Learning & Lectures
Free Indigenous Awareness Courses
University of Alberta
Indigenous Canada is a 12-lesson online course from the University of Alberta’s Faculty of Native Studies that explores Indigenous histories and contemporary issues in Canada. From an Indigenous perspective, this course explores key issues facing Indigenous peoples today from a historical and critical perspective highlighting national and local Indigenous-settler relations. Topics for the 12 lessons include the fur trade and other exchange relationships, land claims and environmental impacts, legal systems and rights, political conflicts and alliances, Indigenous political activism, and contemporary Indigenous life, art and its expressions.
Commitment: 12 weeks of study, 2—3 hours/week
This course consists of twelve modules, each with a series of:
Commitment: 12 weeks of study, 2—3 hours/week
This course consists of twelve modules, each with a series of:
- video lectures,
- a set of course notes and course glossary,
- and required and recommended readings
BCIT [British Columbia Institute of Technology]
BCIT Indigenous Initiatives and Partnerships offers a free Indigenous Awareness course. The course contains the following three modules:
Module 1: Indigenous Peoples
Module 2: Colonization
Module 3: Decolonization
Those who are not part of the BCIT community may get access to the Indigenous Awareness course for free by registering at the page linked at the button below.
Module 1: Indigenous Peoples
Module 2: Colonization
Module 3: Decolonization
Those who are not part of the BCIT community may get access to the Indigenous Awareness course for free by registering at the page linked at the button below.
Truth and Reconciliation
Read the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada Calls to Action
| Calls to Action |
Hope Matters Podcast
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Join multiple award-winner Lee Maracle and her daughters Columpa Bobb and Tania Carter as they read from their book Hope Matters, which takes us on the journey of Indigenous people from colonial beginnings to reconciliation. Traditional welcome and song shared by Xwechtaal Dennis Joseph.
Maracle states that the book “is also about the journey of myself and my two daughters.” During their youth, Bobb and Carter wrote poetry with their mother, and eventually they all decided that one day they would write a book together. This book is the result of that dream. Written collaboratively by all three women, the poems in Hope Matters blend their voices together into a shared song of hope and reconciliation. |
Louvre: New Virtual Collections
Podcast: The Power of Disability
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Highlighting what history has overlooked: the incredible contributions of people with disabilities. Host Al Etmanski brings us enlightening conversations, featuring guests with disabilities who have been influential in arts, activism, science, and more. This series is a continuation of the work Al has shared in the book, The Power of Disability: 10 Lessons for Surviving, Thriving, and Changing the World, which reveals that people with disabilities are the invisible force that has shaped history.
In the first episode, Al interviews Victoria Maxwell, the Bipolar Princess. |
Podcast: Below the Radar
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Amplifying ideas that fly below the radar.Below the Radar is a weekly podcast that explores environmental and social justice, arts, culture, community-building and urban issues with featured guests.
This podcast is produced by SFU’s Vancity Office of Community Engagement as a part of the Knowledge Democracy Project @ 312 Main — encouraging the meaningful exchange of ideas and information across communities. |
Vancouver Wildlife Live Cameras
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The Pacific Great Blue Herons have returned to the colony at the Park Board office at 2099 Beach Avenue.
Our high-definition Heron Cam takes you inside the nests of one of North America’s largest urban great blue heron colonies from March until the end of the summer breeding season. Take control of the camera for one minute at a time and zoom into specific nests. |
LinkedIn Learning - Access for Free
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Lynda.com became LinkedIn Learning…and LinkedIn Learning offers over 16,000+ online courses taught by real-world professionals. It helps to build the most relevant skills with business, creative, and tech courses.
You have to pay quite a bit for LinkedIn Learning, but here’s a tip…if you have a Vancouver Public Library card, you can access these many courses for free. |
More Online Learning for Free
Love learning or have a specific skill or knowledge area you would like to develop? There are several websites that offer free online courses.
FutureLearn
Courses vary in length. Most are six to ten weeks long but they also have some shorter two and three week courses. Most are delivered by universities. Free course membership gets you access to the course for its duration + 14 days, regardless of when you join.
Sample courses:
Food and Mood: Improving Mental Health Through Diet and Nutrition https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/food-and-mood
Thrive at Home: Better understand work-life balance, mental health and motivation so that you can thrive at home during the coronavirus outbreak.
