Festival Afloat Safety

RAVEN Code of Conduct

We invite you to come to RAVEN in a spirit of reciprocity, curiosity, friendliness, open-mindedness, and respect. We will not tolerate harassment, in any form, at a RAVEN event or on a RAVEN-hosted online event.

Our commitment is to anti-bullying, anti-harassment, and anti-discrimination.

We believe that there is no place at RAVEN or RAVEN events for any form of behaviour that creates a hostile environment. Harassment, including microaggressions, are unacceptable at events where everyone should feel free from harassment, violence, and discrimination.

This Code of Conduct is one part of our commitment to ensuring a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment for all.

If you participate with RAVEN, you have the right to be treated with respect and dignity and also the obligation to treat others in the same way.

Code of Conduct

In the spirit of an open and inclusive RAVEN community, we ask you to commit to the following:

• Respect Indigenous protocol and ensure cultural safety of Indigenous Peoples
• Understand and foster an environment that is free of harassment, sexual harassment, violence, and discrimination in any form. Be nice! Harassment is often defined by the person that is being harassed, so being understanding of another point of view can be critical.
• Respect others. We respect every person and encourage personal development in ourselves and others. Respectful behaviour includes listening before speaking and asking questions rather than assuming intentions.
• Do your part to prevent and stop harassment. Watch out for the well-being of others. Contribute to this not only through refraining from engaging in harassing behavior yourself, but by supporting others —  when appropriate and safe — whom you see experiencing forms of harassment.
• Respect your own needs. Pay attention to your own needs. Ask for help or clarification. Take the time or space you need to be fully present and rested.
• Engage in constructive dialogue. Recognize that someone else’s frame of reference is likely to be different from your own.

Harassment includes, but is not limited to:

• offending or humiliating someone physically or verbally;
• threatening or intimidating someone; or
• making unwelcome jokes or comments about someone’s gender, gender expression or identity, sexual orientation, disability, mental illness, neuro(a)typicality, physical appearance, body size, race, ethnicity, citizenship status, or religion;
• microagressions, which is a term used for brief and commonplace daily verbal, behavioural, or environmental indignities, whether intentional or unintentional, that communicate hostile, derogatory, or negative racial slights and insults toward any marginalized group;
• deliberate “outing” of any aspect of a person’s identity without their consent; or
  stalking or following without consent.

 Sexual harassment includes, but is not limited to:

• offensive or humiliating behaviour that is related to a person’s gender identity;
  behaviour of a sexual nature that creates an intimidating, unwelcome, hostile, or offensive environment;
• physical contact and simulated physical contact (eg, textual descriptions like “*hug*” or “*backrub*”) without consent or after a request to stop; or
• behaviour of a sexual nature that could reasonably be thought to put sexual conditions on a person’s ability to participate.

Violent behaviour may include, but is not limited to:

• hitting another person;
• throwing objects;
• incitement of violence towards any individual, including encouraging a person to commit suicide or to engage in self-harm; or
• any violence, or threats, whether conveyed verbally, in writing, or through behaviour.

Who to contact

We are always available for confidential support and guidance.

• If you feel you are in an emergency situation always first make sure you are safe and dial 911 immediately for emergency police, fire, or ambulance services.
• If you are on-site at a venue and need assistance, please inform a RAVEN staffer or volunteer.
• If you are in need of crisis support, please call the Crisis Centre Distress Line: 604.872.3311 or Toll Free: 1.866.661.3311. The Crisis Centre is open 24 hours and offers confidential, anonymous crisis support for any issue.

So, is that it?

Ideally, we would live in a world where a Code of Conduct is not necessary, but we believe in being proactive and clear about our community expectations.

That being said, we all have lots to learn. We are always in the process of getting better at what we do, and we look to you, our community for insight, assistance, and help.

If you have any ideas on how we can continue to make the RAVEN events a more welcoming environment for all, please email organizer@raventrust.com. 

