How are we working together?
The Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport is continuing existing relationships and actively considering other potential partnerships with Indigenous organizations to fulfill this action. Consultation and co-operation approaches will differ for each Indigenous organizational partner in accordance with a distinctions-based approach.
The ministry has heard from local Indigenous artists, community members, and Indigenous-led organizations and First Nations through engagement events and participation in roundtable discussions. Feedback from these sessions is being incorporated into the strategic vision for the BC Arts Council.
Additionally, the ministry continues to meet with Métis Nation BC as part of the Province’s alignment with a distinctions-based approach.
Indigenous arts and culture practitioners contribute to the BC Arts Council Equity Advisory Network. Members of First Nations and other Indigenous individuals make up over 25% of the Arts Council’s membership. Roy Henry Vickers has been the Arts Council inaugural Elder-in-Residence since March 2024, providing guidance on this new role.
The BC Arts Council has a long-standing partnership with First Peoples’ Cultural Council (FPCC), a First Nations-led Crown corporation, provides $1.725 million annually to support the FPCC’s arts programs, which supports valuable jobs for First Nations artists. The BC Arts Council has worked with the FPCC on outreach and engagement initiatives, while the FPCC has provided input on BC Arts Council policies, with regular meetings between leadership teams to build relationships and work together.
The BC Arts Council has established a Joint Indigenous Arts Advisory group made up of Indigenous BC Arts Council members and community members to guide the development of the BC Arts Council’s Indigenous Arts Strategy. This work will focus on developing an approach to better support Indigenous artists and organizations in B.C. through policy, programs and outreach.
Are there challenges?
Reaching out and connecting with other Indigenous organizations to partner with on Action 3.05 is measured to ensure meaningful engagement between the B.C. government and Indigenous organizations across the province. This work faces challenges in these uncertain economic environments. While consistent progress is being made, creative solutions for collaboration and resourcing are being sought to continue to meet community demand for Indigenous arts, culture and language revitalization in B.C.
Highlights
Renowned artist, carver, storyteller, author, and community leader of Tsimshian, Haida, and Heiltsuk heritage, Roy Henry Vickers is the BC Arts Council inaugural Elder-in-Residence, a role which recognizes the importance of Indigenous knowledge, perspectives, and self-determination.
In alignment with Action 3.05, the BC Arts Council provides funding to the Elder-in-Residence to provide guidance for continued work to integrate equity and reconciliation across the arts sector and provide greater support for the Indigenous organizations. He also provides mentorship and knowledge-sharing for young Indigenous artists, playing a vital role in supporting and strengthening the transmission of Indigenous arts, culture and histories.
The BC Arts Council has formally initiated work on an Indigenous Arts Strategy to support Indigenous organizations and applicants through its programs, supported by an Indigenous Arts Advisory Group consisting of Indigenous Council and community members. This work is ongoing.