The Ontario Public Interest Research Interest Group, the Education on Queer Issues Project, the Women’s Centre, and the People’s History Project are hoping over the summer to gather the stories of folks who have used this house over the past many decades. Although we’ve only been here for 17 years, we know that for almost 40 years this house has provided safer spaces for marginalized folks and acted as a catalyst for change. We are seeking to collect the stories of your experiences in this house. Maybe you were involved in EQUIP, OPIRG, CUSEN, Amnesty International,The Women’s Centre, Kingston Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Association, or maybe you were in the Queen’s Homophile Association back in the day!

We are interested in collecting informal interviews with people, but we are also looking for any materials associated with groups and their activities who were operating out of the house, including pictures, promotional materials, posters, anything that will aid us in recapturing a sense of the past of the Grey House.

If you, or anyone you know would like to help collect materials, or talk to people about their experiences, or were involved here at the Grey House and would like to help with this project please contact us:

info@opirgkingston.org

Thanks so much.

Tuesday June 16th, 7pm
Dunning Hall Room 12 (Corner of University Ave and Union St)

Adil Charkaoui was arrested under a so-called security certificate in 2003; he spent almost two years in jail before being released under draconian conditions pending the outcome of the process against him. Now, for the first time in six years, Adil is able to travel freely outside Montreal. For more information about this tour or the Coalition for Justice for Adil Charkaoui please visit: http://www.adilinfo.org/

This event is sponsored by OPIRG Kingston, The Queen’s Coalition against Racial and Ethnic Discrimination (QCRED), and The Kingston Humanist Association.

The Kingston May Day Festival is a celebration of worker resistance and radical community organizing, and of efforts to build alternative economic and social spaces!

Come join us for a two-day celebration featuring workshops, skill shares, a really free market and lots of fun activities!

Check out the website at www.mayday.akakingston.org for more information and agenda details.

**Agenda**:

Friday May 1st

3:00-7:00pm Skeleton Park–> A Really Really Free Market! (free food, free stuff)
9:00-11:00pm Market Square–> Urban Capture the Flag

Saturday May 2nd (AkA Autonomous Social Centre)

9:30-10:30 Opening
10:30-11:15 Introduction to May Day
11:30-12:00 Resisting the 2010 Olympics
12:00-1:00 Lunch and Creative Tactics
1:00-1:45 Anarchism and Islam
2:00-3:30 Anti-Classism
3:45-4:30 Break/Death at HayMarket Square Reading
4:30-5:30 The future of labour: Worker-Coops?
7:00-9:00 Movie Screening: 69
10:00-1:00 Evening fun (shh..it a secret!)

Or choose to see the facebook event page:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/event.php?eid=67541766044

*April 19th GreenUp festival booth featuring: Green Cleaning give-away and tips*
Location: K-Rock Centre
Time: 11-5
Cost: FREE/Foodbank Donation

*April 20th Movie Showing: Who Killed the Electric Car*
Location: THE ARTEL, 205 Sydenham St
Time: doors 7pm, screening 7:30
Cost: by donation

*May 29-30th Bio-remediation Weekend*
Location: TBA
Time: TBA
Food: provided during the day
Presenter: Lauren Ross of the Rhizome Collective
Bio: Lauren is an environmental engineering with 30 years of experience
protecting and remediating soil, water, and plant systems. She has designed
and implemented permaculture systems and encampments for activists in
Cancun, Mexico, Stirling, Scotland, Calgary, Canada, Brunswick, Georgia, New
Orleans post-Katrina and Sacramento, California. She has taught courses and
workshops in water politics in venues as diverse as the University of Texas
and the Radical Encuentro.

More info: http://www.rhizomecollective.org/rust.html

TO REGISTER FOR ANY EVENTS OR FOR MORE
INFO CONTACT: cusp.kingston@gmail.com
phone: 613.344.0798
http://www.cuspkingston.blogspot.com/

Join Queen’s Backing Action on Climate Change on Monday, March 30th at 11:30am in the lower JDUC for this Rally Against Climate Change. See their call-out below.

***

This year Queens Backing Action Against Climate Change, with the help of countless staff, faculty and students, has been petitioning the administration to sign the University Presidents Climate Commitment. We have been met largely with enthusiasm from the administration but it is clear that they are apprehensive in taking on this large burden. They appear uncertain as to whether climate change is an issue that the students, staff and faculty are worried about on this campus. The answer to this problem is simple. LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD.

We will be holding a rally to allow students the opportunity to express the frustration they have in the institutions that are supposed to represent them. We will be speaking out against the inability of the international community, federal government and university bureaucracy to make a real and public commitment to cut greenhouse gas emissions.

