2010 Summit of
Excellence Award

2009 — Sid Marty — “Writer, Musician, Conservationist”

As a writer of nonfiction and poetry, Sid Marty is one of Alberta’s most eloquent chroniclers of the modern west. He has adapted many of his stories – often stark assessments of life in the Rocky Mountains – into engaging songs that he accompanies live with acoustic guitar. A former park warden with a passion for wild mountain places, a popular radio guest, multiple literary award winner, and a vocal advocate for conservation, Marty will be recognized for his contributions with the 2009 Summit of Excellence Award at this year’s Banff Mountain Film Festival.

A fourth-generation Albertan who has lived in ranching country in the southwest corner of the province since 1981, Marty began contributing poetry to anthologies in the early 1970s. He was a park warden in Yoho, Jasper, Prince Albert, and Banff national parks from 1966 to 1978, and his experience in the mountains and foothills informs much of his work as a poet, songwriter, and nonfiction writer. His 1978 book of nonfiction, Men for the Mountains, was cited by the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Association as one of the 50 most influential books in the conservation movement. It follows the life of the warden, much of it led on horseback in the backcountry – a collection of stories filled with humour, tragedy, and natural wonder.

Marty gave the inaugural performance at the first annual Banff Mountain Book Festival in 1994, and his books have won four major prizes at the Festival over the years, including the Grand Prize in 2008 for Black Grizzly of Whiskey Creek. The true story of a series of frightening bear attacks in Banff in 1980, Black Grizzly was shortlisted for the Governor General’s Literary Award in 2008 and in the same year, Marty was presented with Alberta’s highest literary honour, the Grant MacEwan Literary Arts Award for his contribution to the literary culture of Alberta.

“One of Sid’s most valuable contributions has been to bring mountain stories – whether they’re the backcountry life of a park warden, or the tragedy of a bear mauling – to a wide and appreciative public,” says Bernadette McDonald, former vice president, Mountain Culture at The Banff Centre, and a past Summit of Excellence recipient. “His interpretations have resonated for that much wider public, perhaps due to his ongoing passion for this mountain landscape.”

Through his songs, books, and advocacy, Marty has also been key to the efforts to conserve wild land in southwestern Alberta, particularly the movement to protect the proposed Andy Russell – I’tai sah kóp Park, more than 1,000 square kilometres of land in the Castle Wilderness near Crowsnest Pass.

Sponsored by Canadian Mountain Holidays, the Summit of Excellence Award is presented annually to a person who has made a significant contribution to mountain life in the Canadian Rockies. This year’s award will be presented on Sunday, November 8, the final night of the Banff Mountain Film Festival. Given annually since 1987, the Summit of Excellence Award is presented in memory of Calgary climber Bill March, an internationally respected mountaineer, author, and educator.

Nomination Information

Background

• The Summit of Excellence Award was introduced at the Banff Mountain Film Festival in 1987 on the recommendation of Jon Whyte, a longtime resident of Banff and ardent supporter of the Festival
• It is presented in memory of Calgary climber Bill March, an internationally respected mountaineer, author, and educator
• It is awarded annually to an individual who has made a significant contribution to mountain life in the Canadian Rockies
• To the annual recipient, the Summit of Excellence Award truly represents the recognition of one’s peers

Award Logistics

• One award is given annually
• An individual or group of individuals is eligible to be nominated
• An individual may not nominate him/herself
• No posthumous nominations will be considered

Award Timeline

• Deadline for nominations is Wednesday, June 30, 2010
• Award will be announced to the public at the end of September
• Award will be presented onstage at the Banff Mountain Film Festival

Nomination Guidelines

• Nominees must have demonstrated long-term commitment in their contribution to mountain life in the Canadian Rockies
• Nominators are encouraged to to read profiles of past award winners
• The endorsement of a nomination by a former award winner will be considered an asset
• Nominations should include:
  • the nominator’s contact information
  • the nominee’s contact information if possible
  • the nature and time period of the nominator’s relationship with the nominee
• Nominees may include but are not limited to those making contributions in areas such as mountain sport, mountain environment, mountain culture, mountain art, or mountain science
• Nominations should clearly describe how the nominee’s accomplishments significantly benefit the mountain community in the Canadian Rockies
• Nominations should include descriptions of some or all of the following:
  • level of contribution
  • longevity of service
  • impact to sport/environment/culture/art/science (for example – did the nominee help to elevate their field?)
  • demonstration of excellence
  • positive attitude
  • peer feedback
  • motivating or inspiring others

Submission options

Nominations may be sent via email, fax, regular mail, or courier.

Email
BanffMountainFestival@banffcentre.ca
Please include in the subject field:
“Nominee’s Last Name, First Name: Summit of Excellence Award nomination”

Fax
403.762.6277
Please include the following on the cover page:
“Nominee’s Last Name, First Name: Summit of Excellence Award nomination”

Regular Mail
Summit of Excellence Award
Film and Media, The Banff Centre
PO Box 1020
Banff, AB T1L 1H5

Courier
Summit of Excellence Award
c/o Film and Media, The Banff Centre
107 Tunnel Mountain Drive
Banff, AB T1L 1H5

Summit of Excellence Past Award Winners

Introduced at the Banff Mountain Film Festival in 1987, the award is granted annually to an individual who has made a significant contribution to mountain life in the Canadian Rockies.

• 2009 — Sid Marty — Writer, Musician, Conservationist
• 2008 — Don Vockeroth — Mountain Climbing Pioneer
• 2007 — Bernadette McDonald — Author, Climber, Festival Director
• 2006 — Gillean and Tony Daffern — Publishers of Mountain Books
• 2005 — Glen Boles — Climber, Artist
• 2004 — Craig Richards — Mountain Photographer
• 2003 — Willi Pfisterer — Mountain Rescue Innovator
• 2002 — Barry Blanchard — Alpinist
• 2001 — Bob Sandford — Historian, Author, Interpreter
• 2000 — Chic Scott — Mountaineer, Guide, Writer
• 1999 — Guy Lacelle — Climber
• 1998 — John Martin — Climber and Mountain Lover
• 1997 — Sharon Wood — Mother, Mentor, Mountaineer
• 1996 — Tim Auger — Park Warden, Rescue Specialist
• 1995 — Brian Greenwood — Climber
• 1994 — Lloyd “Kiwi” Gallagher — Emergency Services Coordinator
• 1993 — Roger Vernon — Filmmaker
• 1992 — Jon Whyte — Historian
• 1991 — Don Forest — Mountaineer
• 1990 — Pat Morrow — Seven Summits
• 1989 — Hans Gmoser — Heli-Skiing
• 1988 — Jim Davies — Rescue Pilot
• 1987 — Bruno Engler — Photographer