Fwd: Camas Freeskool: workshops and more
VIPIRG
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Begin forwarded message:
From: Nick Montgomery <montgom...@gmail.com>
Date: 10 June, 2012 5:53:03 PM PDT
To: free...@camas.ca
Subject: Camas Freeskool: workshops and more
Please forward widely: FREE learning, teaching, mentoring, and organizing opportunities!
Since January, the Camas Freeskool has hosted over 40 workshops, skill-shares, lectures and discussions on a huge variety of topics and we want YOU to come participate in the workshops AND the organizing. Camas Books, 2590 Quadra St, Lekwungen Territory, Victoria, BC.
Sign up for our list-serv for updates (no junk mail, we promise): https://camas.ca/mailman/listinfo/announcements_camas.ca
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Camas-Freeskool/351970761491789
1) Get involved in organizing the Camas Freeskool!
a. Come to the BRAIN HURRICANES: June 16th, July 11th 6:30pm
b. Come to our weekly meetings: Sundays at 11am
2) Come participate in our upcoming workshops! See below for full descriptions
- Chokepoint 2 – How to stop a goddamn oil tanker – direct action: June 14th 6-8pm
- Herbal Medicine Making 101: June 16th 12:30-2pm
- Colonialism in Victoria and Beyond: Multiculturalism and BC Land Claims: June 20th 7pm
- Diet Therapy: Chinese Medicine Food Energetics with Christina Chan: June 23rd 2:30-4:30
- Cut Shit and Glue It: Zine Making! June 23rd 5:30-8pm
- The Dog’s Ear: Doggy Communication! June 26th 6:30-9pm
3) Run a workshop or skill-share through the Freeskool!
1) Get involved in organizing the Camas Freeskool!
a. Come to the BRAIN HURRICANES: June 16th, July 11th 6:30pm!
Freeskool Brain Hurricanes are gatherings of freeskool teachers, learners, organizers, and new folks to sit down and discuss how the Freeskool is working and how to make it more awesome. This is a way for folks to learn how it all works, and explore different ways to get involved.
b. Come to our weekly meetings: Sundays at 11am – Freeskool organizers meet every Sunday at 11am to grease the Freeskool wheels: make sure upcoming workshops are organized, scheduled, promoted, and work out any kinks. Come help us keep the Freeskool a well-oiled machine!
2) Come participate in our upcoming workshops! Here’s a list!
Chokepoint 2 – How to stop a goddamn oil tanker – direct action
June 14th 6-8pm
How do we stop a goddamn oil tanker? Do we lobby government, start court action, or work on election campaigns? What if that doesn't work? Time for the practical solutions.
This interactive workshop starts with strategies and tactics. Together, we'll explore the avenues that are most effective. Mass uprisings like the ones in Montreal and Egypt didn't just happen – they came from lots of hard work and strategic decisions.
Open to all who share the determination to defend our coast.
Herbal Medicine Making 101
June 16th 12:30-2pm
Come and learn some basic methods on how to make medicine from some local plants! Herbalism is known as "the medicine of the people", so let's learn together and talk about how we can put medicine making, and medicine using, into our own hands. There will be examples of some local plants that provide amazing medicine to help heal ourselves and our communities. We will be learning how to make a tincture, as well as talking about how to make a salve, honey, vinegar and oils. If you have some small jars please bring 'em!
Colonialism in Victoria and Beyond: Multiculturalism and BC Land Claims
June 20th 7pm
Victoria is on colonized land, so what does this mean for settler-indigenous relations, politics, and everyday life? What can theory and history teach us about colonialism and how to respond to it? The third installment of this workshop will explore these questions through an article by Richard Day and Tonio Sadik, entitled “The BC Land Question, liberal multiculturalism, and the spectre of Aboriginal nationhood.” The article is pretty dense and written in an academic style, so Nick will cover some of the main points of the article and then we'll discuss it collectively. If you can read the article beforehand (or have a look) that’s great, but not entirely necessary. Don’t be discouraged if you have a hard time with this article–like the first article, this one is hard, and that’s why it’s great to discuss it and figure it out together. You can download the article here: (manypolitics.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/day-richard-jf-and-tonio-sadik-the-bc-land-question-liberal-multiculturalism-and-the-spectre-of-aboriginal-nationhood.pdf) and you can photocopy your own copy at Camas Books for free. After the workshop discussion, we’ll explore possibilities for other workshops, lectures, or activities around colonialism and decolonization: other readings, other sorts of workshops or discussions, collective research and writing, and other potential activities for us to do together.
Nick is a white settler and he is not an expert on colonialism or decolonization; he wants to learn more about it, with other people, like you. Here's an excerpt: "the thesis is that Canadian multiculturalism - despite its professed commitment to "accommodating diversity" - has yet to traverse the fantasy of "reconciliation" within the liberal-capitalist nation-state. Until it does so it will continue to find itself in the self-contradictory situation of having to ignore or actively discourage dissenting voices that emanate from some of its partners in dialogue."
Diet Therapy: Chinese Medicine Food Energetics with Christina Chan
June 23rd 2:30-4:30
Coffee is hot and bitter in nature, while green tea is cold and bitter in nature. Learn about the inherent nature of the food you eat and how to eat for your unique constitution. A basic introduction food energetics as well as how food preparation influences those energetics, as well as how nutrients and our digestive function are the root to our health and wellness.
