Wakaw

Wakaw, Saskatchewan, is a town 90 km northeast of Saskatoon and 66 km south of Prince Albert. It is about halfway between the two cities and is served by Highway 2, Highway 41, and Highway 312. Wakaw is in hilly partially forested country east of the South Saskatchewan River. The area is part of the aspen parkland biome.

Wakaw is a Cree word meaning "crooked". The name was taken from nearby Wakaw Lake and applied to the town.

History
The area was peopled primarily by settlers of Eastern European origin. The town was home to Prime Minister John Diefenbaker and his first wife Edna Brower. Diefenbaker opened his first law office in Wakaw from 1919 to 1925.

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, land donated to the town by Anthony Goller who immigrated to Canada in 1902. 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 recognized its 100th anniversary by holding Centennial Celebrations on July 21 to 31, 2011.

There are about 800 cabins at nearby Wakaw Lake, some of which are occupied year round.

Demographics
In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Wakaw had a population of $978$ living in $421$ of its $496$ total private dwellings, a change of NaN% from its 2016 population of $922$. With a land area of 3.09 km2, it had a population density of in 2021.

Amenities
Businesses in Wakaw include grocery stores, a pharmacy, restaurants, insurance agencies and six places of worship. Outside of town limits, at the conjunction of Highway 2 and Highway 41, there are two gas stations and restaurants.

The town's school, Wakaw School, teaches students from pre-kindergarten through grade twelve.

Notable people

 * Dave Balon - professional ice hockey player and coach
 * Harvey Cenaiko - former Solicitor General of Alberta and policeman
 * Tom Courchene - economist and professor; Officer of the Order of Canada
 * John Diefenbaker - 13th Prime Minister of Canada
 * James Latos - professional ice hockey player for the New York Rangers and coach
 * Dave Michayluk - professional ice hockey player for the Philadelphia Flyers and Pittsburgh Penguins
 * Linden Vey - professional ice hockey player for the ZSC Lions organization in the National League (NL); Olympic bronze medalist PyeongChang 2018