March 2017

Confluence The

YOUR OFFICIAL COLLEGE NEWSPAPER

MARCH 2017

MARV’s comic

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MISSISSIPPI FIELD MICE

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ADAYA’s TRAVEL DIARIES

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Sydney Kulchyski Editor-in-Chief, The Confluence Student Ambassador, CNC

Kyle Rowell

Harman Dandiwal

News Editor The Confluence

Managing Editor, The Confluence Communications Officer, CNCSU

EDITORIAL

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Sydney Kulchyski Editor-in-chief

Submissions, inquiries and requests can be made to news@cncsu.ca, in person at the CNCSU room 1-303, or mailed to “The Confluence c/o CNCSU 3330-22nd Ave. Prince George, BC V2N 1P8.

All submissions are welcome, the authors of edited works used in the confluence receive a $20 cheque upon publication.

Advertisement rates are available upon request.

Hope you all have had a wonderful March and enjoyed all of the St. Patrick’s Day festivities that were going on.

We had a lot to celebrate this month, with thirty students winning $1000 dollars each for the Open the Doors Gala, International Women’s Day going over as a huge success, and Pink Shirt anti-bullying day garnering plenty of support and participation. The sun is finally starting to peek its head out from behind the clouds and the days are getting longer, making summer seem like it’s just around the corner – and in fact, it’s coming up sooner than it may seem. With less than a month left until classes are over, everyone is gearing up for a busy, fun-filled break and the excitement is palpable.

We at the Student Union want to wish everyone good luck on exams, and to remind everyone to stay safe and take care of themselves while spending time studying and preparing. Here’s to a wonderful, sun-filled April!

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MARV’s COMIC

EDITORIAL

Kyle Rowell, News Editor

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I truly do love living in Prince George. It’s the sort of nostalgic familial love that comes from growing and living in one place for twenty years. That said, if someone moved here in early spring and immediately decided to move somewhere else, I wouldn’t hold it against them. This is an interesting city with a growing bar scene and a lot to offer, but every spring, the air is filled with dust and the streets are covered in gravel. As all hope is lost and sand fills the skies, heroes emerge in small white sweepers armed with water and large rotating brushes. The city’s streets are swept, rain falls, and for a time all is well. As the gravel, sand, and salt mixtures of winter fade away, those who have suffered a northern winter or two recognize the return of summer, and our small world changes. As March turns to April, on top of exam deadlines and final grades, we’re looking at the beginning of another British Columbian summer. Those who survived their exams and final projects are finally granted an opportunity to breathe and as spring moves to summer Prince George becomes a lot easier to enjoy. With a seemingly endless supply of volunteers and nature enthusiasts, it turns out it’s not too hard to find an excuse to dust off your boots and have an adventure. Prince George boasts over 75 kilometers of hiking trails, 1500 hectares of park space, and a now an officially sanctioned recreational site with 25 bike trails, most of which being for downhill mountain biking. Combine this with lakes, rivers, and seasonal businesses, those of you who find the time between saving for September’s classes and studying during summer courses may be pleasantly surprised.

Support and Crisis Contacts and Help Lines • Crisis Line- for immediate 24/7 support and information and referrals: 250-563-1214 Toll Free: 1-888-562-1214

• Youth Support Line: 250-564-8336

Chat line at www.northernbccrisissuicide.ca

• Provincial Suicide Hotline 1-800-SUICIDE or 1-800-784-2334

• College and University students for mental health • CNC Counselling: 250-561-5818 • UNBC Counselling: 250-960-6369

• Individuals who identify as aboriginal or wish to access aboriginal services • Carrier Sekani (Family Services): 250-562-3591 • Central Interior Native Health: 250-564-4422 • Native Friendship Centre: 250-564-4324

• Healing Centre: 250-564-4324

Cantonese Help Line, available 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.: 604-270-8222

Mandarin Help Line, available 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.: 604-270-8222

• Bounce Back teaches effective skills to help adults overcome early symptoms of depression and improve their mental health: www.bounceback.ca

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• SUCCESS Chinese Help Line:

