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By Donna Livingstone, Chief Executive Officer Back to the Cairn Anne Ewen has a distinguished career as an art curator, arts administrator, author, heritage consultant, and mentor to new artists and curators. She has been recognized with medals and awards for her services to the museum community and to Alberta culture. But this week, she received an award that caused her to reflect on the decades she has spent volunteering in the community and what it has meant for her and her family. The Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee Medal in Alberta was presented to Anne in recognition of her service to her peers, to the community, to Alberta. and to Canada. Anne was nominated by Easter Seals Alberta, an organization she has spent over 20 years serving for the Alberta Society but also as an active member of the national board. Receiving the award was an honour, and it gave Anne time to look back on her career and her time as a volunteer. When you work in the arts, your time just spills over into volunteering. Easter Seals was a departure from that but opened her eyes to the challenges that are faced every day by people with disabilities and their families. “We had young children then and recognized how fortunate we are that they are healthy. Easter Seals, and especially Camp Horizon, showed what a difference it can make for one week a year when the kids with differing abilities can just relax and be supported," says Anne. "Lifetime friendships are established enabling campers to support each other throughout the year using assorted ambulatory and communication devices.” "It was a learning curve for our whole family. Some fundraising events I couldn’t attend, so I sent our son in my place and he happily climbed mountains and rappelled down office buildings to raise funds. Our daughter, a young teen at the time, was the ideal candidate to help the female campers spruce up for Camp Horizon’s annual Christmas dance." Anne was impressed with the national spirit of the organization which is active in the provinces and territories. “Functioning across the country, it ensured we came together to work on projects of national significance. For some initiatives, we also partnered with Easter Seals America.” “The resilience and stoicism of the many families caring for their loved ones is both heart-warming and wrenching. So many success stories juxtaposed with casualties. It has been a privilege to have met so many wonderful people and I look forward to volunteering on a less formal basis.” Back to the Cairn

By Kate Riordon, Collections Processor & Digital Technician Back to the Cairn A pioneer of guiding and outfitting in the Canadian Rockies and founder of Num-Ti-Jah Lodge, Jimmy Simpson Sr. is a household historical name - thanks to hard work and humble beginnings. Reputations are a funny thing. If I told you to picture a man who guided climbing and hunting trips on horseback for 40 years, worked as a camp cook for mountaineers like A.O. Wheeler and Edward Whymper in the early 1900s, and built a hotel in the middle of nowhere by himself, what would he look like? I’m willing to bet you aren’t picturing a short, wiry, red-haired Scot. Like many who heard about James “Jimmy” Simpson prior to meeting him, you aren’t alone. Born Justin James McCarthy Simpson in 1877 in Scotland, Jimmy (as he was quickly nicknamed), left the country of his birth before his 20th birthday and never went back. Reports differ on how old he was when he left, but it’s largely agreed that the reason for his migration was that he embarrassed his family by laughing in church. His path to the Rockies wasn’t exactly a smooth one, either. After spending a solid 24 hours on a farm south of Winnipeg, Jimmy figured anything had to be better than that, and he kept moving west. In Calgary, he ran into some boys he’d met while at a boarding house in Winnipeg and, despite not having a ticket, joined them on their trainride into the mountains. To hear him tell it, Jimmy was kicked off the train at Silver City (a long-gone mining town at the base of Castle Mountain) for “snoring too loudly” inside the berth he’d been hiding in.[1] From there he walked 29 kilometres (18 miles) to Laggan. An Outfitter is Born Laggan, called Lake Louise today, turned out to be a very hospitable place for young Jimmy. By 1897, he was working for legendary outfitter Tom Wilson, who had also employed Fred Stephens and Bill Peyto at the beginnings of their respective careers.[2] Jimmy, with little in the way of experience on the trail but an excess in the way of enthusiasm, began paying his dues by slinging grub as the camp cook. Despite his diminutive size and low station in the outfitting pecking order, Jimmy was quick and strong and had a way with both people and horses — it wasn’t long before he left Wilson’s employ to strike out on his own. By 1906, Jimmy had worked for both Tom Wilson and Bill Peyto, had had two different business partners, and now operated out of Banff as a solo outfitter. In the years leading up to World War I, his biggest competitors were none other than Jim and Bill Brewster, founders of the Brewster Transportation empire. Life in Banff suited Jimmy fine enough. His reputation had spread so that he was usually able to fill his warm months packing climbers and hunters throughout the park, and he filled his winters coaching hockey, promoting the Banff Curling Club, and working his traplines with Fred Ballard. He and Fred made for an interesting pair. While Jimmy was so skilled in travelling on snowshoes that the Stoney Nakoda named him Nashan-esen (Wolverine-go-quickly), Fred once held a pair of his shoes at gunpoint because they made him slip and fall head-first into a pile of logs.