News
Anti- Racism Summit
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ANTI-RACISM CHARTER SIGNATORIES MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
Recreation Nova Scotia is excited to announce our first-ever Anti-Racism Summit.
This summit is a free opportunity for signatories of the Anti-Racism Charter in Recreation, helping us move from commitment to action.
Date: May 15, 2025
Location: Rath Eastlink Community Centre, Truro
Stay tuned for more details and registration
Not a signatory but want to be involved?
We’re looking for passionate individuals to help make this groundbreaking event successful. Whether you want to present, set up an informational kiosk, or contribute as a sponsor, your involvement fosters meaningful dialogue and action against racism in our communities.
Please complete this form by March 21, 2025, to let us know how you'd like to be involved!
EDIA Highlight: Municipality of the District of Chester Becomes Rainbow Registered
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Kerri Jack
This month, Recreation Nova Scotia proudly celebrates the Municipality of the District of Chester for achieving the 2SLGBTI+ Chamber of Commerce Rainbow Registered Accreditation Program in January 2025. As one of only 65 registered organizations in Nova Scotia, the Municipality is the first government body to complete this significant program. Among them are other accredited organizations such as Scotiabank Centre, Discovery Centre, the Kentville Visitor Centre, Africville Heritage Trust, the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia, and Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site, all contributing to a diverse and inclusive community.
The 2SLGBTI+ Chamber of Commerce is a national organization that passionately advocates, educates and empowers the 2SLGBTQI+ business community to grow. With core values rooted in community, collaboration, diversity, equity, integrity, bravery, and boldness, they are dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment. The Rainbow Registered Accreditation Program for 2SLGBTI+ Friendly Spaces, a partnership between Canada's 2SLGBTQI+ Chamber of Commerce (CGLCC) and Tourism HR Canada, honours businesses and organizations that adhere to high-quality standards. By earning and displaying the Rainbow Registered symbol, these businesses proudly demonstrate their commitment to making 2SLGBTQI+ customers feel welcomed and accepted.
Shelley Rafuse, Founding Director of Lunenburg County Pride, says, "It signifies that a business, organization, or Municipality has met rigorous standards for being inclusive, supportive, and welcoming to 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals through the recognitions of safe spaces, the encouragement of diversity within the community, support for queer economic growth, and building trust, visibility, and allyship. Overall, this is progress forward, which is always a welcome change."
Accreditation is a four-step process that includes reviewing program requirements, completing an application, undergoing an assessment stage, and finalizing a report and next steps. The Municipality of the District of Chester has proudly demonstrated its commitment to meeting the standards for accreditation through its thoughtful policies, dedicated training, and community participation. Chester Community Economic Development Officer Ashley Marlin highlights the significance of this initiative, stating, "It was important for us to clearly show that our Municipal organization, staff, and buildings are safe and welcoming." As a testament to this commitment, the Municipality proudly displays the Rainbow Registered logo and information at all municipal building entrances, inviting everyone to experience a culture of inclusion and safety.
Ashley Marlin, the Chester Community Economic Development Officer, expresses her admiration for the 2SLGBTQI+ Chamber of Commerce, highlighting their steadfast commitment to empowering others, saying, "They want you to succeed. They will walk you through the process and have fantastic resources to share with you." This support and guidance from the Chamber make the accreditation journey achievable and inspiring.
"As a queer individual within the municipality, on a personal level, my hope is it will foster more support, educational opportunities, local engagement in inclusive partnerships and events and advocacy/awareness for 2SLGBTQIA+ rights," adds Rafuse
To discover more about the 2SLGBTQI+ Chamber of Commerce Rainbow Registered Accreditation Program, visit their website at https://cglcc.ca/.
Remembering Robin Norrie
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On February 12, the Nova Scotia recreation sector lost a dear friend, colleague and advocate. Robin Norrie worked for almost 40 years, serving the people of Nova Scotia at all three levels of government.
We remember Robin as a constant champion of our sector's power and potential. Robin often led from the back, engaging in quiet conversations, elevating her colleagues, and working hard behind closed doors to create movement and recognition for recreation in our province. As an NSCC Instructor, Robin loved teaching her students about the fundamentals of recreation, encouraging them to shine brightly and step into the sector with excitement.
