Special Events and Programs Planned for the Summer at Wanuskewin Heritage Park
By Ryan Moccasin for Indigenous Times Newspaper
A new season of cultural programs and events is just around the corner for Wanuskewin Heritage Park. The park has been in operation for 20 years and the staff is currently preparing for the busy summer months ahead of them. A very long time ago it was a different group of people emerging from the long winter months. That group of people was the Plains Cree, and they lived and hunted around Opimihaw Valley, which is now the site where Wanuskewin Heritage Park offers visitors a glimpse into the past.
“This summer marks our 20th year in operation, so there will be a number of wonderful celebrations to mark the occasion. Right now we are planning events for National Aboriginal Day, which is on June 21st,” said Cheryl Hoftyzer, a Senior Interpretive Guide at Wanuskewin Heritage Park.
Last year the park offered a wide selection of programs and events for the visitors during the summer months. The staff accommodated many groups from around the country, and they are expecting many more this year. The daily activities will include a guided trail walk, dance performance, and a cultural education program.
“Beginning on May 24th the park will have extended hours from 9am to 6pm daily. We are also gearing for having more interpreters available throughout the summer so we can accommodate the increasing number of visitors,” said Cheryl.
Summer is a very busy season for the tourism industry in Saskatchewan, and Wanuskewin will be prepared by hiring more staff to keep up with demand. The staff assist in interpreting and presenting programs for the visitors, which include the Bannock Bake, Tipi Teachings, First Nations Technology, and even the chance to sleep in a tipi for a night. The market that Wanuskewin focuses on is primarily tourists, general visitors, school groups, seniors, meeting room patrons and conference groups.
“Visitors can stay up to date on Wanuskewin by visiting our website, or checking out our Facebook page and following us on Twitter. Also, give us a call before you plan your visit and we will provide details of the events for the week,” said Cheryl. Wanuskewin Heritage Park is open every day of the week and can be reached at (306) 931-6767.
No comments:
Post a Comment