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South
East Region The broad Qu’Appelle Valley extends right across the region. Its rugged hills form the northern rim of the South East Region’s boundary, providing a stunning backdrop to natural areas like Echo Valley, Katepwa Point and Crooked Lake provincial parks. Rowan’s Ravine Provincial Park is located on Last Mountain Lake, which forms a good part of the Qu’Appelle Valley basin. The seven lakes of this valley, connected by the Qu’Appelle River, offer great fishing opportunities. A fish hatchery near Fort Qu’Appelle is unique in Saskatchewan, producing both cold and warm water fish species. It’s pleasant to drive or cycle through the valley as you follow the meandering Qu’Appelle River most of the way, past fertile crop and hay fields, grass-covered hills where cattle and horses graze, challenging golf courses that make the most of the hilly terrain, and lakeside resorts offering every amenity. Near Abernethy, the Motherwell Homestead National Historic Park provides insight into prairie pioneer life and the development of agriculture. W.R. Motherwell, in addition to creating a large and successful farming operation here, was a federal and provincial politician. Both in provincial politics and as Federal Minister of Agriculture, he worked to raise the profile of farmers and helped bring about substantial improvements in farming. The large homestead provides both a beautiful, rural escape and a fascinating learning experience for visitors. Moose Mountain Provincial Park rises from the surrounding prairies, an elevated plateau of aspen forest, rolling hills, lakes and ponds. Get as close to nature as you’d like, with a full range of camping, as well as cabins, deluxe resort hotels and condominiums. Kenosee and White Bear lakes and the nearby waterslides offer great summer recreation, as do the Kenosee and White Bear golf courses - a few of the best in the province, along with the Scottish links style course at Mainprize Regional Park near Midale. Southeast Saskatchewan boasts many beautiful courses. The region’s rich Aboriginal culture and heritage remain especially strong. Several of Saskatchewan’s top summer powwows are hosted here by First Nations, including the Treaty Four Gathering in Fort Qu’Appelle and the White Bear Powwow near Carlyle. The peoples of White Bear - composed of Cree, Sioux, Saulteaux and Assiniboine tribes - have worked together to offer a world-class vacation experience, complete with the Bear Claw Casino and Lodge, which includes a restaurant, lounge and gift shop. The historic attractions are as varied as the scenery, from an 1860s Hudson’s Bay Company post in Fort Qu’Appelle, and remnants of the fur trade at Last Mountain House, to the province’s first Hungarian settlement at Kaposvar, near Esterhazy, which is chronicled at an on-site museum. Right in Esterhazy, the local museum features a variety of antiques and artifacts from pioneer days. Near Manor, discover why a British captain with lofty ideas dreamed of transplanting the genteel lifestyle of Victorian England to Cannington Manor. At Old George’s Hidden Village, Antiques and Art in Whitewood, about 20,000 Canadian prairie artifacts fill many rooms, and thousands of items are on display in the 10-room antique and gift shop. The Broadview Museum has a sod and log house on display, and depicts pioneer, farm and local history. Abernethy’s Nature-Heritage Museum houses information about nature and animal folklore, as well as an art gallery and 1930s classroom. Arcola’s 1906 Town Hall, featuring a vaulted tin ceiling and corner bell tower, is a provincial heritage site and now houses the Who-Oops Saloon and Restaurant. The city of Weyburn is linked to a few famous
Canadian names. Noted auther W.O. Mitchell was born and raised
in Weyburn and immortalized it as "Crocus" in his
novels. The late T.C. "Tommy" Douglas, a political
leader and premier of Saskatchewan from 1944-61, lived in Weyburn
and served as the community’s Baptist minister before entering
politics. The Turner Curling Museum in Weyburn tells visitors
everything they want to know about this popular winter sport,
while the Soo-Line Historical Museum displays a huge silver
collection, willed to it by local farmer, Charles Wilson, upon
his death. Other attractions include the Signal Hill Arts Centre,
the Allie Griffin Art Gallery, a Heritage Village, a The southeast is known as a major energy-producing region, with rich deposits of oil and coal. Generating stations that supply most of the province’s electricity are also found here. The "power" centre of the region is the city of Estevan. Both the Boundary Dam and Shand power stations are found nearby. At the Shand Power Station, a greenhouse uses by-products of energy generation to produce thousands of tree seedlings. The Estevan Energy Tour provides visitors with a close look at the area’s energy industry. Estevan is also home to the arts. Each year, the Souris Valley Theatre in Estevan entertains audiences with two productions. The first starts its run in early July, and the second follows in the latter part of July and into early August. New productions play each year -- everything from comedy and mystery, to history and Broadway favorites. Indian Head is a centre for agriculture and horticulture, with a research farm where work is carried out on crops, seeds and soil. The town’s popular Craft-Tea Elevator houses a restaurant, art gallery and gift shop in a 1918 wooden grain elevator. The arts are everywhere. Exquisite pottery and authentic native handcrafts, including moccasins and leather garments, can be found in Fort Qu’Appelle. At Lumsden, about 60 artists and craftspeople live in the lovely valley setting. While in town, go on a self-guided tour of local galleries and studios. In addition to being the provincial capital, Regina boasts one of North America’s largest urban parks, the University of Regina and the only training academy of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. With its central location on the continent and world-class facilities, Regina plays host to many national and international events and conferences. For more detailed information on the city, see the Regina section starting on page 54 of this guide. The winter season brings plenty of opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors, from downhill skiing in the Qu’Appelle Valley to beautiful cross-country trails in Echo Valley and Moose Mountain Provincial Park, and maintained snowmobile trails. There’s something for everyone in southeast Saskatchewan, from the relaxing pace of a farm vacation to the urban attractions of Estevan, Weyburn or Regina, beach life, nature walks, trail rides, golf, skiing and scenic valley drives. For more information, see the attractions and
events listings that follow, or contact the South East Region
at:
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