HUMBER ET CETERA
Collegefacultyvote toauthorizestrike
MORE THAN 860 TREES CUT DOWN OVERNIGHT
SCOTT MISSION GIVES MEALS TO THE HUNGRY ON THANKSGIVING P. 6-7
79 per cent for strike mandate
Harnoor Kaur HumberETC News
Faculty members voted 79 per cent in favour of authorizing a strike in necessary.
Results of the vote released Friday show 11,848 members, or 76.1 per cent, cast a ballot. The mandate will reinforce the position held by the bargaining team in talks with the College Employer Council (CEC).
Members of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union began voting electronically on Tuesday and continued until noon Friday. It was extended by a day because of technical issues at Centennial College. Some members did not receive voting credentials.
The contract has officially expired on Sept. 30. The union and CEC have entered conciliation with first one conducted on Oct. 9 and the second on Oct. 15.
During conciliation, an attempt to settle is made with the assistance of the conciliator. A conciliator is appointed by the Ministry of Labour who meets both parties individually and together. Conciliation is generally opted to help facilitate talks and lasts as long as both parties agree to keep meeting.
Ontario College Faculty (CAAT-A) includes around 15,000 full-time and partial-load professors, counsellors, librarians and instructors. The voting was done through a web-based voting
system supervised by the Ontario Labour Relations Board (OLRB).
The casting was done via email or phone, using a unique elector ID number and PIN needed to vote.
The bargaining committee requires a 50 plus one majority of the total number of votes cast to go on a strike.
VOTING SPECIFICS
A successful vote mandate doesn’t necessarily mean a strike. Faculty can decide to opt for work-to-rule which means the classes would continue as normal unless the union decides otherwise. Alternative options include partial walk-out, rotating strikes and a complete walk-out.
In a partial walk-out, employees refuse to perform some of their assigned duties. A rotating strike means employees walk out for short periods at different institutions.
In a full strike, employees withdraw all their services and choose to walk the picket line.
The CEC could also lock out faculty.
There has been a total of seven strikes at 24 Ontario Public Colleges since 1979 with the longest lasting one in 2017, lasting a bit over five weeks. While the government doesn’t get involved with bargaining issues, the government forced faculty back
to work after five weeks of a full walk-out by passing strikeending legislation.
Following the last strike, the Ministry of Advanced Education provided students with a full tuition refund if they decided to not continue with a condensed semester. Some colleges decided to keep the ancillary or the health insurance fee.
The students also were eligible to receive up to $500 for unexpected costs they incurred because of the labour dispute, such as childcare fees, rebooked train or bus tickets, or rent.
OPSEU’S CLAIMS
As the talks continue, OPSEU has allegedly claimed the CEC was spreading disinformation.
JP Hornick, president of OPSEU, said in an Oct. 9 video that she was not surprised by the amount of disinformation circulated.
Some of major points of tension have been establishing a certain student-to-counsellor ratio and librarians. However, CEC has said this would mean hiring 233 per cent more full-time counsellors and librarians.
OPSEU said the number presented by the council highlights the need for appropriate staffing.
The union also wanted to bring down the hours of full-time faculty work hour to 40 hours from
Humber Et Cetera is the Humber Polytechnic journalism program laboratory newspaper. It is created by journalism students in the Advanced Diploma program. Et Cetera serves to inform the Humber community and give its readers well-rounded coverage on the things that matter to them.
44 hours. CEC argues such a reduction can bring average teaching hours to 8.76 from 12.01 hours per week for full-time teachers, and reduce the number of teaching weeks to a maximum of 29 weeks annually.
Other major demands include a guaranteed six-week period of self-directed non-teaching time per year along with a 50 per cent increase in professional development days. OPSEU has argued that while non-teaching periods are necessary to ensure programs meet accreditation standards, professional development days are needed amidst rapidly changing teaching environments.
CEC said the cost of IRCC’s recent changes regarding the cap on international students to be more than $3 billion in the next two years. The CEC said on its website that it has tried to engage the union to find a common ground as the system is going through ‘’a time of tremendous upheaval.’’
OPSEU has argued that colleges have the money to commit to quality education estimating a surplus of billions.
The College Student Alliance (CSA) in a blog has advised students to stay informed and be prepared for any changes to the academic calendar and evaluate the personal, academic and financial impact of any work stoppage.
A poster outside Humber North’s Local 562 office. College faculty voted 79 per cent in favour of giving its bargaining committee a strike mandate.
HUMBERETC/LIAM NEILSON
A counsellor for 10,672 students
Stafffaceburnout,highdemandformentalhealthservices
Harnoor Kaur HumberETC News
Jorge Briones, an Event Management student at Humber Polytechnic, realized he needed help as the pressure of winter 2023 exams intensify. He was going through a mental health crisis, and he felt he couldn’t do it alone.
However, he was told the Student Wellness and Accessibility Centre (SWAC) at North campus was fully booked on the Friday he arrived at the second-floor office in the Learning Resource Commons.
He was advised to return the following week.
When he did, the counsellor assigned to his case had gone on leave, and again, no appointment was available.
For five consecutive days, Briones arrived at SWAC as early as 10:45 a.m., after his classes, only to find that all the appointments for the day were already taken. He eventually went in at 8:30 a.m. and was able to secure an appointment with a different counsellor.
His crisis, which had begun two weeks earlier, was finally addressed because he was persistent.
“By the time I got the appointment, I felt like I dealt with the issue already,” he said.
SWAC offers health services, counselling, accessible learning services and peer wellness services to Humber students. Humber currently has only six counsellors for its 64,033 full-time student population or one counsellor for every 10,672 students.
Counselling appointments at Humber work on a ‘’same day, next day’’ booking basis. Counselling services can’t be booked in advance. Students often face backlogs when booking appointments, especially during peak exam season.
‘’I was advised not to book an appointment within two weeks of my previous appointment unless I absolutely needed it,’’ Briones said he was told.
A Humber counsellor sees four to five students per day and about 22 students per week.
In addition to counselling, SWAC offers Accessible Learning Services (ALS). ALS provides support to students who identify as having a disability such as hearing, mobility impairments, ADHD, low vision, brain injuries, etc.
A total of 3,782 students were registered with Accessible Learning Services in the academic year 2023-2024. Currently, there are just 9 accessibility consultants
available at SWAC to address student learning accessibility needs.
The union says half of the fulltime counsellors were fired by Humber about two years ago over concerns about professional standards as set by their regulatory colleges.
However, the union alleged the dismissals were a result of administrative requirements not being met due to heavy caseloads. The union says it’s filed a grievance urging the polytechnic to hire more counsellors.
