CALGARY – Stoney Nakoda’s renowned artist Roland Rollinmud is on the verge of a historic moment in his storied career.
Artwork from six Indigenous artists – all connected to Treaty 7 - including Rollinmud, will be prominently featured in Calgary’s new Central Library, set for its grand opening next Thursday (Nov. 1).
For Rollinmud’s part, he, along with Tsuu t’ina Nation’s Keegan Starlight and southern Alberta’s Blood Tribe’s Kalum Teke Dan created a colourful and vast eight by 20 ft. wall mural to be displayed in the main entrance for all visiting eyes to gaze upon.
With four decades of art experience, the Nakoda Elder said this is one of those projects that excited him.
“When I got the call, I didn’t sleep at all that night,” Rollinmud said about being selected for the project.
“That gives me motivation. It’s not just sitting and waiting.”
Known for his life-like drawings of nature, wildlife and portraits of people, Rollinmud said the mural has features such as mountain scenery, travellers, and a hunting area.
“The area here is particular to survival,” said Rollinmud. “We are the mountain people, we know where and what we can do.”
The new library is located in the East Village, near Fort Calgary, and will also feature a life-sized bison sculpture made out of metal by Lionel Peyachew; distinct furniture in the Elders’ Guidance Circle area by Glenna Cardinal; and an eye-catching photograph and text-based piece by Brittney Bear Hat.
The six artists’ work is a permanent feature for Central Library and is part of a $500,000 Indigenous Placemaking project, funded by Calgary Public Library Foundation.
The 2018 Indigenous artwork is only the beginning at the library as more spaces for Indigenous artwork are expected in a 2019 announcement.
The idea for the cultural feature began floating around in the fall 2017, and in early 2018 open meetings were being held for input on the Indigenous Placemaking project with Treaty 7 nations, the Métis of Alberta, and the Aboriginal Friendship Centre of Calgary.
“What makes this process so unique is how community-driven it has been,” said Teneya Gwin, Indigenous Services Design Lead at the library, in a press release.
“We’ve been so adaptive based on the feedback we’ve received.”
By May, the Central Library called for Indigenous artists to come forward as potential candidates to have their artwork featured as part of the grand opening and beyond. The Artist Selection Committee picked Rollinmud as one of the six members.
Rollinmud and the other two mural artists were given four months to complete the prominent project.
While working these past four months, Rollinmud has also been active in his own community, teaching youth creativity in the art.
“My goal is to inspire the youth that yes, you can be anything you put your mind into and develop and don’t be afraid to ask questions,” Rollinmud said.
“You have to have the elders there to include in the school and let students know to be proud of who they are and represent it.”
