Issue 6, Volume 150, The Brunswickan

Under Digital Stars

Shaking off the cold with Shivering Songs

Volume 150 Issue 6 February 8th, 2017

Editorial Board

Editor-in-Chief - Adam Travis Business Manager - Nicholas Williams News - Stephanie Sirois Arts - Katie Kim Sports - Anne Ugabi Photo - Bradley Parker Production Manager - Connor Jay Copy - Jadrien Hong Multimedia - Camile Coulombe

Staff Advertising Manager - Pouria Poursaeid Delivery - Dan Gallagher Staff Reporters -David Bardwell, Nathalie Sturgeon, Kennedy Bowden-Welsh, Katie Morehouse

Contributors Justin Collett, Anna Jackson Kyle Lamkin, Caroline Mercier, Spencer Folkins, Ryan Cormier, Katie Morehouse and Stacey Taylor

About Us The Brunswickan, in its 150th year of publication, is Canada’s Oldest Official Student Publication.

We are an autonomous student publication owned and operated by Brunswickan Publishing Inc., a nonprofit, independent body.

We are a founding member of Canadian University Press, and love it dearly. We are also members of CUPWire, a media exchange of university media throughout North America.

We publish monthly during the academic year with a circulation of 4,000. We publish weekly, online at www.thebruns.ca.

Letters to the Editor Letters must be submitted by e-mail to editor@thebruns.ca including your name, as letters with pseudonyms will not be printed or posted online. Letters must be 500 words at maximum. Deadline for letters is Friday at 5 p.m. before each issue.

Editorial Policy While we endeavour to provide an open forum for a variety of viewpoints and ideas, we may refuse any submission considered by the Editorial Board to be racist, sexist, libellous or in any way discriminatory. The opinions and views expressed in this publication are those of the individual writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Brunswickan, its Editorial Board or its Board of Directors. All editorial content appearing in The Brunswickan is the property of Brunswickan Publishing Inc. Stories, photographs, and artwork contained herein cannot be reproduced without the express, written permission of the Editor-in-Chief.

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Table of Contents

4 Abuse in romantic relationships is more common than you think

6 Creep Catchers comes to Fredericton

7 Letters from Beauly: Horrors of WWII retold

8 Safety of students questioned after rate of robberies increases

10 Black History Month and what it means Words by Stephanie Sirois

12 I’m quite at home where I’m at

Words by Spencer Folkins Photography by Bradley Parker and Kyle Lamkin

17 Fighting the cold with Shivering Songs

20 Love Blooms: Gallery 78 brings color to the winter months

22 Relax and learn with UNB Leisure Learning

24 How sports have saved my life

27 A dietitian’s tips for a healthy 2017

Words & Photography by Stephanie Sirois

Words by Nathalie Sturgeon Photography by Bradley Parker

Words by Nathalie Sturgeon Photography by Bradley Parker

Words & Photography by Adam Travis

23 Opinion: Women’s March Words by Stephanie Sirois

Words & Photography by David Bardwell

Words by Kennedy BowdenWelsh Photography by Bradley Parker

28 Athlete Feature: Hess Mayele Words by Anne Ugabi

Words by Ryan Cormier

Words by Katie Kim Photography by Kyle Lamkin

Words by Anna Jackson, RD

30 Athlete Feature: Tess McDonald Words by Anne Ugabi

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News

Abuse in romantic relationships is more common than you think

Words & Photography by Stephanie Sirois It can be difficult to comprehend how someone encounters an abusive situation, let alone why one wouldn’t choose or would be hesitant to leave it.

In Statistics Canada’s 2015 profile, 75,657 women were victims of police-reported Intimate Partner Violence (IPV).

The dating violence rate is 60 per cent higher than the spousal violence rate.

Abuse is insidious in many forms and, particularly in intimate relationships, it can be hard to recognize.

Rina Arseneault believes it’s easier for a victim’s friends to recognize when they may be in trouble.

“We’re the ones who see the red flags more than the woman living in the situation, because it’s so complex and it’s so difficult and it takes so much energy,” she said.

Arseneault is the associate director of the Muriel McQueen Fergusson Centre for Family Violence Research, and has been speaking and working one on one with people who may find themselves in a violent or abusive situation. They need help, and someone to talk to.

“I remember this one woman who never had a bank account even in this day and age, and never had to do groceries or pay a bill, so she really didn’t believe that she could make 4

it outside because she didn’t even know how to open a bank account,” Arseneault noted.

It’s important to the abuser to have a sense of control, and as soon as something changes that, the person may get erratic, but other than that, many partnerships that have violence can be good. The victim of the abuse may not even realize it’s happening and it’s rare to see violence right away.

“In the beginning it can be small small things and you don’t even see that it’s abusive. It could be your partner saying you’re so gorgeous you don’t need makeup. I don’t understand why you put so much on, you’re so beautiful,” she said.

“That statement three months from now is when you wake up and you feel shitty so you put makeup on, and the first thing they’ll say is, ‘what the fuck are you doing? Are you going to see somebody today?’ ”

In this example, in an attempt to take back the control, the abusive partner will make you feel responsible because they already made it clear you should not be wearing makeup.

Maggie Forsythe works as UNB’s Campus Sexual Assault Student Advocate and thinks people find the concept of violence in relationships as vague and confusing. Sometimes the violence is only recognized if it is blatant rather than subtle.

“Sometimes it takes months or even years before they

News come to terms with that having happened,” she said.

If violence is blatant and immediate, such as smashing property or hitting a partner, it’s easier for the victim to leave and get help. However, subtle violence is more common and one of the ways the abuse is controlled is through grooming.

“In these intimate partner relationships, the partner grooms the person to a point where they don’t know how to identify or label what’s happening even to the point of being physically violent with you.”

Forsythe described a situation where a partner may leave porn playing in the background to gauge the reaction. If there is none, the partner may suggest watching porn together to “improve the relationship”. The partner might then push for more sexual acts on that basis, despite pushing their partner beyond a boundary they’re uncomfortable with.

