The Canadian Explorer
The Canadian ExplorerDiscover Canada · Explore Beyond
The Canadian Explorer
The Canadian ExplorerDiscover Canada · Explore Beyond

Travel Guide

Indigenous Travel & Respectful Tourism

Land acknowledgements, Indigenous-owned experiences, etiquette on reserve, and where to learn from First Nations, Inuit, and Métis hosts.

Overview

Canada was — and is — Indigenous land. There are 634 First Nations, 53 Inuit communities, and the Métis Nation spanning the western provinces. Visiting Indigenous-led experiences is one of the most enriching ways to travel here, and it directly supports the communities whose stories shape this country.

Land acknowledgements

You'll hear land acknowledgements opening events, posted at trailheads, and printed in museums. They name the Indigenous nations whose traditional territory you're standing on (e.g. 'the unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh peoples' in Vancouver). Listening with attention is part of the gesture. The Native Land map at native-land.ca lets you look up the territory anywhere you travel.

Indigenous-owned tourism

Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (destinationindigenous.ca) is the definitive directory. Stand-out experiences include Talaysay Tours in Vancouver, Spirit Bear Lodge on the Great Bear Rainforest, Wikwemikong Tourism on Manitoulin Island, Métis Crossing in Alberta, Wendake near Québec City, and Inuit-led Arctic expeditions through operators like Arctic Kingdom and Adventure Canada. Look for the 'Indigenous Tourism' badge — it certifies authentic Indigenous ownership or majority partnership.

Visiting reserves

Most reserves are private communities, not tourist sites. Stop and ask before driving in; many post visitor information at the entrance. Some — Tobique, Wendake, Old Massett, Cheslatta — have welcome centres, guided tours, and gift shops with genuine local art. Always buy art and crafts directly from the artist or a community-run shop, not from generic souvenir stores.

Photography & sacred sites

Photographing people requires permission, full stop. The same applies to ceremonies, regalia, totems, and pictographs — even when no one is around. Drone flying over reserves and many cultural sites is prohibited. When in doubt, don't photograph; ask first.

Truth, Reconciliation & honest history

Canada's history with Indigenous peoples includes the residential school system, ongoing Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls crisis, and unresolved land claims. The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation in Winnipeg, the Woodland Cultural Centre in Brantford, and the Canadian Museum for Human Rights are essential visits for travellers who want the full story. Wear an orange shirt on September 30 (National Day for Truth and Reconciliation) if you're in Canada that week.

Quick tips

  • Book Indigenous-led tours directly — your money stays in the community
  • 'Inuit' is plural; one person is 'an Inuk' — and 'Eskimo' is outdated and offensive in Canada
  • Smudging ceremonies use sacred medicines — observe quietly and follow your host's lead
  • Pendleton blankets are NOT Indigenous Canadian — they're a Pacific Northwest US brand often misrepresented
  • Tip Indigenous guides as you would any guide — generously and in cash where possible

Good to know

Frequently
asked.

Straight answers from travellers who have been there.

How do I tell if a tour or shop is genuinely Indigenous-owned?
Look for ITAC certification (indigenoustourism.ca) or provincial equivalents (Indigenous Tourism BC, Indigenous Tourism Ontario). Ask directly — authentic operators are happy to tell you which nation they belong to and where the profits go.
Can I visit a powwow as a tourist?
Yes — many powwows are open to the public and explicitly welcome visitors. Follow the MC's instructions, stand for the Grand Entry, don't photograph regalia or dancers without explicit permission, and don't enter the dance circle. Pack a folding chair.
What's the difference between First Nations, Inuit, and Métis?
Three distinct Indigenous peoples. First Nations are the original inhabitants south of the Arctic (Cree, Anishinaabe, Mi'kmaq, Haida, and 600+ others). Inuit live in the Arctic — Nunavut, Nunavik, Inuvialuit Region, Nunatsiavut. Métis are the descendants of intermarriage between First Nations and European fur traders, with a distinct culture centred in the prairies.
Should I attend a sweat lodge or ceremony?
Only when invited or as part of a publicly offered cultural program with an Indigenous host. Don't seek out closed ceremonies as a tourist experience, and be skeptical of any non-Indigenous person selling 'shamanic' or 'sweat lodge' experiences — that's appropriation, not tradition.

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