Mobile Menu

  • Destinations
    • Canada
      • British Columbia
        • Vancouver Island, B.C.
        • Okanagan
        • Lower Mainland, B.C.
        • Northern B.C.
        • Interior B.C.
        • Kootenays/Rockies
      • Alberta
      • Yukon
      • Northwest Territories
    • U.S.A.
      • Alaska
      • Washington
      • Oregon
      • California
    • West Coast Galleries
  • Experiences
    • West Coast Galleries
      • Nature Photography
      • Wildlife Photography
      • Cityscapes
    • Things To Do
    • Staycation Secrets
      • Canada
      • U.S.A.
    • Adventure
      • Adrenaline
      • Beaches
      • Biking
      • Camping
      • Fishing
      • Hiking
      • Hunting and Fishing
      • Rafting
      • Skiing
    • Sip & Savour
    • Family Activities
    • Indigenous Tourism
    • Accessible Travel
    • Travel Tips & Advisories
  • Newsletter Sign-up
  • Contests
    • Abbotsford Fall Getaway
    • Pursuit Banff Getaway
    • Luxury Yacht Charter Contest
    • FALL for BC
    • Amateur Photographer of the Year 2023
  • About
    • The Armchair Traveller Newsletter
    • Explore our travel guides
    • Impressive West Coast
    • West Coast Partners
    • West Coast Traveller Directory
    • Join Our Team
    • Contact Us
    • Explore West Coast Traveller on TikTok
  • Search
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • TikTok Icon
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Flickr Icon
  • Menu
  • Skip to left header navigation
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to secondary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Before Header

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • TikTok Icon
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Flickr Icon

West Coast Traveller

  • Destinations
    • Canada
      • British Columbia
        • Vancouver Island, B.C.
        • Okanagan
        • Lower Mainland, B.C.
        • Northern B.C.
        • Interior B.C.
        • Kootenays/Rockies
      • Alberta
      • Yukon
      • Northwest Territories
    • U.S.A.
      • Alaska
      • Washington
      • Oregon
      • California
    • West Coast Galleries
  • Experiences
    • West Coast Galleries
      • Nature Photography
      • Wildlife Photography
      • Cityscapes
    • Things To Do
    • Staycation Secrets
      • Canada
      • U.S.A.
    • Adventure
      • Adrenaline
      • Beaches
      • Biking
      • Camping
      • Fishing
      • Hiking
      • Hunting and Fishing
      • Rafting
      • Skiing
    • Sip & Savour
    • Family Activities
    • Indigenous Tourism
    • Accessible Travel
    • Travel Tips & Advisories
  • Newsletter Sign-up
  • Contests
    • Abbotsford Fall Getaway
    • Pursuit Banff Getaway
    • Luxury Yacht Charter Contest
    • FALL for BC
    • Amateur Photographer of the Year 2023
  • About
    • The Armchair Traveller Newsletter
    • Explore our travel guides
    • Impressive West Coast
    • West Coast Partners
    • West Coast Traveller Directory
    • Join Our Team
    • Contact Us
    • Explore West Coast Traveller on TikTok
  • Search
You are here: Home / Travel / See Alberta’s parks through an Indigenous lens

Waterton Lakes National Park opened its new Visitor Centre showcasing the Blackfoot culture of the area, an initiative undertaken with local Indigenous members. AdobeStock

See Alberta’s parks through an Indigenous lens

July 30, 2022 //  by The Canadian Press

Share this:

By Ryan Clarke, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Lethbridge Herald

The Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada invites Canadians and travellers to explore experiences across the country through an Indigenous lens.

Working with Parks Canada, ITAC recognizes the role Indigenous Peoples have in protecting historic sites, national parks, and conservation areas, and is hoping to share the stories of the area along with the rich history here in Canada.

Keith Henry, president and CEO for ITAC, encourages people to get out and experience the culture in Alberta.

“First Nations and Metis communities understand the importance of cultural tourism and experiences being important for their local community and economy. We’re seeing a persistent commitment, despite the challenges of the pandemic, to building Indigenous experiences throughout Alberta.”

In Alberta, explorers can experience Writing-on-Stone, south-east of Lethbridge, a historical site where Indigenous people have come to pray and perform ceremonies. Petroglyphs carved into the rock are a testament to the area’s importance, which can be felt while in its presence.

Writing-on-Stone, south-east of Lethbridge, a historical site where Indigenous people have long come to pray and perform ceremonies. AdobeStock

Banff National Park has the Mahikan Trails, where visitors can go on guided tours to identify flora and fauna valued for their healing properties. This goes along with Girth Hitch Guiding, an Indigenous-owned tour where climbers can learn to hike the mountains and share in the education of the history of the area.

Recently, Waterton Lakes National Park opened its new Visitor Centre showcasing the Blackfoot culture of the area. This involved working with Indigenous members to help facilitate an interactive learning experience while honouring the Treaty 7 land the park resides on.

“Not a lot of people understand the relevance to the Indigenous community and the people that were living here previously,” Henry said. “So giving people that different type of experience, I think, brings a fresh look at some of those destinations.”

For travellers looking to plan ahead, Henry has some advice.

