Great Uncle Saskatchewan (born 1401)

Great Uncle Saskatchewan (born 1401) is an English womble who currently resides at the Derbyshire Burrow, where he serves as a burrow elder. Saskatchewan was born at the Derbyshire Burrow in 1401 and travelled to Canada at the age of twelve in 1413. Whilst in Canada, Saskatchewan visited the Alberta Burrow, where he befriended two fellow young wombles, Montreal (born 1396) and Ottawa (born 1398). During his time in Canada, Saskatchewan was affected by the 1413 Alberta Avalanche, which caused him, Montreal and Ottawa to be buried in deep snow. As they were wombles, Saskatchewan, Montreal and Ottawa were naturally adept at digging and were thus able to dig their out of the snow. When they emerged, they were in a deep ditch, which they were also able to climb escape from. After climbing out of the ditch, Saskatchewan, Montreal and Ottawa were disoriented and unable to find their burrow in the snowstorm, so they built a shelter to protect them from the cold. The shelter was a simple igloo and was inexpertly constructed, but was sufficient to protect them from the cold. Saskatchewan, Montreal and Ottawa spent the night in their igloo and returned to the Alberta Burrow the following day. They were able to return home, as the snowstorm had cleared and visibility had improved, so they could see landmarks which they knew were located near to the Alberta Burrow. When they returned to their burrow, the other wombles were very pleased to see they had survived the avalanche and gave them warm food. Saskatchewan later reported that he found the experience “somewhat frightening” but not that alarming, as he was confident of his, Montreal and Ottawa’s abilities to survive the avalanche and navigate back to the Alberta Burrow. In 2022, Saskatchewan retold the story of his survival of the 1413 Alberta Avalanche to the Wimbledon Burrow Womhlegarten. The wombles of the Womblegarten, who were aged three to nine, were very interested in Saskatchewan‘s story and described it as “frightening”. 
Saskatchewan, due to his age, is a respected senior womble in the Derbyshire Burrow and the wider womble community. He is often asked for advice by younger wombles.