As far as the faculty union knows, all the counsellors let go currently have valid licenses to
Milos Vasic, the president of Humber’s faculty union, OPSEU Local 562, said that puts too much work pressure on that one counsellor.
‘’Many organizations, when [they have] really good intentions to address equity, only hire one person [from an equity-seeking group],” he said. “And that person just basically becomes the sponge for all things Black or all things Indigenous.’’
Humber provides after-hour services through external providers as well.
International students can access ‘’WeConnect’’ for mental
practice.
Humber claimed in a 2018 media release to be the first public college to formally adopt the Okanagan Charter. The charter promises the building of a healthy and inclusive community, and an Indigenous counsellor was appointed to SWAC.
The union noted an Indigenous counsellor quit in early 2024 after about a year into their tenure. The union said the reason behind the move was an ‘’unmanageable’’ caseload. The union has filed a grievance in the situation.
‘’Dismissals were extremely rare prior to January 2022. Since 2022 we have seen a significant increase in the number of dismissals within SWEL,” the union said.
Also this year, a Black counsellor filed a grievance after being fired about standards not being met.
A grievance for the case is under arbitration. The union is arguing that the college failed to ensure a workplace free from discrimination and reprisal.
Neither position has been filled since. Only one of the remaining six counsellors at Humber identifies as a person of colour.
‘’So, students who are already in distress are having to tell their story more than they should,’’ the union said.
The union said outsourcing counsellors can statistically bring potential wait times down but at the expense of quality student support.
‘’If you’re meeting with a counsellor that doesn’t work at Humber, they’re not going to know about Accessible Learning Services and do a referral there,” the source said. “They’re not going to know about other services on campus and help you get referred to those services.’’
The union expressed concerns about support staff such as clinical nurses being not part of the faculty union.
‘’The college is kind of making support staff employees do the work of faculty,’’ said Vasic, President of Humber’s faculty union.
OPSEU has proposed that each college have at least one fulltime counsellor for every 500 full-time students. It has filed a grievance, now under arbitration, regarding hiring more counsellors. The number of counsellors is also a point of contention in negotiations for a new contract between the union and the College Employer Council.
health and wellness support through Morcare, Humber’s international insurance provider. It offers one-hour sessions through Dialogue’s 24/7 Call Centre, providing multi-lingual services or gender-specific services.
The Canadian Mental Health Association Toronto (CMHA Toronto) partnered with Humber for a pilot program to provide support during the busy 2024 spring term as it suffered capacity issues. According to CMHA Toronto, 10 clinicians and nine administrative staff were available between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. over eight weeks.
Counsellors and consultants who spoke to Et Cetera spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of dismissal.
In an email union said that a triage appointment system has also been set in place where a clinical nurse specialist would access a student first and would consider referring them to a counsellor or additional resources.
The union said this can result in ‘’story fatigue’’ as a student works their way through the system.
Humber’s faculty union has said it would like the college to restore the number of counsellors to 10.
Humber Polytechnic said in an email to Et Cetera it would not comment on any demands or offers currently on the bargaining table as the bargaining process is ongoing.
‘’Faculty are a valued and vital part of the Humber community and the Ontario college system,’’ it said.
Humber added it is ‘’dedicated to ensuring that its students have access to the mental health support they need to thrive, reflecting its commitment to providing accessible, timely, and holistic care.’’
The CEC provided no comment specific to the counsellors’ situation.
A union said counsellors and consultants are feeling the stress and burnout of heavy workloads.
“They feel the weight of knowing students who are marginalized and rely on their support in order to have the best chance for success at college are often waiting too long for help or not getting the level of service they used to receive,” the union said.
Saachi Kaur, a second-year Interior Design student at Humber North, unexpectedly moved to Canada two years ago.
Kaur worked at McDonald’s when she first arrived but after enrolling at Humber, she also worked as a content creator for the Dean of Students Office. She has consistently ended up on the Dean’s List since last year.
Kaur took part in Nuit Blanche this year with seven other people and launched their own installation. She was the youngest on the team.
“It is named Echoes of a Garden, and it is like an upside-down ceiling garden,” Kaur said.
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow was very “intrigued” by their presentation and found it “fascinating.”
She believes professors are the ones that keep pushing them. “Life in Humber is the second most important thing that is going on in my life,” Kaur said.
Working at Humber is very flexible because they align work schedules with one’s class schedule, she said.
Kaur was a part of the Lego Design Hackathon last year where they planned to build a Lego city.
She and her team presented floor plans and won. Now, Humber has a plan for a space that may be designed in the future depending on the funding.
Saachi Kaur is a secondyear Interior Design student.
SWAC services support students but many experience long wait times.
HUMBERETC/HARNOOR KAUR
Ontario Place demolition is underway
On the evening of Oct. 2, Infrastructure Ontario cut down more than 860 trees at Ontario Place, catching people in Toronto off guard. Austria-based Thereme Canada is spending nearly $2 billion over the course of a 95-year lease to build an indoor water park along with other facilities. Ontario Place closed down in 2012 due to insufficient revenue and attendance. In the top left, an excavator digs up ground to make space for the new parking lot and spa. In the top right and bottom left, trees lay all over the ground of Ontario Place, as an aftermath of the demolition. In the bottom right, a wide shot of Ontario Place during a sunset. Photos by HumberETC/Annays Medeiros.
Climate change causes java prices to soar
Kadambini Thapaliya HumberETC News
Rising temperatures and erratic weather are shrinking coffee-growing areas worldwide, reducing its production and increasing prices, with major implications for farmers and consumers.
Yields all over the world are expected to decrease due to climate change and the area of coffee cultivation is likely to reduce in size, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), a United Nations organization assessing climate change.
Coffea arabica and Coffea canephora (robusta) species that account for 60 per cent and 40 per cent of the global coffee trade, respectively, are facing growing threats from climate change, the IPCC said.
Brazil experienced severe drought in 2021 followed by the frost, which significantly affected the coffee crops and led to a 45 per cent spike in global coffee prices between May and November of that year, the UN organization reported. Brazil, produces about 40 per cent of the world’s coffee and is facing the worst drought in a cen-
tury, the UN report said.
Many North Americans may not realize coffee is becoming more expensive, but with roasted or ground coffee prices rising 9.2 per cent in August 2023 compared to last year, they could soon see higher prices at popular chains like Tim Hortons and Starbucks, according to Statistics Canada.
The dry conditions have particularly affected Brazil’s coffee-growing regions, particularly in
Minas Gerais and Sao Paulo, where the most popular variety of coffee, Arabica beans, are grown, the IPCC said.
“The main issue is either drought or heavy rainfalls that affect the growth and flowering periods of coffee trees,” said Sven Anders, professor of research economics and environmental sociology at the University of Alberta.
