Indigenous Canada for groups

Rich with the history of its first inhabitants, Canada is a very multi-faceted destination. This year, our team wishes to emphasize the value of our country’s local traditions, through two new programs. Receptour offers your groups the chance to discover indigenous culture, with two tailor-made tours for spring or summer stays.

Did you know?

In Canada, the term ” indigenous ” designates North America’s first nations, as well as their descendants. Like other countries, our vast territory is the fruit of a colonial reality and a relationship of exchange between First Nations, inuits and Euro-Canadians. Today, this rich cultural heritage is waiting to be showcased, and we’re eager to help your groups discover it. That’s why, for 2024, we’re continuing to innovate!

On the program:

Head for Quebec, to meet its 11 Indigenous Nations!
Head for British Columbia, to the roots of our indigenous heritage!

Celebrating diversity is a strong notion at Receptour, and our patchwork team is living proof of this. A wide range of backgrounds, ages, experiences and languages spoken, all at the service of our expertise and professionalism. We’ve worked hard to bring you these new products, of which we’re very proud. Ready to go? Book now!

From Montreal to Quebec City, First nations history and culture in 7 days and 6 nights

The Quebec region alone is home to 11 Indigenous Nations, grouped into some 55 communities that play an active role in forging links between their members and travelers in search of sharing and exchange. We’ve designed this trip around the discovery of 5 unique and diverse First nations sites/places:

The Kahnawake Welcome Centre and the Shrine of Saint Kateri Tekakwitha. Located just 10 minutes from Montreal, this Mohawk community center is a leap into the past. On a guided tour, travellers will learn about the inspiring story of the Jesuits, including Saint François-Xavier, and the first indigenous saint, in the days of New France. The museum, attached to the center, is packed with artifacts and historical treasures.
Kahnawake Microbrewery. The first indigenous-owned microbrewery on First Nation territory in Canada, this is a warm and welcoming establishment. The team was awarded a gold medal this year for their IPA!
The First Nations House. Here, the promise of a truly immersive visit is brought to life by tales and legends from the oral tradition of the First Nations peoples.
The Onhwa Chetek8e native site in Wendake (near Quebec city) and the Onhwa Lumina illuminated trail (near Coaticook). The Huron-Wendat were the country’s first inhabitants, renowned for their craftsmanship in leather, hide and wood, and for their rich culinary heritage. Travelers can experience this for themselves at dinner, after visiting the site and listening to the tales and legends of the Huron-Wendate nation. To fully grasp the values that animate these people, the day ends with a nocturnal experience along the Onhwa Lumina trail. The 1.2km-long sound and light installation offers a suspended moment in the middle of the forest!

While we want to emphasize the cultural aspect of this trip, we can’t forget the classics. A guided tour of Old Montreal and Quebec City is on the agenda, as well as exploration of the spectacular Montmorency Falls and Île d’Orléans.

And since our beautiful province abounds in culinary specialties, your taste buds won’t be left out! This trip is an opportunity to discover traditional recipes from indigenous culture, as well as to taste smoked-meat from Montreal, without forgetting the famous Cabane à Sucre. This hearty Sunday meal is enjoyed with friends and family during the maple syrup harvest season. A feast of beans, bacon, omelette, sausages… enjoyed in a pretty, cottage-style cabin.

In short, it’s the Quebec of yesterday and today that we’d like your travelers to discover through an itinerary that also leaves plenty of room for free time. To deepen your understanding and perception of the history of Indigenous peoples, we’ve selected two of our favorite activities to do on your own in Montreal:

A visit to the McCord Stewart Museum, which sheds light on life in Montreal through the centuries. Its permanent exhibition, “First Nations Voices of Today”, opens a fascinating dialogue between knowledge and the resilience of its communities.
A visit to the Centre d’Art Daphne, a contemporary First Nations art center founded and run by four renowned Anishinaabeg and Kanien’kéha:ka artists. A community space, this gallery is an incubator for artists and a veritable bridge-builder between different cultures.

From the Rockies to Vancouver Island, the West and its indigenous heritage in 12 days and 11 nights

Longer than its eastern cousin, this itinerary allows us to discover the wonders of British Columbia and Alberta, through the prism of indigenous culture. More focused on nature and the outdoors than our stay in the East, but incorporating longer bus distances, it allows us to discover this culture in a more experiential way. The adventure leads travelers to experience three highlights linked to First Nations communities during their journey:

Learn about ancestral plants with Brenda and her son during an explanatory walk through the vast Sundre meadows. An authentic moment of exchange during which the duo will share, over a cup of tea, a wealth of native knowledge acquired and passed down from generation to generation.
Discover the Cree language and songs with Matricia, a member of the Cree community. Music, drumming and oral tradition play a vital role in indigenous culture, and this is an ideal opportunity to learn more about Cree legends.
Exploring the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Center and its many works and artifacts from the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh and Lil̓wat7úl nations. More art gallery than tourist reception site, it gives visitors the chance to walk through a reconstructed longhouse and admire magnificent carved house posts that evoke the totem poles dear to native culture.

Don’t worry about the rest of the program: your groups will have the opportunity to visit some of Western Canada’s most iconic sites. From the peaks of Banff and Jasper national parks, to the turquoise waters of Lake Louise and Moraine Lake, not forgetting the Capilano suspension bridge and its forest of thousand-year-old cedars. There’s not a single must-see on this trip.

The other highlight?

Discover Vancouver Island! Your groups will have the chance to embark on a zodiac cruise to Campbell River. A spectacular sight awaits them, as they discover the local wildlife, including black bears, porpoises, dolphins, seals, eagles and orcas. As usual, Receptour designs its tours with free time to allow travelers to enjoy the island at their own pace. In Victoria, the charming capital of British Columbia, a full day’s autonomy is on the agenda for your customers.

In short, it’s the essence of Western Canada and the strong bond between nature and the ocean and Aboriginal peoples that we want to bring to the fore through this itinerary. Like our program in the East, we offer authentic, respectful and experiential aboriginal experiences for your groups.

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Are your travelers interested in the experience of indigenous tourism as a tool for bringing people together and creating an extraordinary human experience? Feel free to contact the team to get more information about those trips! At Receptour, we know that all tastes are in nature (and travel). That’s why our Summer 2024 brochure is packed with other nuggets for your groups. Tailor-made tours are our specialty, so don’t hesitate to contact us to customize your ideal trip together!