“So I’ve seen cases where it get’s to a point where a person is being slapped around or punched and they don’t even see it as that because they’re at a point where they’ve been blamed for so much,” she said.

It’s difficult to pinpoint moments that might have been red flags of abuse, because the feeling of being special might outweigh any other abuse.

“What I see most is that partners will use the crazy card or are using mental illness against them, saying, ‘you’re bipolar, are you on your meds today, you’re acting erratically, you’re being weird,’ and then you start second-guessing yourself.”

Some of the signs of a potentially violent partner could include using coercion or threats, intimidating by destroying property, and emotional abuse which could include calling the victim names or humiliating them.

“Oftentimes it helps to think about it like: if this was happening to my friend, what would I say to them about this? …

If my friends’ boyfriend was doing this to her, what would I think about that?”

Preventing a partner from being financially competent and stable, as well as isolating them from their friends factor high in indicating an abusive relationship.

“Just because you’re in a relationship doesn’t mean they can coerce you into having sex, talk you into having sex, touch you inappropriately or have unwanted sexual relations.”

Forsythe said if someone was seeking help, they should be ready to talk about what they’re willing to talk about, only if they feel comfortable. It’s different for everybody when they decide what to share.

“Your experience is totally normal, you are not at fault for what happened to you and regardless of whether you want to stay or you want to leave that person, I will be here to support whatever decision that is.”

But as we’ve seen from police reported data, it can be

difficult for victims of IPV to seek help or leave a violent relationship.

“We know that disclosing violence is a very risky act on the victims side, so how does society (in general) view that? Do we have a society that is willing to hear out women’s issues, or does it suppress it in other ways, whether it’s patriarchy or other factors at play in it,” said Crestina Matta.

Matta is an undergrad currently researching reporting and disclosure surveys on violence against women. The data she’s been looking at has focused on one on one interviews with women who have suffered violence, whether it be from previous or current partners, family members, or coworkers.

“Having children could empower you to leave an abusive relationship but at the same time having children could lead you to stay in an abusive relationship because you’re concerned about resources,” she said.

In a cycle of violence, children see the violence and are then more likely to become victims or violent themselves. Matta said violence has a ripple effect.

“It doesn’t just stay in the home, it can appear sometimes and we have to break the silence because there is a silence going on. People aren’t speaking about it.”

When that silence is broken, the question is normally why would someone stay in that situation, and the answer is that it’s a complex situation, especially because of the consequences or leaving a relationship.

“They stay in the relationship even though it’s abusive, because it’s not always a bad relationship. If we’re looking at it realistically, not all relationships are always abusive … it’s not always bad. Sometimes it’s good and sometimes it’s bad,” Matta said.

Matta said there is a cost for breaking the silence and the victim is aware of the ramifications. Some victims aren’t sure they’ll be believed. Others have no place to go or aren’t sure where they can go to get help. It may be difficult to move out of a home shared with an abuser, or close down a joint bank account or find a way to financially support themselves.

Rina Arseneault suggests against attempting to make decisions for someone else in a potentially abusive relationship.

Instead, it’s a better idea to let them know there is support available if they need it.

“It’s so important not to judge, to just be understanding and as a friend … if you can understand what emotional violence is then you almost start to understand.”

If you or someone you know may need information about Intimate Partner Violence, call Women in Transition Houses’ 24 hour crisis line at (506) 459-2300. They can refer you to other support services which may be helpful.

Online support services are also available at www. womenintransitionhouse.ca or www.chimohelpline.ca 5

News

Creep Catchers comes to Fredericton

Words by Nathalie Sturgeon Photography by Bradley Parker The phone sits in the middle of Ataya Saunders’ table. It vibrates once, twice, three times, and keeps vibrating; the urgency is obvious. Saunders’s phone is ringing off the hook, and the reason is quite chilling.

Saunders is a member of Fredericton Creep Catchers. The group sets up meetings between themselves and possible “creeps” through various dating apps.

The idea is to pose as underage children to attract men and women who want to meet up; they call it entrapment.

Ryan Staples and Seth Hajdn are both actively involved in the group, and often go with Saunders on so-called catches.

Staples is from Zealand, just outside of Fredericton, and is currently pursuing a high school education while working part-time. Hajdn works as a certified trainer and attends Eastern College.

All three speak of their motivation to catch these “creeps”.

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The crew films each catch and posts the video to their Facebook group, which currently has 3,500 members. Their population is growing, but the city’s residents are left divided about their feelings on the group’s actions.

“We’re making a safer place for kids,” said Hajdn. “There are always haters.”

The group said their first meetup happened very quickly.

“The first night we got into it, not even an hour in, [Saunders] found us a match,” said Staples. “So we went to UNB … we were hanging out … me being stupid, I almost scared him.”

Their fourth catch made news headlines. Two men from the UK were charged in a New Brunswick court for allegedly luring a 15-year-old boy to their hotel room.

According to the Fredericton Creep Catchers, they were the ones that were “lured” by the men. “That was our first official charge,” said Saunders.

For Saunders, the process of

finding a “creep” or contacting one is relatively simple.

“We wait for them to message us,” she said. “After they message us, it’s usually small talk. If it leads to sexual things, we come out and say we’re not actually 18, we’re 14, 13 or 12 years old.”

In some cases, the individual agrees to meet up. “We will go to wherever they want us to go, and we simply walk up to them and ask why do they think it’s OK to lure a kid,” said Saunders.

The group said the meet-ups have been eye-opening to them.

“Our friend Scott created an account on Plenty of Fish and he said he feels bad for women who are on dating sites,” said Staples. “By 2:30 that afternoon, he had 90-plus messages from guys.”

Staples said men have sent him inappropriate pictures of themselves, even after knowing that his profile is underage.

