top of page

Search Results

815 results found with an empty search

  • Wishing A Heartfelt Farewell to Anne Ewen, Director and Chief Curator of Art and Heritage at The Whyte

    Wishing A Heartfelt Farewell to Anne Ewen, Director and Chief Curator of Art and Heritage at The Whyte Back to The Cairn By Tera Swanson, Marketing and Communications Manager After 12 transformative years and an extensive portfolio of art and heritage exhibitions at The Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies, Anne Ewen, Director and Chief Curator of Art and Heritage, is concluding her time at the museum. She is looking forward to starting the next life chapter, clarifying, "This is not a retirement, it's on to new adventures." And we'd expect nothing less - Anne doesn't sit around waiting for the paint to dry. Having curated over 200 exhibitions (and counting) at a myriad of institutions - including the Glenbow Museum, the Art Gallery of Calgary, the Military Museums of Calgary, the Alberta Historical Resources Foundation, the Triangle Art Gallery, Calgary, Fort Calgary Historic Park, and the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies - it's safe to say she has no intention of kicking back and relaxing any time soon. Anne's personal history at The Whyte runs deep and rich, having first worked at the museum from 1976 to 1980 as Curator, first working with Director Maryalice Harvey Stewart and later on Director E.J. (Ted) Hart, while museum co-founder Catharine Robb Whyte was Chair of the Board. During this time, Anne had the privilege of accompanying Catharine as her only guest to the Order of Canada ceremony in Ottawa. Catharine Robb Whyte and Anne Ewen greeting Governor General Jules Leger and his wife Gabrielle at Catharine's Order of Canada ceremony on January 11, 1978. Catharine Robb Whyte & Anne Ewen. 1978. Archives General File Collection. V8 / 2024.77. Archives and Library, Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies. "In the image of Catharine at her Order of Canada ceremony, the Governor General is Jules Léger with his wife Gabrielle. She was a dynamic woman who really supported her husband while in office. Six months after his appointment, he had a stroke paralyzing his left arm and making it difficult to speak. Gabrielle carried the weight of the role and stood in for him on numerous occasions during his five-year term as Governor General." Anne Ewen Anne reflects on both her first years at the museum and her recent time as Director and Chief Curator fondly. As a young Curator, she recalls having supportive conversations with Catharine and other Whyte family members and friends like Roy Andersen, discussing new ideas in the community, art and history, and new exhibitions to bring to the museum. "It was an open and congenial atmosphere that supported new ideas and creativity," she said. "This provided an immeasurable component to my success as a new Curator." This period at the museum was an integral timeframe in securing many donations that are now the bedrock of the institution, such as the Byron Harmon photograph collection in 1976, the Alpine Club of Canada collections in 1979, and the relocation of Windy Cabin - the oldest existing warden cabin in Banff National Park - to the Whyte Museum Grounds in 1977. Since then, Anne has paid tribute to Peter and Catharine's vision for the museum - to be a place where people could gather and appreciate the culture and beauty of the area - through every exhibition she has curated, every new colleague and student she has mentored, and every artist whose career she helped elevate. On the invitation of the Board, Anne returned to the museum in November 2012, bringing a wealth of Canadian Rockies art and culture to life, drawing national and international visitors, and maintaining integral support, connections, and interest from local Bow Valley communities. She promptly initiated key exhibitions of importance to the museum, including Indigenous Ingenuity in 2014, which highlighted the immense depth and diversity of contemporary Indigenous art. Historic artifacts from the Whyte Museum collections were displayed alongside this art, as a way to highlight materials, techniques, and motifs used by Indigenous peoples. Well known artists featured in the exhibition were members of the Indigenous Group of Seven, including Daphne Odjig, (1919-2016), Norval Morrisseau CM (1932-2007), Jackson Beardy (1944-1984), Eddy Cabiness (1933-1996), Carl Ray (1943-1978), Joseph Sanchez (1948-) and Alex Janvier (1935-2024). Reflecting on her time at The Whyte, Anne mentioned several exhibitions that she considered highlights of her career. One such exhibition was Artistry Revealed in 2018, commemorating 50 years