About the Western Development Museum
Four museums, one Saskatchewan story
Located on Treaty 4 and Treaty 6 territories and the Homeland of the Métis, the Western Development Museum (WDM) is the largest human history museum in Saskatchewan. With a collection of over 75,000 artifacts ranging from pins to locomotives and four locations in the province, the WDM shares the Saskatchewan story from the beginning of settlement to present day.
Each Museum location focuses on different aspects of Saskatchewan history – transportation in Moose Jaw, farm and rural life in North Battleford, 1910 Boomtown and innovation in Saskatoon and stories of immigration in Yorkton. The WDM also has a Corporate Office located in Saskatoon for administrative and curatorial functions as well as collections storage.
Meet the WDM
The WDM is a registered charity (Charitable Registration# 119293215 RR0001) and was established in 1949 when the Saskatchewan Government passed the Western Development Museum Act. The WDM serves the people of Saskatchewan through its exhibits, educational and public programs, special events, and research about the history of the province. Each Museum location works closely with local community partners. These partnerships range from featuring local histories to developing and delivering programs that meet their community’s needs.
The WDM’s mandate is to collect, preserve, and exhibit objects of historical value and importance connected with the economic and cultural development of western Canada and to stimulate interest in western Canadian history.
Our vision is a Saskatchewan where everyone belongs and histories matter.
The Western Development Museum is a legislated agency of the Province of Saskatchewan and operates within the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Parks, Culture and Sport. The museum is governed by a seven-member Board of Directors appointed by the Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan through an Order in Council. Staff responsibilities throughout the WDM are varied and include collections care and conservation, visitor services, gift shop sales, food services and catering, program development and delivery, fundraising, marketing, general and financial administration, and management functions.
Much of the behind-the-scenes work of the Western Development Museum is undertaken at the WDM’s Corporate Office. Located in Saskatoon, the Corporate Office coordinates programs and exhibits for the four Museum locations in Moose Jaw, North Battleford, Saskatoon and Yorkton.
Moose Jaw
A wealth of information on the history of transportation.
Link to https://wdm.ca/visit/moose-jaw/North Battleford
Learn all about farm and rural life in Saskatchewan.
Link to https://wdm.ca/visit/north-battleford/Saskatoon
Explore 1910 Boomtown and Saskatchewan innovation.
Link to https://wdm.ca/visit/saskatoon/The WDM’s vision, mission and mandate guides how the Museum serves the public and the benefit we are trying to make for all Saskatchewan residents.
Our Vision
Our vision is a Saskatchewan where everyone belongs and histories matter. We believe that people’s lives are enriched by connecting with Saskatchewan’s diverse histories. We also believe that people experience a sense of place and belonging because their histories are shared through the WDM.
Our Mission
The Western Development Museum is the keeper of Saskatchewan’s collective heritage. The Museum shares the province’s unique sense of place with all people for their understanding and enjoyment – recognizing that the legacy of the past is the foundation for a sustainable future.
Our Mandate
As stated in the Western Development Museum Act, 1949, revised October 1983, Province of Saskatchewan:
The Board shall endeavour:
- (a) to procure by gift, donation, devise, bequest or loan wherever possible, and by purchase where necessary and desirable, tools, machinery, implements, engines, devices and other goods and chattels of historical value and importance connected with the economic and cultural development of western Canada;
- (b) to collect, arrange, catalogue, recondition, preserve and exhibit to the public, the tools, machinery, implements, engines, devices and other goods and chattels referred to in clause (a);
- (c) to stimulate interest in the history of the economic and cultural development of western Canada;
- (d) to cooperate with organizations having similar objects. R.S.S. 1965, c.400, s.11.
Governance
The Western Development Museum is governed by a 7- member Board of Directors appointed by the Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan through an Order in Council. The WDM is an arms-length agency of the Province and reports through the Ministry of Parks, Culture and Sport.
Orlanda Drebit
Saskatoon
Brianna Lobb
Moose Jaw
Brian Martynook
Moose Jaw
JayDee Mazier
Saskatoon
Joan Kanigan
CEO
Curatorial & Corporate Services Centre
Directors – Curatorial and Corporate Services Centre
Roxanne Enns
Director of Administration
Peter Olotu
Financial Controller
Kristy Rempel
Director of Community Engagement
Diana Savage
Director of Exhibits, Curatorial and Corporate Services Centre
Dr. Elizabeth Scott
Chief Curator – Director of Collections & Research
Leadership
Jamie Hein
Commercial Services Manager
Saskatoon
Julie Jackson
Collections Manager
Moose Jaw
Sharain Jones
Museum Operations Manager
North Battleford
Carla Madsen
Museum Operations Manager
Yorkton
Karla Rasmussen
Museum Operations Manager
Moose Jaw
Julia Wagner
Museum Operations Manager
Saskatoon
Annual Reports
WDM Annual Reports are tabled in the Saskatchewan Legislature in July. Annual Reports provide an overview of yearly activities and financial statements. The Annual Reports are in PDF format and require Adobe Reader to view.
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