Think you know Canada? Think again. Karryon’s new Into the Hearts of Canada podcast series with Destination Canada explores the people and places shaping one of the world’s most awe-inspiring travel destinations.
Into the Hearts of Canada is an engaging 10-part series that explores the people, places, and powerful ideas shaping the future of travel through a Canadian lens.
From Indigenous knowledge-keepers and local changemakers to iconic landscapes and regenerative tourism pioneers, each episode offers an intimate conversation with the people reimagining what travel can be.
Whether you’re a curious wanderer or a travel professional seeking fresh insights, this podcast invites you to see Canada with new eyes and an open heart.
Episode 2: Exploring Churchill: The Polar Bear Capital with John Gunter from Frontiers North Adventures
In Episode 2, we head to the subarctic to meet John Gunter, a man on a mission to protect what matters most. Churchill, Manitoba, is the polar bear capital of the world, but as John Gunter points out, that’s only part of the story.
As President and CEO of Frontiers North Adventures, John leads a purpose-driven tourism company with deep roots in the north. A third-generation Churchillian, John’s approach blends wildlife conservation, Indigenous partnerships, local economic development, and hands-on guest experiences, all with the goal of helping travellers feel the power of place.
From riding and dining on silent electric tundra buggies beneath the northern lights to kayaking with thousands of beluga whales in the summer, John shares how his team is creating unforgettable experiences that are also regenerative, inclusive, and rooted in community.
“We’re from here. We’re going to be here. That matters,” John says.
Episode 2: Top takeaways
“It’s about stewardship, not just adventure.”
Frontiers North’s purpose is to share in the stewardship of the communities and environments they operate in, and that ethos runs through everything they do, from B Corp certification to everyday operations in Churchill.
“Churchill is where four ecosystems meet.”
Tundra. Boreal forest. Taiga. Marine. Churchill sits where they all converge, attracting wildlife from Arctic foxes to beluga whales. “It’s raw, remote, and unforgettable,” says John.
“Our Indigenous partners are central to the experience.”
From Métis-led dog sledding to powerful journeys of truth and reconciliation with Dene Routes, guests walk away changed. “Transformation happens when we shift perspectives.”
“We built an EV tundra buggy – and it changed everything.”
Churchill’s famous Tundra Buggies are now electric. “It’s about more than emissions,” John says. “It’s the silence, the stillness. It’s being in the moment with the bears and the aurora.”
“Our guests want to go deeper.”
From science-based conservation trips to aurora photography and community stories, travellers want more meaning. “People want to lift the curtain and feel part of something real.”
“We’re proudly Churchill. That’s our superpower.”
With a 35-person team that is 20% Indigenous and 60% women and multi-decade guide relationships, Frontiers North isn’t just operating in the north; it’s helping shape its future.
“If you’re coming all the way to Churchill, go further.”
John’s advice for Aussie travellers? Pair iconic cities or the Rockies with a northern lights or beluga season trip to Churchill. “It’s where Canada gets wild and personal.”
Show Notes
- Subscribe to Into The Hearts of Canada Podcast here
- Learn more about Frontiers North Adventures here
- Learn more about the Tundra Buggy here
- Learn more about Manitoba here
- Find your local Canada Specialist Travel Advisor here
- Travel Advisors: Join the Canada Specialist Program here
Into the Hearts of Canada is presented in partnership with Destination Canada.
