Community Arts Mentorship Program 2023-2024 AGM

ANNUAL REPORT 2024

COMMUNITY ARTS MENTORSHIP PROGRAM BOX 358 ASQUITH, SK. S0K 0J0

Photo taken at Doylefest by All My Relations Photography

CONTENTS

CONTENTS

3

MISSION & VISION

4

CO-FOUNDER’S MESSAGE

5

OUR TEAM

6

FUNDERS & PARTNERS

7

2024 OVERVIEW

8

PROGRAMMING

9

FINANCIAL REPORT

22

GET INVOLVED

BACK COVER

MISSION & VISION WHO WE ARE COMMUNITY ARTS MENTORSHIP PROGRAM IS A NON-PROFIT IN SASKATCHEWAN DEDICATED TO PROCURING ARTS EXPERIENCES, MENTORSHIP, AND TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES IN REMOTE AND UNDER-SERVED COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE PROVINCE. WE BELIEVE EXPRESSION THROUGH THE ARTS STRENGTHENS COMMUNITY, INTER-GENERATIONAL CONNECTION, CULTURE AND SENSE OF IDENTITY, INCREASES SELF-ESTEEM AND CONFIDENCE AND PROVIDES LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES.

OUR MISSION THROUGH ARTIST RESIDENCIES AND FULL-TIME ARTS TEACHERS, WE SUPPORT COMMUNITIES UNTIL LOCAL CAPACITY IS SECURED, AND ARTS PROGRAMMING IS DELIVERED LOCALLY. WE WILL CONTINUE TO PROVIDE ON-GOING SUPPORT FOR COMMUNITIES, AND WILL PROVIDE MENTORSHIP AND TRAINING WHEN NECESSARY. WE ARE COMMITTED TO CREATING MEANINGFUL RELATIONSHIPS THROUGH CULTURAL CONSULTATIONS. THESE CONSULTATIONS GUIDE RESIDENCIES AND IDENTIFY WHICH ART PRACTICES BEST FIT THE COMMUNITIES NEEDS THROUGH DRAWING ON THE STRENGTHS OF THEIR OWN MEMBERSHIP.

OUR VISION ENGAGING UNDER-SERVED & REMOTE SASKATCHEWAN COMMUNITIES IN MUSIC, ARTS AND CULTURAL PROGRAMMING FOR SELF-EXPRESSION, HEALTHY IDENTITY-FORMATION, HEALING & RECONCILIATION WITH A FOCUS ON SUPPORTING AND BUILDING LOCAL CAPACITY THROUGH MENTORSHIP & TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES.

CO-FOUNDER’S MESSAGE Welcome everyone!! We are so excited to have you along on our journey as the Community Arts Mentorship Program continues to grow and evolve.

When we met in a van in 2019, we had no idea that our new friendship would create such an energizing effort to influence the way people see art. We only dreamed of making an impact on people and places in our province, and now that dream is a reality. We are seeing the true efforts of arts mentorship in action, and it’s working. Mentorship through the arts strengthens and changes the way art exists in community, and it’s

Holly Rae Yuzicapi

only just beginning.

CO-FOUNDER

You are all so important to this community, and we are so proud of all the artists, facilitators and staff who show up with passion and commitment. Your bravery to embrace the same values and purpose is the reason we have been so successful. Together we are making a lifelong difference in the lives of the people and communities we are creating relationships with.

We are also thankful for your patience as we learn to navigate our way through running a nonprofit and we invite you into our future as we move towards whatever we can do to better serve our communities. We are all art!

Eliza Doyle CO-FOUNDER

OUR TEAM CO-FOUNDERS

Holly Rae Yuzicapi

Eliza Doyle

CO-FOUNDER

CO-FOUNDER

STAFF

Steph Cameron

Zoe Slusar

Mitchell Dureault

LJ Tyson Kimbley

Jille Shotton

ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTOR

PROGRAM COORDINATOR

PROGRAM COORDINATOR

INNOVATION LIAISON

MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Lillanohna Naytowhowcon PRESIDENT

Steph Cameron

Zoe Slusar

Travis Beatty

Mitchell Dureault

BOARD MEMBER

BOARD MEMBER

BOARD MEMBER

BOARD MEMBER

FUNDERS & PARTNERS MAJOR FUNDING AGENCIES Downie-Wenjack Blanket Capacity Fund, SK Arts Board, SaskCulture, Canada Council for the Arts

SPONSORS Indian Child Family Services, Lac La Ronge Indian Band, Northern Sport, Culture and Recreation District, SIGA, Sask Lotteries, Better Off Duds, Creative Kids, CO-OP, MCC, Peever Productions, Vieuxtemps Violin CO., 9 Mile

MEDIA PARTNERS 92.9 The Bull, 98 Cool, CBC, CFCR, CJTR, CJWW, Family Fun Saskatoon, MBC Radio, NSMZ

COMMUNITY PARTNERS Eagle Creek Regional Park, Keethanow Elementary School, Kilburn Hall, Lac La Ronge Indian Band, Ness Creek, Northern Lights Bluegrass and Old Time Music Society, Rhoda Hardlotte Memorial Keethanow High School, Saskatchewan Choral Federation, Saskatchewan Music Educators Association, Saskatchewan Orchestral Association.

