White Hat Project

On Monday August 6, 2012 (Canada Heritage Day) Larkycanuck Productions officially launched the White Hat Project in the City of Calgary, Alberta.

Photo Credit: Smithbilt Hats – The Official Hat maker for City of Calgary and Tourism Calgary

The iconic white hat symbolizes the spirit of the new west (viz. the City of Calgary) and its entrepreneurial cred and warm hospitality. For over 60 years, Calgarians have welcomed visitors officially by presenting them with white hats. You can read more on the heritage and history of the white hat directly on the official hat maker’s page.

Recognizing the enduring symbolism of the iconic white hat and the importance of the continued preservation of the City’s cultural heritage among its own residents and also with people around the world, Larkycanuck Projects developed the White Hat Project in late 2011.

The Project mission is:

To deliver an official white hat to a person of unique disposition in life || during the personal travels of the Larkycanuck Productions team members || for the purpose of || exchanging the hat with an item of personal value to the recipient || establishing a first point of friendship || and creating awareness of the heritage of the new west

The concept is a modern play on the historical custom of the early pioneers of a gift exchange with a local leader, establishing first point of contact with local community and sharing their own cultural legacy with the local populace.

Click on image to view full article

Click on image to view full article

The first such exchange took place on New Years Eve 2012 in the local Siona Community within the deep Amazon jungle in Ecuador. The hat was delivered to a local Shaman (spiritual healer and community leader) and exchanged for the Shaman’s personal prayer bead (considered extremely sacred and only parted to an heir of Shaman’s choosing). You can read more on this on a post here [A Walk on the Amazon River (Day 3 of 5)]

The second exchange took place on September 22, 2012 on the Meditteranean Sea on board the Norwegian Epic. The Hat was given to Captain Sverre Sovdsnes of the NCL Epic. Check out the entire story at Travel Adventures | White Hat Project on NCL EPIC’s Captain

larkycanuck.com | Travel Adventures | Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL)
This project has been well received in the media and travel companies internationally. Based on increasing demand, as of February 2013, The White Hat Project will now provide business development and consulting services to Small and Medium Size Enterprises (SME) that have a primary focus on Travel and Tourism business. This service is offered Pro Bono (FREE) to the enterprise if located in developing nations OR has annual revenue of under $40,000 CAD (upon conversion from local currency). For details on this exciting and innovative project contact me for details.

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