Hi,
I am an undergraduate student in Sherbrooke, Quebec. Below is an email I received (I can forward you the attachments if you provide me your email address), that might help you get involved here in Canada.

Waves of Resistance
On our way towards our Pan-Canadian Young Feminist Gathering!

11th, 12th and 13th of October 2008

In Montreal !

Dear rebel feminists!

It's been a few months since you've heard from the Waves of Resistance gathering organizing committee. But don't worry the team has kept on working! We would like to give you a few updates on the organization of the gathering to give you a first taste of what will be going on in October, and who knows maybe this will inspire you to start getting involved right now!

This email includes information on:

1) The artistic aspect of the gathering: open-space for art and artists!

2) The Consulta : a brief report of the pan-Canadian meeting that took place in the Ottawa region May 2nd, 3rd and 4th.

3) The pan-Canadian mobilization: how is mobilization going throughout the country!

As attachment documents you will find:
- The mobilization kit
- The fundraising kit

1) Open-space for art and artists

Waves of Resistance wouldn't be a true gathering celebrating feminist diversity if the artistic aspect wasn't represented. Canadian young women and young feminists express themselves in different manners, and all the different artistic expressions are part of it. Whether we speak of painting, poetry, dance, song, music, body painting, crafts of all types, or any other form of art, we truly wish to have all feminist artistic trends be heard, seen, and read. We've included in the schedule a concert with feminist artists. We would like artists from all over Canada to participate so start thinking of artists, performances, exhibits, documentaries and more, because we will soon be calling on all of you for official proposals. It is with YOU, Canadian young women and young feminists, that this gathering will be a work of art, festive and diversified!

2) The Consulta

The Consulta was a pan-Canadian preparatory meeting for the gathering, bringing together representatives from the different provinces and territories with the Organizing committee. This meeting was held in a camp near Ottawa, May 2nd, 3rd and 4th and its objectives were to share and reflect on the oppressions encountered by young women and on the struggles young feminists are involved in, to present the project of the gathering in more detail and to share our visions on the content and its format, and to create relationships, amongst ourselves, young feminists from different parts of Canada.

Provenance of the mobilizers present at the Consulta :

The mobilizers came from most provinces and territories: Alberta, British-Colombia, New-Brunswick, Nova-Scotia, Manitoba, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Northwest territories, Yukon. Also a representative of the Mohawk community was present, and she will work on mobilization amongst young aboriginal women.

****We were unable to find representatives from Newfoundland-Labrador, Prince-Edward-Island and Nunavut. If you are from one of these provinces and territories, and could like to get involved in organizing the gathering or know a group, an organization or person which could be interested, please contact the Organizing committee at mobilisation@rebelles2008.org !****

The Consulta was a great success, the representatives' motivation was evident and inspiring! We exchanged at length on our visions and dreams for the gathering. Many important decisions were taken collectively. For example, we identified more than twenty priority issues to be addressed in the thematic workshops during the gathering, and it is from this list that the final program will be established.

We also decided a manifesto reflecting the identity and struggles of young feminists would be written on the spot and could, for example, be printed on a large banner that could then be circulated through the country and be used to organize feminist actions and events, to render more visible the existence and struggles of young feminists.

The Organizing Committee is quite satisfied with the meeting which set strong bases toward the elaboration of the gathering's program. We were truly encouraged by the provincial representatives' participation and motivation. The spirit of solidarity and sorority at the Consulta was an inspiration and this is very encouraging for the continuation of events until the gathering. Thank you again to all 14 representatives for this great weekend!

3) The Pan-Canadian mobilization

Since the Consulta, the mobilization efforts are going well all over Canada. To demonstrate, we've received many good news through different provinces' mobilizers. In Yukon, funding through the Heritage Canada federal program has been provided for travel expenses, so that francophone young women participate to the gathering. Mobilizers are also working on fundraising campaigns in Ontario, Quebec, British-Colombia and elsewhere in Canada. In Manitoba, mobilizers meet regularly to organize fundraising parties and campaigns. In New-Brunswick, with the cooperation of other maritime regions, a group of young women is organizing for a full bus to travel to the gathering! If you would like to contact this group write to nbrebelles@gmail.com. At this rhythm there will be more than 400 young women coming to Montreal in October! Congratulations to all efforts from our mobilizers! A last sprint, and it will be the gathering already! If any of you still haven't communicated your mobilizing strategies, let us know about your activities and initiatives at mobilisation@rebelles2008.org ! They might inspire others!

