By CAMP

COMMUNITY ARTS MENTORSHIP PROGRAM WINS WCMA AWARD FOR COMMUNITY EXCELLENCE AT BREAKOUT WEST

Oct 9, 2024 | 9:23 AM

The Community Arts Mentorship Program (CAMP) is proud to announce that it has received the Western Canadian Music Award (WCMA) for Community Excellence, presented by BreakOut West this past weeken

This prestigious honor celebrates CAMP’s impact, growth, and dedication to providing arts and cultural experiences, mentorship, and training in remote, underserved, and vulnerable First Nations and Métis communities across Saskatchewan.

Founded in 2019 by Juno Award-winning artist and music educator Eliza Doyle (B.Ed) and Cultural Consultant, Knowledge Keeper, and visual artist Holly Yuzicapi of Standing Buffalo Dakota Nation, CAMP has grown to operate eleven core programs annually since its incorporation in 2020. This recognition highlights the power of art in fostering connection, healing, and cultural pride while strengthening community capacity through mentorship and training.

In just a few years, CAMP has reached over 1,500 students, engaged more than 130 artists, and established impactful programming across 13 communities, including La Ronge, Saskatoon, Stanley Mission, and Pinehouse. The genesis of CAMP emerged from a deep bond between Eliza and Holly, both moved by a local mental health crisis. Their vision was simple but powerful: to provide arts programming that nurtures well-being, resilience, and a strong sense of identity.

The heart of the program lies in its dedication to fostering meaningful relationships, building capacity, and providing mentorship until local communities are empowered to deliver arts programming independently. CAMP’s recent national recognition as the recipient of a 4-year capacity-building grant and partnership with the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund reflects this commitment to collaboration, capacity building, and community growth.

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“This WCMA award belongs to every student, mentor, volunteer, partner, and community member who has been a part of this journey,” said Communications Director Jille Shotton. “We are immensely grateful to our funders, including the Downie Wenjack Fund, as well as our vibrant communities on Treaty 6 and 10 territories who have supported our mission to uplift First Nations and Métis programming through the arts. We share this recognition with the incredible nominees—Good + Plenty Arts Collective, West End Cultural Centre, Women In Music Canada, and the National Music Centre—who also exemplify community excellence through their inspiring work.”

CAMP is committed to continuing its work to provide high-quality arts mentorship and cultural programming, fostering inter-generational connections and healing in Saskatchewan’s remote communities. Through artist residencies, cultural consultations, and collaborations, CAMP will keep supporting communities until local capacity is firmly established.

For more information about the Community Arts Mentorship Program, its programs, and upcoming initiatives, please visit www.communityartsmentorship.com.