Wanuskewin’s Trail of Discovery receives $500,000 donation
- EFN Staff | March 15, 2018
The Mosaic Company donated $500,000 to Wanuskewin Heritage Park’s Thundering Ahead Capital Campaign earlier this week.
Bruce Bodine, Senior Vice President-Potash was at Wanuskewin Heritage Park announced the donation on behalf of The Mosaic Company and their commitment to Wanuskewin’s campaign.
“Our company believes in supporting organizations and projects that matter to Saskatchewan,” said Bodine in a media release. “Wanuskewin Heritage Park is a living reminder of the Northern Plains Indigenous peoples’ sacred relationship with the land. By funding renewal of the trail system, we have the privilege of helping bring to life the tradition and stories of this sacred gathering place.”
The renewal campaign was launched last year with hopes to expand the land base to accommodate a small herd of Plains Bison, introduce exhibit galleries and improve educational offerings, expand the current facility to accommodate larger conferences and meeting groups. Renovations to the 25-year-old interpretive centre and apply for UNESCO World Heritage designation are also on the campaign’s agenda.
Last February, Wanuskewin launched the renewal plans for a $40-Million Capital Campaign to elevate the heritage site from the longest-running archaeological project in Canada to an international centre. In doing so, a promotion of excellence in education, preservation and interpretation of Indigenous art and culture will be implemented. The campaign aims to world heritage designation through UNESCO and to preserve the ecological island that is Opimihaw Valley. In addition, the Thundering Ahead Capital Campaign aims to protect the unique ecology and biodiversity of the land and to return the majestic bison to Wanuskewin’s plains.
“This donation from Mosaic represents the commitment of everyone in Saskatchewan to support Wanuskewin’s bold renewal,” said Wanuskewin’s Board Chair Candace Wasacase-Lafferty. “It is demonstrative of their commitment to enrich the diversity of the communities in which Mosaic has operations.”
Felix Thomas, Chair of the First Nations Power Authority, and Co-Chair of the Thundering Ahead Capital Campaign along with Wayne Brownlee, Executive Vice President and CFO of Nutrien have been going across the country sharing the story of Wanuskewin for the past two years asking for support. Support they found right here in Saskatchewan.
“I’d like to thank Mosaic for their leadership, their commitment to supporting the local community and their generosity,” they stated in the release. “We are grateful to be the recipient of this gift.”
Chief Executive Officer of Federated Co-operatives Limited and Wanuskewin Board Member Scott Banda said Wanuskewin was founded on the basis of many people working together to do something special for the Indigenous community.
“Mosaic’s funding represents a significant step toward a renewed vision for this remarkable place,” he said.
Wanuskewin Heritage Park is located five kilometers north of Saskatoon and was placed on Canada’s Tentative List for World Heritage Sites.