Why paying a Living Wage matters at Savage Society

In this short blog, Amy Wertz, Operations Manager from Savage Society explains why they became a Living Wage Employer, and how it helped them strengthen their commitment to deep care, respect and intentionality.

Telling our own stories sourcing traditional and contemporary Indigenous perspectives, Savage Society was created in 2004 for members to produce their own stories as practising Indigenous Theatre and Film Artists. Artistic Director Kevin Loring is a member of the Nlaka’pamux Nation from the Lytton First Nation in British Columbia. 

We develop work that reflects our world view, sourcing traditional stories and cosmologies and our contemporary realities as Indigenous people for both professional and community settings. 

Savage Society operates on the unceded territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh), S’ólh Téméxw (Stó:lō), sq̓əc̓iy̓aɁɬ təməxʷ (Katzie), Qayqayt, kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem), Kwantlen and sc̓əwaθenaɁɬ təməxʷ (Tsawwassen) Nations.  

We have been a Living Wage Employer since 2022. Savage Society became a Living Wage Employer as a way to uphold our commitment to a healthy workplace that values wellbeing. 

Since becoming a Living Wage Employer, we’ve noticed real, positive changes in our workplace. Staff members are confident that Savage Society provides salaries and contractor payments that support financial stability and that recognize our peoples’ contributions to Indigenous art. 

Paying a Living Wage doesn’t just benefit our team; it strengthens the local economy and helps families thrive. We’re proud to be part of a movement that’s making a difference across Turtle Island. Our full-time staff have extended health benefits. We further support our artist community with a “Promise to Care” document and a related care fund, and an ‘Artist Safety Plan’ to proactively support mental health challenges and wellbeing. 

“Allowing the company to support caregivers more fully allowed us to do better work in the room, period. Better work in the room means less stress at home”. 

– Artist recently engaged by Savage Society 

We encourage others to join us in becoming Living Wage Employers. Together, we can create a fairer, more sustainable future for everyone. 

Certifying as a Living Wage Employer is a voluntary commitment employers make to invest in their communities and local economies. There are now over 500 Living Wage Employers across BC. 

The living wage is the hourly amount someone needs to earn to pay for basic essentials like food and rent, it doesn’t include paying off debt or saving for retirement. The Living Wage for Metro Vancouver is now $27.85 an hour. 

Find out more about Savage Society on their website: https://www.instagram.com/officialsavagesociety/