Alberta Music Industry Association respectfully acknowledges that it is situated on Treaty 6 and 7 territories - the ancestral and traditional territory of the Cree, Métis, Dene, Blackfoot, Saulteaux, Nakota Sioux and Treaty 7 region in Southern Alberta, which includes the Blackfoot Confederacy (comprising the Siksika, Piikani, and Kainai First Nations), as well as the Tsuut’ina First Nation, and the Stoney Nakoda (including the Chiniki, Bearspaw, and Wesley First Nations). We acknowledge the many First Nations, Métis and Inuit whose footsteps have marked these lands for generations and continue today. With this acknowledgement, we remind ourselves of the responsibilities we have as Treaty people to understand our shared colonial history and commit ourselves to working towards a just and inclusive society. 

Alberta Music recognizes the barriers that marginalized and underrepresented communities face and are committed to representing an organization that values equity, inclusion, and access. We understand the importance of sharing stories from diverse perspectives and shining a light on the inner tensions that they have experienced. 

Alberta Music stands with the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and recognizes the validity of all sexualities and genders. We recognize the gender disparity that women and the 2SLGBTQIA+community face and will work within our own organization to challenge these barriers and support ongoing work to address these inequalities. 

Current Position: 

Alberta Music currently provides inclusive programming, membership outreach to smaller Alberta communities, and provides Community Guidelines to encourage participation from a broad range of lived experience within our staff, board, membership, and other peoples affiliated with our organization. 

Alberta Music has an Indigenous steering committee and Diversity committee that helps ensure the needs of Indigenous and BIPOC artists and industry are reflected in our programming, policies, projects, and organization. The current challenges Alberta Music faces to implement and sustain inclusion and more diversity are financial barriers within our organization and outreach with limited staff. 

Alberta Music continues to find meaningful ways to engage in equitable and inclusive dialogue and practices for all members. We adhere to our Community Guidelines and do not tolerate any form of language or action that targets someone based on their race, sex, gender identity, class, ability, sexual orientation, or religion. We are taking steps to prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion in our hiring practices for staff and board members.

ACCOUNTABILITY
Alberta Music is committed to:

• Alberta Music is committed to ongoing anti-racism and safer spaces training for staff and board members
• Alberta Music is committed to receiving ongoing reviews and updates by the Diversity and Indigenous Steering committees
• Alberta Music is committed to transparency about current challenges faced by Alberta Music (building a more diverse membership, outreach to marginalized communities, creating opportunities for Black, Indigenous and People of Colour, creating an inclusive and diverse jury list)
• Alberta Music is committed to strengthening ties to Indigenous, Black, People of Colour and racialized communities
• Alberta Music is committed to incorporating anti-racism work into the yearly budget

Alberta Music recognizes the systemic barriers for BIPOC and 2SLGBTQIA+ people and we will continue supporting and fostering growth while seeking new ways to welcome and support members of the community. We understand that we need to take consistent action and steps forward and continue to learn alongside our community.