Call for Nominations for 2025 Human Rights Awards

Press Release

September 26, 2025

People can now submit nominations for this year’s Nova Scotia Human Rights Awards.

The Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission presents awards annually to Nova Scotians whose work advances human rights in the province.

“Nova Scotia’s history of social justice includes champions from throughout the province and we continue to see advocates advancing this work today,” said Joseph Fraser, Director and CEO of the commission. “Recognizing our human rights champions acknowledges their contributions and inspires the next generation of change-makers to push for social inclusion and justice for all.”

People can nominate individual Nova Scotians and groups who have demonstrated excellence in this area until November 1.

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’kmaw/Indigenous people while creating a just, equitable and inclusive society.

The 2025 Nova Scotia Human Rights Awards will be presented in Halifax on Wednesday, December 10, to mark the United Nations’ international Human Rights Day.

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

Nominations for the Nova Scotia Human Rights Awards are open year-round, with a public call issued in early autumn.

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