Edmonton, the capital of Alberta, is home to the second-largest urban Indigenous population in Canada. This vibrant city on the North Saskatchewan River is located on beautiful Treaty 6 land and is home to Cree, Saulteaux, Blackfoot, Sioux, and Métis People. Long before being famous as the home of North America's second-largest shopping center, West Edmonton Mall, the city was called amiskwaciy-wâskahikan, and it has been a gathering place for Indigenous people for centuries. There are so many things to do in Alberta, but Indigenous experiences are a unique must-do.
This metropolis is leading the charge of incorporating Indigenous history, culture, and voices throughout its many attractions.
“Tourism is the new buffalo," said Brenda Holder, Vice-Chair of Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC), in a speech at the fourth annual Indigenous Tourism Alberta (ITA) conference held in Enoch, Alberta held early this December.
"To me, that statement encompasses everything about Indigenous tourism. It supports us as a community. It feeds us, it is where elders and youth can connect and share stories and teachings. It's a connection to our culture and traditions. And it has carried us through the last few challenging years.”
Indigenous tourism in Canada, which directly engages First Nations, Métis, and Inuit groups, is about the revival of culture, language, and traditions, and sustaining them for future generations. From resorts and museums to hikes and culinary experiences, below are some of the best Indigenous-led experiences that Edmonton offers.
8 Métis Crossing
Métis Crossing is a brand new, year-round resort destination about an hour's drive from Edmonton. Sitting on a 512-acre historic Métis river lot site, it has a Cultural Gathering Centre and a 40-room boutique lodge overlooking the Saskatchewan River, making it a perfect getaway for families, couples, and friends.
It marks the first major cultural center in Alberta that is owned and operated by Métis. It celebrates the story of the people through classes on traditional art, beading, and jewelry making, as well as immersive walks in the surrounding serene grounds.
Visitors can go on guided cultural walks in every season.
The Tales of the Trapline is an exhilarating winter activity that combines a snowshoe walk in a capote (a long, hooded wrap wool cloak) with teachings from a knowledge holder about traditional winter activities and skills needed to survive in the wilderness.
A must-do is a guided vehicle tour of the neighboring Visions, Hopes and Dreams Wildlife Park to see a rare herd of white bison. Other signature experiences include Paddles into the Past, Meet the Métis, and Walk in our Mocs.
In the spring of 2023, Métis Crossing will be offering Sky Watching Domes to connect visitors with the night’s sky and stars.
7 River Valley
Edmonton’s world-famous River Valley is the largest urban park in the country, consisting of 22 different parks and 92 miles of paved pathways – making it 22 times larger than New York's Central Park.
This urban parkland is the heart of the city and boasts a number of experiences that showcase the art, history, and connection to the land of the Indigenous people.
Within Queen Elizabeth Park, take a walk through the first Indigenous art park that sits on a historic river lot owned by Joseph MacDonald, a Métis man. The park is called înîw (EE-nu), a Cree term meaning “I am of the Earth,” and features a permanent collection of six large art installations created by Indigenous artists and inspired by the land.
Art and nature lovers can head to the new Tawatinâ (it means valley in Cree and pronounced də-WAH-tin-now) pedestrian bridge across the North Saskatchewan River, to admire the ceiling of the pedestrian walkway decorated with 500 panels of art by Indigenous artist David Garneau.
The main top deck carries the LRT (Light Rail Transit), and the lower deck is used for walking and biking. The pedestrian walkway is ideal for catching the sunset, taking in views of the surrounding parkland, or simply enjoying the artwork.
6 Indigenous Peoples Experience At Fort Edmonton Park
Fort Edmonton Park is Canada's largest living history museum. Sprawling across 158 acres along the picturesque river valley, the museum connects visitors to the past through interactive exhibits, historic replicas, and interpreters.
The Indigenous Peoples Experience, which reopened in 2021, is the newest exhibit and gives visitors an immersive multimedia educational experience of the rich and resilient history of the First Nations and Métis peoples.
Learn about their connection to the land, how First Nations guides helped the early European settlers, the role of the buffalo, the impact of colonization, and the horror of residential schools.
