Indigenous tourism becomes a luxury in Canada’s most exciting rural regions

From the Maritimes to British Columbia, there are approximately 650 First Nation communities in Canada – each with their own unique Indigenous history and traditions. And many are eager to share their unique ways of life with travelers from around the world.

Whether visiting a traditional Indigenous heritage site or indulging in an Indigenous-based restaurant or culinary experience, First Nation communities are an essential component of Canada’s history that can easily be overlooked.

Indeed, First Nation traditions are so important that the Canadian government recently launched a multi-million dollar Indigenous Tourism Fund to promote and support nearly 150 tourism projects across the country.

For a more formal indigenous experience, Quebec’s Onhoüa Chetek8e site is just 30 minutes or so from Quebec City in the town of Wendake. The site features a reconstructed village that showcases the daily life of the Huron-Wendat people before the arrival of Europeans in the 16th century. There are historic buildings, a local restaurant, guides in traditional dress and culturally rich diving activities.

A similar structure exists in Canada’s Far West at the site known as Wanuskewin Heritage Park, near Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. This is Canada’s oldest archaeological dig, and travelers can experience everything from an ancient medicine wheel to petroglyphs—along with hiking trails, a local restaurant, and even the chance to camp in a tepee. Although widely separated by geography, both places feel urgent and compelling – without resorting to kitsch or cliché.

In Manitoba—Canada’s version of prairie country—the legacies of indigenous culture can be felt most deeply in the food. Head to Winnipeg, where Feast Cafe Bistro serves both Indigenous-focused food while serving the local community.

Owner Christa Bruneau-Guenther—who is also the chef—belongs to the Peguis First Nation, and Festa honors that loyalty by hiring locals directly from the community, training them in the culinary arts and helping them deliver the dishes. and memorable services.

These dishes may vary, but are based on traditional local ingredients—from bison and berries to walnuts, pumpkin, and corn—and include crowd-pleasing favorites like pizza, tacos, burgers and, this being Canada, poutine.

In British Columbia, Klahoose Wilderness Resort at Desolation Sound is a rich dose of the traditional Canadian way of life.

The resort is located on land belonging to the indigenous Klahoose people and offers local culture and pristine wildlife and natural environments.

The property features a mix of rustic lodges and cabins, each accented by traditional artwork and handicrafts.

Each evening, local tribal chiefs present lectures and stories, while during the day guests can make Klahoose crafts or dive into the surrounding forest, where mighty bears hunt for salmon in crystal clear waters from May to August, a three-pack -per day starts at $2,131 per person, all-inclusive).

Finally, in Calgary—literally inside the city center—is the Calgary Stampede, held every summer in Alberta’s largest city and Canada’s shale oil boom.

While the mess may be best known for its grand, western-style rodeo, it also contains a strong dose of indigenous culture, particularly the Elbow River Camp.

Here, in one place, visitors can experience the culture and traditions of the Kainai, Piikani, Siksika, Stoney Nakoda and Tsuut’ina First Nations – spread over 26 separate mounds filled with locals offering crafts, food, jewelry and demonstrations of the indigenous people. ceremonies Be sure to stop by the tepee-serving bannock, a local indigenous quickbread that has long sustained generations of First Nation members.