BLACK HISTORY MONTH Kyle Rowell, News Editor

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February marked Black History Month, and with it came a reminder of the challenges Canadians of African descent have faced in British Columbia. Despite its current multiculturalism, Canada has a past of racist policies which are hard to ignore. British Columbia has always done things a little differently, from hosting the first Canada Day celebration, to introducing a leader by the name of James Douglas. Douglas was the Governor of British Columbia for 6 years beginning in 1858. He’s often referred to as The Father of British Columbia, and his mother was, “a free woman of colored decent”, according to HBC records. This province was built by a man of African descent, who invited African Americans from California to settle North of the, at the time disputed, border. Despite rising to build and lead communities, establish industry, and form one of the earliest militias for the defense of British Columbia, settlers of African descent faced discrimination. This is racism of the past, but looking South, as well as at home, it’s clear to see it’s far from over. Making up only 2.5% of the population, black Canadians make up a small part of our nation, but they deserve recognition for the incredible impact they’ve had, especially in a nation keen to advertise its multicultural values. Black History Month is internationally recognized, and the cause is incredibly important as news both North and South of the 49th has shed light on racism that is deep seated and systemic.

The challenges and horrendous mistreatments overcome by black communities have gained international recognition. However on February 25th something else incredibly important occurred, something the media and activists often forget to bring up: pride and celebration. At CNC’s Black History Month event, the numerous cultures and nations it encompassed were celebrated with strength and diversity. Foods from various parts of the world as well as artwork were brought together and enjoyed, and a silent auction raised funds for an orphanage in Burundi. People danced and celebrated throughout, but most importantly, different histories and cultures mingled together and were shared with pride.

OPEN THE DOORS NORTH Kyle Rowell, News Editor

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Tuition is a challenge and the cost of living is ever increasing. This means more students working longer hours and struggling harder to reach their goals. Despite the excitement of summer, many students are more focused on seasonal employment that can fund another year of courses. Everyone in post-secondary has a story of how and why they’re there, and many of these stories involve struggle and hardship. Between January 20th and February 10th, the Faculty Association asked to hear these stories, and students responded with essays and videos sharing their struggles, barriers, and goals. On top of various door prizes and food given out on March 7th at the college, 30 students were rewarded $1000 each for their submissions, courtesy of the Faculty Association. More than cupcakes and cash were present at the event as speakers backed the actions of many student advocacy groups, criticizing the BC Liberals. It’s important to be objective when it comes your leaders, and organizations based around education certainly have been in recent years. Public school teachers going on strike, The BC Federation of Students’ Don’t Close the Doors and Squash the Squeeze campaigns, as well as numerous open critiques from various organizations carry the argument that education isn’t a priority in British Columbia. So, what can you do? Well first, you can vote. 2013 saw a record low voter turnout and so if you’re over 19 and reading this, please register to vote. We young people tend to believe that our votes don’t matter, that our voices don’t count, but I’m convinced that if we all filled out a ballot this May, a lot of politicians who had never considered us would be trembling at their desks, and policies would begin to reflect this. The Faculty Association has been incredibly generous in supporting students, and $30,000 given directly to students most certainly shows where their support lies. Education is worth fighting for in British Columbia, and the Faculty Association, The Students union, and the BCFS all believe this, and you too can be part of the fight regardless of which party you support politically.

CNC EVENTS

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Visit CNC.BC.CA for more information

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MISSISSIPPI FIELD MICE

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by : Rebecca Clark-Gray I once kissed a snake on the mouth. It wasn’t a venomous snake- just one of those three foot long brown-green serpents that hide in the grass and eat mice, but I don’t tell people that part. My dirty faced cousin and I found it in the loft of his parents’ barn eight years ago during one of my Dad’s yearly nonnegotiable visits to the south. We’d snuck off before dinner and climbed up a tall stack of hay bales all the way to the rafters. I was behind him when he said “Ha! Natty, look what I found!” I looked up to see him reach into a nook between two wooden planks. He paused for a short moment with his hand buried inside, and pulled out a twisting palebellied grass snake, thin from hunger. It thrashed its tail violently and whipped him in the arm a few times before latching onto it as if it was an oak branch. It looked painful, but Keddie didn’t seem to notice. He had the base of its skull gripped tightly between his grimey, calloused fingers. “Oh god, that’s gross! Put it back!” I ordered in panic. “You’s ain’t scared of a little snake, are ya Natty?” He grinned and hopped down the hay stacks to my level. The snake squirmed, and I backed up when he got closer, only to Keddie’s amusement. “It won’t bite ya.” He said just as the snake stretched open its mouth and revealed two small but gruesome fangs. I recoiled, and called him a liar. “I’ll prove it.” He replied. “How?” I questioned. With his free hand he rifled through the deep denim pockets of his overalls and pulled out a gold nugget. I gawked, “is that real?” I’d never seen a real one before, and leaned in closer to inspect it, almost forgetting what he had wrapped around his other hand. Giving me a look, Keddie pursed his mouth

and kissed his tongue in a strong sound of disapproval as he quickly clenched his fist around his sliver of fortune. “A-ah. Not until you kiss’er.”

