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Banff, Saturday, April 26, 2008
I wish to begin by recognizing the elders of the Blackfoot Nation—Elder Tom Crane Bear and all the others—who offered me their blessings under a painted tipi this morning.
I was honoured by their words, honoured by their gestures and a ceremony that dates back to the time of their ancestors. They shared with me their ritual colours and gave me a name in their language: IIT — HG- PIAN- KII AKI, which means the woman who sings at the top of the mountain.
I am profoundly moved and I wish to express my deepest gratitude.
My husband Jean-Daniel Lafond and I have spent a most inspiring retreat here along with 25 creators, administrators, researchers and university educators, from diverse horizons, from across the country, and from different generations, each of them deeply engaged towards arts and culture.
We have found here, thanks to the precious collaboration of The Banff Centre, the ideal place to host the 23rd gathering entitled Art Matters Forum/Le Point des Arts that we have held in this country and at times during visits abroad for over two years now.
Each time, it is an opportunity to think of art as a precious resource—an essential one. An occasion to gather some of the most creative minds in Canada, women and men who come together to examine the issues that are most important to them.
We could not have hoped for a more appropriate place for such engaging and uninhibited thought than this mountain range spanning an entire continent.
It would be difficult not to be inspired by such majestic landscapes. In these surroundings, the mind can be set free. Free to reflect, free to dream, free to create and to invent. The air itself is invigorating!
It has allowed us to imagine.
To imagine a country that would find in its art all that makes it unique and vibrant.
A country that would find in its art the will to claim its identity, the will to affirm itself, to renew itself, and to offer a unique vision of the world.
Artists create without apology, driven by a single desire to leave their mark on the world, for generations to come.
Both public and private institutions and organizations have a responsibility to them. It is the responsibility to use every means possible to encourage their creative spirit, which is key to social change and renewal.
A society that does not promote its artists, that does not seek to enrich its own culture, is doomed to monotony, to ruin, to extinction.
Just look at this centre, dedicated to human genius, creativity and innovation, whose 75th anniversary we are celebrating tonight.
Founded at the height of the Great Depression in the 1930s, this centre was built on a promise of hope.
The hope that the forces of creation would always triumph over the forces of destruction.
In 1933, in the middle of the Great Depression, the Centre’s founders had an unshakeable belief that art could change lives, that here, high up in the mountains, education and creation could flourish and spread all across the country and beyond its borders.
The Banff Centre would not have been possible without the joint commitment of the university and business communities. For 75 years, you have proved that investing time, ideas and money in culture is not in vain. I like to think of culture as a high-yield investment!
The governments and donors that collected $123 million for your fundraising campaign also enthusiastically support creation, and have thus enabled you to build a new campus, one filled with promise for another 75 years of inspiration—or even more!
For generations, this centre has helped bring to the world many of our best and brightest, without whom our imaginations would surely starve.
It is also a driving force, pushing our society forward by encouraging daring and creativity in all forms.
Through its world renowned Leadership Development program, The Banff Centre invites decision makers, policy makers, leaders in their fields to develop a more creative way of thinking.
A way of thinking that broadens horizons and offers new perspectives on the world.
A way of thinking that can bring about change and holds promise for the future.
I would like to thank The Banff Centre for guiding so many people onto the road less travelled.
Thank you also for giving our artists the means to lead us down unexpected, unimagined and enlightened paths.
To the artists and artisans of The Banff Centre, to Sarah Iley for making the Art Matters here a reality, I say bravo and wish you great success as you celebrate this 75th anniversary!
To you, the artists and steadfast advocates of culture who have turned out in such great numbers, I say thank you and salute your passion and dedication!