The Application and Payment systems will be closed from December 19 - January 5 during the Institutional Holiday Closure. SlideRoom (Step 3) will remain open for portfolio submissions.
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This course takes a deeper dive into the kind of leadership authentic reconciliation work truly demands, broadening concepts of responsibility, relationships, and the real, ongoing work of structural systems change for those working in non-Indigenous led arts and culture organizations. Designed for emerging and experienced leaders who have already begun their journey with Truth and Reconciliation, this program offers the next step: moving from awareness into action.
Participants will explore how to embed reconciliation into the very architecture of their institutions, governance models, policies, and organizational culture using two-eyed seeing. Grounded in "Seven Wise Practices and Right Relations", and guided by Indigenous knowledge holders, this immersive experience offers a space to reflect, reimagine, and rebuild.
Participants will be offered practical tools to support long-term transformation rooted in humility, accountability, and institutional courage. This is a space for brave questions, honest conversations, and collective learning. Sessions will be held in community, on the land, and in dialogue with those who have been leading this work for generations.
Program highlights
The program is designed to cater to arts and culture professionals working in organizations of any size and across any art form (visual arts, galleries, museums, theatre, dance, opera, film, music and literature).
This program is suited to those who are looking to build skills that will allow them to run effective organizations, build healthy and sustainable communities, and drive change, including:
Applicants must be 18+ at the time of the program start date.
Domestic and international applications are welcome.
Visa Eligibility Information:
We welcome applicants of all ages (18+), backgrounds, gender identities and expressions to apply. Participants from historically underrepresented and equity deserving groups are especially welcome.
Participants are required to dedicate approximately 40 hours during the week to this program, including evening activities.
Itinerary is subject to change.
Sunday
Program overview and introductions
Visual explorer pathway
Monday
Wise Practices
Truth & Reconciliation and the 94 Calls to Action
Opening the circle of shared histories
Living history of Treaty 7
Tuesday
Indian Act, RCAP, and UNDRIP
Indigenous action plan
Cave & Basin Excursion
Wednesday
Fireside chat with sector leaders
Indigenous action plan, continued
Advancing truth and reconciliation meaningfully
Thursday
Sharing learning, ideas, and challenges
Navigating organizational complexities and constraints
Crafting plans for personal and organizational shifts
Friday
Leadership commitments
Closing circle and reflections
Dr. Cynthia Wesley-Esquimaux served as Vice Provost for Indigenous Initiatives at Lakehead University for three years. Effective September 2016 she was appointed the 1st Indigenous Chair for Truth and Reconciliation in Canada for Lakehead University and continues to develop pathways forward to reconciliation across Canada.
Cynthia was inducted as a “Honourary Witness” by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada in 2014, and is Chair of the Governing Circle for the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation at the University of Manitoba.
She is a member and resident of the Chippewa of Georgina Island First Nation in Ontario and has dedicated her life to building bridges of understanding. She sees endless merit in bringing people from diverse cultures, ages, and backgrounds together to engage in practical dialogue and applied research initiatives.
Tareyn Johnson is Anishnaabe and a member of the Chippewa of Georgina Island First Nation.
She has been the Director of Indigenous Affairs at the University of Ottawa since 2017, as the inaugural leader of the portfolio. She was the project lead for the development and implement the Indigenous Action Plan, the first Indigenous strategic plan at the university. She had been a professor in the Indigenous Studies program since 2021, developing and delivering the Introduction to Indigenous Studies course, as well as the selected topics course, Listen to the Stories: Indigenous Cultural Schemas.
Based on the unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh first nations, Kenji’s experiences are diverse and grounded in his passion for the arts, education, and building community, and influenced by his Uchinanchu heritage. He brings with him over 20 years of experience within the cultural sector working within national and local contexts, and across sector disciplines. Kenji is the Executive Director of the Greater Vancouver Professional Theatre Alliance focusing on strengthening sector capacity, advancing advocacy efforts, and building community.
He is the co-lead of Pathways an equity and access learning program, which has seen more than 125 organizations across B.C. participate in the first two years, as they navigate complex organizational and community realities. He has also taught the Thriving as a Cultural Entrepreneur at Simon Fraser University since 2019 to support the next generation of artistic and cultural leaders. Kenji is thrilled to be back at Banff Centre as an alum of Banff’s 2019 Cultural Leadership Program, to both offer his experiences and to learn from the participants.
He loves spreadsheets, chewy chocolate chip cookies, and his husband Alan.
Using a credit-based system to dine on campus, our flexible meal plan allows you to select meals according to your own needs during your stay. Banff Centre can respond to most dietary requests.
The full meal plan is equivalent to a $73 credit per day, equivalent to three meals at our buffet service.
Your program fee includes a single bedroom on the Banff Centre campus for the duration of your program.
Get connected with other artists on campus and focus on your projects in a creative environment while we take care of the day-to-day essentials.
Group seminars and workshops with faculty.
The Paul D. Fleck Library and Archives are delighted to support Banff Centre Participants, Artists, and Faculty
$65 for individuals, $35 for applicants who identify as Indigenous.
The application fee is non-refundable. 100% of this fee goes towards the cost of administering the application in SlideRoom.
Funding of up to $2500 is available to support participants. Those working for non-profits and smaller organizations are encouraged to apply.
If you would like to be considered, please complete the Financial Aid section when uploading your supporting materials.
Information on our cancellation policy can be found here.
Banff Centre will issue official tax receipts for eligible tuition fees and financial assistance and awards as required by the Income Tax Act. You will receive a T2202 (Tuition and Enrolment Certificate) for eligible tuition fees paid and a T4A (Statement of Pension, Retirement, Annuity, and Other Income) for applicable financial assistance and awards.
Learn more about the steps to Complete Your Application.
A two-page resume or C.V. describing academic, professional, and other relevant experience.
Applicants have the option of a written or video submission. Please keep videos to under five minutes.
Be sure to complete the Financial Aid question in SlideRoom to be eligible for the financial assistance.
Participants are chosen by an adjudication panel comprising of internal and external assessors. The selection criteria include:
Our programs are highly competitive with a limited number of places available. Applicants will be notified of their selection status as soon as the adjudication process is complete. Due to the high volume of applications individual feedback will not be provided.
All programs, faculty, dates, fees, and offers of financial assistance are subject to change. Program fee is subject to applicable taxes. Non-refundable fees and deposits will be retained upon cancellation. Any other fees are refunded at the discretion of the Banff Centre. The application deadline is 11:59 p.m. Mountain Standard Time.
For questions on preparing your application, please contact Admissions:
