Indigenous led-helicopter tours in Jasper Valley celebrate culture and share history

Inspired by the land of her ancestors in Jasper Valley, Lauren Moberly, owner and founder of Fallen Mountain Soap, knew she wanted to continue sharing the story of her people. Photo by: Gavin John

Written by: Gavin John

Lauren Moberly, founder of Fallen Mountain, motions to a faint trail winding its way through the evergreen forest along the banks of the Athabasca River. Her family from the Aseniwuche Winewak Nation is made up of generations of people who lived in harmony with the land—it’s no surprise she knows it so well. 

From the pilot’s seat 8,000 feet in the air, Chrissy Eccleston from Jasper Hinton Air gestures to the ground below while Lauren looks out the window at the scenery. With remarkable eyesight and an impressive knowledge of the land, she confirms they were on the right path.

 “That’s where they walked when they were all kicked out of Jasper.” 

Photo by: Gavin John

Along the northeastern edges of the Rocky Mountains in central Alberta is the community of Grande Cache. The name comes from the practice of leaving supply caches for the voyagers and people who lived off the land many years ago. While the trails and caches themselves have been replaced by paved roads and grocery stores, the stories live on.

Soap was Lauren’s first business venture. Using only locally sourced organic material for her scents, her business found its success in the most unlikely of places.

“The pandemic was great for my business,” she said. Her success was a result of the pragmatic reality for anyone who had to live in extended lockdown with one or more people in intimate proximity. “Everyone needed soap.”

Through this success, Lauren realized that she has the potential to tell the story of her land and people to a wider audience. A new opportunity came in 2023 when Chrissy, a local helicopter pilot with Jasper Hinton Air, reached out to her. A partnership formed out of Chrissy’s curiosity and desire to know more about the region’s Indigenous people.

“We came together because she was curious about the Indigenous people who lived in the Jasper Valley,” Lauren said. “I was more than happy to share what I know about my family’s history in the valley.”

Chrissy, who isn’t Indigenous herself, embodies reconciliation through an honest desire to know more, and this led the two down a path together to tell a story that deserves to be heard. It was through these initial conversations between Chrissy’s curiosity and Lauren’s pride that a business opportunity became clear.

“When Chrissy approached us with this amazing opportunity and this partnership, I jumped on it,” Lauren says. “I really want the history of my family and community to be told, and to give people an amazing experience. These are intimate stories that you will not hear anywhere else.”

Canada’s National parks are renowned for their natural beauty. However, beneath the veneer of pristine wilderness lies a dark and uncomfortable story that Indigenous people know all too well. 

“In 1907, when the Jasper Forest Reserve was going to be turned into Jasper National Park, my family along with five other Cree and Métis families who lived in the area, were forcibly removed,” Lauren says. Her family was forced to make the long and arduous journey through thick brush to find towns and Nations north of their traditional home. At the time, the Government of Canada only understood natural landscape in the colonial context that put Indigenous people as obstacles and their way of life incompatible with the settler understanding of wilderness conservation. 

Unfortunately, this wasn’t an isolated incident for Indigenous Peoples. The policy of the removal of Indigenous Peoples and their cultural practices from their land to make way for National Parks has occurred across the country in Algonquin National Park in Ontario, Riding Mountain National Park in Manitoba, Banff National Park in Alberta, Gulf Island National Park Reserve in B.C., and countless others. Lauren’s business venture shines a light on a dark colonial chapter of Canada.

“A big reason why I’m sharing these stories is that a lot of it has not been shared accurately. A lot of the stories within Jasper National Park and how it was formed omit these stories.”

However, Lauren makes it clear that pity is not something that she wants people to feel but rather to celebrate the resiliency of her people. This would be the inspiration for the name of her company, Fallen Mountain.

Catalyste+ Advisor Danny Blouin has years of experience in helicopter tours in New York and Las Vegas. Photo by: Gavin John

“It’s a name that represents my people’s rise from our past. A past where we were banished from our homes,” says Lauren. “I have found that celebrating and showcasing an authentic culture really connects people from all around the world.” 

For a unique business venture like helicopter guiding. Lauren explained that finding someone to fit her criteria—experience with helicopter tours, previous work with Indigenous communities, and familiarity with culture and storytelling—was a challenge.

“With the ITA and Catalyste+ Good Relations Program, it made the first step in making this experience a reality,” Lauren says about beginning her journey in this new venture. She was presented with Danny Blouin, who ticked all the boxes.

Danny has years of experience in helicopter tours in New York and Las Vegas, and was successful at building thriving helicopter tours. He was immediately excited about Fallen Mountain and the company’s potential.

Photo by: Gavin John

“I’ve done helicopter tours in the hottest spots in North America. There’s nothing close to the potential here. It’s beautiful, but the story behind it is very powerful.” Danny says, who worked with Lauren on brand visibility, insurance, and permits through the early stages.

“Entrepreneurs, they have this vision and they make it happen. And, in Lauren’s case, it’s deeper than that.” Blouin says. “There’s an emotion around this brand.” He also envisions more comprehensive experiences, horseback rides, expeditions, and accommodations years down the road. He’s eager to turn the passion behind Fallen Mountain into a path of long-term success.

The helicopter flies low, weaving through the towering mountains on either side. Danny smiles and points to a small group of mountain goats perched on a sheer cliff. Below, the Athabasca River weaves its way through the Jasper Valley, a thin turquoise line among the exposed riverbed of a pre-melt river. 

“Beautiful, pristine, the amazing Rocky Mountains.” Lauren said. “This is such a unique place and it’s also a place that a lot of people will not ever get a chance to see.” 

The helicopter circles over a patch of land and Lauren points below to a tiny speck, a homestead. This is a relic of the past, a physical memory of the long trek to Grande Cache, and a piece of her own family’s history. The tour will take people through the Jasper Athabasca Valley along the same path her ancestors took.

“I will be sharing intimate family stories as you see the places my family has guided over, traveled over, and lived on…It’s a continuation of my parents’ work. They were such strong advocates for celebrating our culture, celebrating our families, celebrating our history, and spreading awareness about it.”