Issue 7 by The Dialog

George Brown to get seedy?

RUN GBC

Petition calls for community garden

pg. 2 Dec. 5 to Jan. 8, 2016

We’re All Mad Queers builds community

Women’s volleyball team hanging tough

pg. 3

pg. 7 GBC Student Newspaper • Founded 1982

NEWS

The Dialog • dialognews.ca // Dec. 5 - Jan. 8

Petition for Casa Loma community garden plants seed worth tending Student-run garden would stock George Brown’s food bank as well as bring people together, supporters say ALEX RESENDES REPORTER-EDITOR

Next year, the back lawn at Casa Loma campus could be graced by a garden full of fresh fruits and vegetables, but only if students jump aboard to help grow the campaign. Camila Lima, an architecture student at George Brown College (GBC), is spearheading a petition to start a community garden at Casa Loma on a portion of the green space facing Dartnell Ave. The initiative follows a GBC community garden located in Regent Park near St. James campus that operated in 2014 but was forced to close in 2015, as well as a small garden at Casa Loma that operated in 2015. “Since that land belonged to the Student Association (SA), we were able to use it,” said Claire Whitehead, SA employee and food bank lead. Produce from the SA garden was distributed to students in

The Dartnell Ave. green space, seen here from the 5th floor of Casa Loma’s building C, is the proposed site for a new student-run community garden. Photo: Alex Resendes / The Dialog

2016 through the food bank. The Dialog is funded by the SA. Whitehead had previously requested the use of the green space at Casa Loma for a garden, but as she described it, the request was denied by facilities management as that green space is allotted for student use. Eric Schneider, the college’s campus manager at Casa Loma, clarified that

“George Brown doesn’t have a lot of green space to utilize, and the addition of a garden could attract unwanted pests.” Schneider added that use of the green space is often requested for student use and must be available, and that the SA already has gardening space available to them. As Whitehead pointed out, however, the current SA garden is too small to grow enough produce to meet food

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bank demand. And this year, she said that students have been asking her, “‘where are those tomatoes, I want more of those tomatoes!’” Another consideration is that Lima’s petition is a purely student-driven initiative, which may address concerns regarding the lawn being for student use. Whitehead emphasized that the petition is an original initiative of Lima’s.

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Contact The Dialog at: Room E122 - Casa Loma 142 Kendal Avenue Toronto, ON M5R 1M3 www.dialognews.ca Tel: 416-415-5000 ext. 2764 dialog@sagbc.ca

“I’m really happy that Camila approached us about her idea for the garden on Dartnell because we did have that idea before, and that she’s a student, and I think the most important thing is that students are being involved in this,” she said. If the petition receives a positive response from the school, a detailed plan outlining implementation, logistics, costs and other factors will be produced to aid in bringing the garden to life. Lima, who has already collected pages of signatures petitioning for the garden, was hopeful that the garden will help to connect and meet the needs of everybody at George Brown. “It would connect faculty, staff, students, Peerconnect, the SA, the Good Food Market and the food bank,” said Lima. “That’s what we’re trying to do, not just to have the community garden there, it would be something that really brings people there.” Whitehead was similarly hopeful for what a community garden could do for those at George Brown. “I think that providing more spaces of greenery and nature, where people work and live and go to school directly, is really important to make people remember the earth and the land and the things that we’re connected to, and how it serves us and we need to serve it.”

@thedialog THE DIALOG PARTNERS defrayed by advertising revenue and largely subsidized by student fees. Occasionally, some advertisers, products and services do not reflect the policies of the Student Association. Opinions expressed in The Dialog are not necessarily those of The Dialog, the Student Association of George Brown College, or its editorial staff.

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NEWS

The Dialog • dialognews.ca // Dec. 5 - Jan. 8

Redefining being ‘mad’ and ‘queer’

United Way used book sales

C Building, 2nd Floor cafeteria

St. James Wednesday, Dec. 7 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

200 King St. E., main lobby

Find great reads at great prices! Sale items may include used fiction and non-fiction books, textbooks, CDs, DVDs, Blurays, video games and more. All proceeds from the used book sale go to the United Way, which helps build stronger communities and a brighter future for our youth. Donate items for the book sale at the St. James campus or Casa Loma campus welcome desks.

