Faculty of Fine Arts launches Indigenous Artist(s) in Residence program supported by TD Bank Group

trevor.kenney — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 14:56:31 +0000

Supported by TD Bank Group, program advances reconciliation and cultural exchange

Supporting Indigenous students and community-based artists in building sustainable professional careers, Piiksinaasin (Manifesting Beauty), the Faculty of Fine Arts at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge is launching an Indigenous Artist(s) in Residence (IAiR) program and opening its call for applications for its inaugural cohort.

Generously supported by TD Bank Group, the IAiR program provides Indigenous artists with the time, space and resources to develop new creative work, advance their careers and artistic practice and engage with ULethbridge and southern Alberta communities. The program also supports the Faculty of Fine Arts’ commitment to fostering reconciliation and furthering meaningful intercultural dialogue.

The IAiR program embeds artists within both the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and the surrounding region, creating opportunities for sustained cultural learning and exchange while empowering artists to focus on achieving their creative goals.

Dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts, Dr. Heather Davis-Fisch, says the program reflects the Faculty’s commitment to amplifying Indigenous voices and strengthening relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities.

“By providing opportunities for professional development and career advancement close to community, artists can continue their training without sacrificing their connections to family, community and land,” says Davis-Fisch. “By supporting artists, we are investing not only in individual careers, but also in cultural resilience, community connection and the next generation of artistic and cultural leaders.”

As part of the residency, artists will produce new work, mentor students and share their creative practices through public engagement opportunities. Artists will be supported culturally and artistically by the Faculty, while receiving financial support from TD’s gift.

“At TD, we believe communities are stronger when diverse voices and perspectives are supported and celebrated," says Robert Ghazal, Senior Vice President and Alberta Region Head, TD. "Indigenous artists play a vital role in enriching our communities, yet many still face barriers to growing and sharing their work. Through our support of the Indigenous Artist(s) in Residence program, we’re proud to help create space for Indigenous artists to develop their craft, strengthen their careers and connect with the community. Programs like this help foster inclusion, deepen cultural understanding and build stronger communities across southern Alberta.”

ULethbridge and the Faculty of Fine Arts are uniquely positioned to offer world-class facilities and resources to local Indigenous artists, supporting work that bridges cultural divides, fosters dialogue and deepens understanding.

“Piiksinaasin is a place where beauty can be manifested. The IAiR program will give Indigenous artists from the community an opportunity to come to Iniskim (��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge) to share their beauty manifestation skills, encouraging students along the way to engage in beauty manifestations and storytelling through art,” says Iitspinnimaki, Amethyst First Rider, Elder Advisor and member of the Fine Arts Iniskim Advisory Circle.

Call for applications

Applications are now open for the inaugural Indigenous Artist(s) in Residence cohort. Emerging and early career Indigenous artists working in all disciplines are encouraged to apply.

Expressions of Interest will be accepted until August 31, 2026. Following this, the Fine Arts Iniskim Advisory Circle will shortlist artists and work with them to submit full proposals, with inaugural recipients to be announced in late 2026.

For more information about the Indigenous Artist(s) in Residence program and application details, visit /fine-arts/indigenous-artists-residence.

Leroy Little Bear & Amethyst First Rider to be honoured by U of L

caroline.zentner — Tue, 24 Jan 2017 19:12:49 +0000

Each year, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge’s Faculty of Management and its Advisory Board acknowledge the contributions and citizenry of an outstanding member or members of the community of southern Alberta through the Management Scholarship Fundraising Dinner.

The honourees for the 2017 dinner, to be held on April 13, are Dr. Leroy Little Bear (BASc (BA) '72, DASc '04) and Amethyst First Rider—whose names have become synonymous with passion, dignity, leadership, success, strength and inspiration. Through their mentorship, pedagogy and research, they have enriched the lives of both First Nations and non-First Nations students and communities, and have set an example for all through their enduring desire to understand and be understood.

Little Bear’s notable career includes many important achievements for First Nations people. He was instrumental in the development of Native American Studies programs at the U of L, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Calgary, Bow Valley College and the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology, and was the founding director of the Native American Program at Harvard ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ. Little Bear has co-authored texts and contributed to numerous reports and publications addressing issues related to Aboriginal rights, justice, land claims and constitutional issues. His work has led to a United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and he has received numerous honours, including the key to the City of Lethbridge, an Urban Aboriginal Lifetime Achievement Award and in 2016, Little Bear was inducted into the Alberta Order of Excellence.

First Rider has been a leader in the performing arts community for more than 20 years, producing and directing plays depicting Aboriginal stories and culture. Her experience in the arts has included dance productions, consulting for the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of California, Berkeley’s planetarium, as well as narration and production in the National Film Board’s documentary, Kainayssini Imanistaisiwa, The People Go On.

“Leroy and Amethyst are representative of our core values in the Faculty of Management and role models for our students and community. With this year being the 50th anniversary of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge and the 150th anniversary of Canada, I am proud to be celebrating First Nations leadership,” says Dr. Bob Boudreau, dean of the Faculty of Management.

Proceeds from the dinner will be used to establish a scholarship fund in the names of Leroy Little Bear and Amethyst First Rider, and will provide annual scholarships to First Nations students in the Faculty of Management.

Details regarding the 2017 Management Scholarship Fundraising Dinner can be found at: http://uleth.ca/management/scholarship-dinner-2017

UNews - Amethyst First Rider

Faculty of Fine Arts launches Indigenous Artist(s) in Residence program supported by TD Bank Group

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Leroy Little Bear & Amethyst First Rider to be honoured by U of L

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