Indigenous Tourism in Canada – High 10 Genuine Cultural & Journey Experiences ~ DownshiftingPRO

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My curiosity started slowly. I began to learn increasingly more novels by Indigenous writers. Listening to applications on CBC Radio (the Canadian NPR equal) and watching documentaries. Indigenous tourism in Canada was extra of a thriller to me and plenty of others, however it’s a rising journey area of interest intriguing to many.

With roughly two million Indigenous folks in Canada, they’re about about 5.3% of the Canadian inhabitants. Greater than 60 distinct Indigenous languages are spoken in Canada from 12 completely different language households, greater than 630 First Nation communities, over 50 Inuit communities, and roughly 600,000 Metis Folks throughout Canada and round half of the Indigenous inhabitants in Canada reside in cities*. With the launch of the Vacation spot Indigenous web site, you possibly can entry extra data in a single spot to plan your personal Indigenous tourism journey.

I participated in a webinar introducing numerous Indigenous tourism choices all through Canada. I needed to study extra about easy methods to take part on this rising tourism sector whereas experiencing it with the suitable intent and respect.

What’s Indigenous Tourism?

Indigenous Tourism – all tourism companies majority-owned (51%), operated and/ or managed by First Nations, Métis or Inuit Peoples that may display a connection and duty to the native Indigenous neighborhood and conventional territory the place the operation resides.” ~ ITAC web site

The Indigenous Tourism Affiliation of Canada presently gives over 200 export-ready Indigenous experiences, from a Canadian safari expertise in British Colombia to canoe portaging in Ontario, native delicacies in Edmonton, exhilarating journey excursions, in addition to cultural studying experiences throughout the country.

|We’re about| A thriving Indigenous tourism economic system sharing genuine, memorable and enriching experiences… Indigenous Tourism in not a tourism about Indigenous its a tourism made by Indigenous.

Jason Picard-Binet, Gross sales Supervisor with Indigenous Tourism Assocciation of Canada – ITAC

It considers corporations owned and operated by Indigenous folks, together with airways, resorts, and companies not essentially related to cultural actions.

What’s Indigenous Tourism in Canada?

Canadian Indigenous Peoples comprise First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Peoples. First Nations Individuals are made up of 634 completely different nations. Every has its personal distinct Conventional Data, tradition, and heritage. Every Indigenous expertise incorporates Indigenous tradition, language, Oral Traditions, and Conventional Data in a way that’s acceptable, respectful, and true to its Indigenous tradition.

Authenticity is ensured by way of the energetic involvement of Indigenous Peoples in creating and delivering the expertise. People can assist Indigenous Tourism in Canada by supporting Indigenous companies, companies, and lodging.

10 Distinctive Indigenous Experiences

1. Sea Wolf Journey – Kwakwaka’wakw Nation

Sea Wolf Adventures – Kwakwaka’wakw Nation – Vancouver Island – half-day and full-day small-group boat excursions to the Nice Bear Rainforest. These experiences characteristic wildlife, journey, and Indigenous historical past excursions. Think about seeing bears, otters, killer whales, and eagles. Contemplate staying on the Kwa’lilas Lodge – Kwakiutl Nation – in Port Hardy. Offering Indigenous-inspired meals, an artwork gallery, and a number of Indigenous excursions (together with a foraging tour and oyster farm).

2. Aurora Village – Dene Nation

Discovering northern lights within the Northwest Territories – Aurora Village – Dene Nation – It is a entire village providing northern lights excursions, tipi stays and a singular dome with a glass skylight for watching the aurora borealis within the winter. Positioned in Yellowknife, NWT it is extremely accessible and supplies indigenous workshops, medicinal crops of the NWT, and tipi stays.

3. Wanuskewin Heritage Park – Northern Plains Nation

Wanuskewin Heritage Park – Northern Plains Nation – Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. You’ll have an opportunity to take part in cultural actions and see dance shows – with full workshops obtainable. After 150 years absence, the Norther Plains Nation lately reintroduced Plain bison to the realm. In doing so, additionally they found 3,000-year-old petroglyphs. You’ve got the choice of a self-guided strolling tour or taking various guided excursions (Archaeology Stroll, Bison Stroll, Opimihaw Stroll, Native Plant Stroll, and so forth.). For artwork lovers, there may be an Artwork Gallery tour together with visible artwork, efficiency artwork, and auditory and visible media from up to date and conventional Indigenous artists

4. Carcross/Tagish Administration Company –  Carcross/Tagish First Nation

Whitehorse, Yukon is house to the Carcross/Tagish Administration Company the place you possibly can go to the Haa Shagóon Hídi Studying Centre (the home of their ancestors). Guests can be struck by the excellent artwork and eight towering totem poles that greet guests on the entrance. Ensure and take a brief interpretive stroll alongside Nares Lake.

Looking for journey? Strive the difficult mountain bike and mountain climbing trails and take the chance to immerse your self within the unbelievable, glacier-populated environment. Make a journey again to the times of the Gold Rush and go to the historic White Cross and Yukon Route Railway prepare station and Matthew Basic Retailer, the oldest within the Yukon.

