Federated Co-op donates $1 million to support Wanuskewin’s UNESCO bid

Wanuskewin Heritage Park’s bid to become a UNESCO World Heritage Site got a big boost Tuesday thanks to Federated Co-operatives Limited.

On Tuesday, the company announced a $1-million donation to support Wanuskewin’s bid to become the first UNESCO World Heritage Site in Saskatchewan by 2025.

Wanuskewin has expanded its programming significantly in recent years, with the addition of a new interactive exhibit hall, art galleries and an enhanced trail system that takes visitors through multiple archaeological sites.

A bison herd has also been added to the park, and the recent discovery of carved petroglyphs created a lot of buzz.

The park must meet UNESCO’s strict criteria to become a heritage site, and CEO Darlene Brander said the donation will go a long way.

“This is an extremely exciting and timely charitable gift to Wanuskewin,” Brander said in a statement accompanying the announcement.

“Co-op has stepped up to ensure we can fully articulate the new interpretive centre and trail system as being unique in the world … This gift today signals a major investment that will positively impact our province for generations to come.”

Heather Ryan, Co-op’s recently appointed CEO, said a commitment to understanding history is a huge part of any community.

“This includes taking the time to create spaces and opportunities for inclusivity, spaces where we can gather to better understand each other,” Ryan said in a statement.

“For Co-op, our million-dollar gift to Wanuskewin represents a unique opportunity to build on our commitment to diversity and inclusion and reaffirm our commitment to truth and reconciliation.”

There are 20 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Canada, and 1,154 globally. The list of sites is maintained by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.