“The flowering stage is very sensitive, and these weather events
reduce the amount of coffee beans produced,” Anders said.
The National Institute of Meteorology of Brazil reported, that those areas have received rainfall 60 per cent below the average in the past months, which has affected the coffee trees, putting the product in scarcity.
The situation is also grim in Vietnam, which is the world’s largest producer of Robusta, an ingredient for instant coffee and espresso.
Rising temperatures and erratic weather is affecting coffee-growing areas worldwide, increasing the price.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change estimates that by 2050, there could be a significant loss of land suited to coffee forcing coffee production into higher altitudes.
The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has emphasized the significant risks climate change has created to coffee production, especially in developing nations where coffee is the main source of livelihood.
Lidya Farag, executive assistant of Coffee Association of Canada, said in an email to Humber Et Cetera, that climate change is causing unpredictable weather patterns including higher temperatures, extended droughts and excessive rainfall in coffee-producing regions like Central and South America, Africa and Asia.
Farag said rising coffee prices in Canada can be partly attributed to climate change. Factors such as crop losses, higher production costs as farmers move to climate-resilient crops or investments, and logistics challenges contribute to increased costs for importers.
HUMBERETC/KADAMBINI THAPALIYA
Scott Mission’s ‘family’ Thanksgiving meal
Sandy Seymor has been eating Thanksgiving dinners at the Scott Mission in Toronto since she was 13, lining up for a plate of turkey and fixings, along with hundreds of others who are homeless or living precariously.
The 65-year-old woman said the Mission is like her home as it does not discriminate and makes her feel wanted.
“To have nowhere else to go on Thanksgiving, it makes you feel so empty, your heart just breaks, you know,” Seymor said.
She was among the at least 450 men and women who sat down at the Spadina Avenue shelter near College Street on the holiday Monday.
While most gather with family, she gathered with her Scott Mission family and was dining with
her two brothers. She said her other family makes her feel like an outsider looking in, which is why she stopped hanging around them.
Seymor said she stopped going to family gatherings because it makes her feel like she is not loved but here she feels welcomed.
Feeling as if she was not wanted, Seymor said she attempted to die by suicide. It was the counsellors at the Mission who helped her, she said.
“I haven’t seen my grandkids in 17 years. I don’t get to see them, I’m not allowed,” Seymor said. She was filled with emotion and her eyes glistened with tears while talking about her life. When asked if she could use a hug, Seymor accepted without hesitation.
Scott Mission, said Thanksgiving is a special time for many in their community as it is getting colder, they have this vision of families and people gathering.
“This is their family, this is their community gathering, and so we try to make it as celebratory as we can,” Morrow said. She said to everybody who comes through,
old as an organization, and this has really been a huge tradition for almost all that time,” she said.
Morrow said as the cost of living has increased, and housing has become more unaffordable people often have to make choices between paying rent and having enough food on their table.
“To have nowhere else to go on Thanksgiving, it makes you feel so empty. Your heart just breaks, ” - Sandy Seymor
leave with gifts. They were able to source some great hats and tote bags and other treats that people can take home and enjoy. Morrow said this Thanksgiving traditional feast takes place every year.
Christy Morrow, the CEO of
“We are now almost 84 years
This is when Scott Mission and places like it step into that gap, to provide that difference, she said. Morrow said the increase in costs has hit organizations like Scott Mission in three separate ways.
“The increase has gone up for the need and the demand for service, so we have seen 20 per cent more people asking to come to our food bank,” she said. Morrow said
she has seen almost a 25 per cent increase in the number of meals and demand for meals and they are also seeing the same in their clothing service. She said the biggest increase in demand was for clinical counselling as more people are dealing with many traumas.
“Often people are stuck in cycles of oppression that can sometimes be generational,” Morrow said. “And so, we have hired two fulltime clinical counsellors who can work alongside people and figure out where do they want to be.”
She said rising costs have affected everyone including the donors. The monthly donations on a rough average have dropped to $10 per month from $30.
“We are seeing a lot more seniors who live on fixed incomes come through the door. The numbers change, but we are seeing almost half of our food bank clients over
From left, Skip McWatters, Anja Dumas and Marjorie Harriott at Scott Mission, a Christian charity organization along Spadina Avenue, prepare meals for 450 people on Thanksgiving Day.
HUMBERETC/REET ARORA
Reet Arora HumberETC Culture
meal reflects food insecurity, homelessness
the age of 60,” Morrow said. Jhonnathan Meneses, a volunteer at Scott Mission, said he hopes to serve at the Mission indefinitely.
The Christian mission first opened in 1941, helping the lonely, the homeless and the hungry, offering food and clothing, while operating a men’s shelter. It’s on key holidays when the need becomes more acute.
On Thanksgiving, it served a classic English breakfast that morning to over 100 people with hot beverages, Meneses said. He said he got involved because he wanted to gain perspective and learn from other people.
“We all have a sense of purpose, and we all have a desire to find new meanings to things that we do,” Meneses said. Alexander Ng, the direct response officer at Scott Mission, said there has been a rise in the number of people who
come to food banks over the past three years.
“We’ve certainly seen also the stats that are published by The Daily Bread Food Bank of just the rise in food bank usage across the city,” Ng said. He said he has seen it on their front lines, especially with families who have lowpaying jobs.
“We serve a lot of vulnerable people that sometimes don’t know when the next meal is coming,” Ng said.
He said
the people he sees who need help cut across all groups: “young and old people, single parents, immigrants, refugees.” Ng said poverty and inflation are the root causes of food insecurity.
“The pandemic really affected te rise of (the) cost of living, and so it just made things worse, and I believe that really kind of tipped people over the edge,” he said.
Luz Flores, a Mission worker who has been there for 14 years, said it seems as if they started there yesterday. Flores said people talk and cry which helps them find a bit of release, but it is not just about sympathy or empathy, but to “respect their dignity.”
The feast meals, prepared at the hub in Mississauga, included 70 turkeys, said Mike
“It is part of the fabric of the mission to provide the Thanksgiving experience for people that are struggling with homelessness,” Marson said.
He said he loves serving people and believes it is so important to stay humble, grounded and connected to everybody in the community.
Seymor finished her meal and packed the rest for her hamster before heading off for her nearby seniors’ home.
She said it hurts her that she is not rich and cannot afford to take her family out for a nice dinner, but she would still want to see them.
“I know I’m not rich, I know I can’t afford dinner, and I know I’m on a pension cheque every month, it just hurts so much every year, and you just feel rejection,” Seymor said.
Community members line up for Thanksgiving turkey and fixings being given away at Scott Mission. The event has been a yearly holiday tradition for the organization since 1941.
