THE TALK OCTOBER 15-17
	Prismatic Schedule 2010 Register for The Talk Venue Map Buy Tickets to The Art
	Canadian / Art: Charting Self-determination of Canada’s Aboriginal and Culturally Diverse Artists Through Exploring, Understanding and Re-Imagining. Hosted by Onelight Theatre and De-Ba-Jeh-Mu-Jig Theatre Group. Schulich School of Law – Dalhousie University . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
	CONFERENCE SESSIONS
	Session 1 – The links between world view, artistic philosophy and artistic practice: Experiencing and understanding the role of the Anishnaabeg world view on the artistic work of De-Ba-Jeh-Mu-Jig Theatre Group. Friday, October 15 (3 - 5pm) Schulich School of Law (Dalhousie)   • Opening by William Nevin, Chief of the White Eagle Sundance, (New Brunswick)   • Welcome by Onelight Theatre and De-Ba-Jeh-Mu-Jig Theatre Group   • Presentation and group animation on the four Odawa foundation teachings by de-Ba-Jeh-Mu-Jig Theatre Group Session 1 objective – to establish understanding of and respect for Aboriginal artistic practice as a means of building the foundation for the conference activities. Session 2 – Self-determination I: Taking ownership of labels and definitions Saturday, October 16 (10am – 1pm) Schulich School of Law (Dalhousie) Session 2 objective – to explore and challenge the current understanding of “culturally diverse”, “Aboriginal” and “Canadian” and to strategize around advocacy to increase self-determination in the use of these terms in Canadian institutions. Panelists: Yvette Nolan (Theatre ) Rahul Varma (Theatre) Louise Profeit-LeBlanc (Canada Council) Ursula Johnson (Visual Arts) Joe Osawabine (Theatre) Moderator: Adrienne Wong (Theatre) Issues:   • How do we define ourselves? “culturally diverse”,     “Aboriginal” and “Canadian”…   • Can we find shared terminology?   • How do we advocate to have these definitions recognized     and applied within arts institutions?   • Building strength within and between sectors (Aboriginal     and culturally diverse) Session 3 – Gate Keepers – Accountability and change in key arts institutions Saturday, October 16 (2pm – 5pm) Schulich School of Law (Dalhousie) Session 3 objective: understanding the positions of key arts institutions, holding these institutions accountable for their impact on the Canadian cultural identity, opening a dialogue to advocate for change (as necessary) within the institutions. Panelists: Nina Lee Aquino (Cahoots Theatre) Eda Holmes (Shaw Festival) J.L. Watson (Centre for Indigenous Theatre) Maria Martin (Canadian Heritage) Claude Schryer Moderator: Sanjay Shahani (Trillium) Issues:   • Gate keepers – identifying the key institutions and     organizations within Canada and evaluating our     experiences with these organizations   • Opening a dialogue with these institutions – what have they     been doing, are they hearing us, are they ‘walking the talk’   • Are there any successes that we can look to – use to     establish best practices? Session 4 – Self-determination II: Defining “artistic excellence” Sunday, October 17 (10am – 1pm) Schulich School of Law (Dalhousie) Session 4 objective – to explore and challenge the current understanding of artistic excellence and to articulate the means by which this can be re-imagined and re-defined. Panelists: Sheila James (Canada Counci) Zab Mabungou (Dance) Esther Oschee (Story Teller) Josh Peltier (Theatre) Moderator: Jay Dodge Issues:   • How is art and artistic excellence defined?   • How to address gray areas - art vs. cultural practice,     professional vs. amateur…   • Who has the power to define art and artistic excellence?   • How do we position ourselves to influence / re-define art     and artistic excellence? Session 5 – Moving Forward: Establishing our priorities and charting a course for the future Sunday, October 17 (2pm – 5pm) Schulich School of Law (Dalhousie) Session 5 objective: To conclude the conference with concrete plans to build relationships and continue the work started through the 2010 Prismatic conference. Panelists: Melanie Demers (Dance) Margo Kane (Inter-Arts) Charles Smith (CPPAMO) Philip Akin (Theatre) Bruce Sinclair (Canada Council) Moderator: Kyle Shaw Issues:   • What are our priorities emerging from the conference?   • What steps can we take? What action plans?   • What assurances can participating institutions provide? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
	PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES
	Purpose of The Talk at Prismatic
	To promote artistic excellence in Canada by bringing key stakeholders together to explore vital issues in a respectful and comprehensive manner with a view to advancing the position of culturally diverse and Aboriginal artists. Network – to form relationships that we can sustain and apply usefully in our own context and development. Collaborate – to come together to create a new synergy of ideas, practice and artistic outcome. Innovate – to find new forms of practice that engage the creators in a way that advances their practice and the effectiveness of their message through their chosen medium . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
	Objectives of “Canadian/Art”
	To bring together Aboriginal and culturally diverse artists from across Canada to explore and understand artistic philosophy and practice; To bring stakeholders within the community, such as government and private funders, academics, representatives of key arts organizations, and members of the public into the discussion to expand the circle of dialogue and understanding; To build an environment of open dialogue, trust and respect in which conference participants can re-imagine the concept of “Canadian Art”. To establish meaningful relationships among and between Aboriginal and culturally diverse artists to support artistic and organizational growth and development. To establish a foundation of relationships, mutual understanding and common goals upon which to build a more inclusive and representative community of Canadian art and culture.