Banff Centre’s Mountain Culture and Indigenous Arts programs invite you to a screening of Cody Lefthand’s Stories We Have Earned: The Stoney Nakoda Film Project (Canada, 2024). The documentary examines the exploitation of the Iyarhe Nakoda people’s culture and customs for entertainment through their involvement in Banff Indian Days, the Calgary Stampede, and dozens of Hollywood films.

The screening takes place in the majestic Shaw Amphitheatre, which sports a 360˚ view of Banff’s gorgeous surroundings. A natural valley in the heart of Banff Centre campus, there’s no better spot to enjoy both the mountains and the arts in the summer.

In case of bad weather, this event will take place indoors in the Max Bell Auditorium.

“Stories We Have Earned: The Stoney Nakoda Film Project is a blending of cinema history and the history of my people the Stoney Nakoda. I want to use the many films shot in our community to tell the bigger history of our struggle against the many injustices placed upon the Stoney under Treaty 7.” — director Cody Lefthand

Bring a blanket and the whole family for a night of inspiring, mountain-themed short films under the stars.

Films include: 
“The Streif — Fabio Wibmer” (Austria, 2024, 3 min) 
“River Mamma” (USA, 2023, 11 min) 
“109 Below” (USA, 2023, 14 min) 
“Keep it Burning” (France, 2024, 33 min) 
“Welcome to the Pit” (Canada, 2024, 15 min) 
“Undammed” (USA, 2024, 17 min)

This event takes place in the majestic Shaw Amphitheatre, which sports a 360˚ view of Banff’s gorgeous surroundings. A natural valley in the heart of Banff Centre campus, there’s no better spot to enjoy both the mountains and the arts in the summer.

In case of bad weather, this event will take place indoors in the Max Bell Auditorium.

Celebrate the final chapter of Literary Cabaret: Memoir with an evening of original writing hosted by renowned poet, novelist, and essayist Dionne Brand. Residency participants share selections from their developing work, with a special reading from Brand closing the series.

This two-week residency encourages writers to explore new ideas in memoir, develop creative works of nonfiction, and strengthen their storytelling with the guidance of faculty mentors.

Dionne Brand is an award-winning poet, novelist, and essayist. Her writing is notable for the beauty of its language and for its intense engagement with issues of social justice.  A former Poet Laureate of the City of Toronto and a Member of the Order of Canada, Brand’s acclaimed works include A Map to the Door of No Return, The Blue Clerk, Theory, and the Toronto Book Award-winning novel What We All Long For.

Enjoy a drink from the bar, browse a curated selection of books from onsite bookseller Pages Books, and immerse yourself in an evening of memoir. Doors open at 6:15 p.m. in CLVB ’33, with readings beginning at 7:00 p.m. Afterward, mingle with the writers and faculty until 9:30 p.m.

Join us for the final chapter and celebrate the voices, stories, and possibilities of memoir.

Literary Journalism: Memoir Writing residency is supported by the Rogers Communications Chair in Literary Journalism.

Stories take centre stage in the second chapter of Literary Cabaret: Memoir, hosted by writer and storyteller Ivan Coyote. Hear original works from participants in the Literary Journalism: Memoir Writing residency before Coyote closes the evening with a special reading.

This two-week residency encourages writers to explore new ideas in memoir, develop creative works of nonfiction, and strengthen their storytelling with the guidance of faculty mentors.

Born and raised in Whitehorse, Yukon, Ivan Coyote is the author of 13 books and the creator of films, stage shows, and albums that combine storytelling with music. Their books have won the ReLit Award, been named a Stonewall Honour Book, and been shortlisted for the Hilary Weston Prize for non-fiction and the Governor General's Award for non-fiction twice.

Enjoy a drink from the bar and immerse yourself in an evening of memoir. Doors open at 6:15 p.m. in CLVB ’33, with readings beginning at 7:00 p.m. Afterward, mingle with the writers and faculty until 9:30 p.m.

Come hear these stories as they take shape and connect with the writers behind them.

Literary Journalism: Memoir Writing residency is supported by the Rogers Communications Chair in Literary Journalism.

Begin the Literary Cabaret: Memoir series with an intimate evening of original writing hosted by acclaimed essayist and author Kyo Maclear. Participants from the Literary Journalism: Memoir Writing residency share selections from their work, followed by a special reading from Maclear.

This two-week residency encourages writers to explore new ideas in memoir, develop creative works of nonfiction, and strengthen their storytelling with the guidance of faculty mentors.

Dr. Kyo Maclear is an essayist, editor, novelist, and children’s author whose books have been published in more than 25 countries. Her nonfiction includes the hybrid memoir Birds Art Life, winner of the Trillium Book Award, and Unearthing: A Story of Tangled Love and Family Secrets, winner of the Governor General’s Literary Award for Nonfiction.

Enjoy a drink from the bar, browse a curated selection of books from onsite bookseller Pages Books, and immerse yourself in an evening of memoir. Doors open at 6:15 p.m. in CLVB ’33, with readings beginning at 7:00 p.m. Afterward, mingle with the writers and faculty until 9:30 p.m.

Experience original memoir writing as it moves from the page to the stage.

Literary Journalism: Memoir Writing residency is supported by the Rogers Communications Chair in Literary Journalism.

Join us for the September edition of Family ARTventures—our monthly, drop-in artmaking series inviting children, youth, and families to create together. This event is free and open to all, with materials provided. 

This month, we welcome the return to school with two creative options: design a one-of-a-kind reusable lunch box, or, drawing inspiration from Diane Borsato's exhibition, A Clean Place to Swim, craft a reusable bag to carry your swimsuit. 

The Family ARTventures Program is generously supported by