The artist, ECU staff member and alum began her appointment Nov. 30, 2025.
Emily Carr University of Art + Design (ECU) is pleased to announce the appointment of artist and educator Sydney Pascal (MFA 2023) as Manager, Aboriginal Programs.
The position’s duties include contributing to the cultural voice on Aboriginal programs at ECU, enhancing access for Indigenous students, advancing Indigenization and decolonization of the university and strengthening relationships with Indigenous communities, organizations and other partnerships.
“Sydney has spent years building a deep foundation of trust with students, and, along with Associate Director Kajola Morewood, is often one of the first people they turn to for help with challenges or finding resources,” say Daina Warren, Executive Director, Indigenous Initiatives.
“As an alumna herself, she’s also tremendously sensitive to students’ needs, and as a practicing artist she models how community collaboration and artistic success can look post-graduation. I’m truly excited to see Sydney continue to grow and flourish in this new role.”
Sydney first began working with the AGP in 2020 as a Student Researcher while studying as an ECU undergraduate student. She earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Arts in 2019 and completed her Master of Fine Arts degree at ECU in 2023.
During her studies she earned numerous recognitions including three First Peoples’ Cultural Council Indigenous Art Scholarships, a Vancouver Biennale “Art Attack” Award of Excellence in Visual Art and two YVR Art Foundation Emerging Artist Scholarships.
In 2021, Sydney joined the AGP full time as Aboriginal Program Coordinator.
Sydney notes she knows firsthand the types of supports and programming that can be transformative for students. Her hope is to open as many doors for students as she can.
“In addition to my peers and fellow students, what really shaped my art career during my studies were the off-campus and extracurricular opportunities my teachers offered. Land-based learning, in particular, informed my practice,” she says.
“The most exciting part of this new role is having more opportunities to develop that type programming for students — both the kinds of things that were so impactful for me personally and the types of workshops and visiting artists students tell me they dream of seeing.”
An accomplished hide tanner who studies under master tanner and family friend Mara Cur, Sydney has designed and led workshops both for the AGP and for organizations throughout BC and Alberta on subjects including hide tanning, fish-skin tanning, drum making and rattle making. A member of the Lílwat nation, Sydney also supports the vitality of traditional Indigenous material practices through youth workshops and other mentorship activities in her home community.
In addition to hide-tanning, her multi-disciplinary art practice spans video, sound and poetry to share her family’s story, speak about identity and explore her experience as an Indigenous person navigating a colonial society.
Sydney has been featured in several solo exhibitions including 2024’s We raised ourselves together and alone at The Polygon Gallery and, in 2025, kw7íkwl̓acwmíntsinlhkan i dream of you at Mitchell Art Gallery in Edmonton, AB. She has been included in group exhibitions at major public galleries across North America including Whitney Biennial 2024: Even Better Than the Real Thing at the Whitney Museum of American Art, and, in 2025, We who have known the tides at the Vancouver Art Gallery.
Upcoming exhibitions includeEvery River Has a Mouth at Bill Reid Gallery in February 2026 and a group show at grunt gallery in April as part of the AGP’s suite of programming and exhibitions acknowledging ECU’s centennial celebrations.
Sydney began her appointment Nov. 30, 2025. Visit Sydney’s website to learn more about her practice.
More About Aboriginal Programs at ECU
The Aboriginal Program Office provides culturally appropriate support that encompasses both traditional and contemporary artistic and cultural expressions of Aboriginal peoples, and is a valuable resource for students to access traditional materials/supplies.
The Aboriginal Program team also assists with the promotion and coordination of events and workshops related to Aboriginal art and culture, and is responsible for providing information regarding Aboriginal funding, scholarships and awards.
Visit the Aboriginal Gathering Place online to learn more about their programming and resources.
More about the Master of Fine Arts program at ECU
Enhance your artistic practice and critical inquiry with our two-year Master of Fine Arts programs, featuring innovative and flexible pathways. Immerse yourself in contemporary art production through an interdisciplinary curriculum that bridges methods and ideas in a supportive and challenging environment. Choose between a full-residency option for year-round, on-campus engagement or our two low-residency programs combining online learning with on-campus intensives.
Visit our website to learn more.
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