Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutGoderich Signal Star, 2017-06-21, Page 2222 Signal Star • Wednesday, June 21, 2017 iiY COAST. TO -COAST PRIDE OFFICIALLY CANADIAN SINCE... 1905 In the late 19th century, the European population in the part of Canada we now call Saskatchewan was rapidly. growing. The Dominion Lands Act (a law which granted free land to settlers who established homesteads in the Prairies) was a Targe factor in their arrival. First Nations leaders in the area had signed away their land rights in the Numbered Treaties, and were attempting to make the switch from a nomadic way of life to an agricultural one. However, when the treaties were broken, rebellions ensued and the rallied First Nations in the region were forcibly quelled so that Canadian expansion might continue. At the turn of the century, the area was administered as a part of the North-West Territories, which then included all of present-day Northwest Territories, Yukon, Nunavut, Alberta and Saskatchewan, as well as large parts of Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec. But with the Prairie population mushrooming, a more localized government began to make sense. In 1900, local leaders began petitioning for provincial status, and in 1905 the North-West Territories was cut up to create two new provinces: Saskatchewan and Alberta. NOT TO BE MISSED Saskatchewan may be best known for its Prairie charm, but don't let this reputation fool you: the province is also a refuge of crystalline lakes and rivers, dense and wild forests, stunning sandscapes, rocky cliffs and exotic tundra. The province's varied beauty is the main lure for travellers. MANITOU LAKE Saskatchewan has over 100,000 lakes, but southeast of Saskatoon you'll find the province's own version of the Dead Sea. Formed out of receding glaciers and fed by underground springs, Manitou Lake has an extraordinarily high content of mineral salt (three times saltier than the ocean), which makes it exceedingly buoyant. The lake is said to have healing powers, and there are even stories ofAssiniboine individuals in the 19th century who went to the lake and were healed of smallpox. There's a spa and hotel on site to accommodate visitors. MOOSE JAW TUNNELS At the beginning of the 20th century, officials planned to have the city of Moose Jaw run on steam power. An extensive system of tunnels was thereby dug out and then abandoned when the project was brought to an unexpected halt. Afterwards, the tunnels SASKATCHEWAN 111 were put to use by local criminals. During Prohibition, bootleggers used the passageways to store and transport liquor, and the channels even had their own speakeasies. Chinese immigrants facing racial discrimination also used them to evade persecution. BIG MUDDY BADLANDS On the southern border of Saskatchewan near Coronach you'll find the Big Muddy badlands, an area where outlaws of the Wild West once hid out. Ancient buttes, sandstone caves and wide-open expanses define the area. A guided tour will grant you access to areas normally off limits to visitors, such as ceremonial circles, rock effigies and outlaw caves. ATHABASCA SAND DUNES The most northerly sand dunes in the world are spread across a 100 -kilometre stretch around Lake Athabasca. The Sand Dunes are estimated to be 8,000 years old and home to a number of plant species not found anywhere else. The area is hauntingly beautiful but also remote. Access is only possible by boat or floatplane. Other stunning sandscapes in Saskatchewan include the Great Sandhills and the sand dunes at Douglas Provincial Park. Hi pro-rrni( �/q/ moth arida Noth Dr. D.R. NISBETT OPTOMETRIST Dr. P.D. PADFIELD OPTOMETRIST Dr. D.B. WEAVER OPTOMETRIST Dr. S.B. TAYLOR OPTOMETRIST 68 WEST ST. GODERICH 519-524-7251 90 ALBERT ST. CLINTON 519-482-3677 238D JOSEPHINE ST. WINGHAM 226-422-2020 DID YOU KNOW? • In 2012. Canadians voted Saskatchewan as the least beautiful province in the country. Saskatchewanians were livid and retaliated by flooding the Internet with pictures of their most stunning landscapes. • Saskatchewan is the only province that doesn't observe daylight saving time. • Saskatchewan is the name of the principal river running through the province and an anglicised version of a Cree word. kisiskaciwanisipiy, meaning swiftly flowing river. • Saskatchewan produces more NHL hockey iplayers per capita than any other province. Seventeen Saskatchewan -born players (including Gordie Howe) have been inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. • In 1947. Saskatchewan became the first province to implement Medicare. • You may already know that Saskatchewan is Canada's largest producer of wheatbut the province also produces most of our country's mustard. chickpeas. dry peas and lentils. e as—: 'w .fes • Saskatchewan has more days of sunshine per year than any other Canadian province. The sunniest town is Estevan. which boasts an annual average of 2.540 hours of sunlight. • Saskatchewan is one of the most tornado - active parts of Canada. Most years. 12 to 18 will hit the region. In 1912. the worst tornado in Canadian history — the Regina Cyclone — struck the province's capital, claiming 28 lives and rendering 2.500 people homeless. LICENCE PLATE SLOGAN 'Saskatchewan' 000 SAN Land of !And of l.iving.skee$ vt Living Skies DEMONYM People from Saskatchewan are called Saskatchewanians and sometimes nicknamed Flat-landers OFFICIAL MOTTO Multis e gentibus vires (From many peoples, strength) PROVINCIAL NICKNAMES • Land of the Living Skies • The Bread Basket of Canada • The Wheat Province • The Land of Seed and Honey