Please note: this waiver is signed online when tickets are being purchased. The following is for your review and records only. 

IMPORTANT: THIS IS A LEGAL DOCUMENT Please read this document prior to signing. If you have any questions please ask.    

RAVEN - Respecting Aboriginal Values and Environmental Needs -  has done everything possible to assure our participants a safe, fun and entertaining experience.  We wish to inform our participants that kayaking, canoeing, stand-up paddleboarding and all boating activities can lead to injury or in extreme cases, permanent trauma or death.  We do not want to reduce your enthusiasm for the experience, but we do want you to know in advance what to expect, and to be informed of the various risks.  We ask that you read this waiver before attending our event. Your ticking of the checkbox indicates that you have read and understood the contents of this waiver. 

ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF RISK     

1) Boating and waterside activities involve the use of equipment and physical skills of the participant that may cause injury.  Participants may be on difficult terrain or rough water where they will be exposed to some risks.  There is the possibility that the participant could fall, or tip into the water.  The participant could sustain bruises, be susceptible to hypothermia and/or other inherent injuries.

2) Accidents can occur while hiking, walking or driving to and from the site. a) Trails can be steep, rocky, and slippery.  b) Exposure to the natural elements can be uncomfortable and/or harmful: c) heat, sun burn, dehydration, heat exhaustion, heat stroke, heat cramps can occur. d) Rapid changes in weather, wind tides currents, fog and various marine conditions may occur e) As a result of any of the above-mentioned items, events  may be delayed, late, postponed or canceled.  This list is not an exclusive or exhaustive list to possible injuries, trauma or accidents that may occur to you while out with RAVEN.

I certify that my family, including minor children, and I am fully capable of participating in the activities.  I have read the above statement on some of the possible risks in these activities.  Therefore, I assume full responsibility for myself, my family, including minor children, for bodily injury, death and loss of personal property and any expenses as a result of my negligence of my family, or negligence to RAVEN.  I fully understand that RAVEN reserves the right to refuse any person it judges to be incapable of meeting the rigors and requirements of participation in the activities.  I am in good physical condition and able to undertake this activity.  

I agree to indemnify and hold harmless RAVEN, their agents and employees from any and all claims, damages, losses, injuries and expenses arising out of or resulting from participating in these activities.  I further agree to release, acquit and covenant not to sue RAVEN, their agents and employees for any and all actions of RAVEN or myself, my family, my heirs.  

I have adequate health, disability and life insurance for myself and my family.  I hereby give permission to transportation to any medical facility or hospital and I authorize for emergency medical care for my family and myself.

I, of my own free will, for myself, my family, my minor children and my heirs and executors have read, understand and acknowledge the risks and liability for my family and myself. 

Boats must be non-motorized. Skiffs and power boats/runabouts under 18’ with motors may attend but motors must be turned off, and alternative propulsion (ie oars, paddles) must be available for navigation during concerts.

Wear Your Lifejacket. Carry a Canadian approved PFD on board, sized for each passenger. But don't just carry it, WEAR IT.

Don't Boat Impaired. Boating under the influence of alcohol or recreational drugs is not just illegal; it's irresponsible. Enjoy your beverage after docking or moorage. 

Be Prepared. Ensure your boat has all the required safety gear. Check the weather and tides for the time and date of this event. 

Ensure the conditions don't exceed your experience level or vessel's capabilities. 

Share your trip plan with someone before departure.

Beware of Cold Water Risks. Learn how to protect yourself.

At a bare minimum, you should always have with you:

• Canadian-approved flotation device or lifejacket of appropriate size for each passenger on board
• Buoyant heaving line at least 15 metres in length
• Watertight flashlight
• Sound-signaling device: a whistle clipped to your PFD works well
• Manual propelling device (i.e. paddle) 
• Bailer OR manual water pump
• First Aid Kit
• Drinking water
• Sun-screen
• Hat
• Sunglasses
• Dry clothing (i.e. long-sleeved shirt)
• Snacks