Get away to Dakota Dunes Resort

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 20/09/2021 (1471 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

On a recent road-trip through Saskatchewan, my sister Phyllis and I decided to take a detour off the beaten path to explore part of the province we’ve never visited. Travelling south from Saskatoon on Highway 219, we entered Whitecap Dakota Unceded Territory, nestled in the South Saskatchewan River Valley.

Historically, the Dakota Nation occupied a large territory, spanning from Ontario through to Saskatchewan. Their way of life emphasizes respect for all living things and the environment. They relied on ‘tatanka’ (buffalo) for survival, as it provided essentials such as food, clothing, tools and weapons. Consequently, the buffalo holds great significance to the Dakota people and is found prominently in teachings and cultural elements.

In 1879, Chief Whitecap and his people settled in their current location, 26 kilometres south of present-day Saskatoon – an area previously known as Moose Woods. Today, three Dakota communities live in Saskatchewan: Standing Buffalo, Wahpeton, and Whitecap.

The Whitecap Dakota First Nation is a modern and progressive First Nation recognized nationally for its economic and community development successes. Through resourcefulness, creativity, and entrepreneurial vision, Whitecap is a business leader in Canada.
Dakota Dunes Resort is a newly built, 155-room facility with a wide range of services and amenities.

Built with cultural esthetic in mind, its design is a tribute to Indigenous heritage, with angular window lines and exterior wood panels that echo the teepee. Inside, lobby walls resemble cracked clay, representative of the earth. Other thoughtful details are arrowhead tiles displaying room numbers, geometric feather patterns on the walls, a featured animal ‘constellation’ on each floor, and hallway lighting meant to mimic starlight.

The indoor rooftop pool and hot tub are framed on two sides by floor-to-ceiling windows, offering spectacular views of the river valley basin and the resort’s golf course — the award-winning Dakota Dunes Golf Links, which is ranked Saskatchewan’s No. 1 public course. The fitness centre, on the same level as the pool, is spacious and bright, with plenty of natural light. It is open 24 hours and features state-of-the-art machines, equipment and free weights. After working out, the nearby rooftop exterior lounge is an ideal place to enjoy the fresh air.

The main-floor exhibit corridor visually commemorates the traditions, history and values of the Whitecap Dakota First Nation. The specially curated Wanuskewin Gift Shop offers handcrafted items by local First Nation artisans, like moose hide moccasins, deer hide wraparounds, hand-painted earrings, jams, syrups and teas, and many more one-of-a-kind treasures.

The Moose Woods Home Fire Grill, inside the resort, makes delicious, homemade farm-to-table meals with locally sourced ingredients and the finest cuts of meat. Signature dishes include elk meatball parmesan, wild forest mushroom chowder, game meat stew, and bannock flatbread.

Next door to the resort, the Vegas-style Dakota Dunes Casino is the only casino in the Saskatoon region. It holds more than 620 slot machines and 18 game tables, with ‘stay and play’ packages available.