Travel Journals
The new tours and experiences empowering indigenous and First Nations communities
In The Independent’s travel trends column, Trendwatch, we dig into the types of trip, modes of transport and top buzzwords to watch out for.
Of the many exciting new tours, accommodation and travel experiences that pinged into my inbox as the calendar flicked from 2022 into 2023, one loomed larger and more vivid than most. This was the trend for days out and micro-adventures led by, or immersing travellers in, indigenous and First Nations communities.
Extending far beyond the odd Aboriginal-culture-themed day trip in Australia, this is a new, diverse generation of experiences designed for learning and appreciation. Thoughtfully planned and sensitively led, ideally by people from the community they are hosted in, a raft of new micro-adventures range from Canada to Costa Rica, the Pacific islands to South Dakota. They’re not merely tucked into itineraries that pass through certain remote regions; rather, they’re proudly marketed as one of the most essential and meaningful ways to immerse yourself in that country’s culture. Increasingly, they involve staying overnight with, and being guided by, indigenous people who are experts on their land, wildlife and folklore.
Experiences are proudly marketed as one of the most essential and meaningful ways to immerse yourself in that country’s culture
So why now? Many of these communities have existed for centuries, with mainstream tourism only making contact in more recent years. The 2023 wave is likely a more focused aspect of a wider recent trend for travel that empowers the locals in a destination. The idea is that operators and tourist boards link up fully with remote communities and indigenous guides who may have been working and living in the same way for centuries. With more experiences of this kind than ever before, many operators have reviewed their offering in all countries with an indigenous population, making sure they engage respectfully with and channel funds towards these enlightening guides and hosts.
As just one example, Australia-based adventure operator Intrepid Travel is launching 100 new indigenous-led experiences in 2023. Its general manager of purpose, Sara King, tells me that the pandemic was a time for reflection – and one major thing the team reviewed and overhauled was the role of visits to indigenous communities on its tours. As an example, she says that “in 2019 we had 12 indigenous-led experiences in Australia. In 2023, we’ll have 50, led by 41 different operators.”
She tells me this type of tour stop is not just popular with guests; it’s an ESG (environmental, social and governance) commitment. “As a company we have a reconciliation action plan, which helps us create relationships and do things in the right way, engaging appropriately with indigenous communities,” she says. “Going into 2023, we’ve really tried to offer some kind of First Nations experience no matter where you go.”
Beyond Australia, the group adventure operator’s 100 new experiences extend to Costa Rica, Papua New Guinea, Guatemala, Mexico, Utah and Tanzania. As well as channelling tourist spend directly into the towns and projects they visit, King says, responsible tourism to these areas can even have a direct, positive effect on the environment.
Indigenous guides can be that conduit for travellers to understand what the impact of climate can be on their own country
Sara King, Intrepid Travel
“There’s a huge connection between First Nations people and the country they have lived in for many years, the wildlife and the land. They can be that conduit for travellers to understand what the impact of climate can be on their own country,” she says. Connecting with these tribes, villages and projects, ensuring they thrive, is key because they are often the stewards of nature.
According to the UN, indigenous peoples are stewards of the world’s biodiversity and cultural diversity. “Although they account for only around 5 per cent of the world’s population,” it says, “they effectively manage an estimated 20-25 per cent of the Earth’s land surface. This land coincides with areas that hold 80 per cent of the planet’s biodiversity and about 40 per cent of all terrestrial protected areas and ecologically intact landscapes.”
Many of the UK’s top tour operators have new experiences taking guests to indigenous heartlands in 2023. Audley Travel is proudest of its new two-day adventure with Tlatlasikwala First Nation guides in British Columbia. Out in the wilderness with a maximum of six guests, your First Nations hosts will show you how they track sea and land wolves, as you camp out surrounded by nature.
“I think this trend is gaining traction because clients are interested in immersive experiences: they want to meet local people, to get a sense of what these destinations offer beyond the tourist hot spots, and there’s a feeling of supporting a local community, a local way of life,” says Audley’s head of product, Alex Bentley. “It feels good, it feels responsible. It’s a positive impact story that clients relate to.”
