Indigenous tourism grows in northern Alberta

Travellers now have two new opportunities to experience Indigenous culture in northern Alberta. 
On May 14, a ground breaking ceremony was held for a new Cultural Gathering Centre at Metis Crossing that will include cultural interpretation, education, gatherings, tourism and business development opportunities. 
“Métis Crossing is a place of pride where we not only share culture and tradition but offer an opportunity for others to learn and experience Métis culture. Our long-awaited Cultural Gathering Centre, that has been a dream of Alberta’s Métis people for decades, is finally underway and will open up so many more future possibilities for visitors to enjoy in every season,” said Métis Nation of Alberta President Audrey Poitras.
The new centre is scheduled to open late in the summer of 2019 and will position Metis Crossing as an iconic Indigenous attraction in Northern Alberta.
On May 15, two new tipi comfort camping units were unveiled at Sir Winston Churchill Provincial Park, built in collaboration with the Lac La Biche Canadian Native Friendship Centre. The tipis overlook Lac La Biche and come complete with full service washrooms and kitchens in a separate facility. They can be reserved online and are available from May Long Weekend to September Long Weekend. 
The Metis Crossing Cultural Gathering Centre and tipi comfort camping sites play an important role in Alberta’s overall tourism strategy—adding new experiences to an area of the province that has not been extensively explored helps continue to build economic diversity.
Demand for authentic Indigenous and cultural experiences continues to grow, which is why the continued development of opportunities like above play an important role in growing tourism across the province.