“We have had people tell us we’re too young and we shouldn’t be on these sites; there are good people out there,” said Staples.

Saunders said people have even blocked and reported them to administrators of the various apps and sites they use.

Despite criticism from many in the community, the group said they are not committing any sort of vigilante justice; they simply want to help keep the community safe.

However, there are legal implications that Hilary Young, a law professor at the University of New Brunswick, said might get in the way of the good deed.

Young said it’s not illegal to screenshot conversations or videotape a conversation — as long as the person doing the recording is part of that conversation.

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“Where you get into trouble is where you make the information public,” said Young. “And there you risk, potentially, a defamation action.”

Young said the group needs to make sure the people they confront are truthfully committing crimes in order to potentially avoid this kind of civil action.

She said it would be unlikely that the members themselves would be charged with any sort of criminal harassment or trespassing.

“If it comes to civil action –- it’s my property, you’ve come onto my property, I’m going to say you trespassed — am I going to take you to court and explain that I’m a pedophile and you caught me, and I’m really angry? Not very likely,” she said.

While Young said evidence law is complicated, what the group is doing is considered entrapment. But Creep Catchers act independently of law enforcement, where the laws around entrapment are much different.

“When the police collect evi-

dence, there are very strict rules about things like the chain of custody –- to make sure that nothing’s been interfered with, nothing has been tampered with, so that’s just an example, with regard to evidence,” she said. “If the police had set up this sting, they would have had to be very, very careful about entrapment.”

She said she’s of two minds when it comes to how helpful these operations might be.

“It’s helpful to the police, and from what I understand the police are cooperative and appreciative, and at the

same time, they are saying don’t do this, it’s not safe for you, it could cause problems,” said Young.

On the other hand, Young said police are saying they wouldn’t have been able to catch these people without the group’s help.

As for Saunders, Staples and Hajdn, it’s about making Fredericton safer — one catch at a time.

Arts

Letters from Beauly: Horrors of WWII retold Words Ryan Cormier Letters from Beauly tells the story of New Brunswick servicemen of the Canadian Forestry Corps (CFC) serving in the Second World War, and their families. The book offers a captivating glimpse into a side of the war that was unknown to many people.

The CFC was a unit in the Canadian Army that cleared land and built logging camps in Scotland to help supply much needed timber to the Allied war effort. Despite being stationed far from the front lines, the men still had to participate in military training as they needed to be prepared for German attacks. They were also not safe from the horrors of war, as many CFC men went on to serve in occupied Europe.

The book is centred around the letters written by Patrick “Pat” Hennessy of Bathurst, a CFC camp cook. Hennessy was one of thousands of Canadians to have served in the CFC and his letters provided insight into the struggles that many Canadian families of servicemen and -women endured during the war. The book effectively shows the strains placed on families of rural New Brunswick, particularly those that had to continue running family farms while the

men of the family were off at war.

Furthermore, the struggles of the soldiers returning home to see so much had changed and the difficulty of adjusting to civilian life are discussed; however, these struggles are not the only focus of the book. The impact that thousand of Canadian soldiers had on the local population of Beauly and the surrounding areas are not ignored, as the war fostered the formation of numerous lifelong relationships, including marriages and families.

The story of Pat Hennessy also shows how “the usual constraints of class and education” did not apply to the men of the CFC and how many strong friendships were born despite the differences in social classes and religious backgrounds.

Despite being far from the front lines, the men of CFC were still part of the devastating history; a few of the men were even killed later in the war when the unit was transferred to France. Not even the Forestry Corps was safe in the war. Letters from Beauly masterfully demonstrates the struggles that Canadian went through the eyes of the CFC, offering a unique perspective to the horrors of WWII. 7

News

Safety of students questioned after rate of robberies increases

Words by Nathalie Sturgeon Photography by Bradley Parker Janelle Marchand turned open the door to her apartment but something wasn’t right. The door has been broken down. Her home was in chaos. She had been robbed, and her sense of safety had been stolen.

Marchand, a fourth-year psychology student, was the first of her roommates to arrive back after the holidays.

“I think they came in through a window in the basement,” she said. “They came up the stairs and kicked the door in.”

The robbers stole expensive jewelry, designer purses and electronics — everything from iPods to their television.

Marchand said they even stole her expensive makeup.

“Which is extremely gross,” she said.

For Marchand, the violation of her privacy seemed a bit too much.

“When I walked through the door, my jaw dropped,” she said. “My bedroom was turned upside down, and things were thrown everywhere.”

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The Fredericton Police Force said there has been as spike in the number of break-ins that have occurred over the past three months.

Last year, between October 2015 and January 2016 there were 14 break-ins across zone three, the largest geographical region the Fredericton Police Force monitors. It encompasses Lincoln Heights to York Street, from Beaverbrook to New Maryland, Southwood Park, Forest Hill, Waterloo Row and University Avenue.

This year, between the same periods, there was 29 break and enters, separated into non-residence, residence and other.

Alycia Bartlett, spokeswoman for the Fredericton Police Force, that reporting these crimes are essential to solving them.

She said people can report any type of theft under $5000 on their online crime reporting system.

Simple things like not leaving extra keys outside, locking your car and calling 9-1-1 are helpful in these situations, according to Bartlett.

Marchand isn’t alone. Joshua Bravener’s downtown home was also invaded recently.

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“[I] woke up around 4 a.m. in the morning to what I thought was my roommate coming from the bar,” said Bravener.

He realized it wasn’t his roommate, but someone who wasn’t supposed to be in his home. After a long time of listening to the noise and pacing, Bravener said he got up to see what was wrong.

“When I opened my door, there was a strange man crouched in front of it,” he said “It was like stumbling across a raccoon. Before I could even think, he ran out the door.”

Bravener said the person stole his television and Xbox.

He quickly yelled to his roommates that they had been robbed.

“Immediately, we called the cops,” said Bravener. “They came pretty fast.”