As well as cultural immersion and a new appreciation of wildlife, he says, “these communities also often directly show or tell you how tourist money is spent. For our wolf-tracking tour, some of those funds go to schools that keep their traditional language alive, a language that was in danger of disappearing.” Two of Audley’s other tours he recommends are visiting Borneo’s Lemanak longhouse, run by the Iban people, and visiting deep-rooted communities in Japan’s Kyoto-by-the-Sea, engaging with local artisans and seeing their longstanding way of life in stilted, coastal houses.
Elsewhere, Much Better Adventures is tapping into the local knowledge of Panama’s Guna and Embera communities, who will lead kayaking adventures in the Guna Yala Islands and Chagres National Park on their 2023 tours. On the tourism board front, Australia’s Tropical North Queensland, already home to three major indigenous Australian festivals, has pledged to double indigenous employment in the region by 2032.
In the US, Trafalgar has launched a nine-day “National Parks and Native Trails of the Dakotas” tour, where visitors will spend time with representatives of the states’ Lakota, Rosebud and Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara tribes, going on plant-foraging walks, learning about the preservation of native languages and being treated to a dinner and dance ritual.
Accommodation can be a source of income for indigenous communities, too: this year, US operator Ranch Rider has launched trips to its first wholly indigenous-owned and operated ranch for horseriding and culture exchange holidays in Alberta, Canada. And Original Travel is leading tours to Nemiah Valley Lodge, British Columbia, which will open for its first full season in June. Run by the Xeni Gwet’in community, it’s the first tourism venture in the Tsilhqot’in region after a landmark ruling awarded this 1,900 sqkm territory to six First Nations communities in the region in 2014.
This trend has some unhappy realities behind it. It’s partly driven by the public consciousness raised by headlines around indigenous peoples protecting whole ecosystems, receiving apologies for historic cruelty and even being murdered for defending their land. Many countries are letting go of any attempts to gloss over cruelty and past dismissal of indigenous communities, and are instead facing up to and atoning for their history. More positive is the increased awareness about how remote destinations were affected by the tourism slump during Covid, and a concerted effort to spend tourist dollars where they’re most needed.
The first sign of anything becoming too commercialised or taking advantage of locals, we would walk away
Alex Bentley, Audley
I question Alex Bentley about how Audley keeps its experiences respectful and beneficial to tour leaders, well away from a dated idea of wealthy, white people going to stare at an “exotic” way of life. “That’s crucial, isn’t it,” he says. “We work closely with local tourism commissions to ensure there’s a degree of sensitivity, and we’re mindful of our language to clients, and also preparing clients for how they should interact with local people.
“But what we’ve found is that these communities, particularly in Canada, are very supportive of this as a way to generate income, to promote themselves and make a living with something they enjoy doing. It’s low impact: you’re typically walking, talking, hiking and camping, looking and viewing. People are seeing this as an opportunity to further promote themselves and their culture. Provided we continue to review and consider all of that carefully with our partners, it’s a good message to send.”
“There are some operators that don’t do it well,” says Alex. “There has to be a mutual understanding of what we want to deliver. We want to maintain a respect, a mutually beneficial relationship with each community; the first sign of anything becoming too commercialised or taking advantage of locals, we would walk away.”
The Intrepid project hasn’t been without its challenges, says King. Tour leaders and businesses in the US and Canada have been harder to connect with. “Many indigenous guides in the US don’t have websites or tour information online, so we have to find them through word of mouth from local tourism boards, plus some deep digging around for phone numbers,” she explains. But she’s confident this kind of experience will only feature more prominently in its tours.
The rise in interest correlates with the increase in guests wanting to put experiences, people-led encounters, nature and wildlife above luxury and seclusion
But, in many cases, learning skills or engaging in knowledge exchange with a First Nations community is the highlight of a multi-stop trip. Alex Bentley observes that the rise in interest correlates with the increase in guests wanting to put experiences, people-led encounters, nature and wildlife above luxury and seclusion.
