A new Indigenous-led tour in British Columbia is part of a Canada-wide push to spotlight First Nations tourism. Talaysay Tours, an Indigenous, women-owned company, has partnered with Intrepid Travel to launch the “We Are The Land” experience.
A partnership rooted in tradition
The tour, led by Talaysay Campo, takes visitors on a forest trail walk to Lost Lake, a site of historical significance for Indigenous communities. Campo, a member of the Shíshálh and Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Nations, shares her ancestral knowledge of the land, including the use of Devil’s club for pain relief.
This initiative is part of Intrepid Travel’s broader commitment to Indigenous tourism. It has also pledged $350,000 over five years to support the growth of Indigenous tourism in Canada.
Addressing a gap in the market
The partnership between Talaysay Tours and Intrepid Travel aims to bridge this gap. By integrating Indigenous-led experiences into mainstream travel itineraries, it hopes to make these tours more accessible and promote a deeper understanding of Indigenous cultures.
Campo emphasizes the importance of storytelling and cultural preservation. By sharing their own stories, Indigenous communities can reclaim their narratives and ensure their traditions are passed down to future generations.
The “We Are The Land” tour is set to launch in 2027 as part of Intrepid Travel‘s Grand Canadian Rockies itinerary. This marks a significant step towards a more inclusive and culturally rich tourism experience in Canada. It benefits travelers while supporting the economic and cultural growth of Indigenous communities across the country.
As visitors gather around Campo for a traditional ‘hush’ tea, the conversation turns to the power of storytelling. Campo notes that Indigenous histories have often been written by outsiders, but through initiatives like these, they’re reclaiming their narratives. This partnership is not just about tourism; it’s about cultural preservation and economic empowerment.
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With the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada’s support, the goal is to make Canada a global leader in Indigenous tourism by 2030. The journey begins with tours like “We Are The Land”, where every step on the forest trail is a step towards understanding and respecting the land and its people.
This initiative is supported by a commitment of over $350,000 USD from Intrepid Travel to the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) over five years. These funds will help develop and promote Indigenous tourism experiences across the country.
A Huron-Wendat experience in Wendake, Quebec, will be added to Intrepid’s Eastern Canada by Rail itinerary in 2027. This addition will include a guided visit to the Huron-Wendat longhouse at the Huron Traditional Site, marking a significant step towards the company’s goal of integrating Indigenous-led experiences across all its Canadian trips.
“We’re redirecting that chapter so we can write and share our stories ourselves,” she says, highlighting the need for Indigenous communities to reclaim their narratives.
The tour concludes with a traditional ‘hush’ tea, made with raspberry leaf, mint, licorice root, and rose hips. As visitors savor the flavors, they reflect on the power of storytelling and the importance of preserving Indigenous cultures for future generations. The experience leaves a lasting impression, reminding travelers to respect and protect the land and its people.
Indigenous Tourism’s Economic and Cultural Impact
The survey by Angus Reid highlights a growing interest in Indigenous tourism among Canadians. With seven in 10 expressing a desire to learn about Indigenous cultures through travel, the potential for growth in this sector is significant. However, the challenge remains in connecting interested travelers with available experiences. Initiatives like the Talaysay-Intrepid partnership aim to address this gap, supporting a more inclusive and culturally rich tourism industry in Canada.