Several Saskatchewan communities are bringing the concept of an ‘ecomuseum’ to the province.

Ecomuseums - also known as ‘museums without walls’ – provide a framework for sustainable community development by leaving natural and cultural heritage objects in place – rather than being collected and placed in a traditional museum – and having the community work together to understand and show off the objects’ significance.

Since first developed in Europe in the 1970’s, hundreds of ecomuseums now exist throughout the world. Until recently there were none in Saskatchewan, but several communities are working to change this. The Saskatchewan Ecomuseum Initiative steering committee, which is chaired by Glenn Sutter from the Royal Saskatchewan Museum, and includes representatives from Heritage Saskatchewan, The National Trust for Canada, Museums Association of Saskatchewan and SaskCulture, is working with the communities of Indian Head, Wolseley, Nipawin, North Central Regina and Val Marie to bring these wall-less museums to the province.