HUMBERETC/REET ARORA
Marson, a worker at Scott Mission.
Marjorie Harriott and Emir Ramirez packaging three-course lunches.
HUMBERETC/REET ARORA
Fans should watch Toronto’s ‘other’ sports teams
Fans now have the opportunity to attend sports games and support their favourite franchises like never before, especially in our hometown Toronto.
Three of the four major sports leagues have a home in our city. People can watch these teams live and show their passion if they can afford it. Attending sporting events has gotten expensive and more complicated for the average fan.
For example, the Toronto Maple Leafs, one of the city’s most dominant franchises with one of the biggest fan bases in the NHL, might need the average fan to open up the wallet beyond what they can comfortably afford to watch the team live.
According to Queens Business Review, the average ticket price to watch a Leafs home game is about $335, with prices rising into the $1,000 range to get as close to the ice as possible.
Since 1985, the price of a seat to watch a Maple Leafs game on home ice has risen between 2,900 and 6,000 per cent.
OPINION
This leaves many fans with few options. It’s the nosebleeds or not making the trip to Scotiabank Arena at all.
Although the Maple Leafs are the biggest example of this money grab, Toronto’s other major sports teams such as the Raptors, Blue Jays and Toronto FC have equal issues.
Seat Geek, one of the biggest mobile-focused ticket platforms in North America, reports Raptors
ticket prices starting at $45, Blue Jays starting at $20 and Toronto FC starting at $35.
These prices are way more affordable and nothing compared to what the Maple Leafs charge, but these tickets can still add up to a hefty amount in prime spots. This seems to be the problem around all major sports in North America and unfortunately, it doesn’t just stop at prices for tickets.
The cost of fan memorabilia and gear can most times be less affordable to the average fan as well.
One example could be the new line of Fanatics NHL jerseys where fans are expected to dole out more than $200 to get their favourite team’s sweater to wear for the new season.
It seems these organizations will do whatever it takes to suck as many dollars out of their fans as possible.
Fans are addicted to spewing money for these major sports franchises, and many of the lower-tier teams have found themselves kicked to the side with not as much support.
Fans, especially in Toronto, could start looking for sporting events that aren’t gonna cost a pretty penny and are still enjoyable to watch live.
Examples include the Toronto Marlies, Toronto Argonauts, Toronto Rock, Toronto Sceptres, Raptors 905 and many more.
Instead of focusing their attention on the NHL level and spending $300 a ticket, fans can try and support the other hockey teams like the city’s newest franchise in the PWHL, the
Toronto Sceptres which could use the extra support.
Many fans also find themselves making trips to the United States to watch NFL football which could also add up to being a big ticket item.
The Toronto Argos could fix a lot of football fans’ problems as no out-of-city travel will be needed and prices under $40 to sit close up to the action should be a great experience for many.
These sports are not being played at the highest level such as the NHL, NBA, MLB or NFL, but it might sway people away as they are always interested in the biggest and greatest attractions.
Fans don’t seem to grasp the idea that these smaller teams can be just as enjoyable to watch without breaking the bank as these larger organizations. Most importantly, fans can also support these franchises as they need all the attention they can get. Instead of joining the bandwagon of the major sports teams, supporting local franchises once in a while can be just as entertaining.
Awareness days are not enough on their own
The month of October is full of awareness days including National Day of Action for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (Oct. 4) and World Mental Health Day (Oct. 10). October is also Women’s History Month. These awareness days or months can be beneficial but ongoing advocacy and education are crucial.
Canadian certified inclusion professional, Marni Panas, said it is important to create awareness and start conversations but these conversations do end at the end of the day.
“But for me, I don’t get to at the end of that day, take my trans off and be cisgender for the rest of the year. This is my life, all day, every day and the impacts of that for good or challenging don’t go away when the day is over,” Panas said.
“If you are recognizing these days in a way that is about you and is about a benefit to you. In other words, look at me, I’m wearing an orange shirt, I’m wearing a pink shirt, I’m waving a pride flag. If that’s about you, to your benefit, that’s performative,” she said.
Panas said the darkest form of performative allyship that needs to be called out is those in positions of power who come out to a pride event and wave their flag but spend the rest of the year actively denying the rights of people to participate in society.
The Stanford Social Innovation Review said awareness campaigns fall short and waste resources when they focus solely on raising awareness and sometimes can actually end up doing more harm than good.
Nneka Allen, principal and founder of the Empathy Agency, an agency that helps organizational leaders deliver more fairly on their missions and visions, said awareness is a critical component of activism and justice movements but awareness and awareness days are not activism.
“There is a real delineation between information, knowledge and action and activism falls in that action space. And so I think they’re [awareness days] useful, but they shouldn’t be confused with
activism,” Allen said.
Integrating these topics into everyday conversation is difficult to do when people lack understanding or even interest in these topics, in our history and in what is going on in our country and in the world.
Indigenous artist, Siera Hancharyk, who goes by she/they pronouns, said ongoing advocacy and education are crucial but emphasized the need to unite and pressure the government system into caring about people.
“Hopefully it [awareness days] open people’s eyes to see the problems in society and hopefully be able to help people out. Most of the time we just watch people suffer and we don’t do anything. We sweep it under the rug or we return the blind eye,” Hancharyk said.
“I hope that there can be policies put in place from our government and organizations that support people with mental health issues as mental health issues are real and detrimentally affect somebody’s life,” they said.
The National Institutes of Health reported in 2015 that if left unaddressed, health awareness days may promote the idea that people’s health challenges are only a result of their own choices, ignoring other important factors.
Leesa Renée Hall, a registered psychotherapist (qualifying), said ultimately, symbolic gestures rarely lead to systemic change and, in this case, we pay attention now and then we move on to the next thing.
“If these events raise awareness, great, but oftentimes what you find is people saying something empty like ‘Oh, I’m going to reflect on this’,” Hall said.
“When it comes to these awareness days, yes, let’s put our attention on that, but what we should be doing 364 other days of the year is taking pen to paper and self-reflecting around your belief system,” she said.
Self-reflection is a step in the right direction. If we can show empathy
towards ourselves, it is easier to show others empathy and to care about the bad and struggles in the world and those who deal with it on a regular basis.
Awareness days act to remind people what is going on in the world but tend to oversimplify complicated issues that we may never have a true solution for.
All we can do right now is engage in meaningful conversations, advocate for change and support efforts that address the root causes of these issues as we seek out a mental health professional if needed to help us rebuild resilience.
Julia Vellucci, she/her, is a social justice reporter and news editor for Humber Et Cetera.
Julia Vellucci
Designated days are not effective on their own. There needs to be action.
