Nestled in central Alberta roughly 90 km northeast of Edmonton, Waskatenau sits within Smoky Lake County and covers a compact land area of just 0.59 km². The village’s name traces back to the Cree language, meaning “opening in the bank,” a reference to the natural cleft in a nearby ridge through which Waskatenau Creek flows. Despite the spelling, the “k” is silent, and the name is pronounced was-et-na. The area was known as Wah-Sat-Now as far back as the 1880s, when a Cree band of the same name resided there before relocating to the Saddle Lake reserve. By around 1920, the modern spelling had come into common use, and the village was formally incorporated on May 19, 1932. That same era saw a Canadian National Railway line constructed from Edmonton to St. Paul, with Waskatenau serving as the station stop between Radway and Warspite.
According to the 2021 Census, Waskatenau had a population of 247 residents living in 118 of its 138 private dwellings, reflecting a notable growth of 32.8% from the 186 residents counted in 2016. That 2016 figure had itself represented a decline of 27.1% from the 255 people recorded in 2011, highlighting the fluctuating nature of small-community demographics. With a population density of roughly 418.6 people per km², the village packs a fair amount of community life into a very small footprint. Waskatenau is perhaps best known beyond the county for its “Home Run For Life” softball marathons, charitable events held in 2005, 2007, and 2009 to raise funds for the Cross Cancer Institute and Stollery Children’s Hospital in Edmonton. The third marathon, played from June 30 to July 5, 2009, lasted 115 hours and 3 minutes, earning official Guinness World Record recognition for the longest game of softball ever played, while raising more than $110,000 for those causes.