Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity celebrates Indigenous Peoples with a unique immersion in arts and culture throughout the month of June

BANFF, AB, May 29, 2019 – Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity is not only celebrating the history, cultures, and traditions of Canada’s Indigenous Peoples on June 21, National Indigenous Peoples Day, but throughout the month of June. This month of programming is a rich and unique immersion into the arts and culture of the peoples of this land. Lead by Reneltta Arluk, Director of Indigenous Arts, Banff Centre will host a variety of free workshops, events, and performances.

“Throughout the month of June, we invite Treaty 7 and the Bow Valley to join us in celebrating the resilience of Indigenous Peoples through the Arts at Banff Centre,” says Reneltta Arluk, Director of Indigenous Arts at Banff Centre. “We are grateful to reside in the gathering place for Stoney Nakoda, Blackfoot, Tsuut’ina of the Dene and surrounding First Nations of Ktunaxa and Alberta Métis Nation, Region III. In recognition and, most importantly in celebration, we hope you gather along with us in Indigenous Culture, Leadership and Arts!”

Activities below are FREE, open to the public, and everyone is welcome. Workshops have limited space and require registration in advance.

● Sunrise Ceremony (June 1)
● Drawn to Nature - Drawing Workshop (June 4)
● Animating our Stories: Open Studio (June 7)
● Basket Making Workshops (June 7/14/28)
● Artist Talk with Nadya Kwandibens (June 15)
● Printmaking Workshop (June 17)
● Celeigh Cardinal at artsPlace Canmore supported by the Canmore Folk Music Festival (June 18)
● Moose-Hide Bracelet Making Workshop (June 20)
● Maori Dance Workshop with Mana Taketake (June 25)
● Film Screening with Stoney Nakoda AV Club (June 28)
● and more!

For details and the full lineup visit banffcentre.ca/celebrate

On June 21, enjoy events in the Town of Canmore. Banff Centre will host FREE activities and performances including a drawing workshop, art exhibition opening reception, Indigenous Choreography Dance presentation, and a performance by singer/songwriter Jay Gilday. Visit banffcentre.ca/nipd

The month closes on June 30 with a performance by Nunavut’s first ever Juno Award-winning Inuk singer/songwriter, Susan Aglukark, and Leela Gilday of the Northwest Territories. This is a ticketed/paid event.

The National Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration aims to engage community, audiences, and members of the public and gives program participants, schools, and members of the public opportunities to participate in arts and creativity. Activities reward curiosity and connect individuals with art in a way that encourages dialogue and helps participants derive greater meaning from the arts. These celebrations are made possible in part by the Government of Canada and Alberta Foundation for the Arts and the Canmore Folk and Music Festival. Indigenous Arts at Banff Centre is supported by The Slaight Family Foundation and RBC Emerging Artists Project. Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity is located on the lands of Treaty 7 territory. We acknowledge the past, present, and future generations of Stoney Nakoda, Blackfoot, and Tsuut’ina Nations who help us steward this land, as well as honour and celebrate this place.

About Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity: Founded in 1933, Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity is a learning organization built upon an extraordinary legacy of excellence in artistic and creative development. What started as a single course in drama has grown to become the global organization leading in arts, culture, and creativity across dozens of disciplines. From our home on Treaty 7 territory in the stunning Canadian Rocky Mountains, Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity aims to inspire everyone who attends our campus – artists, leaders, and thinkers – to unleash their creative potential and realize their unique contribution to society through cross-disciplinary learning opportunities, world-class performances, and public outreach. banffcentre.ca