The Saskatchewan lifestyle and culture was inter-related with and depended on the ethnic bloc settlement, geo-physical area and rural or urban community. Saskatchewan culture has historically been heavily influenced by
English,
German,
Ukrainian,
Russian,
French,
Irish,
Scottish and
Aboriginal cultures and traditions, and over time has been greatly influenced by
American culture due to its proximity and the interchange of
human capital.
Aboriginal influences Clovis culture and prehistoric
primitive culture is depicted in archaeological findings. The
nomadic hunter-gatherer lifestyle
Bilingualism, multiculturalism, foreign influences, American influences Clifford Sifton established colonial offices in Europe and the
United States to encourage immigration from
Britain and the United States, and by
Ukrainians,
Doukhobors, and other groups from the
Austrian Empire to populate the
Canadian West. Between 1891 and 1914 was the largest influx of immigration to the
North West Territories and the province of Saskatchewan. The French Métis in
Duck Lake and St. Louis of 1870, Qu'Appelle Farming colony and Bell Farm of 1880, Cannington Manor of 1882, East London Artisans Colony of 1884, The New Elsass German block colony of 1885, New Stockholm Swedish colony of 1885, Rosthern Mennonite Colony of 1893, Montmartre/Grenfell Galician settlement of 1896, and the Good Spirit Lake Doukhobor Annex (Devils Lake colony) of 1899 are just a few of the earliest ethnic bloc settlements established in the 19th century in the early
North West Territories. Ethnic block settlements of this early time concentrated on developing their agricultural methods, and then establishing churches and schooling. Religion and education was based on what they knew from their home country.
World War I showed that there was a need for a common identity and
language in Canada and the west. Schools established a provincial curriculum and standard language. The cultural identity shifted from the homeland to creating a new society and culture with a single unifying language to aid economics and social growth.
World War II again emphasized a need for an identity which was truly and uniquely Canadian, which was also a desired norm in Saskatchewan.
Geography, climate, and immigration Northern Saskatchewan is home to the Dene and archaeological findings such as the aboriginal rock paintings of the
Churchill River,
petroglyphs as well as history of early
trading posts such as
Stanley Mission. The
Palliser Expedition described an arid geographic region unfit for human habitation known as the
Palliser's Triangle. The first capital of the North-West Territories moved from Fort Pitt to
Battleford,
Saskatchewan Provisional District (1876–1883). Near the northern tree line, and the main economic industry of
fur trapping were the fastest-growing trading posts and early settlements such as
Prince Albert. The first survey for the
transcontinental railway was between Winnipeg and Edmonton through the settled areas of Battleford and Prince Albert. In southern Saskatchewan the land was suitable for early ranching and cattle grazing enterprises. Ranchers replaced grazing buffalo herds with large spreads and community pastures. Sparse population dotted the southern landscape in the 19th century. Among the First Nations, the
49th parallel north was nicknamed the Medicine Line because of its seemingly magical ability to prevent U.S. soldiers from crossing it. The Big Muddy Badlands have a reputation for outlaw history, and hide-out caves. The
Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR)
Soo Line Railroad arrived in Moose Jaw in 1882 from Chicago, giving Moose Jaw the moniker of
Little Chicago. Gangsters such as
Al Capone used the
tunnels of Moose Jaw for bootlegging in the prohibition years 1917–1924. Chinese immigrants used the tunnels as hideaways and homes during an era of anti-Chinese sentiments. The rise of the
Cypress Hills massacre, bootlegging activities, outlaws and gangsters outrunning the United States law gave rise to new fort outposts such as Fort Walsh, and
North-West Mounted Police (NWMP) barracks, the history of which is recounted at the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Centennial Museum. On July 8, 1874, the NWMP began their
March West, which brought law and order to the southern area of the NWT. The
Dominion government and CPR examined the report given by
John Macoun, botanist to the 1872
Sandford Fleming railway route expedition. Settlement could be established under the safety of the NWMP and this new promise of agricultural colonization, so constructing a southern transcontinental railway helped maintain the
Canadian identity near the 49th parallel, which was under encroachment by the American expansionists. Central Saskatchewan recounts the history of the various
battles of the
North-West Rebellion at
Batoche and
Fort Carlton. Regina attained national prominence in 1885 during the North-West Rebellion despite the fact that the
Canadian Pacific Railway had still only reached the formerly designated territorial headquarters of Troy (
Qu'Appelle) to the east. As the railways arrived, immigrants arrived in greater quantities than via
Red River Cart via trail and ferry as well. Ethnic bloc settlements, and communities situated on the rail line grew quickly. Immigrants settled near others who they could communicate with, so those of like languages settled together for neighborly homestead improvements, harvesting co-operation and, economic necessity.
Rural living patterns women winnowing grain, Saskatchewan, 1899 Primary industries were agriculture in the rural south and central region, fishing and forestry in the rural northern region. The Dominion Land Act of 1872 offered pioneers an opportunity to prove up a quarter section of land (one hundred and sixty acres (a quarter square mile, 65
hectares).) in Western Canada for a $10.00 filing fee. The improvements needed to acquire the land were labour-intensive, and settlers farmed in family groups or ethnic bloc settlements of the same language to assist one another. Early homesteaders grew mainly
subsistence crops which would feed their own family and livestock. Pioneer activities supported harvest work groups, recreational sports, pioneer farm exhibitions, rodeos and community dances to provide support and social interaction for isolated neighbors who lived a apart from each other. The
Industrial Revolution modernized the farming industry as mechanized vehicles replaced the long hours of oxen ploughed land or the horse-drawn cart. Farms became much larger, and mechanized, evolving towards
industrial agriculture.
Urban living patterns Moose Jaw became the first city of Saskatchewan in 1903. Pile O'Bones, renamed
Regina in 1882, was declared the
Territorial Capital in 1883, became a city in 1903, and the capital of Saskatchewan in 1906.
Prince Albert attained city status next in 1904. The Barr colonists arrived in
Saskatoon in 1883, the Qu'Appelle, Long Lake and Saskatchewan Railway (QLLR) in 1890, and Saskatoon attained city status in 1906, and is presently the province's largest city. The urban centers brought a mix of ethnic and religious settlers, and those who weren't agricultural homesteaders but brought with themselves a trade or professional calling. Regina developed around the newly formed legislature and North-West Mounted Police Barracks. Saskatoon developed around the arrival of the three major rail lines becoming the central hub city for supplies both to
Alberta (west) and
Manitoba (east) but also to industry north and south. Primary industries were agriculture in the rural south and central region, fishing and forestry in the rural northern region, and mining of various capacities throughout the province depending upon resources available at each site. The depression and drought years of the dirty thirties brought folks beset by agricultural hardships to the cities for a dire hope of employment. Secondary 'make work' industries were on the rise such as manufacturing and construction. Many hotels and bridges were built by this large supply of labour in this time. With the advent of the industrial revolution, after
World War II, agricultural output went up with a decrease of labour methods. The supply of workers increased for tertiary employment sector such as transportation, trade, finance and services which were mainly based in urban centres. ==Architecture==