Nahanni McKay on Banff, Art, Tourism, Influencer Culture and the Changing Identity of the Bow Valley

Our guest this week is Nahanni McKay, a third generation Banff local, Métis multidisciplinary artist, photographer, skier, and one of the most outspoken creative voices in the Bow Valley. In this episode we dive into the changing identity of Banff and the broader Bow Valley through the lens of someone who has grown up here her entire life. We talk about influencer culture, tourism, commercialization, conservation, mountain culture, colonial narratives, Parks Canada, the history of the Banff Sanatorium, and the tension between protecting a place and packaging it to be sold. Nahanni also shares how growing up in Banff shaped her work, her perspective on art in mountain towns, and how she uses photography and mixed media to challenge the way landscapes like Banff are viewed and consumed. We also get into:Banff local cultureGrowing up in Banff vs moving hereThe evolution of the Bow ValleyArt and activismDecolonizing conservationMountain town identitySkijouring and Banff heritageThe role of social media in tourismLife as a working artist in Alberta Nahanni’s work has been featured in Canadian Geographic and exhibited across Canada and Europe. She currently has a solo exhibition at the Art Gallery of Alberta and is part of an upcoming group show with the Alberta Craft Council at the Royal Alberta Museum. THIS EPISODE IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY @drinkshaft Big thanks as always to Defending Awesome for the Overheard merch and continued support of the show. Check out our merch and more at:www.overheardpodbanff.com Thanks to all our listeners for tuning in, our guest for taking the time to sit down with us and share their insights, and all of you continuing to support local independent media here in the Bow Valley. SEE YOU NEXT TUESDAY!!