co-authors Bobbie and Freya speak to the importance of recognizing climate justice in tourism— not just for the industry, but for every traveler as well. We also point to some important global examples where climate justice in tourism is underway.
July 2024
PhocusWire: Is the Travel Industry ready to engage with Climate Justice?
By: D.J. Catron
This article provides a great overview and starting point to our Climate Justice in Tourism: An Introductory Guide. Co-author Jeremy Smith’s voice is highlighted advocating for the urgency of tourism and travel to begin to engage with climate justice in concrete and meaningful ways.
The Earthbound Report: What does climate justice look like in tourism?
By: Jeremy Williams
This piece highlights some of the key questions at the center of our report that go beyond considerations of climate change alone and look critically at issues of justice, equity, ethics and inclusion.
June 2024
Bloomberg: This French Hotelier says the Travel Industry is doing it all wrong
By: Lebawit Lily Girma
This piece examines the concept of ‘regenerative tourism’ through the example of 700,000 Heures, a French luxury hotel company that is working with local communities across the globe. In conversation with Lily, I offer some thoughts on how ‘regenerative tourism’ can be understood and measured.
PC: 700,000 Heures
October 2023
Parts of my own PhD story and research journey are shared in an interview I was able to do with the University’s communications team following my graduation ceremony.
August 2023
In this blog piece written by my colleague Dr. Nicole Curtin, I am able to reflect on my participation in the Language Party. These are events that bring together speakers/learners of Indigenous and heritage languages to tell stories in the original language without simultaneous English interpretation.
To read the blog: "Engaging with Indigenous languages in a different way": Bobbie's story — Throw a Language Party! (languageparties.org)
July 2023
During my first visit to the University of Waterloo campus, I was able to give a lecture sponsored by the Office of Indigenous Relations and my home academic department, Recreation and Leisure Studies. In this lecture, I was able to share some stories from my personal background, writing and research journeys. Importantly, I was also able to highlight some of the unique ways in which numerous Oklahoma Tribal Nations share deep connections with the First Nations, lands and waters on which the UW campus is located.
Click on the link below to find and download the video:
https://acrobat.adobe.com/link/track?uri=urn:aaid:scds:US:9e41df0b-9b1a-4063-84d1-de1ef9977b0c
March 2023
Ahead of the Emerging Voices for Animals in Tourism (EVAT) Online Conference this March 2023, I was able to sit down with Marika Bell to record an interview for her ‘The Deal with Animals’ podcast. During our conversation, I shared a bit about the research and writing I have been doing on Tribal-led eagle aviaries in Oklahoma Indian Country, including specifically at the Citizen Potawatomi Nation in central Oklahoma. This research was presented at EVAT conference and is part of a chapter in a forthcoming volume on animals, heritage, tourism and posthumanist thought.
November 2022
World Nomads: Is Cultural Appropriation Ever Appropriate?
In this interview with Louise, I’m able to reflect about the idea of cultural appropriation in life and in tourism, with another perspective provided by Dr. Jim Butcher. Connecting with different cultures is at the foundation of meaningful travel, but I argue that checking intentions, showing respect and communicating are just as important.
November 2021
Indian Country Today: Indigenous Tourism an Economic ‘Powerhouse’
By: Joaqlin Estus
Some brief reflections on Native-led tourism in US Indian Country, impacts from COVID-19 and the road ahead from colleagues, friends and myself. We convened together for the annual American Indian Tourism Conference (AITC) on Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation lands in October 2021.
August 2017
Cure: The Heart, Soul and Laughter of Healing
By: Bobbie Chew Bigby
This magazine article was written by me to honor and celebrate oncology nurse Michelle Gutierrez, RN. In this piece, I share from my own healing journey and the beautiful ways in which earlier life moments and pathways can come together in unexpected places.