I encourage any students that are frustrated about the inaction of our leaders to set stringent policy that will avert catastrophic climate change. It is sometimes difficult to see how hooting and hollering in the JDUC can make a substantial difference to the policies of the University. It is even more difficult to see how it will influence the institutions that are responsible for averting this disaster, such as the federal government or the United Nation Framework Convention on Climate Change. Fortunately, politicians and civil servants already have a reasonably good idea on how to make positive changes, but they must perceives that their constituents are willing to bear the costs of taking on this challenge.

Averting catastrophic climate change, as outlined by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, requires a change in the way our society works that is unprecedented. Furthermore, that change must take place within the next decade in order to avoid a “Tipping Point”, after which we will be unable to control global warming through mitigation techniques. We have been born into a generation that will have to face many challenges. It is important to face them head on and not get washed away by apathy and indifference.

Please come out and fight for our future!!!

Queens Backing Action on Climate Change

This brunch meeting is for all OPIRG members and allies, and will start promptly at 10am.
The agenda will consist of such excitement as annual reports, financial audits, the turning over of a new Board, and celebrating the work of the past year.

Please RSVP info@opirgkingston.org by April 16th at 4:00pm if you plan to join us that day.
Include in your RSVP if you would like a ride to the restaurant, as we are offering travel arrangements that will leave from the Grey House at 9:30am.

OPIRG Kingston is a grassroots organization that tackles social justice and environmental issues by linking research with action.

Please contact us for further information on:
- the roles and responsibilities of a member of the Board
- receiving an application to be a Board member

E-mail info@opirgkingston.org
Be speedy! Applications are due April 10, 2009.

Saturday March 14th 10am-3pm
Seedy Saturday
Public Library on Johnson St.

- Trade/buy seeds and learn about seed-saving!

Tuesday March 24th 6-9pm
Greenwashing & Eco-Cleaning:

- Is that product really green?
- Take-home cleaning supplies for everyone who attends!
- Bring something shiny to polish.
- Local eats!

Tuesday March 31st 7-9:30pm
Movie Night! Who Killed the Electric Car?

- Learn more about upcoming events.
- Meet the CUSP crew.
- Biofuel chat.
- Yummy Soup!

To ask about or register for any CUSP events, e-mail: cusp.kingston@gmail.com

The OPIRG Positive Space Award will recognize a full-time Queens University
undergraduate or graduate student who has demonstrated leadership in the Queens
and/or Kingston community in promoting the recognition and celebration of sexual
and gender diversity.

To nominate someone for the OPIRG Positive Space Award, send an e-mail to
posspace@post.queensu.ca. Please include your name, program, and phone number, your nominee’s name, program, and phone number, and a brief description of why you think your nominee should receive the OPIRG Positive Space Award.

Deadline to nominate is Sunday, March 1, 2009.

For more information on the award, go to http://www.queensu.ca/positivespace/award.htm

Jean Pfleiderer, For Positive Space Committee
Human Rights Advisor/Sexual and Gender Diversity Coordinator
Human Rights Office
Mac-Corry A315
613.533.6000 x75847

The corner of Princess and Clergy.

Join others in this anti-racist rally.

Planning/banner making meeting: Monday, March 2nd , 7PM in the SGPS Office: All are welcome!

February, 2009: A young Asian man is attacked on a downtown Kingston street.
Three people yelled racial epithets and told him, “go back to where you came from”. Just one recent example of why Kingston ranks #2 in Canada for police- reported hate crimes per capita.

For more info: antiracisminkingston@gmail.com

CFS Taskforce on Racism
POLICY STUDIES Room 202, Queen’s Campus

If you’re a racialised student, faculty or staff member, on March 3rd come make a statement at the Queen’s hearing of the Task Force on Campus Racism.

The Task Force, an initiative of the Canadian Federation of Students, is traveling to campuses across Ontario to document individual incidents of racism, systematic racism in the post-secondary education system, and how racism impacts campus life.

The goals of the Task Force and its final report are to provide a forum for racialised students, faculty and staff to speak out about racism on campuses in Ontario; promote awareness and education about racism on campuses; document incidents of racism and institutional responses on campuses; develop strategies and document successes in addressing racism and make recommendations that are both campus-specific and system-wide; and to produce a Task Force Report on the hearings, and present findings to administrators, government, and the general public.

The Queen’s hearing will be a safe space for racialised members of the campus community and the goals of the Task Force have been endorsed by the Queen’s Muslim Student Association (QUMSA) and the Queen’s chapter of Solidarity for Palestinian Human Rights.

Come raise your voice and contribute your experiences to this process as we strive to create change.

For more information visit: noracism.ca

AKA Autonomous Social Centre, 75 Queen Street.