STEVE CORNWELL ASSISTANT EDITOR

The Community Action Centre (CAC) is supporting We’re All Mad Queers, a drop-in session for folks who self-identify as being on the LGBTQQ2SIA spectrum, and having mental health differences. The drop-in is designed for participants to share their experiences, express their creativity and build community. Facilitator Arielle Sugarman emphasized that, for folks who have felt marginalized by society because of their queerness and their experiences with mental health and its treatment, the creation of a space where mad and queer identities can be explored in a tender way is key. “Sharing stories and possible elements of your own truth, and to see that reflected through another (person), it’s something that’s really important,” said Sugarman, who is also the CAC’s disabilities students’ support staff. The first session of We’re All Mad Queers, which was held on Nov. 22, focused on what the term “madness” meant to the participants. Mad as a term, Sugarman explained, “has been used along with words like crazy to cause a lot of harm to folks who experience mental health differences, and who have been negatively impacted by the psychiatric system.” Sugarman added that part of confronting what those terms mean is understanding that, “mental health is something that folks experience in different ways and it’s not inherently something that is a positive or a negative, it’s

EVENTS LISTING Casa Loma Tuesday, Dec. 6 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

We’re All Mad Queers looks to build community and challenge views on mental health

We’re All Mad Queers Tuesday, Dec. 6 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Community Action Centre St. James, Rooom 165B Illustration by Chantelle Friesen

just a state that people can experience.” Advocates for challenging how mental health differences are treated in psychiatry recently gained traction at

Sugarman acknowledged that critical views on how mental health is treated seem to be gathering steam right now, but folks don’t necessarily have to be anti-medication

“Mental health is something that folks experience in different ways and it’s not inherently something that is a positive or a negative” University of Toronto (U of T), where the Bonnie Burstow Scholarship in Antipsychiatry was announced in October. Named after Bonnie Burstow, a long-time critical voice on psychiatry, the scholarship aims to “foster research, policy, and social change informed by the critical resurgence of the anti-psychiatry movement.”

or anti-psychiatry to identify as mad. The second session of We’re All Mad Queers is happening on Tuesday, Dec. 6 between 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the CAC’s St. James campus office in room 165 B.

Drop-in for folks who identify as Mad & Queer. Meeting topic: self-care, navigating difficult times, and building support. This group is open to LGBTQQ2SIA folks who self-identify as Mad/Psychiatric Survivor/Consumer Survivor/Crazy/Mentally Ill or want to explore what those identities may mean for them. Free, wheelchair accessible space, coffees/teas. Hosted by the Community Action Centre. Questions/Accommodations: disabilities@sagbc.ca

Queer Care Thursday, Dec. 8 Noon to 2:30 p.m.

Community Action Centre St. James, Room 165B

Self-care kits & crafting Winter and the holiday season can be hard. The Community Action Centre cares. Stop by and create a personal self-care kit and mini-gifts to yourself. Enjoy some hot chocolate, snacks, and make self-care kits with stickers, buttons, candy, and more. Hosted by the Community Action Centre LGBTQ students support staff Questions/Accommodations: lgbtq@saggbc.ca

SA board meeting Monday, Dec. 12 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Casa Loma Student Centre, Boardroom E126 142 Kendal Ave - Toronto

The Student Association has a board of directors whose membership is comprised of elected students. Thier monthly meetings are open to the public. Don’t be shy! A visit to a board meeting for the first time may seem intimidating. Just remember, board members are your fellow students. They are there to answer your questions and are accountable to you.

Alternative Careers Workshop Tuesday, Dec. 13 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

341 King Street East, Room 341 (3rd Floor), Toronto, Ontario

As a new immigrant with education and experience in a specific profession, you may find that continuing in the same field is challenging. You may need to consider alternative careers that match your competencies and transferable skills to related or new industries. Please call or email to register for this workshop as spaces are limited. Entry Advising Services: 416. 415. 5000 Ext. 2949 collegeadvisor@georgebrown. ca

Holiday Food Drive Nov. 14 to Dec. 14 Support the SA’s Holiday Food Drive. Our goal this year is to collect 300 donation bags of food. Donation bags will be available for pick-up starting Nov. 14. Students have a lot of things to worry about; where their next meal is coming from shouldn’t be one of them. To m a k e a d o n a t i o n you can drop off food at the food bank or Student Association front offices: l St. James: 200 King Street E, Rooms 159A and 147 l Casa Loma: E Building, Rooms E127 and E100 l Waterfront: Concourse Level, Room 031

NEWS

The Dialog • dialognews.ca // Dec. 5 - Jan. 8

Black Student Success Network Riders will have to launches mentorship program buy a year of Presto

Metropasses to get a discount Prices going up in February for VIP and PostSecondary Metropasses

Black Student Success Network project team at the network’s October launch. File photo: Steve Cornwell

Connextion aims to provide reliable support for students in their emerging careers STEVE CORNWELL ASSISTANT EDITOR

