by Gesyk of Exile Collective

Exile started off with a bunch of young, like minded activists, who came together to discuss the possibilities of opening up a anarchist store front/resource centre in central Ottawa. We all knew that Ottawa needed a safe space for radicals and the like to be able to discuss ideas and organize, and in our country’s political crapital, of all places, it is absolutely crucial that members of the community have access to alternative media and resources.
The Exile Infoshop is a collectively-run, volunteer-based, worker owned and operated project organized around the anarchist principles of anti-oppression, equality, community building, and worker control. We believe in egalitarianism, cooperation and a collective struggle against abuses of power.

We strive to stay alive through community support, and of course, the sale of books. We also have a well-stocked reading library, which will begin lending soon, and some comfy chairs to sit and read, or just chat with any one of the random assortment of people that pop by.
Since we started, we’ve been well received and feel our impact has been positive. A good day, to me, is when a new face comes through the door with questions on what is going on in Ottawa’s radical community.

>>>Exile is located at 256 Bank Street on the second floor. We are hard to spot, but don’t give up! Regular hours are 12-8pm, Wednesday through Sunday.

>>>You can write us at: Exile Books, 256-203 Bank St. Ottawa, ON, CANADA K2P 1X4 Other contact information is: Tel: 613-237-9270 Fax: 613-274-0819 Web: www.exilebooks.org
PS: if you would like to book some meeting time for your group’s radical organzing, don’t hesitate to give us a shout. We’ll do our best to accommodate you.

Exile Freedom School

Education is freedom! The Exile Infoshop Freedom School seeks to provide a space for community-based learning in order to empower and inspire each other to take control of our lives and minds.

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 direction of each course depends entirely on the interests of those involved. All courses are fully participatory and each group will decide its direction, space and schedule collectively.

The list of courses has been updated over the past few weeks to include: women’s health collective; combat training; reading group; winter biking; radical art; food; guitar skills; political prisoner support; creating a radical alternative to institutionalized “mental health programs”; anarchist french class. (contact Exile to sign up for any classes)

If you have other ideas for weekly classes or for a one time skill-share (something you’d either like to share or learn), talk to us! All ideas are welcome, this project is for the broader Ottawa community and we want as much diverse participation as possible.

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.