Program Options for Experiential Learning
Let us help you plan an interesting, educational, and fun programming experience for your students or tour group. Whether your group is walking through our beautiful Opimihaw Valley, handling artifacts, or learning a new life skill, we offer an experience that participants will remember for years to come!
2023 Bookings (In Person & Outreach & Virtual options available!)
*French programming is available on request for select programs based on guide availability*
INTERACTIVE PROGRAMS
Explore Indigenous ways of knowing through our hands-on learning programs. Students will have the opportunity to learn about Northern Plains Indigenous cultures through touch and experience.
Tipi Teachings
Description: The tipi is the perfect home for life on the plains. Join us as we share the Plains Cree style tipi teachings gifted to Wanuskewin by Elder Mary Lee, and the life lessons that go along with each of these fifteen poles. We hope that participants are able to gain a deeper understanding of the holistic nature of Plains Cree well-being and health, as well as social roles, worldview, and women’s teachings, through this hands-on program.
Duration: 45 minutes – 1 hour
Seasonal: All year
Indoors or Outdoors: Indoors
Ages: All ages
Best Complementary Programs: Step Back in Time Walk, Traditional Games, Exhibits Tour
Other Notes: n/a
Traditional Games
Description: In order to survive the challenging environment of the plains, children were taught survival skills in the form of games. Try your hand at playing some traditional games to practice your hunting, physical, and social skills during this interactive program. These games have been used as a teaching tool for thousands of years to share skills such as endurance, hand-eye coordination, and observation.
Duration: 45 minutes – 1 hour
Seasonal: All year
Indoors or Outdoors: Indoors or outdoors depending on the time of year
Ages: All ages
Best Complementary Programs: Tipi Teachings, Step Back in Time Walk, Northern Plains Technology
Other Notes: n/a
Northern Plains Technology
Description: Before modern conveniences, bison were a major source of food, tools, and shelter to Northern Plains Indigenous peoples. Join us for an interactive program that highlights Indigenous scientific knowledge, the evolution of hunting technologies, and the essential items that bison provided for day-to-day life.
Duration: 45 minutes – 1 hour
Seasonal: All year
Indoors or Outdoors: Indoors
Ages: Grade 4+
Best Complementary Programs: Bison Walk, Traditional Games, Native Plant Walk, Step Back in Time Walk, Archaeology Walk
Other Notes: n/a
Bannock Bake
Description: The Bannock Bake program gives participants the opportunity to try their hand at cooking bannock over a fire while they learn about the history of bannock, its Scottish roots, and its place in Indigenous communities today.
Duration: 45 minutes – 1 hour
Seasonal: All year, weather permitting
Indoors or Outdoors: Outdoors
Ages: Grade 4+
Best Complementary Programs: Native Plant Walk, Step Back in Time Walk, Northern Plains Technology
Other Notes: This program has an additional material charge of $4.50 per person. May be suspended at any time in accordance with fire bans.
Voyageur Games
Description: Learn about Métis culture through this winter relay race based on Voyageur Games. These games, still played today at Métis festivals and gatherings, were played to show off the competitors’ strength, endurance, and skills that were necessary to work the fur trade, instead of as a teaching tool like other traditional games.
Duration: 45 minutes – 1 hour
Seasonal: Winter only
Indoors or Outdoors: Outdoors
Ages: Grade 4+
Best Complementary Programs: Step Back in Time Walk, Northern Plains Technology
Other Notes: n/a
Puppet Tales
Description: This program for young learners includes a puppet show, interactive activities, and hands-on learning tools to introduce students to Indigenous storytelling. Students will explore Indigenous ways of knowing, the importance of the oral tradition, how Northern Plains animals survive the winter, and why storytelling is only done while there is snow on the ground.
Duration: 45 minutes – 1 hour
Seasonal: Winter only
Indoors or Outdoors: Indoors
Ages: Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 3
Best Complementary Programs: Tipi Teachings
Other Notes: This program only runs while there is snow on the ground.
