Cree Plains First Nation vacation
| country: | Canada | ||||
| location: | Saskatchewan, Native America | ||||
| departures: | This trip can be arranged at any time to suit you, and adapted to your requirements as necessary. | ||||
| price: | From US $582 (3 days) excluding flights
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| vouchers: | Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday |
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introduction to Cree Plains First Nation vacation
Ten thousand years of History have culminated into one of the most adaptable cultural systems on the planet. Plains Cree society is built upon an intimate knowledge of the land.
For thousands of years, these determined people have drawn sustenance from what appears to be barren land on the surface. They have turned an inhospitable environment into a home place. You are now invited to find out how they have achieved this.
For thousands of years, these determined people have drawn sustenance from what appears to be barren land on the surface. They have turned an inhospitable environment into a home place. You are now invited to find out how they have achieved this.
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | Upon leaving Regina, you will notice how the northern plains have been transformed into mostly agricultural lands. One hundred and fifty years ago, natural prairie used to be the dominant cover, feeding vast herds of bison. The hunters took advantage of these seemingly endless resources. In the winter, they found refuge in valleys such as the Qu'Appelle. Plenty of shelter and and food resources could be found year-round on the land of the Cowessess First Nation. There you will meet your host Hugh Lerat. He is an important man in his community. He sits on the committee responsible for the future of the band's land holdings. He'll introduce the teepee, your home for the next two nights. You will learn how to tend the fire and how not to set the teepee on fire. Your afternoon will be spend surveying the land with Hugh on a horse or on cross-country skis in the winter. You will appreciate the magnificence of this valley that stretches across much of Saskatchewan. It is the heartland of numerous First Nations, sacred and beautiful. |
| Day 2: | Today you might learn how to find plants that are edible in the prairie environment. Hugh Lerat has learned from his grandmother how to make use of plants in ways we are unaware of. For instance, how to boil some plants to make a very healthy shampoo. In the winter, this might be your opportunity to try your hand at ice fishing on Crooked Lake. With us will be Wesley Fineday, a traditional storyteller who will share some of the aboriginal histories of his people with us through the next day. |
| Day 3: | More stories and legends and perhaps some canoeing before we head back to Regina in the afternoon. Package includes: Spacious 6-8 adult teepees, camping equipment, all home-cooked meals and refreshments, fees, applicable taxes, professional guide and all transportation from point of departure to point of return. Sleeping bags not included. |
traveller reviews for Cree Plains First Nation vacation
The most memorable parts of my holiday were the pow wow and sweat lodge. Seeing these traditions live on is incredible and I felt very privileged to have been part... The organisers were fantastic. (more)
how this holiday makes a difference
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We have been involved in and has financed archaeologicalresearch projects aiming to protect local heritage resources and to generatenew economic initiatives in communities facing special challenges. At theCowessess First Nation, we are currently conducting researchaiming to understand new facets of the traditional uses of the travois as amode of transportation well adapted to the Plains. On behalf of our hosts,we are exploring the potential of developing a cottage industry of Creetravois-makers to diversify local income sources.
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Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |
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