The following is a partial list of what was offered at the 2005 Tatamagouche Summer Free School. Some sessions were combined, and a few were cancelled, but this should give you an idea of what went down.
Keynote sessions are speakers invited by the Free School Committee.
The Oprahfication of Genocide: Native Studies professor Roland Chrisjohn will discuss the history of genocide in Canada, and contemporary responses to it.
Africville: Denise Allen of the Africville Genealogical Society will discuss the history of the Halifax neighbourhood of Africville, its demolition, and the demand for reparations.
Seminars are the most formal sessions, consisting of a (roughly) 45 minute presentation, followed by 45 minutes for discussion and questions.
The Basics of Research: Andrea Smith and Pierre Loiselle will discuss study designs, sampling, measurement and data analysis, with the aim of gaining a basic understanding of the principles of "sound" scientific research. This seminar will also explore critical perspectives on the validity and ethics of research on human subjects. Participants are highly encouraged to share their experiences navigating the research scene.
Canada in Haiti: Stuart Neatby and Dru Oja Jay will outline the central role of the Canadian government in the destabilization and overthrow of the democratically elected government of Haiti and discuss the growing movement within Haiti, Canada and globally that is resisting the forces of colonization.
The Community Land Trust Movement: What it is and why it's important, a session with Hillary Lindsay.
Community Mapping: A hands-on introduction to the cartography of resources and land use based on local priorities with Rob Mclean.
Down Beat vs. Rolling Stone: Matt Brennan will present his research on the battle for authority in the American music press in the late sixties.
Having Babies: Ume Hermanski will discuss ways and means of bringing children into the world in the best possible way.
Peak Oil: August Coombs will present a seminar on the coming oil crunch.
Radical Economics: Dave Ron will explore the contradictions of corporate capital mobility and green capitalism, and elucidate the hope inherent in participatory economic approaches and mutual credit systems like LETS.
Social Movements in Bolivia and Nicaragua: Meribeth Deen and Yuill Herbert will compare and contrast the Sandinistas of Nicaragua and the Movmiento Al Socialismo (MAS) of Bolivia.
The Triangle Circle: Christopher Cohoon will demonstrate the aesthetic allure of three key geometrical theorems from Euclid's Elements, the classic text of Western mathematics.
Union organizing in the era of Neoliberalism: Chris Arsenault, youth organizer from the Canadian Confederation of Unions (CCU) will discuss the legality and other practical skills for organizing in Nova Scotia, complete with handouts and contacts.
Walking in the City. Ted Rutland will present a seminar on Michel de Certeau's Philosophy of Space (and Place)."
Workshops are smaller, more intensive and usually hands-on sessions, open-ended in their time allotment.
Blacksmithing: Participants will learn the ins and outs of shaping metal into usable forms with Cammie Harbottle.
Cob-oven Construction: Ume Hermanski and August Coombs will lead a workshop to construct an oven using sand, straw and clay.
"Double non-fat soy latte, extra-hot, two brown sugar, NOW!": From the highland shade of Guatemala to smiles from behind the coffeeshop counter, Moira Peters will lead participants, through an exposition on the world's second-largest commodity and the quest for a perfect cup of coffee.
Drawing What You See: Artist Sylvia Nickerson will guide participants through some simple drawing exercises that will help foster their creative observation of the world. Charcoal, colour paint and newsprint will be supplied. At the conclusion of the seminar, one drawing from each person will be collected to create a visual record of the first Tatamagouche Free School. Materials are limited, so RSVP by sending email to info [at] freeschool.fairtrademedia.com
Dyeing with Lichens: Heather Andrachuk will lead a workshop to create dyes out of local lichens.
Felting Booties: Keely Mclean and Rebecca will lead a workshop in making warm fuzzy things.
Hatha Yoga: Leslie Bruce will help people wake up with gentle morning stretches and reflective questioning.
Principles of HTML: Dru Oja Jay will facilitate a hands-on workshop focused on understanding how internet/web technology works, with a view to building better web sites.
Wildcrafting: Jocelyn Pringle will lead a workshop on foraging for yummy things in the wild.
Discussion groups of 3 to 8 people will meet for one hour each morning over three days of the free school to share readings and ideas, discuss, and elaborate on topics of common interest. Groups will report back to the free school as a whole with key conclusions or insights from their discussions. This is a provisional list of topics; participants are invited to propose new groups or variations on existing topics. If you're planning on attending and have your eye on a particular group, bring any readings or recordings that you think might add to the discussion.