of the artistic contribution and legacy of Peter Whyte and Catharine Robb Whyte. It featured many of the Whytes' artistic academic accomplishments, including paintings and drawings by Peter and Catharine, and paintings by other artists who touched their lives and influenced their careers. All of the selected works in Artistry Revealed were from the Whyte Museum collection, the majority of which were gifted by Peter and Catharine. Complementing the many images and painting in this exhibition were multimedia interpretive materials, numerous community engagement and public outreach programs, educational resources, didactic texts, extended labels and a virtual tour of the Whytes' beloved log home. Another highlight was the exhibition On the Fringe of the Bow in 2017/18, which celebrate local artists whose art form, once considered subversive, is now on the fringe of mainstream society – such as skateboard design, tattoo art, chain mail, and other mediums. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020, the museum faced the challenge of adapting to limitations with in-person visits for exhibitions, events, and programs. In response, through a collaborative staff effort, offerings were brought entirely online. Exhibitions, such as those by Michael Corner and Julya Hajnoczky, were reimagined in multimedia formats, featuring virtual openings, artist talks, online exhibitions, and more. This transition not only provided much-needed arts and culture to our audiences during a challenging time but also greatly improved accessibility to The Whyte for years to come. This summer 2024 exhibition J.E.H. MacDonald: The O'Hara Era is a wrap up of her career at The Whyte, where loans were secured from public and private collections highlighting the work of Group of Seven artist J.E.H. MacDonald during his trips to Lake O’Hara. Anne and the curatorial team worked alongside Patricia Cucman, implementing her and her late husband Stanley Munn’s 20-years of research on MacDonald and the O’Hara area into a comprehensive and detailed exhibition. Whyte Museum Board Member Rod Green speaks fondly of Anne, saying, “Anne is leaving the museum ‘at the top of her game.’ The just completed J.E.H. MacDonald exhibition curated by Anne set records in attendance, shop sales, sponsorships and marketing opportunities. It also provided the Whyte with new enthusiasm to do it again.” The Whyte thanks Anne for securing several integral donations to the collection, most recently a painting from John Arthur Fraser, R.C.A. (BRITISH, 1838-1898), gifted from Grit and Scott McCreath in gratitude of both her and former CEO Donna Livingstone's contributions to the museum. Over the years, there have been numerous generous contributions to the Whyte through individuals and estates, in part thanks to Anne’s ability to nurture integral relationships to the museum. Her time at the museum is just one chapter of a well-rounded career in the arts. As a Consultant, Anne worked with nationwide clients from art galleries, museums, historic properties, educational institutions, non-profit organizations, municipalities, and private industries, teaching and providing Board and operational manuals, long-range plans and collections management. She is the author of numerous publications, including Artistry Revealed: Peter Whyte, Catharine Robb Whyte and Their Contemporaries , From Morse to Whyte: A Dynastic Bequest of Japanese Treasures , and several others. Though not one to seek accolades, Anne is also the recipient of several prestigious awards and honours, including Honourary Member of the Alberta Society of Artists, the Government of Alberta Centennial Medal, the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal, and the Award of Merit and Outstanding Service Award from the Alberta Museums Association. Along with her responsibilities as Director and Chief Curator at the Whyte Museum, she is currently chair of the Town of Banff Heritage Corporation and a recently retired member of the boards of Easter Seals Canada and Easter Seals Alberta, as well as past Chair of the Banff Art Committee. Anne has been an integral pillar in the success of The Whyte over the years. We will miss her wealth of knowledge and candid perspective, and wish her all the best with her future endeavours. Former CEO of the Whyte Museum Donna Livingstone paints her picture perfectly: Anne is a cultural force. When she leaves a room, pictures hang straighter, the lighting is better, and everyone is talking about the Modernist influence of colour in mid-century bathroom towels. Fortunately, Anne Ewen’s character and force don’t end with a job title. She’s a force for life and we can’t wait to see what she’ll do next. Back to The Cairn

