Wanuskewin and Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools sign new agreement

A nitōhtem ("my friend") Memorandum of Understanding was recently signed between Wanuskewin Heritage Park, a gathering place of Indigenous Peoples for thousands of years located 2.5-km north of Saskatoon, and Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools. The commitment to cooperation and innovative teaching practices supporting First Nations’ land-based learning was signed by (l-r): Wanuskewin Co-Executive Direcor Doug Hyndford, GSCS Board Chair Diane Boyko, and Wanuskewin Co-Executive Director Andrew McDonald. (Photo courtesy of GSCS.ca)

Posted By: Kiply Lukan Yaworski April 28, 2026

Media release from Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools

Wanuskewin Heritage Park has been a gathering place for millennia, and so it seemed a fitting place for officials to sign a new nitōhtem Memorandum of Understanding between Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools and Wanuskewin Heritage Park Authority.

Cree for “my friend,” the nitōhtem agreement reflects the shared commitment of both organizations to learning, to the land, and to stewardship.

The first iteration of the agreement was signed in 2021, formalizing years of working together to train educators and teach children and youth. The renewed agreement will promote innovative teaching practices and support First Nations’ land-based learning.

“Wanuskewin is a special place with such historical and cultural significance,” said Diane Boyko, Board of Education Chair for Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools. “We’re very fortunate to have such a gem, along with the people who are able to share the special meaning of this place, in our own back yard for students to learn from. Being able see and experience all that Wanuskewin has to offer brings classroom learning to life for both students and staff.”

“It’s a privilege to partner again with the students and educators of Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools. We see the impact of land-based learning firsthand and are honoured to support connections to culture, language, and place. For over 6,400 years, this land has been a gathering place — and those stories and teachings continue to thrive here today,” said Andrew McDonald, Co-Executive Director of Wanuskewin Heritage Park.

“As we advance toward UNESCO World Heritage designation, partnerships rooted in community help move this vision forward,” he added.

Key aspects of the four-year agreement include: guidance by Elders and knowledge keepers from both organizations; revitalization of Indigenous language and culture; and fostering of Indigenous students’ access to traditional First Nations’ learning methodologies, lands, science, anthropology and archaeology.

Drumming and dancing was part of the celebration to mark the signing of the agreement. (Photo by Alex Brown)

 

Drumming and dancing was part of the celebration to mark the signing of the agreement. (Photo by Alex Brown).

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With 50 schools and over 23,000 students, Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools is Saskatchewan’s largest Catholic school division, providing Catholic faith-based education from pre-kindergarten through Grade 12 in Saskatoon and area, Biggar, Humboldt, Martensville and Warman.

Catholic Saskatoon News is supported by gifts to the Bishop’s Annual Appeal: dscf.ca/baa.