A COUNTRY OF CULTURE

Immerse yourself in the stories and culture of Canada’s Indigenous Peoples.

THE SMOKE FROM THE BONFIRE WISPS THROUGH THE AIR INSIDE THE TRADITIONAL TEEPEE IN BRITISH COLUMBIA. Around it, guests sip hot chocolate and take turns reaching for the tray of warm Bannock and local berry jam. In Saskatchewan, guests in a river canoe are enthralled with the voice of an Indigenous storyteller; lulled by the pull every time the paddle sweeps through crystal-clear water. In Quebec, a drumbeat helps tell the story of the Indigenous Nations who first called the area home. Each thump is like a heartbeat connecting travelers to both the past and future of the people.

The spirit of Indigenous Peoples in Canada runs as deep as the rock and as wide as the waters. And for travelers hoping to find authentic connections to the people whose ancestors were here long before there were flags to wave and anthems to stand behind, Indigenous hotels offer the perfect perch from which to explore.

These five Indigenousled tourism initiatives offer respectful, mindful connections to the land, the culture, and the people, and all will stick with you long after you leave.

BY HEATHER GREENWOOD DAVIS

HÔTEL -MUSÉE PREMIÈRES NATIONS , QUEBEC

About a 30-minute drive from Quebec City, this boutique property set within pristine Boreal Forest on the ancestral lands of the HuronWendat Nation tells the story of the community that thrived on the banks of the Akiawenrakh’ River. Every guest interaction, meal, and activity offers a chance to learn more about the pre-colonial history of this incredible location. Dine from menus celebrating the regional terroir at Restaurant la Traite. Hike trails alongside Indigenous guides. Relax at the natural on-site Nation Sante Spa. Or follow along on an artisanled Indigenous craft workshop. (Next door, interactive exhibits at the Huron-Wendat Museum offer a deeper understanding of your hosts.) Sleep in modern rooms with Indigenous décor touches, or in the Ekionkiestha’ National Longhouse.

THE SPIRIT OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES IN CANADA RUNS AS DEEP AS THE ROCK AND AS WIDE AS THE WATERS. INDIGENOUS HOTELS OFFER THE PERFECT PERCH FROM WHICH TO EXPLORE.

And when the sun goes down, join your hosts fireside and be transported through history thanks to ritual Iroquoian storytelling and dance.

MÉTIS CROSSING , ALBERTA

This cultural interpretive destination showcases the history and culture of Métis people. Set on 688 acres of traditional river lot land (once the site of Métis family life), guests can sleep in the 40-room contemporary, boutique lodge or opt for a summer campground experience instead. Whatever you choose, the heritage species wildlife park, historical Métis Riverlot farmyard, and Métis veterans’ memorial on site demand a visit.

You won’t find this anywhere else in the country – an authentic and large investment in a cultural destination created by Métis people with the express purpose of enlightening visitors. From its location overlooking the North Saskatchewan River, the Métis Crossing experience is rounded out with a state-of-the-art, 11,000-square-foot Cultural Gathering Centre which includes a restaurant serving Indigenous inspired cuisine and traditional activities including canoeing, finger weaving, and porcupine quill work.

DAKOTA DUNES RESORT AND CASINO, SASKATCHEWAN

The beauty of Dakota Dunes Resort, located on traditional Whitecap Dakota First Nations Unceded

Territory, is striking. Surrounded by gently rolling, natural sand dunes, the hotel is Saskatoon’s first fullservice resort. Everything — from the window trims to the paneling — in this newly built, 155-room resort is a tribute to traditional Indigenous design, while still maintaining a modern upscale feel. The unspoiled natural setting is only 20 minutes from downtown Saskatoon, which puts you near the city if you’d like to explore further. But a host of activities and adventures (including kayaking and stargazing) make it a perfect spot for either a friends and family getaway, or, with its 10,000 square feet of convention space and golf course, a business getaway.

KLAHOOSE WILDERNESS RESORT, BRITISH COLUMBIA

Owned and operated by the Klahoose First Nation, this 6,100-square-foot cedar timber lodge and chalet collection sits in the quiet, lush temperate rainforest in Desolation Sound, British Columbia. A maximum of 26 people at a time are allowed to experience this intimate, all-inclusive luxury eco-resort. Opened in June 2021, the remote location, only accessible by air and water, is a two-hour float plane ride from Vancouver and offers an off-grid getaway between May and October. Indigenous guides lead diverse cultural programming and wilderness experiences. Guests can walk in the paw prints of grizzlies in Toba Inlet, deep water fish in Homfray Channel, or revel in the mountain terrain, crashing waterfalls, and clear waters via a helisightseeing adventure. Klahoose’s cultural center is only a sea kayak ride away on Cortes Island. There you can learn more about the rich landscape and diverse experiences of the Klahoose, Tla’amin, and Homalco Nations.

SPIRIT BEAR LODGE, BRITISH COLUMBIA

The distinctive white fur of the elusive Spirit Bear has long been a draw for travelers seeking the largest coastal temperate rainforest on earth, located in one of the most remote places in the country. But visitors will tell you: The bears are only the beginning of the magic here. This lodge, set in the Great Bear Rainforest, offers a transformative experience that brings you closer to all kinds of wildlife, culture, and biodiversity. Architecturally designed to resemble the traditional long houses built for thousands of years by west coast First Nations, rooms are warm and welcoming. With only 12 ocean view rooms, experiences are intimate and exclusive and multi-day adventures offer small groups ample opportunity for authentic connection. Best of all, stays here directly support research and conservation efforts in the Kitasoo/ Xai’xais territory. The two tribes have called the area home since the 1800s and work together to maintain the lodge’s sustainable eco-tourism focus.