  • A Fireside Chat with Glen Boles: Mountaineer, photographer, and artist par excellence

    A Fireside Chat with Glen Boles: Mountaineer, photographer, and artist par excellence By Chic Scott Back to The Cairn Back in 1996 I filmed an interview with Glen Boles while I was working on my climbing history book, Pushing the Limits . This interview forms the core of our new Fireside Chat at the Whyte Museum. For the last three months, Canmore film-maker Glen Crawford and I have been working on this film/Fireside Chat and it is now complete. It is a tribute to a remarkable man and a real gentleman. To make this film, Crawford and I interviewed a number of people who know Boles well – Sylvia Forest, Alan Cole, Bob Geber, Murray Toft, Mike Simpson, Dr. Bill Hanlon and Glen’s wife Liz Boles. From them we hear the story of a life devoted to the mountains and to the mountain community. Glen Boles was born in New Brunswick in 1934 and came west to Calgary in the mid 1950s. He was introduced to mountain climbing by Heinz Kahl, a new arrival in Canada from Germany, and immediately fell in love with high places. During the 1960s he climbed often with Brian Greenwood, one of Canada’s finest mountaineers and did many difficult ascents including several new routes. Glen is best known for his association with a group of men called The Grizzly Group – Don Forest, Leon Kubbernus, Mike Simpson, Jim Fosti, Gordon Scruggs, Walt Davis and Lyn Michaud. For several decades these men headed to the hills almost every weekend during the summer and explored throughout the Rockies. Together they visited many remote areas and climbed hundreds of mountains. But for them the summit was not the point, it was being in these magical places with good friends. In 1967, to celebrate Canada’s Centennial, the Alpine Club of Canada organized an expedition to the St. Elias Mountains in the Yukon Territory of northern Canada. The expedition was composed of three parts and Glen was involved in one of these – the first ascent of Good Neighbour Peak on the Alaska/Yukon Border. The eight man team was made up of four Alaskans and four Canadians, including Boles. The entire team reached the top of the 4780 m mountain and Boles considers this one of his finest achievements. Glen has carried two cameras on all these trips (one with colour film and one black and white film) and took tens of thousands of photographs, many of them extraordinary. He has also excelled as an artist, best known for his finely detailed, pen and ink drawings of mountains and wildlife. In 2006 a book called My Mountain Album was published, showcasing Glen’s fine photography and art. Plans are underway for Glen’s great archive of images to be donated to the Whyte Museum. Glen has been a strong supporter in the Town of Cochrane since moving there in the late eighties. In recognition of his contributions to the community, the town has named a beautiful trail, west of town along the Bow River, the Glen Boles trails. Glen and his wife Liz were married in 1965 and have been devoted to each other for over fifty years. Together they spent many wonderful days hiking, skiing and climbing their beloved hills. Although Glen is now in the Bethany long-term care facility in Cochrane, Liz visits him almost every day and on his birthday, July 5, she showed him this film. It was our birthday present to a fine gentleman, great mountaineer and a legend of the Canadian Rockies. The film is free. To view this film please click on the green button below. Back to The Cairn

  • 404 | whytemuseum

    There’s Nothing Here... We can’t find the page you’re looking for. Check the URL, or head back home. Go Home

  • EXPLORE by Chris Cran Marks New Partnership: Whyte Museum and Royal Canadian Geographical Society

    EXPLORE by Chris Cran Marks New Partnership: Whyte Museum and Royal Canadian Geographical Society Back to the Cairn On March 31st, the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies and the Royal Canadian Geographical Society celebrated the opening of EXPLORE by Chris Cran, marking the beginning of a new partnership between two organizations with a common goal: connecting Canadians to nature. With the opening of this exhibition, we have signed a memorandum of understanding that reflects the many ways in which our two organizations overlap and serve Canadians. "Every hiking pole, painting, warden map, Indigenous story, and archival ski photo speaks to the passion felt for the mountains for thousands of years," said Donna Livingstone, CEO of the Whyte Museum. "As a 'national treasure in a national park,' the Whyte offers meaningful experiences that encourage visitors to explore the changing landscape with fresh eyes - and to take responsibility for it." EXPLORE is a series of 23 optical illusion portraits by Calgary artist Chris Cran, featuring contemporary and historical Canadian explorers who have helped shape our sense of geography and the world. Gallery 1 Known for his ability to play with illusion, Chris Cran fuses traditional artistic genres and contemporary movements, from pop art to abstraction and photorealism. Cran has been a prolific and influential artist presence in Canada for decades. A graduate of the Alberta College of Art + Design, where he was an instructor from the 1990s until 2018, he has helped shape generations of new visual artists. In addition to the permanent collections of the National Gallery and the Art Gallery of Alberta, his often satirical and self-referential works appear in galleries and private collections across Canada and internationally. In 2016, he was the subject of the major exhibition Chris Cran, Sincerely Yours, featured by both the National Gallery of Canada and the Art Gallery of Alberta. In 2018, the first 10 portraits in his ongoing Explore series were exhibited at Canada's Centre for Geography and Exploration, the Ottawa headquarters of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society. The historic figures and living luminaries celebrated in this series all of them closely associated with the RCGS, of which Cran is also a fellow - have been rendered by Cran in his iconic "striped" style, which creates an impression that changes depending on distance and perspective. "I've always been fascinated by how crude lines can produce photographic images," he says. The aim is to create something in which the viewer is an active participant- both in terms of meaning and the physicality of moving back and forth. "Up close in a gallery these images are abstract; people must shift between the making and what has been made, the representations of these Society founders and builders." Featured RCGS fellows include Louie Kamookak, one of Canada's foremost Inuit oral historians and a leading expert on the Franklin expedition, which had met its untimely end in the vicinity of his home on King William Land. And Mario Rigby, an advocate for inclusion and diversity in the outdoors and sustainable, human-powered travel, who has undertaken several impressive outdoor endeavours to raise awareness of these issues, including cycling across Canada in 2019. The function of the portrait is to commemorate. The portraits of the RCGS fellows do more than this. They celebrate their subjects and call them to remembrance in the individual memory. In the context of the EXPLORE series, as a group, they serve a larger purpose as well: they take part in shaping the collective cultural memory. Check out the recent media coverage of EXPLORE by Chris Cran: Artist Chris Cran’s Explore exhibition highlights Canadian explorers | Olivia Wiens with Canadian Geographic Three new exhibitions coming to Whyte Museum this spring | Craig Baird with Rocky Mountain Outlook Galleries: Gallery 1 : Spring 2023 exhibition opening at the Whyte Museum. Photos by Josh Segeleski. Back to the Cairn

