Wisdom Circle

A group of senior leaders in our community and industry who provide counsel to our President and CEO, and other staff, particularly as it relates to truth and reconciliation, equity, diversity, inclusion, accessibility and engagement.

Blackfoot Elder Saa’kokoto

Cesar Cala

Cheryl Foggo

JD Derbyshire

Sadly, JD Derbyshire passed away on September 26, 2025. JD was a longtime advisor and dear friend to CADA, and to many of us personally. Their positive contributions to us, to artists and to the arts sector was of a magnitude that cannot be expressed. In addition to starting us on our EDIA journey in 2017, JD led the Imagine THIS project, which was not only an audit of our EDIA work but also a resource for the community. We think of JD and their important teachings every day.

Indigenous Advisory

The decision-making process for Indigenous Investment Programs is Indigenous-led, with committees including representation across nations and artistic or cultural practice. We also work with an Indigenous Advisory that advises on our Indigenous granting programs as well as on issues that may come up more broadly across our organization. Members of the 2025 advisory included (listed alphabetically by first name):

Glenna Cardinal (Tsuut’ina)

Jarret Twoyoungmen (Bearspaw)

Kevin Littlelight (Kainai/Tsuut’ina)

Seth Cardinal Dodginghorse (Tsuut’ina/Blackfeet)

Staci Duchene (Mohawk)

Yvette Denby (Métis)

Community Working Group Pods

Our Community Working Group, comprising artists from equity-deserving communities, began work on three specific projects in 2025:

The accessibility and inclusivity policies and practices working pod focused on D/deaf and disability artists and community. Led by JD Derbyshire, engagement sessions were held to get community input, advice and recommendations on our accessibility and application assistance policy and the development of accessible events practices. This work is being reimagined following the untimely death of JD.

Demographic data collection pod is focusing its work on developing a tool to collect demographic data from applicants to CADA’s grant investment and public art programs. Members of this pod include Cesar Cala, Ebony Gooden, Kristen Padayas, Kristy North Peigan, Pamela Tzeng and Toyin Oladele.

The ArtShare program working pod is helping us redesign and relaunch the ArtShare program to be public-facing and more community-engaged. This work started in 2025 and will continue with an expanded pod in 2026. Members of this pod in 2025 included Kristy North Peigan, Cesar Cala, Pamela Tzeng and Wunmi Idowu.

The Art for Social Change working pod helped us shape the Creating Our Calgary program, including the 2025 Living a Creative Life Congress. Members of this pod included Cesar Cala, Ebony Gooden, Leslie Robertson, Pamela Tzeng and Wunmi Idowu.