The 2009 schedule will be released in bits and pieces starting in July. This is the 2008 schedule, included to give you a sense of how things proceed.
Please note that descriptions of all the workshops, music and keynotes can be found at the bottom of the schedule
*Please note: Portraits and Masonry will be ongoing throughout the freeschool and will not be confined to a particular time slot.
Thursday, August 21
4:00 Arrive, set up etc
6:00 DINNER
Friday, August 22
7:00 Bread Making Workshop
8:15 BREAKFAST
9:30 DISCUSSION GROUPS
10:45 BREAK
11:15 SESSIONS
- Groundwire Part 1 (community Radio)
- Intro to Translation/Interpretation
- Making Wooden Spoons with a Lathe
12:30 LUNCH
3:15 BREAK
4:00 SESSIONS
- Christmas Presence
- Building a Wilderness Trail
- The Interaction of Anatomy, Gender and Desire
- Film – In The Same Boat
6:00 DINNER
Saturday, August 23
8:15 BREAKFAST
9:30 DISCUSSION GROUPS
10:45 BREAK
11:15 – SESSIONS
- Analog Forestry
- Nanotechnology and Organic Food
- Strategizing for a Sustainable Future
- Cooperatives, Capitalism and Society
12:30 LUNCH
1:45 SESSIONS
- Hands On Animation (continues after break)
- Restorative Justice
- Compost Making
- Canadian Seed Politics
3:15 BREAK
4:00 MORE SESSIONS/CONTINUED SESSIONS
- Making Poetry Books
- Resisting Atlantica
- Woodworking Tools 101
- Making a Solar Hot Water Heater
6:00 DINNER
Sunday, August 24
8:15 BREAKFAST
9:30 DISCUSSION GROUPS
10:45 BREAK
11:15 SESSIONS
- Fertility Awareness
- Eating With A Conscience
- Workshop Workshop
- Henna Tattooing
12:30 – LUNCH
Keynotes:
A Native Story and the English Translation
Passamaquoddy Chief Hugh Akagi would like everyone to know that his People, The Passamaquoddy, are alive and well throughout their territory which spans the border between the United States and Canada; yet the Government of Canada seems determined to legislate them out of existence by denying their recognition despite Supreme Court decisions to the contrary.
A History of First Nations Struggles in the Maritimes*
Tina Bernard is from We'koqma'q First Nation, Cape Breton. She is coordinator of the Peace and Friendship Project at the Tatamagouche Centre. (* tentative topic)
Discussion Groups:
Alternative School Discussion: Creative Elementary Education! , proposed by Ume Hermanski
Join local homeschooled youth and others for a discussion about creative learning and planning our future local alternative school!
Post-Materialism , proposed by Ted Rutland
How can we get more out of life, with less.
Films:
In the Same Boat?
With filmmaker Martha Steigman
Part One, The End of the Line, is a portrait of Terry Farnsworth, the last handliner on the Bay of Fundy. Handlining is the most ecological fishing technology around. It was the foundation of the rural economy in this part of the country; and for Terry, it’s a vocation. Part Two, In Defense of our Treaties, follows the struggle of Bear River First Nation as they stand up to pressure from the Department of Fisheries (DFO) to sell their treaty rights for a ticket into the commercial fisheries.
To The Tar Sands
With biker Tim Murphy
"To The Tar Sands" follows a group of nineteen young environmentalists as they cycle over 1300 kilometres northbound across Alberta to witness the impacts of Alberta's economic boom firsthand. They talk to Albertans along the way asking "How has the tar sands boom affected you?" As the kilometers click away, they excavate into their own complicity with Alberta's rush to develop the tar sands.
Music:
Sessions:
Bread Making Workshop, with Geoff Tanner
Learn how to make your own whole grain braed from scratch!
Making Wooden Spoons with a Lathe, with Mike Oudemans
A hands-on workshop with a master craftsman where you will transform junk wood into beautiful spoons.
Intro to Translation/Interpretation, with Peter Feldstein
Topics (adjusted to meet participant needs): prerequisites for translation; the purpose of a text; language contexts; the intrigue of a text; literal translation; “going back to the facts;” translationese; register and the equal frequency rule; terminology; becoming a freelance translator; translation and technology; translation and ethics; basics of interpreting.
Note: For this session to work, at least some of the participants must have some proficiency, if not fluency, in either French or Spanish.