He said the police closed off the 300 block of Charlotte Street. They even brought the K-9 unit, but Bravener said they found nothing conclusive.

“Basically they told me my description of the guy was too vague and they weren’t going to catch him,” he said.

Bravener said he now takes extra care to make sure his apartment doors are locked. “It’s the feeling of someone coming into my home while I was there and invading my personal space.”

The personal invasion has left Bravener very shaken.

He said he finds it hard to understand how any could invade someone’s home.

“Nobody deserves to feel unsafe in their home,” he said.

But the question remains: do students living in Fredericton feel safe?

According to the University of New Brunswick’s crime prevention and community liaison officer Des Dupuis, student safety is everyone’s responsibility.

He said despite the campus being an open space, students feel safe at the university, which can often lead to them letting their guard down.

Around exam time, Dupuis said the focus of students shifts, which can lead to crimes of opportunity.

“I’ve been here 20 years and it’s been pretty consistent,” he said.

He said many break-ins involved vehicles, but some also occur in residences. Dupuis said even though UNB residences are secure buildings, tailgating — where students are followed into the building when they unlock the door — can be a problem.

“It’s usually someone who knows what they’re looking for.”

The UNB Harriet Irving Library is a place Dupuis said can also be problematic. The library has no main security and he said students often forget the simple things like taking their phone to the bathroom with them.

“Anywhere we have potential problems, we try to have cameras,” he said.

Dupuis said these cameras have helped the Fredericton Police Force several times.

He said the UNB Security team has an extensive lost and found of items that have never made their way back to their owners.

“We do whatever we can get people’s property back to them,” Dupuis said. The university uses the remaining lost items for charity donations, with funds raised from the sales going to various community organizations in the city.

But when it comes to being in a situation like Bravener or Marchand, what should a student do?

Dupuis said the important message is to not take matters into your own hands. His advice is simple.

“Do not approach [the suspect]. Call 9-1-1,” he said.

“You don’t really know who they are, we don’t know what their mindset is; let the professionals handle it.”

“Take really good observation and call the authorities.

Take a picture.”

As for Marchand, she said she’s trying to move on. She said students should get tenants insurance and make sure their doors are secure.

She said items can be replaced, and despite how violated she feels, those are material items she found she didn’t really need.

“At the end of the day, my roommates and I are all safe and that’s what truly matters to me.”

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Black History Month and what it means now

Words by Stephanie Sirois Photography by Bradley Parker It has taken generations of work to make Canada a multicultural and diverse country, and there’s a lot of work that needs to be done still.

The Honourable Jean Augustine was the first Black Canadian woman elected to Parliament. In 1995, she moved that Canada’s House of Commons officially recognized February as Black History Month to honour Black Canadians. The Senate waited 13 years before officially recognizing Black History Month.

The motion was introduced by Senator Donald Oliver, the first Black man appointed to the Senate.

Black History Month is currently held in February as a way to heighten Black history awareness.

“To different people it means different things. Other people say that a celebration of Black history shouldn’t be limited to just one month,” said Eke Kalu.

“I think Black history month is really a time where we can just focus on an impact that people have made. People of colour, people who are Black in history, celebrate them and look to the future.”

Kalu, a second year biochemistry student from Lagos, Nigeria, and is the president of the African/Caribbean Society for UNB and STU. He would like more done to educate people throughout the year and not just in February, especially on campuses.

“I wouldn’t consider UNB bad or negligent in trying to advance Black history, but there needs to be more things done to educate people about Black history,” he said.

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“If people are curious I think it really falls on the university and the African/Caribbean society, or cultural groups to kind of get students more engaged like have events, workshops, panel discussions to draw students and inform students.“

In previous weeks, the society held an event called “Taste of Africa” which was meant to educate people about African food, and expose the amount of diversity, since many people look at Africa as one entity.

“It’s actually different diverse groups of people even within different countries and I think just small things like that educate people and go a long way to promoting education in society,” he said.

An important part of Black History Month for Herbert Bempah is acknowledgement and conversation concerning the Transatlantic Slave Trade.

“I think that Black History Month is so important to reminding people as to where they came from, their culture and their history,” Bempah said.

“A history that I feel like has been suppressed and people are not willing to share.”

A more thorough coverage in school curriculums of education about the origins of slavery, as well as Black history and role models such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks, are some of the bigger conversations during February.

“I feel like people refuse to understand that Black people through the transatlantic slave trade, were brought to America and different parts of the world to build these western places where people tend to say now that you’re done, go back to where you’re from.”

Bempah recently released a poster and film campaign called Breaking Stereotypes where he intends to start a conversation about the experiences shared among international and domestic students on campus.

“We stop looking at people as a race and look at people as individuals and not to say that labels aren’t important, I am so proud to be black and I am so proud to be African, but I want people to see me as Herbert.”

He hopes that by creating awareness, labels will be used less and individuals themselves will be appreciated.

“We can only hope and it all depends on us as individuals to just really love people and not stereotype and not be racist and not be prejudiced and not bigots

UNB Fredericton did not have anything planned for Black History Month at the time of publishing.

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I’m Quite at Home Where I’m at Words by Spencer Folkins Photography by Bradley Parker and Kyle Lamkin This year, the Farmers’ Almanac, a trusted weather-forecasting source since 1818, anticipates “exceptionally cold – if not downright frigid – winter weather” in Canada, including the Maritimes.

The record-breaking ice storms have so far upheld this promise of a brutal east-coast winter.One might think that for those without adequate permanent shelter from the elements, this time of year would be particularly stressful. But for some, this line of reasoning is not entirely true. ***

James Oickle holds the top of a cane in his right hand, his left stuffed deep into his navy-blue winter jacket. His hair is black and shaggy, streaked with grey. His goatee, on the contrary, is short and completely grey. With his cane and apprehensive look, if his hair and beard were longer, he might look like a prophet out of the Old Testament.

