In Fall 2018 Diane Purvey worked with Pamela Pittman in the KPU Foundation Office to put together a proposal for a Vancouver Foundation Arts and Social Innovation Grant.  The grant provides seed funding for arts and culture not-for-profit organizations to develop social innovation project proposals that examine barriers to equity, diversity, and access.  Our proposal entitled “Breaking Barriers through the Resurgence of Indigenous Arts & Culture” was one of 12 BC proposals to receive funding! The grant outlines 3 main goals: develop a call for submission of First Nations art pieces (to be displayed at all five campuses); develop programming for engaging future Indigenous students; and host Indigenous arts and cultural activities on all five campuses.  After 5 full days of workshops and meetings with groups from across BC, as well as many consultations with local Indigenous artists, Elders, knowledge keepers, and leaders, our project proposal will be ready for applying for funding calls with the Vancouver Foundation and/or the BC Arts Council.

Through this project and the resurgence of Indigenous art and culture in our teaching and learning environments we hope to create spaces that are respectful, safe, and welcoming, and reflect Indigenous philosophies and values.

The project team is:

• Program Manager – Diane Purvey (Dean, Faculty of Arts); 
• Program Coordinator/Lead – Len Pierre (Manager, Indigenous Student Services, KPU *as Len Pierre has left KPU Brock Endean is now part of the team);
• Program Facilitator/Partner – Brandon Gabriel (Artist, Kwantlen First Nation);
• Program Advisor/Admin – Desiree McLeod (Administrative Coordinator, Faculty of Arts);
• Program Developer/Writer – Pamela Pittman (Advancement Officer, KPU).