Turtle Tours: Indigenous Perspectives in the Heart of Winnipeg
- Karin Schreiber
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
Where the Red and Assiniboine Rivers meet, their waters weaving through centuries of stories and history, lies a place where the past breathes and the present listens: The Forks – the beating heart of Winnipeg and home to Turtle Tours, a new Indigenous operator that transforms guided walks into journeys of meaning. Here, history, culture, and cuisine intertwine – the living heritage of the First Nations, Inuit, and Métis flowing together in a chorus of voices that continues to shape this land.
Those who join a tour won’t simply explore a city. They’ll step into another way of seeing – through the eyes of the Prairie’s Indigenous peoples. Ashley Smith, a proud Anishinaabe Ikwe, educator, entrepreneur, and gifted storyteller, leads her guests with warmth, wisdom, and purpose. Her The Forks Walking Tour lasts about 45 minutes, but its resonance extends far beyond. Along the way, Indigenous guides share the stories of the Treaties, trace the footsteps of their ancestors, and reveal what it means to live in relationship with the land. Between historic landmarks and living memory, moments of connection unfold – with the place, its history, and its people.
Ashley’s mission is simple, yet profound: to build bridges – between past and present, listening and understanding, reflection and reconciliation. Her tours invite curiosity and compassion, offering space to pause, learn, and see through a different lens.
But Turtle Tours is just one expression of her work. In Riding Mountain National Park, Ashley and her team have created Turtle Village – a collection of cozy, nature-inspired tiny homes at the Wasagaming Campground. Here, quiet moments, starlit skies, and Indigenous teachings weave together to create an experience that both grounds and uplifts. Guests gather by the campfire for stories passed down through generations, bake traditional bannock, and rediscover the rhythm of the natural world.
From the vibrant heart of Winnipeg to the wide-open skies of the parklands, Turtle Tours and Turtle Village reveal that Indigenous culture is not just remembered – it’s lived. It is present, evolving, and welcoming, inviting everyone to walk a little closer to the spirit of this land.
For more information, visit www.turtletours.ca and www.travelmanitoba.com.
Comments