Christina Chan is a Community Acupuncturist, educator and proprietor of the grassroots project, Heart & Hands Health Collective. Active in the community, she is passionate about using acupuncture as a tool for social change through providing outreach, increasing accessibility and bringing the practice back to its traditional roots.
Cut Shit and Glue It: Zine Making!
June 23rd 5:30-8pm
Fun With Scissors. And tape or glue. And pencils or pens. We like ZInes. You like Zines. Let's all scream for Zines. And then we can make some zines. In other words, Comrade and Serina are inviting you to join them and hang out and make zines. Together we can answer each other's Zine questions, share nerdy Zine trivia and look at some great zines. If you have cool Zine making materials bring them. Also bring vegan cookies. Cuz who doesn't like Vegan Cookies AND the person who brings them. <3
The Dog’s Ear: Doggy Communication!
June 26th 6:30-9pm
In this workshop we shall look at two things. In the first half we will discuss the inner dialogue of the dog world where rigid structure of honor is code; covering general language of dogs- calming signals and interpretations of body language. Touching on how we can talk back to them in their words. In the second half we shall explore different training techniques; from choke chains to clickers. Finishing with training tips from Naomi and Quist’s experiences on their journey together this last 8 years. The hope is that we can all begin to understand each other a little better by learning the different languages of all our many peoples we share this world with.
Dogs are welcome to join.
3) Run a workshop or skill-share through the Freeskool!
The Camas Freeskool is looking for Folks who know how to do things, which means we are probably looking for you. Everyone knows how to do something... or maybe you’re just learning and want people to learn with; we are totally into that.
What we are trying to say is that the Freeskool needs you to come and share your skills, knowledge or curiosity with all of us. Whether you love to make DIY blueberry soda, know how to fix a bike, are trying to wrap your head around Foucault or anti-colonialism or ASL the Freeskool is the place to to share what you got. These can take on a variety of forms, from ongoing ‘courses’ to one-time workshops or events. Check out the details below to get involved!
*WHERE*: Camas Books, 2590 Quadra St, Lekwungen Territory, Victoria, BC
*HOW*: Email proposals to free...@camas.ca. See details below!
*What we (the Freeskool) has to offer:*
1 - An accessible venue where you can hold the workshop.
2 - Inclusion in our public calendar of events.
3 - Promotions through our networks as well as support with postering and
online promotion.
4 - Resources for attendees: bus tickets, tea, reimbursement for child care costs. (We want to acknowledge that it is often not free to attend workshops even if there is no admittance fee and we aim to address this issue.)
5 - Resources we provide to facilitators: some funds for printing costs, promotions and workshop materials. (We will work with facilitators to negotiate how we can work together to ensure there are minimal costs for participants. Facilitators should keep in mind that as a Freeskool we are aiming for an audience seeking free knowledge, Do-It-Yourself and low-cost skills.)
6 - There will always be two Camas Collective volunteers present. They can answer your questions about setting up your workshop, and can help you welcome workshop participants.
*What we need from you:*
1 - The facilitation of the workshop/event/skill-share etc.
2 - The event must be free (or by donation with no minimum).
3 - An awareness and commitment to uphold Camas’ values as an anti-oppressive space.
4 - We ask that you, as a facilitator consider how we can create safer spaces when we come together as well as how we work towards decolonization.
5 - If your workshop requires some setting up, arrive a little early to do this. You are welcome to bring friends or co-facilitators to help you with logistics or presenting.
*So how does it work? *
Come up with an awesome workshop and fill out the questionnaire below!
Freeskool Workshop Questionnaire
In order to help make your workshop happen, the Freeskool needs some basic info about your workshop or course, in order to coordinate logistics, and that’s why we have this short questionnaire. Please answer the questions below!
1. Is this a one-time workshop or a series (like a course)? If it’s a course, make sure you let us know how long it will run and how many sessions there will be.
2. We need to receive proposals at least 3 weeks in advance so that we can reserve space and find hosts for your workshop. What date(s) are you hoping to hold this workshop?
3. Please give us a brief (~50-100 word) description of the workshop so we can circulate it and promote it.
4. Could the workshop be held during regular store hours at Camas? There may be some distractions during store hours (customers coming into the store, etc.) but it’s also easier to coordinate a time because a Camas Collective member will already be in the store.
5. Do you need any special equipment for your workshop (i.e. powerpoint,
video, audio)?
6. How are you going to promote your workshop? What support do you need from Camas? The Freeskool can promote the workshop through social media and the Camas email list-serv and website. We can also help with photocopies if you want to put up posters.
***Please email your completed questionnaire to free...@camas.ca***
Once we get your completed questionnaire we'll get started on scheduling the event, finding hosts from the Camas Collective to open and close the space while you are holding your workshop, and helping to promote your event!
Thanks!!
Camas Freeskool Collective
VIPIRG Communications and Outreach
Please forward widely: FREE learning, teaching, mentoring, and organizing opportunities!
Rebecca Taylor
Outreach and Communications Coordinator
Vancouver Island Public Interest Research Group
Student Union Building Room B120 & B122
PO Box 3050 STN CSC
University of Victoria
Victoria BC, V8W 3P3
phone: 250.472.5170
www.vipirg.ca