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.
  • State of the Sector 2025 Summary Report

    State of the Sector 2025 Summary Report

    Prepared by our partner Lichen Consulting, the State of the Sector Summary report dives into key learnings around workforce trends, employee retention, funding diversification, justice and equity practices, challenges in governance, and IONS’ advocay priorities. Learn more about the key findings, relevant data, and information to help you advocate for your organization’s needs: State of…

  • State of the Sector Survey 2025

    State of the Sector Survey 2025

  • Consultant Directory: Now Live!

    Consultant Directory: Now Live!

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  • New IONS Executive Director – Benny Welter-Nolan

    New IONS Executive Director – Benny Welter-Nolan

    New IONS Executive Director – Benny Welter-Nolan After a intentional and collaborative search, the IONS team and board are happy to announce our new Executive Director, Benny Welter-Nolan (they/them)! Benny has been collaborating with communities across Mi’kma’ki since moving to Kjipuktuk in 2008. Benny is a curious, queer, settler artist who makes crafts, cakes and music with…

  • IONS Impact Report 2023-2024

    IONS Impact Report 2023-2024

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  • IONS Executive Director Recruitment

    IONS Executive Director Recruitment

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  • IONS Leadership Transition Update

    IONS Leadership Transition Update

    A Message from the IONS Board Dear friends and supporters, We have some important news to share with you. This summer will be a season of change for our organization. After four busy and successful years leading IONS, our Executive Director, Annika Voltan, will move on to a new career chapter. Annika has accepted a…

  • Panel – Reimagining the Workplace: Experiences of a Four-day Work Week

    Panel – Reimagining the Workplace: Experiences of a Four-day Work Week

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  • Pathway to Actions – Tool

    Pathway to Actions – Tool

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  • Fewer hours, same pay: How 4 N.S. non-profits are making a shorter week work

    Fewer hours, same pay: How 4 N.S. non-profits are making a shorter week work

    This article was originally published by CBC NS on May 7th 2024 and can be found here.  Contributed by CBC Nova Scotia By Cassidy Chisholm Lydia Phillip now has more time to spend outdoors, hang out with family and friends and pursue creative endeavours she couldn’t before. The reason? Her employer, Impact Organizations of Nova…

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