Land Acknowledgement
and Indigenous Resources
The Association for Opera in Canada is committed to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Anti-racism.
Beyond statements of solidarity, we demonstrate our commitments through action. Last year, we undertook a thorough revision and re-articulation our anti-harassment policy, are a signatory to the Respectful Arts Workplaces Code of Conduct:, and deliver many programs in equity, inclusion and diversity for members and their boards of directors.
One of our newest actions is the development of a new Indigenous-led Guidance for the Opera Sector on Land Acknowledgements, with important insights on why we do them, and resources for further education.
Land Acknowledgement Resource for the Opera Sector in Canada
We are grateful for the work of Rebecca Cuddy, Métis mezzo-soprano who developed this guidance during the summer of 2020. The guide includes definitions, pronunciation guides, as well as land acknowledgements for every region in Canada. It is designed so that every company in Canada may engage in thoughtful reflection as they develop authenticity, accountability, and humility in their land acknowledgments.
The Association for Opera in Canada Land Acknowledgement
Our offices are located in Toronto, Ontario, also known as T’karonto which in Kanien’kéha (Mohawk Language) means, ‘the place in the water where the trees are standing’. It is a privilege for us to work, live and play on the traditional lands of the Wendat ‘People of the Island’, the Anishinaabe ‘Original People’, Haudenosaunee ‘People of the Longhouse’ and the Mississaugas of the New Credit ‘River of the north of many mouths’. Toronto is now an international hub, with many diverse people who call this place home. That being said, we recognize, support and celebrate the enduring presence of Indigenous Peoples on this land.
Furthermore, as the Association is a national company, we extend this gratitude to the many Nations across Turtle Island. We will not lose sight of the fact that land acknowledgements exist as a small step in the process towards truth and reconciliation. However, there cannot be reconciliation before there is truth. We recognize the historical and continued oppression of lands, cultures and the Indigenous Nations in Canada. We commit to continue learning, educating and healing with our kin. We believe in the strength of the arts to aid us in creating a better world for us all.
Advocacy
We provide a united voice to governments and policy makers at all levels. Through ongoing relationship building, networking and appropriate non-partisan interventions, we ensure that the interests of its members and the broader Canadian opera sector are understood and considered. Through various initiatives, we raise the profile of the Canadian opera sector with its various stakeholders, including funders, opera audiences and the general public.
Our Pre-Budget Recommendations
COVID-19 has and will continue to have a major impact on the Arts Sector in Canada and abroad. On August 7, we submitted our Pre-Budget recommendations to the Federal Finance Committee. The recommendations centre around a continuation of the CEWS and CERB programs, infrastructure funding to support safety measure during re-opening and safe distancing, as well as support for a comprehensive capitalization strategy to build a more resilient opera sector in the future, one more resistant to future shocks and better able to withstand future crises. You can read the full brief here:
AOC Pre-Budget Submission August 2021
AOC Pre-Budget Submission February 2021
Prebudget 2020 Standing Finance Committee Review
Your Association Responds
Letter to the Government of Canada on the Impact of COVID-19 on the Opera Sector
To all Opera.ca members, stakeholders and opera artists in Canada,
After the overwhelming response to our weekend survey on the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on the opera sector, Opera.ca responded to the Government of Canada with the following letter describing the impact and making recommendations for urgent relief funds for artist and arts organizations so they can honour artists contracts:
Online Resources
Additional OPERA America member login information may be required to access these links. If you are a current member and do not know your OPERA America login information, please contact member services at membership@operaamerica.org.
Human Resources
- Jobs in Opera (in Canada)
- Jobs in Opera (OPERA America)
- Work In Culture
- Resources for Artists
- Anti-Harassment Resources
- Women’s Opera Network
- Racial Justice Opera Network
BIPOC and Social Justice Opera Resources
- Amplified Opera: Holding Space
- Antisemitism & Music (Learning Guide, by Likht Ensemble)
- BIPOC Arts (Directory of Arts Workers)
- BIPOC Voices (Database of BIPOC-Composed Vocal Works)
- Black Opera Alliance
- Black Opera LIVE! (Podcast)
- Black Opera Research Network
- Black Theatre Coalition
- CultureBrew
- Land Acknowledgement Resource
- Marigold Music Program
- Theatre Producers of Color
- Recent Articles (June 2022)
Releases & Policies
Annual Reports
- 2016 Annual Report
- 2017 Annual Report
- 2018 Annual Report
- 2019 Annual Report
- 2020 Annual Report
- 2021 Annual Report EN
- 2021 Annual Report FR
- 2022 Annual Report EN
- 2022 Annual Report FR
Strategic Plans and Related Documents
- Charting Our Civic Impact
- Civic Impact Framework Full Report
- Resilience through Equity – Strategic Plan 2022-2024 EN
- La résilience grâce à l’équité – plan stratégique 2022-2024 FR
Guides to Professional Company Membership
Parliamentary Submissions
- 2020 Federal Standing Finance Committee Review
- Briefing to Standing Committee on Finance
- Gender Parity to Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage
Constitution and Bylaws
Membership Manuals
- Professional Company Membership Handbook – (Association for Opera in Canada – 2022)
- Professional Company Membership Manual – (OPERA America – 2022)
- Associate Member Manual – (OPERA America – 2022)
- Business Member Manual – (OPERA America – 2022)
- Career Service (Libraries) Member Manual – (OPERA America – 2022)
- Educational Producing Affiliate (Associate) Manual – (OPERA America – 2022)
Harassment Policy
Opera.ca Harassment Policy Sept 2019
As well, we are a signatory to the Cultural Human Resources Council’s Code of Conduct for Safe Workspaces.