Introduction

Everyone has the right to feel safe and included at Newt Fest regardless of race, ancestry, colour, family status, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, age, mental disability, physical disability, place of origin, religious beliefs, sexual orientation or source of income (British Columbia Human Rights Code). To this end, Newt Fest has developed a policy to help foster safer and more inclusive spaces at the festival. Copies of this document will be available at Newt Fest pass pick-up, included in all artist bags and available to download. Additionally, key safer spaces information including protocols will be posted in all venue washrooms. This policy will be updated on an ongoing basis to ensure it meets the needs of our community. If you have questions or comments, please get in touch with us at info@flywayfarmforest.com

Good Humans

ATTENDEE CONDUCT

Newt Fest does not tolerate abusive or discriminatory behaviour. Such behaviour is grounds for removal from a Newt Fest venue and may result in cancellation of one’s passholder privileges or a permanent Newt Fest ban. If you witness abusive or discriminatory behaviour at Newt Fest, please speak with a volunteer venue manager (ask any Newt Fest volunteer for assistance finding the volunteer venue manager). All volunteers undergo mandatory Community Bystander Training and are equipped to provide survivor-focused interventions. Newt Fest staff have the authority to remove offenders from festival venues. Any decision to cancel an offender’s passholder privileges or permanently ban an offender is at the discretion of Newt Fest staff. The safety of survivors is always our primary consideration, and any decision to cancel an offender’s passholder privileges or permanently ban an offender will be made on a case-by-case basis in consultation with survivors when possible. Second chances may be offered on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of Newt Fest staff. The safety of survivors is always our primary consideration, and any decision to offer a second chance will be made in consultation with survivors when possible. Please note: We are a very small staff and do not have the human resources to guarantee an immediate response to concerns about attendee history shared in the days directly before or during the festival (June 12-13th, 2021). Regardless of timing, we believe survivors and will address all concerns as efficiently as possible. We do not have the expertise or authority to mediate conflicts or provide advice on conflict or crisis resolution.

ARTIST/VENDOR CONDUCT

Artists/Vendors with a history of abusive or discriminatory behaviour, or behaviour that is otherwise deemed detrimental to the creation of safer spaces at Newt Fest, are not welcome at Newt Fest. All programming decisions are made in consideration of these concerns using the fullest extent of our knowledge. Newt Fest believes survivors. We reserve the right to cancel any artist, without payment or other compensation, who we believe to have a history of abusive or discriminatory behaviour, or behaviour that is otherwise deemed detrimental to the creation of safer spaces at Newt Fest. The safety of survivors is always our primary consideration, and any decision to cancel an artist will be made on a case-by-case basis in consultation with survivors when possible. Please note: We are a very small staff and do not have the human resources to guarantee an immediate response to concerns about artist history shared in the days directly before or during the festival. Regardless of timing, we believe survivors and will address all concerns as efficiently as possible. We do not have the expertise or authority to mediate conflicts or provide advice on conflict or crisis resolution.

VOLUNTEER CONDUCT

Individuals with a history of abusive or discriminatory behaviour, or behaviour that is otherwise deemed detrimental to the creation of safer spaces at Newt Fest, are not welcome as Newt Fest volunteers. Newt Fest believes survivors. We reserve the right to revoke volunteer privileges and/or permanently blacklist any individual who we believe to have a history of abusive or discriminatory behaviour, or behaviour that is otherwise deemed detrimental to the creation of safer spaces at Newt Fest. The safety of survivors is always our primary consideration, and any decision to revoke volunteer privileges and/or permanently blacklist a volunteer will be made on a case-by-case basis in consultation with survivors when possible. Please note: We are a very small staff and do not have the human resources to guarantee an immediate response to concerns about volunteer history shared in the days directly before or during the festival. Regardless of timing, we believe survivors and will address all concerns as efficiently as possible. We do not have the expertise or authority to mediate conflicts or provide advice on conflict or crisis resolution.

OFFENSIVE ATTIRE

Offensive attire, including (but not limited to) hate symbols or culturally appropriative attire, is not welcome at Newt Fest. Such attire may be grounds for removal from a Newt Fest venue and may result in cancellation of one’s passholder privileges or a permanent Newt Fest ban. If you have concerns about offensive attire at Newt Fest, please speak with a volunteer manager (ask any Newt Fest volunteer for assistance finding the volunteer venue manager). All incidents will be addressed on a case-by-case basis in consultation with Newt Fest staff when appropriate. Newt Fest staff and venue staff have the authority to remove offenders from festival venues. Any decision to cancel an offender’s passholder privileges or permanently ban an offender is at the discretion of Newt Fest staff.

Resources

COMMUNITY BYSTANDER TRAINING

Newt Fest ’s core staff and volunteer venue managers undergo mandatory Community Bystander Training. Community Bystander Training offers the practical skills needed to recognize when and how to help when witnessing power-based violence

QUIET ROOMS & SAFE WALKS

Whenever possible, Newt Fest will offer quiet room access upon request. To access a quiet room, please speak with a Newt Fest volunteer (or ask any Newt Fest volunteer for assistance finding the volunteer venue manager). Safe walks to the parking location or support while waiting for public or other transportation are also available upon request.

WASHROOMS

Newt Fest venues will offer gender-neutral washrooms in addition to gender-specific washrooms.

VENUE ACCESSIBILITY

Accessibility varies by location. Please contact us to discuss your accessibilities needs.

FINANCIAL ACCESSIBILITY Those interested in purchasing a Newt Fest pass can take advantage of Newt Fest ’s payment plan, which allows for the purchase of a Newt Fest Day Pass in either four-month or seven-month installments (must purchase by the end of March each year). Additionally, Newt Fest strives for all-ages inclusion and accessibility by offering a low-cost All-Ages Pass ($39) exclusively for attendees under 19.

HARM REDUCTION Newt Fest does not condone the use of illegal substances. We do believe in harm reduction. The closest location to source Take Home Naloxone Kits (Narcan) are at the Invermere Health Centre. To learn more about Harm Reduction please visit the East Kootenay Addiction Services Society www.ekass.com or ANKORS Harm Reduction Project at www.ankorsvolunteer.com