Searching for your next getaway? Here are four Indigenous-owned hotels in Canada to plan your next vacation to.
Klahoose Wilderness Resort, Desolation Sound, British Columbia
Owned by the Klahoose First Nation, Klahoose Wilderness Resort launched a new project in which water cascading from the mountain generates power for the lodge. Previously, they were using diesel generators making the lodge completely self-sufficient. The resort underwent an evaluation and received a Sustainable Tourism Silver certification. This evaluation involved a personalized assessment of their operational methods with a GreenStep Assessor to gauge their alignment with the recognized criteria of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council.
Spirit Bear Lodge, Klemtu, British Columbia
Spirit Bear Lodge offers tours that operate at full capacity and minimize trips between Klemtu and Bella Bella Airport. The Kitasoo Xai’xais are dedicated to protecting their lands for future generations and have committed to 9 of the 17 UN Sustainability Development Goals. Additionally, with the environment in mind, reusable lunch kits are provided to avoid litter and promote reducing, reusing, and recycling as much as possible at all levels of service.
Knight Inlet Lodge, Black Creek, British Columbia
Knight Inlet Lodge engages in policy issues to advocate for sustainable fisheries and wildlife management policies. Knight Inlet Lodge supports the Wilderness Tourism Association of BC (WTA). The WTA is an industry association of nature-based tourism businesses that work cooperatively to ensure a sustainable industry.
Wildhorse Ranch, Rocky Mountain House, Alberta
Wildhorse Ranch’s sustainability efforts are seen through how they operate and what they provide their guests during their stay. They minimize environmental impact by avoiding the electrical grid, providing portable water at wash stations and limiting showers to once per weekend stay, which is supported by rustic solar-heated showers. Logs that are available to guests’ are sustainably harvested from dead pine trees promoting eco-friendly cutting practices that encourage regenerative growth and minimize disturbance to wildlife and the land.