In the New Year, Black Student Success Network (BSSN) will launch a mentoring program where students will be shown the ropes by staff and faculty of George Brown College. The mentoring program, which is called “Connextion”, aims to facilitate relationships between mentors and mentees to help students articulate their career goals and find

success. “We learned from the research that led to the formation of the BSSN that supportive relationships were very important for black students,” said Neil Price, a founding member of the network and a professor in the community worker program. When the program launches in February 2017, Price said that students can expect to have access to a reliable mentor. “Mentees will have someone they can learn from, who they can bounce ideas off of,” said Price who added that he hoped students being mentored would also benefit from their mentor’s network, leading to jobs and internships down the road. The BSSN was formed in response to disproportionately low rates of retention among black students in the community service programs at the college. In March, Price released a report, On the path to success,

which made 11 recommendations to address barriers facing black students. The report also outlined measures to support Black student’s success, including the creation of a mentoring program, a dedicated space, and a pre-college preparation program for black students. Since its launch the network has been holding weekly tutoring and drop-in sessions, engaging with project partners and recruiting members to the BSSN. According to Price, the network now has over 70 students registered. Connextion is currently looking for staff and faculty from the George Brown community to apply as mentors for the program. Interested mentors can email blackstudentsuccess@georgebrown.ca for an application form that is due on Jan. 13, 2017.

STEVE CORNWELL ASSISTANT EDITOR

The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) recently delivered some bad news to the Student Association of George Brown College (SA) that will likely mean that riding the red rocket will cost more green. In an email obtained by The Dialog the TTC told the SA that when the Presto Metropass Discount Plan replaces the VIP pass in late 2017, customers will have to commit

skipping certain months over the summer when cycling or other modes of transportation are possible,” said McMechan. He added the some students currently skip buying passes for December when there is a long break from classes, and in warmer weather when cycling and walking to school is easier. “By forcing these individuals to commit to a year, I foresee this option will not work for a large percentage of our current users,” said McMechan. An email from Mark Gasior, manager of customer experiance for the TTC, to McMechan said the TTC is looking to launch a Post-Secondary Metropass on Presto in late 2017. Fares are also increasing for VIP and Post-Secondary Student Metropasses in February 2017. The VIP Metropass will cost $128.75 a month, up from $124.50. The Post-secondary Student Metropass is set to cost $116.75, up from $112. “I’m disappointed that once again we are seeing a rise in

SA seeks to fill vacant positions on board Director of equity and satellite campus director sought THE DIALOG STAFF

The Student Association (SA) of George Brown College is looking for two students to join its board of directors for the rest of the term. The SA, which funds The Dialog, is looking for a new director of equity after Rajai Refai stepped down at the November board meeting. The satellite campus director has been vacant since Stephanie Han stepped down. Instead of holding byelec-

tions for the positions, the SA is opting for an application process. Tiffany White, the SA’s director of education, said that they are looking for people with a background in social justice and experiance working with an anti-oppression framework for the director of equity position. For the satellite campus director, White said that they are looking for someone from Ryerson, the Young Centre or Sunnybrook campuses who is able to travel to to all of them to do outreach with students.

“What usually ends up happening is that people focus on Ryerson and the other two get left by the wayside and aren’t really involved as much,” said White. Interested applicants are encouraged to submit a letter to the director of internal and communications outlining their skills and experience, why they want to be on the board as well as what they would contribute to the SA. Applications close on Dec. 7. and can be sent to dircommunicationsinternal@sagbc.ca

TTC Metropasses prices go up in Feburary. Photo: Steve Cornwell/The Dialog

to buying Metropasses for an entire year to get a discount of 8 per cent. Students and staff at George Brown currently receive a 12 per cent discount on the VIP Metropass and can buy them on a month-tomonth basis. Robert McMechan, the SA’s senior coordinator of collaborative programs and special projects, called the transition from the VIP pass to the discounted Presto plan a “worrisome change.” “Many of our current users purchase month to month,

transit prices, while also seeing decreases in overall services,” said McMechan. He added that he looks forward to Toronto developing more revenue tools to help reduce the cost currently shouldered by transit users. Kadeem Griffiths, a spokesperson for the TTC, said that any changes to the VIP and MDP programs are still under consideration and any changes will be communicated well in advance of the switch to Presto. The SA funds The Dialog.

