Preserving Voices, Enriching Futures: Nurturing Traditional Language through Tourism

Indigenous languages have been at-risk of being lost for decades since colonization and the impacts of the Indian Act. And so, the revitalisation of Indigenous languages today is essential for ensuring the continuation and transmission of culture, customs and history. It is paramount to the sharing of oral history and teachings from Elders and Knowledge Keepers. For youth and adults alike, language is a way to reconnect with their identity – something that was taken from so many over the years.

Homalco Wildlife and Cultural Tours 
Homalco First Nation culture is woven together by their people, land, and wildlife. They are deeply connected to their culture through their language, and it is these connections that shine through their cultural tours and programming. Homalco Wildlife and Cultural Tours and its staff have been the stewards of the grizzly bear population in the traditional territory of Bute Inlet for over a decade, and today they offer bear-watching tours, whale watching, and cultural tours, all of which are interwoven with knowledge from their traditional way of life. 

Metepenagiag Heritage Park 
Take a walk through 30 centuries of Mi’kmaq culture at the Metepenagiag Heritage Park. Visitors will have the chance to experience a connection to one of New Brunswick’s oldest continuously inhabited communities. The modern Metepenagiag Interpretative Centre offers the opportunity to learn about the cultural significance of the community through storytelling handed down through generations. Lead by Mi’kmaw guides, take a tour and gather around the firepit with friends and family in a safe and comfortable environment while listening to stories from Mi’kmaw Elders shared in traditional languages.

Musée Huron-Wendat 
The Musée Huron-Wendat mandate is to teach the history, culture, and arts of the Huron-Wendat people as well as other Indigenous nations. Through craft workshops, guided or audio-guide tours, and themed workshops, visitors have the opportunity to connect with the Huron-Wendat cultures in many different ways including language and language preservation. 

A major initiative at the Musée Huron-Wendat is to preserve, conserve, and make accessible the material heritage of the Huron-Wendat in Wendake for future generations. Their activities, workshops, and visits are designed to be accessible to all (families, solo travelers, groups of friends, school groups, etc.). 

Kay’Llnagaay Heritage Centre Society 
The Haida Heritage Centre is located at Kay ‘Llnagaay or “Sea-Lion Town”, an ancient village site. The Centre, quite simply, celebrates the living culture of the Haida. Through language, art and stories culture and traditions are shared with visitors. Kay ‘Llnagaay and the programming and experiences at the Centre protects and fosters Haida culture by reaffirming their traditions and beliefs, encouraging artistic expression, and serving as a keeper of the Haida culture.

Site d’Interprétation Micmac de Gespeg 
The Site d’Interprétation Micmac de Gespeg includes a replica of an historical camp and an interpretive site that gives visitors the opportunity to discover the world of the Mi’gmaq through the four seasons. This place of exchange promotes the preservation of Mi’gmaq traditions and their deep knowledge of the environment. The guided tour and the permanent exhibition presents this knowledge and gives a taste of daily life of Mi’gmaq ancestors through interpretation tools. 

Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre 
The Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre offers the unique signature tour, titled “What We Treasure”, and delivered by Cultural Ambassadors who share their own stories and first-hand cultural experiences, the tour will connect visitors to artifacts and hear stories that give an overview of the past and present way of life of the Squamish and Lil’wat Peoples. This tour includes a welcome song, fifteen minute film, and exhibit tour.

Wanuskewin Heritage Park 
Located in the City of Saskatoon, the Wanuskewin (ᐋ•ᓇ ᑫᐃ / wânaskêwin) Heritage Park is a National Historic Site that can be roughly translated from Cree to mean “being at peace with oneself” or “seeking peace of mind”. A historical site for over 6,000 years, visitors today can relive the stories of the peoples who came to hunt bison, gather food and medicines, and escape the winter winds. Visitors can take part in an interpretive experience and overnight accommodation at the outdoor Tipi Village with four 18 foot Plains Cree style tipis. The interpreters on the tours provide authentic experiences which include the Plains Cree language, Tipi Teachings, and allows participants to gain a deeper understanding of the holistic nature of Plains Cree well-being and health, as well as social roles, worldview, and women’s teachings.

Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park
Siksikai’powahsini (Blackfoot Language) is the language of the Siksikaitsitapi. The revitalization of the Siksika Language is an integral part of Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park which offers multiple Siksika Language programs both in-person and virtually. 

