THE CHEBUCTO FREE SCHOOL is a self-organized, community-driven experiment in participatory and liberatory education. Through it, we seek to connect skill and knowledge-sharing with local struggles for social justice. We all have something to learn, we all have something to teach, so it is our passions, values, and curiosity that guide the curriculum and sculpt the future of our community.
LOCATION
The Chebucto Free School takes place at Common Roots Urban Farm. Common Roots and the community of urban farmers who work it are an example of the sort of society we would like to live in. Common Roots provides farming opportunities for Haligonians, practical education on important life skills, and hosts cross-cultural events, all the while challenging the status-quo by continuing to exist as a common space in the middle of our urban core. And yet, the life of spaces like these are under constant threat from developers, the city, and the value structures that guide them.
THE RIGHT TO THE CITY
For this edition of the Chebucto Free School our theme is the Right to the City. Common Roots Urban Farm shows us what is possible when our urban spaces are used for collective benefit. What would our neighbourhoods look like with more common spaces and the opportunity to feed ourselves? How do we build a city where we all belong and where we are more than just consumers but instead, creators and active members of a society we believe in?
WHY – To teach and learn together, to connect our struggles and aspirations for social change and social justice.
WHAT – A one and a half day event full of workshops related to skill sharing and social justice put on by community members centered around a particular theme.
WHERE – The Common Roots Urban Farm, 1929 Robie St (at the Corner of Bell st) near the commons, Halifax, NS.
WHEN – Saturday, October 21st, 2017 10am – 8pm, Sunday October 22nd, 2017, 1pm-5pm. (rain dates Oct 28th and 29th).
WHO – You and about 49 community members. People like you who want to create a grassroots learning environment, rebuild community, and cultivate a collective sense of possibility and imagination.
HOW – Register your spot here
SUBMIT A WORKSHOP
All of the free school programming is presented by people attending the event. If you’d like to propose a workshop (on this theme or another), please fill out our google form by October 7, 2017. We’re particularly interested in centering voices and concerns of people who identify as BIPOC, LGBTQ2S+ and other marginalized groups.
FACILITATION
Our event is intended to be a radical pedagogical space that is liberatory for all. We seek to facilitate a conversational learning environment that resists the complex structures of racism, colonialism, patriarchy, misogyny, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, ageism, class, and more.
NOTES ON ACCESS
Parts of the farm are accessible by wheelchair. Some of the terrain on the farm is narrow, mulchy, grassy, on an incline, and can be soggy or wet. There is a gender neutral port-o-potty on site, and accessible gendered washrooms in the hospital immediately adjacent to Common Roots Urban Farm.
CONTACT
For questions and concerns please contact Omri Haiven