Kokanee Essential: Kootenay High

Curated by Ian Fraser

A unique gallery show will open in Gallery B at Touchstones Nelson on Saturday Jan. 24, 2009. Central to this show and essential and symbolic of Kootenay life, the Kokanee Glacier alpine wilderness has inspired visitors and residents for over a century. The history of the Kokanee Glacier and the Kootenay’s signature Kokanee Glacier Park will be the subject of this historic exhibition featuring quality unpublished photography from the early 20th century as well as recent imagery. From First Nations beginnings to silver mining glory, from pioneer alpinists to community preservationists, from the disappearing glacier itself to generations of Park Rangers, from the National Ski Team’s first summer training camps to avalanche tragedies… Kokanee’s stories will be told. Historic photos from the Gordon Fleming Collection, taken by Kokanee Mountaineering Club official photographer Ross Fleming in the 1920s will be a notable heritage feature of this exhibition.

The show’s guest curator, Ian Fraser, headed the team that researched, created and installed the Slocan Chief Interpretive Centre in the park’s signature Slocan Chief Cabin – the oldest surviving alpine hut in Canada. Representatives of BC Parks and Friends of West Kootenay Parks will be available at the opening to answer questions about our Provincial Parks