Moosomin First Nation Economic Development Corp Announces Moosomin Downs at Moosomin Plains  

Source: Standardbred Canada 

May 31, 2021 — With the news that Marquis Downs and Prairieland Park will cease to operate after this year, plans were revealed late Friday (May 28, 2021) for a new Thoroughbred and Standardbred racetrack in the Saskatoon area. 

In a joint press release, the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) and Moosomin First Nation announced that they plan to build an equine facility in the Rural Municipality (RM) of Corman Park on land located just northwest of Saskatoon. 

The release also stated that operators of the new track will obtain some of the assets of Prairieland Park to use at the new facility, which will be called Moosomin Downs. 

Horse people from Manitoba still plan to conduct a small harness racing meet at Prairieland Park later this year. 

The release from the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) and Moosomin First Nation appears below: 

Many First Nations and non-First Nations people in the horse racing industry have been impacted by the closing of Marquis Downs in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Moosomin First Nation Economic Development Corporation is happy to announce the launch of Moosomin Downs. 

Moosomin Downs will be the answer to a renewed and diversified equine sporting industry. Prairieland Park assets will be donated in kind to this First Nations endeavour, passing the torch of generations of horse racing from Marquis Downs to a new generation. They will host Thoroughbred and Standardbred racing, chariot and chuckwagon racing, 4-H and rodeo events, equine therapy, industry training with youth and equine professionals, and the original extreme sport of Indian Relay. 

“Over the last 25 years, our First Nation had a dream of developing our Treaty Land Entitlement lands in the RM of Corman Park. We will now be breaking ground and participating in the economy by utilizing the lands our Treaty promise ensured us,” says Moosomin Chief Brad Swiftwolfe. “We're going to be inclusive and will be reaching out to all stakeholders and interests when our implementation plan is more substantive.” 

“It has been months since first discussions and with anticipation, we have been eagerly waiting to announce together that the RM of Corman Park can look forward to Moosomin First Nation’s development,” says Corman Park Reeve Judy Harwood. “In the spirit of reconciliation, we support our Treaty partners and neighbours.” 

“The FSIN Chiefs-in-Assembly voted unanimously in favor of supporting Moosomin First Nation to be the host of an all-inclusive equine sporting development that will provide the foundation for revitalization of a part of our identity as First Nations people that was on the brink of being lost,” says FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron. “We honour the cultural and spiritual impact of our sacred relationship with the horse spirit, and we are proud to see its sacred teachings once again throughout our Treaty lands.” 

Photo: Shutterstock/Cheryl Ann Quigley