How To Explore Canada's Indigenous Culture

Canada’s indigenous culture includes that of the First Nations, Métis and Inuit people. Their histories and traditions are unique and helped shape Canada’s identity. Keep reading to find out how you can learn more about Canada’s Aboriginal culture within many of the country’s cities and provinces.

Ontario

Throughout the province, there are many ways to learn and appreciate Aboriginal history. For example, Gallery Indigena in Stratford has been a major center for Canadian indigenous art for over 40 years. They also have galleries in both downtown Toronto and Vancouver.
Immerse yourself in Aboriginal culture through a stay at The Bear’s Inn, which “blends warm country hospitality with Six Nations’ history.” Toronto Zoo also has a unique way to learn more about the First Nations—via its Art Garden, which features three distinctive pieces of artwork.

Ottawa

Saskatchewan

Five kilometers (three miles) outside of Saskatoon, Wanuskewin Heritage Park is working “to advance the understanding and appreciation of the evolving cultures of the Northern Plains indigenous peoples.” It has rotating exhibitions, tipi sleepovers, a gift store, and daily tours.

Quebec

Wendake is a self-governing territory, reserve, and National Historic Site within Quebec City. Visit the Traditional Huron Site in Wendake, which is home to an authentic reconstruction of a Huron village. It allows people to visualize the way of life of the Huron-Wendat Nation through demonstrations, exhibitions, artifacts, tours, and presentations.
A lesser-known destination within Quebec is the Native Reserve of Manawan, where people can learn firsthand about the Atikamekw community and its culture. The reserve does craft, language and music workshops; canoe trips; guided tours of the community; overnight packages and so much more.

British Columbia

British Columbia has the highest diversity of distinct First Nations in Canada. Learn more about the various communities through museums, such as Vancouver’s Museum of Anthropology, Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre in Whistler, and the award-winning Nk’mip Desert Cultural Centre in the Okanagan.
Takaya Tours takes people on 25-foot (7.6-meter) canoes through the Indian Arm, a glacial fjord northeast of Vancouver. “Experience the culture, tradition and history of the Tsleil-Waututh First Nations.” The guides share legends, songs, and stories while paddling the area’s calm and scenic waters.

Northwest Territories

B Dene Adventures in the Northwest Territories educates visitors about the Yellowknives Dene First Nations people. “We will do so by using our strong community relationships, our knowledge of the land and by creating a comfortable environment for learning and sharing.” The company does Aurora, Cultural, and Fishing Tours. The Aurora Tour takes visitors to Great Slave Lake to witness the Northern Lights, accompanied by storytelling about Dene history and sampling of traditional foods.

Alberta

Alberta is home to North America’s largest concentration of indigenous carvings and paintings at Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park. Learn about Métis culture through costumed interpreters at Métis Crossing, which is Canada’s first and oldest Métis cultural center. Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and one of the best-preserved buffalo jumps in the world. Visitors can see where Plain Indians drove bison over cliffs, which was a custom practiced for over 6,000 years.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.