[3] The Protégé of a Painter Jimmy was a mountain man through and through. Like many of his contemporaries, he loved whiskey, hunting (especially mountain sheep), trapping, and trying to stay one step ahead of the government. But did you know he also loved to paint? Like all good lads of a certain generation, Jimmy had “learned the skills of a British amateur naturalist,” and in 1910 he finally got to test those skills when he invited renowned wildlife painter Carl Rungius to come visit.[4] Rungius, who initially threw Jimmy’s letter of invitation in the trash, turned out to be a mentor born of opportunity and, inevitably, a lifelong friend. Together, the two men roamed the regions of the Rocky Mountains most likely to harbour large game, hunting both with rifles and cameras. Rungius’ style and use of colour fascinated Jimmy, who already knew his way around a set of watercolour paints, and his influence is obvious in Jimmy’s work. Over the next decade, Jimmy became busier running his outfitting business and didn’t have as much time to go out hunting with Rungius. Luckily, Rungius now had a house and studio on Cave Avenue in Banff and was largely able to navigate the park without a guide – although he did still hire pack hands and gear from Jimmy in exchange for paintings. In 1916, Jimmy added another title to his already impressive list of descriptive terms: husband. That year, he married Williamina “Billie” Ross Reid and, just one year later, they welcomed their first daughter, Margaret. If you think family life was able to slow Jimmy Simpson down, I regret to inform you that you’re mistaken. The Next Chapter at Num-Ti-Jah Lodge In 1922, now with two daughters and a newborn son in tow (Mary joined the brood in 1919 and little Jimmy Jr. came along in 1922), Jimmy started on the project that would stand as his longest-lasting contribution to Banff National Park. Approved for the lease of five acres of land along the shore of Bow Lake, Jimmy started construction on Num-Ti-Jah Lodge, a small, octagonal log cabin to be used mostly by his horseback trips — the unusual shape of the building was in owing to the fact that the trees in that area were so short.[5] This cabin served as the launching point for many of his outfitting trips. From Banff, parties would take the train to Lake Louise and then head on horseback to Bow Lake. Like the high alpine climbing huts that served mountaineers, Jimmy’s small lodge served as a comfortable waystation for his guests. The dominance of horseback travel wasn’t long for the world though. The Brewsters’ successes in tourism and transportation saw the rise of the automobile throughout Canadian National Parks in the interwar years. In 1933, the government began construction on the Banff-Jasper Highway, running a road conveniently close to Jimmy’s remote lodge. Smelling money along with all that tar, Jimmy began building a proper lodge alongside his original cabin in 1937. This bigger building featured 24 guest rooms, a parlour, a dining room, and nearby stables for the horses Jimmy still used for day and overnight trips. Billie oversaw the majority of the day-to-day running of the lodge and Jimmy continued to guide parties (usually hunting) well into the 1940s. It wasn’t until after World War II that Jimmy began turning complete control of his business — lodging and guiding — over to his son. In a move that feels very full circle, Jimmy acted as camp cook for some of these later trips well into his 70s. A Conversation Craftsman Jimmy Simpson was a compelling man. While he never graduated high school nor attended university, he had a keen mind and a sharp intellect. In order to effectively entertain whomever he was guiding, he would read up on their favourite topics so they would have common ground to share on the trail. He also had a flair for showmanship and kept his guests, employees, partners, family, and — probably most of all — himself entertained with all manner of jokes, both practical and otherwise. He possessed what my father would call “the gift of the gab” and had a penchant for spinning yarns. Which is more than a little impressive when you remember that he did all this talking with a pipe clamped firmly between his teeth. Even in the recorded interviews he did with Catharine Robb Whyte in the 1950s, you can hear the scratch of matches being struck and the faint whistling of when he’d pull on the pipe. Jimmy and Catharine (as well as their spouses) shared a lot in common and had been friends since the Whytes settled in Banff in the early 1930s, even despite the fact that the Simpsons were old enough to be Peter and Catharine’s parents. In 1968, Catharine granted Jimmy and sculptor Charlie Biel the honour of cutting the rawhide strip that officially opened the original Whyte Museum building. Interview with Jimmy Simpson and Catharine Robb Whyte. Jimmy passed away in 1972 at the age of 95, joining Billie and, tragically, Margaret. Over the better part of the 80 years Jimmy lived in the Canadian Rockies, he walked the trails with the likes of Tom Wilson, Hector Crawler, “Wild” Bill Peyto, and Sid Unwin. He played host to artists, botanists, geologists, climbers, hunters, and even a wealthy widow with a penchant for collecting rare butterflies.