Athabasca Tribal Council honoured as 2024 Arts Champion by Arts Council Wood Buffalo
ATC Cultural Festival was also nominated for Creative Collaboration Award, and Event Supervisor Kayla Erlandson was nominated for Arts Administration Award
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(October 25, 2024, Fort McMurray, AB) – The Athabasca Tribal Council (ATC) is proud to announce that it has been recognized as the 2024 Arts Champion by the Arts Council Wood Buffalo. This prestigious award celebrates ATC's ongoing commitment to uplifting Indigenous arts and culture throughout the region. ATC’s support of local artists and performers through community programming and public events such as the ATC Cultural Festival fosters cultural pride and strengthens Indigenous arts.
This latest recognition builds on a history of ATC's achievements, including winning the Creative Collaboration Award at the 2020 Wood Buffalo Excellence in Arts Awards (Buffys) for the inaugural 2019 ATC Cultural Festival, presented by Syncrude.
“We are deeply honoured to receive the 2024 Arts Champion Award,” said Chief Allan Adam, ATC Board of Directors President. “It recognizes the passion and hard work of the entire ATC community in preserving and promoting Indigenous culture. Our journey, from the success of the 2019 ATC Cultural Festival to this award, has been filled with a collaborative spirit, and we are excited to continue building on that foundation.”
The 2024 ATC Cultural Festival, proudly presented by Centrefire Energy Group, was once again shortlisted for the Creative Collaboration Award. This recognition highlights the Festival’s dedication to fostering connections between Indigenous and non-Indigenous community members and providing a platform for traditional and contemporary Indigenous arts to thrive. The Festival features workshops, traditional ceremonies, an exhibition gallery, and performances from local and national Indigenous artists.
“We are incredibly proud to see the ATC Cultural Festival continue to be recognized for its collaborative spirit,” added Karla Buffalo, CEO of the Athabasca Tribal Council. “Our goal has always been to create a welcoming space where everyone in the region can experience and celebrate our Indigenous cultures. To see this vision recognized with multiple awards and nominations is truly an honour.”
Additionally, Kayla Erlandson, Events Supervisor for the ATC Cultural Festival, was nominated for the Arts Administration Award. Her leadership and dedication have been instrumental in ensuring the success of the Festival's events this past year. From managing logistics to curating a diverse lineup of artists and performances, Kayla’s efforts have been a driving force behind the Festival’s ongoing success.
“Kayla’s passion for events is visible to all,” said Karla Buffalo. “Her dedication to making every event memorable for our participants and guests is inspiring, and we are thrilled to see her efforts recognized with this nomination.”
The Athabasca Tribal Council remains committed to promoting cultural expression through the arts as a means of building a greater community for all. ATC is deeply grateful to the Arts Council Wood Buffalo for their recognition at this year’s Wood Buffalo Excellence in Arts Awards (Buffys). As we celebrate these achievements, ATC looks forward to further supporting Indigenous artists and cultural initiatives in the region.
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About ATC
Athabasca Tribal Council is an organization that serves our First Nations by providing relevant and innovative programs and services that enrich the well-being, health and prosperity of its people. ATC is committed to ensuring the protection of inherent rights, Treaty Rights, and their Traditional Territories while respecting the autonomy of each Nation. For information, visit atcfn.ca.
For more information:
Karla Buffalo
Chief Executive Officer, Athabasca Tribal Council
karla.buffalo@atcfn.ca
Main Office Phone: (780) 791-6538