*TOUR BOOKING REQUEST FORM*
GUIDED WALKS
Explore the beauty and diversity of the opimihāw Valley with one of our guides. Learn more about the relationship between Indigenous people and the land, and Wanuskewin’s archaeological efforts.
Step Back in Time Walk
Description: Get a glimpse of what daily life was like on the plains long ago during our Step Back in Time Walk. Participants will have a chance to walk the opimihāw Valley and see the land from the perspective of Northern Plains Indigenous peoples. With a focus on the bison jump method of hunting and tipis as an ideal home on the plains, participants can explore the interdependence between the people of the plains and the environment around them.
Duration: 45 minutes – 1 hour
Seasonal: All year, weather permitting
Indoors or Outdoors: Outdoors
Ages: All ages
Best Complementary Programs: Northern Plains Technology, Traditional Games, Exhibits Tour, Tipi Teachings
Other Notes: n/a
Bison Walk
Description: Learn about bison as a keystone species to the grassland ecosystem, and as a cultural keystone to Northern Plains Indigenous peoples. Explore one of the methods of bison hunting through the nēwo asinīyak Bison Jump. Participants will learn about the spiritual relationship between Northern Plains Indigenous peoples and bison, and how the Wanuskewin bison herd is revitalizing culture and the environment.
Duration: 45 minutes – 1 hour
Seasonal: All year, weather permitting
Indoors or Outdoors: Outdoors
Ages: All ages
Best Complementary Programs: Northern Plains Technology, Exhibits Tour
Other Notes: Can be modified for indoors for weather or accessibility.
Native Plant Walk
Description: Learn about the medicinal and edible plants in the opimihāw Valley that Indigenous peoples use for sustenance, shelter, and tools. This program emphasizes the relationship between Indigenous peoples and the land, our role as stewards of the ecosystems we live in, and past and present resource use and survival.
Duration: 45 minutes – 1 hour
Seasonal: May to October, weather permitting
Indoors or Outdoors: Outdoors
Ages: Grade 4+
Best Complementary Programs: Northern Plains Technology, Traditional Games
Other Notes: In accordance with our Trail Rules participants will not be allowed to harvest, gather, pick, or consume any plants, trees, or natural objects while on this program.
Archaeology Walk
Description: Join one of our guides to learn about the archaeological efforts made at Wanuskewin with information from artifacts and oral history. Participants will explore the Trail of Discovery, learn about the formation of the opimihāw Valley, the history and science behind archaeology, and see some former dig sites.
Duration: 45 minutes – 1 hour
Seasonal: May to October, weather permitting
Indoors or Outdoors: Outdoors
Ages: Grade 4+
Best Complementary Programs: Northern Plains Technology, Exhibits Tour, Bison Walk
Other Notes: Subject to guide availability.
*TOUR BOOKING REQUEST FORM*
INDOOR PROGRAMS
Take a guided tour of our Visitor Centre through our exhibit hall and art galleries.
Exhibits Tour
Description: A guided tour of our exhibit spaces and exploration time with our interactive displays. This tour features sections of the exhibits that touch on gifts from the land, language, clothing and regalia, archaeology, beading and trade, bison, and Treaty 6.
Duration: 45 minutes – 1 hour
Seasonal: All year
Indoors or Outdoors: Indoors
Ages: All ages
Best Complementary Programs: Bison Walk, Step Back in Time Walk, Tipi Teachings, Archaeology Walk
Other Notes: n/a
Art Tour
Description: From larger than life outdoor sculptures to tiny, intricate beading patterns, participants will learn about some of the key features that Indigenous artists use in their work. This tour takes you through time as you explore artwork from thousands of years ago—such as the Wanuskewin Petroglyphs—to the artists of today featured in our galleries. You can see our current exhibitions on our Art Exhibitions page: https://old.wanuskewin.com/visit/exhibitions/
Duration: 45 minutes – 1 hour
Seasonal: All year
Indoors or Outdoors: Indoors
Ages: Grade 4+
Best Complementary Programs: Northern Plains Technology
Other Notes: This program may be suspended at any time due to gallery closures; subject to guide availability.