Using FutureLearn
Coursera
Free courses from universities and companies. Learn at your own pace, 100% online. Duration of courses vary enormously, from a couple of weeks to 6 months or more.
Sample courses/ specializations:
Memoir and Personal Essay: Write About Yourself Specialization
The Science of Well-Being
Check out Coursera; view the topics drop-down menu under ‘Explore’
Khan Academy
Khan Academy is a nonprofit with the mission to provide a free, world-class education for anyone, anywhere. Learn for free about math, art, computer programming, economics, physics, chemistry, biology, medicine, finance, history, and more.
Sample courses:
Pixar in a Box: The Art of Storytelling
Other learning:
Interviews with Entrepreneurs
Personal Finance
Check out Khan Academy - view the drop-down menu under 'Courses'.
FutureLearn
Courses vary in length. Most are six to ten weeks long but they also have some shorter two and three week courses. Most are delivered by universities. Free course membership gets you access to the course for its duration + 14 days, regardless of when you join.
Sample courses:
Food and Mood: Improving Mental Health Through Diet and Nutrition https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/food-and-mood
Thrive at Home: Better understand work-life balance, mental health and motivation so that you can thrive at home during the coronavirus outbreak.
Using FutureLearn
Coursera
Free courses from universities and companies. Learn at your own pace, 100% online. Duration of courses vary enormously, from a couple of weeks to 6 months or more.
Sample courses/ specializations:
Memoir and Personal Essay: Write About Yourself Specialization
The Science of Well-Being
Check out Coursera; view the topics drop-down menu under ‘Explore’
Khan Academy
Khan Academy is a nonprofit with the mission to provide a free, world-class education for anyone, anywhere. Learn for free about math, art, computer programming, economics, physics, chemistry, biology, medicine, finance, history, and more.
Sample courses:
Pixar in a Box: The Art of Storytelling
Other learning:
Interviews with Entrepreneurs
Personal Finance
Check out Khan Academy - view the drop-down menu under 'Courses'.
Some activities below may be on hold or may be changing how they're being run during the Covid-19 pandemic. Be sure to check with each organization for most recent news.
Thursday Lunch Time Art Tours
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When: First Thursday of every month
Time: 12:30-1pm Where: Contemporary Art Gallery 555 Nelson Street, Vancouver Cost: Free First Thursday of every month with Julia Lamare Join CAG Assistant Curator Julia Lamare for a lunch time tour of the current exhibitions: Jeneen Frei Njootli: my auntie bought all her skidoos with bead money Channa Horwitz: Progressions and Rhythms in Eight Andi Icaza-Largaespada: (untitled) a mountain bought but not yet named No reservation required. Simply just turn up! |
Earthquake Preparedness: Apartment Living
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Scientists say that Vancouver is at a high-risk of having an earthquake. Be prepared, and learn what you can do, and what we are doing to keep us safe during and after an earthquake.
There are free, informative NEPP Earthquake Preparedness workshops all over the city. They're popular, so it's strongly recommended that you register to attend one. They're also available in Mandarin, some are specific to apartment living, and some are even specific to what to do with your pets in an earthquake. Find the full list of all city earthquake workshops here. You need a City of Vancouver account first, and you sign up for that here. Here is some more detailed information about how to protect yourself from an earthquake, here. |
Creative Mornings Vancouver
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Creative Mornings started in New York, and now runs in cities around the world. The idea is for an ongoing, accessible event for creative communities... breakfast and a short talk one Friday morning a month. Every event is free of charge and open to anyone.
'We bring together people who are driven by passion and purpose, confident that they will inspire one another, and inspire change in neighborhoods and cities around the world.' Location: SFU Woodward's - Goldcorp Centre for the Arts 149 West Hastings Street Dates: Vary, but it's a monthly series Time: 8:30am - 10am (be there by 8:45 or you forfeit your ticket) Cost: Free Due to popularity in Vancouver causing tickets to immediately sell out, they use a waitlist as a registration system and they randomly award tickets using a lottery system. Lucky ticket winners are informed by email. |
Philosopher's Cafe
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Thinking the unthinkable, imagining the impossible, and discussing the improbable
SFU’s Philosophers’ Café is a series of informal public discussions in the heart of our communities. Since 1998, this award-winning program has engaged the interests of scholars, seniors, students, philosophers, and non-philosophers through stimulating dialogue and the passionate exchange of ideas. |
Open Coffee - Pixelcrafters
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Open Coffee Club is a casual gathering of people involved in founding, operating or funding startups. The format is similar to Startup Drinks, but in the morning and with coffee.
