Call for Nominations for 2023 Nova Scotia Human Rights Awards

The Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission is inviting the public to submit nominations for the 2023 Nova Scotia Human Rights Awards.

The commission presents awards annually to acknowledge the courageous work of Nova Scotians who advance human rights in the province.

People can nominate individual Nova Scotians and groups who have demonstrated excellence in this area until November 3.

Award categories are:

• Youth (up to age 20) – for work that promotes equity and inclusion, advances understanding of human rights and its importance in empowering youth to advocate for themselves, their peers and their communities
• Individual (age 21 and older) – someone who demonstrates leadership and whose work has contributed to change in their community by advancing equity, inclusion, and the value in promoting and protecting human rights
• Group/Organization – its collective action serves to protect dignity, advance equity, promote inclusion, and raise awareness of human rights in Nova Scotia
• Dr. Burnley Allan (Rocky) Jones Award – presented to an individual of African descent whose work reflects and builds upon his legacy of championing racial equality, advancing justice and fostering socio-economic empowerment
• Wel’lukwen Award – presented to an L’nu individual (youth or adult), group or organization whose work advances the rights of Mi’kmaq/Indigenous people while creating a just, equitable and inclusive society.

The 2023 Nova Scotia Human Rights Awards will be presented in Halifax on Friday, December 8, in recognition of the United Nations International Human Rights Day on December 10.

More information about the awards and the nomination form are available at: https://humanrights.novascotia.ca/awards

Beginning this year, nominations for the Nova Scotia Human Rights Awards will be open year-round, with a public call issued in early autumn.

Quotes:

“As identity politics are weaponized and disparities across equity-deserving communities intensify and divide us, it is critical that we celebrate our human rights champions and the qualities that we cherish as Nova Scotians. We must lead by example and champion those among us whose work unites us, leading the way toward a more just, inclusive and equitable society for all.”

– Joseph Fraser, Director and CEO, Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission