Parks Canada has partnered with a PhD project researching an important part of WWII and Riding Mountain National Park (RMNP) history. From 1943 – 1945 four hundred fifty Prisoners of War were housed at an internment camp on the shores of Whitewater Lake in RMNP. The project, which is in the final year of field research is focusing on the people and stories of the internment camp and is providing a university credit field course to the students of Brandon University.

The field camp, located at the Whitewater lake campsite 10km west of the North Bison Enclosure trailhead is also providing visitors an opportunity to view the field work and participate as well. Until the end of August there will be a volunteer coordinator on site (Wednesday – Sunday) providing tours and answering questions. In addition, visitors can actually participate in the excavation assisting the field workers in an attempt to uncover the history of the people that inhabited the camps almost 70 years ago. There is no advance booking required and the time commitment is up to you. This is an exciting project for RNMP, garnering media attention from around the world, and you have the opportunity to participate. For more information please follow the links. http://whitewaterpowcamp.com/ and http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/mb/riding/natcul/natcul2.aspx#pow