News Releases

The South Saskatchewan River is a constantly moving water course. Citizens and visitors experiencing the recent hot temperatures are reminded that Bylaw 4433 prohibits swimming in the South Saskatchewan River within city limits.

The Saskatchewan Water Security Agency also forecasted that water levels will drop by an average of one metre in the coming weeks.

“The South Saskatchewan River is unpredictable and dangerous,” says Assistant Chief Wayne Rodger. “With changing currents and water levels, both the bank edges and riverbed are considered extremely hazardous.  Obstacles such as fallen branches, broken concrete, and discarded debris can pose a threat to anyone or anything in or near the water.”

The Saskatoon Fire Department requests boaters taking to the water make certain the vessel is in good condition.  Boaters should practice what to do in the event of an emergency before going on the water, wear an approved personal floatation device, monitor weather conditions, leave a travel plan and obey all local laws and regulations.

Additionally, The South Saskatchewan River is equipped with a weir to alter the flow and discharge of water along the river; this barrier produces a powerful backwash of water that is capable of trapping objects and people.

The weir is not a recreational feature of the South Saskatchewan River, it must never be approached and should only be viewed from a safe distance.

In the event that you witness someone in distress in the river, the Saskatoon Fire Department would like to remind you of the following tips for helping others in distress:

• Call 911 immediately to report the incident, noting details about the individual, time, and situation
• Keep track of recognizable landmarks around the area where the individual was first seen in distress in the water
• Coach the individual from the shore edge on the below noted tips for water self-rescue

In the event that you are in distress in the river, the Saskatoon Fire Department would like to remind you of the following tips for water self-rescue:

• Stay calm; Don’t fight the current
• Keep your head above the water
• Move with the current as you work your way to the shore edge
• Remove any heavy or bulky clothing items

Always be cautious near larger bodies of water. In an emergency, call 911 immediately.

Major repairs are planned on Circle Drive over 33^rd Street this summer. Following the Canada Day weekend, the entire northbound overpass will undergo a two and a half month long rehabilitation.

“The northbound structure over 33^rd Street was built in the 1990s,” says Todd Grabowski, Manager of Asset Preservation for Bridges. “During the City’s annual deck testing program, we could see that it is at an age where proactive work is necessary to ensure it continues to serve its purpose for years to come.”

The rehabilitation project will include asphalt removal and replacement, and repairs to the deck and expansion joints, among other things. The work is extensive and will affect northbound traffic on Circle Drive. Southbound traffic will not be affected by the rehabilitation project.

“Beginning on July 3, drivers heading northbound on Circle Drive can expect delays at 33^rd Street, especially during the weekday morning peak times, as traffic will be reduced to one lane,” says Grabowski.

The lane reduction is expected to slow down northbound traffic on Circle Drive, but not completely stop it. Even so, it is expected that a significant number of drivers will divert to alternate routes, so the City will be adjusting traffic signals to accommodate drivers opting to detour or exit off the northbound ramp at 33^rd Street. 

Every day, approximately 20,000 vehicles pass over the northbound lanes of Circle Drive at 33^rd Street.   

A record crowd of over 4,000 people gathered today in Victoria Park for the third annual “Rock Your Roots” Walk for Reconciliation. The event kicked off at 10:00 a.m. with participants and groups coming together to celebrate their unique cultural heritage by holding or wearing traditional symbols of their culture or organizations.

The theme of the walk this year is “'Planting the Seed' - by walking together, we plant the seeds of reconciliation—honouring survivors and answering the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada's Calls to Action as we grow a more inclusive community."

The walk culminated at 11:30 a.m. and joined up with National Indigenous People Day celebrations which included free lunch, special guest speakers, live entertainment and fun for the whole family hosted by the Saskatoon Indian & Métis Friendship Centre.

Last month, the Saskatoon Community Foundation made a four year commitment to the Rock Your Roots walk, providing funding through to 2021.

The “Rock Your Roots” Walk for Reconciliation is one of a number of events organized by Reconciliation Saskatoon, an 88 member initiative of organizations, non-profits, businesses and partners who have come together towards one mission: to initiate a citywide conversation about reconciliation and provide opportunities for everyone to engage in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action.

For more information, visit facebook.com/ReconciliationSaskatoon or www.otc.ca.  

The City of Saskatoon’s commitment to the TRC’s Calls to Action supports the City’s Corporate Strategic Goal of Quality of Life by identifying actions for enhancing Aboriginal well-being and participation in our community.

The North Commuter Parkway Bridge Naming Steering Committee announced “Chief Mistawasis” (miss-tuh-WAH’-sis) as the recommended name of the North Commuter Parkway Bridge.

“As we come together to celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day in Victoria Park and get involved in “Rock Your Roots” Walk for Reconciliation it’s fitting that we have chosen to name the North Commuter Bridge after Chief Mistawasis to acknowledge the contributions of those who came before us and strived to create a better future,” said Harry LaFond, Executive Director, Office of the Treaty Commissioner.

The announcement was made prior to the kick-off of the Rock Your Roots Walk for Reconciliation and National Indigenous Peoples Day celebrations at Reconciliation Circle in Victoria Park today. The final recommendation for the name Chief Mistawasis to be applied to the bridge will be presented to City Council in August for formal approval.

