VALUABLES AND BEAUTIES OF CANADA

(WESTERN CANADA)

SIMO JELAČA, Ph. D.

WANUSKEWIN

Wanuskewin Heritage Park is a museum complex of the local Cree Indian civilization, which contains exhibits from the time up to ten thousand years old. The park was officially opened in June 1992, and it is a coincidence that the author visited the complex in those days and was the first Yugoslav to visit it and enroll in the museum as a visitor. In front of the museum, an artist, a young Indian, performed their national dances to the music of his colleagues, who played a kind of flute and drums. With these dances, he evoked their life differences. The few of us visitors, who happened to be there, watched him for a long time, with enjoyment, gaining the impression that he also enjoyed his dance. There were two wigwams nearby, and in front of one sat an older Indian smoking a pipe.

Wigwams next to the Wanuskewin Museum in Saskatoon

I approached him, greeted him kindly, and asked him to let me see the wigwam inside, which he accepted with a smile. He got up, lifted the curtain that represented the door to the wigwam, and I just stepped in, just enough to look inside. The pathos of the wigwam was covered with animal skins, and along the edges in a circle there were several hand-embroidered pillows, in different colors. The inside of the wigwam seemed more spacious than one might imagine looking at it from the outside. The owner told me how the Indians used to push bisons there on the slope behind the museum and kill them. A herd of buffalo rushed down the slope, and below they were greeted by men, who slaughtered and skinned them. The meat was dried for the winter, and the skins were crucified and dried in the sun for clothes. I thanked the owner, told him where I was from, greeted him and went to the museum. In front of the museum and around the wigwams, several Indian children were playing. I waved to some of them in the aisle and they also greeted me.

Wanuskewin Heritage Park is a non-profit historic center of the First Nations of Canada. There, in that center, the so-called "Medical Wheel" was established. Today, the University of Saskatchewan manages archaeological research in the Wanuskewin complex. In Wanuskewin, there is evidence of ancient peoples from many aspects of their lives, ways of living, hunting, gathering food, and Indian spirituality. Since the museum opened, it has been visited by many visitors, among whom the most numerous are Indians of various tribes. They are proud of their history and it can be noticed on their faces when they leave the museum.

About 20 km south of Saskatoon is White Camp Sioux Reserve No 94, located on hilly terrain, surrounded on the upper side by a forest, and on the lower side by a swamp. The camp is surrounded by barbed wire. About 40 Indian families lived in it, at the time of the author's visit. The camp had a kindergarten and a school until the sixth grade. The white man introduced electricity, telephone and "Democracy" to these Indians. They elected their boss every third year, and the elected one was entitled to another re-election. During the author's visit, the summer heat reigned and most of those present seemed lazy, waiting for the postman to bring them "Welfare" checks. However, the impression is that most Indians lack hunting and fishing here.

BANFF NATIONAL PARK

The dream of many visitors to the Canadian Rocky Mountains is the Banff National Park, only about a 90-minute drive from Calgary. Banff Park was founded in 1883, and after the discovery of thermal waters in it in 1885, it was declared a national park. Today, Banff is a world heritage site under the protection of UNESCO.

Lake Louise in Banff National Park

Turquoise-green lakes, snowy peaks and easily accessible glaciers are astonishingly pleasing to the eye of visitors. The jewel of this park is certainly Lake Louise, in which the green water reflects the surrounding mountain peaks, while many visitors take a leisurely walk around its surroundings and uphill trails every day.

Behind the frozen mountain peaks is Jasper Park, which gives visitors an unforgettable impression of natural beauty. There is also the town of the same name Town Banff, which offers visitors the possibility of comfortable accommodation, a variety of shopping and excellent food. In winter, Banff is a center of ski sports, the most attractive Canadian destination "Sunny Village". In the mountainous part there are hiking trails, 1600 km long, where it is possible to meet deer, salmon, bears and many other animals. A famous hotel was built in Banff for Queen Elizabeth II, who never visited it.

Lake Louise is a Canadian "Diamond in the Desert", surrounded by the magical mountain peaks of "Victoria Glacier", which is all under the protection of UNESCO. This region is one of the best ski terrains in North America, abounding in countless spectacular landscapes from glaciers to waterfalls.

In the Banff National Park is the glacial Lake Morein, located in the valley of the "Ten Peaks", relatively small, only 0.5 km2. The glacial lake completely melts only during the month of June, and the shadows of the surrounding mountain peaks, adorned with a snow cover, break through its water during the summer as well.

Among all the mountain beauties of Canada, there is a mountain which the Canadians named after the famous Serbian military leader from the First World War, Duke Radomir Putnik, out of respect for the hero who managed to defeat the superior force of the Austro-Hungarian monarchy with great losses and thus put the Serbian name on the pages of world history. A sincere expression of my thanks to Canada for that.

Plaque for Duke Radomir Putnik in Canadian mountain

Duke Radomir Putnik Mountain is located north between the "Creek Three Isle" and west of the Canadian Bow River, not far from Calgary. Duke Radomir Putnik's mountain is part of the Rocky Mountains chain, between Alberta and British Columbia. It has an altitude of 2940 m. Words are engraved on the dedication plaque;

"Mount Putnik is named in perpetual remembrance of the men and women of the Allied armed forces in Serbia and their leader, Field Marshal Duke Radomir Putnik (1847-1917). Serbia lost a quarter of its population, both army and civilians during World War I (1914-1918). This sacrifice was part of Canadian and Allied efforts in Europe against three empires to protect the rights and freedoms of humankind".

The author has visited this area twice, and is especially proud of the mountain of Duke Radomir Putnik in the Canadian Rocky Mountains.

JASPER NATIONAL PARK

Jasper National Park is the largest national park in the Canadian Rocky Mountains, covering an area of 10,878 km2. It is located in the province of Alberta, north of Banff and west of Edmonton. This park includes ice glaciers, hot springs, lakes, waterfalls and mountains. It is home to many wild animals: salmon, caribou, mousse, deer, chamois, bighorn sheep, grizzly bears, coyotes, beavers, marmots, wolves, mountain lions, foxes, rabbits, wolverines and many birds.

Jasper Park was named after Jasper Haves, was founded in 1907, and declared a national park in 1930.

National Park Jasper

Jasper National Park was declared a World Heritage Site in 1984. The rivers that flow from Jasper Park are Athabasca and Smokey. Famous attractions in Jasper Park are: ski resorts, glaciers, waterfalls, recreational fishing, rafting, kayaking, and camping. The park is 2,774,500 acres in size and is the largest in Canada. It is full of wildlife, the habitat of grizzly bears, deer and other animals, with thousands of species of plants. It is also a habitat for about 70 species of mammals, whose health and survival depend on the park. It is also home to 82 types of singing birds. With their music, these birds make this park warmer. From there, visitors are drawn to the smallest possible disturbances of nature. There are also hot springs in the park with a temperature of 54 degrees Celsius.

In Jasper Park you will find a stunning desert, full of lakes, waterfalls, rivers, canyons, hiking, rowing, swimming, skiing, fishing, hot springs, wildlife, about 1000 km of mountain trails and about 300 km of bike trails. If you are visiting Jesper Park, it is recommended that you definitely visit Athabasca Waterfalls, Malignant Canyons, Malignant Lakes, Athabasca Glacier, Sky Tram, Skyline Hiking Trail, and the Pyramid and Patricia Lakes. Whoever has the time, money and desire to enjoy nature, is recommended to the countless beauties of Canada.

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