Beyond Beings: The Significance of Animals in Indigenous Communities (And Where You Can View Them)
On a warm September afternoon in 2021, I stood on land that was once home to traditional river lots of Métis People, and watched as bison were reintroduced to the land after a 160-year absence. It was a moving experience. Bison were a vital food source for the Indigenous Peoples in Canada and the animals played an integral role in daily life as well as cultural traditions. Bison are known as “bufloo” in Michif and the near extinction of the species was deeply felt by Métis People and all Indigenous Peoples in Canada. The return of bison to traditional lands was a small step towards reconciliation and a heartwarming moment for all who were present.
There are many distinct Indigenous cultures in Canada, each with its own traditions and legends, but in every Indigenous culture, animals are linked to culture and spirituality. Almost every animal species has a legend tied to it. If you want to see wildlife and learn the legends, cultural significance and the deep meaning associated with each species, you will need an Indigenous tour operator or an Indigenous guide.
Bears
Indigenous Peoples revere the bear. Though individual legends may vary, the bear represents good medicine, courage and strength. The bear is often said to be a healer or a protector.
In the traditional territory of the Kitasoo/Xai’xais First Nation in British Columbia, guests staying at Spirit Bear Lodge can explore the largest intact temperate rainforest in the world. The rainforest is home to an incredible array of wildlife including a substantial population of the legendary Kermode bear, a rare, white genetic variant of the black bear that has also been called “spirit bear.” With the help of Indigenous guides, guests learn stories and legends and discover other fascinating wildlife like whales, dolphins and sea lions.
Only accessible by boat or seaplane, this all-inclusive wildlife resort is on the lands of the Klahoose First Nation in Desolation Sound on the rugged and diverse British Columbia coast. The toq qaymɩxʷ (Klahoose) People lead guests on bear viewing and whale watching tours as well as cultural experiences like drumming, dancing, traditional crafts and storytelling. During the salmon run in late summer/early fall, guests can watch grizzly bears feed on salmon in the remote Toba Inlet deep into Klahoose traditional territory.
Grizzly bears gather at Xakwikan (Thompson Sound) near Port McNeill in British Columbia and guests of Sea Wolf Adventures gather to watch them and learn what wildlife means to the four tribes of the Kingcome People. Travelling by boat, guests see dolphins, whales, eagles and other wildlife and stop at Alert Bay to visit the site of a residential school, go into a longhouse and see potlatch masks in the U’mista Cultural Centre.
Owned by the Xwémalhkwu (Homalco) First Nation, this tour company takes guests on full day tours in the traditional territory of Xwémalhkwu Peoples. In mid-August, grizzly bears feast on salmon in Orford Bay at the edge of the Great Bear Rainforest of British Columbia. Travelling by boat and by land, guests also see marine mammals and other wildlife and learn about these creatures from Indigenous guides.
Knight Inlet Lodge
Founded in the 1990s and owned by a partnership of five First Nations, this fly-in wildlife viewing lodge lies in the heart of the Great Bear Rainforest in British Columbia. The West Coast-style floating lodge is perfectly positioned for grizzly bear viewing and offers seasonal bear and marine watching tours along with comfortable lodging and delicious cuisine. The bear population near the lodge is always high, but it peaks in the fall when the salmon run occurs.
On northern Vancouver Island near Port Hardy, k’awat’si Tours offers guests the opportunity to see the beauty of British Columbia’s coastal rainforests and the remarkable wildlife that lives there—bears, eagles, wolves, whales, porpoises, otters and birds. Culture, history and traditions are also shared by Indigenous guides on half-day and full-day tours. Guests can also experience the fastest navigable tidal rapids on earth and stay overnight at the Gwa’sala Nakwaxda’xw First Nations-owned Kwa’lilas Hotel.
October and November are peak polar bear viewing months in the polar bear capital of the world. Beyond Boreal Expeditions offers small, intimate group tours focused on photography near Churchill, Manitoba. Full day tours and up to five-day tours are offered by this Indigenous owned and operated tour company. Summer tours focus on photographing birds and beluga whales. Winter tours focus on photographing polar bears and the northern lights.
Whales
Whales are a common symbol on totems in coastal communities. They symbolize family, community and protection.
According to Haida legend, Sgaana xaaydagaay, or the killer whale, is among the most powerful creatures of the sea. They are supernatural beings that rule the underworld, which is essentially the sea and everything in it. On a cultural tour with Haida Style Expeditions, guests travel by Zodiac boat to four ancient village sites, learn legends, see totems and view wildlife on land and sea—including the possibility of seeing whales.
A wilderness base camp in the territory of the Kyuquot (Ka:’yu:’k’t’h’)/Checleset (Che:k:tles7et’h’) First Nations provides the perfect base for multi-day sea kayaking adventures. Paddling through Kyuquot Sound, Checleset Bay, the Bunsby Islands and the Brooks Peninsula in British Columbia, guests typically see a wide variety of wildlife including sea otters, osprey, eagles, puffins, orcas and humpback whales. They also learn about cultural protocols and environmental stewardship.
In Sidney, British Columbia, this family-run tour company transports guests on open hull boats to view orcas, humpback whales, grey whales, dolphins, sea lions and other creatures in the calm waters of the Salish Sea. They also offer kayak and paddleboard rentals. The waters are home to more than 80 resident orcas, so awe-inspiring whale sightings happen every day.
