Lawnya Vawnya is a non-profit, independent art & culture organization based in Ktaqmkuk (Newfoundland). Lawnya Vawnya values the safety of our staff, volunteers, artists, and attendees. Everyone has the right to feel safe and included at Lawnya Vawnya regardless of their ability, age, ancestry, culture, ethnicity, national origin, race, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, size, family status, religious beliefs or affiliations. 

​

We aim to create and support an environment that allows the freedom of creativity, expression, and communication but not at the harm or alienation of others. We have implemented this policy to help ensure we meet the needs of our community.

Lawnya Vawnya respectfully acknowledges the land on which our festival takes place as the ancestral homelands of the Beothuk. We also acknowledge the island of Ktaqmkuk (Newfoundland) as the unceded, traditional territory of the Beothuk and the Mi’kmaq. We acknowledge Labrador as the traditional and ancestral homelands of the Innu of Nitassinan, the Inuit of Nunatsiavut, and the Inuit of Nunatukavut. We strive to be responsible stewards of the land and for respectful partnerships with all who call it home.

Lawnya Vawnya strives to deliver a culture and program that is inclusive and accessible to individuals of all backgrounds. We actively involve marginalized groups including women, people with disabilities, indigenous people, racialized people, LGBTQ2S+ people, minors, and people of low socio-economic status in our organization and programming. 

​

We intentionally employ marginalized individuals as staff, artists, program facilitators, and directors. We use local venues that offer accessibility for a variety of marginalized groups and offer accessibility details for individual venues on our website (details outlining each venue’s age restrictions, wheelchair and washroom accessibility can be found HERE.). We partner with local inclusion and harm reduction organizations to provide accessibility and safety materials during our programs. We guarantee the programming of a number of free and age-inclusive events each year. 

​

We are committed to accountability and improvement to our inclusion practices by maintaining open lines of communication with individuals and organizations that advocate for marginalized groups including, but not limited to, service provider training for staff and volunteers. 

Lawnya Vawnya does not tolerate abusive or discriminatory behaviour. Such behaviour includes but is not limited to ableism, ageism, cultural appropriation, fatphobia, homophobia, oppression, physical or sexual assault, racism, sexism, transphobia, unsolicited touching or attention, and violence.

​

Lawnya Vawnya holds a zero tolerance policy for physical, sexual or verbal abuse/harassment, theft, and acts of aggression that impact the safety of others. Participation in this behaviour is grounds for immediate removal from a Lawnya Vawnya event. 

​

No one should feel unsafe at our events. Lawnya Vawnya is committed to survivor safety and holding those who display abusive or discriminatory behaviour accountable. 

Lawnya Vawnya does not encourage the use of illegal substances. We do, however, believe that harm reduction is a vital component of any community’s overdose prevention approach. We hope that by helping community members recognize the signs of an overdose, we can better support festival participants experiencing a substance-related crisis. 

​

Signs of Opioid Poisoning: 

• Slow or no breathing 

• Unresponsive 

• Pale face/blue lips or nails 

• Stiff body/seizure-like movement 

Signs of a Bad Trip (psychedelics like psilocybin or LSD, heavy cannabis use, etc.):

• Hallucinations 

• Intensified sensory experiences 

• Changes in awareness of time 

• Paranoia and Panic 

If you identify a crisis, are in need of support, or would like to report an incident at a Lawnya Vawnya event, please speak to a volunteer or staff member. All staff can be identified by their Lawnya Vawnya lanyard at every event. A confidential report or complaint about an artist, volunteer, staff member, or attendee can also be made by email to boardofdirectors@lawnyavawnya.com at any time. 

We will do everything we can to mitigate, assist, and respond to a situation. However, we recognize that we do not have the professional expertise or authority to respond to all conflicts but can assist you in contacting the appropriate trained professionals. We will make every effort to protect the privacy and identity of the person sharing their concerns and seek consent prior to involving other agencies and professional supports. 

All reported incidents will be dealt with on a case by case basis and can be communicated at any time. However, we recommend reporting incidents as soon as possible so appropriate measures can be taken promptly and effectively. 

Crisis and emergency support contact information is posted in each washroom and available at the merchandise table of every event (listed below). All of Lawnya Vawnya’s merchandise tables double as a support resource area, including crisis, emergency, and long term support contact information, ear plugs, phone chargers, and naloxone kits. 

End Sexual Violence NL Support and Information Line 

1-800-726-2743 

First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness Help Line 

1-855-242-3310 

Provincial Lifewise Warm Line 

1-855-753-2560 or 753-2560 

Crisis Text Line 

YOUTH text CONNECT to 686868 

ADULTS text WELLNESS to 741741 

NL Health/Mental Health Crisis Line 

811 

Mental Health and Addictions System Navigator 

709-752-3916 or toll-free at 1-877-999-7589

Each year Lawnya Vawnya works with community based organizations in the facilitation of a variety of staff and volunteer training to help ensure safe, respectful, and inclusive events. Current training is provided by The Journey Project (Project SoundCheck), Safe Works Access Program (SWAP), First Light, Canadian Red Cross, and Laurabel Mba Anti-Racism Consulting. 

Photographs and video recordings of attendees will be taken during the festival for social media use. Festival staff will make every reasonable effort to avoid publishing face images of minors on social media, unless verbal consent has been obtained from a parent or guardian. If a photo of yourself or a minor has been posted by Lawnya Vawnya and you would like it removed from social media, please email marketing@lawnyavawnya.com.

​

All our policies will be updated as we continue to learn ways to improve the safety and inclusivity of our festival. If you have any questions, concerns, or suggestions regarding the safety and inclusion of Lawnya Vawnya please get in touch with us at info@lawnyavawnya.com.