Often described as humble, kind, caring and passionate, it was an easy decision for the RNS Board of Directors to honour Robin as last year’s Lifetime Membership recipient. In her acceptance speech, Robin talked about the many relationships she had made throughout her time as a recreation professional and spoke with joy and gratitude, inspiring us all to continue serving our communities with pride knowing we are making a difference.
We will continue to remember Robin’s strength and friendship and work to honour the legacy she has left for us. Our heartfelt condolences go out to Robin’s loved ones; we share her loss with you.
Introducing the Recreation Equipment Marketplace
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Introducing Recreation Equipment Marketplace, an online resource for organizations to buy, sell, trade or giveaway recreation equipment.
Organizations can send us their equipment to be posted or the kind of equipment they are looking for by filling out this form. RNS will add your information to the Marketplace listing page. Organizations can use the information to exchange equipment throughout the province.
If you have equipment that you no longer need, consider recycling it by listing it on Recreation Nova Scotia's Recreation Equipment Marketplace. Find a new home for your equipment, or find something new today!
RNS Meets With CCTH Minister Ritcey
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Last week, Recreation Nova Scotia met with Minister Ritcey and staff from the Nova Scotia Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage (CCTH) to discuss Recreation Nova Scotia and the vital role of the recreation sector in Nova Scotia.
RNS discussed the recreation sector in Nova Scotia including the changing pull of our sector, national and provincial trends, and emphasised the important work taken on by recreation professionals and volunteers responding to community needs. In addition, we highlighted some of the work of RNS and the recreation sector in supporting government priorities around equity and anti-racism, accessibility, and physical activity.
We heard from our members at the RNS Conference in October 2024 on a range of topics important to the sector and how important it is to be the voice with decision makers. Based on input at the RNS Conference and ongoing member communication we presented three recommendations to the Minister. These recommendations will enable us to continue strengthening the recreation sector in Nova Scotia. We had a great discussion and look forward to continuing to collaborate with our partners at CCTH and the Province of Nova Scotia as we work together to build healthier and more resilient communities through recreation.
Recommendations:
- Investment in training development and youth employment opportunities
Investment in a training program for leaders, ensuring high-quality recreation experiences across the province. As well as further support for youth employment supporting opportunities that develop leaders, support community capacity building and contribute to local economic development.
- Improved access to community schools
Committee formed to examine and address the inaccessibility of community access to schools
- Increased core funding to Recreation Nova Scotia
Core-funding increase to RNS to allow the organization to better serve the growing needs of our members, and all those who live in NS as well as allowing for continued and improved support for provincial government priorities and mandates
EDIA Highlight: African Heritage Month in Nova Scotia
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Kerri Jack
For February's Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Access Highlight Series, Recreation Nova Scotia will share all the unique and exciting ways organizations across the province celebrate African Heritage Month. The provincial theme for 2025 is "Legacy in Action: Celebrating Black Brilliance," which celebrates the enduring legacy of Black Nova Scotians and the rich history of resilience, achievements and impact. African Heritage Month provides an opportunity to learn more about the 200-year history of the 52 African Nova Scotian communities across the province and honour the culture and contributions of African Nova Scotians.
In honour of African History Month, Recreation Nova Scotia has researched and collected some examples of events and activities throughout the province this month.
CENTRAL
The Black Cultural Centre for Nova Scotia unveiled this year's provincial poster for African Heritage Month on January 22, launching its start. Many other organizations follow suit, having hosted or planning to host a launch event of either unveiling the provincial poster or reading a proclamation declaring it officially African Heritage Month in their community. Some organizations hosting launch events are the Town of Truro, the Halifax Central Library, Halifax Regional Municipality, and the Town of Digby, and Centre 200 in Sydney will host an event.
In addition to hosting the provincial launch event, the Black Cultural Centre for Nova Scotia will host a Gala celebrating African Heritage Month on February 22 at the Halifax Convention Centre. The evening will showcase Black arts and culture, including songwriter, musician, and producer Reeny. A cultural village reception, dinner, music and dance will end the evening. The organization has partnered with the Office of African Nova Scotian Affairs to offer a reduced ticket price for members of the African Nova Scotian/Black Nova Scotian community across the province. Find information on the Gala and the reduced ticket rate here.
