June is National Indigenous History Month. As we recognize this month, let us remember the history, heritage, resilience, and diversity of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis people across the country.
The practice of reconciliation is something we work towards engaging in on a daily basis, including while travelling. This month, we would like to highlight some of Alberta & British Columbia's Indigenous tourism experiences.
Indigenous Tourism Experiences in British Columbia
Dancers perform at the Victoria Indigenous Cultural Festival, Victoria B.C.
Moccasin Trails
Moccasin Trails, located on the ancestral land of the Syilx people in West Kelowna, offers authentic Indigenous cultural experiences from spiritual journeys to guided canoe expeditions. You’ll listen to the history of the Shuswap peoples and traditional songs while learning about the area from an Indigenous knowledge keeper.
Ancestral Path Experience — a cultural plant, food and educational tour
This 6-hour tour in West Kelowna will guide guests on a spiritual journey walking the ancestral paths of the Syilx people. Discover the traditional and medicinal use of various local plants and explore the history and traditions of the Syilx culture from an Indigenous knowledge keeper. Afterwards, the tour continues to the Sncewips Heritage Museum, where art and artifact collections that reflect the heritage and natural history of the Syilx people are preserved and restored.
Enjoy a provided lunch at the Kekuli Cafe, named for the kekuli (ke-koo-lee) a traditional Indigenous winter dwelling. The cafe is famous for its traditional and gourmet bannock, made fresh daily.
To learn more, visit Moccasin Trails.
West Coast Expeditions
Located on the coast of Kyuquot Sound, West Coast Expeditions operates in the territory of the Kyuquot (Ka:’yu:’k’t’h’)/Checleset (Che:k:tles7et’h’) First Nations. Offering everything from day trips to multi-day professionally guided expeditions, West Coast Expeditions has an adventure suited to all skill levels.
1-Day Kayaking Experience from Spring Island
Experience true wilderness on the east coast of Vancouver Island, as you kayak from the wilderness retreat base camp on Spring Island. Watch black bears foraging for food along the rocky coastline safely from your kayak, and spot tufted puffins, gregarious sea otters, and if you’re lucky, even whales. This professionally guided tour will explore spectacular seascapes and visit historic and current village sites of the local First Nations People, presenting a unique opportunity to meet the First Nations community and learn about the history of the local Indigenous people.
To learn more, visit West Coast Expeditions.
Homalco Wildlife & Cultural Tours
Homalco Wildlife & Cultural Tours offer an immersive experience into the wonders of the West Coast, including bear and whale watching as well as cultural tours focusing on the traditional way of life of the Homalco people. The Xwémalhkwu, or Homalco First Nation are known as the people of the fast-running waters, and Homalco Wildlife & Cultural Tours have been leading tours in the area for over twenty years.
People Water Land — a half-day cultural journey
People, Water, Land is an immersive half-day cultural tour into the Homalco peoples’ traditional territory. Explore Aupe, an important cultural and historical village site where knowledgeable guides will share about the Homalco peoples’ history, traditions, language and culture and the wildlife that share their home.
To learn more, visit Homalco Wildlife Tours.
Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre
The Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre preserves and showcases the artifacts and history of the Sk̲wx̲wú7mesh (Squamish Nation) and L̓il̓wat7úl (Lil’wat Nation), whose history is tied to the rivers, lakes, and mountains of the Whistler area.
Interpretive Forest Walk
Step inside the cultural centre and experience the colourful regalia, expressive movement and booming drums of their traditional welcome song. Explore the Interpretive Forest Trail guided by a knowledgeable Cultural Ambassador to understand the local flora and fauna that connects us to the land. Guests will learn how the Nations use local flora and fauna for food, as preventative medicine, and even transformed into useful tools. Glimpse into how the Squamish and Lil’wat ancestors lived and gain a deeper understanding of our connection to the land. Follow up the tour with a delicious meal at Thunderbird Cafe, featuring an Indigenous-inspired menu made with fresh local ingredients.
