Statement: Six Shooter Company Training and Accountability
Content warning = sexual misconduct
We are addressing the reports of sexual misconduct against Danny Kenyon of The Dead South from women who have been harmed. These reports are of incidents from years before we started working with Danny and the band. They show a pattern of behaviour that is unsafe. Danny has stepped down from the band. You can read the band’s statement here.
We take this very seriously. We believe victims and survivors of sexual assault and are committed to centering their wellbeing. As a company, we strive to engage in consent-based interactions, to respect personal boundaries, and to provide an environment free from harassment, discrimination, bullying and violence for our community. The Six Shooter Code of Conduct, included in its entirety below, reflects these values. Individualized artist codes of conduct are in various stages of development.
The current situation has made it clear that we need to make training a top priority. Our first session, scheduled for August 25 and 26, will address the subject of consent. We have invited and encouraged all of our staff, artists, crew, and agents to participate. We have contracted Good Night Out, who delivered training for Interstellar Rodeo on creating a safer space at our festival. This training is essential, and one of the many steps we will take as a company toward creating safer environments for our community.
We recognize that this situation impacts our community in different ways. We have sought professional assistance to help us create and undertake a responsible, thorough, and accountable process. We acknowledge that it may seem slow. Our deliberation comes from a place of thoughtfulness and care. We greatly hope to achieve a restorative conclusion to this important matter.
We are also engaged in an ongoing discussion about The Dead South’s song “Banjo Odyssey” and our responsibility as a record label with respect to both artistic expression and social responsibility. We feel it is important to allow the time for a thoughtful and thorough process before taking action.
Six Shooter Code of Conduct
We recognize that we are in a position of great opportunity and privilege. We also recognize that we have much work to do, and we are dedicated to the process of learning and training to help us understand and adhere to these values as we go forward.
Everyone has a responsibility to build safer, respectful, and positive workplaces. We commit ourselves to observing a Code of Conduct, which includes:
• Working to create a supportive and positive environment.
• Treating each other with respect and kindness, both publicly and privately.
• Welcoming diverse individuals and perspectives.
• Striving to build an environment free from harassment, discrimination, bullying and violence.
• Setting and respecting personal boundaries and engaging in consent-based interactions.
• Acting ethically and transparently.
• Demonstrating leadership in our industry.
• Actively engaging in on-going learning and training opportunities.
• Holding ourselves accountable when we make mistakes or fall short of these goals.
Six Shooter is committed to working collaboratively with our artists, crews, contractors and service providers to resolve incidents, conflicts and issues under the Code of Conduct. We will do so by engaging in respectful dialogue that prioritizes the wellbeing of our artists and employees; and by sharing resources, training, and materials when it is requested or needed.
We encourage those working within our community to join us in acknowledging and upholding these goals and guidelines.