4 minute read
Indigenous Tourism
Before all others, Indigenous peoples travelled the woods and waters of the Lakeland. Cultural traditions thousands of years old are preserved and celebrated throughout the Lac La Biche Region.
Dates TBA
For generations, Pow Wows have been special occasions for Indigenous families and Nations to meet to, exchange news and goods, and celebrate their culture. Now a Pow Wow is the perfect way for you to gain a deeper appreciation and understanding of First Nations heritage. Dancers’ regalia is elaborate and unique, and every dance has a story. Beaver Lake Cree Nation and Heart Lake First Nation are both part of the Pow Wow circuit, attracting hundreds of performers from across North America.
MÉTIS CROSSING
Metiscrossing.org / 780-656-2229 / metiscrossing@metis.org 17339 Victoria Trail, Smoky Lake County
A major showcase of Métis culture and history is only a short drive outside the Lac La Biche Region. Past and present come together at this historic site, where you can discover the story of the Métis people, try your hand at traditional crafts, learn to jig, and spend a night in a Métis trapper’s tent.
• Paddle Into The Past: An immersive four-hour cultural journey, including a jaunt down the North Saskatchewan River in a voyageur canoe to Victoria Settlement.
HIDEAWAY ADVENTURE GROUNDS
780-212-1725 / hideawayadventure@gmail.com Township Road 624, Kikino Métis Settlement
Rekindle your connection to nature. Your host, John Ritchie, left the hustle and bustle of the city to rediscover his roots and his kinship with the earth. Here you have an opportunity to live off the grid and off the land, pushing your own boundaries and learning traditional Métis teachings. Practice shelter-building, finding medicinal plants and more in an endless aspen forest.
LAC LA BICHE CANADIAN NATIVE FRIENDSHIP CENTRE AND INDIGENOUS SPIRIT CREATIONS
Llb-cnfc.com / 780-623-3249 / spirit@llb-cnfc.com 10105 Churchill Drive, Lac La Biche
Shop for an authentic Indigenous souvenir made by a local artisan. Originally founded to support and empower the region’s Aboriginal peoples, the Friendship Centre also works to promote and share Indigenous culture with others, so ask about joining programs, attending events or connecting with cultural ambassadors.
POW WOW ETIQUETTE:
• Ask for permission before taking photos of dancers or touching regalia. • The MC will announce when dances and ceremonies shouldn’t be photographed. • You can join an intertribal dance when the MC says it’s okay. • When in doubt, ask. Call the Visitor Information Centre at (780) 623-1727 for guidance.
For tipi bookings: albertaparks.ca / 1-877-537-2757 For cultural programming and Hudson’s Bay Company bedding: 780-623-3249 / spirit@llb-cnfc.com
Twin tipis stand proudly above the shores of Lac La Biche Lake, inviting you to spend the night and learn more about these icons of First Nations culture. Contact the Lac La Biche Canadian Native Friendship Centre to supplement your stay with Indigenous cultural programming, and ask for the iconic Hudson’s Bay Company bedding so you can sleep like a 19th-century explorer.
PORTAGE COLLEGE MUSEUM OF ABORIGINAL PEOPLES’ ART & ARTIFACTS
Portagecollege.ca/museum / 780-623-6693 / museum@portagecollege.ca 9531 94 Avenue, Lac La Biche
See the world’s only permanent collection of works by the Professional Native Indian Artists Inc., also known as the Indian Group of Seven, and explore First Nations, Métis and Inuit exhibits. Discover the craftsmanship behind traditional art forms like hide tanning, beading and quilling, and join a workshop to craft your very own souvenir.
TRAPPER PAUL AT WINEFRED LAKE OUTFITTERS
780-404-3213 / aulsher@hotmail.com Northeast of Lac La Biche and southeast of Conklin
Paul Padlesky (Trapper Paul to his friends) and his wife Sherri operate a year-round getaway in the far northeastern corner of the Lac La Biche Region. Paul’s passion for the Lakeland drives him to share the Métis traditions he was taught as a youngster, traditions that teach respect for Mother Earth and her children. In the winter, learn how Trapper Paul got that name when he guides you through a trapping expedition of your own.
780-689-2170 / 17207 Buffalo Lake Drive, Buffalo Lake Métis Settlement / Open 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday
Buffalo Lake is one of two Métis Settlements in the Lac La Biche Region. Métis culture is a fusion of European and Indigenous traditions, originating in the days of the fur trade. Buffalo Lake’s Cultural Interpretive Centre shares community history and artifacts with visitors. Call ahead to find out if cultural programming is available.
Explore, Discover, Imagine!
LAC LA BICHE MUSEUM & VISITOR INFORMATION CENTRE
9910-101 Avenue Located on Main Street
New exhibits!
