Wanuskewin Heritage Park
What does Wanuskewin mean to me? Well that is what they ask at the interpretive centre on the outskirts of Saskatoon. Really, it was just another stop on the list of sites I wanted to show my friend visiting from out of town. What I found out there was a beautiful interpretive centre that pales to none.
There is a theatre with numerous, informative films about the area and the people. Inside the centre there are two galleries. One gallery has portraits on many aboriginal people of varying tribes, the other is currently featuring Allan Sapp. Until now, I had not been a fan of Allan Sapp. Keep in mind I have no artistic ability myself, so who am I to judge? The setting and beautiful space that the gallery has provided to showcase the artists work has given a magnificent arena to really see the art in its purest form. I was able to really see the stories that Allan had put to canvas. I was amazed by the beauty.
The the staff at the centre provide Tipi Raisings, Live Dance Performances, Traditional Games and many more daily activities. These all are listed on their website http://www.wanuskewin.com/tours_programs/.
The centre is located on 760 acres, within which the south Saskatchewan river runs. Although I was a first taken aback by the beauty of the landscape I them looked at the functionality of the area. Surrounding the centre there are 19 pre-contact sites that represent the active society of Northern Plains Peoples. You will find summer and winter camp sites, that have been located through archaeological digs. You will also find on your walk through the park, bison kill sites, tipi rings, and an arrangement of boulders called a medicine wheel.
So, what does Wanuskewin mean to me? A place of culture, beauty and function that brought the people together then and now.
What does Wanuskewin mean to me? Well that is what they ask at the interpretive centre on the outskirts of Saskatoon. Really, it was just another stop on the list of sites I wanted to show my friend visiting from out of town. What I found out there was a beautiful interpretive centre that pales to none.
There is a theatre with numerous, informative films about the area and the people. Inside the centre there are two galleries. One gallery has portraits on many aboriginal people of varying tribes, the other is currently featuring Allan Sapp. Until now, I had not been a fan of Allan Sapp. Keep in mind I have no artistic ability myself, so who am I to judge? The setting and beautiful space that the gallery has provided to showcase the artists work has given a magnificent arena to really see the art in its purest form. I was able to really see the stories that Allan had put to canvas. I was amazed by the beauty.
The the staff at the centre provide Tipi Raisings, Live Dance Performances, Traditional Games and many more daily activities. These all are listed on their website http://www.wanuskewin.com/tours_programs/.
The centre is located on 760 acres, within which the south Saskatchewan river runs. Although I was a first taken aback by the beauty of the landscape I them looked at the functionality of the area. Surrounding the centre there are 19 pre-contact sites that represent the active society of Northern Plains Peoples. You will find summer and winter camp sites, that have been located through archaeological digs. You will also find on your walk through the park, bison kill sites, tipi rings, and an arrangement of boulders called a medicine wheel.
So, what does Wanuskewin mean to me? A place of culture, beauty and function that brought the people together then and now.