[6] Yes, he had a truly staggering reputation, but he never grew very tall. To learn more about the life and works of Jimmy Simpson, visit our current exhibition at the Whyte Museum in the Heritage Gallery, explore the Lizzie Rummel room for reading on Canadian Rockies history, or book an appointment with the Whyte Museum Archives. Images Image 1: Jimmy Simpson with dog, [ca. 1905], Jimmy Simpson family fonds, V577 / II / D / PA – 01, Archives & Special Collections Image 2: Left – Jimmy Simpson. Porch of Banff Springs Hotel ; trip to Red Earth Creek with Joe Woodworth [detail], [ca. 1915], Jimmy Simpson family fonds, V577 / I / A / 2 / B / PS 2 – 63, Archives & Special Collections Image 3: Jimmy Simpson (on horse left) and Fred Ballard (on horse right) on a trapping trip, [ca. 1900], George Paris fonds, V484 / 1245 / na66 – 2075, Archives & Special Collections Image 4: Ptarmigan Pass hunting trip, 1920, Byron Harmon, photographer, Byron Harmon fonds, V263 / NA – 529, Archives & Special Collections Image 5: Carl Rungius with net, [ca. 1920], Jimmy Simpson family fonds, V577 / II / D / PA – 499, Archives & Special Collections Image 6: Carl Clemens Moritz Rungius (1869 – 1959, American), In the Ogilvie Rockies, [ca. 1940], oil on canvas, 74.5 x 100.5 cm, Collection of the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies, Gift of Anne Harbison, RuC.02.15 Image 7: James (Sr.) Simpson (1975 – 1972, Canadian), Untitled [Mountain Pass], 1948, watercolour on paper, 15.1 x 20.3 cm, Collection of the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies, Gift of Lillian Gest, SiJ.05.45 Image 8: James (Sr.) Simpson (1975-1972, Canadian), Untitled [Mountain Scene], 1958, watercolour on paper, 9.0 x 12.0 cm, Collection of the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies, Gift of Pearl Evelyn Moore, SiJ.05.14 Image 9: Original Num-Ti-Jah Lodge, [ca. 1955], George Noble fonds, V469 / 1001, Archives & Special Collections Image 10: Num-Ti-Jah Lodge, [ca. 1955], George Noble fonds, V469 / 1002, Archives & Special Collections Image 11: The paddock that Jimmy built still partially stands not far from Bow Lake, September 2022, photo by author Image 12: The Simpson family at Num-Ti-Jah [Mary & Jimmy Jr. standing, Billie & Jimmy Sr. seated], Aug 10 1956, Jimmy Simpson family fonds, V577 / II / D / PA – 95, Archives & Special Collections Image 13: Jimmy Simpson with pipe, [ca. 1965], Jimmy Simpson family fonds, V577 / II / D / PA – 19, Archives & Special Collections Image 14: Jimmy Simpson & Charlie Biel at the opening ceremony of the Whyte Museum, 1968, Peter & Catharine Whyte fonds, V683 / I / B / 1 / PA – 854, Archives & Special Collections Image 15: Jimmy Simpson, [ca. 1965], Bruno Engler, photographer, Jimmy Simpson family fonds, V577 / II / D / PA – 21, Archives & Special Collections Endnotes: [1] Interview with Jimmy Simpson Sr. track 2, 30 May, 1952, S37 / 18, Peter & Catharine Robb Whyte fonds, Whyte Museum Archives & Special Collections [2] “Diamond Hitch: The Early Outfitters and Guides of Banff and Jasper,” E.J. Hart, 1979, Summerthought, pg. 46 [3] Ibid, pg. 70 [4] “Carl Rungius: Painter of the Western Wilderness,” Jon Whyte & E.J. Hart, 1985, Glenbow-Alberta Institute, pg. 79 [5] “Diamond Hitch,” E.J. Hart, pg. 137 [6] Ibid, pg. 119 Back to the Cairn

By Jacinda Brisson, Archives Indigenous Research Intern Young Canada Works at Building Careers in Heritage (Career Focus) Back to The Cairn As I finish up my time at the Whyte, I've reminisced on some of the memories I’ve made here and share what I’ve learned. I’ve been the Young Canada Works Archives Indigenous Research Intern at the Whyte Museum for the past year. My work here has consisted mainly of working with the Indigenous items in our collections as well as working with Indigenous community members and Elders to add their knowledge and perspectives to archival materials held at the Whyte Museum. Now back in my home territory in Northwestern Ontario, I think about the experiences that have stood out most to me. What I found interesting about working in the archives are the things you learn. Whenever someone works on a collection, by the end they’re basically an expert on it. It’s why the archives department works so great as a team, everyone has worked on different collections, focusing on different topics or people so when you put us all together, there becomes a wealth of knowledge from all different angles. For me, I may not be able to look at a photo and recognize every big mountaineer, but if it came to the Stoney Nakoda Chiefs in our collections, I’d probably be able to name more than a few. I know that if I go to someone else in the archives that has worked on a collection like the Alpine Club of Canada, they’d most likely be able to help me with that task, and vice versa. It has been amazing to participate in this kind of reciprocal working environment where we can all add our input from different perspectives and knowledge sets to learn from each other. It has made me glad that I have been able to be a part of this team. I am grateful for how much this internship also has allowed me to work with my interests. Before this position I hadn’t had much experience working in the archives and working with archival practices, my interests have been more geared towards working in collaboration with Indigenous communities. The archives team was able to work alongside my interests to really get me the best of both worlds. I was able to learn the fundamentals of working in the archives, terminology, organization, digitization, and operating the database. While I was working on