Listening to the Land

Born in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, but raised in the foothills of Alberta's Rocky Mountains, Keith Diakiw grew up with a deep interest in the natural world.

"I was the kid always collecting rocks," he says from his home in Edmonton.

What began as a childhood passion evolved into a lifelong pursuit. Keith earned three university degrees: a Bachelor of Science in physical geography ("everything that you see"), another in geology ("everything you don't see beneath your feet") and a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology/Archaeology ("the human connection to it all").

During his studies, he fondly remembers road trips with his classmates and professors during reading week to Death Valley, California. They would spend the days hiking through dried-up river valleys, canyons and sand dunes, looking for different rock specimens and learning from the land and each other.

Later, he would organize road trips to take international students up to the Rockies and the Columbia Icefield during breaks and loved seeing their expressions of joy as he shared these beautiful places with them. These were profound experiences that left a lasting impression on Keith and would later influence his current career.

Keith went on to work in various roles that put his education to use, including positions with the Royal Canadian Navy and in the Alberta oil sands. Then, in 2017, he received a phone call telling him he was being laid off from his corporate job.

"I should have been worried, having a wife and three kids, but instead, it felt like a weight the size of a house had been lifted off my shoulders," Keith said. "I remember thinking, it's time for me to pursue the next chapter of my life that's more meaningful and to be an example for my children."

Reflecting on how experiences are more valuable than money and remembering the deep connections he made during his university road trips, Keith came up with the idea of sharing his extensive knowledge of geology and history through tourism — and Talking Rock Tours was born, offering tours that blend Keith's scientific background with his Métis heritage.

"I feel tourism, especially Indigenous tourism, is the best job in the world because you get to meet people from all backgrounds, from all over the world, and share stories, learn from each other, share what you know, and you get to enjoy the great outdoors with like-minded people. It's much better than a meeting for the sake of a meeting."

Spend any amount of time with Keith and you'll quickly realize that his most profound gift is that of connection. He loves to share his knowledge and has a knack for turning guests into new friends.

Over the course of two or three hours, Keith's tours take visitors through thousands of years of history. He believes every rock has a story to tell — not just of the past, but of the energies and connections that continue to shape our world.

While Keith travels throughout the province for his tours, including into the badlands and the Rockies, his most popular tours centre around Edmonton.

"One of the main reasons why I want to be based in Edmonton is to give this area a voice. To show that there's more to Alberta than the badlands, Jasper and Banff," Keith says.

One of the most requested tours is the Elk Island Askiy-Geo Discovery Tour. Located approximately 35 minutes east of Edmonton, Elk Island National Park sits within the UNESCO-recognized Beaver Hills Biosphere. The park, known for its conservation efforts, provides a protected home for elk, bison, and other wildlife.

More than just a nature walk, Keith's tour explores the geological forces that shaped the area and the cultural significance it holds for Indigenous Peoples. Guests walk among glacial erratics — large boulders transported and deposited by ancient glaciers — while learning about the deep ties between the land and the people who have lived here for generations.

Another popular tour is his Edmonton River Valley Askiy-Geo Discovery Tour, where he leads a hike to historic and sacred sites within North America’s largest urban green space.

"Over 10,000 years of history hiding in plain sight," he says. "When the animals returned after the last ice age, our shared ancestors followed, and that continuous human occupation has not stopped to present day."

Keith loves sharing his knowledge of the Edmonton River Valley and gets excited when he can show a local something new. One of the most moving stops on his tour is at the Rossdale ancient burial ground, where a small sliver of green marks a spot that has profound cultural meaning for amiskwaciwâskahikan (the original name for Edmonton).

"What better gift can you give someone than your knowledge? Even with all the blood, sweat, and money I spent to get through those three degrees, I'm happy to share it with people because you can't take it with you."

For those looking to experience the land in a new and profound way, Talking Rock Tours offers an invitation: walk on the ancient trails, listen to the stories hidden in the stones, and see Alberta through the eyes of those who have cherished it since time immemorial.