We have brand new 2026 Tipi Sleepover experience packages!
A unique way to experience the wonders of the opimihāw Valley.
Over six thousand years ago, Wanuskewin echoed with the thundering hooves of bison and the voices of Indigenous peoples from across the Northern Plains.
Today, visitors can relive the stories of the peoples who came to hunt bison, gather food and medicines, and escape the winter winds. Walking in their footsteps, you will understand why this site has always been and continues to be a place of celebration, renewal, and deep spirituality.
Wanuskewin is pleased to offer our visitors an evening of guided programming, cultural connections, and overnight accommodation at our outdoor Tipi Village with 18′ Plains Cree style tipis.
2026 SEASON:
The 2026 Tipi Sleepover season will run from June 14 to September 20.
We are almost fully booked for Tipi Sleepovers in June! There are a few days still available, so book early to guarantee your spot.
General Information
NOTES:
- Because Wanuskewin is an Indigenous ceremonial and gathering place, there is a strict no drugs or alcohol policy in effect at all times.
- There are no shower facilities available on site.
- Tipi Sleepovers are one-night stays.
- As this is an evening experience that runs after our regular opening hours, if you will be arriving before 5:00 p.m. or staying on site after 9:30 a.m. the second day, please note that we have no space to store any gear, so you will have to keep all gear in your vehicle during regular business hours.
awâsis – a child
The Awâsis Package is an overnight experience aimed at school and youth groups to experience the history and culture of the opimihāw Valley after dark!
This package has a minimum charge of $1600 for up to 20 people; more participants and/or chaperones can be added at an additional per person fee up to 32 total people.
This package includes:
- A one-night stay at Wanuskewin
- Private access to the Tipi Village
- In the event of inclement weather, there will be space inside the Visitor Centre to spend the night
- Three programs: Tipi Walk, Step Back in Time Walk, and Northern Plains Technology
- An evening snack of hot chocolate and bannock that you will cook over the fire yourself
- Hot breakfast in the Restaurant in the morning
- A morning activity where small groups of participants can compete for a prize
Optional add-ons for this package includes:
- Supper of Bison Mac and Cheese, Herbed Bannock, Peach Muskeg Iced Tea, and Apple Slices with in-house Caramel Sauce
- Early arrival
- Late departure
- Extra program(s)
*Note that these add-ons have additional fees associated with them, which you can see under Pricing.
PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONS
Tipi Walk
Join an interpretive guide as they share the Plains Cree style tipi teachings that were gifted to Wanuskewin by Elder Mary Lee.
Join an interpretive guide as they share the Plains Cree style tipi teachings that were gifted to Wanuskewin by Elder Mary Lee. This program will start in the Visitor Centre’s permanent exhibits and end outside in our Tipi Village.
Step Back in Time Walk
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.
Curriculum Connections
This program predominantly focuses on the Social Studies curriculum and explores how Northern Plains Indigenous peoples lived on the Great Plains long ago, and how they relied on the bison and grasslands ecosystem.
Curriculum Connections
Northern Plains Technology
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.
Curriculum Connections
This program predominantly focuses on the Social Studies curriculum in relation to resources and resource use by Northern Plains Indigenous peoples, their relationship to the land, and how they maintained the landscape.
Curriculum Connections
Bannock Bake
The Bannock Bake program gives participants the opportunity to try their hand at cooking bannock over a fire.
Learn about the history of bannock, its Scottish roots, and its place in Indigenous communities today. This program has an additional material charge of $4.50 per person. It may be suspended at any time in accordance with fire bans or poor weather.
SCHEDULE
| 4:00 p.m. | Group arrives and guides orientate group to Wanuskewin |
| 4:15 p.m. | Tipi Walk and drop gear off in the Tipi Village |
| 5:00 p.m. | 45 minute break to set up gear and/or eat supper |
| 5:45 p.m. | Step Back in Time Walk |
| 6:30 p.m. | 30 minute break |
| 7:00 p.m. | Northern Plains Technology by the fire in the Tipi Village |
| 7:45 p.m. | Hot chocolate and Bannock Bake |
| 8:45 p.m. | Guides review night time rules |
| 9:00 p.m. | Guides depart; free time until sleep |
| 7:30 a.m. | Guide arrives on-site to wake up group; group can pack and clean up |
| 8:30 a.m. | Hot breakfast in the Restaurant |
| 9:30 a.m. | Exclusive Tipi Sleepover activity |
| 10:00 a.m. | Group departs |
PRICING
Standard Rates
| Minimum charge of 20 people | Groups with less than 20 people must still pay the minimum charge | $1600 |
| Additional participants | Per person | $60 |
| Additional chaperones | Per person | $40 |
Optional Add-ons
| Supper | Per person | $16 |
| Early arrival | For groups arriving before 3:30 p.m. on Day 1 | $100 |
| Late departure | For groups departing after 10:30 a.m. on Day 2 | $100 |
| Extra Program | Per program | $75 |
| Private Dance Presentation | This includes 1 dancer using pre-recorded music; subject to availability | $325 |
mâmawi – all together as a group
The Mâmawi Package is for all ages and types of groups. Whether you are a family looking to connect with the land and each other, or a non-profit organization wanting a cultural experience, our overnight Tipi Sleepovers are great for everyone!
This package has a minimum charge of $1250 for up to 6 people; more participants and/or chaperones can be added at an additional per person fee up to 32 total people.
