Aboriginal Learning Adventures in the Canadian Rockies

Unique people need unique experiences to enhance their vacation. Experiential learning is a distinct and inspirational approach to today's educated traveler!

Imagine a getaway where you can learn the hands-on skills our Native fore-fathers used such as fire lighting, shelter-building, crafting and rope making; while learning about the culture and gaining an understanding of Aboriginal people; and the night sleeping in an old-fashioned trapper's tent surrounded by the whispering trees & soaring peaks of the Rockies in Kananaskis Country. Return home with a variety of fascinating skills and the mental refreshment only such an experience in the outdoors can produce.

Sundance Lodges & Mahikan Trails are offering a number of enticing, hands on getaways for participants of all skill and fitness levels. Sundance provides the unique adventure accommodation nestled along the Kananaskis River, Mahikan the highly trained guides & instruction.

Program Descriptions

A women's only program! The first day upon afternoon arrival is a meet and greet plus an in depth information session to help participants understand the animals in the area and reduce the apprehension associated with camping and hiking in bear country. With education comes understanding and ease which makes the outdoor experience a pleasant one!

The second day is dedicated to many of the traditional Bush-craft skills used by both the Aboriginal people and those first European explorers that came to make a home in Canada. Mahikan guides will help to empower the participants with skills that create a sense of independence and self-reliance for any future camping trips or ventures into the back country. Fire making, shelter construction, rope making skills, and making a container from natural resources are just some of the skills that will increase every woman's self-confidence in the outdoors! Mahikan's fire making sessions cover a wide variety of ways to start fires, the different uses for fire such as fires for cooking, signal fires and fires for warmth and how each one is built differently.

On the third day guests are taken on a hike offering either an easy or slightly more strenuous option. Walks become miniature voyages of discovery, for example; we find certain plants and discuss their value as medicines, food or hard-wear. Skills in tracking both humans and animals are learned & practiced while observing the surrounding animal habitat and how we, as humans, should "walk softly". For those who have a keen interest in learning to map read, Mahikan instructors will teach some basics as well as demonstrating how not to get lost in the woods. Or perhaps just a chance to enjoy the sights! Depending on the hiking option; pristine waterfalls, vistas of the valley from stunning view points, peaceful streams and rivers meandering through the valley floor and of course the majestic peaks of the snow capped mountains are a few of the highlights.

This program is the same as the Wild Women in the Wild Woods program but for men as well as women. A great program for couples, friends and co-workers, Mahikan Guides will show the participants how to get the most out of camping or trekking in the backcountry. A positive series of new skills will increase the enjoyment of being outdoors!

These programs can be made available to your corporate clients on dates more suitable to your needs. Please call and ask for details.