these skills I was also learning about Stoney Nakoda people and history through the materials I was inputting or digitizing, Stoney Nakoda namely because it is the nation with the largest presence within the Whyte Museum’s Archives and Special Collections. I read news articles and letters, saw photographs from the past, and listened to songs and stories. I became connected with the faces and stories of notable people in the community, George McLean/Walking Buffalo, Hector Crawler, Peter Wesley, David Bearspaw, John Hunter, and numerous others. But as I was learning this, it’s important to note this was also just one side of the story. All of these materials were in our collections most often because a white settler donated these materials that they had documented. Even though I was learning all this history, it was mainly only from one perspective, so I was missing out on a lot of information and connections that were vital to understanding the full picture. This is why it was so important to connect with the community and hear the stories they wanted to share and the history from their perspective. Throughout the year I participated in several Elders meetings through the Recognizing Relations project. This is where I was able to hear the history important to the Elders and the history significant to pass down to the next generations. I’m thankful to these Elders and everyone else I worked with for being kind and accepting of me as an outsider and working with me throughout this project. The things I’ve learned from the people I met and worked with will stay with me as continue into my next path in life. A large portion of the Indigenous photographs in our collections are from Banff Indian Days and many of the Elders talked about those times with fond memories, a way to connect and gather around aspects of their culture during a time when it wasn’t necessarily allowed or accepted. One of my favourite experiences was helping coordinate an event we hosted in July of 2022. We met with some of the Elders that had participated in the last phase of the Recognizing Relations project at the Banff Indian Days grounds. We had a tipi set up and gathered inside after a meal where the Elders shared stories about Banff Indian Days and their memories. David Bearspaw’s family was kindly able to set up their tipi at the event. It was great to see them come out and do this as we have many photos of the late David Bearspaw’s tipi going up at Banff Indian Days in the 1950s. At the event, David shared with me his goals to continue their tradition by travelling to events like this and raising their family tipi. It made me happy to hear that they were able to continue this practice, connecting past and future generations through their own traditions and history. That day felt good. It felt like a way of reflecting on the past to inspire the future. Even though I won’t be in the area anymore, I look forward to hearing about more community-centred events from the Whyte Museum and surrounding Indigenous communities in the future. I have been able to learn so much from the people around me. From our team in the archives and other staff members at the Whyte to individuals in the community and traditional stewards of the land. My time in Banff and at the Whyte Museum has been an incredible marker of learning and growth for me. I’m thankful for everyone I met in the process and those who were patient, welcoming, and kind to me. Maybe one day I will be back, but for now, Banff, the people, and the surrounding area will always have a place in my heart. To learn more about some of Jacinda's work during her time at the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies, visit the Indigenous Archival Access Guide and Recognizing Relations Project, and read her previous articles: Reducing Barriers to the Archives and Special Collections With the Indigenous Access Guide Recognizing Relations in Big Horn Indigenous Voices in the Archives Images: Image 1: Colleen Crawler (Recognizing Relations Project Facilitator) and Jacinda Brisson (Young Canada Works Archives Indigenous Research Intern). Image 2: Spectators at Banff Indian Days,1945-1950, Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies, Peter and Catharine Whyte fonds. (V683/III/B/NS–1706). Image 3: Setting up the Bearspaw tipi,1950, Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies, Peter and Catharine Whyte fonds. (V683/III/B/NS–1764). Image 4: David Bearspaw and his family setting up the Bearspaw tipi, July 2022. Back to The Cairn

By Janet Boger, TAM Systems Coordinator We want to thank Junko Yokura for her service at the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies! Over the past 18 years, Junko was an important part of our museum shop and visitor services operations. Her contributions included merchandising the shop, serving visitors, and behind the scenes, she helped significantly with product selection and purchasing. Her many years of experience in the retail sector in conjunction with her consumer knowledge gave her a keen eye for finding products that sold which in turn, contributed greatly to the success of our museum shop operations. Junko is a longtime resident of Banff, and she is looking forward to spending more time with her family at home and abroad. We wish her well in her new chapter in life with her long-time husband Kohei, three daughters, and granddaughter. We also look forward to seeing her around town or out on the tennis courts during the summer months. Thank you again for all your hard work and service!