This package includes:
- A one-night stay at Wanuskewin
- Private access to the Tipi Village
- In the event of inclement weather, there will be space inside the Visitor Centre to spend the night
- Supper of Bison Mac and Cheese with Herbed Bannock and Peach Muskeg Iced Tea, or Bison Stew with Bannock and Peach Muskeg Iced Tea
- Three programs: Tipi Walk, Step Back in Time Walk, and Northern Plains Technology
- An evening snack of specialty in-house Wanuskewin cookies
- Hot chocolate and bannock that you will cook over the fire yourself
- Hot breakfast in the Restaurant in the morning
Optional add-ons for this package includes:
- Wanuskewin has up to 20 sleeping bags and pillows your group can rent for the night
- Sleeping bags and pillows are subject to availability
- Early arrival
- Late departure
- Extra program(s)
*Note that these add-ons have additional fees associated with them, which you can see under Pricing.
PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONS
Tipi Walk
Join an interpretive guide as they share the Plains Cree style tipi teachings that were gifted to Wanuskewin by Elder Mary Lee.
Join an interpretive guide as they share the Plains Cree style tipi teachings that were gifted to Wanuskewin by Elder Mary Lee. This program will start in the Visitor Centre’s permanent exhibits and end outside in our Tipi Village.
Step Back in Time Walk
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.
Curriculum Connections
This program predominantly focuses on the Social Studies curriculum and explores how Northern Plains Indigenous peoples lived on the Great Plains long ago, and how they relied on the bison and grasslands ecosystem.
Curriculum Connections Northern Plains Technology
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.
Curriculum Connections
This program predominantly focuses on the Social Studies curriculum in relation to resources and resource use by Northern Plains Indigenous peoples, their relationship to the land, and how they maintained the landscape.
Curriculum Connections Bannock Bake
The Bannock Bake program gives participants the opportunity to try their hand at cooking bannock over a fire.
Learn about the history of bannock, its Scottish roots, and its place in Indigenous communities today. This program has an additional material charge of $4.50 per person. It may be suspended at any time in accordance with fire bans or poor weather.
SCHEDULE
| 4:00 p.m. | Group arrives and guides orientate group to Wanuskewin |
| 4:15 p.m. | Supper in the Restaurant of either Bison Mac and Cheese or Bison Stew |
| 5:00 p.m. | Tipi Walk and drop gear off in the Tipi Village |
| 6:00 p.m. | Step Back in Time Walk |
| 6:45 p.m. | 30 minute break |
| 7:15 p.m. | Northern Plains Technology by the fire in the Tipi Village |
| 8:00 p.m. | Hot chocolate and Bannock Bake |
| 8:45 p.m. | Guides review night time rules |
| 9:00 p.m. | Guides depart; free time until sleep |
| 7:30 a.m. | Guide arrives on-site to wake up group; group can pack and clean up |
| 8:30 a.m. | Hot breakfast in the Restaurant |
| 9:30 a.m. | Self-guided time to explore Exhibits and Galleries |
| 10:00 a.m. | Group departs |
PRICING
Standard Rates
| Minimum charge of 6 people | Groups with less than 6 people must still pay the minimum charge | $1250 |
| Additional participants | Per person | $85 |
Optional Add-ons
| Sleeping bag and pillow | Per person for up to 20 sleeping bags/pillows; subject to availability | $25 |
| Early arrival | For groups arriving before 3:30 p.m. on Day 1 | $100 |
| Late departure | For groups departing after 10:30 a.m. on Day 2 | $100 |
| Extra Program | Per program | $75 |
| Private Dance Presentation | This includes 1 dancer using pre-recorded music; subject to availability | $325 |
Frequently Asked Questions
- Bug spray
- Sunscreen
- Water bottle (there are water fountains and water bottle refilling stations on site)
- Hat
- Good walking shoes
- Flashlights (a few lanterns and flashlights will be provided)
- Proper clothing for the weather (e.g., sweater, rain coat, umbrella, boots, mittens, etc.)
- Personal effects (toothbrush, deodorant, etc.)
You can bring food or snacks to eat outside of programming. Please ensure that your participants clean up after themselves and throw all garbage away in the provided garbage cans outside and in the Visitor Centre.
All our tipis are weatherproofed and have wind control flaps that can be closed to keep the rain out. In the event of inclement weather (i.e., thunderstorms, poor air quality, heat warnings, etc.), your whole group or members of the group are welcome to sleep inside the Visitor Centre. Please note that if you have any minors in your group, at least one adult must be with them at all times.
The guides will show you the inside spaces that are available to sleep in the Visitor Centre when you arrive.
If you are planning to arrive before we close or stay after we open the next day, you are more than welcome to explore the trails and Visitor Centre; please note there is an early arrival and late departure fee. During the evening, there will be some opportunities to check out the exhibits and galleries while our guides switch programs. Once the guides leave for the night, we ask that you do not go out on the trails as it is a safety concern to walk the trails in the dark.
The two guides will stay with the group during the evening until the programming is concluded, and will then leave for the night. A commissionaire will be in the Visitor Centre overnight so that the group can access the building. One walkie-talkie will be left with the commissionaire and one walkie-talkie will be left with the group so you can contact them throughout the night if you need. A guide will be back in the morning to ensure your group is up in time for breakfast.
Yes, the Visitor Centre will be open all night for your group to access the bathrooms and water fountains as needed.
No, we do not allow fires to be set inside the tipis due to safety concerns. There is a fire pit in the Tipi Village outside the tipis that can be used as campfire.
No, all Tipi Sleepovers are private bookings so your group will be the only group staying in the Tipi Village.
In the event of a fire ban, we will change the Bannock Bake to a different program and provide baked bannock instead.
Tipi Sleepover Request Form
