News
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
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.
Canadian Inclusive Green Spaces Symposium (Invitation to Attend)
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The Canadian Inclusive Green Spaces Symposium: Enhancing Access to Municipal Parks in Canada will take place June 11–13, 2025, in Saskatoon, SK. This landmark event, hosted by the Canadian Parks and Recreation Association (CPRA) and the Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association (SPRA) in partnership with Park People and the Canadian Parks Council, is generously supported by Parks Canada.
This gathering of leaders and innovators will convene stakeholders across Canada, focusing on urban and peri-urban green spaces, nature-based recreation partners, non-profit organizations, experts, and innovators. Together, we will discuss leading practices for advancing equity, diversity, inclusion (EDI) and reconciliation in urban, peri-urban, and municipal parks.
Key goals include:
- Building a national community of practice to foster collaboration and empower equitable park access across Canada.
- Exploring actionable strategies to enhance equity, diversity, and reconciliation in park management.
- Production of knowledge through a Symposium Proceedings report that identifies and scales "bright spots" in EDI practices and reconciliation to support the parks community.
RNS are inviting leaders in the parks and recreation sector, especially those passionate about access to urban parks and green space, to complete an expression of interest in attending this symposium.
The deadline to submit is January 13, 2025, by 5 pm.
EDIA Highlight: The Halifax Lancers Therapeutic Riding Program
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"Being around horses can have such a calming effect on both our riders and volunteers; it's very magical!" Halifax Lancers Therapeutic Riding Program Volunteer Coordinator, Emily Jewers.
Recreation Nova Scotia's Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility Highlights series is kicking off 2025 with a focus on the Halifax Lancers Therapeutic Riding Program. The Halifax Lancers is located in the heart of Halifax and is Canada's only urban, non-profit riding school and equine therapy centre. Lancers' mission is to 'Build Better Lives Through Horses'and have made horses and riding accessible to children in Halifax since 1936. Lancers owns and cares for 29 horses, known as the "Horses of Halifax," and offers programs to riders ages 6 to 75 with varying abilities and skill levels. They also offer an equine-supported wellness program and organize free public events. Among these are the free Musical Ride performances held twice a year in their riding ring across the street from Citadel Hill—once on Canada Day and again during their Open House in the fall.
The therapeutic riding program has been in operation since the late 1960s and was originally created for the children's hospital and school for the blind. Today, it continues to be linked to the IWK Children's Hospital in Halifax and still offers therapeutic programming for people with disabilities. Selected horses and ponies receive extra training to prepare for activities and get familiar with the adaptive equipment used during lessons. Participants are provided with approved riding helmets and adaptive equipment they may need to participate. Two program sessions are held annually, which consist of two lessons a week for six weeks.
Because of Lancers' urban location, riders and program participants can walk, bike, and use Halifax Transit routes to reach the facility. The facility's parking area can also accommodate those requiring Access-A-Bus transportation.
Lessons are guided by instructor Juliana Boyd, volunteer coordinator Emily Jewerand, and a team of 50-60 volunteers. "Our volunteers are at the heart of our program," Emily says. "They are so dedicated and passionate about helping our riders achieve their goals each session. Many volunteers often say they get just as much out of volunteering as they put in and that spending time in the barn makes their day. Being around horses can have such a calming effect on both our riders and volunteers; it's very magical!" Anyone interested in volunteering for a future session can sign up on their website. No horse experience is necessary.
Lancers Board President Lynn Flewelling says therapeutic riding can help improve the physical, mental, emotional, and social well-being of most people with disabilities, "Riding for these equestrians can be a challenging and an invigorating form of exercise and recreation that gives the rider a sense of accomplishment and increased self-esteem." She says that for individuals with disabilities that affect mobility, the horse provides freedom of movement and independence from assistive devices such as wheelchairs and crutches. The physical benefits include improvements in balance and coordination and an increase in agility because of the mobilization of stiff joints and strengthening of muscles. The social, emotional, and mental benefits include improved communication, focus, self-esteem, and confidence.
Lancers strives to keep their programs financially accessible and offers rider bursaries to ensure people from all income levels can enjoy the Horses of Halifax. Lynn explains that donations the organization receives help support the therapeutic riding program, help replace retired horses, fund regular countryside vacations for the horses, cover repairs and maintenance of their heritage stables, and replace or update tack and equipment. Lynn also shared that the organization recently fundraised for an important facility upgrade: "We held a campaign to install an accessible ramp near the entrance to our arena, which has been a wonderful addition to the program."
Looking forward to the future, Halifax Lancers is excited to announce a new partnership with Easter Seals Nova Scotia. Lancers Stables on Bell Road will host Easter Seals' annual "Learn to Ride" program, an inclusive equestrian day camp for children and youth with disabilities, in the summer of 2025.