Canada has long been a favorite destination for American travelers, but now it’s changing its itinerary. The local Aborigine-led tourism business invites visitors to explore Indigenous lands, work with beads and plants, learn more about history, and taste unfamiliar foods.
“Welcoming people allows us to share our values, culture, land, and art,” said Tyson Atleo, a hereditary chief of the Ahausat nation and program director at Nature United.
The industry’s continued growth is partly due to the Aboriginal Tourism Association of Canada, an advocacy group. “Indigenous experiences are a powerful educational tool to educate travelers about the diverse perspectives and resilience of our communities,” said Keith Henry, president and CEO of the organization and winner of the 2021 T+L Global Vision Award.
Today, there are more than 1,900 Aboriginal tourism agencies in Canada, which means that almost any interest can be visited or experienced. Here are some notable options.
Visit the vast North
Fort Selkirk, located at the confluence of two Yukon rivers, was built by the Hudson’s Bay Company in the 19th century on the ancestral territory of the h<s:1> Charhudan people. It is now a hub for wildlife watchers, outdoor enthusiasts, and those interested in Canadian history. Tutchone Tours offers one – or multi-day excursions coordinating boating, camp logistics, storytelling, stringing workshops, and guided hikes on the Yukon River.
Contact with wild animals
Ahouse Expeditions recently launched whale – and bear-watching boat Tours along the coast from Tofino, British Columbia, in the territory of the Ahousat First Nation. Thanks to the national partnership with BC Parks, Ahous guests can book exclusive morning and evening access to Spa Bay for a dip in the seaside pool.
Unplug in the Great Bear Rainforest
Shearwater Resort, recently acquired by Heiltsuk Nation, is a rural eco-resort on Denny Island, between Vancouver and Ketchikan, Alaska. Wildlife viewing is a big draw: guests often spot whales, bears, bald eagles, and seals while on guided kayaking Tours of the fjords. According to the Lodge, they are planning more cultural events for the 2024 season, focusing on First Nations traditions.
Vancouver Forest Bath
K ’emk ‘gameplay is the traditional name of Vancouver, Skwxwu7mesh, meaning “land of maple trees.” To learn more about the past and present of the city’s trees, take a Talaysay tour and walk around Stanley Park. A guided tour introduces the history, traditions, and beliefs of the Shishalh and Skwxwu7mesh First Nations, who call the Pacific Coast home.
Learn from the knowledge keepers
The Alberta-based company Warrior Women is a project started by knowledge guardians Martricia Bauer and her daughter Mackenzie Brown, both members of the Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation. Among other experiences, the duo offers guided walks within Jasper National Park, highlighting healing plants and workshops focused on making ointments, lotions, and other products.
Learn about local art
For the Msatis, headdresses are a practice that ties together culture, land, and life. Melanie Gamache, the founder of Borealis Beading, talks in St. — genacimvieve, Manitoba, a 45-minute drive from Winnipeg, and details traditions, sharing techniques and stories as participants sew souvenirs.
Keep the old ways
Recently, the government spent $10 million to renovate the Hotel-Musee Premieres Nations, adding 24 new rooms, a converted restaurant, and a wine cellar for Indigenous wines. Located on the territory of the Huron-Windert nation in the city of Winderk, Quebec, this hotel shares with mus<s:1> Huron-Windert its grounds along the Akiawenrahk River (also known as the St. Charles River), which houses permanent and rotating exhibitions and is also home to the Ekionkiestha National Longhouse, It’s a wooden replica of a pre-Columbian home. Guests can spend an evening here with traditional stories and songs or stay the night.
Walk the ancient road
Mette Penniag Heritage Park in rural New Brunswick is one of Canada’s oldest Mi ‘kmaq communities. The park’s Red Bank Lodge provides a comfortable base for multi-day expeditions, including all-season hikes on the trail network, guided salmon fishing on the Miramichi River, cultural programs such as cooking demonstrations, and snowshoe hikes.
Sleeping under the stars
Msattis immigrants built Msattis Ferry in Alberta in the 1880s on the original North Saskatchewan River. Over the years, it has grown from a small summer attraction to a year-round destination. Today, visitors can stay in 40-room cottages or one of the eight luxurious Sky Watching domes, a great place to see the Northern Lights. Another recent upgrade is the Cultural Centre’s solar power station, which aims to meet the energy needs of the Msadis crossing and the entire Alberta Msadis nation.
