WANUSKEWIN - Wanuskewin Heritage Park is inching closer to its goal of becoming a UNESCO World Heritage Site as its fundraising campaign approaches the halfway mark.
This achievement would benefit not only the nearby city of Saskatoon but also the whole province of Saskatchewan, which aims to increase its visitors by 50 per cent by 2030.
WHP Development and Donor Director Alan Long stated that being the first UNESCO World Heritage Site in Saskatchewan would be a significant milestone.
It would also promote Indigenous history and culture at the site, placing its rich history on the world stage and contributing to Canada's reconciliation.
The park is working with Tourism Saskatchewan, Discover Saskatoon, and other partners to achieve UNESCO World Heritage Site status, which has been granted to 20 different sites in Canada.
Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Quebec Yukon and the Northwest Territories have UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Aside from Saskatoon, Regina, North Battleford, and Yorkton, Saskatchewan has several popular tourist destinations such as Grasslands National Park, Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park, La Ronge, Manitou Beach, and Prince Albert National Park.
Saskatchewan's tourism industry has drawn over 12 million visitors annually and generated over $2 billion in travel spending.
Long said the "UNESCO Ready Campaign," a $12 million campaign, has received a boost with the recent donation of $675,000 by Olivia and Greg Yuels, bringing the total funds raised to $5.7 million.
The fundraising campaign aims to address three aspects of the UNESCO application: the UNESCO dossier, a complex and lengthy process requiring consultants' assistance, the upkeep of Wanuskewin and its facilities, and programming, which includes interpretive guides and art galleries.
Long said they would continue raising funds for the UNESCO World Heritage Site bid.
They are optimistic about reaching their $12 million goal with the help of generous benefactors in the community. Nutrien has been the park's largest provider, donating $3 million, while Co-op gave $1 million.
"We have solid community support, and we're just going to keep working on that," Long said.
With community backing, they hope to be named a UNESCO World Heritage Site and increase tourism in the province.
