Welcoming Cherith Mark to the Board of Directors at The Whyte

The Whyte is proud to announce the appointment of Cherith Mark to its Board of Directors. A

distinguished member of the Stoney Nation, Cherith brings a wealth of cultural knowledge,

artistic talent, and educational expertise to the Board.

"Catharine and Peter Whyte have had a long-standing relationship with my community, the

Stoney Nation,” said Cherith. “I am excited to lend my experience not only as an artist but also

as a Stoney language educator and as a member of the local community to this newly

appointed role on the Board of Directors for The Whyte.”

Her extensive experience in Indigenous arts and her commitment to cultural preservation make

her a valuable addition to The Whyte’s Board. She has served on the Mînî Thnî Charity

Foundation’s board since 2014 and held leadership roles at the Banff Centre for Arts and

Creativity, where she was Vice Chair of the Board of Governors from 2020 to 2023.

"We are honoured to welcome Cherith Mark to our Board of Directors," said Don Watkins,

Chair of the Boards of Directors. "Her dedication to cultural preservation and her deep

connections to Indigenous communities and the arts will enrich The Whyte’s goal to celebrate

elevated artistry and inclusivity in the Canadian Rockies."

Currently residing in her home community of Mînî Thnî, Morley, Alberta, located in Treaty 7

Territory, Cherith is a passionate advocate for the Stoney Nakoda language and culture.

Through her work with the Stoney Education Authority, she has led the Stoney Language

Resource Development Project, helping to create Îethka language picture books, textbooks, and

curriculum resources to support the teaching of the language in schools.

Cherith is also a highly skilled dancer and performer whose artistic practice spans Indigenous

pow wow dance, contemporary dance, theatre, and aerial performance. She has toured with

prominent Indigenous dance companies such as Red Thunder Native Dance Theatre, Raven

Spirit Dance, Dancing Earth, and Kaha Dance Theatre. A graduate of Grant MacEwan College’s

Dance Program, Cherith also holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Simon Fraser University’s School

for the Contemporary Arts.

Museum founders Peter Whyte and Catharine Robb Whyte deeply valued their relationships

with Indigenous communities, recognizing the importance of preserving and sharing the

cultural knowledge and heritage of the Stoney Nation and many Indigenous Peoples of the

region. Cherith’s appointment to The Whyte’s Board marks an exciting chapter in continued

efforts to share and protect the rich cultural history of Indigenous communities and strengthen

cross-cultural relationships.