The Board of Directors is pleased to share that the following motions regarding Indigenizing Art Therapy have been passed by membership at our AGM on Saturday, November 20, 2021.

• That CATA-ACAT honours and takes immediate action on the TRC Calls to Action and that Indigenous Ethics of Respectful Reciprocal Relationality and prohibition of exploitive relationships be an accepted Standards of Practice and Education.

• As outlined in the letter to CATA-ACAT board on June 16th, 2021 from Dr. Fyre Jean Graveline, Jean Tait and Jen Vivian, that CATA-ACAT revisions the Art Therapy Standards of Practice and Education to address the four crucial areas that are identified in the letter: Embracing Cultural Knowledge, Recognizing Collective Trauma, Indigenous Ethics and Restoring Relationality.

• That continued learning for practicing art therapists prior to or who are currently working with Indigenous Peoples and Communities be required.

• That an Indigenous Circle be established as part of CATA-ACAT.

• That ally art therapists establish an Ally Circle that works in collaboration with an Indigenous Circle.

We would like to extend much gratitude to Jen Vivian, Dr. Fyre Jean Graveline and Jean Tait for presenting and discussing the motions. We also thank Marie Muggeridge, Samuel Stevenson and Bethany MacGillivray for administering the virtual voting process, and much appreciation to everyone in attendance for their participation in dialogues. 

See the updated section on Standards of Practice here.

In relation to the motions passed, we would like to invite everyone to attend the final session of our conference: 

Emergence Beyond Our Colonial Shadow: Two Circles Working Relationally
Sunday November 28 at 1:45-3:15pm EST
Presented by Dr. Fyre Jean Graveline, Jean Tait, and Jen Vivian

We invite members to participate in listening, reflections, and planning regarding the Indigenous Circle and Ally Circle at CATA-ACAT. Please note that this session will not be recorded. To register for this session please visit https://www.canadianarttherapy.org/conference

Understanding that our conference is pay-per-session, we do not want financial barriers to prevent anyone from joining this session. If anyone would like to attend the session but have concerns about fees or registration, please contact us at conferencesupport@canadianarttherapy.org before Saturday, November 27, 2021.

We look forward to continuing collaboration and conversations with everyone in transforming the field of art therapy.