“Many of our clients are willing to sacrifice a certain degree of comfort for something that is so unique and may be the most memorable part of their holiday,” says Alex Bentley. It’s often also one of the best-value components of a trip, he says, given that many hikes and camp-outs are pretty rustic in nature.
For Sara King, it’s all about recognising and paying tribute to the indigenous residents’ part in each country’s history and culture. “Indigenous tourism has the power to bring travellers closer to the communities that shaped destinations, honouring their customs and unique history while paving a new path for peace and reconciliation,” she says.
Travel Journals
I Bought a $250 Adapter Because Rivian Said I Could Charge at Tesla Stations, but After Two Road Trips and Multiple Failures, I Feel Like I Was Misled
This evening, I was scrolling through the “RIVIAN Electric Vehicles Discussion” group on Facebook and came across a post that immediately grabbed my attention. As EV adoption grows, one of the biggest questions many Rivian owners face isn’t about performance or range; it’s about charging. And when you’re on the road with only 30 miles of range left, the difference between clear communication and misleading assumptions could mean the difference between a smooth trip and a total panic.
Marc, a Rivian R1S owner, shared a frustrating story that I think many EV drivers, especially new ones, can relate to. It wasn’t about the truck itself, but rather about the charging ecosystem Rivian said he’d be able to use.
Here’s exactly what Marc wrote:
“When I purchased my R1S, I was told that I could charge at Tesla chargers, so I bought the adapter from Rivian for $250. I went to my first Tesla chargers on I-95 in Connecticut and found out that I can only charge at the Tesla Superchargers. I’m on another road trip this weekend and went to the Tesla Supercharger in Lee, Massachusetts. Of course, that didn’t work, and when I called Rivian roadside support with only 30 miles of range left, I was told that only certain Tesla Superchargers are available to Rivians. I then found an Electrify America Supercharger, and that didn’t work either. I finally found a Mercedes Supercharger, and fortunately, that worked great. Long story short, I’m pretty upset that Rivian’s sales claim that I can charge at Tesla chargers was not accurate.”
Let’s pause there.
If you’ve never driven an EV before, you might assume, understandably, that a Tesla charging adapter means you can plug into any Tesla charger and be on your way. But as Marc discovered the hard way, that’s just not how it works. And even some EV veterans have found themselves tripped up by how inconsistent or poorly explained this compatibility can be.
Not All Tesla Superchargers Are Created Equal
While it’s technically true that Rivian’s can charge at some Tesla Supercharger stations, only select sites are currently open to non-Tesla vehicles. These locations are visible within the Tesla app, which shows “Magic Dock” compatibility or NACS support based on your vehicle. But here’s the catch: unless someone explicitly tells you to check the Tesla app and shows you how to filter for compatible stations, you might assume that the $250 adapter unlocks all Superchargers. And that’s where owners like Marc are feeling misled.
It’s a complaint we’re seeing more and more, where owners feel that the promise of convenient charging turned into a scavenger hunt with no guarantee of success. And when you add in situations like this Rivian owner whose R1S took over an hour to charge at a Level 3 station and still needed service, it’s easy to see why trust in EV charging infrastructure is a work in progress.
Charging Support, Or Charging Confusion?
Marc’s experience didn’t just stop at Tesla. When Electrify America also failed him, he was left scrambling to find alternatives. Thankfully, a Mercedes-branded charging station saved the day, but it shouldn’t take multiple failed attempts to get a full battery.
This reminds me of another recent story we covered, where a Rivian owner had their vehicle plugged in overnight and woke up to a dead battery, leading to confusion and concern about whether their system was functioning properly at all.
Community to the Rescue
While Marc’s frustration is absolutely justified, the Rivian community didn’t leave him hanging. Several other owners chimed in under his post to offer advice and perspective, and their comments help illustrate the broader picture that new owners need to hear.
Ken responded: “You can charge at Tesla Destination Chargers, but you need a different adapter than the Tesla Supercharger adapter. As for the Superchargers, only use the Tesla app to see which ones are available.”