By Chic Scott Back to The Cairn Dr. Bill Hanlon is one of the Whyte Museum’s most loyal supporters. Born and raised in County Wexford in S.E. Ireland, he graduated from University College Cork as a physician in 1981. Bill came to Canada in 1985 and first practiced medicine in Hanna, Alberta. After a trip to the Elizabeth Parker Hut on cross-country skis he was hooked on mountains and since then he has devoted himself to exploring the high alpine and Polar regions of the world. Amongst his many achievements, he has climbed the seven highest summits on the seven continents, skied across Greenland, and has also skied to the South Pole. Bill has lived and practiced medicine in Cochrane, Alberta, for many years, but his great passion has been to help people in need in high-altitude regions of the world. To this end, he has formed an NGO called Basic Health International which delivers health care in places such as Pakistan, Nepal, Tibet, and Afghanistan. In recent years Bill has ventured into the farthest east regions of Afghanistan to bring basic health care to people here. Bill also loves the old stories of exploration and adventure and has generously supported the Pushing the Limits Legacy Project at the Whyte Museum. A close friend of Glen Boles, a much-loved mountaineer and artist from Cochrane, Bill was a major supporter of the Fireside Chat film about the life of Boles. Now retired, Bill spends much of his time at his cabin on the edge of Waterton Lakes National Park, where he can be found enjoying the wildflowers and bird song early on the summer mornings. In the winter he can be found backcountry skiing near Cameron Lake. Thank you Bill for your generous support. Learn more about the Pushing the Limits Legacy Project. Image 1: Dr. Hanlon among the Kyrgyz of the Afghan Pamir. Back to The Cairn

In 1972 Ted Hart began working at the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies as an archivist. Recently graduated from the University of Alberta with a Master's Degree in history, he would spend the next 38 years at the Whyte Museum, most of that time as the Executive Director. During these years, Ted authored about a dozen books on local history, including volumes about the early guides and outfitters in the region, a history of the famous Brewster family, biographies of Jim Simpson, Bill Peyto, and J. B. Harkin (the founder of the Canadian national parks system) and a two-volume history of the town of Banff itself. Ted also served from 1995 to 1998 as the mayor of the town of Banff. During this Fireside Chat, Ted tells stories of Catharine Whyte and the founding and evolution of the Whyte Museum, the life of a historian and writer, and how Banff came to be an incorporated municipality in 1990. He also shares some stories on the challenges of running an institution like the Whyte Museum and being mayor of Canada’s premier mountain town in the country’s most popular national park.

Back to the Cairn Currently on at the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies, two new exhibitions take a new perspective on environmental issues impacting both our local and global environments. From the Amalfi Coast to the beaches of Tofino, B.C., and all the way to the remote corners and crevasses of Canada's important water sources - our integral glaciers - the artists and scientists in these exhibitions convey the state of our natural environments and the importance in protecting them. Gallery 1 The exhibition opening on October 28th was a great success, as guests from all ages and backgrounds came to enjoy the show. Artists Josua Jensen-Nagle, Alexandra Ewen, Gennadiy V. Ivanov, and scientist and University of Saskatchewan professor John Pomeroy were all in attendance to discuss their work and engage with visitors. Cold Regions Warming Cold Regions Warming is an interdisciplinary collaboration between artist Gennadiy Ivanov, Global Water Futures, and scientists John Pomeroy and Trevor Davies. Paintings, drawings, and videos depict locations in Canada where global warming has impacted glaciers, oceans, lakes, and rivers. Global Waters Futures is headquartered at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon and aims to demonstrate global leadership in water science in colder regions. From a scientific base, the group also addresses the needs of the national economy in adapting to change and managing the risks of uncertain water futures and extreme events. With the combination of scientific fact and exquisite art, the exhibition is designed to inform on various levels of appreciation. On Saturday November 19th, please join the Whyte Museum for a panel discussion with the scientists and artist featured in this exhibit. Learn more about the event and purchase tickets here. Check out the recent media coverage of Cold Regions Warming: Whyte Museum exhibitions combine science, art | Craig Baird with Rocky Mountain Outlook Eco-artists spread climate change message at fall exhibition | Marie Conboy with Bow Valley Crag and Canyon Contemporary Consciousness Contemporary Consciousness features the work of two artists who explore our