SPECIAL MENTIONS All the artists we work with who teach within our 2023/2024 programming and communities: Anthony Pasqua, Aspen Beveridge, Avalon Ruiz-Vidal, Bronwyn Burr, Danika Michael, Eliza Doyle, Holly Yuzicapi, Ian Cameron, Jackie Walbaum, Kimia Khavaninzadeh, Kyle Kimbley, Lily Naytowhow, LJ Kimbley, Mitch Dureault, Nigel Bell, Olivia Morelli, Raven Reid, Riley Burr, Rowan Teasdale, Samantha Beatty, Travis Beatty, Travis Williams, Trinity Amy, Zoe Slusar.

All the artists who performed at Doylefest 2024; Banastranaut, Big Tones, Blackstrap Mountaineers, Bluestack, Chesterfield, Christopher and the Saints, Clayton Linthicum, Cupid’s Heart, Eliza Mary Doyle, Glass Hand Family Band, Heartstrings, Julie Ella, Kory Istace vs The Time Pirates, Loula Bruce, LJ, Modeste McKenzie and Ashla Michel, Mr Dumptruck and Mr Daryl, My Artistree, Old Joe & The Truth Hurts, Oscar’s Hollow, Raven Reid, Sammi, Sharptail, The Blue Mules, The Great Fuss, The Sea Hags, ZHE the Free.

Our 2023/2024 Board: Travis Beatty, Lily Naytowhow, Joseph Naytowhow, Steph Cameron, Mitch Dureault, Zoe Slusar

2023/2024 OVERVIEW MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS Secured Core Funding: We are proud to announce our successful receipt of core funding from the Downie Wenjack Fund Blanket Fund, a competitive federal grant with 122 applicants, providing $175,000 annually for the next 4 years!

New Office Space: Thanks to our strong partnership with Ness Creek, CAMP now has dedicated office space, supporting our ongoing growth and operations.

Expanding Our Team: For the first time, we’ve hired a consistent, talented team of contracted staff, including a Managing Director, Cultural Consultant, Marketing and Communications Lead, and School Liaison. This expansion strengthens our capacity to deliver impactful programming.

Youth Music Camps: This year, we administered 8 youth music camps, including Girls Rock Camp, Hip Hop Collaborations, and Youth Summer Music Camps.

Trauma & Cultural-Sensitivity Training: We administered essential Trauma and Cultural-Sensitivity Training across two locations (Prince Albert and Saskatoon) in partnership with Lakeland District, reaching 60 participants.

Doylefest Turns 10: What an incredible milestone! Doylefest celebrated its 10th year, marking a decade of community building, music, and celebration.

Western Canadian Music Award: CAMP was honored with the Industry Achievement Award for Community Excellence at the Western Canadian Music Awards—recognizing our commitment to building cultural connections and fostering community impact.

Partnerships: We established a meaningful partnership with Child Family Services Lac La Ronge Indian Band.

Hip Hop Programming at Kilburn Hall: We are excited to have launched new Hip Hop and Arts Programming at Kilburn Hall Youth Incarceration, offering incarcerated youth an opportunity for creative expression.

Expanding Communities: This year, we’ve expanded our programming to 10 communities across Saskatchewan, including Grandmothers Bay, Stanley Mission, Hall Lake, Sucker River, La Ronge, Little Red, Beauval, Canoe Lake, Buffalo Narrows, and Saskatoon. We are proud to continue enriching communities across the province.

PROGRAMMING FIDDLE MENTORSHIP

PROGRAM OVERVIEW This program has been running annually since 2021 with support from the Saskatchewan Orchestral Association, The Downie Wenjack Fund, Minahik Waskahigan Elementary School, as well as the Lac La Ronge Indian Band, and their communities of Sucker River, Hall Lake, Stanley Mission, and Bells Point.

The purpose is to mentor fiddlers to a capacity in which they can continue to work within these communities, providing lessons in school and community settings, to a point in which the communities can take over the programming themselves and present it through their own regional and cultural lenses.

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS The largest achievement of this past year (2023-2024) would be that of the weeklong mentorships with Avalon Ruiz Vidal, a trad. fiddler and Kimia Khavaninzedah, a UofS Violin Masters Student, in which both worked in Buffalo Narrows following their mentorships.

CHALLENGES & SOLOUTIONS A challenge we face is finding members of the communities we serve who are interested in mentorship opportunities.

GOING FORWARD The goals for this program in the next year is to expand on the training - moving from a two week program with support going forward as needed, to a program that extends over four months, with weekly meetings leading up to the two weeks in person up north. The 5 year plan would be to have youth from their communities, such as Hadley of Pinehouse, who is in grade 7 this year and a part of a 6 week program to learn how to teach, be able to return to their communities and offer their support as fiddle instructors.

