Adventures at Métis Crossing

The history of Métis Crossing

Dipping my paddle into the North Saskatchewan River, I helped steer a voyageur-style canoe downriver to Métis Crossing. There was something poetically appropriate about arriving at Alberta's first Métis cultural site in a canoe. Métis Crossing is located 120 kilometres (74.5 miles) northeast of Edmonton near Smoky Lake. It sits on the original river lots of some of the first Métis settlers in Alberta. During the fur trade, these settlers used rivers as highways and often arrived at Métis Crossing in canoes.

Since the 18th century, the French word Métis has been used to describe individuals with mixed Indigenous and European ancestry. The Métis Nation began in Canada's early years when French and Scottish fur traders married First Nations women. Over time, their descendants developed their own language and culture. They often worked as fur traders, hunters, trappers, translators and guides. In 1982, they became one of the three groups of recognized Indigenous Peoples of Canada.

An authentic Indigenous experience

Métis Crossing was built in a location that is historically significant to the Métis people of Alberta. But that's not the only thing that makes it an authentic Indigenous experience. It was dreamed, designed, built and is operated by Métis people to tell their story in their own way.

If you want to experience the uniqueness of Métis culture, this cultural site is a good place to start. There are historic buildings, a cultural centre, a wildlife park, and a restaurant serving Indigenous-inspired cuisine. With a wide range of activities and interpretive programs to enjoy, you may wish to stay overnight. Choose between an equipped trapper's tent, a boutique guest lodge or the campground in your own RV or tent.

"Our cultural experience team delivers authentic Métis cultural experiences," says Juanita Marois, CEO of Métis Crossing and a citizen of the Métis Nation of Alberta. "We offer multi-generational and multi-gender teaching. We talk about the past, the present and the future. Youth learn from Elders and Elders learn from youth."

Learning from an Elder and Knowledge Holder

After my "Paddle into the Past" voyageur canoe experience, I visited the onsite cultural centre. Here, I met Lilyrose Meyers, the Elder and Knowledge Holder at Métis Crossing. Elders have crucial roles in Indigenous communities. As a living connection to the past, they ensure cultural continuity by imparting knowledge, teaching traditions and sharing culture.

I joined a small group of people to learn the traditional art of moose-hair tufting. As we learned the techniques, Meyers talked about her life growing up as a Métis person. She explained some of the unique aspects of the culture while teaching us this ancient art form.

"Moose-hair tufting has been used for many years as a way to decorate moccasins and clothing," Meyers explains. "My mother used moose, deer and elk hair to create decorative accents. We used the resources we had. Sharing these skills keeps our history and culture alive."

Indigenous-inspired cuisine

After a fun-filled day of paddling and crafting, I felt I'd earned a hearty dinner and Métis Crossing delivered. The onsite restaurant serves Indigenous-inspired cuisine. I ate perch for the first time – served with seasonal vegetables, traditional bannock bread and Saskatoon berry lemonade. Other standouts offerings include bison burgers served on bannock buns, bison stew, three sisters vegetarian soup (corn, beans and squash), and wild rice coconut pudding.

Staying overnight

After dinner, I made my way to a comfortable trapper's tent overlooking the North Saskatchewan River. The tent was equipped with a wood-burning stove, wooden floor, comfortable beds and a deck with Adirondack chairs. During the night, I could hear coyotes howling at the full moon. Visitors who want to stay overnight can enjoy comfort camping in trapper's tents or bring their own tent or RV. There's also a 40-room guest lodge with quilt-topped beds and ensuite bathrooms.

Wildlife park

The next day, I was up early to see the new onsite wildlife park. Vision, Hopes and Dreams Wildlife Park was established through a partnership with a local non-Indigenous rancher. In 2021, bison were reintroduced to the land after being wiped out of this region in the 1860s. Seeing them back on the land is a moving experience. Percheron horses, elk, white elk, wood bison, plains bison and white bison can be seen in the wildlife park. For me, seeing a white bison was the real highlight and the park has a small herd of them. They are rare, and some Indigenous people believe them to be the most sacred living thing on earth.

When to visit Métis Crossing

There is something special about every season at Métis Crossing. In the spring, baby bison can be seen in the wildlife park. Summer is a time for canoeing, camping and more extensive interpretive programs. Fall is the season for berry picking and stunning autumn foliage. Skating, cross-country skiing, sledding and snowshoe adventures are available in winter. Whenever you visit, Métis Crossing is a special spot that helps you appreciate the distinct culture of the Métis people.