That distinction between Destination Chargers (usually slower, AC-based chargers at hotels and businesses) and Tesla Superchargers (fast DC stations for long-distance travel) is critical. And unfortunately, it’s one that’s often glossed over in casual sales conversations.
Vincent added: “Get the Tesla app, which will tell you which Tesla Superchargers are compatible with the adapter. My Rivian delivery team was clear on this, and the Rivian message app is also a good resource. Have Fun.”
That’s helpful, if you know to ask. And if you don’t, you could easily end up in a situation like Marc’s.
Lastly, Jann shared a much smoother experience: “Drove to California and back from Florida, 6,000 total miles. The Rivian trip planner took me exactly where I needed to charge. Piece of cake.”
Jann’s story shows that long-distance road trips in a Rivian can absolutely go off without a hitch, but only if you use the right tools and have the right expectations.
Why the Misunderstanding Happens
Rivian, like many EV startups, is navigating a rapidly changing infrastructure landscape. Tesla’s charging network is the gold standard in the U.S., and with the rollout of the NACS (North American Charging Standard), more and more non-Tesla EVs will have access to that network. But it’s not universal yet, and owners need to know that upfront.
Rivian does offer guidance through their delivery advisors and message app, but not everyone gets the same level of support. Some customers get a walkthrough of the Tesla app and are told exactly how to identify compatible Superchargers. Others, like Marc, are simply told, “You can charge at Tesla stations”, and left to figure it out themselves.
That gap in communication is what turns excitement into disappointment.
And when you combine that with issues like a Rivian owner who charged for 11 hours and only got 70 miles or others paying to support Tesla while secretly resenting it, it becomes clear that frustration around charging is as much about expectations as it is about execution.
Journalist Insight: Why This Matters
As an automotive journalist watching this unfold, I think there’s a bigger takeaway here beyond just one person’s road trip mishap. We’re witnessing the early growing pains of a charging transition that will define how EVs are adopted by the masses.
Marc did everything right. He bought the adapter. He followed the promise. He was proactive. But the information pipeline failed him.
And when even Electrify America, the supposed fallback, doesn’t deliver, it’s no wonder owners are left wondering if they made the right call. Some are even stuck charging for hours with no improvement in range, or waking up to a drained battery and no clear answer.
A Moral for All EV Owners
So here’s the moral: if you’re going to drive an EV, especially one from a startup brand, you need to become your own advocate. Learn the charging landscape, get the apps, read the forums, and double-check everything the salesperson tells you. Because the difference between a seamless journey and a weekend ruined by failed chargers might come down to something as small as clicking the right icon in an app.
And if you’re on the other side, working in EV sales or delivery, this is your reminder that what you say (or don’t say) matters. Clarity builds confidence. Confusion builds resentment.
Your Turn
Have you ever had a charging experience that went south because of poor information? Do you think EV brands are doing enough to prepare buyers for real-world charging?
Let me know in the comments, I’d love to hear what worked for you, what didn’t, and how we can all help new owners avoid feeling like Marc did.
Narek Hareyan is a young automotive journalist with experience in a golf cart dealership and an interest in the automotive industry. Follow Narek on X for daily news coverage about cars.
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This week’s Heads Up has the scoop on rental sports gear in the Outaouais, a farm-to-table dinner in Munster, a new bus to the Ottawa airport, a new restaurant in Kemptville, a bike ride near Eganville, açaí treats at St. Laurent Shopping Centre, day tripping to New Edinburgh and Rockcliffe, and more. Enjoy!
Cheese shop getting close to 100 percent Canadian stock
As you already know, I’m a big fan of supporting Canadian products—just check out my big guide to shopping locally. So a recent Facebook post by the Balderson Village Cheese Store, just outside Perth, caught my eye. The store’s owners have been making a concerted effort to stock 100 percent made-in-Canada foods. They’re about 75 percent of the way there and hope to have 100 percent Canadian stock by the end of the year. Well done!
You can rent scooters, pontoon boats and more in the Outaouais
Want to explore the great outdoors in the Outaouais, but you don’t have the gear? Tourisme Outaouais has this handy list of companies that rent out kayaks, paddleboards, canoes, electric bikes, scooters, pontoon boats and more.
