International visitors are drawn to Canada for many reasons. To explore world-renowned landscapes like the Canadian Rockies or the rugged Atlantic coast. To immerse themselves in vast wilderness areas. Or to live it up in Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal.
Increasingly, visitors also want to connect with Canada's Indigenous populations.
"The demand is the highest it's ever been," says Kevin Eshkawkogan, CEO of Indigenous Tourism Ontario, which has more than 600 member organizations and growing fast. "Indigenous tourism is not only cultural and historic. For a lot of experiences, when you bring Indigenous views to them it is transformative."
Around one third of international visitors now say they are interested in Indigenous tourism opportunities. According to National Geographic, Canada's 630 First Nations communities make the country a global leader with a diversity of experiences that few others can match.
This summer, Pearson has partnered with Indigenous Tourism Ontario on an initiative to help visitors find and support authentic Indigenous businesses. Two digital kiosks in the airport's busy terminals have been converted into interactive guides to Indigenous experiences. With information drawn from the Native Experiences Ontario website's data feed, the kiosks help users discover nearly 100 things to do and see in the province. They also contain pre-created itineraries to help visitors make the most of their time in Ontario.
The project has been supported by the airport's Nest Fund, which last year granted $780,000 to 10 Indigenous-led organizations as part of Toronto Pearson's action plan to elevate Indigenous histories, cultures and businesses.
"These kiosks make information about Indigenous tourism available to the tens of thousands of passengers who pass through Pearson every day," says Amal Musa, Community Investment Program Manager at Pearson. "It's an example of how our Nest Fund grants go beyond funding and to thinking how the airport can create new opportunities that showcase Indigenous businesses."
The kiosks are located in Terminal 1 International Departures and near the information desk in Terminal 3 International Arrivals.
Interested in Indigenous experiences but aren't passing through Pearson soon? Here are five activities in and around Southern Ontario to get you started. Explore many more authentic Indigenous experiences at nativeexperiencesontario.ca.
Oceah Oceah
Where: Toronto and Scarborough lakeshores
What to do: Founded by three First Nations sisters, Oceah Oceah offers standup paddleboarding and kayak lessons throughout the summer at two locations on Lake Ontario. In addition to classes, they also offer guided tours around landmarks like the Toronto Islands and Scarborough Bluffs, helping visitors connect with the water and landscape. For those seeking an even more meditative experience (and who have good balance, hopefully), they also offer yoga on standup paddleboards.
Yawékon by Chef Tawnya Brant
Where: Ohsweken, near Brant
What to do: Taste the flavours of Chef Tawnya Brant's Haudenosaunee childhood at this take-out and catering food shop. Named after the Mohawk expression for "it tastes good," Yawékon serves fusion cuisine and house-made drinks, with many ingredients grown in Chef Brant's own garden. Hours vary, so be sure to call ahead.
Woodland Cultural Centre
Where: Ohsweken, near Brant
What to do: The Woodland Cultural Centre is a major hub for preserving and sharing Indigenous language and culture that showcases the heritage of the Hodinohsho:ni people through exhibitions and cultural programs. A highlight is the centre's museum, which shares the story of the region's Indigenous peoples from prehistoric times to the present day. Through an expansive collection of 50,000 historic artworks, jewelry pieces and cultural artifacts including a Boston Marathon trophy won by Onondaga runner Tom Longboat, it gives visitors the opportunity to experience Southern Ontario before and after European settlement.
Mādahòkì Farm
Where: Nepean, near Ottawa
What to do: Mādahòkì Farm offers a variety of authentic Indigenous experiences on 164 acres of agricultural and forest land in Ottawa's greenbelt. The farm is home to a growing herd of rare Ojibwe spirit horses, the only known Indigenous horse breed in Canada. Mādahòkì hosts a marketplace, summer camps and a summer solstice festival, as well as play areas and a legacy walking trail where visitors can learn more about Indigenous medicine and practices. For the 2026 season, the farm is open Thursday to Sunday, 11 am to 4 pm, between July 9 and October 4.
Point Grondine Park
Where: Killarney, 1.5-hour drive from Sudbury
What to do: If you're looking to get away from it all, Point Grondine Park offers 18,000 acres of backcountry wilderness in which to lose yourself. Tranquil rivers, stunning rock formations and expansive forests await visitors seeking to reconnect with nature. Follow scenic hiking trails, paddle canoe routes through the park's pristine waters, recharge at one of the many campsites or join a cultural tour with Authentic Anishinaabe Experiences. The opportunities are endless in this majestic corner of the province.