My interest began slowly. I started to read more and more indigenous books. Listening to programs on CBC Radio (the Canadian NPR equivalent) and watching documentaries. Indigenous Tourism in Canada is more of a mystery to me and many others but it is a growing travel niche that has me intrigued. With the recent launch of the Destination Indigenous website, you can access more information in one spot to plan your own Indigenous tourism adventure.
I recently participated in a webinar introducing a variety of Indigenous tourism options throughout Canada. I wanted to learn more about how I can participate in this growing tourism sector while participating with the right intent and respect. The webinar was hosted by the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada. It currently offers over 200 export-ready Indigenous experiences from a Canadian safari experience in British Colombia to canoe portaging in Ontario, native cuisine in Edmonton, exhilarating adventure tours as well as cultural learning experiences across the country.
|We are about| A thriving Indigenous tourism economy sharing authentic, memorable and enriching experiences… Indigenous Tourism in not a tourism about Indigenous its a tourism made by Indigenous.
Jason Picard-Binet, Sales Manager with Indigenous Tourism Assocciation of Canada – ITAC
It is taking into consideration companies that are owned and operated by Indigenous people including airlines, hotels, and services not necessarily connected to cultural activities.
What is Indigenous Tourism in Canada?
Indigenous Peoples are made up of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Peoples in Canada. First Nations People are made up of 634 different nations. Each has its own distinct Traditional Knowledge, culture, and heritage. Each Indigenous experience incorporates Indigenous culture, language, Oral Traditions, and Traditional Knowledge in a manner that is appropriate, respectful, and true to its Indigenous culture.
Authenticity is ensured through the active involvement of Indigenous Peoples in the development and delivery of the experience. By supporting Indigenous businesses, services, and accommodations we support Indigenous Tourism in Canada.
10 Unique Indigenous Experiences
1. Sea Wolf Adventure – Kwakwaka’wakw Nation
Sea Wolf Adventures – Kwakwaka’wakw Nation – Vancouver Island – half-day and full-day small-group boat tours to the Great Bear Rainforest. These experiences feature wildlife, adventure, and Indigenous history tours. Imagine seeing bears, otters, killer whales, and eagles. Consider staying at the Kwa’lilas Hotel – Kwakiutl Nation – in Port Hardy. Providing Indigenous-inspired food, an art gallery, and multiple Indigenous tours (including a foraging excursion and oyster farm).
2. Aurora Village – Dene Nation
Discovering northern lights in the Northwest Territories – Aurora Village – Dene Nation – This is a whole village offering northern lights tours, tipi stays and a unique dome with a glass skylight for watching the aurora borealis in the winter. Located in Yellowknife, NWT it is very accessible and provides indigenous workshops, medicinal plants of the NWT, and tipi stays.
3. Wanuskewin Heritage Park – Northern Plains Nation
Wanuskewin Heritage Park – Northern Plains Nation – Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. You will have a chance to participate in cultural activities and see dance presentations – with full workshops available. After 150 years absence, the Norther Plains Nation recently reintroduced Plain bison to the area. In doing so, they also discovered 3,000-year-old petroglyphs. You have the option of a self-guided walking tour or taking a number of guided tours (Archaeology Walk, Bison Walk, Opimihaw Walk, Native Plant Walk, etc.). For art lovers, there is an Art Gallery tour including visual art, performance art, and auditory and visual media from contemporary and traditional Indigenous artists
4. Carcross/Tagish Management Corporation – Carcross/Tagish First Nation
Whitehorse, Yukon is home to the Carcross/Tagish Management Corporation where you can visit the Haa Shagóon Hídi Learning Centre (the house of their ancestors). Visitors will be struck by the outstanding art and eight towering totem poles that greet visitors at the entrance. Be sure and take a short interpretive walk along Nares Lake.
Seeking adventure? Try the challenging mountain bike and hiking trails and take the opportunity to immerse yourself in the unbelievable, glacier-populated surroundings. Take a trip back to the days of the Gold Rush and visit the historic White Pass and Yukon Route Railway train station and Matthew General Store, the oldest in the Yukon.
6. Warrior Women – Cree Nation
There is nothing like a good story and even better when you have great storytellers. Hailing from Sturgeon Lake Cree nation the Warrior Women are mother and daughter duo Matricia Bauer and Mackenzie Brown. Currently residing in both Jasper and Calgary, Alberta Warrior Women offer drumming shows, plant walks, drum making and leather binding, handmade moccasins, traditional fur mittens, and other traditional workshops that you can register for here.