  • The Ancestors Are Talking: A First Look at The Whyte's Upcoming Summer Exhibition

    The Ancestors Are Talking: A First Look at The Whyte's Upcoming Summer Exhibition Back to The Cairn The Whyte is proud to present The Ancestors Are Talking: Paintings by the Indigenous Seven , a landmark exhibition running from May 2 to October 19, 2025. Curated by acclaimed artist and the last living member of the Indigenous Group of Seven, Joseph M. Sánchez, alongside The Whyte's curators Dawn Saunders Dahl and Christina Cuthbertson, this exhibition celebrates the groundbreaking artwork of the Professional Native Indian Artists Inc. (PNIAI), colloquially known as the Indigenous Group of Seven. Norval Morrisseau , Attitude and Attention, Punk Rockers , Circa 1991. The Norval Morrisseau Estate, OfficialMorrisseau.com . “The Ancestors Are Talking will highlight the artistic progression of each member, exploring key developments in their careers, from early sketches to masterworks and public art commissions,” explains Joseph Sánchez. “This exhibition will emphasize the revolutionary colour, style, and vision that continue to inspire generations of Indigenous artists.” This highly anticipated exhibition will feature iconic works by all members of the Indigenous Group of Seven: Daphne Odjig (1919–2016), Alex Janvier (1935–2024), Norval Morrisseau (1932–2007), Carl Ray (1943–1978), Jackson Beardy (1944–1984), Eddy Cobiness (1933–1996), and Joseph M. Sánchez (b. 1948). These visionary artists broke barriers in Canadian art history, resisting systemic exclusion and redefining Indigenous art within Canada and beyond. The exhibition offers a journey through decades of their artistic evolution, featuring pieces inspired by the mountains of Jasper, the Boreal Forest, and images of strength, family, resistance, nature, and ceremony. Imagination and abstraction are shared ideas in the journey of seven artists who, with their inspiration and wisdom, changed the canon of art in Canada. Art colour, culture and spirituality filled the early conversations of the Indigenous Group of Seven followed by decades of painting and activism. They created art to awaken a troubled world and to build a foundation for those who have followed in their footsteps. As Sánchez eloquently states, “This art is revolutionary and remains deeply relevant to the history of Canadian art. These works not only reflect the past but continue to resonate with the present and inspire future art practices.” Norval Morriseau , Woman and Child in the Rocky Mountains , 1985. Photo copyright EA Studios (Jasper), Ltd, 2025. Mentorship Program The exhibition will also lay the groundwork for an Indigenous mentorship program, led by Joseph Sánchez and Dawn Saunders Dahl. Seventeen local Indigenous artists have been invited to create new works inspired by The Ancestors are Talking . In this program, artists will have an unprecedented opportunity to work with Sánchez to further develop their artistic practices. The artists will be encouraged to research historic works and material culture in The Whyte’s collection, while exploring personal narrative, traditional storytelling, and various artistic mediums and styles. This mentorship program honours the original intentions of the Indigenous Group of Seven to amply the voices of Indigenous artists. New artworks created through this program will be exhibited at The Whyte in 2026. A Continued Commitment to Reconciliation The Whyte is uniquely positioned to host this exhibition, with its commitment to preserving art and heritage in the Canadian Rockies. The museum holds the largest art collection dedicated to the Canadian Rockies, encompassing over 10,000 pieces from the early 1800s to the present day. The Ancestors Are Talking is one of many reconciliation efforts of The Whyte. Museum founders Peter Whyte and Catharine Robb Whyte deeply valued their relationships with Indigenous communities, recognizing the importance of preserving and sharing the cultural knowledge and heritage of the Indigenous Peoples of the region. This exhibition is a continued effort to share and protect the rich cultural history of Indigenous art and identity, and to strengthen cross-cultural relationships. Join us this summer in celebrating the enduring legacy of the Indigenous Group of Seven—a collective whose artistry, advocacy, and vision continue to shape the cultural and artistic landscapes of Canada and the world. The Norval Morrisseau Estate, The Rimrock Banff, and EA Studios (Jasper) Ltd. support the exhibition. Back to The Cairn

