Tuesday March 1, 2022 – 12:15pm to 1:15pm MT
Our first event of 2022 explores why anti-racism still matters.
As we revisit what anti-racism means, we’ll deep dive into its continued importance in our individual lives, our work as IBPOC artists + creatives, allyship, and in the cultural sector at-large.
Join us for an illuminating and engaging conversation with Reneltta Arluk (Director of Indigenous Arts for BANFF Centre for Arts and Creativity), Patti Pon (President and CEO of Calgary Arts Development), and Kizzie Sutton (Executive Director of the Calgary Society for Independent Filmmakers).
We also collaborated with Canadian Cinema Editors to turn this powerful conversation into a Podcast – have a listen!
PANELISTS
Reneltta Arluk | Director of Indigenous Arts, BANFF Centre for Arts and Creativity
Reneltta is an Inuvialuit, Dene and Cree mom from the Northwest Territories. She is founder of Akpik Theatre, a northern focused professional Indigenous Theatre company. Raised by her grandparents on the trap-line until school age, this nomadic environment gave Reneltta the skills to become the multi-disciplined artist she is now. For nearly two decades, Reneltta has taken part in or initiated the creation of Indigenous Theatre across Canada and overseas. Under Akpik Theatre, Reneltta has written, produced, and performed various works creating space for Indigenous led voice. Current works include Pawâkan Macbeth, a Plains Cree takeover of Macbeth written by Arluk on Treaty 6 territory. Pawâkan Macbeth was inspired by working with youth and elders on the Frog Lake reserve. Reneltta is the first Inuk and first Indigenous woman to graduate of the University of Alberta’s BFA Acting program, and Reneltta is the first Inuk and first Indigenous woman to direct at The Stratford Festival. There she was awarded the Tyrone Guthrie – Derek F. Mitchell Artistic Director’s Award for her direction of the The Breathing Hole. Reneltta is Director of Indigenous Arts at BANFF Centre for Arts and Creativity.
Patti Pon | President & CEO, Calgary Arts Development
Calgary Arts Development President & CEO Patti Pon (she/her/hers) is a veteran community and arts champion. Her extensive track record of leadership and service in Calgary include staff leadership positions at EPCOR CENTRE for the Performing Arts (now Arts Commons), Alberta Performing Arts Stabilization Fund, and Alberta Theatre Projects, and volunteer positions with Calgary Foundation (board), Calgary Stampede (committee), the Asian Heritage Foundation of Southern Alberta (founding board member), imagineCalgary (steering committee), and CKUA Radio Network (board). In 2021 Patti was the first woman of colour to be appointed to the board of the Calgary Stampede. Patti has been awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal as well as the 2013 Harry and Martha Cohen Award, recognizing significant contribution to Calgary’s theatre community.
Kizzie Sutton | Executive Director, Calgary Society of Independent Filmmakers
Kizzie Sutton is an engaging arts and community professional and is happy to be returning to her roots in Film as Executive Director of CSIF. She holds a Diploma in Broadcasting, Radio and Television from the School of Communication Arts at Seneca College, and Bachelor of Arts Honours degree in Theatre and Film Studies from Queen’s University. Kizzie has applied her education to a gamut of capacities both here in Canada including lighting and sound design, dramaturgy, production management, directing, youth mentorship and programs management, at a number of arts and public sector organizations in Toronto, Ontario and northern Alberta; and internationally.