Cultural Connections
Experience transformative Indigenous tourism in the BC interior
Travel has the power to transform, but few journeys offer the depth of connection and cultural immersion found with Moccasin Trails.
Founded by Greg Hopf and Frank Antoine, Moccasin Trails offers Indigenous-led experiences that invite travellers to walk in the footsteps of the land’s original peoples, engaging with history, traditions, and contemporary Indigenous life in a way that is both eye-opening and deeply personal.
More than just a guided tour, Moccasin Trails creates a space for meaningful dialogue, where guests are welcomed into the stories, struggles, and triumphs of Indigenous communities.
"History books are written by non-Indigenous people, by colonizers," Greg says. "When you have an authentic Indigenous experience, you are getting a different story."
Whether paddling along ancestral waterways, listening to the wisdom of Elders, or sharing a meal created with traditional ingredients, visitors come away with more than just memories — they gain a renewed perspective on the rich and living cultures that continue to shape these lands.
Greg and Frank are not only trying to create immersive experiences, but they also want to transform hearts and minds.
"Anyone can take anyone on a hike. Anyone can take anyone out in a canoe. But the second you go with an Indigenous guide in that area, it is different," Greg says.
"You will never look at an eagle the same way ever again. You'll never look at the Ponderosa pine tree the same way ever again. It's the smell of the wind, it's the eagle flying above you, it's the way the snow crumbles when you're walking on it. All of that is connection that we share with our guests. And that's what we want our guests to experience."
"Anyone can take anyone on a hike. Anyone can take anyone out in a canoe. But the second you go with an Indigenous guide in that area, it is different."
Greg Hopf
These experiences go far beyond the surface.
At Moccasin Trails, you'll find yourself sitting with members of the community, Elders or Chiefs like Frank himself, who graciously share their cultural knowledge and life experiences. You'll learn about the challenges and triumphs of modern Indigenous life, explore deep-rooted traditions, with each moment fostering a sense of vulnerability and understanding.
This is not about witnessing culture from a distance; it’s about stepping into the lived reality of contemporary Indigenous life in an intimate and personal way.
"If our guests are going to be transformed and inspired and educated they need to hear, they need to feel and taste what our culture is," Greg says.
"We tap into all of your senses and really get to the inner being of our guests. For example, when doing an authentic smudging ceremony, in the past you would have watched us and we're like, 'No, you're taking part in this now. Get in here. We're going to educate you, but now you're going to take part in this feeding of the water ceremony. You need to touch the tobacco. You need to touch the water. You need to feel what this is and why we do this.'"
As passionate advocates for their communities, Greg and Frank partner with local Indigenous businesses, including the luxurious Spirit Ridge Resort, the award-winning Nk’Mip Cellars winery, and the culturally inspired Kekuli Café.
Through these partnerships, they celebrate the diversity and resilience of Indigenous entrepreneurship.
Tasting many different types of bannock at Kekuli Cafe. Photo by Destination BC/@miraecampbell
Tasting many different types of bannock at Kekuli Cafe. Photo by Destination BC/@miraecampbell
Destination BC/Andrew Strain
Destination BC/Andrew Strain
Nk'Mip Desert Cultural Centre. Photo: Destination BC/Andrew Strain
Nk'Mip Desert Cultural Centre. Photo: Destination BC/Andrew Strain
Nk'Mip Desert Cultural Centre Destination BC/Andrew Strain
Nk'Mip Desert Cultural Centre Destination BC/Andrew Strain
Spirit Ridge Lake Resort near the Nk'mip Cultural Centre. Photo: Destination Canda
Spirit Ridge Lake Resort near the Nk'mip Cultural Centre. Photo: Destination Canda
Destination BC/Andrew Strain
Destination BC/Andrew Strain
Greg and Frank share a hope that Indigenous tourism right across the country will have a transformative effect.
"We can tell our story, but the more we have our non-Indigenous people being ambassadors for us, that's just much more powerful," Greg says.
"We want them to leave an Indigenous experience, number one, educated on the diversity of our nations, because we're not all the same. Number two, inspired, motivated and more empathetic towards our history, our struggles, our resilience, all of that. And then we want them to be ambassadors of our story."
"If we can accomplish those, then that's the power of Indigenous tourism."
Moccasin Trails is based in Ki?láwna? (Kelowna), British Columbia. Day tour options include a guided walk in the land of the Secwepémc (Shuswap) peoples, a guided canoe journey along the South Thompson River and a spiritual walking journey along ancestral paths of the Syilx people while learning about traditional plants and medicines.
Moccasin Trails also offer an all-inclusive, multi-day immersive journey that engages, educates and inspires.
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