From left, leadership committee member John Scarfe, Wanuskewin Heritage Park Board Chair Candace Wasacase Lafferty, David Miller, assistant vice president of government affairs for CN, leadership committee member, Dr. Ernie Walker, Wanuskewin Heritage Park CEO Dana Soonias and leadership committee member W. Thomas Malloy. John Lagimodiere

CN has donated $500,000 to the Thundering Ahead Capital Campaign, a $40 million fundraising effort to renew Wanuskewin Heritage Park.

“CN is committed to sustainability and protecting the natural environment,” said Candace Wasacase-Lafferty, Wanuskewin’s Board Chair. “This significant contribution will help us continue our efforts to preserve the ecology and biodiversity of the site, in addition to our many land-based educational programs.”

Thundering Ahead will support efforts 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.“

We are very proud to support this project that will revitalize this historic park and secure its role as an important educational and cultural destination for generations to come,” said David Miller, assistant vice president of government affairs at CN. “Our lines cross many First Nations across Canada and we move a lot of potash, crops and other products from Saskatchewan. The Campaign’s focus on supporting Indigenous art and culture, environmental stewardship and education are well-aligned with CN’s giving priorities. As a Saskatoon boy, I remember coming out here when the Park just began and am really impressed with the plans.”

Montreal-based CN is Canada’s only transcontinental railway company spanning from the Atlantic Coast in Halifax, NS to the Pacific Coast in Vancouver and Prince Rupert, BC. In Saskatchewan, CN operates nearly 2,000 miles of railway with more than 850 employees serving agricultural, energy and consumer businesses across the province.

“For the past two years, we’ve been going across Canada sharing the story of Wanuskewin and asking for support. On behalf of the campaign team and campaign co-chairs Chief Felix Thomas, Tribal Chief of the Saskatoon Tribal Council and Wayne Brownlee, CFO of PotashCorp, I’d like to thank CN for their leadership in philanthropy,” said Dr. Ernie Walker, University of Saskatchewan Distinguished Professor, Archaeologist, and Volunteer for the Thundering Ahead Capital Campaign We’re grateful to be the recipient of this generous gift.”

Related: Million dollar plan moves Wanuskewin another step closer to UNESCO designation dream