A Gathering Place
It's a place of breathtaking serenity. Youwill find it tucked away in a corner of the Canadian Prairies. Just follow the broad sweep of the South Saskatchewan River six kilometres north of the city of Saskatoon. At the junction of the Opimihaw Creek is a valley with steep banks, lush meadows of grass and stands of willow.

This is the place where the cycle of life and death has been celebrated for more than 5,000 years by the Plains Native Canadians. The Cree called it Wanuskewin or "seeking peace of mind" and to this day it remains a mystical meeting place for the First Nations. It's also become a source of inspiration for the 150,000 people who visit this unique heritage park each year.

Just a stone's throw away, a team of archaeologists work painstakingly on the creek's river bed. It has already yielded ancient skeletons, artefacts and weapons, all perfectly preserved in layers of silt like a giant parfait.

This particular area was never farmed or developed by the white man when cattle ranching replaced buffalo hunting on the Prairies. The previous owner, perhaps sensing the uniqueness of this tranquil valley, left this part of his land unturned. Today, it remains in pristine condition and presents a priceless picture of the past. The park itself is small in area (only one square kilometre) but big in vision.

The First Nations who now operate the site have added their own interpretive programs. Exhibits of ancient aboriginal philosophy and culture exist side-by-side with 19 separate archaeological dig sites. Important finds like an 8,000-year-old spearhead or bones which have been radiocarbon-dated at about 5,300 years old are now on display.

But the big draw is always Wanuskewin's Medicine Wheel, situated on high land in the south-west corner of the park. The wheel is said to be approximately 1,500 years old. It has a cairn in the centre and an outer ring of lichen-encrusted limestone boulders.

Archaeologists believe it marks the spot where sacred ceremonies were once conducted. First Nations' elders believe it to be one of the most sacred sites of the Plains' tribes still intact.