Aboriginal
Experience Alberta Central’s vibrant Aboriginal culture. From an overnight in a tipi to Native interpretive trails and exquisite handmade crafts, a rich tapestry of opportunities await.
Aboriginal Attractions
Lac La Biche Mission
Situated on the shores of its namesake lake, Lac La Biche Mission (Notre Dame des Victoires), offers a picturesque view into the past. With over 150 years of history it is easy to become immersed in the experience. Come and walk on floors dating back to 1871 in the Convent and see where the nuns and students spent their days. See the altar and statues that survived the tornado that destroyed the church in 1921.You will be taken back in time as you watch and participate in period role playing. Get swept away by the historic atmosphere created by one of the oldest buildings of its kind in Alberta. Rich in history, you can see the floor boards worn down from the children who attended school there. After your tour be sure to have a cup of tea and a fresh hot homemade bun and jam—over 60 different flavors of tea to choose from—or purchase a loaf of bread from the clay oven.
Victoria Settlement
Discover history on the North Saskatchewan River along the Victoria Trail, where Reverend George McDougall founded a Methodist Mission to the Cree in 1862. This is where the Hudson's Bay Company established Fort Victoria in 1864 to trade with the local natives. The Mission and Fort became the nucleus for a Métis community whose river lots extended six miles along the bank of the river. Today, step inside the 1864 Clerk's Quarters or the 1906 Methodist Church to hear the story of a once bustling community that saw a new surge of missionary and commercial activity at the turn of the century. Learn why this thriving settlement experienced a sudden decline and all but vanished at Victoria Settlement Provincial Historic Site.Catch a glimpse of an exciting period of Alberta's past through exhibits, trails, and a variety of activities provided by costumed interpreters. Located 10 km (6.2 mi) south of Smoky Lake on secondary highway #855, and 6 km (3.7 mi) east on the historic Victoria Trail.
Métis Crossing
On the Métis Crossing site where Métis, European, and Aboriginal peoples have gathered for generations, you can experience the history, customs, and celebrations of the Métis people. Situated in the Victoria District National Historic Site, Métis Crossing is Canada's first and only major Métis cultural centre. The North Saskatchewan River, or Kis-is-ska-tche-wan, meaning the swift current, has played a central role in Western Canada’s history. It was the water highway used by Métis and all aboriginal people, missionaries, explorers, and fur traders. Any spot on the river where crossings could be made became a vital intersection for all who traveled the area. Métis Crossing had already been such a spot for centuries—archaeological excavations have unearthed the remains of a 6,000 year old campsite.Before European contact, Métis Crossing was a connecting point for First Nations peoples on their age-old overland journeys. In 1862, Methodist Minister George McDougall established a mission here. A Hudson’s Bay Company Trading Post was also constructed. Many English-speaking Métis from Manitoba arrived and farming began and the fur trade thrived. Over the years, this Métis settlement became a permanent river lot community.
What makes Métis Crossing unique is the authenticity of the story shared. It is the Métis story told by those who truly know it. Métis Crossing has relied on the wisdom and knowledge of many Elders. The true strength of Métis Crossing is that each and every building, exhibit, program, and artifact will be built from this Métis story.
Aboriginal Arts, Crafts, and Clothing
Portage College
In 1984, Portage College began acquiring items such as Aboriginal clothing and works of art or crafts. The collection is presented as a self-guided tour of display cases located throughout the Portage College Campus in Lac La Biche.You may expect to view displays featuring Inuit tools and handcrafts, hide tanning, the Iroquois False Face Society, Metis arts and crafts, caribou hair tufting, Aboriginal clothing, porcupine quillwork and fish scale art. Portage College also offers the experience of creating an Aboriginal art project from a spirit feather to a mini headdress complete with the stories behind the art.
At the General Store, Aboriginal arts and crafts are available for purchase including the Portage College’s line of Traditions giftware, a highly regarded assortment of Native artwork. Many pieces for sale are created by Portage College students from the Native Cultural Arts program. Today the General Store has the largest selection of supplies for arts and crafts in the region, and at competitive prices. Portage College is open 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM, main doors open in the evening. Portage College General Store is open from 8:15 AM - 4:30 PM all year long, closed over the lunch hour in the summer. For more information call 1-866-623-5551.
