Indigenous Advisory

SaskMusic's Indigenous Advisory is a permanent, advisory standing council.

Current Advisory members are (August 2022):
Brad Bellegarde, Dale McArthur, Aaron Tootoosis, Adam Martin, Cheryl L'Hirondelle
Knowledge keeper: Joseph Naytowhow
SaskMusic board observers: Orion Paradis, Marian Donnelly

Volunteer advisory members come from Saskatchewan Indigenous communities. Representatives may also come from national, regional or community-based organizations to give fair and equal voice to the diverse cultural perspectives of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples from Treaties 2, 4, 5, 6, 8 and 10. SaskMusic aims to be inclusive of diverse voices, where Indigenous Advisory members can contribute based on their professional and personal experiences as well as from artists and musicians in the music industry within Saskatchewan.

SaskMusic Indigenous Advisory

Terms of Reference

Mandate/Purpose:

SaskMusic’s Indigenous Advisory provides advice and makes recommendations to the SaskMusic Board of Directors regarding the activities and direction of SaskMusic. The Indigenous Advisory nurtures long-term trust in the Saskatchewan music community by offering guidance based on the experience, expertise, values and worldviews of its individual members.

Scope:

The Indigenous Advisory can be called upon to advise on the development, scope and priorities of SaskMusic as an organization and any matters related to the music created by Saskatchewan First Nations, Inuit or Métis people, including initiatives, export missions, educational programs, and services related to the recognition of Indigenous music, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action, and the revitalization of Indigenous cultures within Saskatchewan.

Responsibilities:

The Indigenous Advisory Chairs will gather the Advisory’s recommendations/comments and report to SaskMusic’s Board on behalf of the Indigenous Advisory. We acknowledge that consensus of the Advisory does not imply unanimous agreement but rather respectful deference to the majority based on fair and open discussions. All Indigenous Advisory members should have equal opportunities to participate, contribute and be heard.

The Indigenous Advisory serves an advisory capacity and does not have executive decision-making powers. The Indigenous Advisory is not accountable for results or outcomes of SaskMusic. That responsibility falls to the SaskMusic Board of Directors.

Meeting Management and Administration:

Advisory Composition:

This is a permanent, advisory standing council. It will be comprised of a minimum of five members (who may also be SaskMusic Board members) plus up to two SaskMusic Board members present as observers. Two co-chairs will be appointed by the SaskMusic Board, one of whom will be a SaskMusic Board member, in order to facilitate communications between the Advisory and the board.

The SaskMusic Board will seek and select Advisory members from Saskatchewan Indigenous communities through general calls of interest as well as one-to-one outreach. Representatives may also come from national, regional or community-based organizations to give fair and equal voice to the diverse cultural perspectives of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples from Treaties 2, 4, 5, 6, 8 and 10. SaskMusic aims to be inclusive of diverse voices, where Indigenous Advisory members can contribute based on their professional and personal experiences as well as from artists and musicians in the music industry within Saskatchewan.

Terms of Members:

Advisory members (not including board observers) will be appointed for two-year terms, for a maximum of three consecutive terms. Advisory members who are not SaskMusic members will be provided with complimentary SaskMusic memberships for the length of their Advisory term.

Observers and co-chairs will be appointed annually at the same time as SaskMusic Board committee appointments.

If you are interested in being considered for a position on the Advisory, please complete this form.