oceans in contrasting ways. Canadian artist Joshua Jensen-Nagle’s beautiful photographic images impart scenes of beauty, calm, and restfulness. His images both remind us of our personal experience enjoying the ocean while considering the impact of a day of overpopulation and waste in our oceans and on its shores. Strewn to shore from the Pacific Ocean, bits of Styrofoam, plastic, rubber, and metal were washed onto the beaches at Tofino, B. C. Participating as a volunteer for the community cleanup project, trans-global artist Alexandra Ewen was struck by the magnitude of damage and consequential debris. It was clear the shore wash was microscopic in comparison to the quantity remaining afloat or beneath the ocean surface. With resourcefulness and compassion, Alexandra connected the oceanic resources with the culinary creativity of Japanese culture by reconstructing the garbage into exquisitely formed sushi meals, edible in scale and served to order. Back to the Cairn Galleries: Gallery 1: Fall exhibition opening at the Whyte Museum. Photos by Josh Segeleski. Images: Image 1: Gennadiy V. Ivanov. Code Red for Peyto Glacier. 2021. Oil on canvas. 91 x 116 cm. Collection of the artist. Image 2: Joshua Jensen-Nagle. The Blue And You. 2016. Archival inkjet print face-mounted to plexiglass. 41" x 43". Collection of the artist. Image 3: Alex Ewen, Shotgun Shell Ramen. 2019-2022. Sun-damaged microplastics, Styrofoam, multi-coloured fish line, fish nets, washed-up black rubber, balloons, shotgun shells, various ropes, cigarillo tip, pop lids, wrappers, and other assorted weather materials. Collection of the artist.

By Donna Livingstone Back to the Cairn In her short time since joining the Whyte Museum, Mollie Riley's impact has been wide and infectious. Mollie joined the Whyte in July, taking over as the Programs and Events Coordinator from Nathalie Delbecq who has since moved to Halifax, beginning a new chapter with the Halifax Public Library. “My experience at the Whyte Museum has been wonderful," says Mollie. "It has offered me diverse opportunities for new learnings, relationships, and community. I am looking forward to the expansive future of rich programming and events coming to the Whyte Museum.” Mollie immediately waded into a flood of programming, special events, exhibitions and openings with enthusiasm and clear-eyed practicality. She brings a fearless resolve to make every program and event the best it can be, and the results are already showing. It’s in her attention to details: iced red sugar cookies in the shape of canoes for guests to our Donor Event. Planning each step with everyone understanding their assignments. Clean up and set up handled smoothly. Mollie has a BA with Honours in History from the University of Lethbridge where she also served as a student teacher. She is familiar with the Whyte from time as Library and Archives Assistant in the Archives in 2019. As Marketing and Operations Manager at the Parksville Museum and Archives in 2021, she quickly established long-lasting community partnerships and effectively planned numerous popular public programs. We’re delighted to have her with us - welcome, Mollie! Back to the Cairn Images: Image 1 - Personal Collection of Mollie Riley.

By Donna Livingstone Back to the Cairn We are delighted to welcome Gabi Wedin as our new Museum Shop and Visitor Services Manager. Gabi brings a wealth of retail experience, especially with the legendary Banff Book and Art Den, and has strong connections to the Bow Valley. She is a welcome friendly addition to the staff and is already well-known to many of our members and visitors. After a short time in the role, she is already seeing opportunities to make the Museum Shop an outstanding shopping experience for both visitors and locals. “Growing up in Banff, I spent a lot of time in and around the Whyte. Whether it was school trips as a child or exhibition openings as an adult, the Whyte has always been a special place to me and my family," says Gabi. "I look forward to welcoming members, residents, and visitors to the shop and the entire museum. The Whyte is a place that documents and tells the story of the people and places that make up the rich history of the Canadian Rockies. I look forward to sharing these stories and helping connect people to one of the world’s most beautiful and inspiring places.” Gabi is taking over from Janet Boger who is moving to a new role as facilitator for the new TAM system designed to integrate several of the museums’ digital systems to cut down on service time and improve efficiency. Janet served as Museum Shop and Visitor Services Manager for over seven years and introduced many innovations in products and services. During the pandemic, and with the closure of the Indigo store in Banff, she saw the opportunity for the Whyte to develop as a mountain bookstore, and the early response has been very successful. Gabi joins a dynamic team of Morgan Sibbit, Mabelle Carajal, Jacqueline Dolan, and Deb Cameron in welcoming visitors and shoppers to the Whyte. Back to the Cairn Images: Image 1 - Personal Collection of Gabi Wedin.