A WORD FROM MITCH This program has meant the world to me, as it honours my friends and mentors, especially Michele Amy and Shamma Sabir, who had the foresight to realize that such mentorship opportunities were needed. Thirteen years ago, when I was 16, trying to teach the fiddle, I was invited to participate in a mentorship program, which I have based mine on, to mentor with Shamma. That mentorship was followed by a summer position and a second mentorship under Michele and Shannon on how to run the behind-the-scenes aspects of creating and executing such mentorship programs and camps.

The impacts are obvious in my own life and the lives of the students who benefit from having ready and available fiddle teachers at hand.

SPONSORS, FUNDERS, COMMUNITY PARTNERS AND SPECIAL MENTIONS Saskatchewan Orchestral Association, especially Elaine Kaloustian, The Downie Wenjack Fund, The Lac La Ronge Indian Band, Councillor Devon Bernachez, Gordon “Frosty” Ratt of Chief Moses Ratt Community School, Metis Nation Regional Director for La Ronge Laura Burnouf, Chief Tammy Cook of the Lac La Ronge Indian Band, Mike Bruno and Rosalena Smith of Minahik Waskahigan Elementary School, and Michele Amy.

Coordinator's Name: Mitch Durrault

Email: programcoordinator@communityartsmentorship.com

PROGRAMMING

PINEHOUSE FIDDLE RESIDENCY PROGRAM OVERVIEW The Pinehouse Fiddle Residency is a 4th stage of music instruction within Minahik Waskahigan Elementary School. It is funded by the the Sask Arts Board, and is a community effort supported by the local administration, Mike Bruno and Rosalena Smith, as well as Chris Hansen from the Northern Village of Pinehouse. Since 2020, this program has provided free fiddle and music instruction to Pinehouse, Saskatchewan, with tremendous success.

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS In the first year of programming, we worked with 12 students, the next year it tripled. Now we have 6 high school students, and 70 students in elementary school, as well as community members who will be trained to take over the community programming in Jan. 2025. Each year, the MWES students perform for their community at their Elders Gathering, sometimes even writing pieces dedicated to their Elders, Community, and Metis Lifestyles.

CHALLENGES & SOLOUTIONS The biggest challenge we face is finding teachers who can commit to staying the duration of the grant and finding affordable housing.

GOING FORWARD We are expecting to expand next year and join efforts with Joel Durocher and his guitar program at Minahik Waskahigan High School, so that the students graduating out of the elementary school, have continual and equitable access to fiddle instruction.

A WORD FROM MITCH Pinehouse has been an amazing success story in terms of community involvement, student involvement, and growth of a program. In just 3 years, they went from no youth playing fiddle, with a few Elders who played, to a thriving community of youth in the program, with students asking for more. One notable student, Hadley, started the program in grade 3 and is now in grade 7. She has had tremendous support from her family, owns her own fiddle, takes private and school lessons, competes at contests and performs during community cultural events, and has recently gone to her first fiddle camp this past summer.

She is currently learning Faded Love and Big John McNeil for a contest this Dec. In Jan. 2025, Hadley will be participating in a 6-week long training program and will learn how to teach for, create, and support her community’s Community Fiddle Program.

SPONSORS, FUNDERS, COMMUNITY PARTNERS AND SPECIAL MENTIONS The Saskatchewan Arts Board, Jane Laxdal - former MWES Teacher, Mike Bruno - Vice Principal MWES, Rosalena Smith- Principal MWES, Lisa Natomagan - MWES Secretary , Janet Hansen - MWHS Principal , Downie Wenjack Fund, The Northern Village of Pinehouse, Kineepik Metis Local

Coordinator's Name: Mitch Durrault

Email: programcoordinator@communityartsmentorship.com

PROGRAMMING

PINEHOUSE YOUTH MUSIC CAMP PROGRAM OVERVIEW Pinehouse hosted Community Arts Mentorship Program through the relationship they established with Mitch Dureault and Eliza Doyle in the early days of the non-profit. Together, Mitch and Eliza headed to Pinehouse for the first music camp, alongside instructors Jacquie Walbaum, Rowan Teasdale, Raven Reid, and Olivia Morelli ,where they worked with approximately 30 youth on learning new instruments, perfecting techniques on familiar ones, and wrote a final piece as a group. With a focus on self expression and creating kinship through music, Pinehouse is working with Mitch to bring back the camp again in 2025.

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS We had all students engaging with their own strengths - some are great lyricists, while others strong instrumentalists, and others, like our pal Jaxton, took an interest in the sound engineering aspects of setting up the mics for his peers and recording their instruments. The kids arrived bright and early, and hardly wanted to ever go home at the end of the day. They loved it! Some students worked with the instructors on creating their own originals, and making arrangements to cover their favorite songs, showcasing them before our big group finale, Pinehouse Shaboiboi - a Pinehouse Youth Camp Original.

GOING FORWARD Our current objectives are to secure funding for 2025, and to build upon our existing partnerships with Northern Lights School Division, The Staff at Minahik Waskahigan Elementary, as well as the Kineepik Metis Local, and the Northern Village of Pinehouse to ensure continuity each year.

