Human Rights Awards

Each year on or around International Human Rights Day the Commission recognizes our province’s human rights champions through the presentation of the Nova Scotia Human Rights Awards.

Nominations

The Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission presents awards annually to acknowledge the courageous work of Nova Scotians who advance human rights in the province. Recipients are nominated by their peers and chosen by committee. Nominations can be submitted year-round via this simple online form.

Criteria

All Nominees must:

  • have not received an Award in the same category within the previous five (5) years,
  • espouse human rights values and not discriminate based on race, gender, disability or other protected characteristics of the Nova Scotia Human Rights Act,
  • include a component of education and leadership in their human rights-related work,
  • be a resident of Nova Scotia, and
  • not nominate themselves.

Additionally, nominees for a Group or Organization Award must:

  • be comprised of two (2) or more people, and
  • have operations in Nova Scotia.

Youth Award

Presented to an individual aged 20 or younger whose work 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 Award

Presented to an individual aged 21 or older 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.

Dr. Burnley Allan “Rocky” Jones Award

Presented to an individual of African descent whose work reflects and builds upon the legacy of Dr. Burnley Allan “Rocky” Jones in championing racial equality, advancing justice and fostering socio-economic empowerment.  Learn about Rocky Jones.

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. Wel-lukwen, (Well-loog-wen) is a Mi’kmaw word which loosely translates to mean “congratulations, you are doing extremely well. Your work does not go unrecognized.”

Group Award

Presented to a group or organization whose collective action serves to protect dignity, advance equity, promote inclusion, and raise awareness of human rights in Nova Scotia.

Submit a nomination using this online form.

Award Recipients

2024

Read the announcement.
Watch a recording of the event.

  • Caelin Llyod,, Youth Award
  • Jemma Bowers, Youth Award
  • Laura MacDonal, Individual Award
  • Jude Clyke, Dr. Burnley Allan "Rocky" Jones Award
  • Rosalie Francis, Wel-lukwen Award
  • Cumberland Homelessness and Housing Support Association

2023

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Watch a recording of the the event.

  • Nia Summit Youth Ambassadors, Group Award
  • Veronica Merryfield, Individual Award
  • Sheila Wildman, Individual Award
  • Tia Upshaw, Dr. Burnley Allan "Rocky" Jones Award
  • Pamela Glode-Desrocher, Wel'lukwen Award
  • Elizabeth Fry Society of Mainland Nova Scotia, Group/Organization Award

2022

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  • Elder Dr. Daniel N. Paul, Wel'lukwen Award
  • Grandmother Water Protectors, Wel'lukwen Award (group)
  • The Karma Closet, Youth Award (group)
  • Michael Tutton, Individual Award
  • Terena Fraicn, Individual Award
  • Stepping Stone, Group/Organization Award
  • Carolann Wright, Dr. Burnley Allan "Rocky" Jones Award

2021

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  • Andreas Robinson, Halifax (Youth Award)
  • Steven Esty. Dartmouth (Individual Award)
  • Dr. Margaret Dechman, Howie Centre (post-humous, Individual Award)
  • Dr. Ron Milne, Halifax (Dr. Burnley Allan "Rockey" Jones Award)

2020

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  • Clayton Murphy, Halifax (Individual Award)
  • Pamela Brown, Halifax (Individual Award)
  • Elder Jane Meader, Membertou (Individual Award)
  • Association of Black Social Workers & Health Associaton of African Canadians (Group Award)
  • Preston Township Emergency Response Team (Group Award)

2019

Read the announcement.
Human Rights Award Rescinded.

  • Cassidy Megan, Halifax (Youth Award)
  • Trayvone Clayton, Halifax (Dr. Burnley Allan "Rocky" Jones Award)
  • 902 ManUp, Group Award
  • African Nova Scotian Decade for Persons of African Descent Coalition, Group Award

2018

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  • Kardeisha Provo, North Preston (Youth Award)
  • Eric Smith, Halifax (Individual Award)
  • Huwaida Medani, Halifax (Individual Award)
  • DeRico Symonds, Halifax (Dr. Burnley Allan :Rocky" Jones Award)
  • Inverness Development Association, Inverness (Group Award)
  • South End Environmental Justice Society, Shelburne (Group Award)

2017

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  • Joshua Cochrane, Yarmouth (Youth Awaed)
  • Angela Simmonds, Cherry Brook (Dr. Burnley Allan "Rocky" Jomnes Awaed)
  • Nicole Doria, Halifax (Individual Award)
  • Wade Smith, Halifax (post-humous, Individual Award)
  • Syria-Antigonish Families Embrace, Antigonish (Group Award)
  • Bill 59 Community Alliance (Group Award)
  • Women’s Wellness Within, Halifax

2016

Read the announcement.

