First Nations communities of modern-day Alberta have been gathering, harvesting, and connecting to the inspiring lands of Jasper National Park from ancient times, playing an integral part in upholding the beauty and history of this spiritual place. Travel on our Majesty of the Rockies luxury guided tour and enjoy a unique opportunity to explore the Indigenous history of Canada, and discover the heartbeat of Mother Earth with the Warrior Women.
Read more: Why journeying through the Rocky Mountains will stay with you for a lifetime
Meet the Warrior Women
Amongst the sublime mountain peaks, icy glaciers and azure lakes of Jasper Park, lies a very special, and intimate, Luxury Gold MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. Here you are invited onto traditional First Nations land that is now part of Jasper National Park for the unique opportunity to spend time with the First Nations Warrior Women and learn all about their community and culture. Immerse yourself in the legends of the Cree people, hear stories of the land and people that will stay with you forever, and gain a deeper understanding of the First Nations’ spirituality
As they sweep you up in conversation, Matricia and Mackenzie Brown, Matriarchs of the Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation, openly share their knowledge and passion with their guests. Enjoy storytelling and drumming and savor traditional foods over an intimate fireside BBQ on Trefoil Lake, all with spectacular views of Pyramid Mountain. You will even learn songs and phrases in Cree to take away and share with your family and friends.
Experience a deep-rooted connection to the lands and culture
Matricia Brown, Founder of Warrior Women tells us more: “As founder of Warrior Women, my goal is to open the eyes of locals and travelers alike with experiences that bring a better understanding of both the culture and the land of our Indigenous people.”
“We welcome you to explore our deep-rooted connection to the land while taking part in fireside chats and plant walks. Both experiences include the sacred traditions of drumming and singing, practices found in every aspect of our culture from celebrations of new births to the passing of loved ones.
“During these sacred rituals, you’ll engage in conversation with me and other guests, walking away with a genuine and heartfelt experience often overlooked in the tourism industry.”
Discover this on: Majesty of the Rockies
Who are the Warrior Women?
A mother and daughter who are rooted in tradition and ambassadors of their knowledge, Warrior Women are Matricia and Mackenzie Brown, both First Nations Cree, from Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation. Matricia, a singer, songwriter, musician, drummer and artist, has had the privilege of sharing her culture over the last 20 years in schools and through workshops, where she teaches drum making and leather binding amongst other traditions. Her daughter Mackenzie is a performer, drummer, tourism entrepreneur, philanthropist, and advocate for at-risk youth in Alberta.
Reclaiming their culture
Combining music with a special interactive intimacy, the fireside chats offer a free space for guests to explore their curiosity and learn about the Indigenous history of Canada in a personal, thoughtful way. Through sharing her life experiences and music, Matricia brings the beauty of her culture to the forefront.
She explains “For me personally, Indigenous drumming and singing is a way to connect to my own culture on a daily basis. After being taken from my reservation at the age of five (a sad part of Canadian history referred to as “The Sixties Scoop”), part of my story is the loss of a natural family. Evolving as a person meant reclaiming my culture.
“Drumming journeys are a way for Indigenous people to celebrate their roots, and also a way to share the beauty of our culture with others. The spirit of the land and the symbiotic relationship between earth and mankind is vital to understanding Indigenous people – this encompasses relationships between the people and the land, the people and the animals, and between the people themselves.”
Jasper National Park
At 2.7 million acres, Jasper National Park is the largest national park in the Canadian Rockies. “There’s no better setting for this than Jasper Park. Everything here sustains us” says Matricia, “Every berry, every leaf, every flower, every tree and every animal has a legend behind it. Like how the rabbit got its long ears, or why the bear has no tail. With so many elements right at our doorstep, you are able to see how we can use these resources in practical ways, such as botanical oils and moccasin-making.
“For 10,000 years Indigenous people have been able find health and equilibrium by what mother earth provides us with. By understanding Indigenous culture, you learn to understand yourself. I think that’s what I’d like people to take away the most.”
Majesty of the Rockies
To meet the Warrior Women and learn about Indigenous history, travel on our Majesty of the Rockies luxury guided tour. This exceptional 9-Day journey takes you through the Rocky Mountains, uncovering the treasures of Western Canada. Feel like royalty on a luxurious train ride onboard the Rocky Mountaineer GoldLeaf Service, admiring the breathtaking scenery as you travel through the Rockies from Jasper to Vancouver. Explore the great frozen tundra of the Columbia Icefield, step on the Athabasca Glacier and board the Ice Explorer for a voyage across the largest icefield in the Rockies.
Travel with Luxury Gold and you can also choose to extend this remarkable journey and fly to Vancouver Island via seaplane for an additional stay or alternatively, embark on a cruise to explore Alaska.
With our 2024 tours to the Americas now available, there is no better time to start planning your journey of a lifetime.
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