All over Quebec, Indigenous outfitters offer their customers authentic stays, where a sense of sharing and a love of nature intertwine.
Sleeping in a teepee, exploring the territory, discovering lakes and rivers in a canoe: more and more hunting and fishing enthusiasts want to combine their passion for nature with the discovery of ancestral cultures.
First Peoples have a special, even sacred, relationship with hunting and fishing. They offer a completely different way to engage in these practices. Our Indigenous guides are known for their in-depth knowledge of the territory, and we follow their teachings—a rich thousand-year-old heritage—to the letter!
This type of experience is attracting a growing number of visitors. Some come from further and further afield to meet our communities, who in turn offer visitors a warm welcome, showing a mutual desire for exchange.
Nourishing the body, fulfilling the mind
For many Indigenous communities, respect for Mother Earth is deeply ingrained within ourselves. This principle leads us to see ourselves as the guardian of the world, not its possessor. Thus, we are inseparable from nature, in the same way as other living species.
The close relationship between the environment and humans has served as a beacon for centuries. And every decision is made by weighing the impact it will have on the next seven generations. “If, for example, we notice the decline of a species on our territory, we restrict fishing or hunting,” says Jean-François Boulianne, guardian of the territory of the Innu of Essipit First Nation.
Such beliefs involve respecting the catches that nourish the community. “Fishing and hunting are a conduit with wildlife,” he adds. “They serve to connect us with animals. Their sacrifice is therefore honoured, not considered a sporting trophy.”
Sharing ancestral knowledge is an offer that defines Indigenous outfitters. Our guides are proud to share the rituals and secrets of the territory with guests. To end the evening, everyone gathers to enjoy the freshly caught game or fish, prepared the same evening over the embers. This is when the magic happens, creating new friendships and close bonds with nature. Because, really, is there a better way to get to know one another than by enjoying a catch of the day together?