By Chic Scott and Kathy Madill-Scott, Whyte Museum Members and Donors Back to the Cairn Our Friends of the Whyte series features Whyte Museum members, donors, staff, and friends, to get to know them a little bit better. Next in the series are long-time supporters of the museum in myriad ways, Chic Scott and Kathy Madill-Scott. What is your favourite way to connect with nature? We both love to hike in the summer either high in the mountains or close at home near Banff. Kathy loves to study and identify flowers and is a keen photographer. I just love to be out there and away from my desk for a few days. Kathy also loves to golf and has found that the Banff Springs Golf Course provides a very special peaceful place with fabulous views. In the winter we both ski – both cross-country and downhill. We have season passes to Norquay where we can get out for an hour or two, and Kathy has a season pass to Sunshine where she skis with her girlfriends. Although they are all 70-80 years old, they can still ‘rocket’ down the slopes. I get a spring pass for Sunshine and enjoy the sunny weather and good snow. Early in the season, we both enjoy cross-country skiing on the Lake Louise trails, our favourite being the Fairview trail. We also love the mountain huts. We enjoy the Alpine Club of Canada huts like the Elizabeth Parker and Stanley Mitchell huts, and we often enjoy the scenic majesty of Mount Assiniboine, sometimes at the lodge and sometimes at the Naiset Huts. What do you love most about the Bow Valley community? Being old-time residents of the Bow Valley (Kathy has lived in Banff since 1969), we love the old connections and the closeness of the community. The community is really supportive and together we share many memories and stories. Why do you support the Whyte Museum and why is it important to you? We love the way the Whyte Museum pulls the community together and celebrates our common history. The Whyte Museum is a gathering place where we can enjoy art shows, openings, and programs. It is a place that understands and celebrates Banff’s unique history. What is your favourite thing about the Whyte Museum? I love the archives and can be found there, looking at old documents and photos much of the time. The staff are so helpful and cooperative, and I feel completely at home. Kathy loves the programming, the varied talks and presentations, and the tremendous art shows that Anne Ewen and D.L. Cameron put together. Images: Image 1 - Chic Scott and Kathy Madill-Scott, n.d., (Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park). Personal Collection of Chic Scott. Back to the Cairn

By Chic Scott Back to The Cairn Coming exclusively to the Whyte Museum on December 10th is a new historical film on Canadian ice climbers: The Pioneers of Waterfall Ice Climbing. Chic Scott and filmmaker Glen Crawford are making the film using the interviews that Chic recorded in 1996 and 1997 while researching his book Pushing the Limits: The Story of Canadian Mountaineering. This film will tell the story of the development of the sport of waterfall ice climbing during the 70s, 80s, and 90s and celebrate the pioneers of this activity. The Canadian Rockies are endowed with the three things that make for great waterfall ice climbing — big cliffs, lots of water, and cold temperatures in winter. Consequently, there are ample frozen waterfalls perfect for ice climbers. And Canmore and the Bow Valley are the centre for this sport. Gallery 1 During the 70s, the new sport of waterfall ice climbing was born. Around 1970, Scottish mountaineer Hamish McInnes invented a new type of ice axe with a steeply drooping pick which allowed climbers to hook into steep ice and pull themselves up. He called this new ice axe the "Terradactyl" and it revolutionized how mountaineers climb ice. It was now possible to climb even the steepest frozen waterfalls. In this film, Rob Wood tells the story of the first ascent of Borgeau Left Hand and while Jack Firth tells the story of the first ascents of Pilsner Pillar, Louise Falls, The Professor Falls and Takakkaw Falls. Laurie Skreslet tells his story of the first ascents of Helmet and Whiteman Falls and Jeff Marshall tells the story of his solo enchainment of Polar Circus and Weeping Pillar and of his ascent of Riptide. Guy Lacelle tells the story of his ascent of The Terminator while Bruce Hendricks tells stories of climbing Blessed Rage and Fearful Symmetry. These are the epic stories of the great waterfall ice climbs of Canada. Enhanced with historic photographs and linked with explanatory narration, the development of this sport, which is now popular all around the world, is explained. As well as telling the stories of the historic ascents, these climbers speak of their passion and their love for the sport. They speak of the beauty of the mountains in winter and of the hard work, suffering, and commitment required to do these climbs. Filmed 25 years ago, this film shows them in their prime. Pioneers of Waterfall Ice Climbing will be premiered at the Whyte Museum on the evening of Saturday, December 10th and we plan to invite some of the Bow Valley’s leading ice climbers. Then, on December 11th, International Day of the Mountains, the film will be posted on the Whyte Museum website where it will be available for people around the world to view. Tickets can be booked for this film screening at whyte.org/events. Gallery 1: Image 1: (Left to Right) Tim Auger, John Lauchlan, Jack Firth, Bugs McKieth, and Rob Wood after the first attempt on Takakkaw Falls in 1974. Photo by Bugs McKieth. Image 2: Bruce Hendricks climbing on Sea of Vapors. Photo by Barry Blanchard. Image 3: John Lauchlan climbing on Weeping Wall. Photo by Ray Jotterand. Image 4: An early attempt on Borgeau Left Hand. Photo by Urs Kallen. Image 5: Jack Firth on the first ascent of Takakkaw Falls in 1974. Photo by Bugs McKieth. Image 6: Jeff Marshall on the first ascent of Riptide in 1987. Photo by Larry Ostrander. Image 7: George Homer leads while Rob Wood belays on the first ascent of Borgeau Left Hand in 1974. Photo by Tim Auger. Image 8: Two climbers on an early ascent of The Terminator. Photo by Tim Auger. Back to The Cairn

