Living off the waterways that ran through their territory, Aboriginals were the first inhabitants of the Canadian prairies until the arrival of Hudson’s Bay agent, Henry Kelsey and the establishment of the fur trade in 1690.
Vast settlement of the province followed the creation of the Canadian Pacific Railway in the early 1880s. Settlers tempted by the Canadian government’s offer of free land and promises of a prosperous fur trade flocked to the province. Immigration peaked in 1910 and in spite of the initial difficulties of frontier life, distance from towns, sod homes, and backbreaking labor, a prosperous agrarian society was established.
Today Saskatchewan is home to 13 cities and over one million people. Large populations of Aboriginal, European, Russian, Ukrainian, Polish, Scandinavian and British heritage inhabit the province and thrive on industries of agriculture, mining, manufacturing and tourism. Set to a backdrop of larger-than-life landscapes, down-to-earth people, and authentic cultural experiences, the province is comprised of six distinct regions: City of Regina, City of Saskatoon, Southeast Region, Southwest Region, East Central Region, West Central Region and the North.
City of Regina
Regina, the capital city of Saskatchewan, is a busy and prosperous metropolitan area that offers some of the best festivals and events in the province and offers miles of pedestrian pathways, recreation facilities, shopping centers and exhibition grounds. Home to the largest legislative buildings in the country and the world renowned Royal Canadian Mounted Police Training Academy and RCMP Heritage Center, Regina is recognized as one of the most affordable places to live, work and carry out business in North America. In the heart of the city, you will find Wascana Centre, a 2300 acre urban park and the site of a marina, bird watching venues, tennis courts, picnic and BBQ sites, the Saskatchewan Science Centre and Kramer IMAX Theatre, the Mackenzie Art Gallery and the Royal Saskatchewan Museum.
City of Saskatoon
Saskatchewan’s largest city, Saskatoon is one of the sunniest cities in Canada and offers an array of craft shops, galleries, attractions and festivals. A university town, the city is a four season destination. There’s golfing, fishing, boating, hiking, camping and plenty of beaches in which to spend a leisurely afternoon. Wanuskewin Heritage Park offers visitors the opportunity to learn more about the culture of the Northern Plains Indians with reenactments of native dances, pow wows and games.
The Southeast Region of the province offers a varied landscape of ancient valley lakes, unusual rock formations, and a high country plateau of dense forest. Wide vistas of southern grain belt stretch across the region and are complimented by the stunning Qu’Appelle Valley with its rugged hills and fluted folds. Moose Mountain Provincial Park stands out from the surrounding prairies with its aspen forests and rolling hills and plays hosts to many of the province’s largest pow wows, held regularly in recognition of the region’s aboriginal culture and heritage. Visitors to the region are treated to many historic attractions including a 1860s Hudson’s Bay Company post and the province’s very first Hungarian settlement.
The cowboy country comes alive in the Southwest Region, an area full of historic trails, windswept badlands, sweeping grain fields, breathtaking river valleys and pine-covered highlands. Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park, Saskatchewan Landing, Buffalo Pound, Danielson and Douglas Provincial Parks offer a choice of camping/RVing, beaches, hiking, bird watching and golf. Discover Saskatchewan’s forgotten history with a stop at the T-Rex Discovery Centre or visit Fort Walsh National Historic Site for a guided tour through the lawless whisky trade. Step into the Wild West with a visit to the Outlaw Caves, used by famous outlaws Sam Kelly and Butch Cassidy as hideouts in the 1800s.
The East Central Region showcases a Precambrian wilderness and rolling prairies full of natural beauty, exciting cities and fascinating communities. Full of culture and great hospitality, the region features world renowned healing waters, four provincial parks, eco-tourism, rodeos, pow wows, bird watching and backcountry hiking. Known as Saskatchewan’s natural playground, this region features Mother Nature at her grandest with plenty of parkland, farmland, wilderness highlands, forests and river valleys.
A visit to the West Central Region takes you back to a time of ancient tipi rings and medicine wheels when the fur trade was flourishing and historical treaties were being signed. Rich in Métis culture, the Region is home to the Wanuskewin Heritage Park, an interpretive center full of over 6,000 years of Plains Indian culture. The history of the North West Resistance of 1885 comes alive at the Batoche, Battleford, Fort Carlton and Fort Pitt Provincial Historic Sites. Guided horseback riding trips, bird watching, nature walks and more are favorite outdoor activities.
An accessible wilderness, the northern region of the province lures visitors with its natural beauty, rolling farms and ranchland, boreal forests, and lakes that stretch all the way to the Northwest Territories. The perfect starting point for any tour of the North is Prince Albert National Park. Anchored by a surrounding vacation resort that is home to outstanding golf course and top of the line resort amenities, the park is the perfect place to experience remote backcountry wilderness. Camping enthusiasts have pick of more than 900 campsites at Meadow Lake Provincial Park and fishing enthusiasts will find superb fishing at Lac La Ronge Provincial Park.
Every region of Saskatchewan offers a distinct experience in its landscape, culture, and history. No matter where you choose to go in this prairie province, your experience will be nothing less than spectacular.
Anna Black - Based in British Columbia, Canada, Anna Black has been a freelance writer since 2006. She is experienced in writing for a number of ...
