We acknowledge that Indigenous peoples are the original owners and caretakers of this land. DUO is committed to providing Indigenous communities in all regions of Ontario with a high level of support and quality resources to thrive as Indigenous arts administrators and professionals.

Dance Umbrella of Ontario acknowledges the Ancestral Traditional Territories of the Ojibway, the Anishinaabe, and, in particular, the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation whose territory we are on today. This territory is covered by the Upper Canada Treaties. We acknowledge the creator, the world around us, and our place within it. We acknowledge the many nations that walked this land in the past and those who walk it today. This land is the treaty lands of the Mississaugas of the Credit and the Anishnaabe and we deeply appreciate their stewardship.

DUO has a history of mentoring next-generation Arts Administrators, Producers, and Managers for the dance sector. Since 2016 we have continued to hire Indigenous trainees through Miziwe Biik The Indigenous Employment and Training Program.

Two of these interns were hired full time after completing their one-year training program. DUO recognizes the need for Indigenous Arts Administrators, Producers, Coordinators and Managers in dance to build capacity in this underserved sector. We foresee continuing this initiative to provide quality training and job opportunities to Indigenous individuals interested in dance.