Things to Do in Canada 244

Indigenous Tourism

Good morning!

Did you know? Orange Shirt Day is a day where all Canadians are encouraged to wear orange shirts to honour survivors and victims of residential schools. The story of the orange shirt originates from Phyllis Webstad, who, at six years old, had her brand-new orange shirt taken from her on her first day at residential school. The movement has created allies across Canada, and wearing an orange shirt on this day shows support for Indigenous people.

Speaking of Orange Shirt Day, yesterday (September 30th) was National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, which is all about honouring the victims of Canada’s residential school system, and educating the public about the systemic issues and generational trauma that Indigenous peoples continue to face to this day.

We’ve learned a lot about the various Indigenous groups around Canada on our travels and highly recommend getting out and experiencing some Indigenous tourism for yourself. If you’re not sure where to start, we’re sharing some of our top experiences below…

Happy Travels!

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There are hundreds, maybe thousands, of Indigenous experiences across the country. While we’ve only tried a handful of them (so far), here are a few that really stand out.

St. Eugene Resort & Casino.

British Columbia

  • Nk’Mip Desert Cultural Centre (Osoyoos, Okanagan Nation)
    A beautiful interpretive centre in a desert landscape (semi-arid), which is unusual in Canada. You learn about the Okanagan people, their culture, desert ecosystem, indigenous plants, and conservation. Plus nice architecture.

  • Homalco Wildlife & Cultural Tours (Campbell River area)
    Tours into the waters/forests with First Nations guides, combining wildlife (whales, bears), sustainability, and strong community/cultural connections. We did this in the fall of 2017 and witnessed dozens of grizzly bears feasting on salmon. Amazing experience!

  • St. Eugene Resort & Casino (Cranbrook, Ktunaxa Nation)

    St. Eugene is a luxury resort, casino, and golf destination, built on the site of the former Kootenay Indian Residential School, which operated between about 1912-1970, serving Indigenous children from across BC and Alberta. We highly recommend spending the night and experiencing this unique story of transformation and culture.

Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump.

Alberta

  • Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
    A world-famous archaeological site showcasing Plains Indigenous hunting practices. The museum is also fantastic.

  • Métis Crossing (Smoky Lake)
    Alberta’s first major Métis cultural destination with immersive activities, traditional food, and riverfront cabins. You can literally spend a few nights here and not experience it all.

  • Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park (Siksika Nation)
    Located north of Lethbridge, this park is key for learning Blackfoot history, cultural practices, including tipi villages, exhibits, storytelling, and special events.

Saskatchewan

  • Wanuskewin Heritage Park (Saskatoon)
    This is a National Historic Site and an active archaeological site with artifacts older than the pyramids, plus dance, storytelling, and trails. It’s one of the best things to do in Saskatoon!

Manitoba

Qaumajuq at the Winnipeg Art Gallery.

Ontario

  • Petroglyphs Provincial Park 
    “Teaching Rocks” – Anishinaabe carvings, spiritual cultural significance. Trails & visitor centre. No photos or video is allowed, but having visited not long ago, we can tell you it’s a very spiritual place.

Québec

  • Wendake (near Québec City)
    The Huron-Wendat community offers a boutique hotel (Hôtel-Musée Premières Nations), museum, longhouse experiences, and top-notch Indigenous cuisine. Back in 2017, when we visited during our 150-day road trip across Canada, it was the first time we heard about longhouses.

Atlantic Canada

Visiting remote islands in Nunavut with Adventure Canada.

Northern Canada

  • Tukotoyaktuk (NWT)
    We only had a few hours in “Tuk”, but the indigenous tour we enjoyed brought us to the famous Pingo’s, introduced us to Muktuk, and took us around the town to get a glimpse into life up north.

  • Adventure Canada High Arctic Tour (Nunavut)
    Not only is this company partly Indigenous-owned, but the expeditions they offer throughout Nunavut and the Arctic, in general, are a great way to get a glimpse into the history, culture, and landscapes of the Indigenous peoples that live in the North. They brought them on board the ship to give us performances and talks, while also taking us to some of the communities, such as Pond Inlet. It was an experience we’ll never forget.

Watch

If you happen to be in Alberta and looking to try some indigenous experiences, check out this video for some ideas…

Beaver Bites

Just for Fun

  • Concerned Vancouver residents have raised the alarm about a 400-year-old Douglas Fir tree cut down in Stanley Park.

  • Montréal's notorious potholes are now making international headlines, after a Dutch cyclist hit a patched pothole during the Grand Prix Cycliste, ending his race. These issues aren’t just on the roads either. After visiting Montreal last summer, we can tell you first-hand that the sidewalks are just as bad.

  • Airports are next in line to get self-driving vehicles.

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