New community program launches in north end

Residents in Halifax's north end are being given a chance to know their neighbours and their cultures through a variety of activities in March.

Yesterday, the Mi'kmaw Native Friendship Centre (MNFC) launched a fourweek-long program, Every One Every Day (EOED), aiming to provide a platform for reconciliation and opportunities for people to crossculturally learn and share.

The program contains 35 sessions that provide participants with a wide range of interactive activities from mask making to family yoga, all conducted with other residents.

“This is about peer-to-peer learning. It's not about someone delivering a program, it's about residents' ideas, and helping to bring those to life through the platform,” said Aimee Gasparetto, Program Director of the MNFC.

Gasparetto said reconciliation can't be done by one group versus another group and the best way to solve the problem is to make relationships and actually learn from each other and understand each other.

"We often talk about inclusivity. But it's how do we take that a step further and speak about belonging, and really make people feel safe and welcome and invited to bring their whole selves into a space and ask questions," she said.

The initiative is a result of a collaboration of eight local organizations including Develop Nova Scotia, Participatory Canada, Inspiring Communities, Engage Nova Scotia, United Way Halifax, Community Sector Council of NS, Halifax Regional Municipality and the Halifax Partnership.

It is inspired by a global movement for broad social engagement and improved quality of life in diverse communities, the Mcconnell foundation and Employment and Social Development Canada identified Kjipuktuk – Halifax as one of three Canadian cities working to explore change.

“It's a wonderful opportunity to share more about who we are and our guiding philosophy of Wije'winen which means Come with us in Mi'kmaq, this really is about sharing and learning together,” said Pam Glode Desrochers, executive director of the Mi'kmaw Native Friendship Centre.

In response to the new COVID restrictions, the centre is keeping outdoor meet-ups while transitioning the indoor sessions to an online platform.

Further details around these changes will be shared directly with participants and can be found on the EOED website and social media channels.