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algonquin times algonquintimes.com February 13, 2020

YOUR COLLEGE’S COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER

Student’s wife victim of Iran plane crash

The road to recovery Page 5

Dog Squad welcomes new members Alumni’s video game inspired by mental health

2 algonquin times

A Time to Stand Together.

Last month, something happened at our College that caused great pain for many people.

The appearance of graffiti on our beautiful, three-storey mural in the DARE District caused a ripple-effect of sadness, confusion and anger throughout our community.

The mural was unveiled almost two years ago to mark the opening of the DARE District. It was created by a husband-and-wife team of artists. In their work, they told the traditional story of creation that has been passed down for generations in many Indigenous communities.

Their depiction of Turtle Island took seven months of painstaking work and was a colourful representation of Canadian forests, wildlife and land.

This vandalism was particularly hurtful to the Indigenous learners and employees, who rightfully saw this act as a clear violation of their culture. It is also a violation of our College’s values — Caring, Learning, Integrity and Respect.

In short, this one callous act has upset the equilibrium of our College community in ways that we have not seen before. I want to call on you, our learners, to help us restore that balance. Now, more than ever, we need to come together, find common ground, and use this incident as a force to galvanize, rather than polarize.

It was for this reason that we assembled in the DARE District on Feb. 4 for an event we called Gathering to Heal — to acknowledge this experience, and in particular the hurt it caused the Indigenous community. That is part of the Truth we have vowed to seek as part of our commitment to the calls to action in the Truth and Reconciliation report. We want Indigenous learners to know that we see their pain, and stand with them.

It is also for this reason that we responded to that Truth by lifting our voices together against the vandalism, by hearing the voices of our Indigenous community, and by reaching out in an act of healing.

As the sound of the drums echoed through the DARE District, it is my hope that they drowned out the discord of the preceding days.

I ask each and every one of you to go forward with the spirit and intent of this ceremony.

Seek the truth. Be compassionate. Stand together.

Claude Brulé President Office C-520 1385 Woodroffe Avenue, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K2G 1V8 Algonquincollege.com/president Twitter.com/Claude_Brule

February 13, 2020

Past SA President reflects on time at Algonquin College MEARA BELANGER

Deijanelle Simon recalls with pride representing the Algonquin College Students’ Association when it challenged the college administration’s smoking ban in 2018.

“It’s easy to have a discussion with people who agree with you,” explained Simon, who completed a 21-month tenure as SA president on Jan. 31. “And it’s a whole other concept to have a discussion with people you don’t agree with. I’m not a smoker, so I was like ‘this policy literally doesn’t affect me in the slightest,’ but being able to hear the students and their reasoning behind it just re-emphasized why we’re here.”

Leaving her work with the SA behind, Simon is now off to work at a field placement in Toronto as she finishes up the advertising and marketing communications management program.

Shanti Cosentino has been elected to replace Simon as SA president. Cosentino will assume presidential duties after Simon’s departure.

“I loved working with the SA and being here at Algonquin,” said Simon. “Loving the environment here was the whole reason I decided to run in the first place.”

Simon says the decision to leave early was not “cut and dry” but will bring her closer to her hometown and family.

Although she will no longer act as the SA’s leader and spokesperson, Simon hopes her legacy as SA president will speak for itself.

“I hope that students will recognize me as someone who truly advocated on their behalf,” Simon said.

“As someone who is a student, I very much take pride in my school, my institution, my education. And so I want to apply that same passion to other student careers.

If there’s anything I want other students to know, it’s that I truly did care and I will continue to care.”

Although excited to move to the next stage in her life each student comes to school with the goal of graduation in mind - Simon says she will miss the connections she has made here at Algonquin.

MEARA BELANGER PHOTO

Former SA president Deijanelle Simon in N-Building on her last day at Algonquin College with classmate Eloisa Veliz.

Karen Kavanagh, program coordinator and professor in the advertising and marketing communications management program, said that she’s glad Simon will soon be taking her professional talents into the industry.

“In our program we have an unwritten rule based on our industry to ‘work hard and be nice,’” she said. “Deijanelle lives this day in and day out.”

May Ghadban, vice president of the Students’ Association, has worked in tandem with Simon as her colleague and classmate. Ghadban has

high hopes for her friend as she moves on to the world beyond college.

“We’re all very happy for her,” Ghadban said during a visit to a journalism class with Simon. “When she leaves we’re all gonna work together and make it happen.”

According to Simon, the student body can rest easy as we’re being left in capable hands.

“Shanti and I have worked super closely on a number of priorities,” Simon said.

“I’m very excited to see what she does. I have nothing but faith.”

Power interruptions on campus leave many students frustrated and confused PHAEDRA HAMER

Right before the winter break, students and faculty experienced two power outages at the Woodroffe campus: one was a planned outage in order for staff to make repairs and maintenance. The other was an unplanned interruption caused by an unknown malfunction in the electrical system.

