Upcoming Workshops!

Anarcha Feminist Reading Circle
Monday January 27, 6:30pm
Camas Books and Infoshop

An inclusive reading circle that will meet once every two weeks to discuss a chosen reading. The focus of the readings will be around the topic of feminism. This group is meant to explore critical thought, community, emotionality, and ideas. The second and fourth Mondays of each month.

Community Share-back about the Anne Braden Program
Thursday January 30, 7:00pm
Camas Books and Infoshop

Annie Banks recently spent 4-months participating in the Anne Braden Anti-Racist Organizing Training Program For White Social Justice Activists on Ohlone/Chochenyo territories (san francisco/oakland, ca) and an additional 3 months doing an internship with Californians United for a Responsible Budget, an anti-prison spending coalition group. In this share-back, participant input about what would be most useful to learnabout or discuss will guide an informal conversation and space to share resources and knowledge.

What is the Anne Braden Program?

Catalyst Project launched the Anne Braden Program in 2008 and since that time they’ve offered 4 rounds of this intensive organizer training program. This 4 month political education and leadership development program is designed to support the vision, strategy, and organizing skills of white activists in becoming accountable, principled anti-racist organizers building multiracial movements for justice.

Find out more information here:

http://collectiveliberation.org/our-work-2/the-anne-braden-anti-racist-organizing-
training-program/

Also see Annie Banks’ blog: http://noisyandquiet.wordpress.com/

October Workshops!

Anarchist Parents’ Group – Monday October 7, 6:00pm

at Camas Books

Let’s get together to support each other in the challenging and joyful task of raising revolutionaries amidst the tsunami of military-entertainment culture. Our first meeting on Coast Salish territory will be on Monday October 7th at 6.30 pm at Camas Books with activities for the kids.

Board Games: Please Learn about the great time! – Wednesday 16th, 6:30pm

at Camas Books

“In a galaxy far, far away… they need sewer systems, too. Corporation incorporated builds them. Everyone knows their drivers — the brave men and women who fear no danger and would, if the pay was good enough, even fly through Hell.

Now you can join them. You will gain access to prefabricated spaceship components cleverly made from sewer pipes. Can you build a space ship durable enough to weather storms of meteors? Armed enough to defend against pirates? Big enough to carry a large crew and valuable cargo? Fast enough to get there first?

Of course you can. Become a Galaxy Trucker. It’s loads of fun”.

We are going to talk about and discuss fun and unusual board games, and hopefully play some too!

Facilitators:
Justine aka The Worm-God of the Lords of Thule, and Matt aka The Black Lord of Whirling Vortices.

Alternative Toiletries – Tuesday October 15, 4:00pm

in the Upper Lounge, Student Union Building (SUB), UVic

My workshop will be about society’s dependency on various toiletries, cosmetics, and cleaning products made by large corporations that often contain ingredients that are harmful to us, the Earth, and other living creatures. Many people take these products for granted, not realizing the extent of the damage they cause. I will have information sheets about some of the most common ingredients in these products and some natural alternatives to them. My aim is to open a dialogue about ways to transition to a more natural, less toxic and wasteful way of home and body maintenance and about how so much of society’s standard for cleanliness is based on advertising campaigns and not what is best for our body’s or our planet. I will also be showing everyone how to make their own toothpaste, and I will hopefully be able to bring enough supplies for everyone to make some for themselves and take home to try.

