The Denman Island Readers and Writers Festival is dedicated to maintaining a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for all participants, writers, readers, volunteers, and staff. Our Code of Conduct aligns with the guidelines of the Canadian Council for the Arts and the BC Arts Council’s commitment to a workplace and public setting free from harassment, discrimination, and misconduct. We expect everyone associated with the Festival to uphold the following principles:
- Respect and Dignity: Treat all individuals and communities with kindness, fairness, and respect. Derogatory, discriminatory, or harassing behaviour will not be tolerated.
- Cultural Safety: Acknowledge and honour Indigenous protocols; seek consent when sharing stories, imagery, or knowledge; and avoid cultural appropriation.
- Consent and Boundaries: Maintain professionalism and respect personal boundaries in all interactions, on stage, online, and in social settings.
- Accountability: Incidents of discrimination, harassment, or safety concerns should be reported to the Festival’s Organizing Committee, which ensures confidentiality and fair process.
- Wellbeing: The Festival fosters a caring environment by offering volunteer training, debriefing sessions, and access to conflict-resolution supports. Breaches of this Code may result in removal from Festival activities.
Upholding these principles ensures that the Festival remains a space where creative exchange, cultural safety, and mutual respect thrive.