With guided and self-guided tour options available, choose how you experience the landscape, spirit, and history of Wanuskewin.
Guided Tours
Learn from one of our experienced interpreters on a guided tour. Perfect for school groups, businesses, families, and more, our tours provide an immersive opportunity to interact with Northern Plains Indigenous culture. With four core programs available year round, we rotate through seasonal program offerings in the fall and winter (September to March) and the spring and summer (April to August) for a variety of tours throughout the year.
What does a guided tour include?
- Admission to the site for the group
- Up to two hours of programming (extra programs can be added at an additional cost)
- Access to the Visitor Centre’s Exhibits, Galleries, and Gift Shop
- Access to our 7 km trail system, playground, and Bison Viewing Platform
- Access to seasonal offerings (e.g., snowshoes in winter)
- Daily Dance Presentations (available May to September long weekend)
Self-guided Visits
Explore Wanuskewin at your own pace. Wander through our Visitor Centre’s exhibits, take in an Indigenous art exhibition in our two galleries, or walk along our 7 km trail system in the opimihāw Valley.
What does a self-guided visit include?
- Admission to the site for the group
- Access to the Visitor Centre’s Exhibits, Galleries, and Gift Shop
- Access to our 7 km trail system, playground, and Bison Viewing Platform
- Access to seasonal offerings (e.g., snowshoes in winter)
- Daily Dance Presentations (available May 1st to September long weekend)
Guided tours and self-guided visits must be booked at least two weeks in advance. Complete the form below to secure your spot.
Year Round Programs
Tipi Teachings
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.
Curriculum Connections
This program is predominantly focused on the Social Studies and Health Education curriculums to give students a holistic view of Plains Cree health, wellbeing, and culture.
Curriculum Connections
Traditional Games
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.
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
Exhibits Tour
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.
Dance Presentation
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.
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.
Curriculum Connections
This program predominantly focuses on the Arts Education, English Language Arts, and Dance curriculums, sharing Indigenous dance styles and their meanings, origin, and ceremony.
Curriculum Connections
Fall and Winter Programs
(September to March)
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
Art Tour
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.
This program may be suspended at any time due to gallery closures; subject to guide availability.
Curriculum Connections
This tour predominantly focuses on the Arts Education and English Language Arts curriculums, exposing students to artworks created by Indigenous artists and exploring patterns, themes, and the historical and personal contexts the artworks were created in.
Curriculum Connections
Voyageur Games
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.
Please note that this program is only done when there is snow on the ground.
Puppet Tales
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.
Please note that this program only runs while there is snow on the ground.
wâhkôhtowin: Bison Kinship
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.
This is a 2-hour specialty program; ensure participants bring proper clothing for the weather, good walking shoes, water, sunscreen, etc.
Curriculum Connections
This program predominantly focuses on the Social Studies curriculum to provide a holistic overview of the relationship between bison and both the Northern Plains Indigenous peoples and the Great Plains themselves.
Curriculum Connections
Spring and Summer Programs
(April to August)
Bison Walk
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.
Can be modified for indoors for weather or accessibility.
Curriculum Connections
This program predominantly focuses on the Social Studies curriculum to provide a holistic overview of the relationship between bison and both the Northern Plains Indigenous peoples and the Great Plains themselves.
Curriculum Connections
Native Plant Walk
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.
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.
Curriculum Connections
This program, created in partnerships with Elders, predominantly focuses on the Social Studies curriculum to teach students about environmental stewardship, conservation, and the connections between Indigenous peoples and the land.
Curriculum Connections
Archaeology Walk
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.
Subject to guide availability.
Curriculum Connections
This program predominantly focuses on Social Studies and Science curriculums to show how archaeologists use both the scientific method and oral history to piece together the past.
Curriculum Connections
Bannock Bake
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.
This program has an additional material charge of $4.50 per person. May be suspended at any time in accordance with fire bans or poor weather.
opimihāw Walk
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.
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.
Curriculum Connections
This program predominantly focuses on the Social Studies and Science curriculums to provide a holistic overview of Indigenous peoples’ relationship to the land, the history and archaeological record of the opimihāw Valley, and how Northern Plains Indigenous peoples lived at Wanuskewin in the past.
Curriculum Connections
Tour Pricing
| Student | Regular (Pre-K to Grade 12) | Up to 30 people | $200 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small (Pre-K to Grade 12) | Up to 12 people | $125 | |
| Post-secondary | Regular | Up to 30 people | $250 |
| Small | Up to 12 people | $175 | |
| Adult/Corporate | Regular | Up to 30 people | $275 |
| Small | Up to 12 people | $175 | |
| Extra Program (45-60 min) | Per group | n/a | $75 |
| All ages | 1 Outreach Session | Up to 30 people | $125 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Extra Session | Up to 4 additional sessions per day | $75 | |
| Outreach Dance Presentation | Variable | Variable | |
| Mileage | Based on travel distance | Variable |
Outreach and Virtual Programming
We offer a selection of our programs as in-person outreach and have virtual programming available on request. Please note that virtual programming and in-person outreach is not available in May or June.
What does outreach include?
- One 45-60 minute session
- Up to four sessions can be booked in one day
- Programs can be done in your classroom, gym, library, outside, etc.
- Drop-in tables/booths can also be booked for your festival or event
What does a virtual program include?
- Specialty programming available on request
- A live program with one of our guides, knowledge keepers, or dancers
- Video conferencing platform of your choice
- Pricing depends on type of programming requested
Outreach and virtual programming must be booked at least two weeks in advance. Complete the form below to secure your spot.
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 Traditional Games
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.
Voyageur Games
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.
Please note that this program is only done when there is snow on the ground.
Puppet Tales
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.
Please note that this program only runs while there is snow on the ground.
Dance Presentation Outreach
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.
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.