OC Transpo to launch new bus to the airport
Perhaps finally realizing that folks travelling from Ottawa’s east end to Ottawa International Airport don’t much fancy taking three trains to reach their destination, OC Transpo is launching a direct bus service connecting the St. Laurent, Train and Hurdman stations to the airport. According to this CTV Ottawa story, Route 105 will launch on Sunday, August 24, and will run every half hour, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The bus is anticipated to take 33 minutes to travel from St. Laurent to the airport.
Quebec loves its Nordic spas
Quebec seems to have embraced the Nordic spa concept—the circuit of hot tub or sauna, cold pool or shower, relaxation and repeat—more strongly than just about anywhere else in Canada. I’ve written a post about some of my favourite Quebec Nordic spas, and it barely scratches the surface. My friend Hilary Nangle recently wrote a post about her favourite Quebec Nordic spas and while there’s a bit of overlap between the two pieces, she’s discovered quite a few spots that I haven’t made it to … yet.
Science fiction, fantasy and horror book convention is coming to Kanata
I wanted to mention this event on the website last year, but by the time I heard about it, it had sold out! So if you’re a fan of Canadian science fiction, fantasy and horror novels, you might want to get your ticket to Can*Con now. You can meet authors, buy books, take classes, pitch your own book to agents and more. It’s happening at the Brookstreet Hotel in Kanata from October 17 to 19.
New restaurant opens in Kemptville
Named for a famous local Holstein bull, Goldwyn’s restaurant opened this past weekend at 25 Clothier Street East in downtown Kemptville. It promises diners “a modern take on the Wild West at our elevated country western saloon.” Sounds like fun!
You can take a staycation in New Edinburgh and Rockcliffe
Fancy staying close to home? I have just the suggestion: a day spent exploring New Edinburgh, Lindenlea and Rockcliffe. From the new(ish) NCC River House on the Ottawa River to a posh grocery store and a great place to pick up consignment designer clothes, you can read my day trip tips in the Ottawa Business Journal.
Saunders Farm Pig and Corn Roast tickets are available
Most years, the farm-to-table Pig and Corn Roast at Saunders Farm in Munster sells out. So if you want to go to this year’s event on Sunday, August 24, you might want to get your tickets now.
Scenic August bike ride will take cyclists along Eganville backroads
If you want to challenge yourself to a self-supported, non-racing bike ride through the hills and along the backroads near Eganville, now’s the time to register for this year’s Tour de Bonnechere on Sunday, August 24. You can choose from 50km, 65km and 100km routes, as well as a 20km family ride.
You can try a superfood at St. Laurent Shopping Centre
Perhaps açaí berries are old hat to you. I’d heard of them but hadn’t had a chance to taste the Brazilian “superfood” until I was invited to try it at Rio Açaí at St. Laurent Shopping Centre. (The owners also have a location at 35 allée de Hambourg in Gatineau.)
Açaí berries have become trendy in recent years for their health benefits. At Rio Açaí, you can try them in a bowl with your choice of other fruits (I picked mangoes, strawberries and blueberries). The consistency of puréed açaí is a bit like tapioca pudding and it isn’t super sweet, so it made a nice combo with the sweet, dense fruit. You can also try other Brazilian specialties at the takeout spot, such as warm cheese bread (it’s really good) and, of course, coffee.
(Disclosure: I received free products for review purposes. The shop did not review or approve this post. All opinions are my own.)
Looking for more tips on things to see and do in and around Ottawa? Subscribe to my free weekly newsletter or order a copy of my book, Ottawa Road Trips: Your 100-km Getaway Guide.
As the owner of Ottawa Road Trips, I acknowledge that I live on, work in and travel through the unceded, unsurrendered territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabeg Nation. I am grateful to have the opportunity to be present on this land. Ottawa Road Trips supports Water First, a non-profit organization that helps address water challenges in Indigenous communities in Canada through education, training and meaningful collaboration.
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