Visitors from around the world come to hear the authentic story of the land and connect with the diverse peoples that were here first. Indigenous tourism provides communities with jobs, training and a source of pride in culture. 

In 2019, WestJet partnered with the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) to support Indigenous culture, history and the health of the overall industry.

WestJet and ITAC are proud to showcase the Indigenous entrepreneurs who are recipients of the 2020 and 2021 grants.

ITAC logo

Talaysay Tours

Vancouver: Natural history tours sharing Indigenous heritage, rich storytelling, and ways of living. Situated in the old-growth forests of northwest B.C.

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Moccasin Trails

Kamloops: Immersive, authentic experiences for all five senses. Take part in a traditional journey of knowledge, oral history and Indigenous culture.

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Indigenous World Winery

Kelowna: Taste fruit from the land that has supported the Syilx people for +10,000 years. Responsibly produced wine from the Okanagan Valley.

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Moonstone Creation

Calgary: Well-known, family-run studio promoting pride in Indigenous culture. Authentic, traditional pieces representing artists from across Canada.

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North Star Adventures

Yellowknife: View the aurora borealis with guides sharing 50,000 years of ancestral knowledge of the land, culture and peoples of the north.

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Aurora Village

Yellowknife: Enjoy the natural spectacle of the Northern Lights in comfort from traditional teepees. The cultural experience is complete with bison stew and bannock.

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Feast Cafe Bistro

Winnipeg: Award-winning, modern takes on traditional Indigenous dishes. Supporting the community by hiring and training those with barriers to employment.

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Indigenous Experiences

Ottawa: Located on sacred land between Ottawa, Ontario, and Gatineau, Quebec, at an ancient trading stop on the Ottawa, visitors will enjoy a taste of many First Nations cultures from across Canada.

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Miqmak Catering Indigenous Kitchen

Roxboro, QC: The restaurant brings back the natural way of cooking passed down from the owner’s Ancestors. The menu includes wild rice, cedar-braised chicken or Algonquin Three Sisters’ Casserole.

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Acknowledgments across our network

Land acknowledgements serve as a starting point to help us move forward in a spirit of reconciliation with our First Nations, Inuit, and Métis neighbours to broaden our understanding and become better neighbours, ourselves.

Why acknowledge?

Our partners at the Calgary Foundation have shared this video that explains the importance of land acknowledgement.

As an airline, we are privileged to connect with people from across Canada. The relationships we build in the communities we serve are what allows us to keep flying.

We travel in and through the traditional territories of many of Canada’s Indigenous peoples and are beneficiaries of the land that they have acted as steward over for generations. Each of these unique communities, often drawing their personality and culture from the character of the land, brightens our country.

Montreal

The Kanien’kehá:ka Nation, also known as the Mohawk, is recognized as custodian of the lands and waters. Historically, Tiohtià:ke/Montréal is a gathering place for many First Nations. Today, it’s home to a diverse population of Indigenous people

Ottawa

We recognize the unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinabe Nation. We extend our respect to all First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples for their valuable contributions, past and present, and the cultural diversity they bring to this land.

Calgary

WestJet’s HQ are on & near the lands of Treaty 7: the Blackfoot Confederacy (Siksika, Piikani, & Kainai), the Tsuut'ina First Nation, the Îyâxe Nakoda Nations, the Métis Nation, & the Stoney Nakoda (Chiniki, Bearspaw, & Wesley)

Vancouver

We acknowledge that YVR intl. Airport sits on & near the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Coast Salish peoples–Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), Stó:lō and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Nations.

Toronto

Our flights visit the Treaty Lands and territories of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. In particular, we acknowledge the territory of the Anishinabek, Huron-Wendat, Haudenosaunee and Ojibway/Chippewa peoples, and the Metis.

Edmonton

We acknowledge that the land on which our flights from Edmonton take off is Treaty 6 territory and home for many Indigenous Peoples, including Cree, Nakota Sioux Saulteaux, Niitsitapi (Blackfoot) and Métis Peoples.

Saskatoon

We acknowledge that our flights to, and from, Saskatoon are on Treaty 6 Territory and the Homeland of the Métis. We pay our respect to the First Nations and Métis ancestors.

Halifax

Flights depart from Mi’kma’ki, the unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq. The “Treaties of Peace & Friendship”, signed in 1726, did not deal with surrender - rather recognized Mi’kmaq & Wəlastəkwiyik (Maliseet) title & established a relationship

St. John's

We respectfully acknowledge the land in that make up the traditional Mi’kmaw territory, and we respect the diverse histories and cultures of all the Mi’kmaw, Innu, and Inuit Peoples of this province.

Comox

We acknowledge our Comox route departs from the unceded territory of the K’òmoks First Nation: Sathloot, Sasitla, leeksun, Puledge, Cha’chae, and Tat’poos Peoples, as well as the Tla’amin First Nation in their territory surrounding Powell River. 

Winnipeg

We acknowledge that our flights to and from Winnipeg reside in Treaty 1 territory and that the land on which we gather is the traditional territory of Anishinaabeg, Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota, and Dene Peoples, & on the homeland of the Métis Nation.