I didn’t set out to visit Saskatoon. In fact, it wasn’t even on my radar until the stars, quite literally, nudged me toward the heart of the Canadian Prairies.
It started at the tail end of 2022 during a retreat hosted by Expedia for their brand ambassadors. As part of the experience, each of us received an Astrocartography chart, a personalized map that links astrology with geographic coordinates. According to mine, Saskatchewan was a powerful place for career and creativity.
Weeks later, while preparing for IMM, a media marketplace event where journalists meet with tourism boards, I got a message from someone representing Tourism Saskatchewan. Her last name? Holiday — with an extra “L.” The synchronicity was too uncanny to ignore.
We met at IMM, hit it off, and nearly 18 months later, I found myself on a plane bound for Saskatoon, ready to explore the layers of history, artistry, and Indigenous culture the stars had somehow known I needed.
A City Centered on Storytelling
Often called the “Paris of the Prairies” for its riverfront beauty and elegant bridges, Saskatoon pulses with a deep sense of place. But beyond its picturesque landscapes and charming neighborhoods lies something even more profound: a city rooted in Indigenous traditions.
My itinerary was thoughtfully curated with help from Discover Saskatoon and offered a gateway into those Indigenous stories. Through workshops, heritage parks, and guided outdoor adventures, I connected with Indigenous voices sharing both ancestral knowledge and contemporary perspectives.
Here are a few of the most meaningful experiences:
Conversations & Crafting at Remai Modern
At the architecturally stunning Remai Modern Museum, I joined a birchbark basket-making workshop led by a traditional knowledge keeper and storyteller. As my hands fumbled through the weaving process, the artist patiently explained the cultural importance of each technique.
These crafts were more like vessels of memory and meaning, passed down through generations. Remai Modern offers a rotating lineup of Indigenous-led programming, from beadwork to drumming sessions, creating space for dialogue, creativity, and connection.
Walking with Ancestors at Wanuskewin Heritage Park
Just outside the city, Wanuskewin Heritage Park feels less like a museum and more like a sacred return. For over 6,000 years, this site has been a gathering place for Indigenous peoples of the Northern Plains.
On a guided tour, we began with a tobacco offering, an act of gratitude and respect to the land and ancestors. From there, our guide led us through rolling grasslands and archaeological sites, sharing knowledge about medicinal plants and the critical role of bison in traditional life. A herd of these majestic animals now roams the park again, thanks to conservation efforts that intertwine ecology with cultural revitalization.
Inside the center, galleries and dance performances brought those stories to life, highlighting Treaty 6 and the evolving relationship between Indigenous communities and the Canadian government.
History and Resistance at Batoche National Historic Site
Batoche stands as a living chronicle of Métis resistance and resilience. This site was the backdrop of the 1885 Battle of Batoche, one of the defining moments in Canadian history and a pivotal event for the Métis Nation.
Here, guides walk visitors through preserved buildings and landscapes while sharing the stories behind them. Interpretive exhibits highlight the daily life, traditions, and continued contributions of the Métis people. The site isn’t so much about relics, but more about remembering a struggle that continues to shape identity and land rights today.
Cultural Immersion at Dakota Dunes Resort
About 20 minutes from downtown Saskatoon, Dakota Dunes Resort combines modern comfort with Indigenous storytelling. The name “Dakota” means “friend” or “ally,” and the resort honors that legacy with immersive programming rooted in hospitality and heritage.
Guests can cozy up by a bonfire and make bannock, a type of bread, over open flames while learning about traditional dances from a local performer. They can also participate in a stargazing session guided by Dakota interpretation, where constellations become stories instead of coordinates.
For a change of pace, the resort also offers hiking trails, wildlife viewing, and one of the region’s top golf courses, all set against the sweeping backdrop of the South Saskatchewan River Valley.
The Dakota Dunes Casino provides entertainment and dining options infused with Indigenous flavors and hospitality. Additionally, the resort offers accommodations, making it an ideal base for further exploration of Saskatoon and its surrounding areas.
Book a stay at Dakota Dunes Resort
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E-Bike Adventures with The Local Adventure Co.
For a more active way to explore, The Local Adventure Co. offers electric bike tours led by Indigenous women who know the land as both history and home. Cruising along the riverfront, you will stop to hear stories tied to the land, tales that don’t always make it into guidebooks but live on through community, language, and lineage.
There’s also an option to trade your bike for a paddle and explore the city by water. Whether biking or kayaking, the experience offers a deeper perspective on Saskatoon’s natural beauty and cultural legacy.
Each of these moments reminded me that while travel can sometimes be an escape, it can also be a return. A return to history. A return to humanity. A return to stories that have been waiting patiently to be heard.
If Saskatoon isn’t on your list yet, it should be! Not for the sake of checking off a box, but for an experience that shifts something in you.
This trip was made possible in partnership with Tourism Saskatchewan and Discover Saskatoon. Opinions and experiences are entirely my own.
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soundos
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soundos
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