This heritage park is a true tribute to the Plains Indians. Located just outside Saskatoon, this park offers everything you need to learn about the history and culture of the people.

The word Wanuskewin (Wah-nus-KAY-win) is Cree for “living in harmony” or “seeking peace of mind”. It is an appropriate name for a place to which people have returned for thousands of years to learn from others about the land and its sacred relationship with the people; share stories, teachings and ceremonies; and to hunt the great bison of the Northern Plains.

The programs they offer here are amazing and you will be immersed in the culture of the Cree people. There is an Interpretive center, 2 galleries, a theater showing several videos of the history and highlights of the people. The Great Wall has a 40 foot projection screen to show slideshows and presentations of First Nations people. There is an activity room to get the young children involved as well. Outside, there is an outdoor amphitheater and trail systems covering 6 km of the park.

The Trail of Discovery, focuses on the science of archaeology and have artifacts from 5000 year old arrowheads to 3000 year old bison bones.

There is an Interpretive program which tells 5 major stories: hunting, gathering, social lifestyles, archaeology and re-connection. There is also a circle Area for tipi raising and Dance presentations.

I visited this park about 16 years ago now, and it blew me away. As we walked down the path of the interpretative trail, there was signage to explain the culture and heritage of the place. But it wasn’t what you read, it was what you saw. You could see the patterns in the grass from the Tipi circles, you could see where the most famous Buffalo jump was and the guide explains how the raced the buffalo over the edge of the cliff. It was amazing to be there, and be able to see the artifacts, and the environment and to hear the legends. Very Cool place and after 16 years, I want to go back and it is probably even more amazing now.