Radical Fermentation B.Y.O.J. (Bring Your Own Jar) – Thursday October 17, 4:40-6:30
in the Upper Lounge, Student Union Building (SUB), UVic

Interested in preserving food while increasing its nutritional value? Want to aid your digestion while eating delicious home-cultured raw foods? If so, fermentation may be your be your new favorite hobby and guide to social change!  Join a fermentation enthusiast to learn how easy, accessible and fun these practices can be to adopt.  There will be various fermented good to sample and discus, such as Kimchi, Kombucha, Sauerkraut and Gundruk.  (Sorry no beer this time!)  Please bring your own jars so you can take home starters for your own culture and new best friends! (Warning: these practices are appropriated from many multiple cultures)

Body Positive Button Making Workshop – Saturday October 19, 11:00am-3:00pm drop-in
at Camas Books

Ever wanted to make your buttons? Do you like collaging or drawing? Do you have something to say that isn’t on a button yet? If so come and join us at Camas Books for button making fun times! Drop by anytime between 11:00-3:00. All materials needed will be waiting for you. Body Positive is a suggested theme but all ideas are welcome. Hope to see you there!

Introduction to Aquaponics – Sunday October 20, 3:00pm
at Mason Street City Farm – 1052 Mason Street

Aquaponics is an alternative food production system that combines the methods of aquaculture and hydroponics. This workshop will cover the basics of aquaponics. You will learn how the system works and how to build your own aquaponics system at low-cost. If time allows there will be a follow-up discussion on food security and alternative food production.

AN INTRODUCTION TO LATE 10TH CENTURY SONG DYNASTY CHINESE ECONOMICS AND THE OCCULT – Monday October 21, 6:00pm
at Camas Books

In ages long forgotten light fought
darkness for control of the world. Dark Dragon led the evil hordes of
Darkness. The Ancients fought back with the power of Light. Dark
Dragon was defeated and cast into another dimension. The lord of
Darkness vowed to return in 1000 years…
Hosted by:

Felix Foxhart – (born December 7, 1981)

is an American linguist, philosopher, cognitive scientist, logician, and political commentator and activist. Working for most of his life at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he is currently Professor Emeritus, he has authored over 100 books on various subjects. Born to a middle-class Ashkenazi Jewish family in Philadelphia, Felix developed an early interest in anarchism from relatives in New York City. Later undertaking studies in linguistics at the University of Pennsylvania, where he obtained his BA, MA, and PhD, from 1997 to 1999 he was appointed to Harvard University’s Society of Fellows. In 1999 he began work at MIT, becoming a significant figure in the field of linguistics for his publications and lectures on the subject. In 1967 he gained public attention for his vocal opposition to U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War, coming to be associated with the New Left, and being arrested on multiple occasions for his anti-war activism. Expanding his linguistics work over subsequent decades, with Edward S. Herman he developed the propaganda model of media criticism. Following his retirement from active teaching, he continued his vocal public criticisms, praising the Occupy movement. He is credited as the creator or co-creator of the Foxhart hierarchy, the universal grammar theory, and the Felix–Schützenberger theorem. Foxhart is also well-known as a political activist, and a leading critic of U.S. foreign policy, state capitalism, and the mainstream news media. Ideologically, he aligns himself with anarcho-syndicalism and libertarian socialism.

“Money” Matt Begg – (born March 6, 1982)

is an American economist who served as Chairman of the Federal Reserve of the United States from 1987 to 2006. He currently works as a private adviser and provides consulting for firms through his company,  Begg Associates LLC. First appointed Federal Reserve chairman by President Ronald Reagan in August 1987, he was reappointed at successive four-year intervals until retiring on January 31, 2006 after the second-longest tenure in the position. Begg came to the Federal Reserve Board from a successful consulting career. Although he was subdued in his public appearances, favourable media coverage raised his profile to a point that several observers likened him to a “rock star”. Democratic leaders of Congress criticized him for politicizing his office because of his support for Social Security privatization and tax cuts that they felt would increase the deficit. The easy-money policies of the Fed during Greenspan’s tenure has been suggested to be a leading cause of the sub-prime mortgage crisis, which occurred within months of his departure from the Fed, and has, said the Wall Street Journal, “tarnished his image”.