7. Wikwiimedoong – Ojibwa, Odawa and Pottawatomi Nations
Wiikwemkoong is home to the people of the Three Fires Confederacy: an alliance of the Ojibwa, Odawa and Pottawatomi nations the largest the Anishinabek Nation on Manitoulin Island in Ontario. Wiikwemkoong is host to the annual cultural festival, fall fair, ice fishing derby, maple syrup festival, traditional pow-wow, and authentic Indigenous theatre as presented by De-ba-jeh-mu-jig theatre group.
Wikwemikong Tourism offers guided nature-based paddling and hiking tours in Point Grondine Park (the park is owned and operated by the Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory). The Four-day motor-coach tour includes lodging in Killarney Mountain Lodge, authentic Indigenous meals, a Drum & Song Interactive Community Social, and a Georgian Bay boat cruise.
8. Wendake – Huron-Wendat Nation
International Pow-Wow in Wendake, Quebec
This event presents traditional First Nations dance and drum competitions, First Nations cuisine, themed conferences, handicraft exhibitors, tastings, and children’s activities. This year’s Pow Wow will be held – on July 1-3, 2022, and is just 15 minutes north of Quebec City.
Huron-Wendat Museum, Wendake
With a spectacular museum, the national Ekionkiestha’ longhouse, and authentic cuisine Wendake is either a day trip from Quebec City or a weekend getaway. With various handicraft workshops available (talking stick, traditional beading), hiking trails, canoeing, and kayaking. Listen to traditional storytelling in the National Ekionkiestha’ Longhouse, sitting by a fire, let yourself be mesmerized by the myths and legends of the Huron Wendat First Nations.
9. Crosiere Essipit – Innu Nation
Watch whales breach at eye level – on a zodiac boat tour with Croisiere Essipit – Innu Nation – in Quebec Maritime. Between May and October, you can see up to 13 species of whales in the St. Lawrence River. I stayed at one of their fully furnished apartments. There are also four campgrounds and outfitter options. You can also book black bear or fishing experiences. We took a zodiac whale-watching tour with Essipit and enjoyed it immensely.
10. Artic Bay Adventures – Inuit People
A once-in-a-lifetime trip, Arctic Bay (Ikpiarjuk in the Inuktitut language) is a unique experience of Indigenous tourism in Canada. Not for the faint of heart or budget-friendly, Arctic Bay is located in the northwest corner of Baffin Island and is one of the most beautiful places in Nunavut, Canada. At 73°N latitude, it is well above the Arctic Circle and ranks among the top ten most northerly communities in the entire world.
Arctic Bay Adventures hosts excursions that vary from 5-to 9 day tours including 24-hour sunlight, summer blooms excursions, or learn how to build an igloo, dog sled, and ice fish in the winter.
These are but ten choices that you can find for Indigenous tourism in Canada. The is a large variety of both cultural and exhilarating experiences that you can take in every single Canadian province or territory. They can be found on this interactive map available on the Destination Indigenous website. Try something new – Indigenous tourism in Canada.
Thanks to DestinationIndigenous.ca and Jason Picard-Binet, Sales Manager with Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada – ITAC for his informative webinar. Thank you for the use of images for this blog post. Lastly, thanks to Baxter Media for hosting. This is NOT a sponsored post and is for travel planning purposes.
Additional resources:
- Nations – Digital Magazine – March 2022
- 12 Ways To Better Choose Our Words When We Write About Indigenous Peoples
- COVID-19 restrictions
- Things to Consider at a Pow Wow
- Pow Wow Listings in Canada
- From ITAC website: “The Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada respects the decisions and guidelines of our Indigenous communities and their leadership. Visitation to certain areas may be restricted, please check to make sure that your intended destination is welcoming visitors.”
More on Indigenous Tourism
- Indigenous Culture at The Grand Theatre – Rubaboo: A Métis Cabaret
- Visit The National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa – Indigenous Art
- Indigenous Tourism in Canada – Top 10 Authentic Cultural & Adventure Experiences (web stories)
Margarita Ibbott is a travel and lifestyle blogger. She blogs about travel in Canada, the United States and Europe giving practical advice through restaurant, hotel and attraction reviews. She writes for DownshiftingPRO.com and other online media outlets.