The exhibit was a result of historical research and conversations with more than fifty Indigenous Elders, historians, community members, and educators, and the diligence shows in the detailed stories, exhibits, artwork, and music present throughout.
5 Talking Rock Tours
Follow the footsteps of the land’s oldest and original stewards on an Edmonton River Valley Tour with Talking Rock Tours. The tour company is owned and operated by Keith Diakiw, a Métis person, and offers geo-educational hiking and sightseeing adventures for small groups.
On this river valley tour, Diakiw will share his knowledge about the history of the sacred land and the exposed geological features. He will lead a sharing circle with indigenous storytelling and music.
4 Elk Island National Park
Elk Island National Park, located less than an hour's drive from Edmonton, is among the best places to see the iconic bison. This was where Métis and Cree people lived and hunted for generations.
The national park has a high density of hoofed mammals, such as bison, deer, moose and elk, second only to Africa’s famed Serengeti, and it played a critical role in the conservation of the plains bison.
Bison, and subspecies of wood and plains bison, are the largest land mammals in North America. For the Plains Cree, Wood Cree, Dene, Blackfoot, Najota, Métis, and other people, this powerful animal provided a year-round supply of food, warm clothing, tools, and building materials.
Commercial demand for bison increased when the Europeans settled in the 1800s. By 1890, the bison population reduced from 30 million to less than a thousand. Silence descended upon the plains, and the lives of the Indigenous people were forever changed.
Learn about the significance of bison and what it means to see this keystone species roaming the plains again on a guided hike starting at the Moss Lake Trailhead with Talking Rock Tours.
Wearing the sash (a colorful woven belt worn across the body, an important symbol of the Metis cultural pride), equipped with snow shoes (in the winter), take to the trail for an educational and invigorating experience through the boreal and aspen forest.
3 TELUS World of Science
The TELUS World of Science is the perfect place for families traveling with kids to visit. It recently underwent a $41.5 million reimagination and expansion, with two new additions: the Health Zone in the Allard Family Gallery and Arctic Journey in the Newell Family Gallery.
The center covers a wide range of scientific topics, from space and health to the environment with interactive and fun exhibits and experiences.
The new Indigenous Traditional Room is a gathering place to admire Indigenous artwork, blankets, drums, and to learn about sacred objects and medicines.
This is a respectful resource room where one can meet with an Elder or knowledge holder to hear stories and ask questions.
2 Whiskeyjack Art House And Pei Pei Chei Ow
Combine an outing at an Indigenous art gallery with a delicious meal prepared by Pei Pei Chei Ow’s Scott Jonathan Iserhoff at the Whiskeyjack Art House.
Lana Whiskeyjack, a multidisciplinary Cree artist from Saddle Lake Cree Nation, runs the art house, which showcases and sells contemporary works by Indigenous artists, jewelry, skin-care products, and other items like jams and blankets.
Pei Pei Chei Ow (pronounced pe-pe-s-chew) offers culinary classes, cultural camps, and pop-up dining events as a means to connect people to each other and to the land through seasonally inspired dishes made from locally sourced ingredients.
Enjoy savory creations such as Bannock bites with charred tomatoes and whipped ricotta and Kokhom's Blueberry Cheesecake. Pei Pei Chei Ow has a daily takeout business that is increasingly popular.
1 Wase Saba Experiences
The powwow, a celebration filled with music, dancing, laughter, and joy, is an integral part of the Indigenous culture; it brings together people of all groups to share, reconnect, make life-long friends, and pass on time-honored traditions to youth and future generations.
Everyone is welcome to partake in the powwow. Join the fun and learn more at Wase Saba Experiences.
Based in Edmonton and run by Sissy Thiessen Kootenayoo, a Two Spirit Treaty 6 Nakota Sioux, Cree, and German cultural facilitator, Wase Saba Experiences gives visitors an opportunity to witness engaging dance performances, learn about the origin of the powwow, and participate in a group round dance.
It may be hard to fit all these activities into one weekend in Edmonton, but it's worth a return trip to experience it all.