HUMBERETC/JULIA VELLUCCI
It’s time to watch and celebrate the “other” sports teams that are affordable.
HUMBERETC/HAWI TULU
Media falls short in supporting Asian voices
The Western media industry has become reflective of how people perceive Asian experiences. Regardless, many Asians find they are still not taken seriously by the white majority.
Asian actors such as Simu Liu, best known as the first Asian superhero in the Marvel franchise, have made significant strides in Asian representation in mainstream media.
Despite this, actors like Liu still find themselves in situations where they need to reiterate that their “Asian-ness” is more than a trend.
Recently, a clip of Liu on the Canadian TV show Dragon’s Den went viral for the actor’s comments on Quebec-based company, Bobba, saying it was appropriating an Asian product.
This came after the whiteowned company claimed to be disrupting the bubble tea market through their “invention” of bottled bubble tea and popping boba.
According to an academic paper by New York-based food writer Jess Eng, the specific origin of bottled bubble tea and popping boba is unknown, but both came into existence organically within the bubble tea movement.
When asked about whether he would invest in the business, Liu said he did not want to uplift a business that profited off of his heritage.
“I want to be part of bringing boba to the masses, but not like this,” Liu said.
The Asian Canadian actor was only met with nervous laughs, with his predominantly white co-stars disagreeing with him while Liu could only smile awkwardly in response.
This experience shows how, despite how the public accepts Asian culture, it is seen as nothing but a commodity. People are uninterested in hearing the voices of the Asian minority who explain what aspects of their culture mean.
The study of “Orientalism” gives perspective to this level of ostentation within the media industry.
Palestinian American academic Edward Said published a book in the 18th century detailing this theory.
According to Said’s book, Orientalism is a study that breaks down the Western world’s depiction of the Eastern world as inferior. Said said Orientals are the “subject race” who know they are inferior to the “dominant race”.
Said said white men often refer to themselves as representatives of the whole world. They do not speak for the so-called Oriental, as they speak another language and are therefore lesser than the world.
Min Joo Lee, an assistant professor for the Department of Asian Studies at Occidental College in Los Angeles, Calif., said Orientalism isn’t just racist hate, however.
Lee said people who consume these cultures and ideas do so with the lens of how they interpret these cultures instead of listening to locals who originated them.
“There are some people who like consuming Asian culture under the assumption that it makes them feel more cosmopolitan as opposed to just consuming domestic culture,” Lee said.
This idea is highlighted when looking at how mainstream media has treated Asian people and communities throughout the years. Comedians like Hasan Minhaj have had their experiences doubted by white people.
The New Yorker published a profile piece on the Indian American in September last year, accusing Minhaj of fabricating instances of racism he experienced in his Netflix special, Patriot Act.
Other writers from the magazine publisher, such as staff writer Jay Caspian Kang, stand by the statements made in the profile.
“This is totally different – it’s oppression fantasy and delegit-
imizes [reality],” Kang said on social media platform X.
Minhaj responded in The Hollywood Reporter article in October 2023, where the comedian said although there is a level of exaggeration that exists that all comedians do, his experiences with racism are true.
Many fans of Minhaj criticized the profile on social media platforms such as Reddit. One user going by CodWagnerian said the tone of the article “targeted” Minhaj.
“It feels like the whole ‘having to justify your actions and choices because you’re a person of color in the public eye,” the user said.
Minhaj said that his work is meant to bring the experiences of South Asians into perspective to the white masses. Regardless of further context, for white people to overly scrutinize a person of colour for speaking up about what they go through is demeaning.
To expect Asian experiences to be understandable from a white perspective is demeaning.
Unfortunately, there are other ways that the Asian minority is disregarded within the mainstream.
Tom Holland, known for his role as Marvel’s titular Spider-Man, went on a press tour in South Korea to promote his movie, Spider-Man: Homecoming in 2017.
One interview took place on the now defunct streaming service, VLIVE, with Korean singer and actor Eric Nam interviewing Hol-
land and co-star Jacob Batalon. While Nam was translating the interview to the live audience, Holland suddenly interrupted him out of nowhere.
“You speak great English, though, man. How did you learn English?” Holland said to which Nam simply replied saying that he was American.
Regardless of the further connotations of the situation, it puts into perspective the unconscious Eurocentric ideologies that exist within the white man.
In a world where the white man is always seen as the dominant majority, the oriental experience will always be observed through the lenses of the White man.
Speaking English, despite your identity coinciding with Korean culture, for example, enforces the bias of Asian-ness being a commodity according to the white majority.
Even though these challenges exist, it doesn’t mean that the accomplishments that have occurred within the present day should be snubbed. Those with a societal platform should always continue to utilize their power to uplift Asian experiences that may go unnoticed.
It’s only by challenging preconceived notions taught by the white majority, however, that real change can begin to happen.
Julia Ilano, she/they, is a reporter for Humber Et Cetera. They focus on esports and food culture.
Julia-Marie Ilano
Despite recognition through the mainstream media, Asian experiences are still overlooked by the general population which leads to the perpetuation of racism.
ISTOCK/EDWIN TAN
Mindfulness can help during midterms
It can be a stressful time as midterm exams and assignments near. There are ways for students to prioritize their mental health while keeping up with a busy schedule.
Michael Decaire, clinical psychologist and psychotherapist based in Richmond Hill, Ont., said mindfulness is a helpful tool in reducing negative thoughts and is best applied in awareness of daily habits.
“The standard definition of mindfulness is present moment awareness,” he said. “Basically, if you are attuned to what is going on inside you and around you, you are more likely to end up with a more positive result.”
Decaire has been using mindfulness as a tool for his clients for the past 12 years. He said he uses it as an extra boost of wellness on top of therapy and can be used every day.
“A lot of things that we say is a good idea, exercise is a good idea, yoga is a good idea, going and taking an art class, and the question is why are these things good ideas? They are all good ideas because they are all real-world applications of the concepts that are mindfulness,” he said.
Decaire said he recommends starting with mindfulness of simple tasks such as standing or breathing.
“Pay attention to the feeling of
sit there on the ground,” he said.
“People will tell you there are special powers in breathing, and there is some stuff that goes on in your nervous system, and you can breathe slow and things like that, but the reality is it’s just using that as an opportunity, as a place to pay attention to, because you’re always breathing,” he said.
Decaire said when teaching someone mindfulness for the first time he uses the concept of “Beginner’s Mind.”
“Which is this idea, ‘Can you approach something like you’ve never seen it before?’ And the example that they always give to people is to look at it like you’re a child,” he said.
Decaire said many people think they are bad at mindfulness because their minds wander, but it’s part of the exercise.
