Education is freedom! We seek to provide a space for community-based learning in order to empower and inspire each other to take control of our lives and minds. We are launching the EXILE Freedom School in mid-January 2008 and we want all of you to get involved!

The school will have two ongoing components: regular weekly courses running for at least 2 months, and a weekly skill-share that changes from week to week.

The topics we have brainstormed for the weekly courses include: Women’s Health Action Collective, prisoner solidarity/support, combat training, food issues/cooking, radical art and a reading group. The direction of each course would depend entirely on the interests of those involved. All courses will be fully participatory and each group will decide its direction, space and schedule collectively. Sign up sheets are at Exile for each of these classes.

If you have other ideas for weekly classes, talk to us! All ideas are
welcome, this project is for the broader Ottawa community and we want as much diverse participation as possible.

Skill-share courses would vary week to week and topics will be determined based on what the community desires to learn or offer. A skill-share sign up sheet is also in the shop.

The EXILE Freedom School can use the space while it is closed (all day
Mondays and Tuesdays, after 8pm any other day). If you know of a larger, more versatile and accessible space that could be used please let us know.

Against a life of drudgery and for a holiday without beginning or end.

Apply Pressure! Be Prepared.: Is what every demonstrator should know. This will be an introduction to health and safety at demonstrations. The sometimes dynamic nature of demonstrations can stress and remove people from their comfort zones. This session is designed to empower people to help ensure personal and collective wellbeing, during demonstrations, in the face of adversities such as police violence; it is NOT a replacement for formal first aid or complete street medic training.

Topics covered will include preparation for and treatment of environmental hazards and injuries, scene assessment, defense against and treatment of chemical weapons exposure, namely tear gas and pepper spray. Apply Pressure! Be Prepared is facilitated by actions medics with a broad background of experience including a registered nurse and qualified first aid instructor.

Sunday, December 2nd, 11am-5pm (6 hours)
***Must register in advance by email, ottawaactionmedics@gmail.com***
Pay-what-you-can (suggested donation $5)
More details upon registration.