Wakaw, Saskatchewan
Encyclopedia
History
Wakaw is in hilly partially forested country east of the South Saskatchewan RiverSouth Saskatchewan River
The South Saskatchewan River is a major river in Canada that flows through the provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan....
. The area is part of the aspen parkland
Aspen parkland
Aspen parkland refers to a very large area of transitional biome between prairie and boreal forest in two sections; the Peace River Country of northwestern Alberta crossing the border into British Columbia, and a much larger area stretching from central Alberta, all across central Saskatchewan to...
biome. Peopled primarily by settlers of Eastern European origin, historically it housed Prime Minister John Diefenbaker
John Diefenbaker
John George Diefenbaker, PC, CH, QC was the 13th Prime Minister of Canada, serving from June 21, 1957, to April 22, 1963...
's law office from 1919 to 1925; Diefenbaker's first wife, Edna Brower, was a Wakaw native.
Wakaw was founded on December 26, 1911 after 21 residents petitioned the Department of Municipal Affairs, asking for the incorporation of the Village of Wakaw. It was located on Section 30, Township 42, Range 26, West of the 2nd Meridian. When the railroad was built the town was moved to its present location. On August 1, 1953 Wakaw was incorporated as a town. The community will recognize its 100th anniversary by holding Centennial Celebrations on July 21 to 31, 2011.
There are about 800 cabins at nearby Wakaw Lake, some are occupied year round. Businesses in Wakaw include grocery stores, a pharmacy, gas station, restaurants, insurance agencies, tanning salon and 6 places of worship.
Notable residents
- Dave BalonDave BalonDavid Alexander Balon was a Canadian professional ice hockey player and coach. Balon played 14 seasons in the National Hockey League between 1959 and 1973 before multiple sclerosis led to his retirement.-Playing career:...
- National League Hockey Player - Fred Cenaiko - Physician - Order of Canada
- Harvey CenaikoHarvey CenaikoHarvey Cenaiko is a former police officer and one-time Solicitor General and Minister of Public Safety for the Province of Alberta. Cenaiko was elected to his second term as Member of the Legislative Assembly for the riding of Calgary-Buffalo on November 22, 2004. On November 25, 2004, he was...
- Former Solicitor General of Alberta and policeman - Tom CourcheneTom CourcheneThomas J. "Tom" Courchene, is a Canadian economist and professor.Born in Wakaw, Saskatchewan, in 1940, he received an Honours Bachelor of Arts from the University of Saskatchewan in 1962. He received his Ph.D. from Princeton University in 1967. In 1969, he received a Post-doctoral Fellow from the...
- Economist and professor - Officer of the Order of Canada - John DiefenbakerJohn DiefenbakerJohn George Diefenbaker, PC, CH, QC was the 13th Prime Minister of Canada, serving from June 21, 1957, to April 22, 1963...
- 13th Prime Minister of Canada - Dave Michayluk - former NHL player and Stanely Cup winner with the Pittsburgh Penguins