“If you noticed your mind wandered, that’s not failing, that’s actually good,” he said. “If it’s easy then you’re not developing a skill.”
Simone Levey, clinical psychologist and co-founder of RENNI Clinic on Toronto’s College Street, said she recommends mindfulness apps such as Headspace and Calm for those looking to start doing mindfulness on a busy schedule.
She said daily meditation through activities such as yoga and exercise are forms of mindfulness.
“It really helps become aware and connect your mind-body relation-
ourselves,” she said. “We become more observant of what our bodies are doing and reacting and how our thoughts are impacting our bodies and vice versa.”
Levey said for people who can’t afford psychotherapy, practicing meditation and going on walks are helpful forms of self-care.
“It is so important to find moments of, you know, opportunities for self-care in our day, even if they’re small. So even if waking up in the morning for a few minutes, let’s say of mindfulness meditation can be really helpful,” she said.
Levey said it’s important for people to acknowledge when they
“When you’re noticing that, then it’s probably time to realize you’re probably not being as productive right as you could be. Even if you just even took 10 minutes to go for a walk around the block,” she said.
Levey said she recommends taking breaks for mental health purposes but also to increase productivity.
“It brings up a whole other issue of you know why one might feel guilt. You know why one feels this pressure to keep achieving at the cost of their mental health,” she said. “The benefit, you take that time in a break, it allows you to ultimately be more produc-
Humber’s Student Wellness and Accessibility Centre offers mental health resources and peer wellness services.
The Peer Active Listening Program is available in 45-minute sessions. Students are free to book an appointment for in-person or virtual sessions.
Counselling services are available for all Humber and University of Guelph-Humber students. Services are free, private and confidential.
Visit the Student Wellness and Accessibility homepage to make an appointment or learn more about Humber’s health and wellness
You’re not afraid to express yourself. You want to inspire, move and entertain. Now get the entrepreneurial skills and industry experience you need to put your imagination into action. We show you how.
There is a story to be told here: mediaarts.humber.ca
Julia C. Sequeira HumberETC News
The Student Wellness and Accessibility Centre offers free, private and confidential services for all students.
HUMBERETC/HARNOOR
Pets give students stability, lower anxiety
For those students who could financially afford it, pets could help deal with mental health issues.\
A 2024 report from CAMH revealed a concerning decline in overall mental health among Ontario students.
While drug use has dipped, 38 per cent of students report their mental health as fair or poor and 37 per cent say they have elevated stress levels. The study found 78 per cent use social media for more than three hours a day and 94 per cent use social media daily, a factor of anxiety in college students.
But other studies revealed that “interacting with a pet dog considerably reduces anxiety and feelings of sadness and improves happiness.”
Susan Aitken, a Registered Social Worker, incorporates animals into the therapeutic process to assist in her clients’ healing. She said college can be exciting but it does also come with significant challenges.
“Many students experience high levels of stress, anxiety, and burnout as they navigate demanding academic schedules, social pressures, and personal responsibilities,” Aitken said. “As someone who works closely with
individuals facing mental health struggles, I believe animals can play a powerful role in supporting students’ emotional well-being.”
She said she believes students who have a pet in their home could see unique benefits.
“A pet offers emotional stability during the transition to independent living, easing homesickness and providing continuity between home and campus life. Pets can act as emotional buffers, reducing loneliness and fostering resilience,” Aitken said.
Financial costs are not the only issue in the care of a living animal, it also requires care, which takes time.
“Pet ownership is not always practical for every student,” Aitken said. “Managing the care of an animal requires time, emotional energy, and financial resources, which can be challenging given the demands of college life.”
Humber has a therapy dog that has been visiting campus since 2016 for those who do not have pets at home.
Some students have personally testified to the benefits that their pets have given them.
Julian Robertson, a University of Toronto student, moved to Toronto with their cat from Alberta.
“Spending time with my cat,
Last call for Humber’s
Got Talent auditions
Zainab Raza Culture Editor
Auditions for Humber Polytechnic’s Humber’s Got Talent 2024, a special fundraising event supporting the Student Food Security Fund, begin on Oct. 28.
HUNGER
The event is part of the Humber Gives program and will provide students facing food insecurity a $5 daily subsidy for food purchases on Humber campuses. Humber and University of Guelph-Humber staff and faculty
Marble, has relieved an immense amount of stress,” they said. “After moving across the country to a city where I know no one, having a familiar face at my apartment is deeply comforting.”
That’s not to say that there were no issues in moving to Toronto with a cat in tow. Robertson believes they are lucky to be in the financial situation to have a pet.
nosed with PTSD and autism and has found that a cat specifically has helped them feel safe and grounded.
“Sensory-wise, it is very calming to have something soft and heavy I can cradle and that can comfort me,” they said. “It makes the world feel a bit less serious and frightening. I spent much of my teenage years in subsidized housing.
24Petonnect has adoption options on its website and licence adopted pets for a fee.
Dogs have a base adoption fee of $125 with an additional $60 for male dogs and $90 for females. Cats cost $75 regardless of sex. Dogs can be licensed for $25 and cats for $15, all pets from 24Petconnect are spayed and neutered.
members can participate and showcase their talent in singing, dancing, juggling, magic or other unique skills for a good cause. Interested participants must sign up for auditions by Monday. Scan this QR code to access the Humber’s Got Talent 2024 auditionssignupform
It aims to strengthen bonds within the Humber community and support the wellbeing of students.
SHOW
Humber’s Got Talent is happening from noon to 1:30 p.m. on Dec. 3 in the Linx at the Humber North campus.
All members of the Humber community, including students, can attend.
The planning committee will announce details on donating to the Student Food Security Fund soon.
“Moving out to Toronto has proven difficult and having a cat with me has made it harder. I was unable to stay in dorms due to having a pet,” they said. “Few apartments in the city are petfriendly.
“When they are, they often only accept dogs,” Robertson said. “I had to seek more expensive units that allow pets, which unfortunately has stretched my budget very thin.”
Robertson has been diag-
“We were forbidden by the property owners to own pets, but after a vote among residents, this policy changed and I procured a cat,” Robertson said. “The apartment I resided in at the time was ridden with cracks in the walls and was in a difficult area of town where I would have to occasionally contact the police due to violent occurrences outside.”
Toronto has guidelines and tips for adopting pets which are available online.
Experts, like Aitken, recommend their own set of tips, too. She recommends adopting instead of buying to save on costs, seeking affordable veterinary care, buying food and treats in bulk when possible, making DIY toys from used items, grooming at home and maintaining preventative care to avoid costly vet visits and reminds owners that pets thrive on love and attention, so focus on free activities like walks and playtime.
