Dear citizen 
Friday, June 27, 2014, 07:22 PM - Poetry and Writing
If economic security

I mean agency I mean

justice is not bred to

move in political realms

is it because the path is simply

one of snakes and ladders, spirals

because we don’t find the right

balance of love and power,

between growing trees and

navigating jungles or we chickegg

the poor thing into parts until

it’s stuck or dying

failed to watch

how it moved. Is it

because we miss in it

the moral power, the

imagination, intoxication,

the trust, the critical

intangible of the

townhouse, the gathering,

the dialogue, this dialogue,

our kite and our stars.



This found poem was generated from a forum that I participated in at the Coady Institute on the links between economic and political citizenship. For me, as I describe in my bio, the two have always been tied though political (in the broadest sense) agency cannot be assumed.


Keji Full Moon 
Monday, July 15, 2013, 11:20 PM - Outdoor adventure


Photo credit: Maggy Burns

Gorgeous time at Keji with Mox. Nothing compares to a full moon paddle.

Eastern Shore Islands Trip 
Monday, July 1, 2013, 11:49 PM - Outdoor adventure
photo credit: Oliver Maas

Gorgeous kayaking trip with Oliver exploring the Eastern Shore Islands. Part of the protected areas. Great news this summer that Nova Scotia has dedicated 13% to wilderness protection. That places NS second behind BC. Here it is much more challenging where over 75% of land is privately owned. In BC, it is only about 15%.

Promising examples of citizen-driven change in North America 
Saturday, June 29, 2013, 03:43 PM - The Solidarity Economy & Microfinance
It is the 85th year anniversary of the Antigonish movement. Over 150 community organizers, policy makers and entrepreneurs met at the Coady Institute to share some of the most promising initiatives in North America.

Examples: Cross-cultural neighbourhood revitalization in San Diego, reclamation of land and heritage in the Deep South, green retrofitting in Buffalo, conservation-based enterprises in the West Coast, land trusts using permaculture in Tennessee, Inuit self-determination in the Arctic.

I was excited to be part of some of the early research and case-study identification. Inspiring stories of a new public and new economic models where community members are the drivers. There were examples of community investors, housing trusts, cooperatives, neighbourhood associations, a coastal loan fund. The key was starting small and local, building energy and trust. Passion capital someone called it. Also financial contributions from the community tied to ownership and decision-making. Then external support and finance was leveraged.

This is so possible in our neighbourhoods in Halifax, especially in the North End where we have passion capital to spare! Urban Roots Farm and Hope Blooms are some inspiring examples. The St. Patrick's Alexander school site is another opportunity.

Check out the site below for details of the cases featured.
  |  related link
Global Change Leaders Women's Leadership Program 
Monday, May 13, 2013, 12:08 AM - Adult and Popular Education


I coordinated and facilitated the Global Change Leaders program at the Coady Institute this past April for seven weeks. Women working against human trafficking, violence against women, bonded labour, for economic security, education. Such a privilege to work with and learn from such an inspiring and dedicated group of women!

This is Kodwa from South Africa explaining the path of women's rights and struggles in Africa as we collectively build Herstory globally. Like her counterparts- powerful.


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