Which site was the heritage designation of Wanuskewin Heritage Park before Jan 1981?
Wanuskewin Heritage Park Wanuskewin Heritage Park is a non-profit cultural and historical centre of the First Nations . ( In the Cree language : ᐋᐧᓇᐢᑫᐃᐧᐣ / wânaskêwin means , being at peace with oneself. ) The site is a National Historic Site of Canada due to the importance of its archaeological resources representing nearly 6000 years of the history of the Northern Plains peoples . In 2016 , it was announced that Wanuskewin intends to seek UNESCO World Heritage designation , which would make it the first World Heritage Site in Saskatchewan . Background . The Saskatchewan Wanuskewin Indian Heritage Incorporated ( WIHI ) organization was established to present the interests of regional First Nations in planning the park . The Wanuskewin Heritage Park Authority ( WHPA ) is in turn a 12 member organization responsible for the operation of the park . The WHPA board has representation from the first nations community , Government of Canada , Province of Saskatchewan , City of Saskatoon , University of Saskatchewan and Meewasin Valley Authority and the Friends of Wanuskewin . For more than 6,000 years people have gathered at this place . The migratory nations who roamed the Northern Plains came to hunt bison , gather food and herbs , and to find shelter from the winter winds . Some of the sites uncovered date back thousands of years . Wanuskewin is also the site of an arrangement of boulders called a medicine wheel , of which fewer than 100 remain on the northern plains . Wanuskewin Heritage Park is located near the west bank of the South Saskatchewan River , just three kilometers north of Saskatoon , Saskatchewan ( ) . Within its 240 hectares ( about 600 acres ) there are 19 sites that represent the active and historical society of Northern Plains Peoples composed of Cree , Assiniboine , Saulteaux , Atsina , Dakota , and Blackfoot . On site there are summer and winter camp sites , bison kill sites , tipi rings , and artifacts such as pottery fragments , plant seeds , projectile points , egg shells and animal bones , all within a compact area . Wanuskewin Heritage Park officially opened in June 1992 ; however scientific investigations in the area began in the early 1930s . Today , the University of Saskatchewan manages an archaeological research program at Wanuskewin with active archaeological digs . The Park was designated a Provincial Heritage Property in 1984 , the only such site in Saskatchewan featuring prehistoric artifacts . It was named a National Historic Site in 1986 . The following year Queen Elizabeth II unveiled a dedication plaque . In 2001 , Prince Charles , was named Pisimwa Kamiwohkitahpamikohk , or , “the sun looks at him in a good way” , by an elder in a ceremony at Wanuskewin . Wanuskewins mission is to operate , on a sustainable basis , a Heritage Park under the leadership and guidance of First Nations people that contributes to increasing public awareness , understanding and appreciation of the cultural legacy of the Northern Plains First Nations people . During the peak summer season about 40–45 people are employed at the park . The place serves as : - a tourist attraction , - human resource development agency - scientific , cultural and educational authority - Gathering place for present day spiritual uses such a Sweats , Pipe Ceremonies and more Wildlife . A herd of plains bison were reintroduced to this historic bison hunting ground for numerous Indigenous groups in December 2019 . Six calves were brought from Grasslands National Park and a bull and four pregnant cows from a ranch in South Dakota . The herd grew by one on 22 April 2021 when for the first time a calf was born on the territory since 1876 . External links . - Wanuskewin Heritage Park - Significance of Treaties Reaffirmed Through Historic Royal Visit ( 2001 ) - Award Winner Receives Royal Treatment ( 2003 )