Powwow Country: Duck Lake Regional Interpretive Centre - Duck Lake, Saskatchewan

Duck Lake Regional Interpretive Centre,
Duck Lake

If you find yourself visiting Saskatchewan’s west-central region this summer make sure to stop in at the historical city of Duck Lake. Duck Lake is situated less than an hour’s drive north of Saskatoon on Highway 11 and is home to the Duck Lake Regional Interpretive Centre. This museum has an intricate history in the community, especially with the Canadian historical events that have occurred near to where the museum is situated. The first museum was opened 1960 in the tiny NWMP jail. The Duck Lake museum would move to the old Victoria School building where the collection continued to expand.  The countless hours and efforts of the volunteers and organizers assisted in fundraising to build the current Duck Lake Regional Interpretive Centre. The doors to this new centre officially opened in 1991 and since this time, the interpretive centre has continued to grow and expand its exhibits. Visitors have signed the guest book from a range of countries and the exceptional historical location overlooking the land that the Métis fought to defend in 1885 at the Battle of Duck Lake provides a sense of pride for the community. The interpretive centre captures the daily struggles of the pioneers, struggles of the First Nations groups in the area and the harsh aftermath of the North West Resistance for the Métis. The centre operates on five separate themes: people’s day to day lives, spirituality, education, laws, economy and commerce.  The theme on law and upheaval discusses the 1885 resistance, as the first shots were fired at Duck Lake.  The centre also houses an art gallery, gift shop and the 127 step observation tower with a panoramic view of the area.

For more information, check out: www.dlric.org