Documentary Screening followed by discussion with directors and producers Amy Miller and Boban Chaldovich
FREE Admission (suggested donation $5-15 to cover post-production costs of film)

To view DEMO reel, check out: http://wideopenexposure.com/M4P.php

‘MYTHS FOR PROFIT’ is a dramatic exposé documentary which explores ‘Canada’s role in Industries of War and Peace’. Through diverse interviews and case studies this documentary unveils the specific interests and profits that are made by certain corporation, individuals and agency within Canada. The Canadian government and the military would like us to believe that we are altruistic peacekeepers helping people around the world. But is this accurate? ‘MYTHS FOR PROFIT’ examines these stories and the motivations behind them. The documentary investigates how these misconception are maintained and who stands to gain. By understanding the systems of power in Canada we can move forward in challenging how they operate and collectively create change.

MYTH 1) ‘Canada is a peacekeeping nation’ examines the changes in the Department of National Defence since 1999 and takes a serious look at the role Canada has taken in NATO. A particular focus is given to the current perpetual war in Afghanistan, how Canada assisted in the illegal coup d’état in Haiti, and how Canada played a pivotal role in pushing the policy of ‘bombing for humanitarian aid’ in Yugoslavia.

MYTH 2) ‘Canada’s policies on ‘Reconstruction and Redevelopment’ are helping people around the world’ investigates how various government agencies and ministries have specific agendas they are implementing around the world. From the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFAIT) to Export Development Canada, policies are being designed and carried out to ensure a free market neo-liberal agenda in different countries, regardless of the negative effect they may have on the communities and environment they impact. This includes how Canada’s development agency’s (CIDA) tied and phantom aid function in post and present conflict zones.

MYTH 3) ‘Canada’s military purpose is defence’ By investigating the magnitude of the Canadian military industrial complex, from the mining of uranium used for depleted uranium weapons to the production of components in weapons systems, this section probes the intersecting relationships between various government agencies and corporations as well as public complicity in this vast industry.

Visit AKA’s website at: http://akakingston.org

The Queen’s Native Students Association presents…
Aboriginal Awareness Week 2009
“Reclaiming Tradition”

Visit QNSA’s website at: http://www.queensu.ca/fdasc/news/qnsa.html

Monday March 9: 2pm, Four Directions Aboriginal Student Centre
Sharing Circle Facilitated by Frances Derouchie
Take part in a traditional Sharing Circle, a gathering where participants all have an opportunity to speak, share and learn from each other.

Tuesday March 10: 7pm, Dunning Hall Rm 12
“Is the Crown at War with Us?” Movie Screening & Discussion led by Adam Gaudry
It was the summer of 2000 and the country watched with disbelief as federal fishery officers appeared to wage war on the Mi’gmaq fishermen of Esgenoopetitj (Burnt Church), New Brunswick. Why would officials of the Canadian government attack citizens for exercising rights that had been affirmed by the highest court in the land? What happened at Burnt Church? Directed by Alanis Obomsawin. National Film Board of Canada, 2002.

Wednesday March 11: 9pm, Location TBA
Dance Party: Description to come.

Thursday March 12: Time 2pm, Four Directions Aboriginal Student Centre Medicine Teaching by Kokum Barbara Hooper
Kokum Barbara Hooper will give a traditional teaching regarding medicine bags, followed by the opportunity to create your own. Everyone is welcome to attend, supplies limited.

Friday March 13: 7pm, Location TBA.
“Agokwe” Performance by Waawaate Fobister
Buddies in Bad Times Theatre presents Agokwe, a new work from 23-year-old Ojibwa artist Waawaate Fobister. Agokwe explores unrequited love between teenage boys from neighbouring reserves. They meet briefly at a post hockey-tournament party where they bashfully confess their desire for each other. However youth, distance and isolation strive to pull the threads apart when tragedy intervenes. Agokwe is a multi-character monologue performed and danced by Waawaate Fobister (Death of a Chief - NAC/Native Earth Performing Arts). Agokwe began as a short monologue, performed as part of Buddies’ 2005/06 PrideCab, a collectively created, youth-driven cabaret created over 12 weeks and performed as part of Buddies’ Cultural Pride Festivities. During the 2006/07 Season, Agokwe was further developed as part of Buddies’ Young Creators Unit, during which Fobister was teamed up with award-winning director Ed Roy. Created and performed by Waawaate Fobister.
Director and Dramaturg Ed Roy.

Saturday March 14: 10am, Policy Studies Room 202
A Series of Presentations and Discussions on the Week’s Theme
As a culmination of the weeks’ events, the Queen’s Native Students’ Association presents a more academically oriented event. The day will begin with three different speakers presenting on everything from “Strong Women’s Musical Voices in Contemporary Intertribal Contexts” to “Tradition and Women’s Participation in Dene Games”. The day will finish with a presentation of traditional Inuit songs and games with a feast to follow at Four Directions Aboriginal Student Centre.

The primary goal is to educate the community on the interconnection of local anti-colonial, anti-poverty, and anti-capitalist struggles alongside national and international action against VANOC.

This educational group raises awareness of the oppression and marginalization caused by Olympic organizing, specifically affecting indigenous communities.