Weymouth group recipient of provincial grant

Grants distributed across Nova Scotia support equity and anti-racism initiatives

New community-driven projects that address systemic hate, inequity and racism in the province are receiving support from the province's Office of Equity and AntiRacism (OEA).

Grants are being provided to 12 organizations to help them reduce barriers, build stronger networks, empower people to make a difference and spread a message of acceptance. In the tri-county region, the Weymouth Falls Land Trust is among the recipients. It is receiving $25,000 to create a strategic work plan to preserve land of historical importance in the African Nova Scotian community of Weymouth Falls in Digby County.

“It is imperative that rural African Nova Scotian communities are equipped with the resources to strategically maintain cultural landmarks and histories,” says Shekara

Grant, founder of the Weymouth Falls Community Land Trust. “Our hope is that this project will give all Nova Scotians a greater understanding and appreciation for the centuries-long contributions of the Weymouth Falls community."

Some of the other funded projects in the province include $25,000 to the United African Canadian Women's Association of Nova Scotia to be used for multi-language workshops to raise awareness and build capacity to address bullying, race-based harassment and discrimination in schools and workplaces; and $25,000 to the Health Association of African Canadians to support the development and implementation of a strategic plan that will help foster a more inclusive and resilient healthcare system in Nova Scotia for people of African descent.

In all, the grants for the 12 projects in the province total $289,200.

“Everyone in Nova Scotia deserves to feel safe and welcomed in their community,” says Jill Balser, Minister of Labour, Skills and Immigration and the Digby-Annapolis MLA. “Through these grants, community organizations are helping to break down barriers faced by equity-deserving groups, spreading an important message of acceptance and empowerment.”

This is the first year for OEA's Community Network Grant program.