Danika Billie Littlechild appointed Vice-President of the Canadian Commission for UNESCO

Canada Council for the Arts,
21 August 2014, Canada

Ottawa, August 21, 2014 – The Canada Council for the Arts is very happy to announce the appointment of Danika Billie Littlechild as Vice-President of the Canadian Commission for UNESCO (CCU). Ms. Littlechild takes up her duties immediately.

The announcement was made today jointly by Simon Brault, Director and CEO of the Canada Council, and Christina Cameron, President of the Canadian Commission for UNESCO. The Commission operates within the Canada Council for the Arts.

Danika Billie Littlechild

A lawyer from the Ermineskin Cree Nation in Alberta, Ms Littlechild practices law with Indigenous peoples in several areas of expertise: governance, indigenous legal systems, environment and international law.

A member of the CCU for more than a decade, she was Chair and Vice‑Chair of the Sectoral Commission, Culture, Communication and Information between 2003 and 2012.

Danika Billie Littlechild was consulting legal counsel for the International Indian Treaty Council (2011) and has been a member of the North South Institute since 2008.

Quotes

‘’The Canada Council for the Arts is delighted to welcome Ms. Littlechild to her new role within the Canadian Commission for UNESCO. Ms. Littlechild’s remarkable expertise, combined with her unique perspective on the conditions of Aboriginal peoples, will help us advance on major UNESCO objectives,’’ declared Simon Brault, Director and CEO of the Canada Council.

 

‘’The Canadian Commission for UNESCO is proud to announce the appointment of Danika Billie Littlechild. She is the first Aboriginal person to be appointed to the Office of the Executive Committee of the Canadian Commission for UNESCO in its almost sixty years of existence. Danika has been contributing to the work of the CCU since 2003 on a range of issues including youth, culture, the environment and human rights. Her experience and knowledge will continue to enrich the accomplishments of the Commission,’’ said Christina Cameron, President of the Canadian Commission for UNESCO.

 

‘’I am delighted to return to the Canadian Commission for UNESCO after having worked and ‘grown up’ within the organization. Miyo-wahkohtowin, which means ‘good relations,’ is the Cree word that I would use to describe the years I have spent working and collaborating with the Canadian Commission for UNESCO. My aim now is to maintain and promote that same spirit in my new duties as Vice-President,’’ said Danika Billie Littlechild, Vice-President of the Canadian Commission for UNESCO.

 

Canadian Commission for UNESCO

The Canadian Commission for UNESCO serves as a forum for governments and civil society, in order to promote the participation of organizations and individuals in the activities of UNESCO in the fields of its mission: education, natural and social sciences and humanities, as well as culture, communication and information. The Commission also consults members of civil society and various levels of government to prepare Canada’s contribution to UNESCO and implement the Organization’s programs and activities in Canada.

 

Canada Council for the Arts

The Canada Council for the Arts is Canada’s national arts funder. Its grants and payments to artists and arts organizations benefit Canadians by ensuring a vibrant arts sector in Canada. Its awards celebrate creativity by recognizing exceptional Canadians in the arts, humanities and sciences. The Canada Council Art Bank is a national collection of over 17,000 Canadian contemporary artworks – all accessible to the public through rental, loan and outreach programs. The Canadian Commission for UNESCO operates within the Canada Council.

http://canadacouncil.ca/council/news-room/news/2014/unesco-vp