Meewasin Valley Authority

Meewasin—the Cree word for beautiful—is the valley of the South Saskatchewan River as it flows through Saskatoon. After years of virtual neglect, extensive studies on the environmental and cultural resources of the valley commissioned during the 1970s led to the creation of an autonomous agency dedicated to planning and developing the 80 km of river valley that extend through Saskatoon and the RM of Corman Park. Architectural planner Raymond Moriyama of Toronto prepared the Meewasin Valley Project: 100 Year Conceptual Plan; and in 1979 the four major stakeholders (city of Saskatoon, RM of Corman Park, University of Saskatchewan, and province of Saskatchewan) created the Meewasin Valley Authority. Although the authority has little real power other than development review, it wields major influence over river policy. Through its work, the river has become a major part of Saskatoon’s recreational and cultural landscape, with a 17-km trail system used by cyclists, joggers, walkers, and cross-country skiers. The Beaver Creek Conservation area and the Meewasin Valley Centre showcase extensive educational programs, whose highlight has been the development of Wanuskewin Heritage Park, an 8,000-year-old northern plains Indian spiritual and cultural centre.

Merle Massie