OAC Video Provides Guidance on Indigenous Arts Protocols

Toronto, October 24, 2016 – The Ontario Arts Council (OAC) has commissioned a video called Indigenous Arts Protocols. This video addresses cultural appropriation and highlights how Indigenous arts protocols can guide artistic practices and ensure respect for Indigenous peoples and Indigenous knowledge.

What is cultural appropriation?

Cultural appropriation is the intentional or unintentional use of a people’s culture or cultural expressions, traditional knowledge, intellectual property or artifacts.

About the video

The OAC commissioned Maaiingan Productions, a First Nations video production company, to create this resource, which will be accessible on OAC’s website and OAC’s YouTube channel. Indigenous artists, academics, Elders and cultural leaders were interviewed about the importance of protocols, to present a clear understanding of the responsibility that comes with cultural practices, and ways to honour the guiding principles of protocols.
 
Indigenous Arts Protocols features Leanne Betasamosake Simpson, author, musician and academic; John Hupfield, filmmaker and designer; Nyla Innuksuk, filmmaker; Lee Maracle, Elder, poet and author; Ryan Rice, chair of OCADU’s Indigenous Visual Culture Program; Sara Roque, Ontario Arts Council Indigenous arts officer; Jason Ryle, artistic director of ImagineNATIVE Film + Media Arts Festival; France Trépanier, artist, curator and researcher; and Bear Witness, media artist and musician from A Tribe Called Red. The video includes the original music of singer/songwriter Christa Couture.

Lee Maracle, Elder, poet and author

The OAC recognizes the diversity and distinct histories of Indigenous peoples in Ontario. In 2015-16, OAC provided more than $3 million in support to Indigenous artists and Indigenous arts organizations.