I had most recently had the opportunity to travel to Toronto to attend the 2007 Meal Exchange conference called "Esurio" which is Latin: to hunger, to yearn.

The conference brought together youth from various campuses in Canada that do not have the same background in experience, study or even future plans but all see one common problem that is not being addressed. Hunger, be it students on campus, mothers, children and those in communities they live in alike it is an issue that touches the fabric of daily life. With the problems of everyday over consumption, the lack of access to healthy food or even the waste of the bulk of what is locally available due to systems that reduce the shelf life of produce. I have been opened up to the large growing movement of protecting the Right that every person has to eat, from the first day that I started to work on a small organic farm in the rural community of Morell, Prince Edward Island. Since then having my interest peaked from working long days in the fields caring for the produce in a sustainable manner. To learning first hand the pratices of corporations to use their buying power to reduce the farmers hardly earned wage for their product or import from industrialized mega farms from the west coast of the United States just because their market price was lower. I would recommend anyone that is interested in Food Security to look at the publications available from Food Secure Canada. I would ask any one that is working towards solving this issue to join along with the Meal Exchange group and organization to share ideas, concepts and education to show that youth are making great advances in this area.

I have also included a video that has a very good global context without forgetting about the local.

While I mostly use digital media to help local artists promote themselves through the power of technology there is an every growing population that is using digital media to give a voice to problems that they are facing and see in society.

Here is an excellent example of youth that are addressing an issue that is limiting their future goals. While history shows that those with limited opportunities have always been recruited this is taking things to a level that the US government and policy makers should be embarrassed about.

"Each year 60,000 undocumented immigrants graduate from high schools across the United States. With recruiters falling short of their targets and casualties mounting in Iraq and Afghanistan, these young people are increasingly being targeted by military recruiters. Aliens Vs Predators is an uncompromising call for justice from a diverse group of young immigrants in New York City."

Bill 'Major Dude' Pocock isn't just your ordinary Econaut test-pilot. He's attempting the first ever Pacific to Atlantic ocean crossing of Canada in his human-powered velomobile, The EcoRocket. A carpenter and sculptor, Bill has assumed the identity of the velomobiling Major Dude to promote the Kids Can EcoChallenge. The EcoChallenge empowers children take action on Global Warming and better understand how their lifestyles impact the environment.

Major Dude believes there's too much talk and not enough individual action to help solve the problem of Global Warming. As an Econaut, who explores the environment and takes action to conserve it, MajorDude believes children are the best hope for creating a better environment for tomorrow.

The Kids Can 2007 expedition began at Mile Zero in Victoria on April 26th , 2007 with two Econauts.
Duncan 'Captain Utopia' Coady quit the expedition in Checkpoint: Toronto. Major Dude now continues
the mission as the solo EcoRocket pilot to St. John's, Newfoundland with a projected mid-September
arrival. Piloting a dual velomobile solo is no slice of pizza, explains Major Dude, but, with Rusty, Doc
and Skipper at Econaut Mission Control, our chances couldn't be better.

Less confident ten years ago, Major Dude suffered a near fatal motorcycle accident. After a year in
recovery he is able to walk with a steel pin in his left leg. The physical strain of this expedition has
renewed Major Dude's mobility problems. "It's getting harder to walk after pedalling each day., he says "I push the pain out of my mind, but I'm limping. I don't like to admit that I'm disabled."

By speaking in elementary schools, summer camps, and hospitals, Major Dude hopes to provide children with an action plan to directly measure their positive impact on the environment with the energy choices they make every day. The Kids Can EcoChallenge, developed with the U of T Sustainability Office, rewards positive actions for using clean, sustainable energy instead of dirty, GHG emission energy.

When a child completes the Kids Can EcoChallenge, she or he is recognized as a Junior Econaut.
"Kids have the power to create a better world," says Major Dude, "when they understand the impact of their actions". Major Dude tries to set a good example when he speaks to children by the way he travels.

Instead of going across Canada in a gas-guzzling motorhome - creating GHGs - the kids dig the zero
emission EcoRocket. The velomobile sorta blows their minds about transportation alternatives. The jaws drop and they often say it's the coolest thing they've ever seen.

The EcoRocket built by Major Dude and friends, is a rare and strange sight in North America.
Velomobiles are predominantly a continental European commuter vehicle first used in the 1930's as an alternative to automobiles. The EcoRocket helps children to think proactively about what they can do about Global Warming . It's great to talk to kids who still have open minds, where lifelong habits for conservation are able to grow, says Major Dude.

CONTACT:
Phone: 416-871-6666
Website: http://kidscan2007.ca
Blog: www.econauts.blogspot.com
E-mail: kidscan2007@gmail.com

Article Written by Stuart Neatby, Available on The Dominion Aside for being an important topic I also have some photos I have taken used in this article.

With the exception of the Provincial-Federal row over the Atlantic Accord, the biggest news story, in terms of sheer column space, to hit Atlantic Canada over the past month centred on Halifax street demonstrations campaigning against a proposed 'Atlantica' trade zone. On June 15, a demonstration of about 400, organized to coincide with an "Atlantica: Charting the Course" conference of corporate and government leaders from throughout the Northeastern region, ended with scenes of brief confrontations between black-clad demonstrators and police. Photos of the 'black bloc' would be splashed across the front pages of local and regional newspapers for days, almost entirely supplanting any discussion or coverage within the mainstream media of the Atlantica trade corridor itself...

Read More

Additional Information on the Dominion

The Dominion is a monthly paper published by an incipient network of independent journalists in Canada. It aims to provide accurate, critical coverage that is accountable to its readers and the subjects it tackles. Taking its name from Canada's official status as both a colony and a colonial force, the Dominion examines politics, culture and daily life with a view to understanding the exercise of power.

This has been long over due. After having the guys from the Museum Pieces come over to play a show a few months ago that kicked off their most recent tour, I would suggest that anyone who is into sounds that draws listeners into the realm of the true use of instruments to check this band out. With mostly being a two piece band Tyler Messick (guitar, vocals) Andy March (drums or piano) can really entertain.

If you are in the close area to any of there upcoming shows check them out. You will not be unimpressed.

11 Jul 2007 20:00 QUEBEC OFF FESTIVAL QUEBEC, Quebec

13 Jul 2007 20:00 QUEBEC OFF FESTIVAL QUEBEC, Quebec

11 Aug 2007 20:00 SEAHORSE TAVERN w/ Two Hours Traffic HALIFAX, NS

9 Sep 2007 20:00 VIRGIN MOBILE FESTIVAL TORONTO, Ontario

7 Oct 2007 20:00 POP MONTREAL MONTREAL, Quebec


Here is a video from their 2005 release Philadelphia called "It Keeps Me Up". Directed by Joel Maillet, a graduate of NSCAD (Halifax). Produced by Colin Mackenzie, and Aram