  • Dr. Edward Sylvester Morse: Marine Biologist, Collector, and Scholar

    Dr. Edward Sylvester Morse: Marine Biologist, Collector, and Scholar Back to the Cairn By Kayla Cazes, Librarian/Reference Archivist Many may not know, but here at the Whyte Museum, we have a rich and diverse Japanese collection of objects and art. In January 2018, Dr. Gain Chin, an Associate Professor Emeritus at the University of Regina, provided a scholarly assessment of our Japanese collection. She was able to add depth and clarity about the cultural significance and value of our collection. How you may ask, did we acquire such objects? Come with us on a journey of the man known as Dr. Edward Sylvester Morse. Morse specialized in the study of malacology, which focuses on mollusca. Mollusca includes snails, slugs, clams, octopus, squid, and so on. As a marine biologist he focused heavily on this classification of invertebrates. In 1870, he published a book that reclassified braciopods as worms, rather than mollusks. In 1877, Morse went in search of coastal braciopods in Japan. This short stay turned into a three year adventure for Morse. During this time he fell in love with the culture and people of Japan. He would return to Japan in 1882 and begin to amass a large collection of objects. So, what is the connection to the Whyte Museum? Morse was Catharine Robb Whyte's maternal grandfather. Through her personal letters and diary entries, we can see her immense fondness for him. Catharine described the collecting tendencies of her grandfather in a diary entry, "Grandpa never threw anything away, even letters from Mother which just say, "Will meet you Saturday," . . . I cleaned out the attic. We found old hats, shoes, boots, masks, pictures, coffee pots, maps, an old warming pan, fishing rods, boxes, shells, stones, tiles, trunks, bags, screens . . . pottery, old bottles, kettles, an old sea chest . . . a skeleton of a monkey, the [hyoid] bone of a 'Peruvian mummy' and a 'section of the human soul' in one drawer in the desk." Catharine Robb Whyte, March 31, 1926 Between the years 1890 and 1892, the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, Massachusetts purchased thousands of ceramic objects from Dr. Morse. The Peabody Museum in Salem, Massachusetts acquired every day material objects. From April to October 2018, we showcased our collection in an exhibition, From Morse to Whyte: A Dynastic Bequest of Japanese Treasures . Below is a selection of Japanese objects and art that were collected by Morse. Back to the Cairn

  • Carl White: Carousel

    Carl White: Carousel By Anne Ewen, Curator of Art & Heritage Back to The Cairn April 13 – June 9, 2019 Main Gallery This exhibition is one of three new exhibitions coming this spring! The others will include Laara Cassells _after and Susanne Aaltonen: Knowing How Little I Need Her Now . Please Join us for the opening reception on Saturday, April 13 at 7 p.m. A carousel, like a roulette wheel, a lottery or equine-style fair ride, are metaphors White envisions in context to the continuously spinning merry-go-round of life and quest for the meaning of existence. White’s fascination with art history and mythology, together with his understanding of artistic techniques, theories and application are the foundations of his practice. An intelligent and highly skilled painter, he combines his encyclopedic knowledge of art history with his love of punk rock culture and skateboarding. White’s paintings exude a genteel quietude overlaid with exquisitely choreographed defiance where the 16th century meets graffiti. These compelling historic painterly impressions merge with contemporary references encouraging the viewer to consider the value of preciousness and lasting preservation. On newly constructed work, veneer is pristine and clear but as paintings age, they crackle and flake, oftentimes peeling away like ripened rind. Seasoned and wrinkled skin form maps of our lives and like art are in a constant state of deterioration. Atrophy is impossible to halt. Yet, using heaters and accompaniments, White deliberately ages his paintings seeking the finely laced and intercrossed lines conservators strive to restore. Canvas is furled, back painted and gilded, offering an unpretentiousness attitude to the strictures of art museum protocols. Here the frame serves to amplify the gaping edges of frayed work. As he contends with the complexities of his art practice, the artist manipulates multiple techniques with intuition and a practiced hand while exploring the riddles of painting. Superb inventiveness combined with the talents of a forger, his paintings are transmutations with subtle gestures such as a Rubens hand or Kandinsky colourations, drawn from the recesses of his mind, where an archive of images coexist with the knowledge of Alchemy, Koan, Shiva, and the Sex Pistols. Born in Liverpool, England, Carl White’s early awareness of history and passion for art was fueled by books and nourished by frequent outings to British museums and art institutions. After immigrating to Calgary, White attended the Alberta College of Art + Design studying Design and Communication where his response to assignments were tailored to painting. Upon graduation, White became a full-time painter. His work has been featured in numerous solo and group exhibitions across Canada and are included in many private collections nationally and internationally. His public commissions adorn important structures such as the National Press building in Washington, D.C. Carl White is represented by Christine Klassen Gallery, Calgary. Back to The Cairn