5. Warrior Girls – Cree Nation

There may be nothing like story and even higher when you may have nice storytellers. Hailing from Sturgeon Lake Cree nation the Warrior Girls are mom and daughter duo Matricia Bauer and Mackenzie Brown. At the moment residing in each Jasper and Calgary, Alberta Warrior Girls provide drumming reveals, plant walks, drum making and leather-based binding, handmade moccasins, conventional fur mittens, and different conventional workshops that you would be able to register for right here.

6. Wikwiimedoong – Ojibwa, Odawa and Pottawatomi Nations

Wiikwemkoong is house to the folks of the Three Fires Confederacy: an alliance of the Ojibwa, Odawa and Pottawatomi nations the biggest the Anishinabek Nation on Manitoulin Island in Ontario. Wiikwemkoong is host to the annual cultural competition, fall truthful, ice fishing derby, maple syrup competition, conventional pow-wow, and genuine Indigenous theatre as offered by De-ba-jeh-mu-jig theatre group.

Wikwemikong Tourism gives guided nature-based paddling and mountain climbing excursions in Level Grondine Park (the park is owned and operated by the Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory). The 4-day motor-coach tour contains lodging in Killarney Mountain Lodge, genuine Indigenous meals, a Drum & Music Interactive Neighborhood Social, and a Georgian Bay boat cruise.

7. Wendake – Huron-Wendat Nation

Worldwide Pow-Wow in Wendake, Quebec This occasion presents conventional First Nations dance and drum competitions, First Nations delicacies, themed conferences, handicraft exhibitors, tastings, and kids’s actions. This 12 months’s Pow Wow can be held – on June 27-29, 2025, simply quarter-hour north of Quebec Metropolis.

Huron-Wendat Museum, Wendake

With a spectacular museum, the nationwide Ekionkiestha’ longhouse, and genuine delicacies, Wendake is both a day journey from Quebec Metropolis or a weekend getaway. Varied handicraft workshops can be found (speaking sticks, conventional beading), mountain climbing trails, canoeing, and kayaking. Hearken to conventional storytelling within the Nationwide Ekionkiestha’ Longhouse, sitting by a fireplace, andnlet your self be mesmerized by the myths and legends of the Huron Wendat First Nations.

8. Crosiere Essipit – Innu Nation

Watch whales breach at eye stage – on a zodiac boat tour with Croisiere Essipit – Innu Nation – in Quebec Maritime. Between Could and October, you possibly can see as much as 13 species of whales within the St. Lawrence River. I stayed at one in all their totally furnished flats. There are additionally 4 campgrounds and clothes shop choices. It’s also possible to e book black bear or fishing experiences. We took a zodiac whale-watching tour with Essipit and loved it immensely.

9. Artic Bay Adventures – Inuit Folks

A once-in-a-lifetime journey, Arctic Bay (Ikpiarjuk within the Inuktitut language) is a singular expertise of Indigenous tourism in Canada. Not for the faint of coronary heart or budget-friendly, Arctic Bay is situated within the northwest nook of Baffin Island and is among the most lovely locations in Nunavut, Canada. At 73°N latitude, it’s properly above the Arctic Circle and ranks among the many high ten most northerly communities in your complete world.

Arctic Bay Adventures hosts excursions that adjust from 5-to 9 day excursions together with 24-hour daylight, summer season blooms excursions, or learn to construct an igloo, canine sled, and ice fish within the winter.

10. Wonderful Eating at Little Chief Restaurant in Calgary

Take pleasure in a tremendous eating expertise with Chef Brandon Dashnay at Little Chief Restaurant in Calgary, Alberta. The trendy tackle Indigenous flavours was distinctive. From conventional bannock to cornmeal-encrusted pickerel to a chocolate bomb, he has mastered a contemporary tackle a Canadian meal. Positioned inside Gray Eagle Resort Lodge and On line casino on Tsuut’ina Nation, the world-renowned restaurant has taken on an thrilling goal: to modernize with out shedding its Indigenous custom.

11. Bonus Expertise – Beading Workshop in Calgary

Moonstone Creation, based by Cree mother-daughter duo Yvonne Jobin and the late Amy Willier, is a gallery, reward retailer, and workshop area celebrating genuine Indigenous artwork. From beaded jewellery to bronze sculptures, its assortment showcases the great thing about Indigenous craftsmanship.

The gallery additionally gives hands-on workshops in moccasin making, beading, and fish scale artwork, offering a singular strategy to study conventional abilities whereas connecting with the wealthy legacy of Indigenous tradition. It’s a strategy to study a brand new ability and extra about their Cree tradition as you’re employed your manner by way of a hand-crafted craft.

Due to DestinationIndigenous.ca and the Gross sales Supervisor with the Indigenous Tourism Affiliation of Canada – ITAC, for his informative webinar. I’ve additionally included expertise that I took half in whereas on press journeys to Quebec Maritime, Banff, and Calgary. Thanks for permission to make use of photographs for this weblog publish.

* Statistics from ITAC media equipment

Further assets:

Extra on Indigenous Tourism

Margarita Ibbott is a journey and way of life blogger. She blogs about journey in Canada, the US and Europe giving sensible recommendation by way of restaurant, resort and attraction critiques. She writes for DownshiftingPRO.com and different on-line media retailers.