Mural at national site marks First Nation history

Artist Roland Rollinmud is nearing completion of his 90-inch by 130-inch oil-based mural at the Cave and Basic Historical Site in Banff.

The Stony Nakoda First Nation man was commissioned to do the work in March 2010 to help mark the 100th anniversary of Parks Canada. The Cave and Basin, along with 16 miles around Sulphur Mountain, were the first pieces of land set aside by Parks Canada to be enjoyed by all Canadians.

 The mural reflects the history of the discovery of the mineral springs.

“My grandmother told me that even before that day, First Nations celebrations were held there,” said Rollinmud.
“Even though the site is being honoured as the 100th anniversary of Parks Canada, the history goes back far beyond that,” said Susan Kennard, heritage programs manager at the site. “The First Nations, who were aware of it for generations, predate the story of the Cave and Basin, and with this project, we have the opportunity to tell the broader story.”

Rollinmud, who is now in his 60s, and his sister Jan Gale, local historian, both feel it is important that any genre concerning the First Nation preserves their history and is reported accurately.

“As Roland has been painting the mural I’ve been watching its development. What’s impressed me most is the story telling and research and discovery process that Roland has gone through while making the artwork. The story has become richer and more detailed as it’s progressed,” said Kennard. “Part of it is the sense of growing respect and friendship between the Site and the Stony Nakoda people, and the other part is creative and artistic inspiration.”

Over the decades, Rollinmud’s talents have evolved into a dazzling array of works which interpret scenes of nature, such as birds and animals, as well as themes from his First Nations heritage.

“I like to open the eyes of the viewer and my paintings picture realism,” he said.

Rollinmud has been involved in artwork in a variety of media since he was eight years old. For recreation, he and his siblings enjoyed projects of their own ingenuity, rarely watching television in their home at Morley. He began to study art seriously at the age of 22 when he attended the Alberta College of Art and more recently was selected to study at the Banff School of Fine Arts, where he worked in pen and ink.

“I was hugely influenced by the works of Robert Bateman, Rembrandt and da Vinci, but my greatest learning is from nature and from the Elders,” said Rollinmud. He added that all his life he had hoped that someday his works could hang on public display, so everyone in his community could celebrate his success.
The finished mural will be unveiled Dec. 12.