Indigenous arts and culture sectors get financial boost
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Indigenous arts and cultural organizations in Brantford, Brant County and Six Nations of the Grand River are getting an economic boost from the provincial government.
On Thursday morning, Lisa MacLeod, Minister of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries, announced more than $279,000 in funding to support the local Indigenous arts and tourism sectors.
She was Joined for the announcement by MPPs Will Bouma of Brantford-Brant and Toby Barrett, of Haldimand-Norfolk and Six Nations elected councillor Nathan Wright in front of the Mohawk Chapel, which the minister described as “one of the most historic sites in our entire country.”
“Heritage, sport, tourism and culture industries were hit first, the hardest, and will take the longest to recover with respect to COVID-19,” said MacLeod, noting that sectors under her ministry drive $75 billion into Ontario’s economy each year.
“It’s incredibly important that we continue to support our cultural, heritage, tourism and sporting institutions so that in a post COVID-19 reality, what we value as Ontarians is still left.”
Bouma said Thursday’s announcement was about more than just about the economy.
“It’s really about our history, traditions and culture, making all that work and bringing it back to life during these difficult times.”
Through the Ontario Arts Council and Youth Cultural Camp investments, the minister announced just over $40,000 for community-based programming opportunities for Six Nations Youth.
Kaha:wi Dance Theatre, operated on Six Nations by artistic director Santee Smith will get over $48,000 to offer programming that draws inspiration from contemporary and traditional Indigenous dance forms and culture.
Outside Looking In, a Toronto-based organization with partner communities across the country, will get just over $30,000 to provide opportunities for Indigenous youth and their communities to engage in long-term education through dance.
The Woodland Cultural Centre in Brantford will receive more than $60,000 to protect, promote, interpret and present the history, language, intellect and cultural heritage of the Anishinaabe and Onkwehonwe people.
Woodland executive director Janis Monture said the funding represents an annual operating grant through the Ontario Arts Council that helps fund the centre’s curatorial framework for arts programming.
“Unfortunately, due to COVID some of our programming has been cancelled or postponed,” Monture said. “But we are continuing to provide some of our programming online through the use of these funds.”
She added that Woodland also will be able to extend the length of exhibitions shut down due to the pandemic.
“I couldn’t be more proud to be here to support the great work that’s being done in this community toward reconciliation and supporting each other in a more harmonious way,” MacLeod said. “I believe through arts and sport, we can find our path toward reconciliation, to demonstrate our commitment to the people of this community, as well to our shared heritage and our shared future.”
Wright said the funding is welcomed.
“We know COVID-19 hit everyone hard, but through the challenges came an opportunity for us to work together, to build on the reconciliation that’s already been built,” the Six Nations councillor said. “This announcement takes us further into that realm because we know that reconciliation comes in many forms.”
He noted that artists and athletes have stories to tell, and said if the funding will help them continue to tell those stories, it will be welcomed.
bethompson@postmedia.com
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