In partnership with the Canada Race Relations Foundation (CRRF), Recreation Nova Scotia is hosting its first Anti-Racism Summit. This event is a testament to our shared commitment to the Anti-Racism Charter in Recreation and further supports equitable practices in our province. It is made possible through CRRF's National Anti-Racism Fund (NARF).
This event will be a unique opportunity for our Charter signatories and other attendees to learn best practices and trauma-informed approaches to anti-racism work. We aim to build a network of strong, informed, and resilient leaders ready to advance anti-racism work in their organizations. The knowledge and skills you will gain from this event will be invaluable in your anti-racism efforts.
During the Summit, there will be ample networking opportunities, and we will discuss the opportunities and challenges in this field. This is a chance for you to connect with like-minded individuals, share your experiences, and learn from others. Attendees will reflect on their roles and learn strategies to maintain resilience and avoid burnout while gaining practical tools for planning and implementing new practices in their organizations.
Our goal is to enhance the anti-racism efforts of all Charter Signatories and ensure that equity and anti-racism principles are woven into the fabric of Nova Scotia's recreation sector.
Crystal Watson will be the emcee for the Summit!
Venue
The Summit will take place at the Rath Eastlink Community Centre, 625 Abenaki Rd, Truro, NS B2N 0G6.
Registration
We are excited to share that the summit is fully booked and registration is now closed.
Agenda
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TIME |
SESSION |
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8:30 AM – 9:00 AM |
Registration and Networking |
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9:00 AM – 9:45 AM |
Opening Statements and Welcome Signatory & Supporting Organization Pitch |
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9:45 AM -10:00 AM |
Snack Break Sponsored by the Town of Truro |
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10:00 AM-11:30 AM |
Dr. Jackie Oncescu - University of New Brunswick Join us for an eye-opening interactive workshop with Dr. Jackie Oncescu, an Associate Professor at the University of New Brunswick and a passionate advocate for social justice. With her unique blend of participatory action research and human-centred design, Dr. Oncescu is committed to transforming community engagement in physical activity and recreation. In her session, she will explore the essential shift needed to combat racism in recreation. Attendees will be introduced to relational welfare, a collaborative approach prioritizing dignity and belonging. This isn’t just about policy changes; it’s about fostering meaningful relationships within our communities. |
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11:30 AM-12:30 PM |
Marvin Okello - Wanderers IDEA, FunSport & Canadian Sport Institute of the Atlantic (CISA) Marvin will guide you through the art of navigating difficult conversations essential for engaging in Anti-Racism work. He will share practical strategies that include:
Don’t miss this opportunity to learn and engage with fellow attendees in meaningful discussions. Walk away with practical strategies that empower you to create lasting impacts in your community. |
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12:30 PM-1:15 PM |
Lunch Networking Activity and Kiosks Open for Visiting |
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1:15 PM- 2:15 PM |
World Cafe - Join us for a dynamic World Café session—an engaging and participatory format designed to spark meaningful dialogue through small, rotating group discussions. This session offers a unique opportunity for open conversation, collective learning, and community building. In this World Café, signatories of Recreation Nova Scotia's Anti-Racism Charter and other partners will share their experiences, progress, and ongoing efforts in implementing Anti-Racism practices within their organizations. Participants will have the chance to engage directly with representatives from organizations like Hike Nova Scotia, Athletics Nova Scotia, the Surf Association of Nova Scotia, and Dalhousie University.
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2:15 PM -2:30 PM |
Snack Break Sponsored by the Town of Truro |
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2:30 PM – 4:00 PM |
Fawn Logan-Young - Recreation Nova Scotia Don’t miss the opportunity to create an Anti-Racism action plan at RNS’ upcoming Anti-Racism Summit! Fawn Logan-Young, our esteemed Anti-Racism and Equity Coordinator, will help you turn reflection into action. In their session, participants will delve deeper into Recreation Nova Scotia's Anti-Racism Charter. Fawn will guide attendees through its creation of individualized action plans, empowering participants to apply insights from the Anti-Racism Summit to their organizations. Expect to leave with practical strategies that can catalyze change in your community. |
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4:00-4:30 PM |
Closing Remarks and Call to Action |
Speakers
Marvin Okello is a community advocate dedicated to advancing equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility. A sports activist, podcaster, and multi-sports commentator/coach, he uses his platform to drive social and societal change. Since founding the Halifax Wanderers IDEA Committee in 2020, as the Director of Coaching for FUNSports and more recently as the EDIA Coaching Support with CSI Atlantic; Marvin has worked on initiatives that promote diversity, inclusion, equity, accessibility and address discrimination, drawing from his own experiences.
Marvin believes in the power of collective action and working “Together For Change” to create safe environments for everyone to participate and enjoy sport and recreation.
Jackie Oncescu, Ph.D, is a professor, researcher, creative thinker, and social change maker in the field of community development and community recreation, sport, and leisure. A passionate advocate for recreation, leisure, and sport, Jackie blends theory with creative community development approaches to help practitioners redesign and reimagine recreation, sport, and leisure experiences for equity-owed communities.
Born and raised on a farm in rural Saskatchewan, Jackie developed a strong appreciation for community development and a deep interest in the role sport and recreation play in building resilient individuals and communities. Their work has taken them across Canada, with experience in research and practice on the East Coast, West Coast, and the Prairies. Jackie is currently an associate professor in the Recreation and Sport Studies program in the Faculty of Kinesiology at the University of New Brunswick.
Fawn Logan-Young (she/they) is an Anti-Racism and Equity consultant and facilitator, who has supported the creation and promotion of Recreation Nova Scotia’s (RNS) Anti-Racism Charter in Recreation. Graduating from the University of Ottawa, Fawn specializes in Cultural Anthropology and Political Science.
Fawn was Parks Canada’s Youth Ambassador in 2021. There, she worked for the federal Communications and Outreach Team promoting outdoor recreation, wellness, and diversity, while in tandem, supported internal diversity, equity and inclusion commitments. More recently, Fawn worked with the former MLA for Preston as the Constituency Assistant for Preston Township. On the side, Fawn pursues an initiative she started in 2017, called Different Rooute, which aims to connect youth with the outdoors, themselves, and their community through recreation programming and facilitation.
As Fawn continues supporting the Anti-Racism Charter in Recreation, she looks forward to helping signatories reimagine their policies and social culture through an anti-racist lens.
Funding Background
Recreation Nova Scotia is one of 136 projects across Canada that received funding from the Canada Race Relations Foundation through their National Anti-Racism Fund. Our application to the Foundation was in response to feedback from signatories who participated in the 2024 spring check-in meetings. Many of the signatories who participated said they were interested in learning what other signatories were doing, receiving help with creating an action plan to guide their anti-racism efforts and receiving further support from RNS.
Anti-Racism Summit Planning Committee
Fawn Logan-Young, Chair
Kerri Jack, Vice-Chair
Alan MacKeigan, Registration Chair
Mike Hudson, Provincial Representative
Community Members-At-Large
Fantanesh Attomsa
Kim Manthorne
Sacred Basdon
Stephanie Keilhack