Life.School.House
150 George Weatherby Road B0M 1G0 Debert, NS, Canada

Last night was the final session in this five class series we did online with folks from across the LSH community. It was tough to unlearn, hard to stay with the work. Period. It was also a supportive circle and a place to find ideas for practical first steps and next steps. We do this work to support our whole community and to become good ancestors. Powerful resources available at http://laylafsaad.com/meandwhitesupremacy and we will run this workshop series again soon for anyone who would like to learn more, together.

Looking for an excuse to take a lovely fall drive to the Valley?

Today we wear orange to remember and honor the survivors of residential schools in Canada. This is a small step in reconciliation. Attendees at LifeSchoolHouse: Portland St have heard many times that this folkschool started because our founders were seeking a way to recognize a responsibility that comes with holding land in unceded/unsurrendered territory of Mi’kma’ki. We welcome our community to shared use of our land and the gifts it offers and, especially today, our learning community encourages everyone to seek greater understanding of the Peace and Friendship Treaties of 1752 and the devastating impacts of the residential schools on our First Nations friends and family. https://www.orangeshirtday.org//orange_shirt_day_origin_an

Pleased to see our little story featured for the broader North American Folkschool community: #smallbutmighty https://mailchi.mp/dbef03e2/folk-school-alliance-fall-2020

"Raising the gifts above our head, whooping to honor the gifts and the givers... the ceremonial giveaway is an echo of our oldest teachings: all flourishing is mutual." This reading is a gift for anyone who wants to explore a culture of gratitude from an indigenous lens. Listening to this video, we can't help but recognize the ties to our Makers Swaps where gifts abound. Many thanks for North House Folk School for sharing Robin Wall Kimmerer's wisdom.

When we gather at LifeSchoolHouse, learning together is a bonus but connecting with each other is our purpose. We know that together can we shift away from loneliness and isolation and we are always so happy to hear of other projects who share this focus: https://www.cbc.ca//seniors-students-port-elgin-rural-hann

Did you know we have kindred folkschool spirits in Alaska? Tune in to hear about the evolution of the Fairbanks folkschool: https://youtu.be/_z7-krwFPRw

"What is fair?" This is a question we often get asked by new members to our barter-based community. What to know our thoughts on "fairness"? Take a look at our most recent blog here: https://medium.com//we-need-to-talk-about-fairness-7d47559 #barter #communityorganizing

How do you define "abundance"? Do you see enough of it in the way you are living right now? Share your stories of abundance in the comments below! In our barter-based LifeSchoolHouse community we are witness to great abundance and generosity because we watch swaps and trades that make use of our unique talents and skills. We can't all be good at everything but we are all great at something! Figure out what skills you have to share, connect with a few friends and neighbours who might need what you have to offer and you can experience the wave of "abundance" in your community too.

A round up of recent sessions at LSH in Nova Scotia: Weaving class in Annapolis, Makers Swaps in the Valley, Walking Thomas Cove Coastal Reserve in Colchester, Building a Cobb oven in Dartmouth and a children's sourdough baking class in Halifax - mmm pizza!