OPINION

The Dialog • dialognews.ca // Dec. 5 - Jan. 8

Living feminism means doing what needs to be done, ourselves If Trudeau was really a feminist he would use his power to fight systemic violence not use band-aid solutions THE DECEMBER 6TH MEMORIAL COMMITTEE

Each year on Dec. 6, we gather in solidarity and remembrance of the 14 women murdered at L’Ecole Polytechnique de Montreal in 1989. 26 years ago, a gunman, fuelled by misogynistic hatred, invaded the university and opened fire primarily on women. For this year’s memorial, we ask our allies to recognize

the effects of systemic violence in the lives of women, as well as Indigenous and racialized peoples. It is systemic violence that has impeded us from truly regaining control of our lives to achieve our full potential. For too long, capitalism and colonialism holds us back through racialized poverty, gender based and sexual violence, barriers for immigrant women, murders of Indigenous women, homophobia, transphobia, classism, ableism, carding, blaming and shaming survivors, lack of education and child care, biased legal and criminal systems and all other forms of oppression. In order to create change, we must recognize these structures as being responsible for all the systemic violence we have historically experienced. If our Prime Minister was indeed a feminist, as he publicly claimed, he would use his power and influence to fight against systemic violence and not use band-aid solutions that feed the historic patriarchal system, such as maintaining a

Memorial plaque of the École Polytechnique Massacre in Montreal. Photo: Wikipedia

legal system that re-victimizes rape survivors. By now, Trudeau should

have created policies that are so based in feminism, he would not have to ever say he is one.

Women and people from marginalized groups would have transformed their lives. Living feminism is fighting the status quo, fighting for rights, having control of our bodies, doing what needs to be done because we know our leaders won’t do it unless we fight for it. We all know that we are far from experiencing life from a feminist perspective. We are still witnessing systemic violence daily. Women are still struggling with worklife balance, finding affordable housing and daycare. In Ontario alone, 20 women were murdered this year and nationwide the number is even more staggering. We challenge our allies and political leaders to display your feminism by actively listening to women and marginalized people. Our lived experiences qualify us as the only ones capable of strategizing our own escape. If you listen, we will share our feminist plans to dismantle the structures and end systematic violence. This archaic system has marginalized and enslaved too many of us for too long and prevented all of us from experiencing a more just and egalitarian society.

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SPORTS

The Dialog • dialognews.ca // Dec. 5 - Jan. 8

Boundless energy: Men’s volleyball team plays with hearts on their sleeves Wolfpack Ticker

Head coach Garrett May says the experience has been incredible

Badminton

PHILIP IVER

D’Artaniel Jackman isn’t shy about celebrating a kill.

REPORTER-EDITOR

An electrifying experience awaits those watching George Brown’s men’s volleyball team. Between the emphatic yells, Huskies chants and dramatic bench reactions, the squad makes its passion abundantly clear. While their exuberance has earned stern looks and finger wags from officials, this is a team which seems to do best when loud, animated and mildly madcap. The team’s mentality of enjoying the moment is something head coach Garrett May says you don’t often see, and one he prefers over needing to fire them up. Energy without ability is little more than obnoxious wheel-spinning. Luckily, the

Scores from George Brown College athletics

Photo: Philip Iver / The Dialog

Huskies have both. Middle blocker Ahmed Youssef ’s 22-block solos are the fourth highest in the Ontario Colleges Athletics Association, four-year Huskies veteran D’Artaniel Jackman ranks second in total kills, and the team as a whole displays a strong, aggressive style more often than not. Boundless energy can go off the rails, and George Brown was riding a twogame losing streak before winning a 3-2 thriller against Fleming on Nov. 29. Key for this squad will be channeling their energy into hard work and, as Huskies outside hitter Raymond Tantengco put it, recklessness. “I feel like we were in a bit

of a slump, we lost two games in a row, we didn’t perform well in Durham and here we just came out reckless,” Tantengco said after the win. “Last game of the semester, we just had to give it our all.” Aggression and risk-taking are qualities May believes will win games when things are tight. For the head coach, who is in his first year, the team’s record speaks to a competitive squad, one which will be in the thick of things all season. Of course, it also shows room for improvement. “We got a lot of work to do,” said Jackman. “We had some great matches and some really horrible ones. We’ve identified what we need to work on, so

we’re going to take this break and come back in next semester much stronger than now.” A distinguished athlete at both the university and national level, May said the experience coaching the Huskies has been incredible. With nine games and counting at the Huskies’ helm, he couldn’t help but convey excitement when talking about the last few months. “I wasn’t sure what to expect when coming in, but I’m so glad with how the reception’s been and how things have turned out.” said May. “This is a really fun league to be a part of, so I’m just enjoying every minute.”

Nov. 18-20: Fanshawe Invitational Women’s Doubles Yunji Kim/Tiffany Yeung t-3rd overall (2-1), ‘A’ Division Women’s Singles Yunji Kim - t-3rd overall (3-1), ‘A’ Division Men’s Singles Oliver Fan - 2nd overall, ‘B’ Division

Women’s Basketball Durham . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70 George Brown . . . . . . . . . . . 57 Centennial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79 George Brown . . . . . . . . . . . 69 Georgian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68 George Brown . . . . . . . . . . . 43 George Brown. . . . . . . . . . . . 59 Loyalist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

Men’s Basketball George Brown . . . . . . . . . . . 86 Durham . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73 George Brown . . . . . . . . . . . 90 Canadore . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88 George Brown . . . . . . . . . . . 85 Loyalist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

Women’s Volleyball Algonquin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 George Brown . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 George Brown . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 La Cite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0 Durham . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 George Brown . . . . . . . . . . . . 0 Fleming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 George Brown . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Men’s Volleyball George Brown . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Algonquin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 La Cite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 George Brown . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Durham . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 George Brown . . . . . . . . . . . . 0 George Brown . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Fleming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

When on their game, these Huskies play an aggressive, pumped up style. Photo: Philip Iver / The Dialog

SPORTS

The Dialog • dialognews.ca // Dec. 5 - Jan. 8

Forward together: focus for women’s volleyball team goes beyond the final score Huskies head coach Dana Cooke hopes for “renewed inspiration” in 2017 PHILIP IVER REPORTER-EDITOR

George Brown’s women’s volleyball team may have an unflattering 2-7 record, but process over results is the focus for this Huskies squad. While George Brown has gone through ups and downs

on the court, the coaching staff ’s message has been a constant all season long. Rather than setting goals around the final score, Huskies head coach Dana Cooke asks for continuous improvement from the last outing. “Even though it’s based on wins and losses from the league’s standpoint, I’m realistic enough to know that I have to invest in the players first,” said Cooke. “Performance is really what our goal is, and I’ve seen a definite improvement from September till now.” The loss to Fleming on Nov. 29, where George Brown played to five sets for the first time all season, was just the latest example of a team coming together slowly but surely. If there’s a final hurdle for the Huskies to overcome, it may be between the ears.

For Tiana Samuels (left), George Brown needs to avoid dwelling on errors. Photo: Philip Iver / The Dialog

Throughout the first nine games of the season, George Brown has struggled to put a missed point or ugly stretch behind them. When the Huskies have played with consistency and confidence, it’s paid off. Assistant coach Lesley Lovell described the Nov. 13 win over Canadore as the first time the team believed they had the skills necessary to compete. It’s a dynamic third-year Huskies veteran Tiana Samuels is well aware of. “The more you look at the score, everything changes,” said Samuels, who believes

Pao Ming Lee (7) believes George Brown still has room to grow, and will do so together. Photo: Philip Iver / The Dialog

the coaching staff will work on mental skills between now and their next game on Jan. 11. “Your mentality changes, and basic skills that we acquire as a team diminish. We just got to play volleyball and stop focusing on our errors.” Describing December as another building month, Cooke’s thoughts on the future go beyond game plans and nitty-gritty. While the Huskies head coach does look forward to applying new techniques and perhaps new lineups, underlying those is a hope that 2017 brings “renewed inspiration”.

Ideas of taking the next step would be fruitless if George Brown’s core wasn’t willing to buy into the team concept. Listening to second-year Husky Pao Ming Lee, who nearly willed her side to victory on Nov. 29, it sounds as if camaraderie is the least of George Brown’s concerns. “I love the team,” said Lee. “Everything is for the team, for each other. That’s what I want everyone to feel like; We grow together, we win together, we lose together, it’s all part of our development”.

ARTS & LIFE

The Dialog • dialognews.ca // Dec. 5 - Jan. 8

‘My Millennial Life’ gets up close with the struggles of twenty-somethings

Emily Smillie, a George Brown graduate, is struggling to make ends meet in ‘My Millennial Life.’ Photo from the film courtesy of GAT PR

Documentary features former George Brown student as she pushes for career in marketing SHAUN IYER REPORTER-EDITOR

A new documentary, My Millennial Life, intimately looks at the lives of five twenty-somethings as they navigate their aspirations, dis-

7 grandfather teachings opens dialogue on First Nations’ spirituality Bob Crawford shares universal wisdom and explains First Nations spiritualism