Spend the day viewing sea otters and whales off northern Vancouver Island with this company based in Port Hardy, British Columbia. Sea otters, humpback whales, orcas, Dall’s porpoises, Pacific white-side dolphins, Steller sea lions, bald eagles and a multitude of sea birds can be seen on a five-hour tour in the waters of the Kwakwakaʼwakw First Nations. Tours focused on puffins and sea birds and grizzly bear watching are also available.
The St. Lawrence Estuary in Quebec is one of the best places on the planet for whale watching and for more than 20 years, Mer et Monde Écotours has offered guided sea kayaking and stand up paddleboard tours there. On a full day tour, guests can see blue, fin and minke whales, belugas, seals, marine birds and more. They can also listen to whale song with the assistance of a hydrophone. Accommodations can also be arranged.
See whales at eye level from the comfort of a Zodiac boat with Essipit Cruises. With an abundance of food, the St. Lawrence Estuary in Quebec is recognized as one of the best places in the world for whale watching. There are 13 whale species that frequent its waters—including the blue whale, the largest animal on the planet. Experienced captains share knowledge about the whales during tours.
On Baffin Island, Nunavut, local Inuit guides from Arctic Bay Adventures share their deep knowledge of the land and sea as well as their culture in a multi-day experience that is unique in the world. While camping in a tent or an igloo at the floe edge, guests can see narwhal whales, seals, birds and possibly even polar bears. They also meet Elders, experience dogsledding, and if they are lucky—view the northern lights.
Bison
Once numbering in the tens of millions, bison were important in the daily lives and cultures of many Indigenous Peoples. By the late 1800s, they were brought to the brink of extinction, but they can be viewed today in several places.
This Métis cultural interpretive destination lies 120 kilometres northeast of Edmonton, and it’s one of the only places in the world where you can see a sacred white bison. Visions, Hopes and Dreams at Métis Crossing Wildlife Park is home to a small herd of white bison, a species that is extremely rare in nature and considered sacred by many Indigenous Peoples. Visitors can also see wood bison, plains bison, elk and Percheron horses and learn about Métis culture.
On intimate small group guided tours of Elk Island National Park, guests of Talking Rock Tours see wood bison and plains bison close up and learn about their cultural significance in the place where the species was brought back from the brink of extinction. Guests also learn about the geology and history of this region. Hiking tours are offered in summer and snowshoe tours in winter.
Located near Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Wanuskewin Heritage Park was a gathering place for Indigenous Peoples of the North American Plains for more than 6,400 years. Bison once roamed here and there are two buffalo jumps on the site. In 2019, the species was brought back after a 150-year absence. These animals are restoring balance to the land and guests can view them and learn more about the culture and people of this region at the park.
Seeing free roaming bison is a rare thing in our modern world. The world’s largest free roaming herds are found in northern Canada. Bucket List Tour, based in Yellowknife, offers four- to six-hour scenic driving tours to see bison and other wildlife as well as stunning scenery. A picnic lunch is provided. City tours, hiking tours, and aurora viewing experiences are also available through this company.
Eagles
The eagle is sacred to many Indigenous Peoples because it flies close to the Creator. The eagle symbolizes respect, honour, strength, courage and wisdom and an eagle feather is a sacred and honoured gift that must be earned.
Eagles, whales, dolphins, seals and incredible scenery are part of the experience when you’re kayaking in Gros Morne National Park in Newfoundland and Labrador with Wild Gros Morne. Explore hidden coves, waterfalls and more with guides who know the area and the wildlife in it. Boat tours, hiking, kayaking, food experiences, stand up paddleboard rentals and tours are offered in summer. Accommodations and winter tours are also available through this company.
Ideally situated in the centre of Gros Morne National Park, Gros Morne Adventures’ beachfront property is an ideal base for hiking, kayaking, paddleboarding and Zodiac adventure tours. It’s common to see eagles and other wildlife on these tours in Bonne Bay, Newfoundland. Gros Morne’s first Indigenous cultural tour is also offered by this company. Guests can enjoy locally roasted coffee and baked goods from the onsite Kayak Café before or after a tour.
Experience the excitement of photographing bald eagles up close on a Bald Eagles Tour with Four Season Tours in Cox’s Cove, Newfoundland and Labrador. These tours specifically focus on photographing bald eagles, but you should also watch for moose, osprey, whales, red fox and other wildlife along the shoreline as you explore the Bay of Islands by boat. Eagles may also be seen on cod fishing or North Arm Point Boat Tours.
The Saskatchewan River Delta is vast and beautiful, and it’s one of the most important wetlands in Canada filled with a wide array of animals and birds including bald eagles. It’s a region far away from the distractions of modern life and Michela Carriére, Cree-Métis guide and owner of Aski Holistic Adventures, leads guests through this region of Saskatchewan on bespoke adventure and nature tours. Voyageur canoe tours, nature therapy, hiking, medicine walks, tipi camping and cultural experiences are unforgettable summer experiences. Hiking, snowshoeing and fat biking are available in winter.
This article was sponsored by the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC)
The Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) is a global leader in the marketing and development of Indigenous tourism experiences. ITAC’s members are Indigenous-owned and controlled businesses from every province and territory in the country.
