11 Indigenous Experiences in Alberta
If you are interested in learning more about the rich history of Alberta’s Indigenous Peoples, there are a variety of experiences in Banff and beyond that you might consider.
Learning more about Indigenous practices and connections to the land can enhance your travel to the Canadian Rockies and allow you to experience traditional culture more deeply. Read on to discover some rich Indigenous experiences you can explore during your trip to the Canadian Rockies!
Land Acknowledgement
We honor and acknowledge that the Canadian Rockies, and specifically Banff National Park, are located on traditional Treaty 6, 7, and 8 territories of Alberta, as well as the Métis homeland. We recognize that the Indigenous Peoples occupied these lands first. We recognize the continued stewardship of these lands and understand what an immense privilege it is to enjoy this area.
An additional note: Established in 2018, the Indigenous Advisory Circle for Banff National Park provides input and recommendations to park superintendents in order to ensure an Indigenous perspective is involved in important topics and issues related to the park. To learn more about Indigenous connections related to Banff National Park, visit the Parks Canada website here.
Indigenous Experiences in the Canadian Rockies
Buffalo Nations Luxton Museum
Located within the town of Banff, the Buffalo Nations Luxton Museum honors and promotes understanding of Indigenous cultures of the Northern Plains and Canadian Rockies.
Open from 10am to 6pm daily, the museum features artifacts and displays that give insight into the traditional ways of life of these Indigenous peoples over time. The museum’s location is convenient for visitors staying in Banff, as it is a short walk from downtown Banff Ave and makes for a perfect hour or two visit!
Banff Medicine Walk
If you are looking for a way to get outdoors and learn more about the connections and ways that Indigenous Peoples use natural resources for survival, book a Banff Medicine Walk.
The 1.5-2 hour walk is easy enough for all fitness levels and begins with the laying of tobacco as a sign of respect. Your guide will share with you the traditional uses for plants by the local Indigenous peoples and the importance of land stewardship. This experience begins near the Cascade Ponds parking area, a 7 minute drive from downtown Banff, and can be booked through Mahikan Trails Indigenous Experiences.
Indigenous Voices at the Cave & Basin
The Cave & Basin National Historic Site, located near downtown Banff, has hosted the Indigenous Voices exhibit as part of their regular collection in the summer months (May to October). The collection includes exhibits from a variety of Indigenous artists, Elders, and Knowledge Keepers (including Îyârhe Nakoda, Siksika, Kainai, Piikani, Tsuut’ina, Ktunaxa, Secwépemc and Métis) representing the Bow Valley area.
Cave & Basin is generally worth checking out when visiting Banff and you can plan to spend a couple of hours here. It is also reasonably priced and can be enjoyed by the whole family.
Warrior Women (Jasper)
Warrior Women (a mother/daughter drumming collective) offers beading classes, fireside chats, and plant walks in Jasper; each experience will allow visitors to walk away with a deeper understanding and appreciation of Indigenous perspectives.
This is one of our most recommended things to do in Jasper. In addition to learning about the use of plants as food and medicine, visitors who take part in plant walks will have the chance to create their own medical products, such as lotions or salves, to take home. These cultural experiences allow participants to support a 100% Indigenous and women-owned business.
Canoe to Spirit Island on Maligne Lake
One of the ultimate bucket-list Rockies experiences, canoeing to Spirit Island on Maligne Lake is the perfect adventure for paddling enthusiasts. This location in Jasper National Park is a sacred place for the Stoney Nakoda First Nation; Maligne Lake is surrounded on three sides by the same mountain range, which the Stoney Nakoda believe are physical representations of their ancestors.
In order to reach Spirit Island, paddlers must make the 14km journey from the boat launch to the island. Be prepared for an adventure; the journey can take up to 4 hours and many travelers split the journey over two days and choose to stay overnight at a nearby campsite (Hidden Cove, Fisherman’s Bay, or Coronet Creek campgrounds).
If paddling is not your thing, you can still visit the island and viewpoint by booking a Maligne Lake Cruise, operating seasonally from June to October. If you are traveling to the Jasper area, this area is not to be missed!