Asher Klaver HumberETC News
Percy, Humber’s therapy dog, helps many students to manage high levels of stress, sadness and anxiety.
Percy, St. John’s therapy dog, has been visiting campus since 2016 for those who do not have pets at home.
HUMBERETC/DONG YI MELODY LAM
Women in esports still face challenges
Julia-Marie
Ilano HumberETC Esports
Lanvy Nguyen grew up as a competitive kid, with activities like dance playing a significant role in her upbringing. However, after facing health challenges, her focus shifted from sports to gaming.
However, Nguyen said she wasn’t introduced to video games until later in childhood. She said her male cousins often withheld it because of her gender, even though they “were all equally kids.”
This wouldn’t be the last instance of being left out because of her gender. Even though Nguyen has been the president of the Humber Gaming Club for a year, she said she feels that many members don’t see her that way.
“Some people just don’t believe me, and I feel like it’s because of my gender. I did have experiences where I’m like, ‘Hey, you can come to me for this,’” Nguyen said. “Some people just want to disregard that and try to bring Bernard in.”
Bernard Mafei, senior administrator for Humber Esports and mentor for Nguyen, is no stranger to these concerns. Both Mafei and Nguyen said there are times when members are genuinely unsure of who to ask.
Still, Mafei said he didn’t like the feeling of members not trusting Nguyen.
“I’m a guy and they go, ‘Well it’s gaming, he’s a guy, and he’s in a higher position,’” Mafei said. “There’s no reason for them to not put their faith in her as a leader.”
Nguyen isn’t the only one in the organization to face discrimination because of her gender.
Lina Shim, team lead for Humber Esport varsity teams, said although her experience is on the lower end, she’s still had her fair share of stories.
developers behind LoL, hosted the event. The tournament offered opportunities to players and staff of marginalized genders.
But it didn’t work out that way.
Shim said it was normal for these events to face backlash. And in this event, the main target was trans women. Many viewers watching the event live posted derogatory comments, some even saying that trans women were taking spots
“He’s right. We can only speak up so much as ourselves, especially if we feel like they’re not listening,”
Shim said. “It’s nice to have the support of the people around you, and then hopefully get to a place where, if you say that once they go, ‘oh, okay’,’ and they just listen.”
Despite these challenges, Shim and Nguyen said they are both grateful for the opportunities they receive within the organization to have their voices heard.
“People assume I’m not there as a staff member at events. I’m just someone’s girlfriend or a bystander to just sit and look pretty kind of thing,”
- Lanvy Nguyen
from “real women”.
“People assume I’m not there as a staff member at events. I’m just someone’s girlfriend, or a bystander to just sit and look pretty kind of thing,” she said.
A more extreme instance she witnessed was outside of Humber Polytechnic when Shim received the opportunity to act as a team manager for the multiplayer online battle arena game League of Legends (LoL).
LCS (League Championship Series) Game Changers was a program from July 2023 to September 2023. Riot Games, the
It eventually got to a point where comments on the tournament’s live stream had to be disabled, as viewers began accusing every single person on the screen of being transgender.
“I remember feeling powerless on what I can do because we’re just so drowned out by the majority,” Shim said.
Shim said a male colleague at the event reassured these concerns, the colleague telling Shim that it’s important that he speaks up for her and other women who endure instances of sexism like this.
They received an opportunity from Mafei to speak at a diversity panel at last year’s Winter EGames fundraiser hosted by Plan International, a non-profit organization focused on advancing children’s rights and equality for girls, and Mohawk College.
The event, held at the Bell Gaming Centre in Toronto last December, emphasized women’s experiences and showcased initiatives that uplift women within the esports industry.
Nguyen said being able to speak at this event was the biggest highlight of her esports career that year.
“Especially for marginalized
groups, it’s really nice to see that there’s more girls in this industry,” Nguyen said. “It makes you feel like you’re actually having my voice heard and I feel like I’m making a difference for the other little girls out there that want to play video games like boys do.”
Shim said despite her initial shyness, the event left a mark on her as a woman in the esports industry.
“There were amazing women talking about their experiences and how much they do and I’m like, damn, they’re so cool and so smart,” Shim said. “I would just love more opportunities for other people to feel and experience that because of all the assumptions and what women feel.”
Alyssa Gray, a former team manager for the first-person shooting video game Valorant with Humber Esports, said a reason it was important for her to hold that position was to show that women belong in esports.
“Even if I have to work twice as hard to prove myself to people, prove that I can do this job. I don’t want to give people what they want,” she said.
“I don’t want to let them drive me out of this community, because why would I do that?”
Lanvy Nguyen, a fourth year University of Guelph-Humber Kinesology student and the president of Humber Gaming Club, at North campus, has been leading the club for over a year.
HUMBERETC/JULIA-MARIE ILANO
Canada men snatch victory late in game
Rory Arthur Sports Editor
Canada’s men’s national soccer team took down Panama on Tuesday in what was head coach Jesse Marsch’s first home match in Toronto.
It was a chippy affair, with Panama looking to disrupt any momentum from Canada as both sides looked to play quick and direct offensively.
It was Canada who was the better side in the first half of play, but it took until the 44th minute to find the opener.
A good bit of pressing by Stephen Eustaquio and Jonathan David forced Panama captain Anibal Godoy into a mistake at the top of his 18-yard box, as Canada winger Ali Ahmed pounced on the loose ball and squared it to a wide-open Cyle Larin, who made no mistake on the finish.
The goal was Larin’s first in 10 games under Marsch, and his 30th all-time for the national team.
Despite Canada’s strong first half, Panama was the better team coming out of halftime.
Panama substitute midfielder Christian Martinez made a real difference, disrupting play and creating many positive passes.
After Canada turned the ball over in midfield, the ball made its way to Martinez’s feet.
He strode forward and played a perfect ball in behind Canada’s back line to striker Jose Fajardo, who coolly chipped Canada goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau, equalizing the game and silencing the crowd at BMO Field.
With the score knotted at 1-1, the onus was on Canada to create a moment of magic.
And Jonathan David was the one
to provide it in the 87th minute of play.
The Lille striker, who has already scored eight times for his French Ligue 1 club in 13 games this season, took the ball and turned brilliantly after Canada centre-back Derek Cornelius won a header at the halfway line.
David then found substitute winger Liam Millar out wide before continuing his run into the box, where Millar returned the ball to his path as David deposited
his finish into the bottom right corner, leaving Panama goalkeeper Orlando Mosquera no chance.
“The ‘Iceman’ did his job today,” Canada captain Alphonso Davies said post-game about David.
“We’re happy to have him, and we’re happy that he’s scoring frequently at the club level and he brings the form here at the international level.”
