Adventure, education, understanding

It’s one thing to learn about the Coeur d’Alene Tribe from a history book or a web page.

It’s quite another to see how and where they lived, hear traditional songs or walk ancient trails used by generations of Native Americans before western expansion into the Northwest.

“We want to share our history, extending beyond our famous hospitality,” said Quanah Matheson, Coeur d'Alene Casino Resort and Hotel Cultural Affairs Director. “Hopefully, our guests will have a deep appreciation of who we are and where we came from and have a better understanding of our culture.”

To that end, the Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort Hotel is offering new cultural tourism packages for patrons this summer.

Visitors can customize their experience, said Matheson, who played a key role in developing the new cultural tourism program for the casino. He is excited for people to learn about the tribe.

"They're going to hear our history, our stories, and our Indian humor," Matheson said. “We will share our dances, our drums and our songs.”

Guests can learn about the Coeur d’Alene Tribe’s culture with day and overnight trips. The Wander package offers guests a choice of two out of three outdoor options: canoeing the nearby waterways, hiking, or biking the Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes ($50/person). Boxed lunch and $10 gambling credit are included. The Bison Ranch package gives guests the ability to get near bison, a culturally significant animal for Native Americans. People will be taken to H2H Bison Ranch in Worley, Idaho. It includes a guided tour, box lunch and $10 in gambling credit ($75/person).

An overnight stay can be added to either package, which includes a room in the Mountain Lodge, gambling credits and a grilled bison burger for lunch. Guests can enjoy listening to stories and viewing traditional dancing.

Guests also have the option of exploring the outdoors — canoeing, hiking or biking — or a guided tour of the Cataldo Mission, including the Sacred Encounters: Father De Smet & the Indians of the Rocky Mountain West exhibit.

“The Coeur d’Alenes were instrumental in the construction of the mission, which is the oldest building in Idaho,” said Matheson. “The tribal members and missionaries built it in the early 1850s.”

Tickets can be purchased at the casino box office, CDACasino.com or at TicketsWest.com. For more information call 1-800-523-2464 or email cdaevents@cdacasino.com.

Choices in culture

Wander Package

Enjoy a day of adventure, culture and tradition with the Wander Package available June 19-23. The day will begin at 10 a.m. at the casino and from there participants choose two activities for the day including guided canoeing on Lake Coeur d’Alene as well as hiking and biking on local trails. The Wander Package is $50 per person and includes lunch.

Overnight Wander Package

Immerse yourself in some of the local culture and traditions of the Coeur d’Alene Tribe. Day one of the Overnight Wander Package includes a Bison Ranch tour, traditional storytelling, dancing and dinner before resting up back at the hotel in the Mountain Lodge. The second day will begin at 10 a.m. and guests will have the choice between a day of guided hiking, biking or canoeing or visiting the Cataldo Mission. Lunch will be provided both days. Two-person occupancy starting at $225 Sunday-Thursday or $275 Friday-Saturday.

Bison Package

Experience the history and importance of local bison first hand with Coeur d’Alene Casino’s Bison Package. The day package begins with an 11 a.m. departure from Coeur d’Alene Casino to the Bison Ranch for a guided and informative tour. Lunch and $10 EPC are provided. Tickets for the day package are $75.

To experience more of the Coeur d’Alene culture, the Expanded Bison Package includes a night of storytelling, traditional dance and dinner following the day at the bison ranch. The package includes a stay in a Mountain Lodge room. Two-person occupancy starts at $225 Sunday-Thursday or $275 Friday-Saturday and can be purchased at the Coeur d’Alene Casino Resort Hotel box office or online at TicketsWest.com. For more information visit CDACasino.com or call

1-800-523-2464.