Links to activist tools

VIPIRG is committed to accuracy of information. The sites linked from this page were screened prior to their inclusion here; however, websites change frequently, and we cannot guarantee the full content of the following sites. Some of these links include discussion of regionally-specific political structures, legal issues, and other topics that aren’t applicable in BC. We recommend reading all information with a critical eye.

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Activist electronic archives

• Palestine Solidarity Movement Activist Archives: Archive of educational materials
• Talking Radical: historical and contemporary voices from social movements in Canada

Activist skill-building

The following resources are general practical “how to guides”. VIPIRG also has a resource library of print materials and experienced staff to help students and community members learn how to plan and evaluate campaigns, start new groups, and organize events.
Contact us to find out more.

• A Citizen’s Guide to FOI: Locally-produced guide to getting documents from governments, professional associations, and professional bodies
• Amnesty International Campaign Manual: Guide to human rights organizing
• Anarchism in Action: Decision-making, communications, fundraising
• Campaign Strategies: Overview of the basics of creating a successful campaign
• Civil disobedience: Locally-produced legal handbook for environmental activists
• Colours of Resistance: Anti-racism and anti-oppression organizing tools
• Community Toolbox: Community organizing, strategic planning, grant writing
• Database of Successes: Searchable database describing successful actions
• Dismantling Racism: Resources for social change groups
• FAIR’s Media Activist Kit: How to identify, document, and challenge biased reporting
• Media Access Guide: News releases, press conferences, and media relationships
• MediaNet Online Tutorial: Ways to use the internet to promote a campaign
• On Conflict and Consensus: Handbook on consensus decision making
• Online poverty law training course: Overview of welfare law, income assistance options, reconsideration/appeal applications, and interview skills
• Paper Tiger: How to make your own TV show
• Protest.Net Activist Handbook: Why and how to take action
• Ruckus Society: Action planning and media training manuals
• Student Enviromental Action Coalition: Organizing guides and handouts
• The Citizen’s Handbook: Community organizing and community building
• The Virtual Activist: How to use the internet for organizing, outreach, and advocacy
• Tools for Change: helps develop skills to advocate for social, economic, and environmental justice
• Training for Change: Exercises to use in activist training workshops
• UHC Collective: Group organization, nonviolent action
• US Student PIRGs’ Activist Toolkit: Campus and community organizing, media tips
• Writing Letters to the Editor: Advice from David Suzuki Foundation

Electronic communication resources

• PetitionOnline.com: Free hosting of public advocacy petitions
• UVic mailing lists: You can set up your own list if you have a UVic email address
• Victoria Activist Letter Network: Forum to share letter-writing campaigns and tips

VIPIRG offers free web space and email addresses to our working groups. If you want to organize independently, the following activist collectives provide email, web, and listserv hosting by donation.

• Antifa.ca: Website and email hosting for anti-racist and anti-fascist projects
• CommunityPipe: Website hosting for local groups; calendar of local events
• InterActivist Network: Mailing lists, websites, mySQL, and a secure chat server
• MutualAid.org: Email, email list, website, and domain name hosting
• OAT: Email, mailing list, and website hosting
• Resist!: Email, mailing list, website, and domain name hosting
• Riseup.net: Email, mailing list, and website hosting

Government contacts

Band councils

Band councils were forcibly created by the non-indigenous settler government through the Indian Act, with the intention of getting rid of traditional forms of governance, ending Indigenous autonomy, and imposing colonial control. VIPIRG supports Indigenous self-determination, and opposes the imposition of colonial systems of government. We include band council links here as an acknowledgment that VIPIRG is on Indigenous land.

• Esquimalt: no website
• Lekwungen/Songhees
• Wsanec: Pauquachin (no website), Tsartlip, Tsawout (no website), Wsikem/Tseycum

Colonial/settler governments

• Contacting Political Representatives: Advice from David Suzuki Foundation
• Federal: Cabinet Ministers and Senators; MP finder
• Provincial: Cabinet Ministers; MLA finder
• Regional: Capital Regional District
• Municipal: Esquimalt, Oak Bay, Saanich, Victoria

Independent and progressive media

See also links to local media

• A-Infos Radio Project: Internet archive of progressive radio shows
• Free Speech TV: Documentaries and produced shows on progressive social change
• Media Co-op: International collective of independent media organizations and journalists offering grassroots, non-corporate coverage
• Peace, Earth, and Justice News (PEJ)
• Rabble.ca: Progressive news, commentary, analysis, and interviews
• Redwire: Quarterly magazine by and for Indigenous youth
• The Knoll: UBC students aiming to “bring attention to those events and realities of our world that the mainstream, or corporate, press ignores”
• Talking Radical Radio: weekly broadcast spotlighting grassroots voices across Canada working for social change

Legal resources

• Electronic Law Library: Links to government info, legislation, court decisions, and information about specific areas of law
• LawLINK: Online self-help legal resources
• Legal Services Society: Provides Legal Aid and public legal education
• People’s Law School: Resources to help people in BC learn about their legal rights
• Pivot Legal Society: Promotes systematic changes for sex trade workers, drug users, and homeless people through law reform, legal education, and legal action
• PovNet: Resources for poverty law advocates and people living in poverty
• Access Probono: Free legal assistance or education for non-profit groups
• Tenant Resource & Advisory Centre : Works to improve legal protection for tenants and to protect and increase affordable rental housing