In order to support you with mobilization up to the gathering, we have joined to this message the fundraising and mobilization kit, providing tips and ideas that might help you with mobilizing young women in your region, province or territory, for October's gathering. The fundraising kit seeks to give you fundraising ideas and to facilitate your financial support applications. We suggest you start the processes as soon as possible in order to maximize each person's chances to participate to the gathering. Do not hesitate to contact us for more information at mobilisation@rebelles2008.org ! This information might be useful to others!

During the next few weeks, we will also send a facilitating guide for two reflection and discussion workshops to experience with young women and young feminists in your region. The first is an introduction to feminism, whereas the second is on the rise of the right and conservative ideologies in society. This workshop allows an analysis of the present context and to analyze how the rise of the right affects young women's lives and feminist struggles. It also seeks to identify possible answer strategies against this political trend that threatening the possibility of equality and moving forward of women's rights. There will be a whole day dedicated to this issue during the gathering, hence we strongly suggest you organize this workshop in your region. Together, these two workshops are very important mobilization tools that will give you the opportunity to meet and network with young women in your region!

If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact the Organizing committee at mobilisation@rebelles2008.org !

In feminist solidarity,

"Waves of Resistance" Organizing committee.

There are a lot of really easy ways that i can suggest to be a feminist activist. You seem like you're already doing the first big thing which is making yourself informed. make sure you include current events in your reading, because that is ultimately what you'll be able to work on. a couple suggestions:

1) write a letter to the editor, to congress, to any other government officials you think needs some feminist influence (you don't have to be a "lovely" writer to do this!) Use your voice!

2) pay attention to yourself. often we as women are trained to be hyper critical of ourselves and other women, holding ourselves and others to impossible beauty standards. make a point to stop criticizing other women and yourself (hardest to do) for appearances.

3) pay attention to whats going on around you. I find that there are opportunities every single day to stand up for women; as individuals,and as a group.

4) volunteer or work in a position that doesn't compromise your values.

Eventually, if you meet like-minded people, you can accomplish a lot. Its a lot easier to organize than you'd think, once you know people who are behind what you want to accomplish.

As has already been said, what you're doing so far is incredibly important. Outside of that, though, you could find non-profits or organizations such as shelters for victims of domestic abuse, rape hotlines, and things like that. They make a huge difference, you can volunteer when you're able, and most cities have them or something along those lines.

I think some of the best activism is just talking about issues. It doesn't feel like much, but the more aware people are of an issue, the easier it is to make change.

Talk about issues that are important to you. Get other people's opinions, ask them questions, engage them in real conversation about feminist issues. I realize you say you're already doing this, but I think that being visible and providing important information is super-important and something that is overlooked as a viable resource.

Volunteering is also a good way to help. I volunteer on a rape and abuse crisis line, and that's really been a rewarding experience for me.

If that's not an option, maybe go to a city close by and talk to college students. They're often socially aware and wanting to use their own voices to talk about issues. Maybe you could consider taking a class, if it's financially possible for you (or talk to someone about having it audited/supported through grants or scholarships, etc.).

If nothing else, you can always petition or send letters to various political figures to show what you think.

I'm trying to find ways to help, myself. I think influencing the people close to us is an important way to start. If we help them, they'll help others, and the chain continues.

To the OP: As a fellow Newfoundlander, you need to step back and read your US-centric materials a bit more broadly and think more broadly. A large part about feminism is empowering women to become engaged in their communities no matter what opportunities are available or unavailable. Being active in the community is just as important as activism.