ALEX RESENDES REPORTER-EDITOR

Living a good and full life is a difficult and lifelong endeavour, but the wisdom and guidance of others can help, as Robert “Bob” Crawford, Aboriginal Services counsellor at George Brown, knows well. On Nov. 27, the Peerconnect centre at Casa Loma campus hosted a talk about First Nations’ spirituality and beliefs lead by Crawford, who

is from the Algonquin Nation and is Turtle Clan. “I’m here to talk about how our people live good and healthy lives,” said Crawford, purifying smoke curling up from a braid of smouldering sweetgrass on the table behind him. The talk was focused on the seven grandfather teachings, the Anishinaabe version of traditional teachings that help people live well and with regard for others and for the world. The seven teach-

appointments, and concerns after school. Emily Smillie, a George Brown graduate, is one of the five featured in the documentary. Smillie had previously studied sports and events marketing at George Brown when she met director Maureen Judge, who is also her landlord. Judge had asked Smillie to begin working

ings —courage, honesty, humility, truth, respect, wisdom and love—were taught using the story of a man walking on a journey through life, encountering animals that embody the lessons and virtues being taught. For Crawford, though, the seven teachings are only half of the talk’s significance. Dispelling misconceptions about First Nations’ spirituality and creating a dialogue is just as important. “Sometimes in today’s societies we’ve (all) forgotten about our own teachings,” Crawford said. He hopes that people who are not Indigenous Peoples will use sessions like his to reflect on their own cultures. He added that sessions like these are also about clearing up big misunderstandings around First Nations’ spirituality. To that end, the question period and discussions that the event featured helped participants clear up their own misconceptions. As well,

on a few video diaries for her new project on millennials. “When (Judge) approached me she was like ‘I’m thinking of making a film.’ She said ‘just do some video diaries on how you feel daily,’” Smillie said. The former George Brown student is the only subject in My Millennial Life who films herself. The documentary follows four others, Tim, Meron, James, and Hope, as they search for a way to become financially independent and follow their dreams. But each of the five Judge follows are searching for something different, success in the tech industry, online media and even through music. What ties all these individuals together is the fact that they have big dreams but find themselves stuck in a malaise, surviving in menial jobs, or terrified of failure while hunting for their big break. With filming in Toronto, New York and Philadelphia, My Millennial Life creates the feeling that what is happening on the screen is becoming normal for young people in many parts of the world. For Judge, the struggles of millennials to make it register both locally and globally. “I was inspired in a very tragic sense when I was reading about Greece and Spain and their bankruptcy,” she said. “I have two millennials and I am a mom and I wanted to tell their story.” The scenes with the five subjects, where they live, in

transit, with their partners, help create an considerable level intimacy between the viewer and the participants. This closeness is perhaps due to Judge’s approach, where she said she aimed to be both a director and an observer of the film’s subjects. Since filming last year, Smillie has gotten a job in a marketing firm where she said that she is doing well. Identifying as a very average student, Smillie explained that networking is now more important than hard work in this economy, even if people don’t like it. “There were people better than me in class and they’re not at the same level that I am now. I lost some friends over the job I have now,” she said. “They said, ‘we’ve worked so hard, and you don’t even come to class.’ My focus was always on working smart. I don’t care of grades, I always cared for the networking,” Smillie said. With great camerawork, stellar production value and a tightly edited movie, My Millennial Life, is an interesting look at millennials and the route they take to reach their ambitious goals. The film is available to stream at TV Ontario’s website: http://tvo.org/video/documentaries/my-millennial-life-feature-version

Robert “Bob” Crawford teaches George Brown students about the seven grandfather teachings at Casa Loma’s Peerconnect centre. Photo: Alex Resendes / The Dialog

the observation of and participation in simple rituals, such as prayers or the sweetgrass purification clarified some elements of First Nations’ beliefs that students may not have been familiar with. Crawford emphasized that the lessons of the seven grandfathers are truly universal,

and more applicable than ever. “We have a great responsibility as human beings, as caretakers for the earth, and we’re in some really interesting times right now in regards to that.”

ARTS & LIFE

The Dialog • dialognews.ca // Dec. 5 - Jan. 8

GBC theatre brings classic Robert Munsch books to life Munsch All Over entertaining for both kids and adults MARTIN MA REPORTER

“Oh Canada, we found a place to stay!” chants the high-spirited characters of Munsch All Over, as they file in to greet a theatre packed with kindergarten children. George Brown Theatre’s whimsical play chronicling the fabled tales of Robert Munsch engages both children and adults with dancing and singing across a stage adorned with fanciful alphabet blocks. Audiences are taken on a fantastic adventure featuring Irish, tap and jazz dancing, drumming, juggling, beatboxing, capped off by a clarinet solo that will keep audiences spellbound. “I come from far away,” gushed rosy-cheeked Saoussan Askar, a charming second-grade character who recounts her journey to Canada. She is one of many beloved Munsch canon figures captivating an audience of schoolkids and their teachers.

