Wanuskewin grows with $1 long-term public land lease

The city of Saskatoon is showing its support for Wanuskewin's bid to become the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization's (UNESCO) first World Heritage site in Saskatchewan.

• Wanuskewin seeks United Nations world heritage status

To show that support, the city agreed to lease Wanuskewin Heritage Park 375 acres of public land for a $1 a year for 99 years.

"From the beginning, the City of Saskatoon has been a key partner," said Wanuskewin's Candace Wasacase-Lafferty. "With the renewal of a 99-year lease, the city has once again demonstrated visionary leadership to preserve and protect this extraordinary historic Indigenous gathering place for future generations of Canadians."

More land helps meet UNESCO guidelines

Expanding the land base helps the park to meet UNESCO's buffer criteria, helping protect and maintain the ecology and biodiversity of the site. It will also allow Wanuskewin to return a small herd of plains bison to the native prairie habitat.

Wanuskewin's plans also include renovating and expanding the facility, and the art gallery in hopes of attracting international exhibitions, conferences, and special events.

Becoming a UNESCO World Heritage site involves a stringent application process that is managed by Parks Canada.