SPONSORS, FUNDERS, COMMUNITY PARTNERS AND SPECIAL MENTIONS Yvonne Maurice, for stepping in as Elder offering prayer for our performance meal, Minahik Waskahigan Elementary School- Mike Bruno and Rose Natomagan for their support in their student’s musical journey, The Northern Village of Pinehouse, Shana Hansen from making arrangements for supper, The Downie Wenjack Fund, Saskatchewan Choral Federation, Sask Music Educators Association, Saskatchewan Orchestral Association

Coordinator's Name: Mitch Durrault

Email: programcoordinator@communityartsmentorship.com

PROGRAMMING

HIP HOP COLLABORATION PROGRAM OVERVIEW Through our Hip Hop Camp, we engaged students in traditional drumming and elements of hip hop including: microphone and performance skills, writing rhymes, call and response, freestyle expression, dance routines/movement, and DJ skills. Each camp included a performance for the school/community in each location! At every showcase performance event there were students from various grade levels who performed alongside the artist mentors ZHE the Free, Big Tones, Catfish the Wizard, Nasty G, Brand Zero and BBoy A Plus.

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS 2024 saw amazing success with Hip Hop camps lead by experienced artist mentor, ZHE the Free. Building on years of previous experience ZHE brought in artist mentor experts in the elements of Breaking, DJ-ing, R.A.P. (rhythm and poetry), performing and recording. Artist Mentor, Big Tones (Anthony Pasqua) also brought teachings and traditional drumming to several of the hip hop camps. Every single Hip Hop camp was a huge success.

We hosted camps in: Stanley Mission - 4 day camp in November 2023 Stanley Mission - 4 day camp in November 2024 Canoe Lake - 5 day camp in January 2024 Beauval - 5 day camp in March 2024 Buffalo Narrows - 5 day camp in March 2024 Beauval - 3 day camp in August 2024

GOING FORWARD The goal is to continue with the success of the hip hop program, building on the relationships we have established with youth in the communities of Canoe Lake, Beauval, Buffalo and Stanley Mission. There is a high demand for this program and as Coordinator, ZHE would like to facilitate some focussed workshops and training for hip hop artist mentors. Having the right people trained and ready will allow for the Hip Hop Camps to expand. Then reaching out to other communities to offer Hip Hop camps can be supported.

A WORD FROM ZOE It’s amazing to see many youth engage in positive ways in the hip hop camps. We saw students, who struggle with attendance, show up on time so they could explore the DJ equipment. We saw students, who normally have trouble focussing and often get in trouble in class, be fantastic participants, listen and follow along with the workshops. Hip Hop has a huge focus on collaboration, positive reinforcement and celebration. We see youth connect with their peers in positive ways and there is always an increase in confidence. I saw participants who were too shy to introduce themselves at the start of the week, perform a call and response, using the mic, in front of the whole school by the community performance. We also see students coming in during their lunch hour to learn additional skills, write with the artist mentors, learn more from the mentors about the gear and practice on the mic.

SPONSORS, FUNDERS, COMMUNITY PARTNERS AND SPECIAL MENTIONS Northern Youth Cultural Fund, Northern Sport, Culture and Recreation District and Sask Lotteries, Village of Beauval, The Downie Wenjack Fund

Coordinator's Name: ZHE / Zoe Slusar

Email: zhethefree@gmail.com

PROGRAMMING

GIRLS ROCK THE NORTH PROGRAM OVERVIEW Annual Girls Rock Camp in Stanley Mission Keethanow Elementary school. We program workshops on keyboard, guitar, bass, drums, ukulele, spoken word poetry, and singing.

The youth learn from artist mentors and explore various aspects of music and creativity, connect with their peers in meaningful ways, have fun with music in group settings and create their own original work.

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS We had 25 girls attend throughout the week of Feb 19 - Feb 23, spanning across elementary and high school. It was a huge success to engage girls across all grade levels.

We saw our numbers increase every day of the camp. Girls who attended the first day of

CHALLENGES & SOLOUTIONS

camp consistently attended throughout the week and brought their friends to join them.

There is very high demand for this program and because it takes place during Family Week and there is no school. There are many youth who are looking to participate in the program, including children that were too young for us to include. There is also a big ask for a Boys Rock the North Music Camp, as the boys expressed how they also want a camp and feel left out that there is nothing for them during the Family Week off school.

GOING FORWARD For 2025, we are excited to be expanding Girls Rock the North to take place in both Stanley Mission and a La Ronge. Expanding the camp to La Ronge is a new initiative which is in response to the positive impact we have seen in Stanley Mission. This means we will be able to connect with twice as many girls as participants in 2025 and we will also be able to employ twice as many Artist Mentors for the camp.

