Admission Packages     Directions   

Share a journey through time...

On your next visit to Canada’s Capital Region we invite you to explore Canada’s first and only “urban” Aboriginal cultural attraction. Our young artists look forward to an opportunity to share a small part of their rich culture, heritage and teachings with you as our guest. All of the programs below are offered in our outdoor native village located on the historic Victoria Island, only a short walk or drive from Parliament Hill.

On your visit to “Aboriginal Experiences”, you can create your own memorable experience – but a package must be selected from the list below when you visit the site. To help you decide which experience is best for you, here are more details on each element.

Interpretive Guided Tour

Ongoing departures; 11am–5pm (approx 45 minutes)

Our site promotes the “living history” of Canada’s First Peoples. All programs include a guided tour of the village by a native host who will share the ways of their ancestors and how this way of life is still celebrated and honoured today. Your native guide will introduce the lifestyles of the diverse native nations across Canada using the displays of a tipi, wigwam and longhouse. You will also explore ancient technologies and tools used in building birch bark canoes, tanning hides, making baskets with an opportunity to touch, feel and truly experience our culture and way of life Enjoy your time following the tour simply enjoying the fabulous view of Ottawa River and Parliament while listening to stories, reading some of our informational signage or tasting some of the wonderful native food in the Aborignal Café.

Storytelling Theatre: Tales from Turtle Island

Offered Daily 1pm and 3pm (approx. 10 minutes)

Aboriginal cultures are an oral society, which means that our teachings were passed onto us orally since we were young, often in the form of legends or stories. Each year, our artists are creating a new Storytelling Theatre production to bring one of these ancient legends to life, using a scripted narration, costumes, masks and movement. Presented just prior to the dance performance you may experience “Sky Woman Falls to the Earth”, “The Discovery of Maple Sugar” or another engaging tale.

Powwow Dance Performance

Offered Daily 1 pm and 3 pm (approx 30 minutes)

For a truly unique experience, we encourage you to join us for the interactive Pow Wow dance performance. One of the greatest ways to feel the strength and pride of our nation is to experience the sound of the drum, or “heartbeat of Mother Earth”. During this demonstration you will witness the colour and vibrancy of our impressive troupe of Pow-Wow dancers carrying on this ancient tradition. You will be introduced to both mens and womens styles of dance and share in the story behind each style you witness. In keeping with community tradition, we end each dance demonstration with a shared dance of friendship and encourage everyone to participate!

Aboriginal Café

Native people from across Canada had a rich diet of game meats, wild rice, local fruits and vegetables and a later a tasty staple – bannock bread. The Aboriginal Café serves a selection of native foods served in a familiar style. During your visit you can experience grilled foods such as buffalo burgers, smoked venison (deer) sausuage, grilled maple salmon, wild rice salad, corn on the cob, field greens with raspberry vinaigrette and weekly specials using indigenous ingredients. You can purchase your meal as part of your Taste of Native Spirit package or sample different foods on your visit. Standard barbecue foods are also available for children (and the less adventurous.)

Trading Post

If shopping is on your list, take time to browse in the native gift shop located at our front entrance. You are sure to find a unique and authentic souvenir of your visit. We have a variety of dreamcatchers, medicine wheels, pewter jewellery, original and print artwork, native foods and other hand crafted pieces. All items sold in the Trading Post are created by the native community, and we take great care to ensure the authenticity of our merchandise. We have something for every budget – prices range from $1 to $300 – it may be hard to go home empty handed.

Admission Packages

Each of the packages below are available seven days a week from June 21st (National Aboriginal Day) to September 3, from 11am to 5pm. Please note that Dance performances (included with Taste and Discovery packages) take place daily at 1pm and 3pm. We are open rain or shine, with sheltered performance and café spaces, so no reservations are required.

* Dance presentations take place daily at 1pm and 3pm

Directions to Victoria Island  
(click here for Google Map)

Aboriginal Experiences is centrally located within a short walk or drive from Parliament Hill. However, driving out to the location can be a little confusing without written directions so please ensure that your guides and drivers have a copy of the map and directions offered below.