*TOUR BOOKING REQUEST FORM*
SPECIALTY PROGRAMS
These programs provide students with an immersive experience over the course of two hours or give students the opportunity to learn from a dancer.
opimihāw Walk
Description: From across the northern plains, Indigenous peoples would travel to the opimihāw Valley to gather, hunt, and survive the winter. The opimihāw Walk is a two-hour specialty program that showcases the full opimihāw Valley throughout our trail system.
Duration: 2-hour specialty program
Seasonal: March to November, weather permitting
Indoors or Outdoors: Outdoors
Ages: All ages
Best Complementary Programs: n/a
Other Notes: This program is a 2-hour walk throughout the opimihāw Valley; ensure participants bring proper clothing for the weather, good walking shoes, water, sunscreen, etc.
wâhkôhtowin: Bison Kinship
Description: This program is a two-hour specialty program that explores the concept of wâhkôhtowin (Cree for kinship, or “all of my relations”) through the cultural, spiritual, and physical importance of bison to the Northern Plains Indigenous peoples, and the importance of bison to the plains as a keystone species. Part I focuses on the ecological importance of bison, and how the decimation of bison negatively impacted the environment and the Indigenous peoples who relied on them. Part II focuses on the history and the relationship between bison and Indigenous Peoples of the Northern Plains, the cultural and spiritual significance of bison, and the longstanding relationship between people and animals.
Duration: 2-hour specialty program
Seasonal: All year, weather permitting
Indoors or Outdoors: Outdoors or indoors
Ages: Grade 4+
Best Complementary Programs: Tipi Teachings, Exhibits Tour
Other Notes: This is a 2-hour specialty program; ensure participants bring proper clothing for the weather, good walking shoes, water, sunscreen, etc.
*click on the picture above for more information on the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation’s “Bison as Teachers” resource
Dance Presentation
Description: This program is an exploration of Indigenous dance styles as an art form and ceremony, a personal expression of the dancer’s culture and identity, and a way to share and preserve Indigenous culture. Join one of our dancers during our Public Dance Presentation or as a private booking as they share their story and their dance style.
Duration: 30 minutes – 45 minutes
Seasonal: All year based on dancer availability
Indoors or Outdoors: Indoors or outdoors depending on the time of year
Ages: All ages
Best Complementary Programs: n/a
Other Notes: Based on dancer availability. Please note that there is an additional charge for this program as a private booking to cover the honorarium paid to the dancer.
*TOUR BOOKING REQUEST FORM*
OUTREACH
We offer a selection of our programs as in-person outreach where one of our guides or dancers will come to your school or organization to do 1-4 sessions of programming. Please note that outreach is not available in May or June.
Traditional Games Outreach
Description: In order to survive the challenging environment of the plains, children were taught survival skills in the form of games. Try your hand at playing some traditional games to practice your hunting, physical, and social skills during this interactive program. These games have been used as a teaching tool for thousands of years to share skills such as endurance, hand-eye coordination, and observation.
Duration: 45 minutes – 1 hour
Seasonal: Not available in May or June
Indoors or Outdoors: Indoors or outdoors depending on the time of year
Ages: All ages
Other Notes: This program needs a minimum of 30 ft2 of space. This program can be booked as a one hour session for a group, or as a drop-in table/booth for events, festivals, games, etc.
Northern Plains Technology Outreach
Description: Before modern conveniences, bison were a major source of food, tools, and shelter to Northern Plains Indigenous peoples. Join us for an interactive program that highlights Indigenous scientific knowledge, the evolution of hunting technologies, and the essential items that bison provided for day-to-day life.
Duration: 45 minutes – 1 hour
Seasonal: Not available in May or June
Indoors or Outdoors: Indoors
Ages: Grade 4+
Other Notes: The guide will need access to a 6’ or 8’ table. This program can be booked as a one hour session for a group, or as a drop-in table/booth for events, festivals, games, etc.
