Page 6 - XperienceAlberta-EDA-2025

FEATURE
EXPERIENCE INDIGENOUS
ALBERTA
From arts and culture to outdoor adventures, Alberta has it all
Alberta is known for its diverse landscapes — from the Rocky
Mountains to vast prairies and forests to Badlands. It is also
the home of many Indigenous peoples, including 48 First
Nations which represent diverse languages and cultures including
Cree, Blackfoot and Ojibwa. Many Métis people, who have mixed
European and Indigenous ancestry, live here too. Indigenous tourism
contributed roughly $115 million to Alberta’s economy in 2022 and
is one of the province’s fastest growing niches in the tourism sector.
Canada is currently engaged in a process of reconciliation,
which involves individuals and levels of government understanding
and taking action on the oppression against Indigenous people
in Canada, and recognizing the treaties that were signed
between settlers and the Indigenous people who had lived
on this land for generations. Indigenous tourism empowers
Indigenous people to tell their stories and create opportunities
for their families and communities, bringing together economic
and cultural reconciliation.
Whether you want to encounter the land with an Indigenous
guide, take in Indigenous art, or learn about Indigenous People’s
history, it’s all waiting for you in Alberta.
BANFF
LOCATED IN BANFF National Park in the
majestic Rocky Mountains, the townsite is a
major tourism hub, with more than four million
visitors to the Park every year. This hot spot
is known for offering some of Alberta’s best
outdoor adventures, breathtaking views and
culinary experiences. Banff is also home to a
number of experiences that connect visitors to
the region’s Indigenous knowledge, history and
culture — with its well-established amenities
and infrastructure making it a great place for
Indigenous tourism to flourish.
Through her company, Mahikan Trails
Indigenous Experiences, Brenda Holder offers
a Medicine Walk, inviting visitors to experience
the history of Cascade Ponds on an easy hike
through Banff National Park. Learn how
Indigenous people use different plants and
trees for nourishment, medicine or fire, and try
making your own face cream, deodorant and
cold and flu syrups from natural ingredients.
Journey through Indigenous history and
learn more about the People of the Northern
Plains and Canadian Rockies at the Buffalo
Nations Museum. The museum boasts an
impressive collection of Indigenous art, regalia,
teepees, quillwork and hunting equipment.
Throughout the winter season, the Banff
Gondola offers Nightrise, giving visitors a
chance to take in the beauty of Banff’s Sulphur
Mountain as the sun sets, and experience
interactive art displays at the summit. Created
alongside the Stoney Nakoda Nation, the
experience combines Indigenous history with
Banff’s iconic scenery.
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BANFF AT A GLANCE
Population
10,287
Median Family Income
$99,750
XPERIENCE ALBERTA 2 0 2 5 Unemployment Rate
4%
(Banff-Jasper-Rocky Mountain House and
Athabasca-Grande Prairie-Peace River, Alberta)
Residential Vacancy Rate
0.81%
Life Stress
20.9%
Sense of Belonging
75.2%
EDAAlberta.ca
Statistics sources: Government of Alberta, Statistics Canada