News
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 the CCTH team to present three recommendations aimed at helping us continue advocating for recreation for everyone. These suggestions will enable us to continue strengthening the recreation sector in Nova Scotia. We had a great discussion and look forward to collaborating with them as we build healthier futures through recreation.
Recommendations:
- Investment in training development and youth employment opportunities
Investment in a Nova Scotia-grown training program for leaders, ensuring high-quality recreation experiences across the province
Support for youth employment grants supporting opportunities that develop leaders, support community capacity building and contribute to local economic development.
- Improved access to community schools
Funding made available for community programming at schools
Committee formed to 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
Allow 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
Addressing Homelessness: Webinar
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Addressing Homelessness: A Review Of Our Established System Of Care & How Municipalities Can Support
Nova Scotia's housing crisis in recent years has resulted in a steadily growing number of individuals within our communities experiencing homelessness.
Learn how you can help these within your community by joining representatives from 211 Nova Scotia, Alison Coldwell - Coordinated Access Manager with the Nova Scotia division of Canadian Mental Health Association and Kimm Kent, Program Director/Co-Founder of Peer Outreach Support Services Education (POSSE); as they review how an effective system of care operates, and explain how municipalities can assist through best practices, further education and advocacy.
January 29, 2025
12:00pm - 1:00pm
Via Zoom
FREE
2025 RNS Strategic Planning Input
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The RNS Strategic Plan is set to expire in 2025. The RNS Board convened in June 2024 to reflect on the plans' success/effectiveness and began re-engaging the sector to determine where our energies should be placed next.
A summary of the Board’s wisdom, thoughts, and actions were placed in one of three buckets:
- Education/training/skill development opportunities
- Membership services
- Acute and emerging sector priorities
As part of the 2024 RNS Conference, we hosted a strategic planning session where all delegates were encouraged to respond to posed questions to determine:
"What specific changes would you like to see through the advocacy and actions of RNS?"
Contributions during this session have helped inform RNS' current operational priorities and longer-range strategy and will guide the Board's direction of RNS going forward.
If you could not attend this strategic planning session during the 2024 conference or have more insights you would like to share, you can do so anonymously here.