  • v439_pd_360_6_001

    File name: fonds: Title: Date: D escription: v439_pd_360_6_001 Moore family fonds Edmée Moore with three other young men and women in a tent [between 1925 and 1935]

  • Collecting Hollywood

    Collecting Hollywood By Elizabeth Kundert-Cameron, Head Archives and Library Back to The Cairn For over a century, Hollywood has been coming to the Canadian Rockies to film movies. Collecting these films for the Archives Library collection has been ongoing since the 1980s, when former staff members Brian Patton and Mary Andrews began to research and source out rare videocassettes. Since then with increasing film restoration initiatives, more films are now becoming available. With every film, there are related stories and insights that can be explored. A recent purchase, The Sky Pilot (1921) was adapted from the novel by Ralph Connor, a pseudonym for Reverend Charles W. Gordon , who was a minister in Banff and Canmore in 1890-1892. Directed by King Vidor, the opening scenes show Banff as the fictional, Swan Creek. Ralph Connor’s book Corporal Cameron of the North West Mounted Police: A Tale of the Mcleod Trail was also adapted into a movie filmed in Banff titled Cameron of the Royal Mounted (1921), which featured local R.C.M.P. Sergeant E. O. Taylor. While only a portion of this film survived, this remnant has also been purchased for the Archives Library. Screenshots from The Sky Pilot (1921), DVD, Alpha Home Entertainment, 2014 The interconnection between the films collected and how they relate to the existing holdings of the Archives and Library is exciting to explore. The Archives Library contains many of Ralph Connor’s original books, including The Sky Pilot and Corporal Cameron of the North West Mounted Police: A Tale of the Mcleod Trail . Another silent era film recently purchased was The Calgary Stampede (1925) starring Hoot Gibson . It was filmed on location at the Calgary Stampede, E. P. Ranch and at Buffalo National Park (1909-1940) near Wainwright, Alberta. The bison shown in this film were from the Pablo-Allard herd, which were later moved to Wood Buffalo National Park. The bison that Banff reintroduced to the Panther River Valley in 2017, were also descended from the bison from the Pablo-Allard herd which had remained in Elk Island National Park. The movies that have been collected for the Archives Library collection are interesting because of their connections to the community, but are also important for film studies research. Since 2017, the Whyte Museum has been screening some of its film holdings through its Rockywood Reels Film Series : Eternal Love (1929), 49th Parallel (1941), Son of Lassie (1945), Saskatchewan (1954), The River of No Return (1954), The Far Country (1954), Rose Marie (1954), Little Big Man (1970), Buffalo Bill and the Indians or Sitting Bull’s Lesson (1976), and Death Hunt (1981). While the movies could be watched for pure entertainment value–some movies were “campy” at best. The films highlighted outdated and often disturbing stereotypes perpetuated of women, Indigenous Peoples, Mounties, French-Canadians, and others. The contrast between Saskatchewan and Little Big Man was especially compelling. During the screening of the Rockywood Reels’ movies, it has been interesting to observe the audience’s reactions to movies that at one time were considered innocuous. At times, there has been a collective gasp! As the final offering of this season’s Rockywood Reels , the National Film Board movie Reel Injun: On the Trail of the Hollywood Indian (2009) will be shown on May 16 . Purchased recently for the Archives Library collection, it will provide excellent context to many of the films that have been made in the Canadian Rockies. All of the films collected are available for viewing in the Archives and Library Reference Room. As to the public screening of Sky Pilot and Calgary Stampede … stay tuned! Find your tickets or join the guest list for Reel Injun here . Back to The Cairn

  • Research & Collections | Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies

