Indigenous tourism goes luxe in Canada’s most exciting rural regions

From the Maritimes to British Columbia, there are nearly 650 First Nation communities in Canada — each with their own distinct indigenous history and traditions. And many are eager to share their unique ways of life with travelers from across the globe.

Whether visiting a traditional indigenous heritage site or indulging in an indigenous-based restaurant or culinary experience, First Nation communities are a crucial component of Canada’s history that can easily be overlooked.

Indeed, so important are First Nation traditions that the Canadian government recently launched a multimillion-dollar Indigenous Tourism Fund to promote and support nearly 150 tourism projects nationwide.

For a more formal indigenous experience, Quebec’s Onhoüa Chetek8e site is just 30 minutes or so from Quebec City in the town of Wendake. The site features a reconstructed village displaying daily life of the Huron-Wendat people before the arrival of Europeans in the 16th century. There are historic buildings, a local restaurant, guides in traditional garb and culture-rich immersion activities.

A similar setup exists in Canada’s Far West at the site known as Wanuskewin Heritage Park, near Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. This is Canada’s oldest archaeological dig and travelers can experience everything from an ancient medicine wheel to petroglyphs — along with hiking trails, a local restaurant and even the opportunity to camp out in a tepee. Although far separated by geography, both sites feel urgent and compelling — without resorting to kitsch or cliche.

In Manitoba — Canada’s version of prairie country — the legacies of indigenous culture can be most profoundly felt in the food. Head for Winnipeg, where Feast Cafe Bistro both serves indigenous-focused food while serving the local community.

Owner Christa Bruneau-Guenther — who’s also the chef — belongs to the Peguis First Nation and Feast honors this allegiance by hiring locals directly from the community, training them in the culinary arts and helping them deliver memorable dishes and services.

Those dishes can vary, but are based on local, traditional ingredients — from bison and berries to nuts, squash and corn — and incorporated into crowd-pleasing favorites such as pizzas, tacos, burgers and, this being Canada, poutine.

Out in British Columbia, the Klahoose Wilderness Resort in Desolation Sound is an upscale dose of Canada’s traditional way of life.

The resort is set on land that belongs to the indigenous Klahoose people and offers both local culture and pristine wildlife and natural surroundings.

The property features a mix of rustic lodges and cabins, each accented by traditional artwork and handicrafts.

Each evening, local tribal leaders present lectures and storytelling while during the day guests can make Klahoose handicrafts or dive into the surrounding forest, where mighty grizzly bears hunt for salmon in crystal-clear waters from May to August, a three-day package starts at $2,131 per person, all-inclusive).

Finally, in Calgary — literally within the city center — there’s the Calgary Stampede, which is held each summer in Alberta’s largest city and Canada’s shale-oil boom town.

While the stampede may be best known for its grand, Western-styled rodeo, it also features a strong dose of Indigenous culture, most notably the Elbow River Camp.

Here, in one place, visitors can experience the culture and traditions of the Kainai, Piikani, Siksika, Stoney Nakoda, and Tsuut’ina First Nations — spread out in 26 separate tepees filled with locals offering crafts, foods, jewelry and demonstration of indigenous ceremonies. Be sure to stop by the tepee serving bannock, a local Indigenous quick bread that has long sustained generations of First Nation members.