Edmonton & Area
Head out to two nature preserves before returning to Edmonton to experience the city’s cultural history.
A Local Favourite 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.
A Local Favourite 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.
TIP FROM A LOCAL
Elk Island is located in the Beaver Hills Dark Sky Preserve and is a perfect place to stargaze.