    Through research & collections, the Whyte Museum makes the human and natural history of the Canadian Rocky Mountains accessible and meaningful. ARCHIVES AND SPECIAL COLLECTIONS The Whyte Museum Archives and Special Collections hold over 800 archival fonds and collections that represents the culture and history of the Canadian Rocky Mountains. Archival holdings include approximately 350 metres of textual records, more than 700,000 photographs, and over 1500 sound recordings, motion pictures and videos. Dating from the mid-19th century to the 21st century, these records document not only the people who created them, but also the broader social, political, and economic history of the Canadian Rocky Mountains. As well, the Whyte Museum houses three special collections libraries: Archives Library, Alpine Club of Canada Library, and Art Library. Many of these publications, including books, periodicals, pamphlets, maps, newspapers, and audiovisual materials, are rare treasures. Through archives and special collections, the Whyte Museum seeks to make the human and natural history of the Canadian Rocky Mountains accessible and meaningful to all audiences. ARCHIVES & COLLECTIONS Over 800 Archival Fonds Access to the collections' descriptive catalogue databases. INDIGENOUS ARCHIVES Indigenous Archival Access Guide This access guide was created to give reduced barriers for Indigenous users in accessing the materials we hold in the archives. RECOGNIZING RELATIONS Indigenous Photo Identification Project This community-naming project was started in order to update the captions and descriptions of our collection of photographs representing local Indigenous peoples.* LILLIAN AGNES JONES SCHOLARSHIP Lillian Agnes Jones Scholarship The Lillian Agnes Jones Scholarship was established “for study and research related to the history of Western Canada.” Explore the research work of past scholarship recipients. FIRESIDE CHATS Interview Series by Chic Scott In this live interview series hosted by the Whyte Museum, Chic Scott sits down with esteemed members of the community - from backcountry lodge owners to climbing pioneers, and much more. PUSHING THE LIMITS: THE LEGACY Legacy Project In the early 90s, Chic Scott interviewed Canada's leading climbers while researching for his book Pushing the Limits. Through efforts of the Archives, Chic Scott, and filmmaker Glen Crawford, they have been digitized and revitalized. COMMEMORATIVE PORTFOLIO Catharine Robb Whyte & Peter Whyte This portfolio celebrates and chronicles the life of Catharine Robb Whyte (1906 – 1979) and Peter Whyte (1905 – 1966). TRANSCRIPTION PROJECT Volunteer Opportunity By increasing readability and keyword searching, you can open new doors for both researchers and the general public to access and use our collections. Archives and Special Collections appointments are available Tuesday – Friday, 1 to 5 p.m. Appointments can be booked in advance. Some morning appointments may be possible. Appointment access is through the Archives’ Entrance, and no admission is charged. Please review the required procedures for researching and requesting materials. Drop-in researchers are welcome through regular admission to the Whyte Museum. However, due to capacity restrictions, priority access is given to researchers with appointments. Email archives@whyte.org to book your appointment. Please review the required procedures for researching and requesting materials. The monitoring and replying to queries in archives@whyte.org mailbox is limited to Tuesday – Friday, 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Digital reproductions are available to order through our online database archives.whyte.org. For requests for the digitization of analog material contact archives@whyte.org Researcher Information *Disclaimer: This material is presented as originally created, it contains outdated cultural descriptions and potentially offensive content. Materials in historical collections reflect the attitudes, ideas, and norms of the era and culture in which they were created or collected. Offensive or harmful terms are retained for historical accuracy or to document the issues and social context of a specific time and the attitudes and opinions of the people who created the material. ART AND HERITAGE The Whyte Museum's art collection embodies the artistic spirit and vision of our founders Peter and Catharine. The collection includes over 10,000 items spanning the early 1800s to the present day. Featured are drawings, paintings, prints, and sculptures by celebrated local, regional, national, and international artists who have been captivated by the local landscapes. The collection includes artifacts that help to convey the stories of the numerous residents of and visitors to the town of Banff and area. Over time the region has become a destination for adventurers, artists, climbers, explorers, guides and outfitters, hikers, immigrants, Indigenous Peoples, and sport enthusiasts. Items from these individuals acquaint us with the past while simultaneously connecting us with the present. SEARCH HERITAGE HOMES Join a Heritage Home Tour The Heritage Homes form a unique and distinct part of the Whyte Museum’s Heritage Collection. They are aimed at preserving significant examples of Banff’s earlier architectural styles and homes associated with some of the area’s more noteworthy residents. ART & HERITAGE COLLECTIONS Art & Heritage Collections Explore the art and artifact collections from the online database. EXHIBITIONS Additions to the Collection View various exhibitions hosted in the Founder's Gallery at the Whyte Museum, featuring exceptional artists and additions to the collections. The Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies acknowledges the Government of Canada Department of Canadian Heritage through the Museums Assistance Program for their generous support.

  • Supporting Indigenous Initiatives and Accessibility: the Whyte Museum's Ongoing Commitment

