Treaty 6 Acknowledgement
Mile Zero Dance acknowledges Treaty Six’s Intent Of Friendship And Kinship with the Indigenous Peoples who gathered here for thousands of years: Cree, Nakota, Blackfoot, Dene, Saulteaux, and Metis, and All Indigenous People continuing to live here today. We strive to create an open space for all, upholding the traditional Cree meaning of Tatawaw, “Welcome, There Is Room”.
MZD fully supports the 35//50 Initiative
Thank you to the people and groups who call on us and our fellow arts organizations to uphold the 35/50 movement by the 2024/25 season. Since 2018 MZD artists, staff, and Board have been 42% BIPOC. 62% of our organization identify as women, trans, and gender diverse.
Mile Zero Dance Board and Staff (MZD) fully support the 35//50 Initiative and are taking meaningful actions for the artistic community by:
Ensuring our programs continue to include Indigenous, Black, and racialized artists and artists with diverse genders and mental/physical abilities;
Understanding that mindful representation within our organization will lead to greater equity, diversity, inclusivity, and accessibility in our communities;
Reflecting the diverse communities of Amiskwacîwâskahikan;
Working towards reconciliation to create a more inclusive future for the dance community;
Believing that all children from all backgrounds should have access to high-quality dance education;
Creating more artistic spaces for the voices of all identities to combat the gamut of discrimination in the arts and the broader community;
Developing net-zero and eco-friendly art practices and being mindful of our relationships with the land and other living things;
Offering proactive solutions to other arts organizations for them to shift their processes towards greater equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility within our community;
Forming a Board equity and inclusion committee to look at education, policies, and procedures; and
Continuing to track demographic information and making that information public.
Thank you for the opportunity to respond and express our support.
Tyler Sherard
President, Mile Zero Dance Board