Meanwhile Gah-ning, a gregarious and uncomplicated preschooler, strikes out determined to reach Kapuskasing. “No and no!” her father denied. “Not on your bicycle, not on your scooter, not even with balloons!” And then, right on cue, a clown came along and gave her 300 welltimed balloons. Audiences will watch as Allashua and her family outwit the wicked Qallupilluit. “Qallupilluit, Qallupilluit, can’t catch me!” Allashua crooned, so sure that daring to cast her line through an icepack fissure is safe. Will Allashua and her family manage to dance themselves out of what may follow? In fact, you may even see some twerking from a school principal preparing to face a wayward needle! There will be much more Munsch until Dec. 10. Tickets are $8 for children and students and $20 for adults, and can be purchased online at youngcenter.ca or by calling 416-866-8666.

Rachelle Anne Roy credits George Brown for being an integral part of her rapid road to success. Photo: Shaun Iyer / The Dialog

Rachelle Anne Roy has a ‘passion for fashion’ The George Brown grad brought down ‘Fire’ at Vancouver Fashion Week SHAUN IYER REPORTER EDITOR

George Brown Theatre Students sing and dance to a young crowd for Munsch All Over. Photo courtesy of Andrew Oxenham

Having your clothes light up the stage at one of Canada’s biggest fashion shows is a dream come true for many designers. For Rachelle Anne Roy, it’s just the beginning. Since graduating with a diploma in fashion techniques and design in April 2015, Rachelle Anne Roy has since been busy making a name for herself and her brand in the fashion world. Roy always had the desire to

open her own fashion business. Following her graduation from George Brown, and after a six month stint at Fabricland, she moved to her home in Georgetown to work on her own clothing designs. Roy started designing clothes under the brand name Rachelle Anne Wear or R.A.W. She applied to Vancouver fashion week under this brand name and her designs got accepted. At Vancouver Fashion Week, her clothing line, Fire, lit it up. “The owner (of fashion week) came up to me after the shows and told me that shows like mine remind him why he does this for a living,” Roy said. Her collection was so well appreciated that she has been invited a second time to the next Vancouver fashion week in March 2017. Since her success in Vancouver, she has been busy collaborating with a local artist and working hard to get her garments into boutiques in Toronto. She is also a part of Fashion Exchange, a program

funded by George Brown to help budding designers, which started in November. Staying humble, she believes her journey has just begun. “I always had a passion for fashion. I started off sewing in high school, I made my prom dress and it evolved into something bigger today,” she said. Roy remembers her courses at George Brown as very hands-on. “I really appreciated it as someone who wanted to get a taste of what the actual fast-paced environment was like in the industry,” she said. She advised current students to not get dejected by the school’s demanding pressure. “It seems so tough when you’re in the program but it pays off in the long run. The real world is no different. You’re hustling all the time,” she said. Roy said that the school constantly kept emailing her with job opportunities and exciting events and is thankful for the immense attention the school gave her in shaping her career. Her first collection at Vancouver fashion week was called Fire and focused on the fire within us which is built due to stress. “If you don’t tame the flame it will consume you,” she said, adding that her next collection is called Ice and she wants her apparel to eventually be themed around all the four elements.

ARTS & LIFE

The Dialog â&#x20AC;˘ dialognews.ca // Dec. 5 - Jan. 8

ESL students and staff worked hard to make Caravan another amazing celebration recognizing and valuing what makes our diverse community so rich and fabulous! Photos and words: Nazy Entezari / The Dialog

FUN

The Dialog • dialognews.ca // Dec. 5 - Jan. 8 Medium Puzzle 4,232,657,275

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Puzzle #1 for November 9, 2016

