Grant: College & Community Social Innovation Fund

Wanuskewin is a designated heritage site located north of Saskatoon, SK and has long been a gathering place for the Indigenous Peoples of the Great Plains. It is a place of spiritual and cultural healing with the name meaning “seeking peace of mind” in nēhiyawēwin (Plains Cree). In addition to significant archaeological and cultural heritage features, it is also a conservation site for numerous species of flora and fauna that occupy the grasslands and forested valleys of the site. As stewards of this landscape, Wanuskewin Heritage Park Authority (WHPA) works to enhance environmental protection and conversation while upholding Indigenous values and land management techniques. The proposed project aims to deploy the latest digital mapping, geospatial data analysis, and visualization techniques to enhance management and conservation practices at Wanuskewin Heritage Park. This will be complemented by a suite of student-focused capstone projects at the site, focusing on priority topics identified by partners at Wanuskewin. Geospatial technologies including Geographic Information Systems (GIS), photogrammetry, and remote sensing using satellites and remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) offer tools to map and study features of the land in aid of conservation planning and management. These technologies can be used to create digital interactive maps and visualizations for management and decision-making. Furthermore, they can be integrated into digital interpretive displays at heritage sites such as Wanuskewin. The proposed project capitalizes on this full spectrum of potential applications of geospatial technology to conservation, heritage management, and heritage interpretation. This project comes at a significant juncture in Wanuskewin’s history as they pursue UNESCO World Heritage Site designation. The overall aim is to enhance heritage management of the site through innovative applications of geospatial technologies. The social benefits of the project will be realized by the diverse communities who access the site for cultural, educational, and spiritual purposes.