  • Samuel Gregan, Halifax (Youth Award)
  • David Leitch, Halifax (Dr.nBurnley Allan "Rocky" Jones Award)
  • El Jones, Halifax (Dr. Burnley Allan "Rocky" Jones Award)
  • Raymond Tynes, Truro (Dr. Burnley Allan "Rocky" Jones Award)
  • Alexa McDonough Institute, Mount Saint Vincent University, Halifax (Group Award)
  • Immigrant Settlement Association of Nova Scotia, Halifax (Group Award)

2015

  • Highland Park Junior High's Gender/Sexuality Alliance (GSA), Youth Award
  • Dr. Afua Cooper. Dr. Burnley Allan "Rockey" Jones Award
  • Warren "Gus" Reed. Individual Award
  • Project ARC, Group Award

2014

  • Sgt. Craig Marshall Smith
  • Scott Jones
  • Nova Scotia Mass Choir

2013

  • Brandon Finyanos
  • Jessica Durling
  • Dr. Burnley Allan “Rocky” Jones
  • Margaret Rose Mauger
  • Sheri Lecker

2012

  • Graham "Jake" MacDonald 
  • Christine Porter
  • Avalon Sexual Assault Centre
  • No Glory Productions (Yarmouth Consolidated Memorial High School) 

2011

  • Tringa Rexhepi
  • Doreen Crick
  • The Halifax Refugee Clinic

2010

  • Kendra Angelique Slawter
  • Anne Smith Simmons

2009

  • Helena Jockel
  • Philip Riteman
  • Viola Robinson

2008

  • Logan MacGillivray
  • reachAbility

2007

  • Janice Smith
  • Cole Harbour Boys and Girls Club
  • Sobaz Benjamin

2006

  • Dr. Hetty Van Gurp, Peaceful Schools Initiative
  • Senator Donald Oliver
  • Pat Skinner

2005

  • Percy Paris
  • Sam Lafford
  • Just Us! Coffee Roasters Co-op’s Jeff and Deborah Moore

2004

  • Food Not Bombs
  • Mel Boutilier, Parker Street Food Bank
  • Dr. Wanda Thomas Bernard 
  • The Asper Foundation
  • Holocaust & Human Rights Studies Program 

2003

  • Cedric Upshaw, Black Youth Liaison
  • Bob Fougere, NS Rainbow Action Project 
  • Multicultural Association of Nova Scotia (MANS) 

2002

  • “14 Days in December” Resource Committee, Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Youth Project
  • Juan Carlos Canales-Leyton, Centre for Diverse Visible Cultures
  • M. Lee Cohen, Halifax Refugee Clinic
  • Scotiabank 

2001

  • Cole Harbour Community Radio Society
  • Rabbi Mendel & Bassie Feldman 
  • Emergency Measures Organizations, Nova Scotia/Halifax Regional Emergency Measures 
  • Volition (Pictou County)

2000

  • Crossley Carpet Mills Ltd.
  • Shining Lights Choir 
  • Black Loyalist Heritage Society
  • NS Federation of Labour

1999

  • Henderson Paris 
  • Cava Chronicle, the Cole Harbour High School newspaper
  • Rev. Dr. D.D Skier 

1998

  • Flemming Holm
  • Yaffa Elling & Brownwen Trim 

1996

  • Yarmouth Affirmative Action Committee
  • Diane Swinemar, Metro Food Bank
  • Bill Crawford, Yarmouth County AA Committee
  • Joseph Howe School 

1995

  • Employees of Dorchester Corporation
  • Bev Sweetman
  • Barbara Goldsmith 
  • Dr. Calvin Ruck

1994

  • National Film Board of Canada
  • Amnesty International
  • Metropolitan Immigrant Settlement Association (MISA)
  • Metro Coalition for a Non-Racist Society, Cultural Awareness Youth Group 

1993

Black Educators Association Affirmative Action initiative with Halifax Regional School Board: Brad Barton, Marilyn Berry, Sandra Best, Frances Clements, Jenny Costelo, Edith Cromwell, Alan Cuvelier, Marie Germaine d’Entremont, Jim Donovan, Chief Noel Doucette, Doris Evans, Debi Forsyth-Smith, Cst. Marion Fraser, Robert Ganong, Alma Johnston, Victor Jones, Alan Knockwood, Dawn Leblanc, Mary MacLennan, Anne MacRae, Marion Matheson, John Rogers, Laughlin Rutt, Lem Skeete, Nancy Sparks, Victor Thibault, Robert Upshaw.

1992

Dr. Donald E. Curren, Buddy Daye, Cynthia Debaie, Kjathir Jeganathan (posthumous), Dr. P. Anthony Johnston (posthumous), Rev. Dr. Duncan MacNab (posthumous), Dr. George F. McCurdy (posthumous), James Richard McEwan (posthumous), Winifred Mary Milne, Leslie Samson (posthumous), Marvin Schiff, Msgr. Nil Theriault.

1990

  • Antigonish East High School
  • Caudle Park Elementary School
  • Cole Harbour District High School
  • Digby Regional High School 

1989

  • Hon. Mr. Justice W. Andrew MacKay
  • Dr. Ronald St. John Macdonald
  • Gus Wedderburn

1988

  • Gary Dockendorff
  • Halifax Cablevision Limited
  • Libraries that set up supportive human rights displays.
  • National Film Board of Canada
  • Metro Telecaster
  • Students of Holy Angels High School
  • Students of St. Mary’s School

1987

  • Seven people honoured for outstanding achievements &/or services to disabled community.
  • Digby Regional High School