Culture enthusiasts seeking an authentic Native Indian experience this summer may get more than they bargained for if some aboriginal groups have their way.

Canada's First Nations are in the news this week after a video surfaced on YouTube instructing native protestors in the art of "safely" disrupting railway lines.  The video was the latest salvo in what aboriginal leaders are calling a National Day of Action slated for June 29.  At issue are various disputes over land claims dating back to the 1800s.

I'll leave the political debate to others, but the public stance of native groups in Canada is in stark contrast to that of at least one Indian nation south of the border.

The Cherokee Indians of North Carolina have launched an ad campaign featuring the Indians in traditional dress promoting tourism to the band's visitor-friendly reservation.  The tongue-in-cheek campaign shows a more humorous side to native life and invites tourists to enjoy the various festivals and interpretive programs offered by the Cherokee.



Ironically, disputes over water rights (an issue among First Nations groups in Canada) have apparently also been solved by the Cherokee -- they're bottling it and selling it as having been "prescribed by medicine men for over 10,000 years."



It's hard to imagine native groups charting the same course in Canada, where the traditions and history of the native culture tend to be treated with a great deal more reverence.  It's not that the vast majority of First Nations people aren't warm. welcoming and good-humored, it's just that the prevailing political climate often overshadows the more approachable aspects of native culture.

Despite the ongoing political tensions, there is a wealth of extraordinary aboriginal tourism product in Canada.  If a protest march isn't your idea of a good time, check out the Dreamspeakers Film Festival in Edmonton, the Temagami Anishnabai Tipi Camp in Northern Ontario, the Wanuskewin Heritage Park in Saskatchewan, the Kay-Nah-Chi-Wah-Nung historical centre, the innovative Cree Village Eco-Lodge, or Gwaii Eco-Tours in BC.