Davies is spot on about David scoring frequently. The Canadian striker has the fifth most goals for
club and country among players playing in Europe’s top five leagues.
This isn’t even to mention the rest of David’s game. The Ottawa native is adept at dropping in and linking play, he’s an elite defensive forward and he turns up in big moments.
David scored his penalty for Lille in the Champions League against Real Madrid, giving his club side a historic win over the European giants.
There’s good reason that top European clubs are reportedly hoping to sign him when his contract expires this summer.
But David might not have been the best player on the pitch on Tuesday.
Centre-back Moïse Bombito, who’s been on a meteoric rise in the past couple of years, was absolutely dominant.
Read more about Canada vs Panamabyscanningthis QRcode.
You’re goal oriented. You love to share ideas and information. Now get the professional mentorship and industry experience you need to influence the world. We show you how.
There is a story to be told here: mediaarts.humber.ca
Canada’s Jacob Shaffelburg (14) and Panama’s Ivan Anderson (19) battle for the ball during Tuesday’s game
THE CANADIAN PRESS/FRANK GUNN
Hawks positive despite preseason results
Matthew R. Ziniuk HumberETC Sports
The Humber Hawks women’s basketball team faced off against the York University Lions in a hard-fought contest Wednesday, ultimately falling 72-60.
The loss puts the Hawks at 1-2 for the preseason season, but despite the setback, players and coaches see signs of growth and remain optimistic about what lies ahead.
Humber head coach Ceejay Nofuente emphasized the team’s steady improvement since their first game, saying the squad has made significant strides over the past few weeks.
“I think they’ve been great,” Nofuente said. “Honestly, we’ve been improving since our first game. If you compare our Waterloo exhibition game to now, there’s a huge improvement.”
Nofuente is confident the team is on the right track, especially as they build chemistry and find their identity on the court. The game against York, while ending in a loss, showcased moments of strong teamwork and resilience.
“The girls are really just coming together, figuring things out—what’s working on and off the court,” Nofuente said. “It’s a process, but we’re moving in the right direction.”
One of the primary goals for the Hawks this season is to establish a strong defensive identity. Nofuente has repeatedly stressed the importance of being a tough, defensive-
ly-minded team that opponents will struggle to break down.
“Our identity, defensively, is showing that we’re there and that we’re not backing down,” Nofuente said. “That’s going to be our strength moving forward, and the girls are embracing that challenge.”
Kalani Thomas, a key player for the Hawks, echoed her coach’s sentiments and expressed her excitement about the team’s progress, even after a tough loss.
“I feel like we’re getting stronger with each game,” Thomas said. “We have a lot of talent on this team, and if we stay focused, we’re going to surprise a lot of people.”
Thomas has been one of the team’s standout performers early in the season and she said she sees room for more improvement both individually and collectively.
“We’re not where we want to be just yet,” Thomas said. “But the drive and heart we’ve been showing are going to carry us far this season.”
Reflecting on the loss to York, Thomas acknowledged the Hawks still have areas to work on, but emphasized they are committed to learning from their mistakes and bouncing back stronger in upcoming games.
“We’re just going to keep pushing forward,” Thomas said. “Every game is a chance to get better, and I know this team has what it takes to compete at a high level.”
Looking ahead, the Hawks are focused on continuing to refine their defensive identity,
build team chemistry, and maintain a strong work ethic as they tackle the challenges of the season. With Nofuente’s leadership and players like Thomas stepping up, the team is confident that better results are on the
horizon.
As the Hawks move forward, their ability to learn and adapt will be key to achieving their goals and turning narrow losses into victories.
Humber women’s basketball guard Sarah Baptie enters her fourth year at Humber as one of the team’s veteran leaders. The Hawks look to start the season strong after a playoff loss last year.
Humber guard Sarah Baptie averaged
Humber women’s rugby off to playoffs Post-seasonbeginsagainstConestoganextSaturday
Humber’s women’s rugby team moves onto the playoffs after placing third this season and beating Algonquin College in their final game.
The Hawks went into the tournament and placed seventh in the standings. In their final game of the tournament, it ended up working that both Humber and Algonquin would place third overall if they won.
Meghan Aucoin, last season’s rookie of the year, said the team was told the standings by their coaches and they knew the only way to achieve their goal was to win against Algonquin.
The team started off really strong in the first couple of tournaments, so the team was set up for success from the beginning, Aucoin said.
After the first two tournaments, Humber maintained the third spot on the rankings, but in the third tournament on Sept. 28, Humber
lost all three games bumping them down to seventh.
“We had a bit of adversity in our third tournament ... we didn’t win,” Aucoin said.
In Humber’s last tournament of the regular season on Oct. 5, they scored much higher, leading them to their final game against Algonquin where they ultimately placed third.
“We went in with a different mindset, with we know we have to win these games,” Aucoin said.
In the final tournament, Humber lost one game and won three, securing third place in the regular season and a spot in the finals
Dale Essue had been the women’s sevens coach since the inception of the team in 2010, he worked hard to ensure the team achieved their goals.
“The commitment that this team has is amazing,” Essue said. “I think they’ve done a really good job of really coming together.”
The team has diverse player
experience, including two players never playing rugby before this season.
Half of the players are new to Humber this season, and half are veterans, it’s a good mix of experience for them in terms of leadership and experience, Essue said.
The women’s rugby players and coaches have fostered strong relationships off the field as well.
“Not only are they my coaches but they’re like my friends, and we have a good bond,” Aucoin said. “When we’re in game mode they’re hard on us which is good.”
Before every season the coaches create a team-building day where the players get to know each other through games and activities.
“It makes a big difference knowing the girls and having a relationship outside of rugby with them because the chemistry builds and it’s evident when we’re playing,” Aucoin said.
As the season ends, Essue remains focused on growing the sport of rugby for women and
ensuring each player can develop their skills at a competitive level while still having fun.
“I really want to give back to the sport, and the biggest thing for me is having the opportunity to keep growing women’s sports
and growing rugby for women,” Essue said.
The women’s rugby team will be playing a post-season game against Conestoga College at Loyalist Belleville campus on Saturday, Oct. 26, at 10:30 a.m.
You’re dedicated to your art. You already know how song, photography, painting and design can move us. Now get the craft and entrepreneurial training you need to inspire others. We show you how.
There
Aislinn E. Millette HumberETC Sports
Meghan Aucoin helped guide the team to a third place finish this season.
HUMBER ATHLETICS/DIEGO GUILLEN
CANADA MEN’S NATIONAL TEAM
DEFEAT PANAMA AT BMO FIELD
P. 13
WOMEN’S RUGBY HEADING TO PLAYOFFS AS THIRD SEED P. 15
