Saskatchewan

MULTIS E GENTIBUS VIRESSaskatchewan

Saskatchewan used to be part of the Northwest Territories, until it and Alberta were separated as two separate provinces. The region had been too large to administer, and they couldnt afford everything the people needed. They joined confederation and became provinces in 1905. Unfortunately, they were not given control of their crown lands and resources. They had supposedly never really owned them, as they had been part of the Northwest before. They finally gained rights to them in 1930.Once a part of Canada, English was made necessary to learn, even though most at the time were French-speaking Mtis.Wilfrid Laurier attracted people by claiming the region to be the last best west.His idea worked, as between 1897 and 1911, 2 million people immigrated to Canada, settling mostly in the west. About 30,000 farms were started every year during this period. Nation BuildingBefore the 1880s, Saskatchewans economy relied mainly on the fur trade and hunting.Saskatchewans first great economy boom took place in the 1880s, thanks to wheat. The new strain of Marquis wheat produced a higher yield, and new grain markets in the UK provided consumers. Much of Saskatchewans economy at this timed was based in agriculture.In the 1930s, due to the great depression and drought, Saskatchewan's economy came to a standstill.Later in 1950s, Saskatchewans economy was up and running again, and people began to discover resources that lay below the ground, such as deposits of petroleum and uranium. This lessened their dependence on agricultural resources.It was in the early 1960s that Saskatchewan first mined potash. In less than 10 years, Saskatchewan became a world leader in potash production.By 1980, production and export of resources had increased, and as a result firms helping process raw products, and firms that helped to harvest the resources, sprang up. Saskatchewan's present economy relies heavily on the mining of resources; it constitutes for over half of Saskatchewans annual output. However, agriculture is still the largest single industry, and they are the largest wheat producer in Canada.economyAboriginals have inhabited the area of Saskatchewan for 11,000 years. 13.6% of the entire population is aboriginal, and over 80% of the inhabitants in the North are aboriginal. After the Northwest territories (Saskatchewan was still a part of NW) were annexed to Canada in 1870, Aboriginals were subjected to government policies that took away their identity and rights. One of the things that was introduced was residential schools, that harshly forced aboriginals into assimilation. It was only in 1986 that most were finally shut down. To this day, some aboriginals are still recovering from their horrific experiences there.Presently, the teaching of Aboriginal languages in not only First Nations, but also provincial schools, is becoming commonplace. Aboriginal relationsSaskatchewan has an unemployment rate of 4.4%, the lowest in Canada72% of the labour force works in the services producing sector28% of the labour force works in the goods producing sector14% of the labour force works in tradeUrban workers have been steadily replacing many of the farmers, and there has also been a decrease in the number of farmsEmploymentSaskatchewan is the only province with entirely artificial boundaries. It also has no coast.Large areas of Saskatchewan were formed at the bottom of a sea that disappeared millions of years ago.Overall, Saskatchewan is mostly rolling hills and undulating slopes, unlike the stereotypical flat plains often depicted. The Precambrian Shield stretches diagonally across southeast Saskatchewan. It is known as the grain belt, and has rugged rock exposures, many lakes, level and gently rolling plains as well as fertile soil. The western boundary across the southwest corner is a plains region of higher altitude, with a more hilly terrain.The northern part of Saskatchewan is mostly swamp, muskeg, lichened rock and forest. It does not have very much arable land, unlike the more southern parts. There are six distinct vegetation zones in Saskatchewan: tundra, coniferous forest, aspen parkland, mid-grass prairie, short-grass prairie and mixed woods.Saskatchewan also has many deposits of salt, clays, coals, potash and other minerals underground. geographySaskatchewan has more hours of sunlight than any other province (2206 hours per year).Saskatchewan is also the most tornado-active part of Canada.There are short, warm summers and very cold winters. On average, Saskatchewan gets 211 days during the year where the temperature drops below 0C.Warm chinook winds can raise winter temperatures in the south by up to 20C in a few hours.The hottest recorded temperature in all of Canada was on July 5th, 1937 in Midale, Saskatchewan where the temperature was recorded to be 45C.Saskatchewan is very dry, with little moisture in the air.climateWas the last battlefield in the Northwest Rebellion of 1885.The battle resulted in the defeat of Louis Riel and the Mtis forces.Louis Riel selected Batoche as the headquarters of his provisional government of Saskatchewan.Batoche honors the history of the Mtis community of Batoche, home of Mtis culture and heritage.The site has restored buildings from the time, with actors who depict the lifestyles of the Mtis between 1860 and 1900.

Bat0che national historic site