Southern Ontario is home to an array of Indigenous-owned businesses offering everything from outdoor adventures and cultural experiences to arts, food, and cozy accommodations. From the rugged shores of the Bruce Peninsula to the Ottawa Valley, these destinations invite travellers to learn, experience, and support Indigenous communities.
Cape Croker Park, operated by the Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation on the Bruce Peninsula, is a gorgeous spot for hiking and outdoor recreation. The park also offers guided “At Home on the Land” experiences, 5-hour hikes that weave together Anishinaabe knowledge of geology, ecology, and traditional plant use.
Anishinaabe Cultural Experiences Visitor Centre offers hands-on exhibits including wildlife pelts, fossils embedded in the building’s stone, traditional tools, black ash baskets, quillwork, and Ziibaakdakaan Maple Syrup, harvested right in the park. Open by donation, the centre gives visitors a clear introduction to Anishinaabe language, land use, and seasonal practices before heading out on the park’s trails.
With over 315 campsites, beachfront cabins, and access to the Bruce Trail, the park provides many exciting and immersive ways to connect with the land, culture, and history on these ancient landscapes.
Just outside Chatham, TJ Stables is one of the few places in Canada where visitors can meet rare Ojibwe Spirit Horses while learning the real history behind their survival. Through its multi-hour Awaken Your Spirit experience, this Métis/Ojibwe-operated equine centre introduces guests to drumming, storytelling, ceremony, and direct time with Spirit Horses—an Indigenous-developed breed that nearly disappeared after being hunted, sold, and targeted for destruction in the mid-20th century. Today, TJ Stables cares for 18 Spirit Horses as part of an active breeding and preservation effort, helping protect a critically endangered population of fewer than 200 horses worldwide while sharing their ongoing role in Indigenous culture, equine therapy, and education.
TJ Stables also operates as a full-service equine and animal care facility with year-round offerings. Visitors and locals can book riding lessons, horse camps, equine-assisted learning and therapy sessions, overnight horse adventures, and Canadian Cowgirls programming, alongside pet and dog boarding services. These programs support the day-to-day care of the horses while making the farm an active, working place rather than a one-time experience stop.
Located on Curve Lake First Nation, Whetung Ojibwa Centre is a vibrant arts hub featuring fine crafts, jewelry, moccasins, sculptures, and leatherwork by Indigenous artists from Curve Lake and across Canada. With changing exhibits, workshops, and an artisan’s touch, it’s one of the premier destinations for Indigenous arts in the region.
The Woodland Cultural Centre, located on the former Mohawk Institute Residential School grounds, is a dynamic Indigenous-run museum, gallery, and language and culture centre. It houses over 50,000 artifacts and offers exhibitions, educational programs, and events spotlighting Haudenosaunee history, Indigenous art, and language revitalization.
Chef Tawnya Brant’s Yawé:kon Foods kitchen and catering service—named after the Mohawk word for “it tastes good”—brings together Haudenosaunee food sovereignty and contemporary flavor. Her menu features Indigenous fusion dishes prepared with locally sourced ingredients, all served from her café and at community events.
Six Nations Tourism promotes the cultural heritage and traditions of the Six Nations of the Grand River through guided tours, exhibits, hiking, paddling, shopping, and food experiences. Operated by and for community members, the organization offers authentic connections to Indigenous history, including museum visits, seasonal events, and outdoor excursions.
Chiefswood Park, operated by the Six Nations Development Corporation, offers luxury cabins and serviced camping on the Grand River, alongside cultural tours and site visits to the historic Chiefswood National Historic Site. Guests can stay in modern log cabins, glamping huts, or tent and RV sites, with programming that highlights archaeological discoveries, eco-education, canoeing, and wildlife appreciation.
Looking to explore authentic Indigenous experiences in Southeastern Ontario? This vibrant region is home to a wide range of Indigenous-owned businesses offering everything from guided tours and art galleries to paddling adventures and traditional foods. Whether you’re in Toronto, Ottawa, Tyendinaga, or the Ottawa Valley, you’ll find meaningful and memorable places to support and connect with Indigenous cultures.
Founded by Algonquin Anishinaabe artist and educator Jaime Koebel, Indigenous Walks offers educational walking tours through downtown Ottawa that explore the city through an Indigenous lens. These insightful tours highlight public art, architecture, and monuments, while discussing their connections to Indigenous history, social justice, and contemporary culture. Jaime’s deep knowledge and engaging storytelling make this a must-do for anyone wanting a more informed understanding of the capital’s landscape.
Founded by sisters Jenifer, Sharon, and Lana Rudski of Dene - Tetlit Gwich’in First Nation and Maliseet heritage, Oceah Oceah is Toronto’s only Indigenous-women-owned stand-up paddleboarding and cultural experience company. Operating from Bluffer’s Park and Budapest Park, Oceah Oceah offers SUP rentals, lessons, and guided paddles, with land-based wellness offerings like yoga and evening ceremonies. Their work reconnects people with water, land, and Indigenous traditions in urban spaces.
Lil Crow Cabin is both a rustic retreat and a creative hub hosted by artist and musician David R. Maracle (Bear Clan, Tehanenia'kwè:tarons – Cutter of Stone). Located on the shores of the Bay of Quinte, the cabin is adjacent to David’s home and Native Expressions gallery. Guests can stay in the cozy, art-filled cabin and experience his award-winning stone sculpture, ambient flute music, and teachings about Mohawk spirituality and storytelling. It’s a uniquely peaceful stay immersed in artistry and culture.
This intimate gallery and shop is owned and curated by acclaimed Mohawk artist David R. Maracle. A master stone sculptor and musician, David’s work explores ancestral knowledge, connection to the earth, and spiritual awakening. At Native Expressions, visitors will find his original pieces—carved in stone, bone, and wood—alongside ambient music recordings and Indigenous-made crafts.
Founded by renowned stone sculptor Thomas B. Maracle (Mohawk Nation, Six Nations Iroquois Confederacy), Native Renaissance is a cornerstone of the arts in Tyendinaga. The gallery showcases Thomas’s own large-scale stone works alongside paintings, jewelry, clothing, and books by Indigenous artists from across Turtle Island.
Part of the Native Renaissance complex, the Gallery Café invites visitors to slow down and savour Indigenous-inspired cuisine in a welcoming setting filled with original artwork. Whether you're stopping in for a full meal or just coffee and dessert, the Café enhances the gallery experience and offers another way to support Indigenous entrepreneurship in the community.
One of only two Royal Chapels outside of the United Kingdom, Her Majesty’s Royal Chapel of the Mohawks is both a National Historic Site and a living place of worship. Built in 1785, it remains a cultural and spiritual landmark for the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte. Guided tours share the chapel’s fascinating history. Visiting here offers a rare opportunity to engage with centuries of Indigenous and colonial history in one place.
Visiting these Indigenous-owned businesses supports First Nations communities and enables cultural preservation. Each offers genuine experiences rooted in traditions and connection to the land. Whether you're hiking on Indigenous territory, paddling a sacred river, meeting Spirit Horses, or staying in cabins among ancient forests, each visit is an opportunity to learn, grow, and stand in solidarity.
