Embark on an epic tour to learn more about Alberta’s rich Indigenous history and culture. Explore natural wonders, historic sites and educational centres - one urban hub at a time.
This itinerary is great for history nerds, newcomers to Alberta, and anyone wanting to learn more about living as treaty people.
At a glance
- 13 day itinerary
- 3170 km (1970 mi) total distance
- 37 hrs 49 mins drive time
- Your starting point is in Edmonton
Elk Island National Park
Elk Island National Park has higher densities of hoofed mammals per square kilometer than any other area in the world. The park is at the centre of Canada’s efforts to conserve herds of plains and woods bison, both a staple resource and a spiritual symbol for the Indigenous peoples of the prairies.
Métis Crossing
Sitting on 512 acres (207 hectares) of land and comprised of river lot titles from the original Métis settlers to the region in the late 1800s, Métis Crossing offers visitors the opportunity to participate in guided, interactive cultural experiences including Walk in our Mocs, Paddle into the Past and Meet the Métis.
Talking Rock Tours
Head back to Edmonton to experience Talking Rock’s River Valley Discovery Tour. You’ll learn about the unique geological features exposed in the river valley, walk in the footsteps of the Indigenous peoples who have been visiting this sacred place on Turtle Island for 10,000 years, and join in a sharing circle.
ᐄᓃᐤ (ÎNÎW) River Lot 11∞, Edmonton's Indigenous Art Park
înîw (EE-nu) is a Cree word that means “I am of the Earth”— a fitting title for Edmonton’s Indigenous Art Park, which sits on a river lot originally owned by Joseph MacDonald, a Métis man. Here, you’ll find six art installations, by Indigenous artists asked to create pieces “inspired by this land.”
Royal Alberta Museum
Colonialism is an inescapable part of Alberta’s Indigenous history. At the Royal Alberta Museum in downtown Edmonton, you can view the world’s largest public collection of early fur trade artifacts from the Hudson's Bay Company and the North West Company posts in western Canada, dating from 1790.
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Elk Island is located in the Beaver Hills Dark Sky Preserve and is a perfect place to stargaze.
Drive from Edmonton to Jasper
Driving from Edmonton to Jasper takes approximately four hours and it's an easy straight shot on Highway 16. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled and your camera ready as wildlife frequent the sides of the road.
Jasper Tour Company
For thousands of years, Indigenous people traversed the Rocky Mountains, creating trade routes and, for a time, guiding Europeans across the range. Follow in the footsteps of those who came before with Jasper Tour Company, searching out local wildlife or discovering the beauty of the Maligne Valley.
Jasper SkyTram
For breathtaking views of six mountain ranges, the Athabasca River, glacier-fed lakes and the town of Jasper, take a ride on the Jasper SkyTram—Canada’s longest and highest guided aerial tramway. Ride the cables up 2,263 m (7,425 ft) to a boardwalk, café, and alpine hiking trails.
Jasper Food Tours
On the Downtown Foodie Tour, sample four delicious dishes, one from each of Jasper’s best restaurants, each paired with an alcoholic beverage. The 1.5 km (0.9 mi) tour lasts approximately three hours, and you’ll learn about Jasper’s unique culinary history along the way.
Maligne Lake Cruise
Join Maligne Lake Boat Tours for a spectacular encounter with one of Jasper National Park’s most majestic lakes. The 90-minute cruise to Spirit Island was named “Best Boat Tour in Canada” by Reader’s Digest. Enhance the experience with a lakeside lunch, fishing tour, or canoe rental.
Warrior Women
If you are looking to be moved by the heartbeat of Mother Earth, hear the stories of the land, and listen to legends of the Cree people that will stay with you forever, make time to take in a performance by the Warrior Women. Check out their website for shows, workshops, guided experiences, and more.
Jasper Planetarium
Enjoy an evening of cosmic exploration. Take part in a participatory guided tour of the Jasper Dark Sky Preserve - the second largest in the world - in the planetarium’s 50-seat domed theatre. Then, venture outside with local astronomers for a clear-or-cloudy chance to identify planets, stars, distant galaxies, the aurora borealis, and more.
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Geomagnetic activity is highest at the equinoxes, making March and September the best times to see northern lights.
Columbia Icefield Glacier Adventure
From the Glacier Discovery Centre, a massive Ice Explorer bus with giant rubber wheels takes you right up onto the Athabasca Glacier, a defining geological feature of Jasper National Park. Your guides will share their knowledge while prioritizing responsible exploration of this fragile ecosystem.
