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”.
Safe spaces statement
Mile Zero Dance upholds the foundational belief that no matter our race, gender identity, sexual orientation, ability, age, class, background or career status, all artists, staff, students, technicians, volunteers, and audience members will be respected.
With all our endeavours, we uphold respect as a primary and unifying priority. We will ensure in all our relations the safety of ourselves and others, and cultivate a harassment and racism-free workplace. In circumstances where this priority is not respected, please raise concerns immediately to the staff/board of Mile Zero Dance.
Equity Statement
Mile Zero Dance (MZD) is committed to championing policies, practices and applications of cultural equity that empower a just, inclusive and equitable organization. MZD recognizes that as many existing systems of power grant privilege and access unequally, equity is crucial to the sustainability of Edmonton’s arts and cultural sector. MZD is working in and creating pathways to ensure that opportunities to participate and contribute to Edmonton’s dance ecosystem are grounded in processes that build inclusive spaces for expression and artistic creations for everyone to enjoy. MZD is committed to develop collective liberatory practices that support all forms of dance creation, especially those forms which have been historically underrepresented in Canada’s dance ecology.
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.
Idris Fashan
President, Mile Zero Dance Board of Directors