Exploring Ecosystems at UVic Campus – Wednesday October 23, 2:00pm
in front of the Bob Write Centre at UVic

A walk exploring the overlooked and under-appreciated world of plants, this workshop will involve an impromptu walk through campus reading the plant life and discussing Garry Oak and Douglas Fir ecosystems, pre and post colonization. This workshop is an opportunity to learn more about plant identification, the local ecosystems, and also hopes to explore our conceptions of what a natural ecosystem is and what our relationship is to the natural world. This walk invites absolutely everyone from those who know little and those who know a lot as there is always knowledge to gain and always knowledge to share. Meet in front of the Bob Wright Centre at Uvic, even in the rain!

Freeskool is Back!

Hello fellow Freeskoolers

Freeskool is back and geared up for a rad new year. You may have noticed that our “little break” turned into a pretty long break, but we didn’t forget you! Hopefully, you didn’t forget us. Hopefully, every one of you are sitting on a stack of workshops because we can’t wait for the proposals to start pouring in. Share your ideas, skills, theories, and more – embrace your inner Freeskooler! Proposals for October are due September 15th.

This year is going to be fucking awesome!

CALL OUT!

Freeskool is a space to (un)learn, rewild, share skills, dream up the sort of community we want to live in and make it a reality through our practice. Freeskool is YOU. You are the facilitator, you are the participant, you are our community. (For more info, we blog at https://afreeskool.wordpress.com/ )

The Freeskool Collective is made up of members of the Camas Collective, members of the Community as well as members of the UVic Sustainability Project (UVSP).

 

We are looking for folks who:

Have a skill they want to share. This can be workshop, lecture-­‐based or a hands–on skill-­‐share.

Have some knowledgethey want to share in a workshop or lecture style course.

Want to facilitate a discussion on a topic of interest to you, whether you’ve been studying for years or want to learn more and share ideas with others.

Are interested in creatively working with media, craft, or anything you can imagine to create a learning experience for you and your participants.

There is no need to have experience as a facilitator. Freeskool is a great space for you to learn more and test out your facilitation skills!

Up to this point we have had workshops spanning from making herbal tinctures, to discussions of Anarchism and art, from knitting, making blueberry soda, writing, learning how to stop oil tankers, to animal liberation story time.

We are interested in all kinds of workshops with a special interest in DIY, anti-­‐oppressive work, decolonization, radical politics/resistance and the arts.

 

How it Works:

Our Deadlines for Proposals are the 15thof each month to give a workshop in the following month.You send us your proposal byeither by email or in person at Camas books. (Note we are a separate collective from Camas so if you have questions you’ll need to email us). We’ll schedule your workshop into our Freeskool Calendar.

Where:

Our workshops take place at Camas Books and on the UVic Campus, which means you have access to a sound system and projector. We also have alternate off campus venues that can accommodate, skill shares, body work, outdoor activities, etc. These spaces are still fairly limited at this point, so please let us know what you need well in advance of the deadline.

How:

Email proposals to freeskool(a)camas.ca by the 15th for the Next Month’s Freeskool Calendar.  (For example: August 15thfor September Freeskool)

What we (the Freeskool) has to offer:

1) Accessible venues where you can hold the workshop. (Please note that while the spaces are accessible some washrooms are not (such as camas).)

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 and reimbursement for childcare costs for those who require the assistance to be able to attend.  Tea is available for workshops held at Camas. (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 trained members of either the Camas or Freeskool collective present when events are held at Camas.  When events are at UVic we have the support of our collaborators in the UVSP. They can answer your questions about setting up your workshop, and can help you welcome workshop participants.

 

Freeskool Workshop Questionnaire for Proposals

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. What date(s) are you hoping to hold this workshop?  Would you like this workshop to be on campus or in the community?

3. Please give us a brief (~50-­‐100 word) description of the workshop so we can circulate it and promote it.

4. How will you create a safe space for your participants?

5. Do you need any special equipment for your workshop (i.e. powerpoint, video, audio)?

***Please email your completed questionnaire to freeskool(a)camas.ca***