“The process to bring us to this day has been one of learning and growth,” said Mayor Charlie Clark. “Reconciliation is a journey, and it is a journey that the City of Saskatoon is dedicated to continuing as we seek to bridge the divides within our community. Our Elders have been appealing to us to treat one another as relatives, which is a powerful starting place for building a stronger Treaty relationship for future generations. Thank you to the Elders, Survivors, the bridge naming committee and the entire community for the support and advice in our journey.”

Chief Mistawasis, also known as Pierre Belanger, was one of the most visionary northern plains Indigenous leaders. He was known in the Saskatoon area in hunting bison and played a major role in Treaty 6 negotiations in 1876.

“Prior to, and following Treaty No. 6, Chief Mistawasis was a bridge to changing times between people, communities and Nations,” said Chief Daryl Watson. “Today, Mistawasis Nêhiyawak follows Chief Mistawasis' legacy and belief in treaties, partnerships, alliances, friendships in sharing territories and all that Creator provides for us all.”

To celebrate this honour, Mistawasis Nêhiyawak will create an education campaign to tell the story of Chief Mistawasis’ role in moving Treaty 6 forward, in particular how he spoke for the people involved in the treaty, both First Nations and Métis, and his vision of the future.

Chief Mistawasis was one of over 400 names that were gathered from the community as part of an extensive community engagement exercise that began in July 2017. A key focus of the naming process was to educate the community on Indigenous people’s history, culture and contributions, which included the creation of four educational vignettes, school lesson plans and tool kits.

The community-led project responds directly to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action #79: Participate in a strategy to commemorate Aboriginal People’s history and contributions to Canada.

The North Commuter Parkway Bridge remains on schedule to open in October 2018.

The NCP Bridge Naming Committee consists of community leaders from the Office of the Treaty Commissioner, Central Urban Métis Federation Incorporated, Saskatoon Tribal Council, Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations and the City of Saskatoon.

Under the City of Saskatoon’s Strategic Goal of Quality of Life, this project supports the recognition of our built, natural, and cultural heritage.  The naming of civic facilities celebrates the history, environment, and outstanding contributions of our diverse community.

“The Coming Spring” by accomplished Canadian artist, Gordon Reeve, was unveiled in Victoria Park today.  The work was commissioned by the Saskatoon Tribal Council and the City, with funding from the Government of Canada through the Canada 150 Fund.  It was developed with extensive input from the community and guidance from Elders and Indian residential school survivors.

The artwork’s creation is in response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action No. 79:  Participate in a strategy to commemorate the contributions and history of Aboriginal peoples to Canada.

“The Government of Canada is committed to working on meaningful and lasting reconciliation,” says the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage. “As we marked Canada 150 in 2017, it was important to consider and learn about all the events that shaped our country, including some of the darker chapters in our history.  It is through telling and experiencing these stories—our stories—that we learn from each other, reconcile ourselves with the past, and move toward a future together.  The Coming Spring:  Where Our Paths Cross reconciliation commemorative artwork will bring together Indigenous Peoples and all Canadians to remember, learn, and share, and will leave a lasting legacy for generations to come.”

“We are honoured to have had the opportunity to work on this significant art project for the past two years with our partners,” says Saskatoon Tribal Council Chief Mark Arcand.  “We acknowledge that a lot of work has been done and still needs to be done in regards to healing the past, but with this present era of Reconciliation, we are all working towards the same goal to move ahead and improve the quality of life for our entire community.”

The 27-foot tall arch and two spires are constructed entirely of stainless steel that reflects the sun and moon.  The longer 47-foot spire, pointing north, symbolically represents the First Nations’ long history.  The 39-foot spire, pointing south, symbolically represents the history of the Métis Nation.  Suspended high on each spire are moving chimes.  The rustling and bell-like sounds the chimes make suggest the voices of children heard at a distance, representing the children taken by the residential system from all of the communities in Treaty Six Territory. 

“Our paths cross in Reconciliation Circle as we unveil ‘The Coming Spring’ commemorative art project,” says Shirley Isbister, President of the Central Urban Métis Federation Incorporated.  “The artist, Gordon Reeve, has brought a true spirit of community inclusion into this monumental piece.  The jingles will ring out the voices of children, women, families, and our diverse community.”

“The Coming Spring” is located within Reconciliation Circle in Victoria Park, north of the festival site and east of Spadina Crescent West.  The location was identified by First Nations and Métis Elders as having particular significance because it has been the site of two reconciliation gatherings, is large enough to accommodate community events, and has a view of the park, trees, and South Saskatchewan River.

“‘The Coming Spring’ makes a meaningful statement at this beautiful location on our cherished riverbank in Reconciliation Circle at Victoria Park,” says Mayor Charlie Clark.  “This sculpture creates an opportunity for present and future generations to reflect on where we have come from and where we are going as a city, a city where the paths have crossed between First Nations, Métis, and generation after generation of immigrants seeking a good life here, free from persecution.  This year, as thousands gather in Reconciliation Circle on National Indigenous Peoples Day, the messages of reconciliation and committing ourselves to a stronger future together will be even more poignant because of this piece of art.”

Since 2015, the City has been working with the Saskatoon Tribal Council; Central Urban Métis Federation Incorporated; Office of the Treaty Commissioner; and other community groups, leaders, and institutions in Saskatchewan to promote reconciliation.

Residents are reminded that the third annual “Rock Your Roots” Walk for Reconciliation and National Indigenous Peoples Day celebrations take place tomorrow, June 21, in Victoria Park.

For more information on “The Coming Spring” and other public artwork, please visit saskatoon.ca/publicart.