First Nations communities of Canada’s Alberta have been connected to the extraordinary landscapes of Jasper National Park since ancient times. At the heart of these communities are the Warrior Women, who play an integral part in upholding the beauty and heritage of this otherworldly place.
Travel on our Majesty of the Rockies luxury guided tour for a unique opportunity to explore the Indigenous history of Canada, and develop a deeper connection to Mother Earth with the Warrior Women.
Meet the Warrior Women of Alberta
Among the mountain peaks, icy glaciers and azure lakes of Jasper National Park lies a very special Luxury Gold MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. Here, you are invited onto traditional First Nations land to meet members of the Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation, hear their stories, and gain a deeper understanding of the First Nations’ spirituality.
Matriarchs Matricia and Mackenzie Brown will sweep you up in conversation, sharing their knowledge and passion for their home. You’ll enjoy storytelling, drumming and be treated to an intimate fireside BBQ with spectacular views of Pyramid Mountain beyond. You will even learn Cree songs and phrases to take away and share with your family and friends at home.
Read more: Why journeying through the Rocky Mountains will stay with you for a lifetime
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 offer travelers 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 myself 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?
Mother and daughter Matricia and Mackenzie Brown are both First Nations Cree, from Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation. They are ambassadors of their culture, heritage and generational knowledge. Matricia is a singer, songwriter, musician, drummer and artist. She has spent the last 20 years teaching traditional skills in schools and through workshops. Her daughter Mackenzie is a performer, drummer, tourism entrepreneur, philanthropist, and advocate for at-risk youth in Alberta.
Reclaiming their culture
Through sharing her life experiences and music, Matricia is reclaiming her cultural heritage. She explains “For me personally, Indigenous drumming and singing is a way to connect to my 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.”
On our Majesty of the Rockies luxury guided tour, you’ll have the opportunity to talk to Matricia during a fireside chat. It’s an opportunity to learn about the Indigenous history of Canada in a personal, thoughtful way.
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, we can use these resources in practical ways. 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. Admire the breathtaking scenery as you travel through the dramatic 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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