Anti-Racism
The Trainyard is committed to supporting and uplifting Black and Indigenous communities. We recognize the many ways we both as individuals, and as a business have benefited from systemic racism and white supremacy.
We also understand and recognize the ways systemic racism is woven into other social and community issues including (but not limited to): the justice system, housing, food security, poverty and health outcomes.
Moving forward, The Trainyard has a renewed focus on making sure voices different from our own are heard and reflected in-store. Believing we are anti-racist and inclusive isn't enough, and our passive action wasn't enough. We continue to educate ourselves & our team on the ways we can do better, and move forward together. We welcome feedback anytime on ways we can be better allies for our community.
The Trainyard acknowledges that we live, work and play in Mi'kma'ki, the unceded and unsurrendered territory of the Mi'kmaq People.
Partnering with Black, Indigenous, People of Global Majority Led Businesses
We will continue to work with, and support makers with backgrounds different from our own and to remove barriers for those looking to get into retail or entrepreneurship. We recognize the privilege required to create for a living, and that there are often greater barriers for BIPGM entrepreneurs to begin selling their work. We remain committed to reducing barriers for makers, with a great deal of information available on our Makers page. We are always open to conversations on how to collaboratively reduce barriers to retail readiness.
Supporting Community Organizers
We have made donations and worked to build relationships with organizations that serve Indigenous and Black Communities here in Nova Scotia and will continue to do so. In addition to donating, we continue to amplify voices on our social media and in our newsletters and to listen to, and take action on what we are being called to support.
A full list of organizations we have supported can be found on our Trainyard Connect page.
Resources
We want to highlight the work being done by Game Changers 902 , Change is Brewing and One Crafty Mi’kmaq around advocacy, education and anti-racism in Nova Scotia.
If you are looking to learn more, Land of Daughters has created a resource list of Anti-Racist reading, videos & more that you may find helpful. We have compiled a similar short list of Mi’kmaq focused reading and resources, found here: Mi’kmaq & Indigenous Resources - the Halifax Public Libraries often share reading lists as well, and a quick google search is a great starting place if you aren't sure where to begin.
In June of 2022 we compiled the following resources for reference.
Starting topics for your google search bar:
- Birchtown Black Loyalists
- Africville
- Police Street Checks in Halifax
- Environmental Racism In Canada
- Indigenous Communities and Foster Care in Canada
- The Peace and Friendship Treaty of 1752
- Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls To Action
- Residential Schools In Canada