2024 Provincial ActionPlan

Working with the Province of Nova Scotia Justice Department, Office of Equity and Anti-Racism to:

• establish a relationship with, consult, and collaborate with the Elderberries on engagement activities with the 2SLGBTQIA+ community to inform a government action plan; and
• Have ELDERBERRIES SOCIETY conduct engagement activities with communities they are most closely connected with and people they serve.
• The Department’s support for the engagement activities must be recognized and acknowledged through inclusion of the Province of Nova Scotia logo in electronic and print materials.

Our Provincial Contacts

• Executive Lead – Miranda Romkey, Office of Equity and Anti-Racism • Executive Lead – Luke Power, Office of Equity and Anti-Racism • Executive Lead – Jenny Benson-Pratt, Office of Equity and Anti-Racism

The Work

The objectives of the engagement campaign for the 2SLGBTQIA+ Action Plan initiative are outlined below.

• Meaningful Engagement: Actively listen and understand concerns, challenges, and insights of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Where possible, bridge these perspectives into provincial policy, programs, and services to enhance accessibility, equity, and safety.
• First-Person Stories: Gather first-hand knowledge and personal stories to provide nuanced insights into the challenges faced by the community.
• Building Partnerships: Identify, collaborate with, and establish relationships with community champions, leaders, organizations, and Elders.
• Community-Driven Actions: Understand community needs and convert insights into actionable plans. Collaboratively integrate these actions across various provincial government departments, aligning policies and services with genuine needs of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Core activities associated with the ELDERBERRIES SOCIETY in support of engagement for the 2SLGBTQIA+ Action Plan initiative are described below

1. The objectives of the ELDERBERRIES SOCIETY will be to:

• Lead engagement sessions with the 2SLGBTQIA+ community; and
• Report to OEA the insights, issues, and solutions shared by community members during engagements to inform an all-of-government action plan for the community.

2. Activities associated with engaging community as part of the 2SLGBTQIA+ Action Plan initiative and associated benefits/outcomes include, but are not limited to:

• Using the guidance and templates provided by the Office of Equity and Anti-Racism, conducting in-person and/or virtual engagement session(s) with community members, including (but not limited to):
  • Facilitating broad attendance by community members;
  • Securing a location including ensuring technology needs are met;
  • Arranging for refreshments;
  • Ensuring the accessibility needs of participants are met; and
  • Using a Trauma-Informed approach to deliver the sessions as well as facilitating participant comfort and safety for information sharing.
• Promoting the engagement session(s) they are leading, for example:
  • Social media activity to advertise sessions (e.g., posting to Facebook and X; as well as media interviews);
  • Printed material: posters, flyers, newsletters, bulletins, etc.; and/or
  • Pre-recorded video messages.
• Reporting to OEA the feedback from community members that was shared using the provided templates and within two weeks of completion of engagement activities. Office of Equity and Anti-Racism Executive Leads will be consulted as necessary to support ELDERBERRIES SOCIETY and to approve any changes to the agreed approach: