Fresh Perspectives

Across Canada, Indigenous tour operators are offering new ways to engage with cultural and natural wonders.

- Diane Selkirk

LONG A FAVORITE destination for U.S. travelers, Canada is switching up the itinerary. Its Indigenous-led tourism businesses are inviting visitors to explore Native lands, work with beads and plants, learn more about history, and taste foods that may be unfamiliar.

"Welcoming people allows us to share our values, our cultures, our land, and our art," says Tyson Atleo, a hereditary chief-in-line of the Ahousaht Nation and a program director at Nature United, a conservation organization.

The sector continues to grow thanks in part to the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada, an advocacy group. "Indigenous experiences serve as a powerful educational tool, enlightening travelers about the diverse perspectives and resilience of our communities," says Keith Henry, the organization's president and CEO and winner of a T+L Global Vision Award in 2021.

Today there are more than 1,900 Indigenous tourism outfits in Canada, meaning there's a tour or experience for nearly any interest. Here's a closer look at some notable options.

Visit the Vast North

Set near the confluence of two rivers in a remote stretch of the Yukon, Fort Selkirk was built by Hudson's Bay Company in the 19th century on the ancestral territory of the Hücha Hudän people. It's now a hub for wildlife watchers, outdoorsy types, and those interested in Canadian history. Tutchone Tours offers daylong or multiday excursions to the site, coordinating boating on the Yukon River, campsite logistics, storytelling, beading workshops, and guided hikes. Tours from $236.