Cooperatives, Capitalism and Society, with Yuill Herbert
This seminar will consider firstly the history of cooperatives in Canada and elsewhere; secondly, whether cooperatives are capitalistic in both theoretical and real terms and relevant implications and thirdly why investing energy in the creation of new cooperatives may be, as Marx wrote, a "victory of the political economy of labour over the political economy of property".
Portraits, with Sylvia Nickerson
Ok people, this is basic. When you're not busy learning about green-organic-self-empowering-biodiverse-etc., you come to see me at my drawing board and I draw you. I started this project in Hamilton (where I live) and plan to take it on the road to the freeschool. Eventually portraits will become a show of some kind, and one of the sketches that I make of you can become yours for the good will of your participation. This is not a "seminar" or a "workshop", but more like a drop-in ongoing project that will take place during the freeschool. People can sign up to get a portrait from me (I'll spend about an hour per person), during a time they are not busy with something else. A sign up sheet will be posted at the freeschool for interested persons
Canadian seed politics, with Peter Felstein
This seminar covers the battle for control over the world’s seed, with a focus on Canada. We’ll look at the legalistic and technological strategies adopted by the “seed industry” (read chemcos) to get control over seed. In the discussion part, we’ll focus on how we can oppose these strategies and keep seed a commons for good.
Henna Tattooing, with Lauqa MacAulay
What can our bodies say without talking ? Explore what shapes and patterns may hide in friends' and strangers' bodies. Henna painting is a portable, therapeutic, intimate, and memorable avenue for communication of the subconscious. Let's draw on each other !
Woodworking Tools 101, with Ted Dawson and Rob McLean
Is the idea of developing your carpentry skills hammering at your subconscious level? Are you plane tired of your lack of tool skills? Brace yourself for a riveting experience as we chisel away the insecurities that you see (saw?) in yourself. You will be a square no more! Come one, come awl (limit 12) to this workshop that will introduce you to carpentry tools from basic hand tools through to power tools. This will be hands-on and will cover practical skills, uses, storage and safety. Please bring safety glasses if you have them.
Nanotechnology and Organic Food, with Andy Hammermeister
Nanotechnology affects us all. In this seminar you'll learn about nanotechnology, the science of manipulating our world at a scale smaller than most can imagine. Discover how organic agriculture is handling this emerging technology.
Christmas Presence: Musings on the Santa Claus Story, with Adam Cantor
What is the nature of the Santa Claus myth? Is it an innocent remembrance of childhood past or is it an unconscious espousal of religious/corporate doctrine? If the latter then is there anything to be salvaged from the myth? If there is anything to be salvaged then is it worthwhile to teach this myth to children (or to lie to them about anything like this?). Given the mass presence of Santa Claus in the media, can the myth even be avoided?
This speech is about telling of and the performance of the myth of Santa Claus and how the myth evolves from a childish fantasy to an adult one. Santa Claus' myth is realized through a series of life long repetitions, some imaginary some physical, that fit significantly into the larger pattern of North American life.
Solar Hot Water Heaters, with Maya Tony Reddin
A hands-on workshop building a hot water heater.
The Interaction of Anatomy, Gender and Desire, with Maya Rolbin-Ghanie & Courtney Kirkby
Our seminar will begin in print with an article about "The Female 'Happy Ending' Massage," a reversal of long-standing practices of erotic massage, as a frame for a further-reaching conversation about sexual power dynamics. We will facilitate a discussion, drawing from both theory and personal feelings for insight. The aim is to explore the gendered differences that come into play when approaching, experiencing, and perceiving sexual pleasure.
Designing trails in Wilderness areas, with Thomas Young
The workshop will describe what a wilderness trail is, how they are designed, construction techniques, materials etc. Slides of past projects will be shown.
Violence, Responsibility, and Freedom, with Ted Rutland
An uncommon discussion of three very common words. From the so-called "war on terror" to utopian political visions, references to "violence," "responsibility," and "freedom" are commonplace. But does that make them straightforward ideas? What do they mean? And what happens to their meaning when we question the notion that "we" are individuals first-and-foremost, that we choose our actions, and that we are inherently separate selves? Drawing on ideas from two very different philosophers, Jacques Derrida and Jiddu Krishnamurti, Ted will float some ideas and try to inspire a discussion that locates violence in our very being (as individuals), responsibility to others as fundamental and infinite, and freedom as the relinquishing of individuality.
