Wanuskewin Heritage Park

Located about 3 km / 2 mi north of Saskatoon the Wanuskewin Heritage Park - from the Cree word "Wanuskewin" meaning "living together in harmony" - aims to encourage a better understanding of the indigenous peoples who inhabited the region in earlier times.

The park, spread over land purchased in 1983 from the Meewasin Valley Authority (the body responsible for the river valleys around Saskatoon) is the site of some exciting archaeological discoveries, research into which has established that Plains Indians lived in the area at least 6000 to 7000 years ago.

Among the major archaeological finds is a "medicine wheel", estimated to be about 1500 years old, consisting of a central cairn enclosed in a ring marked by three smaller cairns. Other cairns have been found marking the trail along which buffalo were herded before being driven over a precipice to their deaths. The animals were butchered in the valley below, the meat being preserved and the hides, bones, etc. processed for making into clothing, tools and tepees.