To learn more, visit Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre.
Indigenous Tourism Experiences in Alberta
A traditional Blackfoot dwelling, Rocky Mountain House, Alberta.
Métis Crossing
Métis Crossing overlooks the banks of the North Saskatchewan River and is a cultural heritage centre for Alberta Métis cultural interpretation, education and gatherings. Sitting on 512-acres of land comprised of river lot titles from the original Métis settlers in the late 1800s, here you will find hands-on experiences that share the distinct Indigenous story of the Métis people.
Paddle Into The Past
Discover two historic sites while you paddle along a historic fur trade route in an authentic Voyageur canoe. Travel into the past to learn about Canada’s fur trade from a knowledgeable guide, and get the chance to learn and practice traditional Métis knowledge and skills.
To learn more, visit Métis Crossing.
Kodiak Herbal Métis Culture
Kodiak Herbal Métis Culture offers immersive cultural experiences that explore the beauty of Métis culture and traditions. Owned and operated by Kalyn Kodiak, a Métis Herbalist and knowledge keeper, and a descendant of a Métis midwife & Herbalist who settled in Alberta in the late 1800s. Kodiak Herbal offers a wide variety of unique cultural experiences, including medicine making, finger weaving, traditional cooking and more.
Métis Medicines Guided Plant Walk
Discover the traditional food and medicine of the Métis people in Alberta's prairies and foothills. Guided by a Métis Herbalist and knowledge keeper, you’ll learn how to identify the many edible and medicinal plants local to Southern Alberta, and learn how the Métis make and use medicines, clothes and food from these seasonally available materials.
Buffalo stone woman guided tours
Heather Black, whose ancestral name is O'takii Tsowakii, is a natural-born adventurer from the Blood Tribe Nation who offers guided hikes in the Rocky Mountains near Canmore, Alberta.
Grotto Canyon Trail Guided Hike
Immerse yourself in the history of the rocky mountains on this guided hike along Grotto Canyon Trail. Learn about the culture and stories of the Indigenous people of the area and see pictographs depicting animals and humans on the cavern walls, which are between 500 and 1300 years old.
To learn more, visit Buffalo Stone Woman.
Mahikan Trails
Mahikan Trails, based in Canmore Alberta, offers immersive indigenous experiences from making plant-based medicine, salves and lotions, to practicing bushcraft skills. Owner and operator Brenda Holder is a Cree/Iroquois Métis guide from the Kwarakwante lineage of Jasper, Alberta with a passion for sharing her traditional knowledge and history of the area.
Cascade Ponds, Photo by Lisa Bourgeault
Banff Medicine Walk
See the world of the woods through an Indigenous lens as you are guided through the boreal forest around Cascade Ponds. Discover the Indigenous history of the area, gain a deeper understanding of the significance of the land, and practice traditional skills from identifying medicinal plants to learning bushcraft from an Indigenous Knowledge Keeper.
To learn more, visit Mahikan Trails.
Acknowledgements across our regions
In the spirit of reconciliation, we acknowledge that Bellstar Hotels & Resorts operates on many ancestral and traditional territories.
In Alberta, we acknowledge the Blackfoot Confederacy (Siksika, Kainai, Piikani), the Tsuut’ina, the Îyâxe Nakoda Nations, the Métis Nation (Region 3), and all people who make their homes in the Treaty 7 region of Southern Alberta.
In British Columbia, we acknowledge the traditional and unceded territory of the Okanagan Sylix people, the Ktunaxa Nation, Secwepemc Suswap Nations and Métis Nation of BC, as well as Coast Salish Peoples including the territories of the Snaw-Na-Was First Nation and Qualicum First Nation.
We recognize, honour and respect the presence of Indigenous people, past, present and future.
The Indian Residential Schools Crisis Line is available 24-hours a day. For immediate support please contact 1-800-721-0066.
