Royal Saskatchewan Museum

06/17/2026

This Sunday, June 21 is the summer solstice, National Indigenous Peoples Day and Father's Day. Visit and try your hand at atlatl throwing, indoor fishing in the Learning LAB and exploring the Indigenous Gallery, including the newly updated Trade exhibit.

06/15/2026

Our Curator of Archaeology, Tracy Martens was at the Canadian Light Source recently to get a closer look at fabric fragments, some of Métis orgin from Petite Ville, Saskatchewan.

“Previous fibre artifact analyses have made significant contributions to our understanding of the lives, culture and technology of past people, particularly women, yet such studies remain rare,” Tracy says. “Women's lives, technological contributions, and knowledge are underrepresented in archaeology,” she says. “Since textile work is often linked to women, this research also enhances our knowledge of women's lives on the Canadian plains.”

Fibre processing technologies existed in the Canadian plains for thousands of years before the arrival of Europeans. Teaming up with CLS Senior Scientist Joel Reid and using synchrotron light, Tracy hopes the data will reveal which local plant and animal species were used to make the Petite Ville cordage and textiles and to improve our knowledge of how people gathered and used resources. A better understanding of these artifacts is important to both researchers and living people who continue to practice these ancient traditions.

06/12/2026

Some species of bees, including honey bees and bumble bees, are social in that a queen lays eggs while female workers collect food for the colony and defend the nest from enemies. However, most bee species are solitary. This is also true for wasps where there are social species like yellow jackets, hornets, and paper wasps. However, most wasp species are solitary.

Most female solitary bees and wasps each build their own nests in the ground, or in pre-existing cavities or tube-like structures found in their environment. Solitary bees will collect pollen and nectar, pack it in a nest, and lay an egg on top to ensure the developing larva has a food source when it hatches. The nest opening is then sealed with chewed leaves, mud or resin, and they start on the next one. But what do solitary wasp moms do for their eggs?

Here’s a hint: Bees are herbivores and wasps are carnivores. So instead of pollen and nectar, solitary wasps will hunt caterpillars, beetle larvae, or other arthropods, paralyze them with a sting, and pack them away in the nest. An egg is then laid on top of the paralyzed prey and the nest opening is sealed.

The photos of this potter wasp were taken recently in Regina. In this female potter wasp’s case, it paralyzed a moth larva (possibly collected from a nearby raspberry bush) to provision its nest before laying an egg. It then sealed the nest opening with mud.

06/10/2026

Beading is so much more than decoration. It is a practice of storytelling, connection, and care. Pieces are often gifted as expressions of respect and relationship, reflecting the generosity and strength of the people who create them.

Adornment through beadwork has been seen even in the most trying of times. In the 18th century, Samuel Hearne described a woman he came across. She had spent the winter surviving alone. Despite the hardships she faced feeding, sheltering and clothing herself, she continued to adorn the clothing she made with beadwork. This certainly speaks to the resilience and importance of beauty in Indigenous life.

Today, this artistry lives on in regalia, lovingly made by skilled Indigenous artists. Worn at events like powwows, beaded belts, medallions, moccasins, earrings, and shawls carry personal stories of family, identity, and spirit.

Join us on Monday, June 15 at 10:00 a.m. to see the Kowacatoose Boyz Singers and Dance Troupe at the Royal Saskatchewan Museum and marvel at their regalia. Learn more: https://royalsaskmuseum.ca/visit/events/mini-powwow-celebration
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In the spirit of honouring relationships, our Curator of Indigenous Cultural Heritage created a beaded “Scotty” T. rex medallion as a gift to our recent SGI Solstice Speaker, Michael Greyeyes.

06/08/2026

Our summer invertebrate zoology crew is getting ready to go out into the field. They are assembling bee condos and will be installing them in various locations in Saskatchewan on agricultural land. The goal is to learn more about some of our native pollinators, the solitary bees.

Though most bee species nest in the ground, there are some species that build their nests in pre-existing tunnels in wood or plant stems. The best way to study these species is to build "bee condos" for them, using cardboard tubes. The tubes mimic the natural tunnel-like structures that these bees seek to build their nests.

Once these condos are installed, we hope to find out what kinds of solitary bees are visiting plants and crops growing in Saskatchewan. We also want to learn more about the nesting habits of solitary bees, including what types of materials they build their nests with, what types of pollen they collect and what other insects they interact with.

06/05/2026

They've arrived! Scotty the T. rex at the T.rex Discovery Centre in the Town of Eastend now features two new life-size Thescelosaurs in a race with Scotty. Thescelosaurus assiniboiensis lived at the same time as Tyrannosaurus rex, about 65 to 67 million years ago. This was a time when lush vegetation dominated Saskatchewan, with forests consisting of deciduous conifers and broad leafed, flowering trees.

The T.rex Discovery Centre is open every day from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., including holidays. Include it in your road trip plans this summer! https://royalsaskmuseum.ca/trex

06/03/2026

What's new at The Museum Shop? MINI TIPI blankets. They are made in Canada with the collaboration of Indigenous artists. Featured here is the Nibi blanket. Nibi is the Ojibway word for ''Water''. Star Quilts have been used for many generations as gift of honour and protection.
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June is National Indigenous History Month check out our event calendar and celebrate with us. There will be a mini powwow on Monday, June 15 at 10:00 a.m. featuring the Boyz Singers and Dance Troupe. https://royalsaskmuseum.ca/visit/events/mini-powwow-celebration

06/01/2026

Learn from Dene and Métis artist Kristy Derksen to create intricate floral designs using traditional caribou hair tufting techniques. In this immersive, full‑day workshop, you will be guided through the process of creating your own unique brooch. You’ll explore colour selection, pattern design, and tufting methods while developing your skills and creativity. Each participant will leave with a handcrafted piece of wearable art.

No experience necessary, open to ages 13+. Beginner to intermediate participants welcome. Materials will be provided. Registration is $25 per person. https://royalsaskmuseum.ca/visit/events/Traditional-Knowledge-Keepers-Workshop-Caribou-Hair-Tufting

This workshop is part of the Friends of the Royal Saskatchewan Museum Traditional Knowledge Keepers Program, brought to you by the Saskatchewan Teachers' Federation.

05/29/2026

It's our first Monarch Butterfly sighting of the year! Photos were taken in the Native Prairie Plant Garden by the Museum entrance yesterday. Despite a chilly start to spring, our first Monarch sighting of 2026 is earlier than most years we've been tracking Monarchs in the garden. We've submitted our sighting to journeynorth.org and hope that you do the same if you spot a Monarch in your travels.

05/27/2026

June is National Indigenous History Month. Recognize and celebrate the unique heritage, diverse cultures and contributions of Indigenous Peoples with an hour-long powwow performance featuring the Kowacatoose Boyz Singers and Dance Troupe. Watch live in our auditorium on Monday, June 15 at 10:00 a.m.

Through live singing and dance, you will be introduced to a variety of powwow styles and learn the significance of powwow, regalia, music and performance. Everyone is welcome to attend, including school groups. Register here: https://royalsaskmuseum.ca/visit/events/mini-powwow-celebration

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This event is part of the Friends of the Royal Saskatchewan Museum Traditional Knowledge Keepers Program, sponsored by Saskatchewan Teachers' Federation.

World's largest T. rex lives here. Two locations Regina, Saskatchewan and Eastend, Saskatchewan.