As one of the main gateways to this destination, Quebec City is home to priceless heritage remains in its historic center.
It also has the rare privilege of being close to cultural cradles for two Aboriginal nations: the Huron-Wendat (in particular in the city of Wendake) and the Algonquins on their ancestral lands in the Outaouais – which also opens onto Quebec. .
Custodians of a part of the soul of the region, they daily perpetuate an immeasurable heritage with warmth and hospitality: culture is lived through sharing.
Huron-Wendat L. Bilodeau Museum
What better way to begin than the Huron-Wendat Museum in Wendake to embrace the extent of this nation's heritage and know-how?
With a collection of 350 pieces supplemented by temporary exhibitions, this essential site also offers demonstrations of traditional craftsmanship, thematic workshops or visits to the national longhouse Ekionkiestha'.
You can even extend your stay on site in the Hôtel-Musée Premières Nations **** with a view of the Akiawenrahk River (Saint-Charles).
At nightfall, you have to continue with Onhwa' Lumina, a 1.2 km route combining light, scenographic and sound installations to offer those who walk it a multisensory journey from the founding myths of the Huron-Wendat nation to a future unifier.
From Quebec to Gatineau
Onhwa' Lumina Moment Factory
In the Outaouais region – Algonquin land – a visit to the First Peoples Hall of the famous Canadian Museum of History located in Gatineau provides a better understanding of the importance and diversity of Aboriginal nations.
Rich in more than 2,000 objects, works and documents, its collections span fifteen thousand years of social and human history within a building designed by Aboriginal architect Douglas Cardinal.
And to learn more about the Algonquin nation, we will continue with the Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg cultural center in Maniwaki, whose round building houses the exhibition "
Kichi Sibi
retracing the history of the Algonquins.
A place of memory, the cultural center is also a place of transmission of crafts and Aboriginal practices during embroidery, dream catcher, drumming, dancing, etc. workshops.
Omega Park Outaouais Tourism/Mr.
Baril Tessier
Another must-see memorial site is the First Nations hiking trail in Parc Oméga.
This unique site in North America pays tribute to the eleven Aboriginal nations of Quebec;
we discover the totems representing each of them in the Alley of talking trees.
A protective symbol, the Thunderbird closes the trail by opening onto the rest of the park, which also allows you to admire a host of wild animal species (elk, wolf, bear, caribou, bison, etc.) in their natural habitat outside. opportunity for a photo safari.
Indigenous flavors
Sagamité restaurant Sagamité Old Quebec
Immersion cannot be complete without a gourmet initiation.
For a dazzling of the senses, we will thus direct our steps towards the restaurant La Traite in Wendake, which is inspired by the traditional dishes and techniques of the First Nations.
Entrusted to the talent of French chef Marc de Passorio, the menu of this elegant establishment offers sublime game and house-smoked fish, embellished with berries and herbs from the forest.
In Old Quebec, Sagamité (named after the iconic “
three sisters” soup
corn, beans, squash) also cultivates authenticity by adapting native gastronomy to contemporary flavors through appetizing soups and game recipes.
Finally, to delight fans of culinary fusion, a visit to the table at the Nikosi Bistro Pub in Wakefield in Outaouais is a must: the gastronomic classics are modernized there in a friendly atmosphere.
Opening up so many unsuspected horizons, these first steps in Quebec encourage you to discover more Aboriginal traditions.
And to enjoy the summer to the fullest – good news: there are still other fantastic experiences to be had in the company of the first peoples;
as well as other Aboriginal experiences to discover on the Bonjour Québec website.