In their own words: The most iconic, can’t miss Indigenous experiences in Canada

Canada is home to almost 1.7 million Indigenous People whose ancestors have lived on and cared for the vast and beautiful land since time immemorial. There are hundreds of Indigenous communities in the world’s second-largest country, and they speak more than 70 different Indigenous languages. The enduring presence of the Indigenous Peoples of Canada has helped to protect and preserve an extraordinary landscape.

There are many remarkable Indigenous sites and experiences in Canada. Here are some of the top to choose from according to those who know best: members of Canada’s Indigenous Nations.

We’ve partnered with our article’s sponsor, The Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC), to curate this guide to Indigenous Experiences.

It’s hard to find an Indigenous experience that is more authentic than a powwow. Drumming, singing, dancing, regalia, food and handicrafts—a powwow has it all. It is a unique celebration of Indigenous culture that brings people together to socialize and to show pride and respect for culture. “Attending a powwow is a powerful experience,” says Bobby Drygeese of the Yellowknives Dene First Nation. “I attended the Tsuut'ina Nation Powwow near Calgary, Alberta, a few years ago and I really enjoyed it – especially the drumming and dancing. The Yellowknives Dene First Nation have our own unique drums and dances where we celebrate life. Our drum dances are different from the southern powwows." There are powwows across Canada that welcome visitors and each one is different. Visit canadianpowwows.ca to find a list of powwows in Canada and learn more about these unique events.

The Haida Gwaii archipelago off the west coast of British Columbia is a remote and beautiful landscape that is sacred to the Haida People. The island of SGang Gwaay is home to an abandoned Haida village that is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, and there are many other cultural sites in the archipelago. “The Haida culture is so rich and vibrant and I highly recommend experiencing it with Haida Style Expeditions,” says Candace Campo, of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh and Shíshálh Nations. “The Haida have a real connection to their land and their ancestors. It’s what makes their tours so special.” Tour guests travel to Haida Gwaii and visit Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and other sites by boat. Highlights include visiting Haida cultural sites, learning the history, and seeing seabirds, whales and other wildlife like the Haida Gwaii Black Bear. A traditional lunch of wild barbecue salmon, rice and salad is also part of the experience.

To experience the rich history of the Shuswap and Okanagan Indigenous territories and the culture of the Syilx People, you need to travel along ancestral pathways. One of the most popular tours with Moccasin Trails, based out of Kamloops and Kelowna, British Columbia, involves paddling on Lake Okanagan with an Indigenous knowledge keeper. “The knowledge keeper shares stories, songs and ceremonies while teaching about the region and the culture,” says Joe Bailey of the Yellowknives Dene First Nation. “They even have a bear skin that they put over the bow of the boat.” The bear hide, a gift from an elder in the community, provides protection on their journeys. After canoeing, guests visit the nearby Indigenous World Winery, the province’s only 100 percent Indigenous-owned winery, for a tour and lunch.

The traditional territory of the Homalco First Nation includes Bute Inlet, a place where grizzly bears gather along the Orford River when the salmon are running. “Homalco Wildlife & Cultural Tours offers guided boat tours that allow you to see wild grizzly bears in their natural environment,” says Frank Antoine of the Shuswap Nation. “You are immersed in nature and get close-up views of grizzlies, eagles and sometimes whales on the boat tours. You become part of that world for a few hours.” Along with their traditional lands, the Homalco share their culture with guests via legends, stories, language and songs.

One of the best places in Canada to experience Métis culture and heritage is the Métis Nation of Alberta’s Métis Crossing. “Métis are one of the three recognized Indigenous groups in Canada, but many people don’t truly understand who we are,” says Joe Urie, a proud member of the Métis Nation of Alberta. “Métis are of mixed European and Indigenous ancestry, but there’s far more to it than that. The Métis Nation was born and flourished in the Northwest of what is now Canada, and it was there where we developed our own language, culture, music, food, and traditional ways of living.” This Indigenous cultural center was dreamed of, designed by, constructed for, and is operated by Métis People themselves. Visitors can explore the on-site museum and follow costumed interpreters through a traditional harvesting camp and a river lot farmyard complete with traditional homesteads, gardens, and real farm animals.

Writing-On-Stone Provincial Park, or Áísínai'pi as it is known to the Blackfoot, is home to the largest collection of First Nation rock art on the Great Plains of North America. The park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. “Áísínai'pi is a special place and you really feel the sacredness of the landscape and a connection to ancestors when you’re there,” says Quinton Crow Shoe of the Piikani Nation. “It’s family-friendly and there are many things to do.” Visitors can take a tour of the rock art with an Indigenous interpreter, visit the hoodoo cliffs, paddle the Milk River, or relax on a sand beach at the river’s edge.

The Mi'kmaq Heritage Path Tour is an immersive Indigenous experience at Elsipogtog First Nation in New Brunswick. It starts with a traditional greeting followed by a smudging ceremony inside a community-raised teepee. Teachings and insights are shared by knowledge keepers who help connect past and present Elsipogtog Mi'kmaq culture and customs. A guided medicine walk along a pristine path through the forest allows guests to learn about medicinal plants and their uses. Other attractions include an authentically constructed wigwam, a longhouse, and a sweat lodge that can be explored. People who visit the Elsipogtog Mi'kmaq Cultural Center leave with a deeper understanding of, and appreciation for, Mi’kmaq culture.

Created to promote traditional Indigenous culture and help preserve the Cree language, Kâniyâsihk Culture Camps offers a wide variety of hands-on experiences. “Dr. Kevin Lewis started Kâniyâsihk Culture Camps and he has so much knowledge about Cree culture and traditions,” says Blaine Mirasty, a member of the Flying Dust Cree Nation. “Camp participants enjoy outdoor activities year-round including dogsledding, paddling, tanning hides, cutting meat, bow making, medicine gathering, storytelling and more.” There is also a language immersion school taught by Cree elders.

Wendake, the urban reserve of the Huron-Wendat Nation, lies just outside Quebec City. It is a must-visit destination if you want to experience the Indigenous culture of this region. At the Huron-Wendat Museum, you can visit the national Ekionkiestha’ longhouse of the Huron-Wendake people and even stay overnight. The longhouse is part of a reconstructed traditional village and it provides a glimpse into what life was like prior to European contact. Myths and legends are shared around the fire inside the longhouse, as has been the practice among the Huron-Wendat for centuries. A wide variety of Indigenous art and crafts is sold in galleries and shops in this community, and you’ll also find restaurants serving traditional foods.

For more than 25 years, Wat’chee Expeditions has operated the Wat’chee Lodge near Wapusk National Park and one of the world’s largest polar bear maternity denning areas. The lodge is only open for a few weeks each year, and during that time, guests get the rare opportunity to view polar bear cubs and their mothers in their natural habitat. Caribou, ptarmigan, foxes, wolves, and wolverines can also be seen here. Local Indigenous guides share their expertise guiding guests on the tundra. Other activities include snowshoeing, building a snow house, presentations about Indigenous culture, and watching the northern lights shine across the dark night sky. Traditional Indigenous food, such as caribou, ptarmigan and bannock, can also be enjoyed at the lodge.

A statement from The Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC): For millennia, Indigenous Peoples have called these lands across Canada home. We invite you to see the beauty of nature through our eyes, experience the best of our legendary hospitality, and feel a deep connection through our shared traditions and storied history. Join Indigenous guides on a transformative journey on their traditional territories, and enjoy the wit and wisdom of storytelling handed down through generations. Indigenous tourism awaits.