Tourists take to the land

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Getting back to nature has never been easier. No matter where you are in Canada, chances are there are several different eco-tourism companies offering an environmentally-conscious holiday to satisfy your individual interests and needs.

Eco-tourism, an offshoot of the adventure tourism industry, is rapidly expanding in Canada thanks to a multitude of well-preserved and untouched natural parks and wildlife areas. The cornerstone of the eco-tourism experience is a respect for the natural habitat and wildlife of an area, with the main emphasis on its preservation. This respect for nature is also a fundamental tenet of the Aboriginal lifestyle, so it should come as no surprise that Aboriginal eco-tourism is filling a new niche in the eco-tourism sector.

"Being ecologically sound is very traditional," said Katrin Harry, the owner of Coast Salish Journeys in Powell River, B.C. "You never take more than you need."

Compared to the traditional eco-tourism experience, these tours incorporate Aboriginal cultural practices with environmental practices.

The main season for these tours runs from May to October, and activities depend on both the weather and conditions of the area, and the natural terrain. On the Pacific Coast, for example, there are several water activities offered, including sea-kayaking, traditional canoing, and sail-boating. There are also tours available that are not region-specific, such as medicine walks, guided hikes, mountain biking and traditional craft-making.

Several operators also offer winter tours, with activities that include hiking, crafts (such as making medicine bags or canoe bailers), snow shoeing, dog mushing, and wilderness survival. Most operators will also specifically tailor a tour to meet a group's experience, interests, and the amount of time they have.

At the North Nahanni Naturalist Lodge in the Northwest Territories, guests can explore the natural, untouched wilderness while learning about the culture and history of the area. Imagine a boat trip on crystal-clear water, or sleeping in makeshift tree camps on a wilderness survival expedition.

"We work hard to keep the area untouched," said Ria Letcher, the owner of the lodge. This includes catch-release fishing, no-trace camping, and using environmentally-friendly products.

Guests visiting Ancient Voices Wilderness Camp in the Yukon will experience three main things: nature, culture, and wildlife. Margie Kormendy, the owner, advocates "tourism that is connected to the land in a sustainable way." This includes recycling, reusing, and taking care of the land.

At Coast Salish Journeys, guests are treated to "tourism with a low impact on the environment and a high emphasis on cultural interpretation," said Harry. The tour maintains a respect for natural resources, while teaching guests about ecological problems such as clear-cutting and water pollution.

Although tour operators have to be certified the same as any other business, any tour company can call itself an eco-tour without actually practicing environmental preservation. For example, hunting in itself is not part of eco-tourism; neither is a fishing trip. While they are part of outdoor/adventure tourism, both are instances of a consumptive appreciation of nature that is fundamentally different than eco-tourism.

"We don't make money off of the environment because we are sustenance hunters," said Gwaii Eco Tours owner Louis Waters. On his tour experiences in the Queen Charlotte Islands, no hunting or fishing is offered. Instead, he said, "we take what nature is providing for us everyday and turn that into your tour."

People interested in an Aboriginal eco-tour experience should make sure they do some research and ask tour operators questions before booking a trip, such as to what degree Aboriginal culture will be included in their

tour. While several operators include a traditional spiritual element of the tour, many others do not.

As well, potental customers should make sre that their guide has certification in the different activities that are offered, such as kayaking, canoeing, first aid, and survival skills. There is always an element of the unknown in the wilderness, and tour guides must be prepared for anything that can occur.

Regardless of the kind of tour that you take, the main thing is to have fun while learning about Canada's different Aboriginal cultures in a wildlife setting.

"It's the quality of the experience that is important," said Virginia Doucett, the executive director of Aboriginal Tourism Team Canada.

In Canada, that can include anything from rafting down a swollen river to hiking through the majestic Rocky Mountains to dog mushing in the Northwest Territories. No matter where you are, as Harry explained, you will experience "coming to a place like nowhere else on earth."