Guardians of the North - Exploring Indigenous Cultures in Canada's Northwest Territories
- Nele Remstedt
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
The Northwest Territories are a place shaped by stories – by Northern Lights, by migrating animals, by winds that sweep across tundra and taiga. In this landscape, home to diverse Indigenous cultures for thousands of years, culture is not a scheduled activity but a constant presence. It lives in the languages that map the land, in the artforms that preserve identity, and in encounters that reveal how deeply people and place are connected.
Three major cultural traditions define the Northwest Territories: the Dene of the First Nations, the Métis and the Inuvialuit of the Arctic coast. Each has its own history, language and relationship with the land. The Dene have traditionally lived along the vast lakes, rivers and forests of the interior, maintaining a strong spiritual bond with their homelands. The Métis blend European and Indigenous ancestry and are known for their vibrant artistic traditions, music and rich history. In the far North, the Inuvialuit have shaped a culture deeply intertwined with sea ice, the Arctic Ocean and seasonal rhythms. Together, these cultures form a tapestry that has evolved across millennia and continues to thrive today.
Language and stories: the Northern heartbeat
The Indigenous languages of the Northwest Territories – including Tłı̨chǫ Yatıì, Gwich’in, Slavey and Inuvialuktun – are like sound maps of the region. Many words describe not just objects but relationships: to the river, the seasons, the ancestors. Spoken during storytelling circles, guided experiences or community gatherings, the languages carry movement, history and emotion.
Some of the most enduring narratives are those connected to the Aurora. Across many Indigenous traditions, the Northern Lights are believed to be dancing spirits – luminous ancestors communicating from a world beyond the visible. For some, the faint crackling in the sky is said to be their voices; for others, the lights are the universe in motion, a reminder that the world is never still.
In and around Yellowknife, these stories come to life in places that feel almost theatrical – frozen lakes, forest clearings and wide northern skies. Indigenous-led operators such as North Star Adventures, My Backyard Tours and North of 60 Aurora Adventures combine the wonder of the Aurora with cultural storytelling, songs and personal narratives. Their experiences show that an evening under the Northern Lights is as much about meaning as it is about spectacle.
Art, craft and tradition: expressions of identity
Art in the Northwest Territories is woven into daily life. From the intricate beadwork of Tłı̨chǫ artists to Métis floral designs and Inuvialuit carvings in bone, antler or soapstone, every piece carries stories of place and ancestry. Markets, studios and small workshops across the Great Slave Lake region and the Arctic coast offer opportunities to meet artists who blend traditional practices with contemporary creativity.
Some tour operators are deeply connected to local craft traditions. Great Slave Lake Tours, based in Yellowknife, not only introduces travellers to the vast inland sea but often shares stories of materials, methods and the relationship between people and water. Further west, the remote Lac La Martre Lodge offers insights into traditional skills, fishing heritage and the rhythms of life shaped by the lake for generations.
Life „on the land“ – a bond passed between generations
In the Northwest Territories, being “on the land” is far more than a recreational activity. For many communities, the land is provider, record keeper, teacher and spiritual guide. Seasonal cycles structure daily life: spring brings goose hunting, summer long days at camps, autumn preparations for winter, and winter itself travel over frozen lakes and rivers.
Operators such as B Dene Adventures offer glimpses into this relationship. On their tours just outside Yellowknife, guests learn how knowledgeable guides read the landscape, track wildlife and pass stories from one generation to the next. Further east, Frontier Lodge by Great Slave Lake creates space for meaningful cultural exchange, whether through fishing, fireside conversations or quiet moments that reveal how tradition and modern life coexist.
A similarly profound connection awaits in the Western Arctic. Polar Pack Arctic Adventures, operating around Inuvik and Tuktoyaktuk, shares the Inuvialuit perspective – a way of life shaped by sea ice, tundra and family histories deeply rooted in the region.
Cultural encounters that stay with you
Some of the most meaningful cultural moments happen in small, quiet exchanges: a conversation about language, a story shared by the fire, a freshly caught fish prepared using generations-old techniques. Indigenous tour operators create the space for such encounters, fostering respect and understanding.
In Yellowknife, the Aurora evenings hosted by Bucket List Tour Company blend skywatching with personal reflections and cultural insights. My Backyard Tours offers daytime experiences – from city walks to cultural excursions – that reveal layers of history and contemporary life.
Out on the water, Great Slave Lake Tours guides talk about ice roads, migrations and the importance of the lake in their families’ stories.
Further west, Lac La Martre Lodge connects visitors with traditional practices that shift with the seasons, offering an intimate look at life shaped by nature.
Travelling with respect
Cultural travel in the Northwest Territories is grounded in respect. Taking time to listen, ask questions and learn is valued in every community. Buying art, clothing or craftwork directly from artists supports local economies and helps preserve cultural knowledge. Many hosts are generous with stories, yet also mindful of personal and communal boundaries – a balance that enriches cultural exchange.
A living future rooted in the land and community
Indigenous cultures in the Northwest Territories are dynamic and evolving. Communities are revitalising languages, developing youth programmes, strengthening art traditions and welcoming visitors who engage with openness and respect. Indigenous-led tourism plays an important role in passing knowledge to future generations and creating bridges between cultures.
Travellers to the Northwest Territories encounter not only dramatic landscapes but also a rich and resilient cultural heritage. Every moment – beneath shimmering Aurora, on the waters of Great Slave Lake or beside a warm fire – reflects the closeness of tradition and contemporary life. Here, culture is not simply visited; it is lived, shared and carried forward.
Further information on the Northwest Territories can be found at www.spectacularnwt.com.
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