Blackfoot Crossing, the Historic Site of the signing of Treaty No.7, is a designated national Heritage Site and has been recommended to be a World Heritage Site. The success of the Treaty No.7 Commemoration in 1977 intensified the Siksika (Blackfoot) Nation’s vision of building a unique world-class tourist attraction designed to engage visitors in authentic cultural experiences with the Blackfoot people. 

Metis Crossing 
Métis Crossing shares the distinct story and truth of the Métis people through experiential or hands-on learning. The Signature Experiences provide opportunities for unique experiences on the land at Métis Crossing, sharing Métis stories with visitors in an interactive way. Located 1.5 hours northeast of Edmonton and 10 minutes South of Smoky Lake, visit the Métis Crossing Cultural Gathering Centre and take part in the 1.5 hour guided tour and immersive cultural experience. Visitors will be able to connect with the Métis Peoples through language, art, dance, story telling, nature and traditional practices.

Woodland Cultural Centre 
Established in October 1972, The Woodland Cultural Centre (WCC) focus began with collecting research and artifacts to develop the library and museum collections, expanding to include the arts in 1975 and the language program in 1984. With over 50,000 artifacts in the Museum collection, the WCC is one of the largest facilities in Canada managed and administered by First Nations. The Centres vision is to preserve, promote and strengthen Indigenous language, culture, art and history; while bringing the story of the Hodinohsho:ni people of the Eastern Woodlands to life through innovative exhibitions and programs. In particular, the Dwadwęnagá:da:t Language Centre is dedicated to strengthening, revitalizing and maintaining First Nations Languages, locally, regionally, and nationally. 

Maison De La Culture Innu 
The Maison de la culture Innu is a gathering place for the sharing of culture and way of life of the Innu people. A unique and innovative place that fosters intercultural and intergenerational exchanges, it is located in front of the Mingan Archipelago. Visitors will receive an incredibly authentic experience which includes the traditions of the Ekuanitshit Innu. In particular, “The World of the Innu of Ekuanitshit”, celebrates the Innu culture and language (Innu-aimun), but also the development of closer ties between peoples. Additionally, they also offer the “Innu language lab: Innu-Aimun” program at the Centre. 

Kwanlin Dun Cultural Centre 
Located on the banks of the Chu Nínkwän (Yukon River), the Kwanlin Dun Cultural Centre is a place of celebration for the way of life of the Kwanlin Dün First Nation. Visitors can experience Sewing Circle workshops, moosehide tanning and Moccasin making, and learn from the regular Artists-inResidence. Experiences are shared at the Centre that connect visitors to the language, culture and stories of the Kwanlin Dün First Nation Peoples. 

Elsipogtog Mi’kmaq Cultural Center 
Experience the Mi’kmaq Heritage through the authentic voices of the Traditional Guides and immerse yourself in their traditional culture with the Elsipogtog First Nation in New Brunswick. Spend an afternoon exploring the woods along the Heritage Path and sharing stories over traditional snacks before learning the fine art of basket making to weave a basket of your own to take home and treasure. All of this with the addition of hearing stories from Elders and community members in the traditional language of the Elsipogtog First Nation people. 

Haida House at Tllaal 
Situated along the banks of the serene Tlell River, surrounded by ancient forest and open sky, the Haida House at Tllaal specializes in authentic Indigenous (Haida) cultural adventures. The Haida House lodge and oceanside cabins offer the ideal setting to explore the many cultural adventures, natural attractions and historical sites found on Haida Gwaii’s Graham and Moresby Islands. Language is incorporated into all programs and experiences and visitors will have the opportunity to learn through speaking, reading, and listening to cultural guides throughout the trip. 

Kina8At-Ensemble 
Enjoy the First Nations nomadic way of life and discover the beauty of their culture and connection to nature at the Kina8At-Ensemble. Guides will take visitors on a trip to Pikogan, an Anicinape (Algonquin) reserve located in Abitibi and continue North, canoeing along the majestic Harricana River, which the Anicinape ancestors have travelled for thousands of years. Kina8At-Ensemble is a unique experience in that it offers a wide variety of specific programs such as Espian Language camps and Te8kan Stays for Indigenous Families in which a deep knowledge of cultures, philosophy, traditional ways of life and several indigenous languages are shared.