First Indigenous CEO of Saskatchewan arts organization ‘humbled’ by chance to inspire her community
USask graduate Lisa Bird-Wilson (BA’93, BEd’99, MEd’05) is looking to build on the work already being done to bridge gaps in underserved communities, including Indigenous, 2SLGBTQ+, newcomer and disabled artists.
By Nykole King | PostmediaLisa Bird-Wilson’s impact as a leader was never more apparent to her than the moment she was approached by a young Indigenous woman with a handwritten card.
It happened last week at a meet-and-greet event which Bird-Wilson (BA’93, BEd’99, MEd’05) attended as the recently appointed and first Indigenous CEO of SK Arts, an organization that provides funding for a wide range of local artists (musicians, writers, visual and theatre artists, etc.).
The young woman — a member of an Indigenous art collective — shared in her card how important it was to see another Indigenous woman leading a provincial arts organization.
“It’s really humbling to think about that message,” said Bird-Wilson, who moved into her new role on Nov. 18. “I found it very touching. It’s sort of a level of responsibility that I wasn’t really putting together. I can see now that there’s something to live up to here and there’s something for my Indigenous community but also more broadly in the arts community as an Indigenous woman in this role.”
Read the full story on the Saskatoon StarPhoenix website.