Next week, Canmore’s Tapas Restaurant and local atelier Project A are teaming up to host an eight-course tasting menu to celebrate Indigenous creativity and to acknowledge, honour and mourn the residential school students who have been recently uncovered in different regions of the country as well all of the children who are still lost. 

The dinner menu was created by Tapas sous-chef Renée Saulnier who–in keeping with head chef Tracy Little’s locally-minded ethos–took inspiration from her Métis heritage and developed each of the eight courses with a focus on locally-sourced or foraged ingredients. 

In addition to the dinner itself, guests will also be treated to an art display created and sponsored by Project A. The array of original paintings and prints by Indigenous artist and art therapist Tayler Schenkeveld depict Indigenous teachings, stories, and concepts. 

“Through this event, and our actions each day, we hope to acknowledge the past, present, and future generations of Stoney Nakoda, Blackfoot, Ktunaxa and Tsuut’ina Nation, who help us steward this land, as well as honour and celebrate this place, in Treaty 7 territory,” chef Little explains. 

The event will also feature a special musical guest that has yet to be revealed, along with the candles and scents of Métis maker Paige Olsen of Land of Daughters.

Tapas’ multi-course dinner takes place on June 21. A limited number of tickets are currently available to book by phone for $120 per person. All proceeds from the dinner will go directly toward the Indian Residential School Survivors Society and the Eagles Nest Stoney Family Shelter.