Purple Quest - a bit more Saskatoon, surrounds and Wanuskewin

The University of Saskatchewan has a very pretty campus, and one of its hidden gems is an open-air sculpture garden.  Founded in 1993, pieces were designed by both local and international artists.  One of my favourite sculptures was an oversized concrete hand with curled fingers, so large you can crawl between them. The entire collection, overlooking the river, is quite impressive.

As I quickly learned, it's virtually impossible to walk in any area outside of an urban, developed area and not run into Saskatchewan's mascot...or to many who live there, Saskatchewan's pest...their gophers.

Approximately half an hour northwest of Saskatoon is a little village called Borden and the Borden Bridge, an abandoned arch bridge that spans across the North Saskatchewan River.  The bridge used to carry vehicular traffic but is now open to foot traffic only.

The Crooked Trees, or Crooked Bush, is a grove of deformed trembling aspen trees, widely known throughout Saskatchewan.  This small grove of trees is literally in the middle of a farmers field, and there are no others like them anywhere.  These trees, prominent in Saskatchewan folklore, are dramatically different from the un-twisted aspens just a few metres away.  Explanations have been suggested that include various paranormal factors however, scientific testing suggests that the cause is likely rooted in genetics.

Wanuskewin Heritage Park is a place of sharing of history and inspiration.  The word Wanuskewin comes from a Cree word meaning "seeking peace of mind" and "living in harmony".  People have been gathering at Wanuskewin for the past 6000-8000 years, to hunt bison, gather food and herbs, share their stories and celebrate life.  This was done through song, dance, storytelling and ceremony.

Amateur archaeologists found artifacts at Wanuskewin back in the 1930's and today, the excavation project at Wanuskewin is one of the longest continually running excavation projects in Canada.  Some of the artifacts found here date back more than 6000 years - long before the great pyramids of Egypt were built and the Roman Empire was created.  19 pre-contact sites represent summer and winter camps, bison kill sites, tipi rings, and the medicine wheel.  There are also 6 kms of walking trails which crisscross the Opimihaw Valley.

 Overlooking the South Saskatchewan River

 The steepest part of the embankment in the distance is the Opamihaw buffalo jump

 Though not steep enough here for a jump, buffalo would stampede into the small valley area here at the bottom, known as a buffalo pound.  Some of the buffalo would be wounded in the crush of bodies created because of the sheer numbers, others would be shot or speared by hunters who were waiting for them.

 This just felt like walking into a tunnel of silver

 With a commanding view of the river and surrounding prairie, this hilltop was a good summer campsite.  The ring of stones are the tent pegs of the past.  They once held down the sides of tipis.

Of the 70 or more medicine wheels found across the plains, no two are identical.  Some have single rings, others double.  Some have spokes numbering from three to twenty-eight.  Many mark star formations.

Standing at the top of Opimahaw buffalo jump, looking out towards the river.

Also at Wanuskewin I got to see a fantastic hoop dancer perform.  By the end he was dancing with 17 hoops.