Paahtómahksikimi Cultural Centre
The Paahtómahksikimi Cultural Centre in Waterton National Park is located approximately 4 hours (389 km) from the town of Banff. The word Paahtómahksikimi comes from the Blackfoot language and means inner sacred lake; this sacred lake of Waterton was historically a gathering place for Indigenous Peoples. The Paahtómahksikimi Cultural Centre allows visitors to experience the Blackfoot culture and also offers events, workshops, and Indigenous products in their gift shop.
If you are planning a visit here, note that this location is only open in the summer months.
Other Indigenous Experiences in Alberta
Visitors can enjoy many other Indigenous travel experiences across Alberta. If you are visiting the Canadian Rockies but looking to explore more of the province, consider these additional travel experiences.
Métis Crossing
The Métis form a distinct Indigenous culture, with mixed European and Indigenous ancestry. At Métis Crossing near Edmonton, daily experiences include historical exhibits, outdoor experiences such as hiking and snowshoeing trails, and pausing to reflect at the Veterans Monument. You can enjoy a variety of cultural experiences that share the rich history of the Métis, such as an immersive trapline experience, voyageur canoe trip, or wildlife park tour (see white bison, wood bison, plains bison, elk, and Percheron horses).
The Métis Crossing site is located approximately 5 hours (532 km) from Banff, north of Edmonton. If you plan a visit, I recommend checking out the city of Edmonton and spending the night while you’re passing through. You could even book a stay in one of the Sky Watching Domes and enjoy a night of nearly zero light pollution right on site at Métis Crossing!
Rocky Mountain House National Historic Site
The Rocky Mountain House National Historic Site near Red Deer allows visitors to learn more about the historic fur trade that occurred among the Indigenous Peoples and the rival Hudson Bay Company and North West Company. The post at Rocky Mountain House was also a base for European exploration of the Rockies, guided by Indigenous Peoples. At this historic site, you will find walking and biking trails, a visitors center, a Métis camp, a blacksmith station, and a replica fur trade fort. The exhibits here can be enjoyed by visitors of all ages.
Located along the North Saskatchewan River, the Rocky Mountain House National Historic Site can be reached in approximately 3 hours’ drive (265 km) from Banff.
Tsuut’ina Nation Culture Museum
The Tsuut’ina Nation Culture Museum is an important location for connecting Indigenous youth with their heritage and providing rich cultural experiences for visitors.
Aiming to preserve and promote the cultural history of the Tsuut’ina, the Tsuut’ina Nation Culture Museum is a worthwhile stop near Calgary. Located just 135km from the town of Banff, visitors can view artifacts and exhibits that give insight into the rich culture of the Tsuut’ina Nation. Beside the museum, you can also view the original homestead of Chief Bullhead, who signed Treaty 7 on behalf of his nation in 1877. You can also find handmade Indigenous goods in their gift shop. Visitors can book a guided tour or explore the museum on their own; this location is open on weekdays from 8:00am-4:00pm.
Writing on Stone Provincial Park
Located along the Milk River valley in Alberta’s badlands and within traditional Blackfoot territory, Writing on Stone Provincial Park is a 4.5 hour (458 km) drive from Banff. The area is home to unique landforms called hoodoos, formed when sandstone layers of rock erode more quickly than the ironstone layer above.
Visitors can walk along Hoodoo Trail to view petroglyphs and pictographs that are estimated to be between 1000-2000 years old. The Blackfoot People traditionally occupying this area carved images into the soft sandstone cliffs; these images tell stories of the lives of the people who once lived here.
While you’re here, check out the visitors centre, hiking trails, or even extend your visit by booking a stay in the park’s campground. It is important to note that this area can get very hot in the summer months, and it is important to come prepared with plenty of water, sunscreen, and proper clothing.
Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump
Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a visit to Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump allows tourists to learn more about the cultural, archaeological, and historical significance of this location to the Indigenous Peoples of Alberta. The site was an important location for a hunting technique called buffalo jumping where hunters lured buffalo herds to fall over the cliffs. However, the buffalo hunt held much more cultural significance, and visitors can learn more about this sophisticated practice through the various exhibits here.
Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump is located approximately 3 hours, or 300 km, from the town of Banff. Driving here takes visitors south of Calgary and through the beautiful prairies of Alberta.
