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Teacher’s Resources

Let us plan a whole day of interesting, educational and fun programming for your students. Give your students an unforgettable experience by taking advantage of our unique expertise, resources, and dramatic settings. Whether your class is walking our beautiful valley, handling actual artefacts, or enjoying a traditional demonstration, we offer a safe, stress-free environment that can enhance your lesson plans.

Our programs are now linked to the renewed Saskatchewan Curriculum. Spending time with our knowledgeable interpretive staff at Wanuskewin Heritage Park is an excellent opportunity for students and staff to engage in learning about Northern Plains Indigenous cultures and history. Teachers can now check out how our programs connect to and support the goals and outcomes of the renewed Saskatchewan Curriculum. Please download our teacher planning guide or check out our detailed Curriculum Connections below to see how a visit to Wanuskewin Heritage Park can enhance and support your lesson plans.

Download our Teacher’s Planning Guide!

Programs and Curriculum Connections

Please click on the subject and grade to discover how each program connects to the renewed Saskatchewan Curriculum. If you have questions regarding our programs, modules or crafts , or if you would like more detailed programming information before you visit , please give us a call or email. We also have the ability to customize and create programs/services to meet your specific needs and interests.

Programs

Mānokawēwin       Tipi Raising

Enjoy one of Wanuskewin’s most popular programs! Learn how Cree people set up their homes and the values that are associated with each part of the tipi. Explore the values that were passed down to the children as they helped set-up the tipi. Come and try it yourself!

All Ages Time: 45 minutes

Curriculum Connections

• Grade 3 (ELA, Social Studies and Science)
• Grade 4 (ELA and Social Studies)
• Grade 7 (ELA, Arts Education, Science and Social Studies)
• Grade 8 (Social Studies, and ELA)

Macīwin       Bison Hunt

Over 200 years ago Bison roamed the prairies by the millions and were the single most important animal to First Nations peoples on the Great Plains. Students will experience the thrill and skill that accompanied a hunt when they get to try their hand at using the atlatl (a spear thrower) and the bow and arrow.

Grades 3-8 Time: 45 minutes

Curriculum Connections

• Grade 3 (Social Studies, ELA, Health Education, and Science)
• Grade 4 (Social Studies, Health Education, and Science) 
• Grade 7 (Social Studies, Science and ELA) 
• Grade 8 (Social Studies, ELA and Health Education) 

Paskwā-Mostōs       Bison Kitchen

Millions of bison once roamed the central and northern Plains and First Nation peoples depended upon them for survival. Learn about the bison, its place in the centre of Plains Cultures, and how it was processed for food. See how every part of the animal was used to provide food, tools, shelter, weapons, toys and even glue.

Grade 2 and up Time: 1 hour

Curriculum Connections

• Grade 3 (ELA, Health Education, and Social Studies) 
• Grade 4 (Social Studies)
• Grade 7 (Social Studies, Science, Health and Arts Education) 
• Grade 8 (Social Studies, and Health Education) 

Kihci-asotamātowin       Sacred Promises (Treaties)

This program is designed to complement the existing material in the subject areas of Social Studies, Native Studies and History. They were written to show both First Nations and European perspectives about the treaty relationship. The program provides general and endeavors to provide more detailed and specific information. Information on treaty topics range from the pre-contact history of First Nations people, first contact issues, the relevance of the past to the contemporary situation and what is happening within the treaty relationship presently.
Grades 6 to 12 Time: 1 hour Currently Under Development

Īpinihtawahkak       Bison Jump: A Statue Interpretation

At Wanuskewin there are two buffalo jumps that were used regularly over two hundred years ago. This program introduces participants to the process that First Nations people used on the prairie to bring the bison over the jump. The statues in the front of the building will be used as visual aids.

Grades 2-Adult Time: 30 minutes

Curriculum Connections

• Grade 3 (ELA and Arts Education)  
• Grade 4 (Social Studies, and Science) 
• Grade 7 (Social Studies, Science, Arts Education)  
• Grade 8 (Social Studies, ELA, Arts Education)  

 Bow Drill

Learn how First Nation peoples started fire with just wood and how they drilled holes without a power drill. Practice the basics of how to start a fire without matches while learning how friction, heat and machines made from local resources were used by Northern Plains peoples.

Grade 3 -12 Time: 45 Minutes

Curriculum Connections

• Grade 3 (Social Studies)  
• Grade 4 (Social Studies) 
• Grade 7 (Social studies and Science)
• Grade 8 (ELA and Health)  

Mētawēwina       Traditional Games

Traditional games provided the teachings and skill development required for survival on the Northern Plains. Traditional hunter-gatherer lifestyles were an incredibly demanding one requiring superb levels of physical fitness. Come play and learn how games played an important role in educating the young by cultivating physical skills and encouraging social development.

Grades 1-12 Time: 1 hour

Curriculum Connections

• Grade 3 (Social Studies) 
• Grade 4 (Health)
• Grade 8 (Social Studies)

Wāskamisiwin       Cultural Awareness Program (NEW!!!)

Learn about First Nations peoples and cultures through storytelling, puppetry, dancing and hands-on activities. Students will learn Cree words and their meanings. This program discusses Northern Plains First Nation worldviews and how they interacted with their environment.

Kindergarten to Grade 4 Time: 1 hour

Curriculum Connections

• Grade 3 (ELA, Health and Social Studies)
• Grade 4 (Science and Social Studies) 

Pwātisimo       Pow Wow Program

Do you know what a Pow Wow is? Ever wonder about the meaning behind the regalia and different kinds of Traditional Dance? Learn all about Traditional Dance, its history, meaning, then and now.

