Presented by Six Local Partners in cooperation with the Rural History and Culture Association, the Saskatchewan History and Folklore Society and Burning Sun Productions. Major financial support provided by the Building Pride Program of the Ministry of Tourism, Parks, Culture and Sport with additional support provided by the Saskatchewan Heritage Foundation and SaskEnergy.
One of the most storied parts of South West Saskatchewan is the horse and wagon trail that runs from modern-day Wood Mountain to Fort Walsh National Historic Site. The Trail was first used by First Nations and Metis peoples, and from 1875 until 1912, the North-West Mounted Police (NWMP) used it for a horse patrol. Due its significance to early First Nations, Metis and Pioneer societies and its role in the colourful lore of the NWMP, Everett Baker, the first President of the Saskatchewan History and Folklore Society (SHFS), led the effort to mark the Trail in the 1950s and 60s.
This summer, the Rural History and Culture Association (RHCA) joined with the SHFS and six heritage and cultural organizations in communities on or near the Trail to Celebrate the NWMP Trail. The six celebrations attracted over 1600 people and drew attention to the historical significance of the events that surrounded the Trail. The video to the right features highlights from the festivals and over 30 pictures from all six festivals can also be viewed on the RHCA’s Flickr Site. The festivals took place in the following communities and the links below take you to pages with more pictures and videos from each celebration:
- July 1 in Wood Mountain;
- July 4, in McCord;
- July 11 in Eastend;
- July 18-19 in Shaunavon;
- July 24 in Val Marie; and
- August 2 at Fort Walsh National Historic Site.
Festival Highlights
First Nations Cultural Performances
Long before the arrival of the NWMP and their use of the trail, the area was home for First Nations and Metis peoples. Their connection to the land was recognized during the Celebrate the NWMP Trail events through First Nations cultural performances that were part of every festival. Performances included traditional as well as modern First Nations singing, dancing, drumming and teaching. This video features a number of highlights from First Nations performances at the Wood Mountain, Val Marie, Shaunavon and Fort Walsh Celebrate the NWMP Trail festivals.
History and the Trail with Garrett Wilson
Well-known historian and award-winning author Garrett Wilson participated in each of the NWMP Trail festivals. He delivered a number of lectures on the history and lore surrounding the NWMP Trail including fascinating background details about the events surrounding the Sioux sojourn in Canada in the 1870s and 80s. The video to the right features Wilson discussing the meeting with American Generals and Sitting Bull at Fort Walsh and other major events related to the NWMP Trail. Wilson drew much of his material from his critically acclaimed book, Frontier Farewell: The 1870s and the End of the Old West.
Saskatchewan Singer/Songwriters
Saskatchewan is blessed with some of the most talented singer/songwriters in Canada and several of the province’s best participated in the NWMP Trail events. Each festival featured a dynamic line-ups who provided exciting and thoughtful performances. The video to the right features one of the performers, Tommy-John Ehman, from Craik, who wrote a song specifically for the NWMP Trail festivals, entitled appropriately, The North-West Mounted Police. The performances of all the Saskatchewan artists were huge hits! Other performers included Jeff Straker, Carrie Catherine, Karen Blackwell Jones, Megan Nash, Norm Walker and Ragtime Don and the Word Junkie.