Many of the 700 Indigenous communities in Canada now offer visitors the opportunity to connect with their traditions, cultures and landscapes. Lauren Jarvis suggests 10 authentic experiences to offer clients
Dine under the Northern Lights One of the world’s best places to see the Aurora Borealis, Yellowknife in Canada’s Northwest Territories sees the spectacular display dance across the sky on more than 200 nights every year. The Indigenous family-owned Aurora Village provides the perfect cosy spot to view the phenomena. Guests can dine in a traditional teepee before watching the cosmic show, and learning about the myths and legends linked to the Northern Lights. auroravillage.com Take a thrilling dog-sled ride Indigenous Peoples have been using dog sleds in Canada for hundreds of years, and today, there’s no more thrilling way for visitors to whiz through a winter wonderland than on a sled pulled by a team of huskies. Based in Churchill, Manitoba, family-run Wapusk Adventures offers dog sledding tours through the boreal forest, and cultural talks about the Métis People. wapuskadventures.com
Seek out a spirit bear British Columbia’s Great Bear Forest is home to grizzly and black bears, along with several hundred ghostly-white Kermode bears, which have shared the Kitasoo Xai’xais traditional territory for aeons. Believed to have magical powers, these cream-coloured animals have become known as ‘spirit bears’. At Indigenousowned Spirit Bear Lodge, you can join a guided safari to find them. spiritbear.com Go on an Arctic adventure Their deep connection to their traditional lands makes Indigenous Peoples fascinating guides. Inuit-owned Arctic Bay Adventures offers a memorable immersive Indigenous experience. Set within the Arctic Circle on the northwest corner of Nunavut’s Baffin Island, Arctic Bay is one of the world’s most northerly communities, and the gateway to glacial valleys, red rock cliffs and Admiralty Inlet, the longest fjord on Earth. arcticbayadventures.com
JESSICA BurTNICK
DESTINATION CANADA
Authentically Canadian
DESTINATION CANADA
ISTOCK.COM/ MArEIKE SCHADACH
TESSA MACINTOSH
26 / Indigenous experiences Experiences
Watch out for whales Homalco Wildlife & Cultural Tours offer voyages in the Salish Sea, off British Columbia, in search of whales, dolphins, sea lions, otters and eagles, and interpretive explorations of Orford Bay, a winter gathering place for the Xwémalhkwu or Homalco of Bute Inlet, known as the ‘People of Fast running Waters’. Visitors learn about traditional plants, medicines, shelter and clothing from an Indigenous guide – and might spot grizzly bears feasting on salmon. homalcotours.com Explore indigenous traditions Wendake in Quebec offers an immersive journey into the culture of the Huron-Wendat People. The HotelMusée Premières Nations is home of the Huron-Wendat Museum, while the Huron Traditional Site, on the Huron-Wendat reservation, offers canoe rides, tours of a Yänonhchia’ (long house), dance displays and Indigenous cuisine. tourismewendake.ca/en/
SELLING CANADA WINTER/SPRING 2021/22
Indigenous Experiences V7.indd 26
10/28/21 05:29 PM
