Meet the 2025/26 Lillian Agnes Jones Scholars

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By Kate Nielsen, Senior Archivist

The Whyte is proud to announce exciting new developments in the Lillian Agnes Jones Scholarship program for the 2025/26 cycle. These transformative changes not only expand funding but also open new pathways for both academics and creatives to engage with Western Canadian history and culture.

A Legacy of Support

Established in 2001 through a bequest from Lillian Agnes Jones (1909–2000), the scholarship was created to support research into the rich and complex history of Western Canada. Lillian, a graduate of the University of Alberta and the University of Washington State, worked as a librarian for Cal Standard Oil in Calgary and was a cousin to Peter Whyte, co-founder of The Whyte.

Originally offered through the University of Calgary, the scholarship returned to The Whyte in 2019, expanding public access and supporting a range of academic research projects. Until recently, a maximum of two scholars per year received $6,000 to support in-person research at The Whyte and access to the museum’s archives, library, and collections.

Major Changes for 2025/26

This year, the scholarship program underwent its most significant transformation yet:

• Total annual funding increased to $50,000, with up to $25,000 available per project.

• Introduction of two funding streams:

  • Academic Research

  • Creative Production

• Academic requirements removed, allowing any Canadian citizen or permanent resident to apply—regardless of formal education.

  
  

These changes were met with a strong response: 35 applications were submitted from across Canada. After a thorough review process, four outstanding scholars were selected for the 2025/26 cycle.

Meet the 2025/26 Lillian Agnes Jones Scholars

Academic Stream

Dr. Rosanna Carver

Rosanna’s research takes a unique turn downward, exploring the subterranean dimensions of the Canadian Rockies. Often overshadowed by the region’s iconic peaks, the underground landscape holds complex cultural, political, and material histories. Through archival research and interviews with archaeologists, hydrologists, Indigenous knowledge keepers, and other experts, Rosanna will challenge colonial narratives that have treated the underground primarily as a site for extraction and exploitation.

Stephanie Weber

Stephanie will explore the intersections of craft art, gender history, and natural landscapes in Western Canada. Drawing from The Whyte’s art and heritage collections, she’ll examine original works by women artists, many of whom remain underrepresented in mainstream art history. Stephanie’s project will question the long-standing division between “craft” and “fine art,” shedding light on the contributions these women made to Canadian cultural history.

Creative Production Stream

Giona Smalleyes

Giona will work with Elders and knowledge keepers from the Îyârhe Nakoda community to harvest sweetgrass and create a traditional rope medallion, following cultural practices passed down through generations. Her project will culminate in a community-based exhibit in Mînî Thnî, encouraging deeper engagement between the Îyârhe Nakoda community and The Whyte Museum’s collections. Her work offers a model for respectful, collaborative relationships between Indigenous communities and cultural institutions.

Kari Woo

Kari’s project will shed light on Chinese migrant labourers who helped build the Canadian Pacific Railway and contributed to Banff’s early development—stories too often excluded from historical narratives. Using archival materials and first-person interviews, Kari will create a powerful visual and written narrative, with the potential to inform future museum exhibitions and foster more inclusive storytelling.

Looking Ahead

These four projects represent the future of public history and cultural engagement in Canada: interdisciplinary, inclusive, and community-focused.

The 2026/27 call for applications will open later this year. If you’re a researcher, artist, or cultural worker with a passion for Western Canadian history and culture, this is your opportunity to make a meaningful contribution.

For details or to inquire about the program, email researchscholar@whyte.org

or visit whyte.org/scholarship

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