He said. “If you kiss the snake- then it’s yours.”

“What, the snake?” “No, ya waterhead. The gold piece.” He took it out and put it between his molars for a second. “See? It’s real.” I looked back at the snake as it wound and tightened its wispy body around Keddie’s bare arm in its menacing facade, and just like that I realized, everything has a price.

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I break for a drink and a cigarette I can’t find the words. They’re lost in the dark Been trying too hard. The time’s not right yet.

My head starts to spin. And there is the spark.

That feeling comes back, but still there’s no sound.

Perhaps just as well; her words were all lies.

My senses confused, the mem’ries abound.

I hear sparks in heaven. The sound of her sighs.

I rewind the tape. The words still aren’t there.

Not sure what they were; something about love.

Just because I’m drunk, don’t mean I don’t care ‘Bout whatever it was I was thinking of.

The one that I love, though she don’t love me.

The one that will hurt that I can’t let be.

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by : David Williams

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STUDENT REP

ELECTIONS CNC Gathering Place, Nicholson, Canfor and Brinks buildings Quesnel Campus Gathering Place

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28, 29, 30 March 10 am - 4 pm

FINAL LIST OF CANDIDATES RUNNING FOR STUDENTS’ UNION ELECTIONS PLEASE BRING YOUR STUDENT I.D. TO VOTE CHAIRPERSON - KAMAL BINDRA

DILPREET SINGH SECRETARY - ADAYA LINDLEY WOMENS’ REP. - MANKIRAN KAUR ABORIGINAL STUDENTS’ REP. - TIFFANY PLASWAY PG CAMPUS REP. - JING lIANG (ALEX)

HARPREET SIDHU

INDERJIT SINGH

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TREASURER - ARVINDER SINGH

KARANBIR SINGH QUESNEL CAMPUS REP. - MICHELLE GODFREY INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS’ REP. - ANUBHAV SAINI (AV)

SUKHMAN SINGH

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ADAYA’s TRAVEL DIARIES MEXICO: LIVE DIFFERENT TRIP

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by : Adaya Lindley

In 2013 after my graduation I went with a group of other graduates to Mexico to build houses for people that didn’t have one. It was an amazing experience! We had the opportunity to meet so many different people, and got a taste of the diverse Mexican culture! But it was also very difficult. The conditions that some people were living in were extremely poor. The family that my group had the opportunity to build a house for, were living in 4 two-by-fours, tarp and cardboard before we got there.

We painted the house a bright teal, and when the house was finished the extended family members of the family we built for all came over and we celebrated with burritos and orange juice.

The meal was a gift from the family so we were extremely grateful because this meal would have been very pricey for them. We spent about a week and a half there with them but it felt like so much longer! When it was time to go there were many tears; both of joy and sadness. We learned about real generosity, and how much you can give when you have so little. I remember seeing how close everyone was to their family members and being really jealous; it was a kind of closeness that I think we’ve forgotten about here in Canada. We don’t want to bother our family members, or we feel that we should be accomplishing things on our own. It seems that our sense of pride and ego out weighs our familial needs sometimes. Whatever the reason is here we had an instant family. Here we could dance and sing and give as much of ourselves to these complete strangers as we wanted without judgement. The children would always look at us and ask ‘cocochito?’ which was Spanish for ‘piggyback.’ I’d pretend to be a rocket ship or a horse and make sound effects, the faster I ran the louder they would squeal with delight! It was a fabulous experience!

If you would like information on this volunteer experience, please email me at adayalindley@yahoo.ca

This was the first day we arrived, this was the room we were given to stay in and the group of us that were building the house.

This was the finished house, our group and family we built with.

This is myself and some of the children walking through town, we had just bought bracelets.

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This was me and a little girl named Marcella, she asked me to pick her up before we left, this was our last day in Mexico.