A WORD FROM ZOE I have been a part of Girls Rock the North for the past 3 years, I started as an Artist Mentor before taking over as Program Coordinator. It is powerful to see how excited the girls are for the camp every year. It is also amazing to see how much they grow! Some of the girls have come through multiple years of Girls Rock the North and have now formed bands of their own. One of the bands is called Lavender Blood and is frontlined by one of the girls, Aris, and also includes Serenity and Shelly, all 3 are multi-year participants in the Stanley Mission Girls Rock the North Camps and they spoke about how the camp influenced them to form the band, practice regularly and ultimately record and perform their own original music. We were able to record a song for Lavender Blood as a bonus during our time in Stanley for the camp and they were very proud of themselves.

SPONSORS, FUNDERS, COMMUNITY PARTNERS AND SPECIAL MENTIONS SK Arts funded Girls Rock the North 2024 , The Downie Wenjack Fund

Coordinator's Name: ZHE / Zoe Slusar

Email: zhethefree@gmail.com

PROGRAMMING KILBURN HALL

PROGRAM OVERVIEW Kilburn Hall programming involves weekly Hip Hop sessions, focussing on writing, recording, Cypher freestyles and performance. Artist Mentors ZHE the Free and Big Tones are currently in the Boys Secure Unit, Girls Secure Unit and Girls Open Unit.

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS Artist Mentors have been in the Boys Secure Unit since February 2024 and it’s been incredibly positive. There is a mostly stable group of boys (approx 8) who participate every week. The boys encourage one another and express that the hip hop program is a highlight of their week.

Artist Mentors have been in the Girls Secure Unit since June 2024 and have seen immense growth. This unit fluctuates in numbers and participants, however all girls who are present are excited to participate in the program. Whenever Artist Mentors arrive the girls are ready and anticipating the workshop. Artist Mentors started in the Girls Open Unit in November 2024. This is due to the overwhelmingly positive response the program received in the Boys Secure and Girls Secure Units. Staff in every unit have expressed their appreciation of the Hip Hop program in Kilburn. Management and staff alike have told us “this is one of the most successful programs we have ever experienced here”.

CHALLENGES & SOLOUTIONS Kilburn Hall is a unique situation in terms of programming because of it being an institution. We do our best to ensure clear and effective communication, positive relationships with staff on the units and management. Funding is a potential issue, but currently Kilburn is covering the cost of Artist Mentors to be consistently in multiple units to work with youth. Due to issues which can arise on the units, programming can be canceled with very short notice. There is often an inconsistency with the programming in each unit actually happening each week, although Artist Mentors are always available and prioritize programming to ensure the youth get as much access to the hip hop workshops as possible.

A WORD FROM ZOE Kilburn Hall is one of the most impactful programs that the artist mentors have ever been a part of. Personally, I have been working as a hip hop educator and Artist Mentor for over 10 years, and I can honestly say this is one of the most amazing programs I have ever worked with.I have experienced how connecting young people, especially young men, to the art form of hip hop will inspire them to use creativity as a positive coping mechanism and provide them with opportunities throughout their lives. The participants often ask us to perform our original music, Anthony Pasqua (Big Tones) raps about his lived experience as an Indigenous young man, the struggles he overcame and the realities of oppression and how we can take responsibility for our own lives.

Myself, Zoe Slusar (ZHE the Free) rap a lot about interconnection, the impermanence of life, self love, grounding in nature and healing through music.

We have engaged staff in the sessions as well, with some staff also rapping with the group, lots of laughs and community building within the unit’s occur each week. Staff and management are incredibly supportive and positive about the program and consistently tell us it is one of the most successful programs they have seen for engaging all the youth on the units. The Girls in Open Unit have been requesting us to come in and do Hip Hop on their unit for months and it is exciting that they want to experience the programming and it can now begin for them.

The first of it’s kind live performance will be taking place at Kilburn Hall in December 2024. The youth who participate in the hip hop program will be guided

by ZHE the Free and Big Tones to write, practice and perform original raps for their peers and staff audience. This is a very exciting initiative.

SPONSORS, FUNDERS, COMMUNITY PARTNERS AND SPECIAL MENTIONS Kilburn Hall , The Downie Wenjack Fund

Coordinator's Name: ZHE / Zoe Slusar

Email: zhethefree@gmail.com

PROGRAMMING

LA RONGE MUSIC CAMP PROGRAM OVERVIEW The La Ronge Youth Music Camp is a successful program run every summer out of Senator Myles Venne School. It’s purpose is to provide music instruction and activities to youth in the area. It centres itself around instrument instruction, confidence building, songwriting, audio recording, and video creation.

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS The Music Camp has recently completed our 3rd year delivering our program to the community. We ran the camp from June 14 - 18 and the program had a great retention rate of students sticking with the program throughout the week. In the past we have started with high numbers and ended with low numbers. This year we kept a consistent 14 students. Once again we were able to create, record, and create a music video for an original piece that will be shared in the near future. We also hosted a community meal catered by Chef Niall Kerr. A big highlight this year was that we were able to take on two mentee instructors. Zach Kerr and Bronwyn Burr joined us to job shadow and assist.

CHALLENGES & SOLOUTIONS We faced timeline challenges this year. Because our venue wasn't able to be confirmed until a couple weeks before we faced the issue of not being able to advertise. We also saw a change of leadership this year. Eliza took a step back from being camp director and I was happy but cautious to take over. Eliza had run a successful camp and I wanted to make sure I could take over in a way that felt natural.

