Did you know FortWhyte Alive has an inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility (IDEA) committee dedicated to creating a space where everyone is welcome in nature?
FortWhyte Alive is guided by the belief that everyone deserves access to nature and that no matter a person’s background, identity or abilities, everyone deserves to feel valued and empowered to be themselves.
The goal of FortWhyte’s IDEA committee is to identify and remove barriers to access and celebrate the diversity that makes our community unique.
Here are just a few things the IDEA committee is working on…
Improving Site Accessibility
Nature comes with many barriers which limit full or safe participation in FortWhyte’s programs. Uneven terrain, snow, rocks, tree roots and other surprises can be found all across our site – the IDEA committee is working to reduce the impact of these barriers. Recently, FortWhyte Alive partnered with Manitoba Possible to audit the accessibility of our site and guide future actions. This audit identified several actionable items which have since been addressed, such as the re-laying of a warped cobblestone path down to our sailing dock and the integration of accessible design in our updated maps and signage. Our recent renovations in our Climate Action Room saw the addition of new interpretive signage that is at a height accessible to those seated or using wheelchairs, while leaving space underneath for people to move closer to the tanks. We’re also very excited that the new dock at the Paul Albrechtsen Visitor Centre has an accessible boat launch for FortWhyte Alive paddling programs.
The IDEA committee also works to remove financial barriers and has worked with FortWhyte’s membership team to reduce the financial burden of visiting FortWhyte Alive with the creation of a Subsidized Membership and a Newcomer to Canada membership which reduce or remove the cost of visiting.
Did you know? FortWhyte Alive has programs specifically for new Canadians who are not familiar with winter and want to learn how to safely enjoy and embrace the cold.
Diversifying Events & Programs
Visiting FortWhyte doesn’t always mean self-led exploration; sometimes visitors come for programs and special events. The IDEA committee is working to ensure the programs we run are more inclusive and allow everyone the opportunity to participate. This winter, we partnered with Accessible Sport Connection Manitoba and Winnipeg Trails Association to bring the WinterPeg Mobile Ski Library to FortWhyte Alive, which included a sit-ski try-it event, vision-impaired guided skiing, and introduced kicksleds to visitors. Now, the IDEA committee is exploring acquiring adaptive equipment of our own.
So far this year, the IDEA committee has run programs for Black History Month and Louis Riel Day and has programs planned for National Indigenous History Month and Pride Month in June.
One program is already available! Take a tour of FortWhyte Farms’ medicine garden on June 21.
Reviewing Training, Programs and Policies
FortWhyte Alive does a lot of work behind the scenes too. The IDEA committee regularly identifies opportunities for FortWhyte’s staff to broaden their understanding of issues faced by marginalized communities and how we can address systemic barriers through our work. The last training was a series of workshops to broaden our understanding of issues faced by the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and now the committee is in the process of planning DEI training, non-violent crisis intervention training and lateral kindness training. Some of our staff have also completed specialized mental health training.
Internally, we’re also working through an audit of every program we offer to visitors, private groups and the public to ensure they remove or limit physical and communication barriers.
Here at FortWhyte Alive, you are safe and welcome in nature.
We recognize our role as a trusted member of our community and are committed to being accountable to ourselves, those we serve and those who support us.
FortWhyte Alive continues to assess and address barriers by reviewing existing policies, practices and facilities, and we welcome you to share your experiences with us so we can ensure everyone has the opportunity to engage fully in all aspects of our programs and services.
If you would like to reach our IDEA committee, have suggestions, or would like to learn more, please visit our Accessibility page, reach out to [email protected] or call us at 204-989-8355.