IONS is situated in Mi’kma’ki, the unceded and ancestral territory of the Mi’kmaw people. Unceded means that the Mi’kmaq have never relinquished, sold, traded, or transferred ownership of their land to European settler colonies, yet land was taken over without their consent through various processes of settler colonialism. This territory is covered by the Treaties of Peace and Friendship, which the Mi’kmaq and Wolastoqiyik people first signed with the British Crown in 1726. These Treaties did not involve the surrendering of rights to the lands and resources they had traditionally used and occupied. We are all Treaty People.

We further acknowledge that Nova Scotia is the birthplace of Black culture and heritage in Canada. People of African descent have shared these lands for over 400 years, and over 50 strong and resourceful African Nova Scotian communities exist here today.

We are committed to the struggle against systems of oppression that have resulted in profound inequities and the denial of self-determination rights. We are working actively to deepen our learning at an individual level, provide learning opportunities about anti-racism and decolonization, and to develop partnerships with organizations serving and led by underrepresented groups.
  • Onward and Uphill: Reflections on Federal Funding Advocacy

    Onward and Uphill: Reflections on Federal Funding Advocacy

    Diane Connors Managing Director I would describe myself as a politically engaged person, but participating in a Day of Advocacy on Parliament Hill earlier this month was a new level for me. In this blog, I’d like to share my reflections and tell you about my experience joining a group of nonprofit leaders to advocate for Federal funding reform, as well as my thoughts on how to support our sector to engage politically.   What is Hill Day?  I’ll set the stage. The Fair Funding…

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  • ‘Tis the Fiscal Season to Review the Books and Benefits Plan

    ‘Tis the Fiscal Season to Review the Books and Benefits Plan

    “We’ve managed to bring the cost of your plan increase down from 45% to 14%.” The relief of these words was emotional – knowing what it meant for our team and their families. We were bracing for a steep increase to our health benefits plan as another result of the cost-of-living crisis, but our annual…

  • All That You Change, Changes You: The First 100 Days of Leadership Transformation

    All That You Change, Changes You: The First 100 Days of Leadership Transformation

    Reviewing the headlines of this past quarter I’m overwhelmed at the scale of oppression. When systems bar entry to you, actively devalue your contributions, and expect you to uphold harmful systems at the risk of your livelihood – it makes leadership for the equity-deserving not only unsustainable, but unjust. We’re seeing high turnover across the Community…

  • A Leader’s Perspective on Reconnecting with Our Creative Selves through Seasonal Work Cycles

    A Leader’s Perspective on Reconnecting with Our Creative Selves through Seasonal Work Cycles

    Nature has taught me so much about moving with the seasons, that we need to honor times of harvest and times of rest. That the frenetic pace of doing, doing, doing, without being present with each other and the season we are in, what is happening around us, is unnatural and counter to life. So…

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  • Welcome Aboard: How Organizations Create Belonging for New Hires

    Welcome Aboard: How Organizations Create Belonging for New Hires

    Welcome Aboard: How Organizations Create Belonging for New Hires Alexandra Theroux Operations Director Priya Andrade Learning Content Developer Alexandra and Priya came together to highlight their perspectives in the Onboarding process and how they are making adjustments to the way that IONS supports new team members joining the organization. They are both visual artists and…

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  • Put Your Oxygen Mask on First: Discussing Health Benefits in a Caring Sector

    Put Your Oxygen Mask on First: Discussing Health Benefits in a Caring Sector

    Lydia Phillip Content Strategist Clary Chambers Engagement Lead This blog started with a conversation between Lydia and Clary on a noisy park bench in Halifax. Writing a 2,500 word piece is more difficult for Clary, who is dyslexic. Contribution happens in different ways, voice memos, verbally, Teams chats, etc. and though Lydia’s writing is the medium…

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  • Off the Clock? Exploring Our Relationship With Time and Work

    Off the Clock? Exploring Our Relationship With Time and Work

    Off the Clock? Exploring Our Relationship With Time and Work Diane Connors Communications Director Lydia Phillip Content Strategist This piece is greeting the world in proximity to the Day for Truth and Reconciliation in what we now know as Canada. We acknowledge our connection to decolonizing practices and our teachers – Diane Connors from an…

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  • We Need Space: Belonging and Community Gathering 

    We Need Space: Belonging and Community Gathering 

    Haley Moriarity Digtial Marketing & Admin Coordinator In April, I had the opportunity to attend a retreat specifically for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth across the province hosted by Engage Nova Scotia and the Youth Project. For three days, I was surrounded by an incredible group of people looking to build community, dream of the future, and just exist…

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  • People, Picket Lines & Power: Where is our Collective Voice?

    People, Picket Lines & Power: Where is our Collective Voice?

    Over the past few years, the landscape of our province has shifted drastically, becoming an increasingly difficult place to survive, let alone live in. Employment uncertainty, increasing costs, racism and discrimination, and inadequate housing and healthcare access continue to be top concerns for sectors that are chronically undervalued and often led by women – as…

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  • What do you do? Side Hustles and the Meandering Career Path

    What do you do? Side Hustles and the Meandering Career Path

    Jody Nelson Director, Learning & Engagement Moonlighting, freelancing, gigging, side hustles, or just a second job – those who work in community often live their values and passions, or their survival (as the case may be) after-hours or on weekends. Here in Unama’ki (Cape Breton), on this island that I love, there’s a long history…

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