We worked with a handful of new instructors and tried out some new ways of doing things. It was a big collaboration and the feedback/input from Eliza that led us to have yet another successful year.

GOING FORWARD Goals are to get more youth involved. We are always excited that the youth return to the camps and we hope they bring their community with them. We would like to start advertising a lot sooner so that more people know about this great opportunity.

A WORD FROM LJ I feel the creation of original music is important for these camps. The energy becomes so positive and proud when the youth see themselves performing their original song in a music video. This is unique to Community Arts’ programs and I believe it is what will keep us in communities for years. This year we wrote, recorded, performed, and videoed a new original song titled “In The City.” The song will be released to MBC Radio and Youtube very soon.

SPONSORS, FUNDERS, COMMUNITY PARTNERS AND SPECIAL MENTIONS Lac La Ronge Indian Band, Saskatchewan Music Educators Association, Saskatchewan Orchestral Association, Saskatchewan Choral Federation, Community Initiatives Fund, Senator Myles Venne School., The Downie Wenjack Fund

Coordinator's Name: LJ Kimbley

Email: innovationliaison@communityartsmentorship.com

PROGRAMMING MUSIC IN SCHOOLS

PROGRAM OVERVIEW Music In Schools is a program that has evolved from the continued relationship with the Lac La Ronge Indian Band. We work with the band schools to provide music teachers to Stanley Mission, Sucker River, Hall Lake, La Ronge and Bells Point. Within this program, the non-profit finds music teachers and instructors and provides training to teachers in the areas of curriculum and lesson plan development and trauma and cultural-sensitivity training. We also provide ongoing support to music teachers, and act as the liaison between the teachers and school administrators.

Dates: September 2023 - June 2024. Location: Stanley Mission, Sucker River, La Ronge, Bells Point, Hall Lake

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS We’ve secured (2) full-time music teacher positions and (4) 60% music teacher positions within the Lac La Ronge Indian Band. Additionally, we’ve secured a grant through Canada Council for the Arts to provide Music Teacher Mentorship, which will expand our capacity to work with more schools.

CHALLENGES & SOLOUTIONS We often find ourselves in a position of vacancies within the teaching positions due to a lack of skilled potential teachers. We are continuing our efforts to train teachers and obtain grants for Music Teacher Mentorship.

GOING FORWARD & A WORD FROM ELIZA We are excited to roll out our Urban Music Training Program in the spring of 2025, which will focus on training new music instructors in Saskatoon. This will better equip musicians to teach in remote and underserved communities, and provide training to individuals in the city. We are also focusing on building a K-12 music curriculum complete with units, lesson plans and resources, which is an ongoing work in progress.

SPONSORS, FUNDERS, COMMUNITY PARTNERS AND SPECIAL MENTIONS Lac La Ronge Indian Band, Downie Wenjack Fund

Coordinator's Name: LJ Kimbley & Eliza Doyle Email: innovationliaison@communityartsmentorship.com managingdirector@communityartsmentorship.com Facilitators : Eliza Doyle, LJ Kimbley, Mitch Dureauly, Travis Williams, Aurora Ter Heide, Ethan Williams, Malachi McKenzie, Samantha Beatty, Travis Beatty

PROGRAMMING TACT

PROGRAM OVERVIEW Delivering Trauma and Cultural-Sensitivity Training to communities and community organizations to enhance participants’ understanding of community engagement through a culturally-sensitive and mental health perspective.

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS We were able to deliver TACT in Prince Albert to 30 participants for our first ever full workshop that we were hired for. Previously we had administered training to the public through grants received through SaskCultures Multicultural Initiatives Fund, but with this training, we administered it through Lakeland District Sport, Culture and Recreation.

GOING FORWARD & A WORD FROM ELIZA As this was the first time we’ve administered training through another organization, we are very excited about the prospect and capacity building this offers to the non-profit. We believe that Trauma and Cultural-Sensitivity Training is important to Saskatchewan to move forward in working better with culturally diverse and vulnerable populations, and being able to have government organizations hire us to provide training elevates the workload of writing and reporting on grants.

SPONSORS, FUNDERS, COMMUNITY PARTNERS AND SPECIAL MENTIONS Lakeland District for Sport, Culture and Recreation

Coordinator's Name: Eliza Doyle

Email: managingdirector@communityartsmentorship.com

PROGRAMMING

MUSIC TEACHER MENTORSHIP PROGRAM OVERVIEW Community Arts Mentorship offered a mentorship program to emerging artists in the rural/remote Indigenous communities of La Ronge, SK and Stanley Mission, SK.

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS We were able to mentor 8 musicians in Stanley Mission, La Ronge, and Watrous in the areas of elementary music education, high school music education, and recording engineering.

CHALLENGES & SOLOUTIONS Challenges included finding musicians who were able to be away from their home communities for 2 weeks at a time to participate in the program. A way to mitigate this in the future is to work with less artists for a longer period of time.