The first Open Coffee Club was formed in 2007 by Saul Klein, an investor in London, UK. The idea quickly spread to dozens of cities around the world. Saul explains the Open Coffee idea in depth within a blog post: “Open Coffee Club is an attempt to establish recognized, open and regular meeting places where entrepreneurs can meet with investors (and anyone else who fanices coming along) in a totally informal setting.” The vibe is more hangout than event and provides people with a regular time and location to talk shop, discuss news, ask questions and and meet others in the startup community they may only see occasionally at more formal events. |
Decentral
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We are a Collaborative Community inspired by the ideas behind Bitcoin, Decentralization, and the Open Source movement.
This is a meetup where forward thinking people can hangout with like-minded individuals. We believe Cryptocurrency will fund the Open Source movement and create economically sustainable systems for communities globally and locally. This is a shared meetup, if you are interested in hosting an event please make a request to info@decentral.network |
Computer Lessons / Drop in Internet Access in Kitsilano
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Computer Access
Public access computers are available at these two Kitilano locations. Some other neighbourhood houses offer similar computer access and tutorials - check the one near you!
NOTE: no printer availability at either site One-on-One Computer Tutorials Book an appointment to spend an hour with a volunteer computer tutor and learn the basics for operating your computer, laptop, or tablet! Learn skills for using email, accessing the internet, social media, common software programs, and more! FREE with a current KNH membership or by donation. Tutorial appointment days & times vary depending on volunteer availability. To book an appointment call Kits House Front Desk at 604-736-3588 |
Tech Café @ Vancouver Public Library
Address:
350 West Georgia St.
Vancouver V6B 6B1
Phone: (604) 331-3603
Location Details:
Training Zone, Level 3
Time: 2-3pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Practice basic computer skills, email and internet searching, find ebooks and online newspapers with help from library staff. Drop in any time during café hours.
350 West Georgia St.
Vancouver V6B 6B1
Phone: (604) 331-3603
Location Details:
Training Zone, Level 3
Time: 2-3pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Practice basic computer skills, email and internet searching, find ebooks and online newspapers with help from library staff. Drop in any time during café hours.
Free Geek Vancouver: Open Help Night
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Location: 1820 Pandora St., Vancouver -
Entry via back door. Indoor bike parking available. Date: Wednesdays, 6 p.m.-9 p.m. Free Geek is a learning centric environment. In addition to many volunteer training opportunities, we offer free tech-support workshops. Join us for a free drop-in night of skill-sharing, problem-solving, and education. Want to try free and open source software, install GNU/Linux on your computer, or have a more complex question? Drop in & write your name and question on the whiteboard; a volunteer helper will come find you and lend a hand. We assist folks who have open source software issues, hardware problems, or who are just plain curious. If you want to see what free and open source is all about, or try the Ubuntu operating system, this is the perfect opportunity! If you are already running a distribution of GNU/Linux, you might consider bringing your computer down so we can work together to solve your difficulties. We're always in need of extra helpers with skills and patience! Particular areas in demand: GNU/Linux & wireless, Ubuntu installs, hardware issues. Feel free to drop by and let us know you've come to help. |
EDX.org - Free On-line Classes
London Drugs In-store Workshops
One to One Computer Training
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Every Monday, 2016 (2:00 PM – 4:00 PM)
Mount Pleasant Branch Library Need help getting started with eBooks, free online courses, or finding what you need at the library? We can help! Join us for a 45 minute session available between 2 and 4 p.m.on Mondays. REGISTRATION REQUIRED Please call 604.665.3962 or drop by the branch to register. |
Lecture Series from UBC Green College
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Green College is a graduate residential college at the University of British Columbia where interdisciplinary conversations and ideas thrive. Every year, about 80 graduate students, 15 postdoctoral scholars and visiting scholars call the College home and create a unique, vibrant academic community.
Whether attending a free public lecture, becoming involved in resident life, or enjoying warm hospitality, College members develop a global network that reaches beyond the College's spectacular view of ocean and mountains. No matter what happens at the College, one thing remains constant — the founding philosophy of "Ideas and Friendship." |