If you have the initiative, try to start a community garden, maybe learn and then teach residents veganic techniques. Start your own zine; organize a free school during the summer months/school holidays, start a stitch and bitch club. Contact your local library and volunteer to start up a reading group; that way you can spread your resources around and you never know, maybe someone else has abilities or solutions that will easily allow for your US-sources to work in NL.

If, however, you prefer to jump into groups/programs/movements that are already operating, there is always the Girl Guides of Canada. You could contact the Sexual Health Centre in SJ to see if they now what in available in your area that you could volunteer for. There is FINALY (Futures in Newfoundland and Labrador Youth). Community Health can sometimes be a great contact. I am not sure as to whether the CYN (COmmunity Youth Network) has a wider provincial focus anymore, their attentions seem to have redirected towards SJ street youth.

No, things certainly are not ideal in rural Newfoundland but their are people who are trying to just make their communities come alive and keep it that way. So, while you may not get to march in an pro-choice rally or have showing of the Vagina Monologues (or can you... you will never ever know if you don't try. You'd be pleasantly surprised at what Newfoundlanders embrace), you can help with the upkeep of a local playground, offer to be an adult chaperone of a school club, or simply volunteering with the SPCA/Cancer society. You will learn so much about groups and outreach that you can only be a better feminist for it.

Also, don't forget that you can donate to women's causes both locally and around the world. This may mean donating clothing and other things to the battered women's shelter near you, or donating money to local family planning groups. I like to balance out local giving with giving to international women's groups - for example, Women for Women International allows you to sponsor a woman for a year. If you don't have a lot of money to give, you can also choose to lend as little as $25 to help women start their own businesses on kiva.org. There are lots of great groups out there that are specifically interested in supporting women around the world.

All the suggestions so far are great. I too live in a rural community on the East coast of Canada. Following my graduation from a Women's Studies program I moved back to my hometown. Initially I found the move very isolating. Although few people in my community identify as feminists, I believe most hold feminist values. I think your most important tool is the internet. I searched the web and found several feminist organizations in my community. I contacted two organizations that interested me and offered to volunteer. These organizations allowed me to find the feminist support I was desperately seeking while also contributing to the wellness of the community. I like to think that I “live my feminism.” To me this involves making decisions that support the feminist community. For example, I am selective in the books/magazines I read, the clothes I buy, and the organizations I support. I strongly believe the most important thing we can do is to share our knowledge of feminism within the community. You may start with your family, friends and colleagues and as you become more comfortable and confident with feminism you may work toward education on a broader level.

For all you folks who consider yourselves feminist activists...how did you get started?

When I got out of the Army I had a lot of anger and anxiety issues but they were not really directed at anyone in particular, but it was killing me to keep it all bottled up.

So one day I was at temple with my mom, and someone said there was a "riot" going on up the street at a womens health clinic, those assholes with the gross signs were harassing women going in to exams (they didn't even do procedures there) and my mom, who was a NARAL volunteer, said she was going up to escort people and asked if I would go help her.

So I went and escorted some women in and out for a few hours and discovered that I could completely enjoy stepping on the feet of anyone shoving them around, or throw elbows if I wanted to and feel good about it.

Yeah, it's not all that moral in retrospect but I think I came to realize that what felt good wasn't doing justifiable violence on people but standing between the innocent and the face of hatred and not backing down. Helping out empowered me too.

Hey wavesandmoon,

The first thing you need is a goal. I don't mean a huge goal like "an end to patriarchy." It has to be something you can actually accomplish and see the results of, preferably something that makes a patriarchal or neutral institution that already exists (like the government, a school, a corporation, etc.) act in the service of feminism. Think about the issues that really fire you up, and try to think of a change that would help address one of those issues. Talk to other people to see what they're fired up about.

Once you have the goal, you can plan a strategy to achieve the goal. But you can't do that without a goal.

The organization I work with, Students Active For Ending Rape (SAFER) has a whole manual devoted to how to organize around a feminist issue. Our focus is campus sexual assault policies, but all the strategy is essentially the same for whatever issue you might choose to work on. You can get a free manual through our website/blog.