Indigenous Tourism

Traditionally known as Bawating (“the place of the rapids”), Sault Ste. Marie is a place of cultural importance. Sault Ste. Marie is located on the shores of the St. Marys River, central between Great Lakes Huron and Superior—the Heart of Turtle Island. Indigenous peoples have occupied this region since time immemorial. Surrounded by an abundance of natural resources, it continues to be a traditional gathering place for the Anishinaabe people of the Great Lakes. Sault Ste. Marie is an emerging Ontario place for Indigenous tourism. Visit Sault Ste. Marie and explore and connect with our cultural roots through Indigenous Tourism experiences and events.

Let your feet do the touring and take a leisurely stroll immersing yourself in history as you cross over to Whitefish Island, the original meeting place of the Anishinaabe peoples. Learn how the cascades and broad, mighty waters of St. Marys River played a significant role as an ancestral fishing and trade location for Indigenous.

The Shingwauk Residential School Centre serves an integral part of the Algoma University campus and offers visitors the opportunity to learn more about an important chapter in Canada’s past. An amalgamation of a museum, interpretation center and memorial, educating about the reality of a vision corrupted and see firsthand the important impact of human perseverance and resilience.

A scenic Trans Canada Highway road trip from Sault Ste. Marie north along the Lake Superior coast will take you to one of Canada’s most famous pictograph locations at sacred Agawa Rock. Hike the moderate trail down to the Lake Superior shore and witness timeless Indigenous art on a polished granite cliff. The spirit forms and symbols along this awe-inspiring rock formation are said to date back hundreds of years.

Dining experiences in authentic heritage cuisine is rapidly becoming a must-visit for tourists in Sault Ste. Marie. Our local Indigenous restaurants provide traditional food with diverse atmospheres and unforgettable culinary experiences. Local interpretative guides offer customized tours exploring Mother Nature through canoeing, kayaking, nature hikes and backcountry camping, with the utmost respect for the land, water, and all living beings.