Canada’s Alberta

Stampede Park is opening its doors and getting ready to welcome visitors from around the world July 7-16th! Here is everything you need to know to have an awesome Stampede. Yahoo! Video by @rajeeeee #ExploreAlberta

Embark on a journey of healing and Métis heritage at Kodiak Herbal. 🌿✨ Step into the immersive world of Kodiak Herbal @kodiakherbal, where two worlds intertwine. Kalyn, the founder, is a student of Michif Lifeways and bridges the gap between traditional medicines + modern research on phytochemicals. This past month, I had the opportunity to learn from her team, Amy, Maya and Rebecca in partnership with @travelalberta x @indigenous.tourism.alberta ✨ They taught me the plants found within Treaty 7 territory and how it relates to Métis culture and our community. For example, the “wolf willow”, also known as the “silver berry”, can be used to bead clothing or make jewelry and regalia. You can even make a traditional dessert from the silverberry bush - which is actually known as “Métis ice cream”. Whether you're a local seeking a deeper connection to your roots or a curious traveler eager to learn about the Metis culture, Kodiak Herbal’s heartfelt guidance will leave an indelible mark on your journey. #KodiakHerbal #MetisCulture #PlantMedicine #IndigenousTourismAlberta #explorealberta

Edmonton is a young city that loves any excuse to try local restaurants, visit a farmers market or go for a cruise along the river. So why not do it all by bike! With 18 hours of sunlight a day in the summer, there’s no shortage of daylight to experience it all. ☀️ #ExploreAlberta

ᒥᑐᓀᔨᐦᒋᑲᐣ - mitonêyihcikan: reflection, object of meditation, mind. 🌿✨ 🌊 Hiy hiy, thank you, to Heather Black, whose ancestral name is O’takii Tsowakii and is from the Blood Tribe Nation. She is the founder of Iinisskimmaakiim, Buffalo Stone Woman, Indige-Scape tours. @buffalostonewoman Today, we are visiting “Grotto Canyon Trail” located within Treaty 7 territory. When I first was invited, I was nervous that I wasn’t going to be able to complete the hike itself. Even though I am active, I still get nervous about exploring new territory. Heather assured me that the terrain we were taking was going to be safe. This hike reminded me of the importance of having self awareness + the ability to notice our own thought patterns. Meditation is a powerful tool that can help shift those thought patterns and improve your mental and physical wellbeing. Studies show it can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, improve focus and concentration, and increase feelings of peace and calmness. Within Indigenous cultures, forms of meditation are found within our rituals and ceremonies that honor the land and the spirits that inhabit it. (We may just not call it that) Why not give it a try? Find a quiet spot in nature, take a deep breath, and allow yourself to connect with the natural world around you. 🌿🌊✨ Doing something new can be uncomfortable. However, it is important, not only for your own individual growth, but the growth of your community and your nation. I invite you to explore the pathways of the Canadian Rocky Mountains through Buffalo Stone Woman, Indige-Scape tours and see how you can create new pathways for yourself. Thank you so much to Heather for showing us the beautiful landscape through the hike, teaching us about petroglyphs, sharing stories of the land, for the tasty bannock, and the making of a medicine pouch with sage. To book your next tour visit www.buffalostonewoman.ca and/or @buffalostonewoman Wearing jacket by @ntvsoriginals Purse by @sweetgrass__co Scrunchie by @kokom_scrunchies Scarf by @byellowtail #TravelAlberta #GrottoCanyonTrail #BuffaloStoneWoman #Indigenouswellness #meditation

Calgary might be a bustling metropolitan city, but it also has over 8,000 hectares of parkland and 800km of pathways. Aka there are countless spots just waiting to be discovered! Photo by @ericagon #ExploreAlberta

Waterton is home to more than 400 flowering plant species, which is why it is known as the Wildflower Capital of Canada! Grab your hiking partner and hit the trails, there’s plenty of wildflowers to enjoy 🌸 Curious where to see the wildflowers in Waterton? Head to the link in our bio for the best hiking trails. Video by @kahliaprilphoto #ExploreAlberta

The Blackfoot name for Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park is Áísínai’pi, which means “it is pictured/written.” Named a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Áísínai’pi has the largest collection of First Nation petroglyphs and pictographs on the great plains of North America. The Blackfoot believe the fascinating hoodoo landscape here is home to powerful spirits that write their truths in the rocks, and in the past, Áísínai’pi was a place where young warriors came to fast and pray on vision quests. #ExploreAlberta

Imagine this. You’re paddling through crystal clear water with not a ripple in sight, while watching the sun rise over the sprawling Rocky Mountain peaks. Yep, this is a “pinch me” moment! Video by @matt_macsemniuk #ExploreAlberta

Sometimes all it takes is a road trip somewhere new to really appreciate all of the history and charm a place has to offer. Off-the-beaten-track spots like this aren’t hard to find here in Alberta, and when you do find them, you’ll know what all the hype is about! Photo by @jayrmcdonald #ExploreAlberta

Indulge in some of Edmonton’s best treats at Doughnut Party! 🍩 This 2SLGBTQIA+ bakery serves up drool-worthy doughnuts at three locations across the city. With exotic flavours like Malibu Rhubarbie, Party Animal, and Connor McDonut, you’ll find something to satisfy everyone’s sweet tooth. Caption and video by our friends @exploreedmonton #ExploreAlberta

Today is #NationalIndigenousPeoplesDay — a day to celebrate, learn and recognize the unique heritage, rich cultures and outstanding contributions of Indigenous Peoples and their important place in the fabric of the land now known as Canada. With 634 different First Nation communities in Canada, representing more than 50 Nations and 70 Indigenous languages, each with their own distinct Traditional Knowledge, there is a lot to celebrate! 📍Alberta is located on the traditional territories of Treaties 6, 7 and 8, as well as the eight Métis Settlements (Buffalo Lake, East Prairie, Elizabeth, Fishing Lake, Gift Lake, Kikino, Paddle Prairie and Peavine) and six Métis Regions within the province. We honour and acknowledge the many First Nations, Métis and Inuit Peoples who have been present on this beautiful and diverse land since time immemorial.

Roads? Where you’re going, you don’t need roads, but a float plane will come in handy! @andrewlakelodge is located in one of the most rugged and isolated areas of Alberta. Whether you're looking for a canoe expedition, a hunting or fishing trip, or spectacular aurora viewing, this most northerly adventure lodge in the province is calling your name! Photo by @victoraerden #ExploreAlberta