Intrepid Travel Canada is one of the world’s leading tour companies, and it’s changing the way it’s doing things in B.C. and Canada, making its focus Indigenous-led experiences.
According to Intrepid research, 57 per cent of Canadians are interested in Indigenous-led tourism, despite only 18 per cent having participated.
Enter: Talaysay Tours. The tour company is run by its namesake, Talaysay Campo, and her mother, Candace Campo. While Talaysay Tours has been around for over two decades, the Intrepid partnership began in August, including the “We Are the Land” tour, a two-hour trail experience at Lost Lake in Whistler.
Daily Hive was able to embark on a preview of one of its walking tours in Whistler.
“We are the original stewards of these lands and waters, and to our people, the land is everything – it is our culture, our identity, our history and our way of life. I’m honoured to share these teachings through Talaysay Tours and, together with Intrepid Travel, introduce We Are The Land in Sk̲wikw̲,” Talaysay said.
Talaysay Campo (Amir Ali/Daily Hive)
“Through this experience, travellers will walk the land with us, discover Indigenous knowledge and learn about the living relationships that have connected our people to these mountains since time immemorial,” she added.
For anyone who wants to learn more about plants and sacred medicine, as well as the way Indigenous people have historically interacted with the land, the B.C. tour was an experience that’ll stick with you and change the way you both interact with and interpret your natural surroundings.
Intrepid’s research suggests that of 8,000 global travellers, 74 per cent said they’d consider taking the time to experience local Indigenous culture and support Indigenous businesses while travelling.
It was clear that the knowledge that Talaysay shared with folks on the tour, alongside her co-tour guide Amira Carrier, wasn’t just learned experience; it was experience she lived through.
Part of her fascinating tour was the Indigenous origins of Lacrosse, which we won’t spoil if you don’t already know the history.
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The tour was also extremely educational if you have any interest in a survivalist lifestyle, as Talaysay was able to point to specific plants and their healing and medicinal properties that Indigenous peoples have used for generations.
“Long-term partnerships with Indigenous tourism businesses are essential to how we approach responsible travel in Canada. Working with partners like Talaysay Tours allows us to integrate Indigenous-led experiences into our itineraries in a way that is shaped by our partners, while making these experiences more visible to travellers looking for meaningful adventures across Canada,” says Christian Wolters, who is the president of Intrepid Travel Canada.
On Aug. 26, Cobie Smulders shared a video on her personal Instagram in partnership with Destination Vancouver.
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Closer to the end of the video, Talaysay is seen talking to the video’s main character as Smulders mentions local plants that have healing properties.
The ad is part of a new Destination Vancouver campaign called Recouver in Vancouver, and the campaign features four videos, including City in Nature, Wellness, Culinary, and Neighbourhoods.