Wanuskewin Heritage Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Wanuskewin Heritage Park |
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Wanuskewin Heritage Park
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| Location | Corman Park No. 344, near Saskatoon, Saskatchewan |
| Created | June 27, 1992 |
| Operator | Wanuskewin Indian Heritage Incorporated Wanuskewin Heritage Park Authority |
| Website | https://wanuskewin.com/ |
| Official name: Wanuskewin National Historic Site of Canada | |
| Designated: | 1986 |
Wanuskewin Heritage Park is a special place near Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, where you can learn about the history and culture of the First Nations people. It's an archaeological site and a non-profit cultural center. The name "Wanuskewin" comes from the Cree word wânaskêwin, which means "being at peace with oneself."
This park is a National Historic Site of Canada. This is because it has important archaeological finds that show nearly 6,000 years of history for the Northern Plains peoples. In 2016, Wanuskewin announced its goal to become a UNESCO World Heritage Site. If it succeeds, it would be the first World Heritage Site in Saskatchewan.
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What is Wanuskewin Heritage Park?
The Wanuskewin Heritage Park Authority (WHPA) runs the park. It's a group of 12 members who make sure the park operates well. This group includes people from First Nations communities, the Canadian government, the Saskatchewan government, the City of Saskatoon, the University of Saskatchewan, and other local organizations.
For more than 6,000 years, people have gathered in this area. Different First Nations groups who traveled the Northern Plains came here. They hunted bison, gathered food and plants, and found shelter from the cold winter winds. Some of the ancient sites found here are thousands of years old. Wanuskewin also has a special arrangement of rocks called a medicine wheel. There are fewer than 100 of these left on the northern plains.
Where is Wanuskewin Located?
Wanuskewin Heritage Park is on the west side of the South Saskatchewan River. It's near Opimihaw Creek, just 3 kilometers north of Saskatoon. The park covers 240 hectares (about 593 acres). Within this area, there are 19 sites that show the history of Northern Plains Peoples. These groups include the Cree, Assiniboine, Saulteaux, Atsina, Dakota, and Blackfoot.
You can find many interesting things at the park. There are summer and winter campsites, places where bison were hunted (called bison kill sites), and tipi rings. You can also see artifacts like pieces of pottery, plant seeds, arrowheads, eggshells, and animal bones. All these things are found close together in the park.
When Did Wanuskewin Open?
Wanuskewin Heritage Park officially opened in June 1992. However, scientists started studying the area in the early 1930s. Today, the University of Saskatchewan continues archaeological research at Wanuskewin with active digs.
The park was named a Provincial Heritage Property in 1984. It was the only site in Saskatchewan at that time that focused on prehistoric artifacts. In 1986, it became a National Historic Site. The next year, Queen Elizabeth II visited and unveiled a special plaque. In 2001, King Charles III, who was then the Prince of Wales, was given a Cree name, Pisimwa Kamiwohkitahpamikohk, meaning "the sun looks at him in a good way," during a ceremony at Wanuskewin.
What is Wanuskewin's Mission?
Wanuskewin's main goal is to run a Heritage Park that is guided by First Nations people. The park aims to help people learn more about and appreciate the rich cultural history of the Northern Plains First Nations people.
During the busy summer season, about 40 to 45 people work at the park. Wanuskewin is many things:
- A fun place for tourists to visit.
- A place that helps people develop skills and find jobs.
- A center for scientific, cultural, and educational activities.
- A gathering place for modern spiritual practices like Sweats and Pipe Ceremonies.
Wildlife at Wanuskewin
In December 2019, a herd of plains bison was brought back to this historic hunting ground. Six young bison calves came from Grasslands National Park. Later that month, one male bison and four pregnant female bison arrived from South Dakota. The male bison came from a wild herd in Yellowstone National Park.
The herd started to grow naturally! On April 22, 2021, a bison calf was born at Wanuskewin. This was the first time a calf was born on the land since 1876. On September 12, 2021, another male calf was born. This brought the total number of bison at Wanuskewin to 18. The park hopes the herd will eventually grow to 50 animals.
Opimihaw Creek
| Opimihaw Creek | |
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Opimihaw Creek seen from outside the Wanuskewin complex
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| Etymology | From Plains Cree 'opimihaw' meaning 'one which is swift/quick' |
| Province | Saskatchewan |
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| River system | Saskatchewan River |
Opimihaw Creek is a small creek that flows through the park and into the South Saskatchewan River. Its name comes from the Plains Cree word opimihâw, which means 'pilot' or 'one which is swift'. This creek has a long and important connection to the history and cultures of the Plains Indian peoples.
The Opimihaw Valley
The valley of Opimihaw Creek is very interesting. It cuts into the river bank and is filled with wetlands and different animals. Many First Nations people historically used this valley as a buffalo jump. This is why it's such an important place for archaeology.
There are about 20 archaeological dig sites around the creek in the park. Some of these sites are as old as 6,400 years. That means they are even older than the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt!