“

Took a vow of poverty and did a thousand days on the streets ... turned into three thousand days...

“

Oickle is a Fredericton native born in 1956. He was once a successful business owner, employing over 60 people at a motel and restaurant on the corner of Regent and Prospect.

Eight years ago, he decided to leave the entrepreneurial lifestyle behind and move out west to pursue freelance writing and a life of poverty.

“I gave most of my money away and what I didn’t give away people took, and I decided ‘what the hell.’ Took a vow of poverty and did a thousand days on the streets ... turned into three thousand days, but when you do a thousand-day journey you never know when you’re going to get out of it.”

Oickle says the decision to take on this journey was a sudden one influenced by a kaleidoscope of textbook factors.

A third divorce or empty-nest syndrome on their own may not have resulted in leaving behind a life of wealth and stability. But facing both within a short amount of time, Oickle says it seemed

like the perfect opportunity to experience life on the other side of the tracks. He was also reading George Orwell’s Down and Out in London and Paris at the time, which he credits as being a significant part of what influenced him to go on this adventure. ***

Fredericton’s men’s homeless shelter is hidden behind the former Victoria Health Centre on Woodstock road and overlooks the Saint John river. Oickle described his return to Fredericton in early October as he waited outside with other members of Fredericton’s under-housed community for that night’s meal.

“I jumped on a Greyhound and came across the country and as soon as I got to Fredericton I stayed [at the shelter].

While he chooses to stay at the shelter or outdoors, Oickle has facilities available to him if ever he needs them. He keeps his more valuable possessions in a house that belongs to an old high school friend. Oickle knows he is also always welcome to stay, but prefers his tent. “It is nice to know that place is there. I go there basically daily, and if it went to sub-zero weather tonight [I could go] over to the house.”

Oickle finds this life of poverty suits him quite well. He’s lived without a clock or schedule for nearly a decade, which he prefers to the life he used to live. “I don’t call it ‘homeless,’ I’m quite at home where I’m at.”

While staying outside for any length of time in winter can be less than desirable, Oickle hopes to stay in it for the long run. “I’d like to get through February. If you’re sober and of sound-mind you can definitely stay outdoors.”

His tent is pitched in an alley behind the homeless shelter, on the other side of a fence between two brick walls. While his accommodations are rudimentary, Oickle says he enjoys being able to live in the moment.

“When I’m in the tent and I hear the geese squawking in the yard, I’m not thinking about tomorrow. I’m just thinking about the geese squawking and the river and me and the dog. There’s not a moment that I’m thinking ten minutes ahead or self-loathing or anything, I’m enjoying what I do, and I truly feel quite at home.”

While mountains of snow may seem like a major barrier to Oickle’s lifestyle, he says it’s when the weather turns to rain and slush that conditions become unfavorable. “[Keeping warm] is just a matter of hunkering down and having dry stuff on and staying sober.”

Besides tent living, Oickle’s winter plans involve teaching skating and spending time with under-privileged youth with another friend, also of the under-housed community.

“I’ll build forts and snow angels. I’m not much for skating, I’m like a cow on skates… I’m only 14 in my mind, as long 13

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as I don’t have any mirrors around to look in and realize that the age has caught up with me. But you do feel it, definitely starts to get in your bones and arthritis kicks in, but you gotta be in a positive frame of mind. I truly enjoy what I’m doing.”

Despite his graying hair, Oickle is very much young at heart. But despite his youthful attitude, Oickle is beginning to experience the burdens of age. The way of life he’s enjoyed for the past eight years can only be continued comfortably for so long. Realizing this, he has plans to reintroduce himself back into regular society, starting with providing a few signatures that will legally separate him from the motel and lobster restaurant, firmly ending that chapter of his life. Over the holidays, however, Oickle’s plans are a bit more personal: they mainly revolve

around reconnecting with family and friends after a very extended absence. *** We caught up with James in February. On Christmas Eve, he moved into an apartment in the downtown Fredericton area.

Since then, he has started work on turning his eight-year journey into a book, and contemplates returning to tent-living in the summer when he plans on finding work with a steady income. He will likely keep the apartment as a space for his writing. For the first time in nearly a decade he owns a clock, alarm, and wrist-watch.

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Arts

Fighting the cold with Shivering Songs Words & Photography by Adam Travis “I have a secret to tell, but in this venue it feels a little like a confession,” Basia Bulat said with a smile. You’d be hard-pressed to find anyone happier to be at the show than Bulat herself. The Ontario-based singer-songwriter’s set on Saturday night was her second in Fredericton to be sold-out, the first having been at the Capital Complex in October.

Under the stars projected on the vaulted ceiling of the Wilmot United Church, Bulat’s performance seemed outside of the confines of time. By the end, Bulat was not alone in wondering, “I don’t know how this happened, but we got to our last song.”

The feeling of suspended time is a recurring theme at Shivering Songs. In a season where night seems never-ending, a weekend of music is a welcome break for many. A chance to shed their heavy winter coats and share the experience of live music is something Frederictonians have taken advantage of since the festival first took place in 2010.

Part of Shivering Songs’ warm atmosphere comes from its ability to turn the everyday spaces of downtown Fredericton into musical venues. The market, yoga studios, the library and Officers’ Square all turned into intimate venues under the stretched-out tents of Harvest. But the most iconic space is undoubtedly the Wilmot United Church, where Bulat performed on Saturday night.

Following up the alt-country singer Justin Rutledge, Bulat began her performance by going back to her solo folk roots, performing renditions of her earlier works including “Pilgriming Vine” from her debut album Oh, My Darling.

These folk roots are close to the heart of the festival. Many of the past artists have been in the camp of singer-songwriters: rootsy, guitar-driven and very much

at home in the small spaces of downtown Fredericton.

