Mini Hrpa Indigenous Cultural Centre
incubation of an indigenous cultural centre in the heart of banff
“The initiative we're working on in Banff with Mînî hrpa - we're creating a space, a center for Indigenous peoples and for all peoples. It has a lot of momentum and I think it will really take off this year.”
- Daryl Kootenay
Moving Mountains Co-Lead
The need and desire for an Indigenous Gathering Place in Banff and Canmore has existed for decades.
Through grass-roots initiatives of passionate like-minded peoples devoted to the cause, and through momentum and support seeded by Banff Canmore Foundation and the Moving Mountains Initiative, the incubation of an Indigenous Cultural Centre project has led to a vital opportunity to bring the concept to life: a place to call home.
The Indigenous Cultural Centre – currently in the second of a two-year prototype phase – is intended to be a space to gather, share and learn. For at least its first year, it will be based out of the BCF community space on Banff Ave, until a permanent space is secured.
The work of the Indigenous Cultural Centre is guided by an Indigenous Knowledge Circle, a community advisory group made up of 20+ grassroots Indigenous artists and community leaders in the Bow Valley dedicated to growing and strengthening Indigenous community knowledge within Treaty 7.
Cultural Centre programming will build intercultural relationship and dialogue and open pathways for non-Indigenous community groups in the Bow Valley to meaningfully include Indigenous perspectives, ways of knowing and being, and aspirations in community-building activities.
Supporting the Indigenous Knowledge Circle to continue and to grow the work of the Indigenous Cultural Centre presents a rare and timely opportunity – one to invite connections, deepen relationships and take meaningful actions today, together, in the advancing Truth and Reconciliation in the Bow Valley.
Key Partners
- Bow Valley Indigenous and Allies Group
- Banff Canmore Foundation
- Banff & Lake Louise Tourism
- Momentum
- KEA Canada
Purpose
A two-year program to incubate a centre that activates community potential, creates intercultural relationships and advances a connected community of care and belonging in the Bow Valley.
Vision
We live in a connected community of care in the Bow Valley, practicing right relations with ourselves, each other, nature and the land.
Principles
Strategic Intentions
The goals of Mînî hrpa establish a clear line of sight on how we are approaching intercultural collaboration together. Our strategy is guided by the voices of lived experience with support from the Indigenous Knowledge Circle, and invites perspectives from the Bow Valley Indigenous and Allies Group, and the collaborative participants of the Learn and Try Groups of the Moving Mountains Initiative.
1. Bow Valley residents and visitors live in a strong, supportive and inclusive community.
2. All Indigenous Peoples are equal participants in Bow Valley's future.
3. All Bow Valley residents have sufficient health, wellness, affordability and livability to grow belonging in this community.
How did Mini Hrpa come to be?
SHaring and caring for 'all my relations'
Daryl Kootenay, dancer, community leader and co-founder of Nakoda Youth council, shared how on the path to reconciliation, there are commitments we must all make.
Daryl spoke about the importance of sharing and caring for ‘mintoyadebi’ or “all my relations”, with food, shelter and medicines that naturally graze these mountains. Mintoyedabi holds a circular opportunity that begins with our beliefs about ourselves.
In connection with Truth and Reconciliation, these teachings have guided many people in the Bow Valley and beyond, to develop individual commitments and shared commitments in Truth and Reconciliation.
This is needed work that will help us to co-create a connected community of care and belonging with Indigenous peoples in the Bow Valley.
The need and desire for an Indigenous Gathering Place in Banff and Canmore has existed for decades. Through grass-roots initiatives of passionate like-minded peoples devoted to the cause, momentum and support has culminated to a vital stage of the process: a place to call home. In 2022, the Banff Canmore Foundation offered the BCF building space at 214 Banff Avenue to the Indigenous Circle – as a space to gather, share and learn. For at least its first year, it will be based out of the BCF building, until a permanent space is secured.
The incubation of the Indigenous cultural center is jointly supported and funded by Banff Lake and Louise Tourism and BCF, and Mînî hrpa is seeking partnership from additional Bow Valley organizations, industry, funders and municipal entities.
BCF’s Truth and Reconciliation Fund also is providing a financial pathway to support the work of Mini hrpa.
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Join BCF Board or Committees
Banff Canmore Foundation is recruiting for new members of our Board of Directors and Committees.
Learn if you’d be a good fit at the descriptions below.
We are committed to diversity and inclusion. If you anticipate any barriers to your full participation, please connect with us.
“The Bow Valley is very a dynamic community and it has its share of challenges,” says BCF Board Chair Fiona Jones. “Being a BCF Board member allows me to support flowing resources from those that are able to help to those community organizations with energy and ideas on moving forward.”