“We have a platform called destinationindigenous.ca that gives you a national scope. It has a number of businesses listed there. More specifically, if you’re interested in looking locally, I would strongly encourage people to look at Indigenous Tourism Alberta’s website (indigenoustourismalberta.ca), giving smaller business opportunities and experiences.”

With a rich culture throughout Alberta, traditional experiences are great way to get out and enjoy summer while learning the history of the land.

“We believe tourism is reconciliation, it gives us a chance to go support Indigenous people in a way that we maybe didn’t think of before. We’re seeing a lot of Canadians, whether it’s in Alberta or any part of the provinces or territories in this country, wanting to support reconciliation. And we think encouraging people to go explore these experiences, that in itself, supports reconciliation.”

Plan your adventures throughout the West Coast at westcoasttraveller.com and follow us on Facebook and Instagram @thewestcoasttraveller. And for the top West Coast Travel stories of the week delivered right to your inbox, sign up for our weekly Armchair Traveller newsletter!

Share this:

Category: TravelTag: Canada, Indigenous Tourism, Parks, Parks Canada, Places to Visit in Alberta, Things to do, WCT Intro

Related Posts

You may be interested in these posts from the same category.

By foot and paddle, 21 days on Yukon’s Gyuu Dazhoo Njik – The Snake River

By Peter Mather The rivers of the Peel watershed are some of the most beautiful…

By foot and paddle, 21 days on Yukon’s Gyuu Dazhoo Njik – The Snake RiverRead More

Essential tips for pawsome road trips with pets

Torn between your wanderlust and a wagging tail? Don’t give up on either. Road trips…

Essential tips for pawsome road trips with petsRead More

VIDEO: Walk among giant dinosaurs in Surrey, B.C.

Kids and parents lined up to see “Dinosaurs Around the World” at Guildford Town Centre…

VIDEO: Walk among giant dinosaurs in Surrey, B.C.Read More

Vancouver Island museum takes possession of historic ‘Flying Bananas’ aircraft

By Tanara Oliveira In a remarkable moment, the BC Aviation Museum in North Saanich, near…

Vancouver Island museum takes possession of historic ‘Flying Bananas’ aircraftRead More

Ride the rails on Amtrak Cascades from Everett to Portland

The woman sitting on a wooden bench at the Everett Station train depot looked ready…

Ride the rails on Amtrak Cascades from Everett to PortlandRead More

Victoria, B.C., restaurants named among the best new restaurants in Canada

Two Victoria restaurants have been recognized among the best new eateries in Canada. Each year,…

Victoria, B.C., restaurants named among the best new restaurants in CanadaRead More

Cheers! Countdown officially on for Penticton Beer Week Oct. 13 to 22

It’s almost time to celebrate everything the Peach City has to offer when it comes…

Cheers! Countdown officially on for Penticton Beer Week Oct. 13 to 22Read More

Have paddle, will travel!

One of the few places on the planet where helicopters are used to regularly access…

Have paddle, will travel!Read More

Lower airfares on the way due to Canada’s more crowded skies

Passengers aren’t the only ones feeling cramped these days. Though Canadian flights have long been…

Lower airfares on the way due to Canada’s more crowded skiesRead More

Previous Post: « Splish, splash, and spend the rest of summer in Boundary!
Next Post: In-person service for mail-in passport requests now available at 300 sites in Canada »

Primary Sidebar

Things To Do

By foot and paddle, 21 days on Yukon’s Gyuu Dazhoo Njik – The Snake River

September 20, 2023

Essential tips for pawsome road trips with pets

September 19, 2023

VIDEO: Walk among giant dinosaurs in Surrey, B.C.

September 18, 2023

Vancouver Island museum takes possession of historic ‘Flying Bananas’ aircraft

September 16, 2023

Recent Posts

By foot and paddle, 21 days on Yukon’s Gyuu Dazhoo Njik – The Snake River

September 20, 2023

Essential tips for pawsome road trips with pets

September 19, 2023

VIDEO: Walk among giant dinosaurs in Surrey, B.C.

September 18, 2023

Vancouver Island museum takes possession of historic ‘Flying Bananas’ aircraft

September 16, 2023

Footer

The West Coast Traveller has an immense social media footprint, with eight social media sites and and 125,000+ social followers.

Join us on social media and Join Our Community by sharing your stuff!

Get Inspired

News Media Groups

Black Press Media
Sound Publishing
Oahu Media Group
Alaska
Boulevard Magazines
Used.ca

Let’s Get Social

West Coast Traveller
I Love British Columbia
I Love Alberta
I Love Yukon
I Love Northwest Territories
I Love Washington
I Love California
I Love Oregon
I Love Alaska

Visit Our Companion Sites

I Love Saskatchewan
I Love Manitoba
I Love Nunavut
I Love Ontario
I Love Quebec
I Love Newfoundland and Labrador
I Love Nova Scotia
I Love New Brunswick
I Love Prince Edward Island

Site Footer

  • Facebook
  • Flickr
  • Instagram
  • TikTok Icon
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Copyright © 2023 West Coast Traveller and · All Rights Reserved