Currently Under Development

First Nations Technology

When viewed through the eyes of western science it is too easy to dismiss Plains First Nations Technology as primitive or unsophisticated, however this is not the case. This 2-part program first illustrates the different approaches between western and indigenous scientific science and how Plains peoples applied technology to solve everyday problems. Students will then learn about the science behind glue, cord making, hide tanning and more. Students will try their hand using a bow drill to start a fire.

Grade 3 to adult Time 45 Minutes

Curriculum Connections

• Grade 3 (Social Studies) 
• Grade 4 (Social Studies) 
• Grade 7 (Social Studies, Science and Arts Education) 
• Grade 8 (ELA and Health) 

Pimohtēskanan       Guided Walks

Kimaskikinawaw       Medicine Walk

Imagine having all the medicine you need just outside your tipi door! This trail walk introduces participants to the medicines of First Nation peoples. From medication that gave relief to the common cold to bug repellant, Wanuskewin’s Opimihaw valley has it all.

All Ages Time: 45 minutes

Curriculum Connections

• Grade 3 (Social Studies, Health Education, Science and Social Studies)
• Grade 4 (Social Studies, Science, Health and ELA)
• Grade 7 (Social Studies, Science, and ELA)
• Grade 8 (Social Studies, Science, and ELA)

Kawi-ocihci       A Step Back in Time Walk

Take a step back in time and walk the same trails that First Nations people walked hundreds of years ago. Enjoy this interactive trail walk on the Path of the People with a seasoned interpretive guide and have fun learning about the history of Plains First Nation cultures, archeology and Wanuskewin.

All Ages Time: 45 minutes (shortened version) 1.5 hours (includes medicine wheel)

Curriculum Connections

• Grade 3 (Social Studies, ELA, Health Education and Science)  
• Grade 4 (Social Studies, ELA and Science) 
• Grade 7 (Social Studies, and ELA)  
• Grade 8 (Social Studies, Science and ELA) 

Modules

Modules are designed to provide more in-depth information, and as a result take longer to complete.

Archaeology

How can the artefacts people left behind tell us about the past? How do archaeologists collect artifacts? Wanuskewin invites visitors to experience the culture and science involved while working a simulated archeological dig. Learn about First Nations concerns and issues concerning archeology and the collection and storage of artifacts.

Grade 3-Adult Time: 1 ½ hours

Curriculum Connections

• Grade 3 (Social Studies, and Science)
• Grade 4 (Social Studies, and Science)
• Grade 7 (Social Studies, and Science)
• Grade 8 (Social Studies, and ELA)

Opimihaw Creek

Water has always played an important role in First Nations culture, and is considered one of the Four Elements of life. The Opimihaw Creek is a wonderful model to illustrate this and as we explore we will learn how the Creek created an environment that for Plains First Nations peoples to gather and live, and support a rich variety of life.

Grade 2-9 Time: 1 ½ hours Available from April-October 15

Curriculum Connections

• Grade 3 (Science)
• Grade 4 (Science)
• Grade 7 (Social Studies)
• Grade 8 (Science)

Crafts

Asiskīwiyīkanihkē       Pottery

This program is designed illustrate the history of pottery, and their creation and use by the Northern Plains peoples. Participants will learn how they were made, why they were made the way they were, and how they were used. The information will be presented informally while the students are making their pots.

Grade 2-12 Time: 1 hour                               Additional Materials Charge $3.00/person

Pawamitasoh       Dream Catcher

Experience one of the Gifts given to the Ojibway Tribe, adopted by many nations around the world. Learn the purpose and legend of the Dream Catcher while learning how to fashion its intriguing design. Take your very own design home as a gift for yourself or someone close to you.

Grade 3-Adult Time: 1 hour                                Additional Materials Charge $3.50/person

Mikiwap Pimahacīsowin       The Centre of Life Tipi Craft

A home is the centre of all life. Create an ornamental Tipi of willow and canvas, while learning the way of the Plains First Nations people’s home. Discover the Tipi’s history and its importance, how it was made and transported, and the contributions men and women made to create a healthy happy home.

Grade 2-12 Time: 1 hour                                         Additional Materials Charge $2.50/person

Pahkwēsikanihkē       Bannock Bake

Students will be amazed when they earn about the history of Bannock; its Scottish roots and its place in First Nations communities today. Finally, students will have a chance to try their hand at cooking bannock over a fire.

Grades 1-12 Time: 1 hour                                                        Additional Materials Charge $3.00/person

Hours of Operation:

Wanuskewin Heritage Park is open 7 days a week all year long.

Guided school programs can be booked between 9:00am to 4:00pm, Monday to Friday, from September to June. Please note that tour spaces in May and June fill up very quickly, so book early!

A 30-45 minute Traditional Indigenous Dance presentation is scheduled at 2:00 pm daily from Victoria Day until Labour Day.

Tour Package Rates:

Students (5 – 18 yrs): $3.50
Adults: $6.50
Seniors: $5.50
Adult Students (18 +) $5.50

*Tour Group Chaperones for school groups are free!

The Tour Package includes:

• Presentation ( 20 min)
• Access to all Trails, Exhibits, Galleries
• Plus, any 2 programs OR 1 Module
• Min of 12 required for Tour packages

Special tour package rates require pre-booking and a minimum of 12 or more people.

If you wish to book a tour please visit our Plan Your Visit page or email tours@wanuskewin.com for more information.

Visitor Services Manager
Cameron McRae
Tel: 306-931-6767 Ext: 244
Fax: 306-931-4522
Email: cameron.mcrae@wanuskewin.com