Roland Rollinmud

Roland Rollinmud was called home by our Creator on Sunday, August 31, 2025 at 6:15 am at the Canmore General Hospital. At the age of 74 after a short illness battle.

Our Ade was born on December 14, 1950, in Mînî Thnî, Alberta, the son of Georgie and George Rollinmud.

He grew up in Mînî Thnî along with his six brothers and seven sisters. His mother passed away when he was very young. When Roland was about three years old he was admitted to the Edmonton Hospital where he remained for three years.

Roland was a survivor of the Indian Residential School. He studied art at Calgary’s Southern Alberta Institute of Technology in 1971 and graduated from Banff School of Fine Arts in 1985.

He took an early liking to music and art. It was the fiddle that stood out to him; he enjoyed playing Orange Blossom Special. He taught many in the community to play fiddle. Like his father he was a fur trapper and hunter. He became widely known for his artwork. He was commissioned to do a few paintings in The Rockies and Calgary area. Roland has two paintings in Banff, "The Cave and Basin" and Banff Gondola “Whitebark Pine, Centennial Tree “. Also at Calgary Central Library “Survival Harvesting” and Stoney Nakoda Resort & Casino “The Spirit of The Bow and Arrow".

Roland was a kind hearted, soft spoken, humorous, humble man, who shared his knowledge with anyone. He often said each and everyone of us has a talent, find it and use it, don't waste it. Always inspire them to achieve their dreams.

He was employed in a variety of jobs within Mînî Thnî. In his early years he helped his father with ranching, fur trapping and cut lining. He worked carpentry with his brothers. He was a bus driver and then became an independent bus owner in the 80’s. He was a cartoonist and photographer for the Stoney Scep. He was also elected as Councilor for the Chiniki Nation in the 1990s for one term. But being an artist was his most important job, mostly working with oil, pen and ink.

He reintroduced the Banff Indian Days as culture celebration in 2005 with the help of two Australian after consulting with Parks Canada.

He was proud of the unveiling of his great grandfather John Hunter “Sitting Eagle” in Calgary, Alberta by Don Begg - 1988

He was the last patriarch of Georgie and George Rollinmud children.

Roland is survived by his children: Orneil, daughters Trisina, Mary (Tim) and the mother of his children, Delia; special granddaughter, Kensley; daughters Patrina, Tisah, Adina, and stepdaughter Amanda; grandsons, Cody, Travis, Davis Jordy, Jordan P, Aj, Jonas, Marcus, Tobias, Davis, Roman, Micheal, Bert, Aaron Jr (Kalena), Gabe (Randi) and Jordan.

Granddaughters: Rolena, Olayna, Breeace, Kassidy, Meilani, Kristen, Jarika, Akira, Ariana, Pyper, Elizabeth, Mila, Leah, Noelle (Brandon) Jade and Jolene; great grandchildren, Dahlia, Keidis, Elijah, Graceson, Dionna (Lenny Jr) Leah and Joy; special nieces Jackie, Cassandra, Roxanne and Fawn (Zhenya) special nephew Myron (Stacey), Aaron, Jack, Fletcher, Barry and Gordon (Melody); brothers-in-law John Wesley, Wayne Getty and Clifford (Bernadette) Poucette; sister-in-law, Georgia Solway; adopted sister, Stella Constance and daughter Wendy (Gary) Demers; adopted brother Harry (Karen) Wildman; cousin Felix Hunter-Beaver Sr. Also survived by numerous nieces, nephews and friends. We apologize if we have missed anyone.

Roland was predeceased by his parents Georgie 1956 and George Rollinmud 1984; and son, Joel Kootney; stepson, Lorne Poucette; brothers, Stanley, Scotty, George, John, Clearance and Gerald; sisters, Doris, Elaine, Elizabeth, Mary, Stella Dolly, Helen, and Rhonda; granddaughters, Blossom Rollinmud & Hope Rollinmud; grandson, Kylen Young; maternal grandparents, John “Sitting Eagle” and Leah Hunter; paternal  grandparents, Isaac and Mary Rollinmud; nephews, Gabriel and Jordan Twoyoungmen; adopted brother, Melvin (Sonny) Solway.

The family would like to thank the Canmore Hospital acute care staff and Kenny Hunter.

Wake Services will be held at the residence of the late Roland Rollinmud (Mînî Thnî) Sunday September 7, 2025 and Monday September 8, 2025.

Funeral Services will be held at the Mînî Thnî Recreation Gym (Mînî Thnî) on Tuesday September 9, 2025 at 12:00 pm .

Graveside to follow at the Chiniki Cemetery (Mînî Thnî). Traditional feast to follow at the Mînî Thnî Recreation Gym.