HIKING NEWS ITEM

Explore Aboriginal Tourism this Fall

TUESDAY, 25 SEPTEMBER 2007

British Columbia is ablaze with bright autumn foliage, making this a wonderful time to travel to Aboriginal communities throughout the province. Unique resorts, abundant wildlife, fall foliage colours and unique adventures attempt to out-glitz the scenery for visitors exploring the homelands of local First Nations.

Fall is when the grizzly bears and eagles come down to the shoreline to feast on spawning salmon. Travellers can view this annual ritual on a fascinating bear viewing excursion to the scenic Orford River in Bute Inlet, offered by Aboriginal Journeys. Accessing the viewing location is part of the adventure, passing lush temperate rainforests, through swirling tidal waters and spectacular scenery. Viewing is done from safe bear-viewing platforms above the river. Tours may also include a traditional native-style salmon barbecue at the We-Wai-Kai Village on Quadra Island.

The First Nations owned and operated Tsa-Kwa-Luten Lodge, nestled on the shores of Quadra Island near Campbell River, offers kayaking, hiking, biking, salmon fishing and grizzly bear viewing tours during the fall. Gourmet west coast seafood cuisine, massages, privacy and seclusion are a bonus.

Sasquatch Tours operates a two hour cruise on the Lower Harrison River in late fall and early winter when the bald eagles migrate to feast on the returning salmon runs. Each year at least two thousand eagles occupy the Chehalis/Harrison River area, with many eagles perched on riverside trees or in the mountainside.

At Bella Coola's Eagle Lodge on the north coast of British Columbia, eagles soar and guests can spot deer or the occasional bear browsing in the orchard. Spectacular rainforest and alpine hiking, rock climbing and fishing make a great fall get-a-way.

In the heart of the Canadian Rockies, a half hour south of the world famous Radium Hot Springs and one hour west of Banff and Lake Louise, the Cross River Wilderness Centre is an unspoiled mountain retreat and a photographer’s paradise. Wildlife living near the comfortable log cabins include deer, moose, elk, coyote, rabbits, grouse, squirrels, chipmunks, pine martens and whiskey jacks. Fall is a spectacular time to visit the Rockies - fresh snow dusts the mountain peaks and the golden leaves of the Aspen trees are interspersed with evergreen trees on the mountain slopes.

Framed by the Rockies, the Purcell Mountains and the famous St. Mary River, the St. Eugene Golf Resort & Casino is a spectacular destination for a fall golf escape in the Canadian Rockies. Designed by acclaimed architect Les Furber, the resort’s 18-hole course was voted one of the top 3 Best New Canadian Golf Courses by Golf Digest magazine in 2001. The Resort is owned and operated through a partnership of the Ktunaxa Nation, Samson Cree Nation and Mnjikaning First Nations and has the only casino in the Kootenay Rockies, and a fitness center with a fully equipped gym, steam room, sauna, year round heated pool and hot tubs. The Ktunaxa Nation Council also operates an interpretive centre within the Resort which displays artifacts and details of the history and mythology of their people.

For information on Aboriginal and First Nations cultural and adventure experiences in British Columbia, visit www.aboriginalbc.com.

Source:
www.newsbureau.ca