Photo courtesy of Expedia
Wanuskewin’s Thundering Ahead Capital Campaign got another boost on Tuesday, this time in the amount of $500,000 from Deloitte.
The Thundering Ahead Campaign is looking to raise $40 million dollars for park upgrades and expansion. According to Tara Janzen with Wanuskewin, they are almost two-thirds of the way to reaching their goal.
“This is a significant gift for Wanuskewin,” said Dr. Ernie Walker, who is a University of Saskatchewan archaeologist and volunteer for the Thundering Ahead Capital Campaign. “Deloitte’s gift will be recognized on the Circle of Harmony Trail, which begins in Opimihaw Valley and leads visitors to the Sunburn tipi rings and medicine wheel site.”
STC Chief Felix Thomas said in a prepared statement that the contribution will help the park to protect the stories and biodiversity of the site and said protection and conservation of its history is critical.
Walker says in tougher economic times, a lot of small businesses are stepping up to help out with donations and contributions. He says the board is starting to see a lot of individual donors, and it all adds up.
The fundraising campaign will support efforts to expand the land base to accommodate a small herd of plains bison, and expand the current facility to accommodate larger conferences and meeting groups.
On February 9, 2017, Wanuskewin launched plans for the $40 million capital campaign to fund a bold renewal based on four pillars:
1) To elevate Wanuskewin from the longest-running archaeological project in Canada to an international centre for excellence in education, preservation and interpretation of Indigenous art and culture
2) To aspire to World Heritage designation through UNESCO, building on Wanuskewin’s existing status as a national historic site
3) To preserve the ecological island that is Opimihaw Valley and protect the unique ecology and biodiversity of the land as Wanuskewin transitions into an iconic urban park
4) To return the majestic bison to Wanuskewin’s plains
There are also plans renovate the 25-year-old interpretive centre, and apply for UNESCO World Heritage designation. Walker says the board should hear back from UNESCO, but says it will still be a number of months if they find out that their submission is approved.
If successful, Wanuskewin would become just the 18th UNESCO site in Canada and first in Saskatchewan to receive the prestigious recognition.