It’s a Hard-NOQ Life

For the majority of our time in Regina we were NOD; for the rare few of you unfamiliar with this acronym, it stands for North of Dewdney. By definition a NOD is simply that, someone who lives north of Dewdney Avenue. It is however, a very politically charged term. The term NOD, whose binary counterpart is a SOD (south of Dewdney), generally marks the divide between Regina’s north and south ends.

Here in Halifax we are NOQ (North of Quinpool). Quinpool is to Halifax as Dewdney Avenue is to Regina; that is, Quinpool is both a social and physical border between the south end “haves” and the north end “have nots.”

The spirit of anarchism is very detectable north of Quinpool. The leftist ideology and strong sense of community have made the area attractive to many activists, artists, environmentalists, and anarchists, none of which are mutually exclusive labels.

With a view to offer insight into the atmosphere north of Qunipool, here are just a few example of the types of events and organizations found in the area: Shannon is a dedicated and integral member of a group called “Food Not Bombs,” whose members collect donated food from farmer’s markets and grocery stores to prepare food twice weekly for anyone who wants to eat it. Only 2 blocks from our place is the Anchor Archive, a Zine library and print making studio which offers novice and advanced lessons to members for a very reasonable fee. On Thursday we will attend an event where the Anchor Archive’s artist in residence (currently staying in the garden shed) will exhibit her work. Last week HCAP (the Halifax Coalition Against Poverty) organized a carnival in the park near our house.

The area is also home to many great vegetarian restaurants and independent businesses, one of which is the One World Café which we frequent daily; reminiscent of a communal youth hostel kitchen, the One World Café offers live music, fair trade organic coffee, delicious food, and occasionally, art exhibits.

Below are some examples of the inspiring NOQ graffiti that keeps residence and visitors alike thinking and acting.