    Supporting Indigenous Initiatives and Accessibility: the Whyte Museum's Ongoing Commitment Back to the Cairn By Dawn Saunders Dahl, Indigenous Relationships and Programs Manager The Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies supports staff to continue to strengthen Indigenous relationships through action-inspired dialogue. We actively invite Indigenous community members connected to the museum collections and the Bow Valley to share stories about the living object and archival collections. These consultations celebrate the stories about how items were made, who made them, as well as continuing to identify relatives in photographs, films, and sound recordings. We strive to continue to develop new Indigenous education initiatives. In 2023 we created a youth Bison activity book with community members from Ktunaxa and Stoney Nations and we are on final production of a Bison Salmon book. New modules for the Living with Nature program are in development and modules have been piloted. These relationships contribute to the changes in the museum, starting with a new Bison exhibit in the Heritage Gallery, a new display in the Archives Reading Room, and the development of an Indigenous traveling exhibit. These efforts also build and maintain relationships which are reflected in the museum’s future endeavours, influencing programs and contributing to the hiring Indigenous staff. Banff and Lake Louise Tourism supported the creation of a new Bird Mural Project and painting of the picnic tables on the museum grounds in the summer. The Cave and Basin Mural Project added three new Indigenous murals and this partnership with Parks Canada will continue in 2024. We will create four more box murals at the Cave and Basin Historic Site. Priority in 2024 is for Blackfoot and Stoney Nation artists, all Indigenous artists are invited to apply. Please contact Dawn Saunders Dahl if you require assistance to put your application together by February 5, 2024. Visitors to the museum can book a tour led by Indigenous staff in the museum and in summer 2024 a tour about the Mural Project will be offered. Learn more about these tours here . Gallery 1 We have noticed increased participation from Indigenous communities to reach out to museum staff for resources and to visit the museum, positive feedback from visitors, and an increase of new partnerships. Indigenous staff in the Archives have developed Indigenous access resources and contribute to providing understandings around access and the items in the collections. Over the last 10 years, the Whyte Museum Archives has been committed to building relationships with local Indigenous Nations by creating outreach initiatives and encouraging access to Indigenous related archival materials and resources to Indigenous communities. We are in the final stages of board approval for the Indigenous accessibility document. Outreach to Indigenous communities continues to ensure protocols and contact information is accurate. Indigenous ways of knowing comes from a deep oral tradition, passed on by Elders and Knowledge-Keepers. Protocols about how to communicate some of these details is critical for museum staff to be respectful in the preserving of cultural heritage. Indigenous communities have the right to control their knowledge and data where they see fit, and this policy will ensure that staff implement Indigenous wise practices. To understand and know protocols about access to the Indigenous materials within the collections, we require in depth consultation with Indigenous communities. By gathering this information, we preserve the protocols that are aligned with community wishes from Indigenous perspectives to ensure that this information is preserved and shared for future generations of Canadians. This policy is led by Dawn Saunders Dahl, Manager of Indigenous Relationships, working with museum staff who have assisted to create this policy to reinforce the museum’s commitment to continue genuine relationship-building with Indigenous communities. Indigenous staff have been crucial in assisting other staff members to understand the complexities around Indigenous relationships and staff seek opportunities to engage Indigenous perspective in the museum. There has been increased discussion and inclusion of Indigenous perspectives at staff meetings and in program and event planning, and Indigenous voices are part of the planning and delivery of museum programs and exhibits. Indigenous staff are empowered by opportunities to flex their skills within their own professional development with public speaking, design and development of presentations for workshops, and talks and tours of the exhibits. In terms of creating access, the more we consult and share time with Indigenous communities, the more the word will get around about what resources we hold in our collections. The museum benefits when communities know about the resources in the archives, and that these resources are available for use for their projects. All these activities help to break down barriers and develop new professional skills and practices within the institution and local Indigenous communities. The museum’s Indigenous led programs, exhibits and events have increased a broader understanding of Indigenous history and strengthened relationships with Indigenous peoples, local Bow Valley community members, staff and visitors to the museum. Stay tuned for future articles from Indigenous staff members about the activities within the Archives department, the new murals, new education and tours we are developing, and final version of the Indigenous Access document. We look forward to continued support with Indigenous communities and Elders, the museum board, staff and visitors to the museum and hope to see you at the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies in 2024! Want to learn more? Be sure to drop by the Whyte Museum Book Shop and check out the amazing books by Indigenous writers! Images: Image 1: L-R: Travis Rider, Dagny Dubois, and Colleen Crawler, Hosting Indigenous Relations team. Image 2-3: Bird Box Murals by featuring artists Tiffany Wollman (Métis) and Hali Heavy Shield (Blackfoot). Image 4: Artist: Brandon Atkinson (Metis). Image 5: L-R: Lillian Rose and Elisha Jimmy (Ktunaxa). Image 6: Picnic table painting by Bruno Canadien (Dene). Image 7-8: Picnic table painting by Cheyenne Bearspaw (Iyethka - Stoney). Gallery 1: Photos by mural artist Tania Willard (Secwépemc). Back to the Cairn

  • v692_pa_133a_135

    File name: fonds: Title: Date: D escription: v692_pa_133a_135 Peter and Catharine Whyte Foundation fonds Pearl Moore watching the moving of the Moore house from Banff Avenue to site next to Archives. 1971 Ron Duke, Photographer

bottom of page