Mission Statement

Mission Statement - The Wakpa Tanka Project Committee in collaboration with members of our local aboriginal and non-aboriginal community will heighten knowledge and understanding of our regional heritage and increase eco-tourism through the building of an interpretive Lookout to highlight the unique Avonlea artifacts discovered during the 1992 Trans Canada Pipeline excavation.

The Discovery

The Discovery - During 1992 while Trans Canada Pipeline’s newest pipeline as being laid, archaeological consultants saw the remains of an ancient campsite.  Later that fall a Calgary firm was hired by the Trans Canada Pipeline to excavate the site.

Miniota Assiniboine River Valley People

The Assiniboine River Valley People - The campsite belonged to a group of Aboriginal people, now called Avonlea by archaeologists.  Avonlea comes from the town in Saskatchewan where these distinctive stone arrow points were first found.  This is a world-class rare single component site meaning that there is no trace of other tribes in this site.  It is the only one of its kind in Canada.  These people followed the herd of bison, which was their main source of food.  When winter approached they probably lived in small family groups in sheltered areas such as valleys where there was shelter from the cold winter winds and easy access to water and food.

“A Window in Time”

"A Window in Time" - It has been established that a small group of people, known as the pinnacle of plains bison hunters, lived in the Assiniboine River Valley just north of Miniota between 700 and 1100 years ago.  They abandoned their campsite in a hurry when the river flooded.  Most artifacts found reflect the daily lives of the people.  There are stone arrow points for hunting, knives for cutting and scrapers for preparing hides.  There are clay vessels for storing and cooking food, and bone awls for sewing tent covers and clothing.  Objects that show the more personal side of the people’s lives include:  shell ornaments, whistles, and a bone gaming piece.  Perhaps the most beautiful piece is a thin engraved bone pin.

Project Statement

The Lookout will be situated on top of the Assiniboine Valley just north of Miniota with a view of the site where the artifacts were found.  The Lookout will also be connected to the new hiking trail, which was developed by the Miniota CDC.  The new trail extends south from the existing MCDC Silver Bend Trail through the Assiniboine Valley above the site of the 1992 dig.

Project Statement - The Lookout will house a mural illustrating the people and their camp, as archaeologists believe it existed nearly 1000 years ago.  The mural will highlight many of the artifacts found, especially those available for viewing at the Miniota Municipal Museum.  The Lookout will also include a pictorial display of the dig, a photo of the valley view from the Lookout identifying the location of the dig site and education text.

The Lookout will be a natural and valuable extension to the existing trails and displays in Miniota.

If funding is secured the Lookout will be built between April and October 2006 using local contractors, artists and volunteers wherever possible.  If funding is not in place by April, construction will hopefully take place the following year.

The Committee

The Committee - The Wakpa Tanka Project Committee is an independent committee.  Wakpa Tanka is the Sioux expression for “big water”.  Our proposed Lookout will be located on top of the valley where the “big water” flooded the campsite.

This project committee has invested a lot of their time to ensure this project sees the light of day.  They are to be commended on their dedication, enthusiasm, hard work and community pride.  The true benefits of their labor will come from the construction of the Lookout and all the positive outcomes this Lookout will mean for the area.  Visitors and residents will have the opportunity to experience a rare “Window in Time”.

The committee consists of seven volunteer members and was formed in September 2004.

Chairperson – Sylvia Hanlin

Vice-Chairperson – Barry Cornish

Secretary/Treasurer  – Doreen Angus

Publicity Chair – Irene Armitage

Committee Member – Marlene Bryant

Committee Member – Les Bryant

To date, the committee has received local commitment for gifts in kind from:

- The R.M. of Miniota

- WindoSyl Signs

Local commitment for volunteer labor has come in from:

-         Sylvia Hanlin               - Brian Greaves

-         Barry Cornish               - David Hanlin

-         Doreen Angus              - Ray Moorehead

-         Karen Hill                    - Doug McAuley

-         Marlene Bryant            - Les Bryant

The committee is pleased to announce that Riel Benn of the Birdtail Sioux Nations has agreed to paint the mural for the Lookout. 

If you have any questions please call Sylvia Hanlin @ 567-3722 or the CDC office at 567- 3683