By Courtney Maxwell-Alves, Manager of Development Back to The Cairn Tree Thieves: Crime and Survival in North America’s Woods by Lyndsie Bourgon is an honest, well-researched investigation into tree poaching in the Pacific Northwest of the United States and Canada. Reading like a true crime retelling of a cat-and-mouse investigation, when so much is at stake, that’s exactly the point. Although Bourgon examines the costs related to tree poaching, including the impact on the environment, social and community issues are at the heart of this book. It is no surprise that Tree Thieves was a finalist for the Environmental Literature category of the 2022 Banff Centre Mountain Film and Book Festival. One of the many things I loved about this book was the format and flow. It was very interesting to learn the historical meaning of the word forest, as a place of refuge, and how this meaning changed as the cultural context changed over time. The author then takes the reader through an examination of the logging industry, how this led to environmentalists advocating for conservation and the creation of national and provincial/state parks and forests, and, ultimately, how this led to timber poaching and the breakdown of local communities. Connection to place is important and most of the book focuses on Humboldt County in Northern California (while also mentioning other places in North America and Peru). Understanding the unique social, economic, and cultural context of logging and timber poaching is central to Bourgon’s main arguments throughout the book. An important strength of this book is the author’s ability to present different perspectives with honesty, empathy, and understanding. This balancing act is no small feat: Bourgon manages to give an excellent overview of timber poaching and its connection to locals and loggers, park rangers and law enforcement, scientists and researchers, and environmentalists. I loved the use of individual stories behind logging and its impact. I particularly enjoyed how the author touched on the differing perspectives of not only rural versus city folk, but also job loss versus environmentalism and tourism, and nature (ways of life) versus aesthetic nature (beauty, recreation). Another aspect of the book that I thoroughly enjoyed was the connection between timber poaching, criminal investigations, and technological and research innovation. Prior to reading this book, timber poaching was an abstract idea to me. I knew it happened and it was problematic for many reasons including climate change, but I did not understand the sheer scope of the issue. I learned a lot from the connections the author made between Peru and Canada: how similar economic and social issues (job loss, drugs, homelessness) and conservation laws (creation of a national park or conservation area) provide an ideal environment for poaching. Bourgon skillfully uses timber poaching to capture an important threat to fighting climate change: when people are focused on providing for their family and maintaining a way of life and culture, environmentalism becomes less important and climate change is seen as an issue for the future. Ultimately, though, this book satisfies the true crime aficionado in me as a reader. The evolution of park rangers as tourist guides and trail maintenance to law enforcement with police training and guns is astonishing to me. Moreover, the parallels between the use of DNA in criminal investigations with the use of tree DNA in poaching investigations could be its own true crime book. Pick up a copy of Tree Thieves: Crime and Survival in North America’s Woods for yourself at the Whyte Museum Book Shop, located at 111 Bear St. in Banff. About the Author Lyndsie Bourgon is a writer, researcher, oral historian, and 2018 National Geographic Explorer, based in both British Columbia and Scotland. She writes about the environment and its entanglement with history, culture, and identity. Her features have been published in The Atlantic, Smithsonian, the Guardian, the Oxford American, Aeon, The Walrus, Hazlitt, and elsewhere. In 2018, she traveled to Peru with National Geographic to document Indigenous experiences of timber theft. Her first book, TREE THIEVES, was published in June 2022. It uses timber poaching to explore questions of inequality, conservation history, and how the natural world defines who we are. Her oral history research focuses on the social and cultural experiences of natural resource extraction, agriculture, and land management. Her most recent projects cover land use along the Trans Mountain pipeline corridor, and the final days of British-Antarctic whaling. In 2017, she completed her MLitt Environmental History at the University of St Andrews in Scotland. She earned her Bachelor of Journalism (Honours) from the University of King's College in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Images: Image 1: Cover of Tree Thieves: Crime and Survival in North America’s Woods Image 2: Image courtesy of Lyndsie Bourgon. Back to The Cairn