Residents of Canmore have a new way to mark National Indigenous Peoples Day this year through a community initiative offering free creative kits. From June 15 to June 19, 2026, artsPlace Canmore is distributing the materials to help individuals and families celebrate the occasion, which marks its 30th anniversary on June 21.
The project is a collaborative effort between artsPlace, the Town of Banff, the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, and the Town of Canmore. These kits are designed to provide a hands-on way to engage with Indigenous culture and history while supporting local artistic talent.
Each kit contains a variety of art supplies, including a mini colouring book, coloured pencils, a pencil sharpener, and watercolour paints with a paintbrush. The featured artwork and stories within the colouring books were created by Stoney Nakoda artists Tyson Crawler, Holly Kaquitts, and Cheyenne Sugatwa-Mu. Holly Kaquitts, also known as Thunder Bear, is a Stoney Nakoda and Cree artist who has spent most of her life on the Morley Reserve near the Rocky Mountains.
Community members can pick up their kits at artsPlace, the community arts centre located at 950 – 8th Avenue in Canmore. The centre is operated by the Canadian Mountain Arts Foundation. As the kits are available in limited quantities while supplies last, residents are encouraged to pick them up during the distribution window to ensure they do not miss out on the resources.
This initiative takes place within the traditional territory of the Îyârhe Nakoda First Nations. Known in the Stoney language as Chuwapchipchiyan Kudi Bi, or “shooting at the willows,” the area remains a central place for recognizing the heritage and achievements of Indigenous peoples during the month of June.
