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Kalyna Country Ecomuseums
Riverland Challenge
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By Wayne Taylor
Kalyna Country Ecomuseum (KCE) encompasses an area of 20,000 sq km’s northeast of Edmonton (roughly 3 times the size of Prince Edward Island).
An ecomuseum is a ‘living museum’, which showcases the natural and cultural history of a region. Some are as small as the Tidal Mill building in Seixal, Portugal, others as large as Kalyna Country.
The name ‘Kalyna’, pronounced (Ka-lyn-na), comes from the Ukrainian name for an important high bush cranberry plant, which according to folklore says: ‘Without Kalyna, there is no Ukraina’. Which is an apt name for the area, at its peak Kalyna Country was home to the largest Ukrainian settlement outside of Eastern Europe.
The region’s attractions aren’t limited to Ukrainian Culture however, as other key ecomuseum attractions include Elk Island National Park - famous for it’s Bison herds, Fort Victoria – a former fur-trading and missionary outpost and Métis Crossing – a unique interactive experience of Métis culture.
I will never forget three German/Swiss girls who were visiting our region on a Ranch Stay program. We took them to the Buffalo Lake Métis Settlement Rodeo. During the opening ceremonies, the flags of Canada, Alberta and the Métis Nation were paraded around the arena. We asked the Master of Ceremonies if the young women, who were all accomplished riders, could carry the three flags. They agreed and the crowd roared with approval. As tourists, these girls will never forget the experience, nor will I.
There are many other activities in the region to fill your day:
- Fishing – iFish Alberta is a $5.00 app that you can purchase to find the best fishing holes
- Rodeos – visit www.lakelandrodeo.com
- Golfing – visit www.SCOREgolf.com for Alberta
- Dine Kalyna, an annual culinary KCE experience, held in Smoky Lake in July 2013. This unique experience allows you to sample regional foods showcased by Alberta chefs.
- The Iron Horse Trail – www.ironhorsetrail.ca for horses, bikes, ATVs, snowmobiles or hikers. You will experience the longest and most historic trail in Alberta.
- Ziplining at Métis Crossing – with six tours of the treetops and river. For more info visit www.ziplinerider.com.
- Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village - History.alberta.ca/ukrainianvillage.
The Kalyna Country Ecomuseum website can help you plan your trip into the region (www.kalynacountry.com). Email their office in Vegreville at admin@kalynacountry.com or call at 1-888-452-5962.
Wayne Taylor is the president of the Kalyna Country Ecomuseum Trust Society.