GOING FORWARD & A WORD FROM ELIZA Musicians noted the importance of this programming in moving them forward in their music instructor careers, especially within our organization. This mentorship training program is now a cornerstone program, and has become a great learning tool for us moving forward in our expansion of programming.

SPONSORS, FUNDERS, COMMUNITY PARTNERS AND SPECIAL MENTIONS Canada Council for the Arts, Stanley Mission Keethanow Elementary School, Rhoda Hardlotte Memorial Keethanow School, Skull Creek Studios.

Coordinator's Name: Eliza Doyle

Facilitators/Mentees: Eliza Doyle, LJ Kimbley, Mitch Dureault, Kimia

Khavaninzadeh, Devon Gunn, Raven Reid, Kolton Kimbley, Andrea Ratt, Samantha Beatty, Travis Beatty, Zach Kerr Email: managingdirector@communityartsmentorship.com

PROGRAMMING DOYLEFEST

PROGRAM OVERVIEW The 9th Annual Doylefest happened at Eagle Creek Regional Park September 8th - 10th, 2023.

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS 33 musical talents over 3 days of music, with 18 volunteers working to ensure the festival ran smoothly. Highlights include the non-profit raising $3000, which went towards programming in the 2024-2025 fiscal year.

Another great aspect of this festival is partnering with Eagle Creek Regional Park who works with us and Urban Camp to provide workers for both pre and post festival set-up and tear down.

Without this valuable partnership, Doylefest would not experience the success that it does.

CHALLENGES & SOLOUTIONS Finding enough volunteers to run the festival is always a challenge, and remains a difficulty moving forward. Also difficult is the cold weather that creeps in during this weekend, as many participants are unprepared for the first really cold weekend of the summer season. A way to mitigate this is to provide blankets for audience members, musicians/artists and volunteers to use during the festival.

GOING FORWARD & A WORD FROM ELIZA In 2023, there were a lot of new audience members which was really great for us, and our 2nd Reconciliation Workshop was a success. We are looking forward to the 10th Annual Doylefest with big plans in the works including a Cabaret, upgraded canvas tents, and a jigging workshop.

SPONSORS, FUNDERS, COMMUNITY PARTNERS AND SPECIAL MENTIONS Peever Productions, Eagle Creek Regional Park, The Downie Wenjack Fund, Better Off Duds

Coordinator's Name: Eliza Doyle

Email: managingdirector@communityartsmentorship.com

PROGRAMMING

ARTS EXPLORATION TOUR PROGRAM OVERVIEW Providing enriching and sustainable arts programming that fosters community engagement, cultural preservation, community mentorship and holistic well-being. Through Phase 1: “Arts Exploration", we aim to collaboratively identify and address the unique arts needs of each community while promoting cultural exchange and empowerment.

Dates: May 26-June 31st, 2024

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS Successful delivered Hip Hop, Visual Arts, Ukulele and Theatre workshops to 6 communities in the Lac La Ronge Indian Band; Grandmother's Bay, Stanley Mission, La Ronge, Sucker River, Hall Lake, Little Red.

CHALLENGES & SOLOUTIONS There was so much community interest that it was a struggle to adequately administer the arts programming. It was forecast that 20-30 people would attend each community engagement, and the average community had 65 participants. The solution for this is to bring more arts facilitators on the next tour.

GOING FORWARD & A WORD FROM ELIZA Being able to work with all 6 communities in the Lac La Ronge Indian Band was very informative for us to plan for Phase 2. There were many potential mentees identified for Phase 2, which includes implementing our “Arts Engagement Strategy”. Phase 3 focuses on determining which programming is the best fit for each community (youth camps, biweekly engagement, artists residencies, community mentorship) while enlisting the skills of the mentees identified.

SPONSORS, FUNDERS, COMMUNITY PARTNERS AND SPECIAL MENTIONS Indian and Child Family Services Lac La Ronge Indian Band , The Downie Wenjack Fund

Coordinator's Name: Eliza Doyle

Email: managingdirector@communityartsmentorship.com

PROGRAMMING

NORTHERN LIGHTS BLUEGRASS AND OLD TIME MUSIC SOCIETY PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM OVERVIEW This 3rd Annual Partnership saw 4 youth and 2 adults attend the NLBOT music camp to take fiddle, guitar, vocal and banjo lessons. Along with 2 chaperones, band members from Stanley Mission Lac La Ronge Indian Band attended both the camp and festival to immerse themselves in a collaboration of shared culture to strengthen the relationship between Indigenous and Non-Indigenous communities. We were excited to build on the progress made last year during this project, and to deliver once again out Reconciliation Workshop during the festival with Tristen Durocher and Eliza Doyle as panelists, where we talked about what meaningful community work looks like, how to establish long lasting and trusting relationships in communities and cultures other than our own, and examine prejudices, racism, and colonization in Saskatchewan.

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS A highlight of this program is the ongoing relationship building being made by bringing the same group of youth and adults to the camp, and building on the progress made from the previous 2 years.

