For thousands of years, Indigenous peoples have lived in the lands of the northern lights, and they are the best ones to show them to you.

In autumn, winter, and spring, the skies near the Earth’s geomagnetic poles come alive with nature’s greatest light show. In the Northern Hemisphere, colorful ribbons of light swirl and twirl across the inky black sky in a mesmerizing, ethereal show known as the northern lights or aurora borealis. In 1619, Italian astronomer Galileo Galilei named this phenomenon aurora borealis after the Roman goddess of dawn, Aurora, and the Greek god of the north wind, Boreas. However, long before Galileo gave the lights a scientific name, Indigenous peoples living in northern regions bore witness to the magic of the lights. Today, Indigenous tour operators and guides lead visitors on aurora-viewing tours on the lands their ancestors have lived on since time immemorial. Here are some of the best Indigenous-led northern lights tours in Canada.

What Causes an Aurora, and Where Can You See It?

The magical phenomenon of an aurora is caused when charged particles from the sun collide with Earth’s atmosphere. Particles that enter the Earth’s atmosphere are funneled toward the Earth’s geomagnetic poles, and as the particles become excited, they emit colors, creating glowing rings around the geomagnetic poles. These rings are known as auroral ovals. While the northern lights can be viewed in many northern areas, locations inside the auroral oval provide the brightest and most frequent northern lights displays. Northern Canada, northern Alaska, and parts of Finland, Sweden, Norway, Iceland, and Greenland are under the northern auroral oval.

Northwest Territories, Canada

The Northwest Territories is one of the best places on the planet for aurora viewing. Clear, dark skies, low humidity, and a strategic location under the auroral oval allow the northern lights to shine 240 nights per year. It’s been estimated that during the aurora season, travelers to Yellowknife have a 95 percent chance of seeing the northern lights. The destination is also home to many Indigenous-owned tour companies – each offering a unique aurora-viewing experience.

Heated Seats With 360-Degree Views

Just outside Yellowknife, Aurora Village has been one of the best places to view the northern lights since it first opened in 2000. There are 21 traditional teepees and hilltop viewpoints surrounding a pristine lake at this Indigenous-owned destination for northern lights viewing. On cold northern nights, guests stay warm inside the teepees, around bonfires, or on heated outdoor seats that swivel to offer 360-degree views – one of the most comfortable ways to see the northern lights.

Aurora Viewing by Dog Sleds

Dog sleds are a traditional mode of winter transportation for residents of the far north. Long before the invention of automobiles and snowmobiles, people traveled by dog sled. To experience this thrilling activity, North of 60 Aurora Adventures Inc. in Yellowknife offers guests the chance to travel by dog sled across a secluded frozen lake to watch the aurora. They also have a skydome structure that they use for aurora viewing, complete with hot beverages and bannock served at the end of the tour.

A Cozy Cabin, Dinner, and a Show

Bucketlist Tours offers a small-group aurora-viewing experience that includes Indigenous storytelling and a delicious light midnight meal at a cozy cabin outside Yellowknife. The meal consists of traditional homemade fish chowder, hot bannock, coffee, and tea – including a variety of northern herbal teas. There’s also traditional northern clothing available for guests to dress up for photo opportunities while they wait for the northern lights.

Learn the Legends of the Northern Lights

There are countless legends about the northern lights – mankind’s attempt to explain a seemingly incomprehensible phenomenon. Learning the legends can be almost as fascinating as seeing them, and it’s an essential part of the experience when you take an aurora-viewing tour with B. Dene Adventures. “Our aurora tours are unique because they include traditional drumming, cooking fish over a fire, and sharing our language and culture,” says Bobby Drygeese, company owner. Guests enjoy speaking with Elders and hearing Dene legends and stories while they wait for the aurora to show itself.

Aurora Hunting

Most aurora-viewing tours are offered from a base camp, but North Star Adventures does things differently. Instead of staying in one place, they go aurora hunting. “Aurora hunting is kind of like storm chasing,” explained company owner Joe Bailey. This exciting method can increase your chances of seeing the aurora. If one location is cloudy, they simply move to another spot in search of clearer skies and better views. While waiting for the aurora, Indigenous guides share Dene legends.

Aurora Viewing by Voyageur Canoe

Narwal Northern Adventures offers a unique early-season aurora-viewing experience from a 29-foot, 12-person voyageur canoe. This special tour allows guests to be surrounded by light when the aurora shining in the skies above reflects on the water. A traditional meal of soup, bannock, and beverages is also provided during this enchanting experience.

Stay Warm in a Brand-new Aurora Teepee Lodge

Experience winter aurora viewing in comfort at a brand-new aurora teepee lodge with Aurora Tours.Net. Guests can enjoy traditional clothing, storytelling, and, most importantly, a warm waiting area while anticipating the magical northern lights dance across the sky outside Yellowknife.

Yukon, Canada

The Yukon boasts famously dark skies, an abundance of clear nights, excellent guides, and tour operators, all strategically located under the auroral oval.

On the Doorstep of Kluane National Park

Located at the edge of Christmas Lake near Kluane National Park, Shakat Tun Adventures offers a wonderful opportunity to experience Southern Tutchone culture while viewing the northern lights in the traditional territory of the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations. Owner James Allen, a former Chief and incredible storyteller, not only shows you the best spots for aurora viewing but also shares Southern Tutchone legends related to the natural phenomenon. The company also offers several other cultural experiences.

Manitoba, Canada

Churchill, Manitoba is directly under the auroral oval, and its sparse population leads to low levels of light pollution, making it an excellent location for observing the northern lights. There are several Indigenous-owned companies that can facilitate your aurora-viewing journey.

Dog Sledding and Northern Lights Viewing

Wapusk Adventures entails thrilling dog sledding during the day and engaging northern lights viewing at night on their property outside of Churchill. Guests may keep warm inside a teepee or a cozy cabin while watching the aurora illuminate the night sky. Wapusk Adventures, founded in 2001 by David Daly, an individual of Métis ancestry, offers a unique experience tailored to those seeking the beauty of the northern lights.

A Female-owned Indigenous Tour Company

Beyond Boreal Expeditions provides personalized tours to curated aurora-viewing sites just outside of Churchill. Travelers are guided in a warm vehicle, where they have the chance to learn about the local culture while receiving coaching on photographing the northern lights. Additionally, the company often arranges for professional aurora portraits to be taken for individuals, couples, and families.