As the band (made entirely of Islanders, Bulat was quick to point out) joined the stage, Bulat took to the keyboard. Despite emerging as a folk artist, Bulat’s latest work leans much closer to indie pop; the first chords of her latest album Good Advice are dominated by vintage synths as opposed to mandolin and guitar of her earlier works.

Bulat admitted this transition herself as she introduced Good Advice’s “Fool.”

“When I wrote it, it was a sad country song. But when we recorded it, it turned into a disco party … I guess that goes for my wardrobe, too.”

“Disco country” did seem like an apt description for the tall, silver boots and light blue western-themed dress adorned with sequins that Bulat wore during her show.

Indie pop may seem like a sharp contrast to Bulat’s earlier work, but it’s well within the scope of what Shivering Songs has come to be. While staying close to its main thrust of songwriters, other genres have made appearances as well. Hip-hop, post-punk and pop have all been represented in past years, while still keeping with the festival’s theme of intimate venues and crowd interaction.

This theme was reflected in Bulat’s amazing performance. She seemed perfectly at home on stage as she connected with the audience. Bulat’s stories, ranging from commentary on the record-breaking marches earlier that day to her childhood dreams, captivated the crowd.

As she sat at the keyboard for a lengthened intro to “Time,” she told a story of how she’d always wanted to play the organ at a hockey game because she “always

wanted to be the one who made the people clap.”

Bulat has got her wish and more, with some of the crowd dancing out of their pews halfway through her set and clapping along through the song.

Saving her hit “Infamous” for the end of her main set, Bulat took a moment to express her gratitude. “I can’t believe this is my life, that I get to come to beautiful places and sing in beautiful venues to great people.”

Bulat returned alone for her encore. Taking to the grand piano, Bulat performed “Snakes and Ladders” and ‘Someday Soon.” Despite fighting a cough all night and with a rasp in her voice, Bulat’s timbre cracked only in her second-last song.

Pulling out a handheld synth, Bulat looked to the stars on the ceiling and asked the crowd, “Are you feeling experimental? Should we go into outer space together?” before performing “Let Me In.”

Before leaving the stage after her main set, Bulat concluded, “I hope we can do this again soon.” After a dazzling performance in one of Fredericton’s favourite music venues, the only response is a sincere “us too, Basia.”

The crowd pulled their coats from the backs of the pews and made their way back onto the icy streets of downtown. The stairs of the church buzzed with comments of “some cold eh?” but despite the temperature, everybody seemed a little lighter on their feet.

Humming the chorus to Bulat’s “Infamous,” I felt the same. As much as vitamin D can fight the seasonal sadness some of us have come to expect this time of year, it’s impossible to understate the power of a few good songs.

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Love Blooms: Gallery 78 exhibit b Words & Photography by David Bardwell Anyone who’s had the winter blues knows that much of it is due to the glum weather and drab colours outside that force us to stay indoors.

Gallery 78 is hoping to help people overcome those blues with their Love Blooms display. The display features colourful paintings of freshly bloomed flowers and delicately drawn silhouettes in a welcoming environment.

“This exhibition stems from the lack of colour in winter … we like a little bit of colour, a little bit of love,” said Kim Bent, a curator at Gallery 78. “Winter can be quite low key and a little bit depressing sometimes for people, so we decided to this to get people uplifted.”

She added that with Valentine’s Day coming up, the gallery opted for something love focused.

“It’s​ ​kind​ ​of​ ​a​ ​double​ ​entendre,​ ​you’ve​ ​got​ ​a​ ​few​ ​nudes​ ​ 20

and​ ​a​ ​few​ ​blooms,​ ​so​ ​we​ ​named​ ​it​ ​Love Blooms.”

Also on display at Gallery 78 is the new Area Code 506 displays, featuring landscapes and vistas of New Brunswick scenes crafted by various artists from the Atlantic provinces. Gallery 78’s artist-in-residence, David McKay, contributed to both exhibitions.

“He usually keeps his door open too, so if visitors want to walk in and see what he’s working on, they can,” said Bent.

McKay has been working in several mediums lately, with a recent preference for egg tempera because it can give paintings a glowing colour scheme not present in other mediums.

Bent explained that art galleries are a good way to start exploring art for those without much prior knowledge on the subject.

“We’re open to everybody coming in and having an experience with art … we encourage people to just enjoy and decide what they like.”

While there’s a lot to learn about art, knowledge about art

Arts

brings color to the winter months is not a prerequisite to start enjoying it.

“Some people feel intimidated about artwork because they think they have to know a lot before they they come in; they don’t.”

One of the benefits of visiting a curated gallery is the fact that artworks are already vetted; this ensures that the visitors will only be exposed to quality art.

“You’ll only see good art [here], so you might see something you like or don’t; you won’t have to decide whether it’s good,” she said.

Bent said she personally has a wide interest, but has seen people with strong preference for high realism, colour-heavy works or abstract works.

“Some people prefer flowers, others landscapes, it’s really about what experience they want to have,” said Bent.

Seeing the art in person is a unique experience according to Bent, as one can see the textures, brush strokes and details more closely than in photographs of the works.

“Looking at pictures of art on the internet, which is what a lot of people do now, doesn’t give you the experience of actually viewing the art,” she said. “With imagery, all you’re getting online is a flat image, in person you’re seeing texture, depth, brush strokes; all things you won’t get online,”

Even with works of photographs, Bent noted that viewing them in person allows people to notice more about the works.

For example, photographer James Wilson’s contributions to Area Code 506 has an almost painted look to it, thanks to the tightly bunched trees along a river.

Bent reiterated that even if, or especially if, someone has never visited an art gallery, it is a great way to become more familiar with art.

“We encourage people to just come in and have the experience they want to have with art,” she said.

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Relax and learn with UNB Leisure Learning

Words by Katie Kim Photography by Kyle Lamkin With the stress of midterms approaching, the words “leisure” and “learning” couldn’t seem further apart. But according to Allison Howells of UNB Leisure Learning, learning can be fun in a relaxed environment with no marks or tests.

