(Originally published in TOURISM)
Wanuskewin Heritage Park, on the west bank of the South Saskatchewan River five kilometres north of Saskatoon, includes seven hundred and sixty acres, with nineteen sites that represent the Northern Plains Peoples: summer and winter camp sites, bison kill sites, tipi rings and a boulder alignment known as a medicine wheel, all found within one kilometre of each other.
Almost 20 years ago, an award‑winning and elaborate interpretive centre was designed and built to reflect the character of the site as a historical gathering and meeting place over 8000 years of First Nations history. Wanuskewin still fulfills that meeting place role, providing a rich variety of programming for tours, which can be customized to fit into workshops, retreats, and companion events for conventions.
Wanuskewin's mission is to operate – under the leadership and guidance of First Nations people – a heritage site that contributes to increasing public awareness, understanding and appreciation of the cultural legacy of the Northern Plains First Nations people. Wanuskewin's governance structure is unique, with a wide range of partnerships and founded on the idea of a cooperative relationship between Aboriginal and non‑Aboriginal peoples. There are two governing boards:
Wanuskewin Indian Heritage Incorporated (WIHI) has thirteen members who are representatives of First Nations bands, districts, or cultural nations of Saskatchewan. WIHI was established to review planning for development of the Park, including cultural programming, traditional land use, and ceremonial and spiritual matters. WIHI ensures that the needs of First Nations people are met and an authentic and unique experience is provided for all visitors to the Park.
The operating board – Wanuskewin Heritage Park Authority (WHPA) – has twelve directors composed of both Aboriginal and non‑Aboriginal peoples and is the umbrella group for the partnerships that form Wanuskewin. The board members include representatives from WIHI, the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations, the City of Saskatoon, the Governments of Canada and Saskatchewan, the University of Saskatchewan, the Meewasin Valley Authority and the Friends of Wanuskewin.
Wanuskewin Heritage Park, on the west bank of the South Saskatchewan River five kilometres north of Saskatoon, includes seven hundred and sixty acres, with nineteen sites that represent the Northern Plains Peoples: summer and winter camp sites, bison kill sites, tipi rings and a boulder alignment known as a medicine wheel, all found within one kilometre of each other.
Almost 20 years ago, an award‑winning and elaborate interpretive centre was designed and built to reflect the character of the site as a historical gathering and meeting place over 8000 years of First Nations history. Wanuskewin still fulfills that meeting place role, providing a rich variety of programming for tours, which can be customized to fit into workshops, retreats, and companion events for conventions.
Wanuskewin's mission is to operate – under the leadership and guidance of First Nations people – a heritage site that contributes to increasing public awareness, understanding and appreciation of the cultural legacy of the Northern Plains First Nations people. Wanuskewin's governance structure is unique, with a wide range of partnerships and founded on the idea of a cooperative relationship between Aboriginal and non‑Aboriginal peoples. There are two governing boards:
Wanuskewin Indian Heritage Incorporated (WIHI) has thirteen members who are representatives of First Nations bands, districts, or cultural nations of Saskatchewan. WIHI was established to review planning for development of the Park, including cultural programming, traditional land use, and ceremonial and spiritual matters. WIHI ensures that the needs of First Nations people are met and an authentic and unique experience is provided for all visitors to the Park.
The operating board – Wanuskewin Heritage Park Authority (WHPA) – has twelve directors composed of both Aboriginal and non‑Aboriginal peoples and is the umbrella group for the partnerships that form Wanuskewin. The board members include representatives from WIHI, the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations, the City of Saskatoon, the Governments of Canada and Saskatchewan, the University of Saskatchewan, the Meewasin Valley Authority and the Friends of Wanuskewin.
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