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.

  • Lichen Consulting Inc.

    Lichen is a group of talented professionals with the right expertise to meet your needs. We work with many non-profits, and we offer a number of services to help you strategize about your future, engage people in your community, and measure the lasting impact you are making on the world.

  • Cassandra Baccardax – Speaker / Trainer / Consultant

    Primary: Speaker (keynote, workshop, panelist, panel moderator) – leadership, organizational culture, employee recruitment and retention, workforce development, economic development, entrepreneurship Secondarily: Trainer: marketing essentials, HR foundations, customer service foundations, small business (or organizational) start-up ie. how to prepare a business plan, governance Tertiary: Consultant: Strategic Planning, Marketing/Communications/Engagement Strategy, HR & Organizational Strategy, Project/Program/Change Management

  • R&G Strategic Inc

    A B Corp and recipient of the UN Global Compact Sustainable Development Goals Leadership Award, R&G Strategic is a leading ESG and sustainability consulting firm that supports organizations as they embed sustainability into their strategy, governance, and operations. We can help you with your impact reporting, or your impact measurement planning and data collection strategies…

  • Andrea Urquhart/Raise Resources & Solutions

    Andrea brings more than 20 years of experience in the nonprofit sector to help organizations like yours thrive. With a proven track record in organizational growth and success, Andrea is passionate about equipping charities and nonprofits with the tools, strategies, and guidance they need to amplify their impact. Andrea offers one-on-one support, helping you design…

  • Michelle Benson, Founder and Principal, ClearPath Leadership Partners

    Execution-focused executive and founder of ClearPath Leadership Partners, offering fractional COO and strategic leadership services to high-growth organizations. Brings deep experience across global Financial Services, Professional Services, and Healthcare governance, with a proven ability to bridge the gap between strategy and execution. Recognized for establishing scalable business capabilities, building diverse, high-performance teams, and delivering measurable…

  • Rooted Gatherings Impact Solutions

    Rooted Gatherings Impact Solutions was born out of a deep commitment to rural communities, a passion for meaningful connections, and a desire to make an impact. We work alongside community impact organizations, helping them bring their ideas to life through project support, event planning, and engagement strategies that foster collaboration and growth.