“We’ve always said, no marks, no tests and ideally no pressure,” said Howells.

Although many of the original classes offered were language and art classes, the program has since branched out to other subjects. Offered conveniently on weekends and during evenings, the program offers up to 70 courses per season.

The UNB Leisure Learning also provides a chance to learn from the professionals. For instance, Gary Weekes, a photography instructor in the program, is a professional photographer.

“They have to have experience in the area,” said Howells when asked about the instructor selection process.

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Photography classes have gotten more popular over the years, and the number of people with more sophisticated equipment grew over the years as well.

That’s why UNB Leisure Learning decided to expand its photography classes.

“This is a [program] that people go from basics to beyond basics. Other types of photography classes-creative photography, portrait, outdoor photography, have all been added.”

Howell said that more “trendy” courses such as black and white photography and photo development have been added due to high demand.

Some courses offer a chance to experience what it would be like to pursue a career in that field. Professional game and design class, taught by Jeff Mundee that has worked in gaming studios, introduces students to the basics of game design.

“It’s for people who would like to design their own games or have future careers [in the field].”

Food and wine course is new to

the program this year. While there are many other organizations that offer food and wine courses, Howell said the program differentiates itself from others.

“When we offer our classes, we choose someone with background in the field. For instance, we started [food courses] with Nepalese cuisine with an instructor that was from Nepal. Not only could she cook local food, but she could also provide cultural background.”

Howell recommended food and wine courses to those that want to enrich their dining experience.

“Learning more about what you might have in a meal adds to your enjoyment of the meal.”

But it’s not just the food and wine courses that enrich the lives of the students.

Howell believes that taking classes with UNB leisure learning can be a great experience.

“People take these courses for the joy of it-because they have an interest in the subject, they want to enrich their lives or they just want to learn something new.”

Opinion

Opinion: Women’s March Words by Stephanie Sirois I have to say, I’m disappointed in what the news coverage of the Women’s Solidarity March focused on, and I think it’s time to clear up some misconceptions.

If you were to read or watch any of the countless stories which covered the marches from Washington to London, you would get the idea that all these marches were to protest one specific person, who is now the 45th President of the United States of America.

To put it frankly, it’s not.

The women’s solidarity march has a lot of historic roots.

In 1963, the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom drew 250,000 people, and Martin Luther King Jr. gave his historic “I have a dream” speech. In 1997, the Million Women March brought together hundreds of thousands of African-American women in Philadelphia. In 1965, the March on Washington for Peace in Vietnam was attended by between 15,000 and 20,000 people. There have also been four Marches on Washington for LGBT rights in 1979, 1987, 1993 and 2000, respectively, that brought out millions who desired

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to see change.

This is just a small slice of the history demonstrating the power of these marches, especially to underrepresented communities.

Feminism, also known as advocacy for women’s rights and the right to equality of gender, is all about human rights. Feminism to me represents a choice, and without feminism, we have no choice.

No choice for a woman who wants to ask for a raise after a decade of loyal and exceptional work. No choice for a man to feel comfortable to express his emotions without encountering verbal and even physical attacks. No choice to say “no” to unwanted sexual advances. No choice to acknowledge that you do not identify with an assigned gender or sexuality.

Feminism still has a lot of work to do.

There’s currently an overabundance of white feminists who are completely unaware of difficulties racial or sexual minorities face, and yet still act as the mouthpiece for all women.

There are people of colour that are prevented from incorporating racial justice values into feminist narrative without having their identity erased in the name of “unity”.

There are Indigenous women in Canada who have an entire campaign to address their missing and murdered sisters, whose count is currently over 1400.

There is a 1 in 12 risk of trans women being murdered by cis people; this statistic jumps to 1 in 8 if for trans women of colour.

1 in 4 North American women will be sexually assaulted during their lifetime.

We’re not all in this together. We all have days where we bend to our implicit biases and silence the concerns of others because we feel uncomfortable. We’re learning, and learning is an uncomfortable process because we have to shed our skin to become something new. These concepts and ideas are all new to me too. I’m still learning. I’m trying to do better.

When we meet up with our signs and share videos of our chanting and listen to each other, coming together for a common cause, we feel like we’re part of a community; we are supported. It gives us hope and the drive to make something happen.

This March is about a diverse community coming together to support each other and call for attention to human rights, regardless of colour, gender or sexual orientation.

So why are we making it about one man?

Call 470-2689 or 451-1776 23

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How sports have saved my life Words by Kennedy Bowden-Welsh Photography by Bradley Parker

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Sports On Jan. 11 it was announced that Atlantic University Sport would be teaming up Bell Aliant for their sixth annual Bell Let’s Talk Day on Jan. 25.

Hannah Currie plays for the University of New Brunswick’s varsity women’s basketball team. Born into an athletic family, she has been playing basketball since she was nine years old. While it has become a driving force in her life, she has also struggled with it along the way.

“I was very uneducated about mental health and was unaware of the commonality of it. Until I began to see a counsellor for my issues sleeping that she talked to me about anxiety,” she said. “[And] how the constant nervousness I felt, especially before falling asleep, had to do with it.”

Currie is in her fourth year with the Varsity Reds. She says trying to find middle ground between her anxiety and basketball has always been a struggle.

“It has an effect on competition when you are not sleeping … When it is an important game, when the expectations on you are higher than ever, it creates an overwhelming feeling,” she said. “Learning how to come out from this and still be able to perform is extremely challenging.”

So while her mental health may affect her day-to-day life, basketball has been a way to work through those ups and downs.

“Basketball has helped me immensely. Especially practices. I don’t have a choice whether or not to go to practice, which is probably the best thing for me. It is motivation to exercise and release every day worries and stress and is an outlet,” she said, “that is the most crucial part of suffering from mental illness, having somewhere else to put your head to help push past it.”

Currie also adds what a help her teammates have been, as they act like a family to support her everyday she is here.

