Six Nations Tourism: A Cultural Experience on the Grand River

Six Nations Tourism represents the largest populated First Nations community in Canada. The Six Nations of the Grand River Territory is ideally located for visitors, just one hour from Toronto Pearson Airport and one hour from Niagara Falls.

Tourism has been in operation within the community since 1995. In 2017, Six Nations Tourism created Cultural Experience packages to make visiting easier for groups by offering one guide for the day, one central payment option, and detailed itineraries that take visitors through unique cultural experiences within Six Nations.

The newly constructed longhouse at Kayanase, a stop on the Where Cultures Meet tour.

As Haudenosaunee people, also known as People of the Longhouse, we educate visitors on our culture, traditions, and history. Six Nations Tourism offers three main tour packages: Where Cultures Meet, A Day of Play, and On the Water. The Where Cultures Meet package features cultural and historic sites within Six Nations, including the Woodland Cultural Centre, the Mohawk Chapel, the newly constructed longhouse at Kayanase, and Chiefswood National Historic Site. A Day of Play offers hands-on learning through the traditional game of lacrosse, archery, canoeing and kayaking along the Grand River, and a traditional nature walk within our area of the Carolinian Forest. The On-the-Water package offers a three-hour experience with our guides in a canoe or kayak, highlighting the rich history and culture of the Six Nations people, as well as our ongoing stewardship, connection, and responsibility to the land and waters of our Territory.

Canoes and kayaks along the banks of the Grand River — On the Water: three hours on the Grand River with community guides.

Other opportunities to explore within Six Nations include Mont Hill Golf Course, Ohsweken Speedway, Grand River Spa, Chiefswood Park, Six Nations Bingo, Iroqrafts, Everything Cornhusk, the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena, and many artisan markets open to the public.

A Nation-to-Nation Cultural Exchange

In 2024, Six Nations Tourism began a new partnership with Wikwemikong Tourism to offer a Nation-to-Nation Cultural Experience. The Cultural Exchange brings the two Nations together in the spirit of tourism, highlighting traditional foods, singing, dancing, and cultural teachings. Each year, both Nations visit each other's territories to deliver this unique experience, share with visitors, and illustrate the unique characteristics of each Nation.

The partnership began when Luke Wassegijig, Tourism Manager from Wikwemikong, approached Six Nations Tourism with the idea of bringing the two Nations together in solidarity through tourism. Luke spoke of a pictograph site in Collins Inlet within his territory, where our two Nations once fought against each other. The pictographs show the Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee Nations in conflict, but they also show the two Nations coming together afterward as one, in unity, respect, and peace. This reflects the Two Row Wampum Treaty, which is still active today.

A knowledge carrier raises a wampum belt during ceremony — The Two Row Wampum Treaty, still active today.

For our first Nation-to-Nation experience, Six Nations Tourism travelled to Killarney to meet Wikwemikong Tourism for our initial gathering. The two Nations, along with visitors, travelled in two big canoes to Collins Inlet. Elders and knowledge carriers from both communities gathered as one in ceremony to acknowledge one another, remember our shared history, and strengthen our connection as Original People. During this powerful ceremony, tobacco was laid and tears were shed in reflection of healing and coming together. Since that powerful moment, our Nation-to-Nation Cultural Exchange has continued.

Visitors and guides with a canoe during the Cultural Exchange — The Cultural Exchange travels between the two Nations' territories each year.

The Nations include chefs from each community, North and South, to share traditional food and harvest on one plate. This represents the Dish with One Spoon Wampum. Established pre-contact by the Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabe, the Dish with One Spoon was formally confirmed as a treaty wampum. This foundational agreement between the Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabe Nations dictates how Indigenous peoples and settlers should sustainably share and care for the resources of the Great Lakes region.

This year, the two Nations will gather in Six Nations of the Grand River on August 14 and 15. The dates for the Wikwemikong gathering are still to be determined. Please check our websites and social media for more information.

An authentic experience, led by community

Indigenous tourism has been a key force in bringing visitors to Canada, or Kana:ta, the Mohawk word meaning village. Within Six Nations, the experience is led by people from the community and includes visits to many sites that are also run by and for the community. This community connection allows visitors to have an authentic experience. Typically, our guides have grown up within the community, learning the history and culture of the Haudenosaunee, and they are able to share those stories with visitors.

Indigenous tourism provides opportunities for our people to build careers rooted in cultural revitalization. Six Nations Tourism also creates opportunities for entrepreneurs through full-day tour packages, special events, and requests from outside the community. Visitors are beginning to understand that First Nations communities have specific cultural protocols. As Haudenosaunee people, we begin and end our gatherings with the Ganohonyohk, or Thanksgiving Address, to bring our minds together as one and give thanks for all that Mother Earth and the Creator provide. Rather than offering a land acknowledgement, our people prefer to share what we refer to as "the words before all else." For larger gatherings, song and dance may also accompany this protocol.

Traditional food shared with visitors — Guests are invited in to listen to stories, enjoy great food, and share some laughs.

As Haudenosaunee people, we are hospitable. We invite guests in to listen to our stories, enjoy great food, and share some laughs.

"Tourism has been a place that I have called home for 11 years now," says Jaquie Jamieson, Senior Manager of Tourism and Community Development. "I have learned so much, and I have had the privilege of being the first Cultural Experience Coordinator. Being a tour guide has taught me how little people know about us, but also the excitement and appreciation people have when we take the time to share our stories and teach them."

One thing Six Nations Tourism takes pride in is ensuring that guests have a safe space where they can openly ask questions. If guests do not ask questions, we cannot educate. Our guides have been asked many questions, and no question will offend us. It is our job to teach and allow others to learn in a safe environment.

Six Nations Tourism is a warm and welcoming place for visitors to come and learn about Haudenosaunee culture, traditions, and more. We hope to see you this tour season!

Plan your visit at sixnationstourism.ca. As featured on the cover of The Canada Magazine, June 2026 Issue.