Voyageur Games
Description: Learn about Métis culture through this winter relay race based on Voyageur Games. These games, still played today at Métis festivals and gatherings, were played to show off the competitors’ strength, endurance, and skills that were necessary to work the fur trade, instead of as a teaching tool like other traditional games.
Duration: 45 minutes – 1 hour
Seasonal: Winter only
Indoors or Outdoors: Outdoors
Ages: Grade 4+
Best Complementary Programs: Step Back in Time Walk, Northern Plains Technology
Other Notes: n/a
Puppet Tales
Description: This program for young learners includes a puppet show, interactive activities, and hands-on learning tools to introduce students to Indigenous storytelling. Students will explore Indigenous ways of knowing, the importance of the oral tradition, how Northern Plains animals survive the winter, and why storytelling is only done while there is snow on the ground.
Duration: 45 minutes – 1 hour
Seasonal: Winter only
Indoors or Outdoors: Indoors
Ages: Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 3
Best Complementary Programs: Tipi Teachings
Other Notes: This program only runs while there is snow on the ground.
Dance Presentation Outreach
Description: This program is an exploration of Indigenous dance styles as an art form and ceremony, a personal expression of the dancer’s culture and identity, and a way to share and preserve Indigenous culture. Join one of our dancers as they share their story and their dance by booking an outreach session as a full-length program or as a performance.
Duration: 15 minutes – 1 hour
Seasonal: All year based on dancer availability
Indoors or Outdoors: Indoors or outdoors depending on the time of year
Ages: All ages
Other Notes: Based on dancer availability (dancers are most unavailable during powwow season). We have a strict no alcohol policy during the Dance Presentation due to the nature of this program, the dancer’s regalia, and sacred objects; there can be no selling of alcohol or open liquor during the Dance Presentation.
Drop-in Sessions
Description: Book a drop-in outreach session of Traditional Games, Northern Plains Technology, or a combination of both. Our guides can set up a Traditional Games and/or Northern Plains Technology table at events or festivals for the general public to participate in hands-on learning and chat with our knowledgeable interpretive guides.
Duration: 1 hour – 4 hours
Seasonal: All year
Indoors or Outdoors: Indoors or outdoors depending on the time of year
Ages: All ages
Other Notes: n/a
*TOUR BOOKING REQUEST FORM*
VIRTUAL PROGRAMMING
We offer two live virtual programs that can be presented over the video conferencing platform of your choice. Please note that virtual programming is not available in May or June.
Northern Plains Technology Talk
Description: Before modern conveniences, bison were a major source of food, tools, and shelter to Northern Plains Indigenous peoples. Join us for a virtual program that highlights Indigenous scientific knowledge, the evolution of hunting technologies, and the essential items that bison provided for day-to-day life.
Duration: 45 minutes – 1 hour
Seasonal: Not available in May or June
Platform: Any video conferencing platform
Ages: Grade 4+
Other Notes: n/a
Virtual Dance Presentation
Description: This program is an exploration of Indigenous dance styles as an art form and ceremony, a personal expression of the dancer’s culture and identity, and a way to share and preserve Indigenous culture. Join one of our dancers as they share their story and their dance by booking a virtual program as a full-length program or as a performance.
Duration: 30 minutes – 1 hour
Seasonal: Not available in May or June
Platform: Any video conferencing platform
Ages: All ages
Other Notes: Based on dancer availability (dancers are most unavailable during powwow season).
*TOUR BOOKING REQUEST FORM*
Virtual Field Trip/Outreach Program pricing:
- 1 program – $125.00
- 2 programs – $200.00
- 3 programs – $275.00
- 4 programs – $350.00
- 1 Dancer – $200.00 per program
- Outreach – Travel time fee depends on distance the guide(s) will have to travel
To book your tour, submit a tour booking request below or email [email protected] for more information! May and June is our busiest season and spots fill up fast, so book as early as possible.
*TOUR BOOKING REQUEST FORM*
