Nova Scotia Launches First Anti-Racism in Sport and Recreation Week
Nova Scotia is taking new steps to ensure a welcoming, inclusive sports environment for racialized Nova Scotians through the inaugural Anti-Racism in Sport and Recreation Week, November 14-18.
“There must be zero tolerance for racial abuse or stigmatization of any type in Nova Scotian sport and recreation,” said Pat Dunn, Minister of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage and Minister responsible for the Office of Equity and Anti-Racism Initiatives. “While we have made strides, we still have much work to do. We are working with our partners to launch new tools to ensure all participants in sport and recreation feel safe, welcome and included.”
During the week, the Canadian Sport Institute Atlantic will be launching Learn – Listen – Act, a series of online anti-racism modules to help educate athletes, coaches, recreation staff, volunteers, parents and guardians. Other events across the province include sessions on the Recreation Nova Scotia Anti-Racism Charter, athletes sharing their experiences with racism, and a closing panel discussion on November 18.
The week is a partnership between the Province, Canadian Sport Institute Atlantic, Sport Nova Scotia, Recreation Nova Scotia, Recreation Facility Association of Nova Scotia and Mi’kmaw Kina’matnewey.
The full list of events and resources is available at: https://www.showuptospeakup.ca/
Quotes:
“I applaud the Province for bringing attention to an issue that has denied marginalized groups in our province the opportunity to experience and enjoy all that sport has to offer for far too long. This week is an important first step towards raising awareness and educating all Nova Scotians, but specifically those associated within the sport sector, around how we can be better together and use our shared experiences to create spaces for sport to be enjoyed by all who want to participate.”
– Mark Smith, Director of Sport, Sport Nova Scotia
“Change happens when we make a conscious effort to make things better. The goal in creating an anti-racism declaration for recreation facilities is to build a culture that does not tolerate racism and discrimination and takes action to change stereotypical beliefs and behaviours.”
– Jennie Greencorn, Executive Director, Recreation Facility Association of Nova Scotia
“I’m very proud to have been part of the first Anti-Racism in Sport and Recreation Week. I believe that we all play a role in creating inclusive spaces where everyone is able to show up and be their genuine self. I believe the anti-racism e-modules for parents and athletes that we’ve created at the Canadian Sport Institute Atlantic will serve as a fantastic resource that all Nova Scotians can use to better understand the role they play in eradicating racism from an environment where we simply want everyone to be able to show up and play.”
– Andrew Paris, Coaching Lead – Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Mentorship, Canadian Sport Institute Atlantic
“Recreation is in all aspects of life – from when we are young, finding our passions and trying out new things, and following us as we age. The Anti-Racism Charter in Recreation is just a first step in driving change to ensure anyone at any age has an equal opportunity to feel valued and respected in recreation. Our signatories to the charter reflect everyone at all stages of life and will drive the future of change towards eliminating discrimination in recreation.”
– Marc Seguin, Executive Director, Recreation Nova Scotia
Additional Resources:
Canadian Sport Institute Atlantic: https://csiatlantic.ca/
Mi’kmaw Kina’matnewey: https://www.kinu.ca/
Recreation Facility Association of Nova Scotia: http://www.rfans.com/
Recreation Nova Scotia: https://www.recreationns.ns.ca/
Sport Nova Scotia: https://sportnovascotia.ca/