Glacier SkyWalk
Step out onto the glass-floored Glacier SkyWalk -- suspended 280 m (919 ft) over the Sunwapta Valley - for stunning aerial views of glittering glaciers and rugged mountain peaks. Open May through October, this one-hour adventure begins at the Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre.
Rockies Heli Canada — Icefields Adventure Base
Soar over next-level scenery with Rockies Heli Canada. Choose a 20- 30- or 60-minute tour for jaw-dropping views of untouched glaciers, mountain peaks and alpine lakes and meadows. Or book a heli-hiking, skiing, or snowshoeing adventure and explore the pristine backcountry with a certified guide.
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End the day with the scenic drive to Banff and stay in one of the town’s hotels or cabin retreats.
Cave and Basin National Historic Site
The thermal springs at the Cave and Basin National Historic Site have been a sacred place for Indigenous peoples for over ten thousand years. The 1883 re-discovery of the springs led to the creation of Canada’s first national park. Today, you can enjoy conservation exhibits and seasonal activities.
Banff Gondola
For panoramic views of the Canadian Rockies, ride the Banff Gondola up Sulphur Mountain. At the top, check out the Banff Skywalk, a 1 km (0.6 mi) self-guided interpretive path that arrives at the Cosmic Ray Station National Historic Site and Sanson’s Peak Meteorological Station.
Alberta Food Tours — Eat the Castle
Greet your guide at STOCK Food and Drink inside the lobby of the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel. Discover the timeless Rundle Bar, then progress into the heart of the hotel for French brasserie fare at the Vermillion Room. Nestle into the 1888 Chop House for a sample of local produce and a light dessert.
Discover Banff Tours
Wind down with an early evening wildlife tour. A few hours before twilight is the prime time for spotting Rocky Mountain wildlife, like deer, elk and bear. Along the way, you’ll learn about how Banff National Park protects these animals and their natural habitat.
Banff Upper Hot Springs
For over a century, visitors have been journeying to the Banff Upper Hot Springs to “take the waters”, which are purported to have therapeutic and healing properties. Locals love them too. Complete your evening with a relaxing soak in the mineral pools.
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A Parks Canada Thermal Waters Pass will get you access to both Cave and Basin and the Banff Upper Hot Springs.
Carter-Ryan Gallery
The Carter-Ryan Gallery is home to the work of Indigenous visual artist Jason Carter. His vivid, dynamic paintings and bold soapstone sculpture have been featured on Canmore’s Main Street since 2012, and in a second location on Banff’s Bear Street since 2017.
Mahikan Trails
Brenda Holder, a Cree guide of the Kwarakwante people of Jasper, offers several workshops designed to educate people about how her ancestors survived off the land for millennia. In the medicine walk workshop, you’ll learn how to identify a variety of plants and make simple medicines.
Stoney Nakoda Resort
Discover the Stoney Nakoda Resort & Casino, a vibrant combination of affordable comfort, casino gaming, family-friendly adventure and entertainment with first-class service and warm hospitality. The mountain resort offers beautifully appointed rooms and suites, a pool, waterslide, and two restaurants.
Chiniki Cultural Centre
Elders and guides will be glad to answer your questions on your self-guided tour of the exhibits and tipi encampment at the Chiniki Cultural Centre. Examine Indigenous artifacts kindly shared by nation members, and stop by the gallery shop, which features locally crafted Indigenous artwork and jewelry.
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The Carter-Ryan Gallery in Canmore comes alive at night with live musical theatre all summer long.
Glenbow Museum
Art lovers, history buffs and pop culture fanatics can all be inspired at Glenbow. The collection boasts over a million artifacts and 30,000 artworks from Indigenous traditions from across Canada. While the main building is currently closed for renovations, a selection of free exhibitions can be found at Glenbow at the Edison.
Moonstone Creation
Shop Cree art at Moonstone Creation, an Indigenous-owned, family-run business representing over 50 artists from across Canada. Rest assured that everything at Moonstone—from beaded jewelry to bronze sculptures—is Indigenous-made, not merely Indigenous-inspired.
Little Chief Restaurant at Grey Eagle Casino
This world-renowned restaurant has taken on an exciting objective: to modernize Canadian cuisine without compromising Indigenous tradition. From wine and cocktails to breads, salads, and cured meats, head chef Bill Alexander is demonstrating how exquisite the future of Indigenous dining tastes.
