Regina Attractions

Culture

A rich program of drama, music and dance (including performances by ethnic groups) and the presence of the Saskatchewan Center of Arts, testify to the city's long-established cultural tradition. The Regina Symphony Hall prides itself on being the home of Canada's oldest permanent symphony orchestra founded in 1908.

History

Regina's history can be traced back to a time when the locality was known as "Pile o'Bones" on account of the huge quantities of buffalo bones to be found here. It would seem that, in yet earlier days, native hunters drove these animals down to Wascana Creek for slaughter.

A settlement first grew up on the site with the building of the railway. When in 1882 the little township became capital of the Northwest Territories it was rechristened Regina in honor of Queen Victoria. Having been granted city status in 1903 just two years later it was pronounced capital of the newly created province of Saskatchewan.

Towards the end of the 19th c. Regina was the headquarters of the North West Mounted Police - later to become the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). In 1920 RCMP headquarters were moved to Ottawa but the RCMP Academy, the sole training center for the "Mounties", remains located in Regina. In the early 20th c. immigrants from all over the world flocked to Regina helping to transform the region into a highly productive wheat growing area.