Top Indigenous Tourism Experiences in Canada

Indigenous communities across the world are making a mark within the modern world, especially tourism. Canada is home to about 1.2 million Indigenous people speaking over 70 distinct Indigenous languages. 115 National Historic Sites in Canada commemorate Indigenous themes. From getting to know about their community to trying out their culinary specialties, Indigenous community-themed tourism is now the norm in the travel industry. Here are the top indigenous tourism experiences in Canada and how you can be a part of them.

Top Indigenous Tourism Experiences in Canada

Indigenous tourism is experiencing nearly 70 percent growth. Engaging with indigenous cultures is a new experience and motivation factor for many travelers around the world. Here is how you can have the best indigenous tourism experience in Canada.

Explore the icy coastline of Nunavut

The icy coastline of Nunavut, is a surprisingly lively place full of different arctic mammals and other animals. The floe edge is where ice meets open water during the spring melt. It is an important occurrence for Inuit communities. Sinaaq, a dynamic liminal zone attracts a wide range of wildlife, including polar bears and walruses.

Travelers take a tour with Indigenous-owned tour companies, like Arctic Bay Adventures, to see animals they can’t see anywhere else in the world. Travelers have fun camping out in the ice while making daily safaris to the floe edge. This is to catch a glimpse of polar bears, seals, Arctic birds, beluga whales, narwhal, and other wildlife. The tours usually take place between May and June, ranging from 4 to 10 days in total.

Go on an Indigenous-led helicopter tour of Alberta’s Jasper National Park

What better way to view the majestic beauty of Jasper National Park than to ride on a helicopter around the area? Fallen Mountain Heli Tours introduces the park from another perspective, giving you a different experience altogether. You can experience the rugged mountains, glaciers, and turquoise lakes from up above.

A member of the Aseniwuche Winewak community shares the meanings of traditional landmark names, including the Athabasca River. Jasper National Park is home the Aseniwuche Winewak community, an indigenous community living in the region for centuries. Edmonton International Airport (YEG), is the closest international airport to Jasper National Park. It is how many international tourists reach the park.

Appreciate Québec’s immersive Onhwa’ Lumina multimedia exhibit

Storytelling is an integral part within Indigenous communities. Onhwa’ Lumina is an award-winning multimedia night walk. It takes you through a forest in the indigenous community of Wendake, located about 10 miles from downtown Quebec City. This program applies the latest technology to ancient rituals. The program consists of a combination of interactive panels, video projections, music, and words that illuminate history and culture of the Huron-Wendat People. According to the legends of The Huron-Wendat People, the stars in the night are children dancing in the sky.

Eat a precontact meal on Ontario’s Manitoulin Island

The Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory is the fifth-largest First Nation reserve in Canada. Most of this is in Manitoulin Island, which is also called Odawa Mnis. This island is home to the Odawa, Ojibwa, and Potawatomi peoples that make up the Wiikwemkong First Nation. The tourism arm of this indigenous community hosts various programs for tourists. These programs include foraging hike and precontact traditional meal.

The hike period is from June to October. It starts on the Warrior Trail section of the Bebamikawe Memorial Trail, going through an area at the edge of Lake Huron with stunning views of the second largest Great Lake. The meal that the indigenous community cook for tourists consist of edible plants, berries, squash, potatoes, maple syrup, mint tea, and many more.

Kayak, hike, and learn about Saskatchewan’s historic Fort Carlton

The Fort Carlton Provincial Historic Park, burnt down during the Northwest Resistance of 1885, was rebuilt in 1967. Today it remains as an important and historic symbol to the indigenous communities, including Willow Cree People of the Beardy’s and Okemasis Cree Nation. It hosts a variety of cultural experiences and outdoor experiences for tourists, such as kayaking, canoeing, and cross country skiing, and snowshoeing.

Go paddleboarding and fishing while staying at British Columbia’s Liberty Wilderness Lodge

The co-owner of Liberty Wilderness Lodge is a member of the Métis Nation, an indigenous community in Canada. This property lies on the edge of Babine Lake, 400 miles north of Vancouver. Tourists can access it only via boat or float plane. The lodge has a variety of fun outdoor activities for guests. These activities include kayaking, surfing, fishing, and paddleboarding. People of the indigenous community cook up some delicious meals for guests, including bison pot roast and desserts like haskap berry pie.

Attend a Pow Wow in Manito Ahbee, Winnipeg

Winnipeg hosts one of North America’s best pow wows, Manito Ahbee. It consists of international performers in feathered headdresses. These performers share the limelight with other Inuit traditional and hip hop dancers. The pow wow festivities continue for more than five days amidst dancing and cheer.

Sleep under the stars in a Tipi

Sleeping in a tipi is more than just a regular overnight stay in a tent or camping site. It is all about sharing storing and experiences while enjoying a hot meal from the local people of the indigenous community. These tipis are located in the foothill of the Canadian Rockies. The indigenous people share their stories and experiences around a campfire while everyone sips on to some hot berry soup. It is and experience that goes beyond just sleeping under a million stars.

Go lobster-fishing in Quebec

Unamen Shipu, or La Romaine, are best known for fishing trips in the territory of the Innu of Unamen Shipu, north of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The indigenous community here will teach you how to go lobster fishing with traditional lobster fishing methods, and tips and tricks. The regions if full of hundreds of island ideal for this type of activity. It is also a place with rich ancient culture that will teach you a lot about the history of the indigenous community living in the region.

Get Hands-On Clam Bake Experience in Prince Edward Island

Hands-on experience in clam baking is a must-do activity in Lennox Island in Prince Edward Island (PEI). It is an interactive session where tourists pair up with people of indigenous community on the shores of Lennox Island to prepare bannock that is baked in the sand. Meanwhile, tourists can listen to stories of the community members on how it is like growing up in the island while enjoying some deliciously-baked clam.

Final Thoughts

These Top indigenous tourism experiences in Canada are something that you must witness in your lifetime, more than once. These experiences will teach you a lot about the indigenous communities in Canada and leave with you memories to last a lifetime.