Increasing authentic inclusion: New project to support more inclusive engagement

Authentic engagement begins with understanding. That is why SaskCulture is investing in research and education through a project aimed at addressing systemic gaps in cultural funding and strengthening relationships with equity-denied communities.

SaskCulture is developing a new Engagement Strategy Development Project as part of its ongoing Funding Program Renewal Project and consultations with the cultural community. In particular, findings from Ivy + Dean Consulting reports, Funding the Rainbow and Renewing with Purpose, highlighted the need for more intentional, informed, and inclusive approaches to engagement across the sector.

Leo Keiser, granting and community engagement coordinator, SaskCulture, explains that the Project will help shape SaskCulture’s approach to engaging with 2SLGBTQ+ and disability cultural communities, while also guiding the development of internal and external education and training plans.

“SaskCulture is taking feedback from the community seriously; this is part of SaskCulture’s role in supporting the cultural vibrance of the province,” Keiser says.

Over the past year, Keiser has led the Project through the first steps of conducting research and environmental scanning. This included research into the existing organizations in the 2SLGBTQ+ and disability cultural communities, as well as into the funding landscape for these groups. This research is meant to serve as context for relationship-building.

“These relationships are built through engagement, through showing up, and through understanding and connecting with communities,” Keiser says. “It’s important to have relationships grounded in community and reciprocity."

After these steps, SaskCulture started the planning work by putting together a staff committee. Keiser says that the committee is helping guide the work that will take place in the coming year, which will be focused on staff-wide training to improve capacity, and an internal organizational review through an equity lens.

“We are aiming to bolster staff capacity to ensure that we’re in a good position to serve the entirety of the diversity of culture in Saskatchewan,” says Keiser. “That includes 2SLGBTQ+ culture and disability culture; these communities have not had appropriate representation or space within funding structures.”

SaskCulture plans to eventually undertake external work as part of the Project, which is projected to include membership development for 2SLGBTQ+ and disability cultural organizations. However, there is “internal work to be done first,” as Keiser explains that “the intention is to build capacity and really build trust first, to make sure that relationships stay strong in the long-term