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Wanuskawin_Sask

The Mosaic Company Announces Donation to Wanuskewin’s Thundering Ahead Capital Campaign

March 13, 2018

MEDIA RELEASE

SASKATOON, SK - Bruce Bodine, Senior Vice President-Potash was at Wanuskewin Heritage Park today to announce a donation on behalf of The Mosaic Company to Wanuskewin’s Thundering Ahead Capital Campaign. Mr. Bodine announced Mosaic’s commitment of $500,000 to Wanuskewin, stating: “Our company believes in supporting organizations and projects that matter to Saskatchewan. Wanuskewin Heritage Park is a living reminder of the Northern Plains Indigenous peoples’ sacred relationship with the land.

By funding renewal of the trail system, we have the privilege of helping bring to life the tradition and stories of this sacred gathering place.”

Thundering Ahead, Wanuskewin’s ambitious renewal campaign was launched in 2017 with an aim to expand the land base to accommodate a small herd of Plains Bison, introduce exhibit galleries and improve educational offerings, expand the current facility to accommodate larger conferences and meeting groups, renovate the 25-year-old interpretive centre, and apply for UNESCO World Heritage designation. Candace Wasacase-Lafferty, Wanuskewin’s Board Chair is quoted: “This donation from Mosaic represents the commitment of everyone in Saskatchewan to support Wanuskewin’s bold renewal. It is demonstrative of their commitment to enrich the diversity of the communities in which Mosaic has operations.”

Felix Thomas, Chair of the First Nations Power Authority, and Co-Chair of the Thundering Ahead Capital Campaign alongside Wayne Brownlee, Executive Vice President and CFO of Nutrien, stated: “For the past two years, Wayne and I, alongside many other volunteers, have been going across Canada sharing the story of Wanuskewin and asking for support. What is critical to note, though, is the support from right here in Saskatchewan. I’d like to thank Mosaic for their leadership, their commitment to supporting the local community and their generosity. We are grateful to be the recipient of this gift.”

“Wanuskewin was founded on the basis of many people working together to do something special for our community. On behalf of the Board of Directors of Wanuskewin Heritage Park and in my duel role as a volunteer for Thundering Ahead, thank you,” added Scott Banda, Chief Executive Officer of Federated Cooperatives Limited and Wanuskewin Board Member. “Mosaic’s funding represents a significant step toward a renewed vision for this remarkable place.”

The Mosaic Company is one of the world's leading producers and marketers of concentrated phosphate and potash crop nutrients. Mosaic is a single source provider of phosphates and potash fertilizers and feed ingredients for the global agriculture industry. Mosaic strives to be a thoughtful and engaged neighbour who invests carefully and generously, and who, through working with First Nations and Métis communities, identifies strategic opportunities to target grant funding to initiatives and projects that are important to the growth and sustainability in the areas where we operate. More information on the company is available at www.mosaicco.com.

February 9, 2017, Wanuskewin launched plans for a $40-Million Capital Campaign to fund a bold renewalbased on four pillars:

  1. To elevate Wanuskewin from the longest-running archaeological project in Canada to an international centre for excellence in education, preservation and interpretation of Indigenous art and culture
  2. To aspire to world heritage designation through UNESCO, building on Wanuskewin’s existing status as a National Historic Site
  3. To preserve the ecological island that is Opimihaw Valley and protect the unique ecology and biodiversity of the land as Wanuskewin transitions into an iconic urban park
  4. To return the majestic bison to Wanuskewin’s plains.

Wanuskewin Heritage Park is located five kilometers north of Saskatoon. It opened in 1992 and has been host to many historic events, including a royal visit in 1986 when Queen Elizabeth II. In December 2016, the Catholic Church announced that an invitation had been extended for Pope Francis to visit Wanuskewin to offer an apology to residential school survivors in Canada. On December 20, 2017, Wanuskewin Heritage Park was placed on Canada’s Tentative List for World Heritage Sites.

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Media Contacts:
Tara Janzen
Development Manager, Wanuskewin Heritage Park
(306)931-6767 ext. 232
tara.janzen@wanuskewin.com
www.thunderingahead.ca

Sarah Fedorchuk
Vice President, Public Affairs and Government
Relations,
The Mosaic Company
(306)523-2821
Sarah.Fedorchuk@mosaicco.com

Taken from press release: March 13, 2018 / From: Wanuskewin Heritage Park