First Nations heritage park for Battlefords region

The City of North Battleford entered into an economic partnership with local First Nations for the development of a world-class tourist attraction. The city will contribute two parcels of land north of Highway 16 for the Battlefords First Nations Cultural Pavilion and Heritage Park. The park will be the first of its kind in the world, showcasing the rich history, culture and traditions of the Cree, Lakota and Saulteaux First Nations. A future secondary attraction area will be located south of the Yellowhead Highway, extending all the way down to the historic Town of Battleford and Fort Battleford. Some of the features include activities and tours along the North Saskatchewan River, a number of interpretive trails, and “tipi-style” all-season cabin accommodations. The two attraction areas will be tied together with a pedestrian overpass bridge, designed with a unique bow and arrow aesthetic. This bridge is expected to become a defining landmark of the region. Aboriginal tourism is currently the fastest growing segment of the tourism sector in Canada and contributed an estimated $800 million to the national economy in 2010.