Digging Deep into Wanuskewin Heritage Park
Wanuskewin Heritage Park, located just outside Saskatoon, is a place where history, culture and nature intersect to tell the remarkable story of the Northern Plains. Home to Canada’s longest continuously operating archaeological research project, the park has revealed artifacts and evidence of human occupation dating back over 6,000 years – long before the pyramids of Egypt were built. The stories being uncovered and the continuing to be told today at Wanuskewin are a testament to the resilience and legacy of the Plains First Nations.
Dr. Ernie Walker and the Archaeological Legacy
Dr. Ernie Walker digs Wanuskewin Heritage Park – in more than one way.
Walker is a professor of archaeology and anthropology at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon. Since 1982, he has been leading excavations at the Opimihaw Creek valley location within Wanuskewin’s boundaries. It’s the longest continuously operating archaeological research project in Canadian history. His work has uncovered evidence of human occupation dating back 6,400 years, along with traces of every cultural group that existed on the Northern Plains.
He was one of the founders of Wanuskewin Heritage Park, which opened in 1992, and is a driving force behind an ambitious renewal plan that includes the reintroduction of 50 head of bison to the property. His vision and dedication have brought the park closer to its goal of gaining recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Road to UNESCO
Wanuskewin means “living in harmony” – appropriate for an area that has been a gathering place for thousands of years. Today, Wanuskewin Heritage Park continues to bridge cultures and shed light on the past, while nurturing creativity, healing and a shared vision for the future. As Dr. Ernie Walker and the team at Wanuskewin work toward UNESCO World Heritage Site recognition, they invite all Canadians and global visitors to join in preserving and celebrating the heritage of the Northern Plains.
Plan your visit to Wanuskewin Heritage Park today and become part of its epic Canadian story.