Fertility awareness charting for reproductive health, with Katie Peterson
I will talk about fertility awareness charting and talk about my charting experience, as well as the application of these practices for conscious conception, birth control and enhancing overall health through a stronger connection with one's reproductive cycles. Possible group discussion topics could include various other methods of fertility awareness, contraception, the politics of reproductive health, alternative menstrual products; whatever the group wishes to delve into! Women, men, couples and youth are all welcome!
Learn to Build a Compost Pile, with Silas Magee
I have a strong desire to teach people to make their own compost in order to start the ever important system of food and garden waste turned into plant nutrants for the garden. Gardens are much healthier and happier when compost is made on site with love instead of coming in a bag from factory farms or trucked in from some soil strip mine. A hands-on workshop!
Strategizing for a Sustainable Future, with Karen Stroebel
Over the last year, we were in Sweden doing our Master's in "Strategic Leadership towards Sustainability" and are eager to share the secrets! This session will include a brief discussion on defining sustainability, and will outline a clear and simple way to plan effectively for a sustainable future.
Yoga & Meditation, with Ursula Bayer-Klum
I would like to offer a 45 Min Yoga session followed by 15 Min deep relaxation & Meditation. I would like to offer "The Meditation of the Directions", it is a 60 Min dynamic Meditation with repetitive movements.
Analog Forestry and Biodiversity Restoration, with Terence Hamilton and Dana Kittilsen
We believe that rural communities can prosper without exploiting their natural resources, and we would like to hold a seminar on both the work we are doing abroad (in Cuba and Honduras as well as what can be done to restore the biodiversity of fallow fields and logging clearcuts here in the Acadian/maritime region.
Resistance 2010, with Lia Tarachansky
Resistance2010 focuses on the linkages between the 2010 Olympics on Native land, the coming Group of 8 (G8) and the Security & Prosperity Partnership (SPP) summits in that year; the campaign attempts to unite analysis and resistance.
The workshop will outline the history and ongoing situation at Coast Salish (Vancouver-Whistler), the SPP and the G8 as well as the current struggles against them. We will then discuss mobilization and networks established throughout the region from Southern Ontario to Quebec City and the growing connections across the country.
Metadata: Search and Deploy!, with Josh Hevenor
Metadata is a way to describe your dataset (report, database, map, etc) in a standard form so others can find it easily. In this session you will learn what metadata is, how you can use it to find interesting things, and how you publish your own. Nerdy, but fun.
Voting with your food dollar - Eating is a political act, with Av Singh & Cyd Haynes
Interested in the 100-mile diet? How about adding more organic or fair trade products to your diet, or perhaps becoming a vegan. Share your thoughts about food as Av and Cyd will facilitate a discussion of how we can collectively support our dietary changes to mesh with our politics, as well as the health of our bodies.
Hands-On Animation, with Mary Robertson of AFCOOP
A way to create basic animation by scratching and drawing on film directly. Suitable for kids around ages 7-12, but can be fun and interesting for all ages.
Workshop Workshop, with Simon Moll and company
Experienced workshop leaders share skills that can be used to share skills, guide discussions, work with conflict in groups, and plan sessions so they are fun and useful.
Horses Don't Lie: An Intro to Natural Horsemanship, with Johanna Kalkreuth
The basics of horsemanship- herd dynamics, horse psychology, the relationship of horse and human, communication between horses and between horses and humans, etc and how work within this can be therapeutic.
Restorative Justice in Schools and Beyond, with Emma Rose Dawson Halpern
A discussion of restorative justice through a look at the roots and history of the practice in Nova Scotia and elsewhere, and an explanation of how it is used in a school context.
Independent Media: Contributing to Groundwire, with Neskie Manuel, David Parker and Leah Girardo
A series of three workshops over the course of a two days. Workshops will train people on how to record audio to create a 2-10 minute radio feature on the Tatamagouche Free School which will then be submitted to the national news show Groundwire.
Stone Masonry, with Volker Klum
I am a Master Mason, originally from Germany with about 30 years experience in masonry and about 25 years experience in Ecological Construction/Baubiology.
Confronting Atlantica, with Asaf Rashid
A little refresher on Atlantica: what the proponents have been doing to advance their plans, including development projects, and how they're manouevring politically; the threats these advances represent; an update on the last two years of resistance.
The Spirit of Mental Health, with Roy Ellis
In the increasingly sterile biopharmacological milieu of mental health research, is there still a place for love, acceptance and relationship?
Creating mini poetry/art books, with Denise DeMoura
Creating books, especially handbinding - then on filling them by using timed speed creating. It's a fun way to break through creative blocks.
Chito-Ryu Karate, with Volker Klum