More community members from Stanley Mission are coming to watch the Tweener Acts (Lavender Blood, Shellie McLeod), and it’s bringing Indigenous and NonIndigenous communities together through the arts.

CHALLENGES & SOLOUTIONS We are continually seeking funding for this program, and it is difficult to attain from grants written within our organization, and almost impossible. This is due to a “3rd party funding” issue, which means the majority of the funds requested are going directly to NLBOT, not ourselves, which is the roadblock.

We are working on partnering better with NLBOT to seek grants written from their organization for this initiative as a solution.

GOING FORWARD & A WORD FROM ELIZA This program continues to have a high success rate from participants, as Stanley Mission has a rich history and relationship with bluegrass and folk music through access to the radio on the Trap Lines. The community is very supportive and would like to see it expanded, and we are hopeful for a 4th partnership .

SPONSORS, FUNDERS, COMMUNITY PARTNERS AND SPECIAL MENTIONS The Downie Wenjack Fund

Coordinator's Name: Eliza Doyle

Facilitator’s: Eliza Doyle, Tristen Durocher

Email: managingdirector@communityartsmentorship.com

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Community Arts Mentorship Program Profit and Loss

September 2023 - August 2024

TOTAL

INCOME Billable Expense Income Course Income

900.00 10,980.00

Donations Grant Income Project Partnership Income

792.50 191,872.67 42,389.90

Sales of Product Income Service/Fee Income

470.00 0.00

Sponsorship Income Ticket Sales Total Income

7,048.00 17,693.70 $272,146.77

COST OF GOODS SOLD Billable Expenses Merch Purchasing Sub-Contractors

819.94 4,446.75 300.00

Total Cost of Goods Sold

$5,566.69

GROSS PROFIT

$266,580.08

EXPENSES Accounting Fees Advertising & Promotion

1,909.48 7,734.59

Bank Fees Board Expenses Cost of Services

258.09 105.00

Administration

19,015.51

Creative Cultural Director Executive Director Program Director Instrument Donation Manager

5,376.50 48,704.70 16,030.10 50.00

Total Program Director

16,080.10

Total Cost of Services

89,176.81

Insurance Internet/Telephone Meals & Entertainment Memberships, dues, licenses

1,781.93 15.73

Merchant Fees Office/General Admin Expenses Program Expenses Advertising & Promotion Meals & Entertainment Rentals Subcontractors

148.92 155.00 55.69 144.29 7,600.00 153.46 923.11 2,172.05 118,468.02 10,220.60 15,810.76 155,348.00 5,445.92

Supplies and Materials Travel Total Program Expenses Rent

Accrual Basis Thursday, November 14, 2024 10:26 AM GMT-06:00

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FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Community Arts Mentorship Program Profit and Loss

September 2023 - August 2024

TOTAL

Software Subscriptions/fees Training & Development Travel

889.33 795.00 2,732.66 $266,696.44

Total Expenses OTHER INCOME Interest earned Other Income

90.00 103.90

Total Other Income

$193.90

PROFIT

$77.54

Accrual Basis Thursday, November 14, 2024 10:26 AM GMT-06:00

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GET INVOLVED JOIN THE BOARD Looking for a meaningful way to make an impact in the arts and culture of our community? Join our board of directors! By becoming a board member, you’ll be part of a dedicated team helping to guide and support our mission. Our board members are at the heart of our strategic direction, and we welcome individuals who are passionate about community arts, have fresh perspectives, and are excited to help grow our programs.

For more info email Eliza Doyle

Email: managingdirector@communityartsmentorship.com

TEACH MUSIC IN NORTHERN SK We are always hiring experienced music teachers to work in La Ronge, Sucker River, Hall Lake, and Stanley Mission. This is a unique opportunity to provide long-lasting arts education in remote and underserved communities across Treaty 6 and Treaty 10 territories.

Through these full-time teaching positions, we support communities until local capacity is built and arts programming is delivered locally.

For more info email LJ

Email: innovationliaison@communityartsmentorship.com

CULTURAL FOUNDATIONS FOR INDIGENOUS ARTS WORKERS We are looking for Indigenous arts workers in Saskatchewan who are passionate about instructing Indigenous arts in their communities. This program is ideal for those interested in expanding their professional skills while helping to preserve and share Indigenous cultural traditions.

Attend five ,weekend-long, in-person sessions in Prince Albert. Arts workers selected for this program will receive compensation for their participation in the weekend sessions, as well as travel and accommodation reimbursement.

For more info email Eliza Doyle

Email: managingdirector@communityartsmentorship.com

PAID FIDDLE MENTORSHIP OPPORTUNITY Looking for a paid mentorship opportunity that lets you share your skills and learn how to teach?

We have partnered with the Saskatchewan Orchestral Association to offer a Fiddle Mentorship Program in Stanley Mission, on beautiful Treaty 6 Territory. You’ll receive $200/day, accommodations, and hands-on teaching experience in classrooms and community settings.

For more info email Mitch Durrault

Email: programcoordinator@communityartsmentorship.com

@CommunityArtsMentorshipProgram

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