Your Guide to the Incredible Wonders of Indigenous Tourism of Western Canada

Long before Canada ever became a nation, its Indigenous Peoples nurtured, honored, and celebrated its vast landscapes, and continue to preserve millennia-old traditions that today have helped shape the foundation of Canada’s Indigenous tourism.

When you visit Western Canada, you’ll always be guaranteed a warm welcome and the chance to engage with their rich living heritage – from its modern-day cultural centers to its real-world immersive Indigenous experiences. Here, Indigenous-owned and operated attractions offer some of the most unique experiences on the planet, meeting and learning directly from Western Canada’s First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities.

Join us as we explore the amazing and insightful Indigenous encounters available in Western Canada that not only help to preserve its rich cultural heritage, but also actively support local communities to ensure the most significant chapter in Canada’s history is never forgotten.

Follow the Enduring Legacy of Manitoba’s First Peoples

We kickstart our tour of Canada’s Indigenous customs in its western provinces by heading to Manitoba, home to sweeping prairies, dense boreal forests, and expansive Arctic tundra. Here, Indigenous tourism is playing a pivotal role in helping to showcase not just the ingenuity of its First Nation Peoples, but their profound histories, and more contemporary achievements.

Connect With the Cultural Heart of Manitoba in Winnipeg

Winnipeg is a celebrated ancestral gathering point for Indigenous groups who used to trade, converse, and strengthen cultural ties on the banks of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers, long before the city’s founding.

Our first destination is perhaps one of Winnipeg’s most thought-provoking attractions, the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, whose striking displays – including the Reclaiming Power and Place exhibit – illuminate the histories, experiences, and voices of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples. Another remarkable Winnipeg landmark can also be found at the spot where Winnipeg’s rivers merge, which is The Forks National Historic Site, offering visitors the chance to discover one of Canada’s oldest gathering places, a location that has held a profound cultural significance for well over 6,000 years now.

Celebrate the unique Indigenous culture and heritage in Winnipeg before enjoying a restful evening at the Best Western Premier Winnipeg East.

Celebrate the Cultural Diversity of Indigenous Saskatchewan

Our journey continues across Canada to the sweeping prairies of Saskatchewan, where visitors can experience Indigenous heritage through genuine and immersive cultural encounters. Undoubtedly, Indigenous traditions and customs remain deeply woven into the province’s cultural identity, which creates the perfect platform for travelers to learn about its native customs, dynamic storytelling, and engaging community-led experiences.

Explore Indigenous Heritage Spanning Millennia in Saskatoon

Set on the banks of the mighty South Saskatchewan River, Saskatoon has become an authentic gateway for visitors to engage with and learn about the Indigenous Peoples who have called this region home for thousands of years.

Blessed with a thriving art scene shaped by its strong ties of Indigenous cultural influences, dating back more than 6,400 years, Wanuskewin Heritage Park remains a communal gathering point for generations of Northern Plains Indigenous people. As part of its enduring appeal and on the verge of becoming a UNESCO World Heritage Site in its own right, visitors can survey its ancestral landscapes, while also touring its evocative archaeological sites, and admire the free-roaming bison that were reintroduced to the region in 2019 after a nearly 150-year absence.

Trace the roots of Indigenous history outside Saskatoon before settling in for the night at the Best Western Plus Airport Inn & Suites.

Venture Into Alberta’s Rich Indigenous Cultural Customs

As one of Western Canada’s most compelling destinations for cultural exploration, Alberta has a fascinating blend of dramatic mountain scenery, characterful cities, and a host of Indigenous tourism experiences to discover.

Experience Sacred Landscapes Through Indigenous Eyes Around Calgary

For thousands of years, Calgary and its surrounding lands have served as a crossroads where Indigenous nations gathered to trade, share knowledge, and stories that have helped to maintain their deeply rooted cultural connections that continue to this day.

Here, we highly recommend stepping back 6,000 years to admire the Plains Buffalo culture at Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump, which combines beautiful Alberta landscapes with powerful Indigenous stories that truly bring this UNESCO World Heritage Site to life. Another key activity to add to your itinerary is to join an Earthcode tour to visit the awe-inspiring Takakkaw Falls and the sacred waters of Lake Minnewanka, a unique setting where nature, culture, and renewal all come together.

Venture into Indigenous cultural heartlands outside of Calgary before returning for a cozy night’s sleep at the Executive Residency by Best Western Calgary City View North.

Uncover the Living Legacy of Alberta’s Indigenous Peoples in Edmonton

Staying in Alberta, we next suggest heading to Edmonton, which flanks the great North Saskatchewan River, part of a historic travel corridor that has connected Indigenous communities, cultures, and commerce for generations.

First on our list of Indigenous tourism must-sees is a trip out for a self-guided tour around Métis Crossing, made popular for its year-round attractions and interactive traditional art exhibits. Furthermore, we also definitely recommend paying a visit to Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park, which allows visitors to step beyond the museum experience and into the living legacy of the Siksika Nation and learn about their fascinating history and their unique Siksikai’powahsini (Blackfoot Language).

Seek out unforgettable Indigenous attractions outside of Edmonton before enjoying a relaxing night’s sleep at the Best Western Plus City Centre Inn.

Uncover British Columbia’s Deep Indigenous Roots and Sacred Landscapes

With perhaps the most diverse of Canadian landscapes, alongside the amazing Vancouver Island, British Columbia is a majestic tapestry of untamed deserts, tranquil lakes, and picture-perfect mountain backdrops. Here, its Indigenous tourism provides the province’s regional custodians the chance to showcase their deep connection to the land, while also helping to preserve their cultural traditions and legacies that have lasted for untold generations.

Taste, Tour, and Experience Indigenous Okanagan Traditions in Osoyoos

Amid the semi-arid desert landscape of the Okanagan Desert lies a true oasis better known as the town of Osoyoos, located on the banks of the shimmering Osoyoos Lake, close to the Canadian and US border.

Few places illustrate the lasting relationship between the Indigenous Peoples and the land as vividly as the state-of-the-art Nk’Mip Desert Cultural Center, which chronicles how the Syilx people have stewarded one of Canada’s most distinctive natural environments. In addition to this, for visitors keen to experience the South Okanagan through an Indigenous perspective, we would definitely suggest heading to meet the team at the Indigenous-owned Swiws Spirit Tours, whose award-winning wine tours and cultural journeys are ideal for bringing the region’s rich heritage to life.

Immerse yourself in authentic Indigenous culture in and around Osoyoos before settling in for the night at the Best Western Plus Osoyoos Hotel & Suites.

Follow Ancient Trails Through Syilx Territory in West Kelowna

Another fantastic destination in British Columbia to visit is West Kelowna, which is also renowned for its spectacular Okanagan Valley scenery, inherently intertwined with the traditions and customs of the Syilx people.

Our first key landmark in West Kelowna to see while you’re here is the Indigenous-owned Sncewips Heritage Museum, which is dedicated to the revival, retelling, and teaching of its ancestral knowledge and traditional nsyilxcn language. For those of you who seek an even deeper connection, we highly recommend taking a guided cultural journey with Moccasin Trails to learn first-hand about Indigenous plant knowledge and regional practices, followed by an Indigenous-inspired lunch at Kekuli Café.

Follow the stories of Indigenous Peoples across the ancestral lands around West Kelowna by booking your stay at the Best Western Plus Kelowna Hotel & Suites.