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Little Chief is located in the Grey Eagle Casino, well worth a visit on its own terms.
Calgary Central Library
Calgary’s Central Library boasts striking architecture, outdoor plazas, recording studios, and a children’s library. Its Indigenous Placemaking initiative aims to develop traditional and contemporary artworks that promote understanding of Indigenous peoples and cultures within Treaty 7 territory.
Heritage Park Historical Village
Spend the afternoon at the country’s largest living history museum, where costumed interpreters populate streets and buildings depicting life in Western Canada between 1850 and 1950. Set up a tipi, take a spin on Big Eli, a ferris wheel from 1893, or try your hand at the milk bottle toss.
Drift Out West Fly Fishing
Indigenous owned and operated, Drift Out West Fly Fishing offers guided fly fishing trips on the Bow River near Calgary. Choose a trip package, or customize an experience of a lifetime. Your experienced guide will share his experience and passion for fly fishing with beginners and seasoned experts alike.
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Grab lunch at The Selkirk, just outside the gates to Heritage Park.
Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park
The site of the signing of Treaty 7, Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park is a designated National Historic Site dedicated to the preservation of the Siksika Nation’s language and traditions. Learn how Siksika culture developed through interactive exhibits, and savour Indigenous dishes at the restaurant.
Dinosaur Provincial Park
Here, you’ll find yourself in an otherworldly landscape of high stone cliffs, deep windswept grooves, towering hoodoos—and some of the most important fossil discoveries ever made. Explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site on a guided fossil hunt or bus tour, or by hiking one of the rocky trails.
Saamis Tepee
Built for the 1988 Olympics, the Saamis Tepee pays tribute to Canada’s Indigenous heritage, with 10 storyboards depicting scenes from Indigenous culture and history. The Saamis Archaeological Site nearby was once a buffalo meat processing centre—it now contains an estimated 83 million buried artifacts.
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At night, the tepee is illuminated with colourful LEDs as part of the city’s Lighting for a Cause program.
Fort Whoop-Up
At Fort Whoop-Up, you’ll hear the complex story of southern Alberta from the mid-1860s to the early 1890, featuring the buffalo robe, the illegal whisky trade, and good people and notorious characters including the Niitsitapi (Blackfoot), other Indigenous peoples, Métis, Americans, and the British.
Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park / Áísínai'pi National Historic Site
Áísínai'pi National Historic Site (also known as Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park) is a sacred landscape for the Blackfoot people. The sublime Milk River Valley contains the largest concentration of petroglyphs (rock carvings) and pictographs (rock paintings) on the great plains.
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‘Áísínai´pi’ is Blackfoot and translates to “it is pictured” or “it is written”.
Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump
Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump Interpretive Centre is a UNESCO-designated World Heritage Site that preserves and interprets over 6,000 years of Plains Buffalo culture. Its vast landscapes, exhibits, and diverse programming have much to teach you about the significance of this cliff and surrounding valley.
Paahtómahksikimi Cultural Centre
Paahtómahksikimi Cultural Centre in Waterton Lakes National Park helps visitors connect with the history of Paahtómahksikimi—the inner sacred lake. Come experience Blackfoot culture through the centre’s diverse programs and purchase authentically made artisan work in the craft store.
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While you’re here, check out the town of Waterton, and the park’s vast array of wildflowers and wildlife. Pack a lunch and take advantage of the picnic sites. Dogs (on-leash) are welcome too!
Bar U Ranch National Historic Site
Established in 1882, Bar U is one of longest standing ranches in Alberta, and once regularly hosted the British royal family. Visit the cookhouse and the blacksmith shop, learn how to rope a calf, and don’t leave without gathering around a pot of cowboy coffee to hear tales of how the west was born.
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For their safety, pets (with the exception of service dogs) are not permitted on the Bar U grounds.
Royal Tyrrell Museum
Set off northeast to the Royal Tyrrell Museum, one of the world’s finest dinosaur museums, featuring skeletons and other fossils from the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods. Bring your hiking boots and explore the museums’ interpretive trail through Midlands Provincial Park.
Painted Warriors Ranch
Experience the traditional and contemporary lifestyle of the Cree and Saulteaux people—including skills such as animal tracking and snowshoeing, horse riding, and archery—on 82 acres (33 hectares) of pristine forest land. Spend the night in Metis-style trappers tents, and wake up to a view of the Rocky Mountains.
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While you’re in Drumheller, head to the visitors centre and check out the World’s Largest Dinosaur.
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