VALLEY
The Town of Kentville has created a self-guided activity for African Heritage Month. Walking Through History: Kentville's African Heritage Walk is a unique outdoor educational experience that will take place along Kentville's Rail Trail. The Town's Neighborhood Outreach Program Coordinator, Roxy Peterson, says the walk features weather-resistant banners highlighting over 400 years of African Nova Scotian history, resilience, and contributions. Some banners highlight local black historic communities like Pine Woods and Gibson Woods, and others focus on the achievements of notable local African Nova Scotian figures such as Rev. Dr. William Pearly Oliver, Orval Browning, Bryan Gibson, and others. Peterson says this project helps unite education, culture, and physical activity into one inclusive activity for people of all ages.
SOUTH SHORE
In the South Shore Region, volunteers with the Greenville Community Centre have been busy planning several events that will take place during African Heritage Month. Greenville is located in the Municipality of the District of Yarmouth and is one of 52 African Nova Scotian Communities in the province. Greenville was established in 1820 by a colony of Black Loyalist descendants. The community is home to the Greenville United Baptist Church, one of the oldest surviving churches erected by the Nova Scotian Black community and the Greenville Community Centre, which supports the education and empowerment of current and future generations.
The Community Centre will host three different events for African Heritage Month. On February 4, volunteers with the Centre will work with the Municipality of the District of Yarmouth to host an African Nova Scotia flag-raising ceremony at the Yarmouth Municipal Office. This will mark the first time the two organizations have collaborated to host such an event.
On February 6, the Greenville Community Centre will host its launch event. The Province's African Heritage Month will unveil the 2025 poster, and local MLA Nick Hilton will read and sign a proclamation. The proclamation will officially declare February as African Heritage Month in Greenville and will be framed and displayed at the Centre.
Finally, the organization will bring back an event that hasn't occurred in Greenville for roughly 17 years. On February 22, the Centre will host an African Heritage Month Gala with live music, African drumming, a meal and a dance. Organizer and longtime Greenville Community Centre Volunteer Wanda Doucette says the Elders will be glad for the Gala's return, which hasn't been held since 2008. Doucette hopes the community enjoys the Gala and the Centre can continue growing its African Heritage Month activities.
FUNDY
A full calendar of events is happening in and around the Town of Truro to celebrate African Heritage Month. In addition to the town's launch event and flag-raising ceremony, there will be an expanded monthly Seniors Wellness Session on February 13. The monthly session, led by local community champions Jude Clyke and Nevin Jackson, will feature a presentation by Reverend Lennett Anderson and the commemoration ceremony of George Jones and his efforts that led to the creation of the Truro Fire Brigade.
Other African Heritage Month activities taking place in the Fundy region include a themed scavenger hunt hosted by the Truro Public Library, a Black History Month Art Expo taking place at the NSCC Truro Campus, and a virtual author visit featuring Ekiuwa Aire hosted by the Colchester East Public Library. Ekiuwa Aire is a Nigerian-Canadian cultural connector who helps to build knowledge of African history and culture with children.
HIGHLAND
Thanks to a partnership between the NIA Cultural Association and the Afrikan Canadian Heritage and Friendship Centre, an African Heritage Month gala will be held in the Municipality of the District of Guysborough on February 15. The event will feature a social, dinner, and dance at the Chedabucto Lifestyles Complex.
CAPE BRETON
In Cape Breton, Strait Area Nova Scotia Community College students are hosting an exciting event. The Students Offering Social Connection team is organizing a Heritage on a Plate event on February 8 for individuals ages 19 and over. The event will be an opportunity for participants to explore African cuisines. Participation costs $30 per person, andall supplies will be provided.
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Recreation Nova Scotia is always looking to share stories from across the province. Stories can range from a spotlight on a specific program or project or highlight a person making a difference in their community. Sharing these stories helps to advance the Nova Scotian recreation sector. Storytelling can inspire others, share best practices, help with funding efforts and make communities feel proud of their efforts towards being more inclusive and accessible to all.
If you want to shed light on a story from your community, contact Inclusion and Accessibility Coordinator Kerri Jack at