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West
Central Region From the quiet meander of the Battle, to the mighty forces of the South and North Saskatchewan, rivers form an important part of the landscape here. Crucial to the fur trade and the province’s early development, these moving waters and their shores provide some of Saskatchewan’s most beautiful scenery. Natural areas abound, including outdoor playgrounds like Jackfish Lake, bordered by Battlefords Provincial Park and other resort communities. Beaver Creek Conservation Area near Saskatoon has walking trails through prairie valley and river landscapes. Take a guided boat tour at Redberry Lake, where the Redberry Lake Biosphere Reserve carries out valuable work on American white pelicans and other wildlife. Near Manito Lake, go on guided horseback trips through a vast area of unspoiled prairie, hills and rugged lakeshores in the Great Manito Sand Hills. Nature lovers will also enjoy Blackstrap and Pike Lake provincial parks, or birdwatching on Luck Lake Heritage Marsh near the town of Lucky Lake, where Ducks Unlimited has designed a self-guided tour. Nearby Luck Lake is unique in that you follow a road right through the centre of the lake. These waters are an important stopping point for migrating shorebirds that feed here before continuing on their long journeys. It’s also a staging area for migrating waterfowl. Pronghorn antelope, white-tailed deer and other wildlife abound in the scenic Bear Hills near Harris, where guided tours are offered, or in the Eagle Hills near Wilkie. The Hanson Buck - the world’s largest white-tailed deer - was taken by a hunter near Biggar, in 1993. The small community of Biggar was also the home of Olympic curling gold medallist, the late Sandra Schmirler, whose achievements are honoured here in a park in her name. The West Central Region is also the land of Louis Riel, who led his Metis people in an armed uprising against the Canadian government in 1885. Batoche National Historic Site preserves the memory of Riel and his cause. An excellent interpretive centre uses an 18-projector audio-visual feature to trace the story of the Metis, who were mostly French speaking descendants of early European fur traders and Cree or Ojibwa Indians. A tour of the grounds brings you to the restored church of St. Antoine de Padoue and the rectory where bullet holes are still visible from the conflict. Walking trails lead to the grave of Gabriel Dumont, Riel’s military commander, and trenches dug by Major General Frederick Middleton’s men during the final assault. To the northwest, the fur trade post of Fort Pitt was the scene of a siege, when Chief Big Bear’s Cree forced the Mounted Police stationed at the post to flee down the North Saskatchewan River to Battleford. Now a provincial historic park, Fort Pitt provides interpretive information that sheds more light on its role as a trading post and on the events of the conflict. The Frenchman Butte Museum not only relates the story of 1885, but it provides insight into the fur trade, and has extensive displays on early pioneer life. Other museums and historic sites in many communities - like Harris’ museum, which incorporates a railway water tower - take you back even further, to bygone days when Plains Indians used stone tools, settlers lived in sod houses and blacksmiths pounded red-hot iron. St. Joseph’s Colony Shrine and Museum near Reward features a restored church filled with paintings by well-known religious artist, Berthold von Imhoff. The Seager Wheeler Historic Farm near Rosthern brings to life the story of the "World Wheat King," and interprets a century of change in prairie agriculture. For something unusual, take in the Great Wall of Saskatchewan, near Smiley, where local resident, Albert Johnson, built an enormous stone wall… well, just because. Several other museums and historic sites, such as those at Duck Lake, Battleford and Cut Knife, continue the story of the 1885 conflict, as well as portraying the larger story of the region’s fascinating past. Violence and tragedy characterize the stories told at Fort Battleford National Historic Site. Built as an outpost of Canadian law in the heart of the Cree nation, it was the centre of events in 1885 that changed the Cree way of life forever. Fort Carlton Provincial Historic Park relates the early days of the fur trade. Established in 1810, within 50 years it had become a diverse and busy centre for provisions and their distribution, as well as an important transportation and trading post. Saskatoon is the province’s largest city. The "bridge city" lies on both sides of the South Saskatchewan River, and much of the city’s scenic delights and a whole host of events can be enjoyed on the river or its banks. The beautiful University of Saskatchewan campus, numerous year-round festivals and the province’s largest concert and convention centre, Saskatchewan Place, add to the eclectic mix of activities. One of the province’s four Western Development Museums resides in Saskatoon and features a "1910 Boomtown." More than 30 buildings focus on different aspects of life in an early Saskatchewan town, and display a large collection of vintage vehicles and farm implements. To the northwest, the Battlefords are composed of the City of North Battleford and the town of Battleford, linked by the province’s longest bridge, which spans the North Saskatchewan River. The communities are at the heart of the area’s rich Aboriginal, European settlement, and law enforcement history. Not surprisingly, the North Battleford branch of the Western Development Museum features a heritage farm and village. Continue farther northwest, and you will come to Lloydminster, the only city in Canada that lies in two provinces, Saskatchewan and Alberta. Originally established by British colonists, this border city is now a modern-day centre for oil and agriculture. The Barr Colony Heritage Cultural Centre and the challenging Lloydminster Golf & Country Club are a couple of the local attractions. To really go back in time, head to Wanuskewin Heritage Park, where 6,000-year-old archaeological sites have been unearthed, and where you can also experience contemporary Plains Indian culture. Or visit Herschel, where Indian rock carvings and tipi rings speak of ancient mysteries. If you’re interested in unearthing artifacts and discovering more about Northern Plains culture, sign up for some of the many activities sponsored each summer by the Saskatchewan Archaeological Society. Multicultural heritage is also especially rich in this region. Indian, Metis and pioneer history is highlighted at the Duck Lake Regional Interpretive Centre. St. Isidore de Bellevue is famous for preserving its French culture, and at Le Rendez-Vous centre you can shop for locally made works of art such as wood carvings, and sample some excellent French cooking. Rosthern is known for its Mennonite history, while Blaine Lake is known for its Doukhobour heritage. Batoche continues to be a centre of Metis culture, and every summer, traditions come alive at Back to Batoche Days, with Metis dancers, fiddling and jigging contests and more. The arts are an important part of life in this area, as well. The Station Arts Centre at Rosthern stages plays with a rural theme. The Allen Sapp Gallery in North Battleford displays the work of the famous Cree artist for whom it’s named. The town of St. Walburg was once home to the most prolific religious painter the west has ever seen. The paintings of Count Berthold von Imhoff grace the former Roman Catholic Church there, which now houses the town’s museum. In Kindersley, a gallery located in a restored 1910 Legion Hall provides both historical items and artwork. The neighbouring restored church also houses original art by well-known artists. In Duck Lake, you’ll find the work of well-known Canadian artist, Glen Scrimshaw, at the gallery in his name. The community is, in fact, one great big art gallery, with enormous, colorful murals covering buildings throughout town. Events ranging from fishing derbies and country fairs, to sports days and rodeos with chuckwagons and chariot races add to the region’s strong heritage and culture. For something on the unusual side, check out the "bones" tournament in Macklin. Winter brings cross-country ski trails to explore, as well as the slopes of Twin Towers Downhill Ski Area near Stranraer, Blackstrap Ski Area just south of Saskatoon, or Table Mountain near the Battlefords. For more information, see the attractions and
events listings that follow, or contact the
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