The Ancestors Are Talking at the Whyte Museum
Norval Morrisseau. Attitude and Attention, Punk Rockers. Circa 1991. The Norval Morrisseau Estate, OfficialMorrisseau.com. Image provided by The Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies.
The Ancestors Are Talking is an incredible exhibit on display at the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies until October 14, 2025. This display features the groundbreaking artwork of the Professional Native Indian Artists Inc. (PNIAI), colloquially known as the Indigenous Group of Seven. The exhibit showcases iconic works by all members of this prestigious group: Daphne Odjig, Alex Janvier, Norval Morrisseau, Carl Ray, Jackson Beardy, Eddy Cobiness, and Joseph M. Sánchez. The artworks tell stories of times past, of family, of creation, and they show hope for inspiring the future. It’s well worth your time to stop by and experience these stories for yourself.
Joseph M. Sánchez speaks at the opening of The Ancestors Are Talking. Photo provided by The Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies
The exhibit is curated by acclaimed artist, and the last living member of the Indigenous Group of Seven, Joseph M. Sánchez, along with the museum’s curators Dawn Saunders Dahl and Christina Cuthbertson. The collection stretches across the museum, taking up two galleries. The artwork will catch you with its shapes and colours, then draw you in with its profound messages.
The museum offers regular guided tours of the exhibit. Interpreters unpack some of the stories behind the pieces and they help bring the narratives to light. Learn how the group influenced each other through mentorship and discover how these artists saw the world and chose to represent it through art. The stories are timeless and the individual messages are profound.
Photo provided by The Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies
You can still hear the voices of the artists in this exhibit. A video of previous recordings allows the artists to speak. Hear Daphne Odjig tell the story of Nanabush tricking the Spirit of Winter so there would be spring and summer. Listen to the artists interact with each other. The video bears the weight of ancestors speaking through time, both through artistic representation and through the advances in technology.
Whether you love art, history, or are just looking for something unique to do in Banff, visit the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies and see The Ancestors Are Talking. This is one exhibit you won’t want to miss!
Photo provided by The Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies
