Calling Lake Arts Academy creative director Lance Cardinal said he put his heart and soul into his work, which led him to a 2019 Indspire Award nomination in the arts category.
"I always think that you should work with passion and heart and if you have the right intentions and work hard at it, you'll always be recognized for that kind of work," Cardinal said. "Not necessarily in a public way, but by the kids you work with."
Cardinal announced his nomination in a Facebook post July 5. The prestigious award recognizes significant contributions from Indigenous peoples in Canada, with categories including arts, business and commerce, education, public service and more.
Cardinal said the nomination was a surprise for him and he is honoured to be considered.
"I'm super grateful for the nomination and for all those people who wrote letters of support," he said. "It's always been my pleasure to bring arts to Calling Lake and this local area and I'm so happy I was appreciated and acknowledge for my hard work."
Cardinal said the nomination stemmed from his work with the Calling Lake Arts Academy and as the Municipal District (MD) of Opportunity's fine arts co-ordinator for the past four years. That works has included organizing dramatic productions, puppet shows, music festivals, arts festivals, talent shows and more, he said.
The work made a difference in the lives of the children of Calling Lake, he added.
"I saw a real difference in the kids, in their confidence with who they are and how they present themselves," Cardinal said. "Working with the kids in a creative way, they've discovered different ways to express themselves and understand themselves."
Indspire chief operating officer Fiona Crean said the charity does not share the names of its nominees with any external agencies.
She added the winners for the awards are decided by a jury made up of past Indspire awards winners from across the country.
"When the jury decides on the recipients they are then announced, usually in September from Ottawa, when they are recognized in Parliament by the government," Crean said in an email.
Calling Lake Arts Academy closing
The nomination comes in the final days of the Calling Lake Arts Academy. Cardinal announced in a June 14 Facebook post he would be resigning as the MD of Opportunity fine arts co-ordinator Aug. 17, which would also mean the closure of the academy.
Cardinal will instead be the junior high arts teacher at the Oski Pasikoniwew Kamik School in Wabasca.
"Leaving the MD as the fine arts co-ordinator is sort of bittersweet," Cardinal said. "I have go to to the place I'm needed the most and where I can make the most impact. I spent a lot of time in Calling Lake and given a lot of my energy and love in the arts to the community and I think that I've enriched the community the best way I can."
Cardinal said budget cuts from the MD of opportunity have resulted in a decline in extracurricular activities around Calling Lake. But he added he hopes arts will continue to have a strong presence in the community.
"I know all the kids here who have worked hard to become better performers and more creative spirits will pursue their own creative endeavours in their schools, at home, or even here in the recreation centre," he said. "I'm hoping the staff here will continue on with some arts-based activities."
