Page 10 - XperienceAlberta-EDA-2025

Photo by Travel Alberta / Chris Amat
MEDICINE HAT
KNOWN FOR ITS sunny, dry weather, the
city of Medicine Hat is situated on the
South Saskatchewan River and the Trans
Canada Highway near the Saskatchewan
border, a three-hour drive southeast of
Calgary. The name Medicine Hat comes
from the Blackfoot word “Saamis,” loosely
translated as “medicine man’s hat.” The
area provides easy access to the outdoors,
including Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park
and Hidden Valley Ski Resort.
Visitors can explore Medicine Hat’s rich
Indigenous history at the Saamis Tepee, the
world’s tallest teepee. Originally constructed
for the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics,
the teepee now resides at the Saamis
Archaeological Site, located in the valley of
Seven Persons Creek. Indigenous artist and
storyteller Brenda Mercer invites visitors
to learn about the land and Indigenous
Peoples who have long called this place
home through her storytelling and craft
workshops at the site.
Every year, the Miywasin Friendship
Centre hosts The Hills Are Alive, a showcase
of musicians, dancers and cultural teachers
from a variety of Métis and Indigenous
backgrounds. Artisans offer instruction in
sash finger weaving, Métis beading and
hand drum making, along with traditional
games and lessons in Michif, a traditional
Métis tongue, with roots in Indigenous
and French languages. This family-friendly
event offers visitors a chance to explore
Indigenous arts and culture in beautiful
Elkwater, just south of Medicine Hat.
MEDICINE HAT AT A GLANCE
Population
66,381
Median Family
Income
$97,110
Unemployment
Rate
6.2%
(Lethbridge-Medicine Hat)
Residential Vacancy
Rate
1.1%
Life Stress
20.2%
Sense of
Belonging
72%
10
XPERIENCE ALBERTA 2 0 2 5 RED DEER
LOCATED ABOUT HALFWAY
between Edmonton and Calgary,
Red Deer is Alberta’s third
largest city and a popular stop
for travellers heading north and
south on the Queen Elizabeth II
Highway. Red Deer is much more
than a stop along the highway
– it’s a gateway to all kinds of
adventure and culture.
The Red Deer Museum and
Art Gallery houses a sizable
collection of Indigenous art,
focusing on artists with ties to
the region. The collection ranges
from early Indigenous sculpture
to modern professional paintings
by contemporary Indigenous
artists, fostering appreciation for
Indigenous art and elevating the
work of local artists.
Based out of Red Deer, Girth
Hitch Guiding offers visitors an
up close experience with the
ancient mountains of the David
Thompson Corridor. Owner Tim
Taylor brings his Métis heritage
Photo by Indigenous Tourism Alberta / Roam Creative
to the experience as he tells the stories and legends of
the ancient mountains during this Via Ferrata climb, a
protected route that makes mountaineering accessible to
less experienced climbers.
Take a drive outside of the city and experience the old
west at Wildhorse Ranch. Owners Diane and Bear Baker
share Indigenous wisdom as visitors encounter and learn
from the ranch’s horses. Trail riding, land-based learning,
snowshoeing and customized wellness retreats based on
Indigenous wisdom are all on offer at this beautiful ranch.
RED DEER AT A GLANCE
Population
109,234
Median Family
Income
$100,650
Unemployment Rate
6.9%
Residential Vacancy
Rate
2.7%
Life Stress
20.2%
Sense of
Belonging
67.8%
GRANDE PRAIRIE
GRANDE PRAIRIE IS a gateway to north-
ern Alberta, attracting visitors with its
unique landscapes and cultural heritage.
Located in Dane-zaa territory, the
city was first named by fur traders in the
1800s, and became a town in 1919. Today,
it’s the centre of Alberta’s Peace River
region, an important hub for northern
Alberta, located four and a half hours
northwest of Edmonton. The region is
home to incredible natural areas like
Saskatoon Island Provincial Park, Kleskun
Hills Provincial Park and Muskoseepi
Park, in the heart of Grande Prairie.
Grande Prairie also offers top-notch
Indigenous cultural experiences. The
GRANDE PRARIE AT A GLANCE
Population
67,265
Median Family Income
$118,630
Unemployment Rate
6.8%
(Alberta)
Residential Vacancy Rate
1.5%
EDAAlberta.ca
Grant Berg Gallery features work by artists
from Grande Prairie and across western
Canada. Located in the city’s downtown, the
gallery exhibits sculpture, pottery, painting
and mixed media.
Grande Prairie’s yearly powwow offers
visitors and residents a weekend of Indigenous
song, dance and culture celebration. It’s a great
opportunity for visitors to encounter and learn
authentic Indigenous culture and purchase
Indigenous crafts and clothing.
If you’re ready to adventure outside of the
city and encounter Indigenous culture, Open
Road Adventures offers glamping. Stay in a well-
appointed teepee, complete with a bed and camp
stove for an elevated outdoor experience.
Life Stress
23.3%
Sense of Belonging
65.8%
Statistics sources: Government of Alberta, Statistics Canada