Lou-ann Neel will become the new artistic director of Aboriginal Arts at The Banff Centre and Brian Calliou will assume the position of director of Aboriginal Leadership and Management. Both appointments are effective August 15, 2003.

Ms. Neel brings with her more than 12 years of experience working with First Nations communities in British Columbia with an emphasis on the development of arts, culture, heritage, education, small business, and language organizations. She is the cofounder of two Aboriginal arts and culture organizations in that province including Indigenettwork: First Nations Women in the Arts Cooperative, and the Vancouver Island Consortium of Indigenous Arts. Ms. Neel is from the Mamalillikulla, Da’naxda’xw, Mumtagila, and Kwagiulth First Nations of the Pacific Northwest Coast.

"We welcome Lou-ann to this position. She will play an important role with Aboriginal Arts ensuring that this program area continues to provide a wide range of creative, relevant, and meaningful program opportunities for participants," says Joanne Morrow, senior vice-president, Programming, at the Centre.

Mr. Calliou is re-joining The Banff Centre. From 2000 to 2002, he was the associate director for Aboriginal Leadership and Management. For the past year he has been pursuing doctoral studies, his own law practice, and sessional teaching at the University of Calgary. Mr. Calliou received both his law degree and his masters of law from the University of Alberta. He is a member of the Sucker Creek First Nation of northern Alberta and is actively involved with Aboriginal communities.

"We are pleased to welcome Brian back to The Banff Centre," Morrow says. "His expertise will benefit Aboriginal Arts. He is committed to creating, supporting, and maintaining an environment for innovation, creativity, and learning. His experience will ensure the Centre’s 30-year tradition of providing impactful Aboriginal Leadership programs will continue into the future."