Folk on the Rocks is back SA国际影视传媒� and so are the festivalSA国际影视传媒檚 purple protectors.

Members of the volunteer-run Sub Arctic Safety Squad (SASS) SA国际影视传媒� who don distinctive, easy-to-see purple garb SA国际影视传媒� are returning for a third year to promote health, safety and consent at the weekend-long music festival.

Squad members will be on site all weekend SA国际影视传媒� handing out water, keeping an eye on dance floors and offering quiet, safe spaces for attendees SA国际影视传媒� in an effort to ensure all festival goers have a happy and healthy experience while rocking out on the rocks.

The Safety Squad was formed after its founders noticed a need for an "arms length" group to reduce harm and increase a sense of well-being and safety at YellowknifeSA国际影视传媒檚 biggest music festival.

To ensure "everyone who goes to Folk on the Rocks gets home as safe as they got there,SA国际影视传媒� said Nancy MacNeill, a captain and one of the founders of SASS, the group engages with festival-goers in various ways.

SA国际影视传媒淲e go around and just chat with people. We make sure they have sunscreen, bug spray, earplugs SA国际影视传媒� make sure theySA国际影视传媒檙e hydrated, especially if theySA国际影视传媒檙e drinking alcohol or consuming any kind of substances,SA国际影视传媒� MacNeill told Yellowknifer.

The Safety Squad also runs a Sanctuary Tent for anyone feeling overwhelmed at the festival. The space offers a quiet area for people who may be overheated, or for those dealing with the adverse effects of alcohol.

SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 a safe space where you can just come and chill and weSA国际影视传媒檒l chat and make sure youSA国际影视传媒檙e feeling good,SA国际影视传媒� said MacNeill.

Another focus of SASS is bystander intervention - promoting the idea that all festival-goers have a responsibility to look out for one another and to help defuse unwanted or uncomfortable situations if necessary.

Squad members will be hitting the garden stage on Friday, Saturday and Sunday to give folks a rundown on bystander intervention. SA国际影视传媒淗ow-could-you-respond-ifSA国际影视传媒� type activities, along with talks on reading body language, are planned for the public demonstrations.

SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 nice to give everyone the empowerment to feel like they can be a part of that,SA国际影视传媒� said MacNeill.

While SASS is dedicated to educating people about unwanted approaches at the festival, including sexual harassment and assault, MacNeill said itSA国际影视传媒檚 important to remember consent is not just about sex.

SA国际影视传媒淛ust because youSA国际影视传媒檙e not planning on engaging with somebody sexually doesnSA国际影视传媒檛 mean that you donSA国际影视传媒檛 have to respect people when they say SA国际影视传媒榥o,SA国际影视传媒� or SA国际影视传媒業 donSA国际影视传媒檛 want to dance with you,SA国际影视传媒� or SA国际影视传媒榙onSA国际影视传媒檛 smoke that here,SA国际影视传媒�" she said.

SA国际影视传媒淐onsent is really about everybody getting to establish their own boundaries and decide what a good time at Folk on the Rocks means to them,SA国际影视传媒� added MacNeill.

To not be a bystander SA国际影视传媒� to be active and engage a situation SA国际影视传媒� doesnSA国际影视传媒檛 take a lot of special training, she said. Sometimes, itSA国际影视传媒檚 as simple as asking someone if theySA国际影视传媒檙e okay or if they need help.

"Just doing the basic thing of checking in with other people is usually enough and thatSA国际影视传媒檚 what we want people to do," said MacNeill. SA国际影视传媒淲e want everyone to remember when youSA国际影视传媒檙e at Folk on the Rocks youSA国际影视传媒檙e part of a community."

Being a part of that temporary community means looking out for each other to SA国际影视传媒渕ake sure everyone is having as good a time as you are,SA国际影视传媒� she added.

FACT FILE

SASS tips on how to stay healthy, happy and safe this weekend:

• Don't forget your own basic needs.
• Bring water SA国际影视传媒� stay hydrated.
• Find a shady place and take a break from the sun and music if you need to.