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Across 1 Very, to Verdi; 6 Chinese weight; 10 Shoo!; 14 Beer mug; 15 Jai ___; 16 Crown; 17 Wheat type; 18 Select; 19 On ___ with; 20 Weatherbeaten; 23 Priest; 27 Bandleader Skinnay ___; 28 Word of woe; 29 Fixed; 34 Pertaining to a sovereign; 36 Ventures; 37 PC linkup; 40 Frankie Carle's theme song; 43 Tokyo, once; 44 Wide open; 45 Eagle's nest; 46 Loafers; 48 Yes, there is ___!; 49 Gather; 53 Mother of Calcutta; 55 Ghost; 60 Jewish month; 61 Ace, e.g.; 62 Extreme; 67 Fill up; 68 ___ spumante; 69 Some designer dresses; 70 Killed; 71 Graf ___; 72 Beethoven dedicatee; Down 1 Pack animal; 2 Indy 500 sponsor; 3 This is what eyes do; 4 Have a bug; 5 Halved; 6 Spanish appetizer; 7 Came down to earth; 8 Per; 9 Similar; 10 Mass of eggs; 11 Fatted fowl; 12 Maker of Pong; 13 Slender gulls; 21 Go astray; 22 It had a part in the Bible; 23 Analyze a sentence; 24 For all to hear; 25 Decline; 26 Nicholas II was the last Russian one; 30 Perfect, something to aspire to; 31 Quebec's ___ Peninsula; 32 Actress Garson; 33 Alway; 35 Go between; 37 Big; 38 "Farewell!"; 39 ___ lift?; 41 J. Hancocked?; 42 Close by; 47 Ave. crossers; 49 Make ___ at; 50 Related to form; 51 Having wings; 52 Scatter; 54 Practice piece; 56 Some VCRs; 57 Struggle for air; 58 Harper's Bazaar illustrator; 59 Romeo's last words; 63 Like Abner; 64 French pronoun; 65 Monopoly quartet: Abbr.; 66 Peer Gynt's mother;

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Puzzle #1 for November 23, 2016

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1- Ditto; 6- Teri of “Tootsie”; 10- Trading center; 14Dispatch boat; 15- Olive genus; 16- Hebrew month; 17- Certain print; 19- Palm starch; 20- 1998 Sarah McLachlan hit; 21- Trompe l’___; 22- Myopic Mr.; 23- Accelerate; 24- Eggs order; 26- Soon; 28- Shores; 29- Rose essence; 30- Final Four org.; 33- Farthest from the west; 38- Yours, in Tours; 39- Tropical fruit; 42- One of the Furies; 47- Cricket team; 48- Make indifferent; 52- Cornerstone abbr.; 53- Lacks; 54- Anderson of “WKRP in Cincinnati”; 55- Chicago

BestCrosswords.com Puzzle #1 for November 23, 2016 paper, for short; 31- ___Magnon; 56- Nights before; 32- Black cuckoo; Across 57- Harmony1 Ditto; 6 Teri of "Tootsie"; 10 of sounds; 34- Santa Fe Trail town; 59- Actor Auberjonois; 35- Give the eye; Trading center; 14 Dispatch boat; 60- Arrow poison; 36- Bring civil action 15 Olive genus; 16 Hebrew month; 61- Writer ___ Rogers St. against; Johns; 37- Person behind bars?; 17 Certain print; 19 Palm starch; 62- Cabinet dept.; 40- Cyst; 20 1998 Sarah McLachlan hit; 21 63- Kiln; 41- Aardvark; Trompe l'___; 22 Myopic Mr.; 23 64- Less covered; 42- Cling; Accelerate; 24 Eggs order; 26 43- Yeast; 44- Ancient ascetic; Down Soon; 28 Shores; 29 Rose 45- It spreads aromatic 1- Swampfever; essence; 30 Final Four org.; 33 smoke; 2- Plain; 46- Explosive letters; 3- Spruce up;Farthest from the west; 38 Yours, in 47- Opera singer Pinza; 4- Dept. of Labor division; Tours; 39 Tropical fruit; 42 One of 49- Actress Massey; 5- Winning tictactoe line; the Furies; 47 Cricket team; 48 50- Musical sounds; 6- Bridge expert Charles; Make indifferent; 52 Cornerstone 51- Map feature; 7- Actor Delon; 55- And here it is!; 8- Answer; abbr.; 53 Lacks; 54 Anderson of 57- AFL partner; 9- Go, team!; "WKRP in Cincinnati"; 55 Chicago 58- Arrest; 10- Ancient fortress in paper, for short; 56 Nights before; Israel; 11- Sayings; 57 Harmony of sounds; 59 Actor Auberjonois; 60 Arrow poison; 61 12- Highly seasoned stew; 13- Soldiers; Writer ___ Rogers St. Johns; 62 18- Joint problem; Cabinet dept.; 63 Kiln; 64 Less 22- O Sole ___; covered; 24- Letter opener; 25- Swindle; 27- Ewe saidDown it; 30- Safety device;

1 Swampfever; 2 Plain; 3 Spruce "Crossword puzzles provided by bestcrosswords.com (http://www.bestcrosswords.com). Used with permission." up; 4 Dept. of Labor division; 5 Winning tictactoe line; 6 Bridge expert Charles; 7 Actor Delon; 8 Answer; 9 Go, team!; 10 Ancient fortress in Israel; 11 Sayings; 12 Highly seasoned stew; 13 Soldiers; 18 Joint problem; 22 O Sole ___; 24 Letter opener; 25 Swindle; 27 Ewe said it; 30

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