Endless Skies, Endless Possibilities

Super-Sized Saskatchewan!

By Terri Mason

Saskatchewan is the definition of big sky country and like nowhere else cowboy and First Nations culture takes centre stage. This is the land of Sitting Bull, giants, outlaws, heritage ranches and mysterious effigies.

Horseback tours and cowboy adventures thrive in the south and central grasslands. Guest ranches offer everything from trail rides, to horse-drawn wagon treks and authentic ranch vacations. Attend a range of rodeos from professional and amateur rodeos to the rising ranch rodeos, bringing working cowboys together for fast-paced competition.

For over 6,000 years, First Nations people have gathered on the site now known as Wanuskewin Heritage Park. This national historic site and visitor center encompasses a medicine wheel, tipi rings and a buffalo pound. You can even enjoy overnight accommodation in an authentic tipi. Across Saskatchewan, powwows take place all summer, a swirling pageantry of some of the top dancers from Canada and the US.

In the pretty valley town of Willow Bunch, their museum showcases items belonging to Edouard Beaupre, the "Willow Bunch Giant" as well as the fascinating history of the great Sioux warrior, Sitting Bull.

Take a spin through the ice age on the Missouri-Coteau driving tour, a self-guided trip of "The Great Ice Age." The trip includes a glacial lake bed, two areas untouched by glaciation, bison "rubbing rocks," relics of the area's earliest inhabitants, a native stone effigy and a buffalo jump. There are also relics of outlaws deep in the south in the Big Muddy. Take a tour to landmark Castle Butte, visit Station #1 of Butch Cassidy’s Outlaw Trail, outlaw caves, the only known Indian buffalo effigy in Canada, turtle effigy, tipi rings and a ceremonial circle.

Really dig into the past at the T.Rex Discovery Centre at Eastend. The centre features a dinosaur gallery, theatre and educational interpretative area. While in Eastend, take in the Northhill Birds of Prey and experience exhilarating falconry displays and demonstrations. This is a rare opportunity for close up photography.

These are just a few of the thousands of Saskatchewan destinations.

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