Seven experiences that showcase the diversity of Indigenous culture in Alberta
As diverse as the land that makes up Alberta, the Indigenous people that call that land home is a kaleidoscope of vibrant living cultures. With no two cultures the same, to truly experience the dozens of First Nations and Métis cultures goes beyond staying on their lands, eating their foods, or enjoy their crafts. Each Indigenous culture weaves history, place, celebrations, and contemporary peoples together in experiences that are meant to make you cheer, think, and fill you with wonder. These cultural experiences from the Metis, Blackfoot, Stoney Nakoda, Cree, and Dene people are just a few that Alberta has to offer.
Blackfoot Crossing
History and landscape converge at Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park on the Siksika Nation, just one hour west of Calgary. In the unmistakable shape of a teepee, the stunning circular interpretive centre perches over the sweeping plains and Bow River Valley. The building shares hundreds of years of Blackfoot history and culture through storytelling, artifacts, and immersive exhibits. Even the land has memories and stories of generations past, with the centre built just steps away from the site that Treaty 7 signed in 1877. The stunning Bow River valley below holds trails to explore and stories to hear from elders and knowledge keepers.
Metis Crossing
Along the banks of the North Saskatchewan River, Métis Crossing is a living and breathing celebration of Métis culture. Built on traditional river lots, the site brings to life the stories of fur traders, buffalo hunters, and the families who shaped the Prairies. Visitors experience authentic cultural programs, from traditional art, fiddle music, and four season guided walking tours that share teachings full Métis cultural pride.
Spend a day at Alberta’s first cultural interpretive centre and explore the many immersive historical sites, before enjoying world-class farm-to-table dining inspired by local food. Spend a night under the stars in their sky-watching lodges and hear tales of the buffalo around a bonfire. Spend a year returning to experience seasonal celebrations. Métis Crossing is a place to come back to again and again.
Fallen Mountain
To see the river valleys from Jasper National Park from the air is a breath-taking moment. The turquoise waters of the Athabasca and Smoky Rivers wind its way out of the Rocky Mountains and with it carries a collective memory of resilience and pride. Lauren Moberly, Rocky Mountain Cree from the Aseniwuche Winewak Nation in Grande Cache shares her people’s history thousands of feet in the air. In partnership with Jasper Hinton Air, Fallen Mountain helicopter tours brings visitors high above the stunning vistas and shares the complicated and harrowing story of the Rocky Mountain Cree and Mountain Metis that called the land home. Moberly runs the tours based out of Hinton, 2 hours west of Edmonton.
When Jasper National Park was created, the Indigenous people who called the land home were expelled against their will and made an arduous three year long trek to what is now Grande Cache, AB. The tour takes you far above the very trail that was built through resilience and determination, and a trail that Lauren’s ancestors walked themselves. The tour is as much a visually breathtaking experience as it is an emotional journey to hear a little-known story of loss, hardship, and resilience from the voices of the people who still fight for recognition.
“I just want to educate people about what happened but also highlight how we are thriving today.”
Stoney Nakoda Resort and Casino
The lands of the Îyârhe Nakoda or Stoney-Nakoda people follow the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains, from Kootenay Plains to the north to the Highwood River in southern Alberta. On the final open plain before entering the towering mountains one hour west of Calgary, is the Stoney Nakoda Resort and Casino, perfectly positioned for adventures in the surrounding Kananaskis and Banff regions. Minutes away from the Kananaskis rivers for rafting and kayaking or the popular mountain trails, it’s no wonder that the deep connection to land was held to such esteem for the Stoney Nakoda people.
More than just a mountain getaway, the resort is a gateway to the culture of the Îyârhe Nakoda. While enjoying the modern comforts, Stoney Nakoda hosts community events, programming, and storytelling that highlight their language and history. Here visitors can experience a blend of community, culture, and hospitality, in one of the province’s most stunning views.
DH Ranch
The Tsuut’ina Nation, whose name means “many people,” has lived along the edge of the Rockies and the prairies for generations, maintaining a deep relationship with both the land and the animals that inhabit it. Known for their strong warrior traditions, vibrant language, and enduring cultural practices, the Tsuut’ina continue to carry forward stories that are inseparable from the rivers, foothills, and grasslands that shape their territory.
On Tsuut’ina First Nation land just outside Calgary, DH Ranch invites visitors to experience the power of connection between people, horses, and the land. Guided by owner Sonya, guests discover that horsemanship here is more than skill but a continuation of generations of Tsuut’ina knowledge and relationship with animals. Sonya’s bond with her horses symbolizes the respect, trust, and responsibility her people have carried for centuries. Through trail rides, cultural stories, and time spent on the open prairie, visitors witness how Tsuut’ina teachings live on today. DH Ranch offers an intimate and unforgettable way to experience Indigenous culture on horseback.
Pow wow Times.
Founder Patrick Mitsuing is a world champion powwow dancer whose artistry is deeply tied to his Plains Cree heritage. His lifelong connection to powwow dancing grounds Powwow Times in authenticity, passion, and a vision to share the beauty of Indigenous culture with the world. Powwow Times connects communities through online bookings and scheduling and coordinates Indigenous dancers for private and custom events.
More than just an event calendar or media platform, Powwow Times a celebration of one of the most recognizable and unifying cultural expressions across Indigenous peoples of Turtle Island. Powwows carry deep spiritual and cultural meaning, where drumbeats echo ancestral rhythms, and dancers embody stories passed down for generations. These gatherings are places of pride and renewal, where families, Elders, and youth come together to honor traditions through song, dance, and ceremony. For visitors, powwows are an open invitation to witness living culture, to experience the beauty of regalia, and to feel the shared heartbeat of Nations joined in respect and celebration. Each powwow may be hosted by a specific Nation, but the circle is open to all, bridging boundaries between languages, histories, and geographies.
Indigenous tourism in Alberta is as diverse as the Nations who call this land home. Each experience, whether on the plains, in the mountains, or along the rivers, offers travelers the chance to learn, listen, and connect. These stories remind us that culture is living, and each Nation’s voice is unique.