With the AUS partnering with Bell Let’s Talk, she is looking forward to sharing her story.

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“It gives me an opportunity to discuss my situation and help acknowledge my mental health. Which was a huge turning point. I feel as though it is where I truly began to accept that I struggle with anxiety.”

Brittany Florjancic remarks how she had to stop swimming when she was 16 due to surgery on both her ankles. It was then she come to notice her mental state.

“That summer was the first time

“

something so mesmerizing about getting lost in your thoughts and focusing on your strokes and techniques.”

Florjancic says the most important thing for her has been the support system surrounding her.

“There have been multiple times when I have felt suicidal and I succumbed to reaching out to my best friend or my sister. As stupid and embarrassed as I felt, it was essential that I did because if they had not been there, I don’t know where I

That is the most crucial part of suffering from mental illness, having somewhere else to put your head to help push past it.

I truly ever been affected by a mental illness, however, I never truly acknowledged that it was depression I was feeling.”

Florjancic tried to get back in the pool after her surgery but remarks that it was next to impossible. It was only when she got to UNB that she decided to give it another try.

“The past couple of years have been an extreme struggle. I’ve found my mental illness has really held me back from truly giving it my best efforts in the pool because trying to convince myself to go to practices was exhausting.”

Just as Currie uses basketball to beat her anxiety, Florjancic has turned to swimming to counter her depression.

“I have finally recognized that swimming can be used as an outlet. I make sure I get to practice, regardless of how my mood is, because I am able to lose myself in the water,” she said. “There is

“

would be.”

Nadia Kashetsky uses swimming as a distraction and a way of escaping her anxiety. She supports Bell Let’s Talk for ending the stigma around people struggling just as she has.

“Bell Let’s Talk is so important because it is decreases the stigma of mental health. So many people suffer in silence because their scared to be seen as weak or abnormal,” she said, “but, at one point in everyone’s life we are all affected by mental health and it is so important to have a support system.”

On Jan. 25, everyone is invited to join the 2,200 student athletes from 11 different Atlantic universities to end the stigma around mental illness.

Sports

A dietitian’s tips for a healthy 2017 Words by Anna Jackson, RD While December is a time of celebration and indulgence for many of us, January is often seen as a new beginning, and time to set resolutions to lead a healthier lifestyle.

Diets marketed to result in fast weight loss are very tempting when we are looking for a quick fix. However, these types of diets are difficult to maintain, causing us to regain any weight lost and resulting in feelings of discouragement and frustration.

As January gives way to February, it is often at this time that we abandon our lofty goals set at the beginning of the New Year. If this is the case for you, don’t despair! Here are five realistic tips to set you on the right track for improving your health and eating habits this year.

Don’t attempt to overhaul your entire diet overnight.

Research has shown that setting small, realistic goals is the way to go. A few examples of attainable goals might be: “Include a fruit or vegetable with every meal” or “Limit eating fast food to one time per week.” Achieving and maintaining these small goals long term can have a major impact on overall health.

Focus on real food.

Keep things simple with a diet

rich in fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, fish, and dairy products. Aim to include as little processed food in your diet this year as possible. The fewer the ingredients, the better! By focusing on natural, whole foods, you will be consuming less trans fats, added sugars and sodium, all of which can be detrimental to our health.

Ditch feelings of guilt.

We all have bad days! Life as a student is stressful and busy, and this can sometimes lead to less than ideal food choices. What you eat is not a reflection of who you are as a person, and should never be the cause of feelings of guilt or shame.

Food is just food. Having the ability to move past a bad day and refocus on the goals you have set is imperative to long term success.

Move!

It is well known that physical activity is an important part of a healthy lifestyle. Making time in your day for some activity can result in increased mood, reduced stress, and increased productivity with school work. For Canadians, cold weather often encourages us to remain indoors and hibernate during the winter.

This is the perfect time to put your URec membership to good use. If you’re not a fan of the weight room, try a yoga or spin

class. Lastly, don’t forget the health benefits of walking! Bundle up and take advantage of the beautiful walking trails Fredericton has to offer.

Seek out credible information.

Finding evidence-based information online can be a huge challenge. The Dietitians of Canada website (www.dietitians. ca) and EatRight Ontario (www.eatright.org) are two sites that provide credible nutrition information on a wide variety of topics, including budgeting, vitamin and mineral needs, heart health, and more. Check out these sites for the answers to your nutrition questions and to help set your goals this year.

For inspiration, visit the UNB Nutrition Pinterest page at www.pinterest.com/ unbnutrition. Here you will find meal ideas, and plenty of tips to make healthy eating fun and easy!

For help with setting goals to live a healthier lifestyle this year, call, or drop in to the Student Health Centre (506) 453-4837 to book an appointment.

Dietitian services are FREE to all full-time UNB and STU students. No referral is needed.

YOUR CAMPUS & HOUSE MERCH SUPPLIER Contact James Wood 478-4337 27

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Sports

Name: Hess Mayele Hometown: Laval (Quebec) Team (position/event): Basketball — Point Guard Why UNB: Because I wanted to explore new places and not stay in my hometown Favourite thing about UNB: Basketball Favourite experience as a VRed: Basketball Games Favourite colour: Navy Blue Favourite food: Cookies Describe yourself using one word: Persistent

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Name: Tess McDonald Hometown: Fredericton, NB Team (position/event): Track and field, triple jump Why UNB: I picked UNB because I love the campus and Fredericton. I also wanted to keep training with my track team and I heard good things about the science program.

Favourite thing about UNB: My favourite thing about UNB is probably the small class sizes because I get to know my professors. There are also a lot of opportunities for students to find summer research jobs.

Favourite experience as a VRed: AUS Championships 2016. It was a really fun and high-energy meet. I qualified for CIS Championships at that competition, which I had never expected.

Favourite colour: Blue Favourite food: Peanut butter Describe yourself using one word: Hard-working

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