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Stories From the Trails: A Space for Indigenous Artists and Tradition at Banff Centre

Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity is a post-secondary institution located on Sacred Buffalo Guardian Mountain that specializes in education and training in arts disciplines, cultural leadership and Indigenous leadership. The Hide Tanning and Parfleche Residency, which ran from September 30 to October 18, 2024 is the first residency to focus entirely on a traditional artform. It offers space for Indigenous peoples to foster and revive ancestral teachings.

Walking into the Open Studios event at Banff Centre’s Glyde Hall, a series of free public events to showcase artists’ work at the end of a visual arts residency, the spirit of community and tradition is palpable. The space is vibrant with not only artwork, but with the energy of artists who have spent the last three weeks creating and sharing their craft here. The artists focused on how to scrape a hide, bone toolmaking, and working with parfleche - a rawhide container used to carry objects.

More than just a space for creating, this residency has become a place of connection, where knowledge is passed down, and history is woven into the present through every piece of art. This Open Studio is a perfect opportunity to gather the community in celebration of the artists and their work.

Programming That’s Rooted in Culture

Janine Windolph (Atikamekw/Woodland Cree), Director of Indigenous Arts at Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, reflects on the growth and evolution of Banff Centre’s Indigenous Arts residencies, many now in their third iteration. As an Indigenous artist herself with experience in filmmaking, writing, curating, and storytelling, she understands the deep significance of these programs.

“Being able to revitalize culture in an institutional setting is really important and part of why we have these programs,” Janine explains.

Banff Centre has been collaborating with Indigenous artists for decades, but the Indigenous Arts department officially became permanent in 2018. This change reflects Banff Centre’s commitment to advancing the work of Indigenous artists and addressing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action.

Banff Centre makes these residencies achievable for Indigenous artists by offering scholarships that cover 100 percent of the program fee, food, and lodging through funding. Janine says removing barriers ensures that the artists are choosing the right program for themselves, rather than just making the right financial choice.

“I’ve found in all our programs, and especially in this one, there’s been a more intentional structure where the artists teach each other their skills. It’s been beautiful to see,” she says.

She has witnessed firsthand the impact these programs have on the artists. “They’re excited to share the teachings they’ve learned. No one becomes an expert in three weeks, but they leave with tools, knowledge, and networks they can take home for ongoing learning.”

Dedicated Time and Space

Looking ahead to 2025, Banff Centre will host Write Over Here, an Indigenous screenwriting residency. Unlike the Hide Tanning and Parfleche Residency, which focuses on traditional artforms, this program is designed specifically for Indigenous screenwriters working in television and film.

Write Over Here will offer writers the dedicated space and time to focus on their craft, enhanced by mentorship and a supportive community. As Janine, a screenwriter herself, explains, the residency was born out of a need to bring writers out of their silos. “Having time to focus on the writing helps make the next steps—like production and post-production—so much smoother,” she says.

Now in its third iteration, the residency has already helped past participants move their scripts into production, with some films debuting at festivals and in theatres. This year’s program will continue to build on that success, offering a framework that encourages collaboration while giving writers the solitude they need to refine their work.

As Banff Centre continues to build on its commitment to Indigenous arts, programs like Write Over Here and the Hide Tanning and Parfleche Residency ensure that both traditional and contemporary forms are nurtured. These residencies for creative growth and cultural preservation, ensuring Indigenous stories – whether told through film or crafted with hide – continue to resonate for generations to come. “My hope is that what the artists learn ripples into their communities when they leave,” Janine says.

Check out the artists from the Hide Tanning and Parfleche Residency and see more Indigenous Arts programs coming up at Banff Centre.


Participants:

Adele Arseneau, Craig Commanda, Chelsea Kaiah, Tara-Lee Manu, Matricia Bauer, Jamie-Lyn Gillingham, Amanda Lickers, Luanne VanDecamp 


Faculty:

Joely BigEagle-Kequhtooway, Lorne Kequahtooway, Lucy Ann Yakeleya, Suzan Marie, Gary Gott, Wade BigEagle, Daryl Kootenay

Stories from the Trails is a series sharing learning, success, and insights, from our members and partners as we journey together towards the 10-Year Vision for Tourism. This story embodies the Indigenous Connections Trail.

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Published 2024-10-28