sous chef

bartender

second chef d'exploitation

réserviste

head chef

Totem Resorts

Totem Resorts is an amazing place to work overall.  The fellow staff members are very helpful and kind.  I can honestly say the Totem Resorts staff feel like family.  You live and work with these people for months, so are likely going to make a bunch of new friends who share the love of outdoors like you.  Although this is a beautiful resort situated on the Lake of the Woods, remember that it is hard work, 6 days a week, 9 hours a day.   A good work ethic will make your time at Totem very enjoyable.  Don't come with expectations but instead come with a positive attitude.  Be flexible because the nature of the business is customer service and you may be asked to do tasks you normally wouldn't as part of your regular routine in order to satisfy guest requirements.   Understand you will have hard days, especially during the extremely hot days of summer, especially if you're in the kitchen.  You will have easy days, boring days, fun days as well.  Just like any workplace, you take the good with the bad.  

As of 2021, I am a housekeeper at Totem Lodge.  I love my job, love the housekeeping team I work with and the management is pretty easy going too.  To me, this place is paradise.  I have honestly never had a better job, nor have I enjoyed any job more than this one.

If you're like me and don't drive, staff on the resort will drive you into Kenora so you can buy anything you need.  I've found these "Kenora runs" happen fairly frequently, at least once every two weeks.  In addition other staff will drive you as well.  We support each other because it's a Totem family, and Totem Resorts is family run.

The pay is not spectacular, but I've found the experience of living and working at Totem very much makes up for it.  You are going to be eating chef prepared meals every day, and I've never eaten so well.  The portions are certainly plentiful.  You will be housed on site or close by in a place called "Hidden Valley".  Management do their very best to ensure staff have an enjoyable stay and their needs are met.  

Finally I'll say the memories I have made in my time at Totem will certainly last a lifetime!  How many jobs can you say that about?



With 10 years of experience in the fishing resort industry, including 9 years at Totem Resorts, I can confidently say it has been one of the most rewarding places I have worked. The owners, managers, and supervisors are supportive, approachable, and committed to creating a positive environment for both guests and employees. Throughout my time here, I have gained valuable skills, including earning my boating licence, operating boats, transporting passengers and supplies, and sharing local knowledge with guests.

What stands out most is the strong sense of teamwork. Employees across all departments work together to deliver exceptional guest experiences, and everyone’s contributions are valued and respected. Staff accommodations are clean and comfortable, and meals are provided.

While the busy season can be demanding, it offers excellent opportunities for personal and professional growth. Living and working on Lake of the Woods is also a unique experience, with access to outdoor activities such as fishing, boating, swimming, hiking, and kayaking. For anyone who enjoys hard work, meeting new people, and the outdoors, Totem Resorts is an excellent seasonal workplace.

I came to Canada this summer on a foreign hiring program Totem Resorts was offering and am having the best summer of my life.

I currently work as a Dining Room server.

From the job, to the people and management- oh, and did I mention the scenery? This place
Is very special.

 This is very similar to working at a ski-resort, except your living your summer months on the lake.

The property is extremely busy, and the tips are GREAT!. I’m currently making close to a couple thousand dollars in USD currency tips weekly, which carry’s a 30% exchange rate into Canadian dollars. The customer base here is mainly wealthy American Clientele.

Owners are actively involved which is fun to see, as Totem Resorts very much so feels like a family setting, and they work very hard to make you feel part of the ‘Totem Family’

I am so very grateful that I found this place, especially for just arriving to Canada this year.

I started working at Totem this past May as a server.

So far it's been truly awesome. The people are amazing and there is a real bond between the staff. Even the staff that has been here for years welcomes all new people with ease.

The work is hard but rewarding if you like to interact with lots of different people and a fast paced environment. All the guests have been lovely and the tips are great, especially because they're mostly in American dollars.

I love working for Dustin.  He has high, but achievable expectations of the restaurant and serving staff, and takes time to meet with us and listen to our concerns or request.

Overall, Totem feels like adult summer camp. I work, float on the lake, go fishing, workout,  and hangout. I recommend it to anyone who is serious about hard work and loves the outdoors!

I worked in the Kitchen during summer or 2023. I really enjoyed the overall environment, management was great, food was good (they try they’re best to keep 70 people happy with meal options)

I felt I should write a review as it seems only those who cause trouble and got dismissed seem to be writing reviews, but the honest truth is-
This was my first time away from home and the owners go above and beyond to try and make you feel welcome and protected at the resort.

They have strict drug and alcohol policies, and keep danger away from the property. This was a huge plus to me, and my parents for my first time away.

Unfortunately I had to leave early August due to school, but I will definitely be back in 2024.

Totem Resorts is a lifestyle resort. You should have a car if you're coming here, without one sucked! The food is 'OK'. Breakfast is great, lunch is okay (sandwich days are the best), dinner can we hit or miss. The staff accommodations are nice depending on where you stay. Staying in the valley has a lot of perks, and nicer cabins except you really need a car to live there. The owners of the resort are very involved and inclusive. You can love them or hate them depending on your personality. Totem is a great summer job if you let. Tips are 'OK'. But to get them you have to be in guest services, the dining room, housekeeping, or docks.

Every day I did my rounds checking on all the cabins and lodges making all the electrical and plumbing was working properly within correct standards. This included ten acres with thirty cabins and two islands. I learned quite a bit about my job from my manager including water purification and filtration. The hardest part of my job was when I had to rewire a cabin and a hot tub. The most enjoyable part of the job was doing my rounds wandering through the woods every day. My rounds took about two hours per day.

This was probably the worst job I’ve had yet. Management was horribly rude to staff. They took away internet privileges, the vacuum, quality of food, and most importantly our tips. We worked 6 days a week, 9 hour days and were given me staff incentives. There was a 10% staff discount.  During the 4 months I was here, I never felt so unimportant, used, lied to, and degraded. Working at this resort proved that women We’re out first to please our male guests...and our boss.

I found Totem Resort to be somewhat fair and reasonable for their  employees.  Always room for improvement with communication. On the most part I enjoyed my work shifts and my stay at Totem Resort.   Food was great and employee housing out in the Valley was comfortable with breath taking views. I gained good work experience hoping to be employed again with them in the near future.

Totem Resorts is a gem of a place to work, Hidden on Lake of the Woods in Sioux Narrows Ontario, staff reside in cabins while working there the staff are great management always there to help out if there are any questions and most of all its a great place to work one of the best things about working there is on your time off you can go fishing in one of the worlds largest lakes or go exploring one of the many trails and parks in the area.

Top Job Titles	Average salary
Sous chef 1 salary reported	$19.00 per hour
Bartender 6 salaries reported	$17.60 per hour
Second chef d'exploitation 4 salaries reported	$21.21 per hour
Réserviste 6 salaries reported	$24.21 per hour
Head chef 2 salaries reported	$6,000 per month

Working at Totem Resorts: company overview and reviews

Totem Resorts

Totem Resorts ratings

Popular jobs at Totem Resorts

Salary satisfaction

Job seeker tools

Employer Tools

Browse

Stay Connected