Eco-adventure, nature, and cultural connection are the focuses of authentic Indigenous experiences throughout Western Canada.
As Canadians turn their sights from summer to winter travel, they’re discovering that there really is no place like home.
Current travel trends show that travellers continue to look for immersive cultural experiences that give them a deeper understanding of the world and connect them with nature. The Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) is the association responsible for marketing Indigenous-led and -owned businesses. Its members provide travellers with unique experiences that strengthen the bond between cultures, the land, and wildlife.
Here’s a small sample of the Indigenous experiences travellers can find in Western Canada this season.
Wildlife watching in British Columbia
Spirit Bear Lodge, in Klemtu, is an Indigenous-owned lodge set in the breathtaking beauty of the largest coastal temperate rainforest on earth, the Great Bear Rainforest. It has been the home of the Kitasoo Xai’xais People for thousands of years. Local guides take guests on transformative excursions to search for the elusive spirit bear — a creature deeply rooted in First Nations culture — spot marine mammals in their natural habitat and be welcomed to nearby sacred cultural sites, where stories and traditions are shared in a way that offers a deeper connection to the land and its people.
Sidney Whale Watching, owned and operated by the W̱SÁNEĆ Peoples, has been offering whale watching tours on the Salish Sea for over 20 years. Boats take guests along the scenic coastline of the Gulf Islands to spot whales ranging from humpbacks to orcas. Sidney Whale Watching will soon expand its tour offerings to immerse guests in the traditions, stories and landscapes of the W̱SÁNEĆ peoples — both on the water and on land.
Wild, wild horses (and more) in Alberta
Métis Crossing is an Indigenous cultural centre located 1.5 hours from Edmonton. Located in a designated Dark-Sky Preserve, its Legendary Night Sky Watching Experience Package includes sleeping in a kitted-out heated sky dome with views of sparkling stars and the dancing Northern Lights, cultural immersion in Métis heritage, and an excursion to see the centre’s rare horse and bison breeds. Also, look for snowshoeing adventures, nature walks, and a stroll through the historic site, all with the option to stay overnight in is boutique lodge.
Painted Warriors, at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, is a ranch that shows visitors how to reconnect to the land by teaching the traditional ways of the Ojibway, Métis, and Cree peoples. Visitors taking part in one of the backcountry horseback sessions will not only explore some of the most scenic forest trails in the country, they’ll also learn natural navigation and animal tracking and discover the bounty of natural medicines to be found. Snowshoeing and archery are also on offer.
Preserving history in Saskatchewan
Wanuskewin Heritage Park is a National Historic Site located in Saskatoon. Along with preserving the history of the Northern Plains Peoples, the organization worked with Parks Canada to bring back the natural habitat of the plains bison, which disappeared nearly 150 years ago from this area. Now, the bison are safely back home under the care of the Indigenous Peoples of the Great Plains. The centre offers year-round guided or self-guided trails, an interpretive centre, and a restaurant serving Indigenous cuisine.
Run with the big dogs in Manitoba
Wapusk Adventures is an Indigenous-owned and -operated dog sledding operation in Churchill. Guests can meet the pack and learn about Métis culture and life in the subarctic. This is followed by an exhilarating ride with the dogs through the boreal forest for an unforgettable experience. Dog carting, snowshoeing, and Aurora Borealis viewing are also offered in the winter months.
To find out more about these and other Indigenous-owned tourism experiences, visit DestinationIndigenous.ca.
