Wanuskewin one step closer to achieving UNESCO world heritage designation
- EFN Staff | December 20, 2017
A heritage site in Saskatoon is the first site in the province to reach a significant milestone. Wanuskewin Heritage Park has been named to Canada’s Tentative List for UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
On December 20, 2017, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change and the Minister responsible for Park Canada, Catherine McKenna, made the announcement at the Ottawa Locks declaring eight new sites to be considered for the international honour.
“Indigenous nations from across the Great Plains recognize the significance of Wanuskewin as a sacred location. This is a gathering place. We come here for ceremonies, to understand our history and to connect with our ancestors,” said Candace Wasacase-Lafferty, Chair of Wanuskewin's Board of Directors in a media release. “Being named to Canada'’s Tentative List for World Heritage Sites reaffirms the importance of this place and the need to protect it for future generations.”
On February 26, 2016, Wanuskewin announced its formal intent to apply for UNESCO World Heritage designation through the Parks Canada Tentative List. On June 17, 2016, they revealed a team of exceptional community leaders who committed to help Wanuskewin realize its ambitious plan.
Saskatoon Mayor Charlie Clark said Wanuskewin has been a visionary contributor to the community since archaeological excavation which started in the early 1980s.
“Today’s announcement is an incredible accomplishment. The culmination of many years of hard work by an extraordinary group of leaders,” said Mayor Clark. “I congratulate the team at Wanuskewin on achieving this significant milestone in their journey to UNESCO World Heritage designation.”
The UNESCO World Heritage List represents some of humanity’s most outstanding achievements and nature’s most inspiring creations. Inscription on the World Heritage List is the highest recognition for a protected heritage area in the world. In order to be considered, a site must first be included on their country’s Tentative List. A public process to solicit applications was initiated by Parks Canada in 2016. Wanuskewin Heritage Park submitted their application in January 2017.
Recently, Wanuskewin launched an aggressive $40 million capital fundraising campaign and visionary renewal called Thundering Ahead. The team has nearly raised its project budget and renovations to the building will begin this winter. On August 31, 2016, the City of Saskatoon announced its support through the long-term lease of 375 acres of adjacent land to be home to Wanuskewin’s future bison herd. Thundering Ahead publicly launched on February 9, 2017.
“This renewal represents something significant for Wanuskewin,” said Wasacase-Lafferty, “Yes, it’s about offering a more robust visitor experience at World Heritage standards, but it’s also about the people who came before us. We acknowledge that the archaeological record of this site confirms occupation by Indigenous peoples for at least 6,400 years. Our future success lies in continuing to come together as a community in this space.”
Canada’s Tentative List was last updated in 2004. Canada has 18 sites on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. Wanuskewin Heritage Park is located five kilometers north of Saskatoon.