Wanuskewin celebrations reach across the world

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Wanuskewin Heritage Park celebrated its 10th anniversary on July 11 by opening its doors to all local supporters, and to an audience of millions on the other side of the world.

The festivities, which included craft and cooking demonstrations, music and dance performances, and tours of the picturesque lands that Wanuskewin occupies, were noteworthy not only as a commemoration of 10 years of successful operation, but also because a Japanese television crew was on hand broadcasting the event back live to their home country.

"We're proud you've come here today as our studio audience to celebrate our anniversary with 30 million Japanese people, who are eating breakfast at the present time," announced Wanuskewin chairperson Sheila Gamble at the start of the late afternoon event. "We're really happy to have the opportunity to share this special place with the world."

Gamble's excitement was certainly understandable- Wanuskewin Heritage Park has always worked hard to promote itself as an international tourist destination, and the involvement of Japanese broadcasting company NHK meant that the park's natural splendour and historic significance were on display for countless potential foreign visitors.

Wanuskewin Heritage Park, located just north of Saskatoon, was established in 1992 to foster greater public awareness, understanding and appreciation of Aboriginal culture. The park currently attracts some 40,000 visitors annually, with roughly a quarter of that number representing international guests. Wanuskewin's stated goal is to increase the number to 54,000 for the 2003 operating year, and the massive exposure garnered by the live broadcast is a major step in meeting that goal, likely to attract a significant number of Japanese tourists.

NHK Broadcasting decided to attend the event after receiving a joint invitation from Wanuskewin and the City of Saskatoon, and though the organizers welcomed their participation, it did make for a long, hot afternoon for all attendees. Under blazing skies, with temperatures hovering in the mid-30's, the speakers and spectators were often made to sit quietly for long stretches, while the Japanese on-air hosts conducted interviews, the numerous camera crews roamed frantically from location to location, and the broadcast itself regularly paused for commercials and commentary from NHK's Japanese studio.

"What a thrill it is to be here today, and take part in this wonderful celebration," said Saskatoon Mayor James Madden, ignoring the sweat and weariness from hours spent in the blistering heat. "To have this heritage site here for the past 10 years has been tremendous for the area and the country. To see that the artifacts and history of the Northern Plains people has been preserved and rediscovered, it's wonderful."

"It brings me a great thrill, as a First Nations person, to be able to congratulate the staff on this anniversary," said Lester Lafond, president of the Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce, echoing the mayor's sentiments. "This place is a reflection of our culture, and the proud heritage that we have. The staff have successfully shown it to people throughout Canada and the world, and I congratulate them for doing so."

Given the decidedly Japanese flavor of the festivities, though, it was appropriate that the most eloquent speech of the day was given by Pompe Ishii, an Ainu Elder from Hokkaido. The Ainu are Japan's Indigenous people, who like Canada's Aboriginal population, have a history dating back almost 10,000 years.

"I am grateful to be here today," said Ishii through a translator. "I had the honour of participating in a sweat lodge yesterday. Through your traditional ceremony, I could feel your beautiful spirits and energy breathing strongly on this land. I pray that the people here will live in peace, with pride, in this beautiful land of Canada."