Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest has been working to improve the overall Festival experience and to ensure that when we say WILLKOMMEN, we truly mean – WELCOME ALL.
Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest started out as a community Festival over 50 years ago and at that time we lived in a community that was much different than the culturally diverse one in which we are so lucky to reside today. In recognizing this – and though we have more work to do – we are committed to creating a safe and welcoming environment for everyone regardless of race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation or national origin.
K-W Oktoberfest Inc. not for profit organization has made it part of our mission to make the needed changes in order to better match our region’s dynamics. These efforts will allow us to preserve the Bavarian tradition of celebration, while also building a culture of inclusion and connectedness within that celebration.
Diversity
We reside in a beautifully diverse community and we, as an organization and festival, want to draw on the experiences and differences of our community to create a Festival that is just as diverse. Whether you are walking into one of our original Festhallen, a nominee for an award or attending a specific event, we want everyone from our region and those visiting our community to feel welcome! Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest will be committing to ensuring our community members see more diversity in our social space, marketing, events and experiences.
Equity
We are committed to creating a festival where everyone has fair access to participate and enjoy, by removing barriers and providing meaningful opportunities for all. From enhancing accessibility across our venues, to supporting initiatives that ensure safer spaces and uplifting underrepresented voices, we strive to make the Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest experience equitable for every community member and visitor. By continuing to invest in our spaces, programs and partnerships, we aim to celebrate Bavarian traditions while ensuring that all who join us can fully share in the spirit of the Festival.
Inclusion
We are relentlessly working behind the scenes to ensure that when we say this is a Festival for ALL, that is truly what is experienced and felt across our region.
Through seeking out new partnerships within our community with organizations such as Spectrum and SASC, we are committing to learning more and creating positive, inclusive change within the Festival. While continuing to bring a Festival that celebrates the historical Bavarian culture within our region, we intend on cultivating and empowering more events to be inclusive and engage in our entire community. Allowing collaborations that will continue to help the Festival grow, with our community as a whole.
Sexual Safety
Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest has developed an important relationship with the Sexual Assault Support Centre (SASC).
The team at SASC created the “Only JAH Means JAH” campaign, in which sanctioned Oktoberfest events could support and encourage safe festing. We will continue to work with SASC to ensure that as we are promoting inclusivity and diversity, we are also doing our work to ensure that those who participate in our festival or are a part of our organization in any aspect are safe.
No Means Nein Campaign
For a second year, the Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest has partnered with REES (Respect, Educate, Empower, Survivors) to provide online reporting for unwanted sexualized behaviours. REES allows festival-goers, performers, staff and volunteers to Create a Record of the incident and share it with festival organizers. REES also provides information about community-based resources such as sexual assault centres, healthcare and other support services.
REES can be accessed online at any time, year-round. Select Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest from the drop-down list.
Land Acknowledgement
We acknowledge that the K-W Oktoberfest Inc. Head Office is situated on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee Peoples. We also acknowledge that the Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest Festival takes place on this traditional territory. It is the settlers of this traditional territory whose cultural roots we celebrate during Oktoberfest. We also recognize and respect the cultural diversity that First Nations, Métis and Inuit people bring to our community and recognize their past and present contributions to this land.
We encourage our community to continue their reconciliation journey along with us by visiting the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR).
