The 1988 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XV Olympic Winter Games, was a multi-sport event held from February 13 to 28, 1988, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The skiing events were held west of the city at the Nakiska ski resort in Kananaskis Country and at the Canmore Nordic Centre Provincial Park in Canmore. Join us as we examine artifacts and archival records which document the 1988 Olympics in Canmore and its enduring legacy.
The Canmore Museum is endeavoring to make the collections and the stories they hold more accessible to the public. This behind-the-scenes collection tour is open to both Museum members and the public to participate; advance tickets are required.
ABOUT THE PRESENTERS
Mercedes Cormier brings 8 years of progressive experience at the Royal AlbertaMuseum to her role at the Canmore Museum. She started at the RAM, as a volunteer, then progressed toCollections Technician, to her final role at the RAM asCollections Management Assistant. In this role, she was responsible for helping lead the recent move of the Royal Alberta Museum’s collection from the museum’s old Glenora location to their new museum building and current offsite storage facility. In that intense three-year project, she has handled and helped re-house nearly every object in the RAM’s vast collection. Mercedes is currently working with various collections at theRAM to finish up post move tasks. She has experience in working with human history objects, natural history specimens, and collections representing Alberta’s Indigenous communities. Outside of her experience at the Royal Alberta Museum, Mercedes has also worked with specialty collections at the Bata Shoe Museum inToronto, Ontario (practicum) and at Canada’s Aviation Hall of Fame. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Human Ecology from the Univeristy of Alberta and is currently undertaking a graduate diploma in HeritageResource Management with Athabasca University.
Gail Niinimaa is an independent textile conservator based in Canmore, Alberta whose expansive career spans continents. After graduating from the University of Alberta with a Bachelor of Science in Home Economics, Gail travelled to England, Switzerland, and Denmark where she honed her skills apprenticing in labs there. She was hired by the Glenbow Museum in 1979 where she has been a major contributor to their textile collection. Requiring much patience and an eye for detail, Gail is sought after for her expertise, pragmatism, and the professional approach she applies to her work. Gail is also passionate about nordic skiing and has worked with 1988 Calgary Olympic collections both at Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame and at the Canmore Museum.