As students and faculty rely heavily on access to power, internet and hydro services while on campus, power disruptions are never easy.

Manon Levesque, 49, the associate director of the facilities operations maintenance and engineering services on campus, said the power outages that happened on campus were caused by a malfunction in the campus’s main electrical system.

“It’s not easy on us, and we have a lot of pressure in our job,” she said. “We make sure to we work quickly and

efficiently because a lot of facilities on campus rely on power like residence and the food being kept fresh for students.”

Each part of the system is controlled by a program designed by the department.

The program consists of guidelines telling certain parts to move one way or another and how to react to those movements.

In the instance of the unplanned outage, there was a programming error. This means one part of the whole system couldn’t interact correctly with the other parts.

Algonquin’s power runs through the Hydro Ottawa.

There is just one line of power that runs from Hydro to the campus. If the college were to have two lines of power, explained Levesque, it would be easy to switch from one to the other when facing power difficulties.

The unpredictability of when and where these outages

happen make it difficult for students to be prepared.

When the unplanned outage happened before Christmas, firs-year nursing student, Kate Piggot, 18, who lives on residence, woke up at 3 a.m. to discover that the power was out. She was worried about her food in the fridge and about whether she would make it to her early class on time. “I had a class at 8 a.m. that morning and couldn’t fall back asleep” Piggot said.

Next summer, Algonquin College will continue to work on any needed repairs and flaws in the power system, as well as invest in a $3 million high voltage system that will be more reliable than the one we currently have.

“Students can prepare by having devices that take batteries, like flashlights,” said Levesque.

“Radio is important too, so that students can be informed about what’s happening.”

PHAEDRA HAMER PHOTO

Marko Trstenjak, 50, a contractor at the college works on maintenance repairs during a campus-wide power outage.

algonquin times 3

February 13, 2020

news

“He inspired me to be hard working ... to be successful in the things I’m passionate about.”

Brad Saberon pre-health sciences

Algonquin College students honour Kobe Bryant The Lakers’ purple and gold colours seen all over campus following tragic news BREANNA ST-JEAN

As our social media feeds quickly filled with tributes to Kobe Bryant yesterday following the news of his death, some Algonquin College students felt like they could do more to honour the legendary basketball player. ”Kobe was a huge inspiration for me in life and basketball,” said Brad Saberon, 20, a pre-health sciences student.

“Back when I was younger, I used to watch videos of Kobe till 2 a.m. just watching all of his old videos and highlights.

“I would listen to podcasts, watch videos like ‘How to play defense like Kobe Bryant,’ search up stuff on Google on how Kobe works out and how to be hard-working like him.

I tried to apply this in life and basketball and it taught me to never give up.”

Today, Saberon decided to wear Bryant’s number 24 Lakers’ jersey.

“He inspired me to be hard working just like him and grind to be successful in the things I’m passionate about,” Saberon said.

The news shocked the world as TMZ and ABC rapidly reported the death of Bryant in a helicopter crash, though some details were false.

So far, according to the Globe And Mail, we have been informed that retired Lakers basketball player Kobe Bryant, 41, along with his daughter Gianna Bryant, 13, were on board a helicopter that crashed in Calabasas, California, on Jan. 26, 2020.

Seven other people were

also on board. The crash left no survivors.

The L.A County sheriff department has said during a press conference that it is waiting for the coroner to positively identify the victims, and that any mention of names until then would be “entirely inappropriate.”

All the while, Twitter was f looded with tributes to Kobe and reactions to the devastating news of his passing.

Fans from all over the world are sharing their thoughts and sending prayers to the Bryant family.

Some Algonquin College students honoured Bryant today by wearing his jersey to school.

The purple and bright yellow colours of the Lakers’ team jersey can be spotted around campus.

BREANNA ST-JEAN PHOTO

Brad Saberon, a 20-year-old pre-health sciences student at Algonquin College, proudly wears a Kobe Bryant number 24 Lakers jersey in the cafeteria.

Algonquin student’s wife dies in Iran plane crash Among the 176 victims, Azadian’s story hits close to home for Algonquin family BREANNA ST-JEAN

An Algonquin College student’s wife was on Ukrainian f light PS-752, that crashed in Iran shortly after takeoff Jan. 8, while an issue with his ticket left him behind.

Mohsen Ahmadipour, a first-year energy management student, had planned to f ly from Iran to Canada with his wife Roja Azadian, 43. Azadian boarded the f light from Tehran to Canada alone, where she was to reunite with her husband in the nation’s capital for the first time.

Ahmadipour was looking forward to welcoming Azadian in Ottawa. “The way he was talking about his wife, so excited for her

to come and join him, he missed her so much,” said Leila Hojabri, 43, a family friend. “He was always talking about Roja.”

“The way he was talking about his wife, so excited for her to come and join him, he missed her so much.”

Leila Hojabri family friend

When Azadian was able to get on the plane, Ahmadipour stayed behind and called his friend Ahmad

Hojabri, who was to pick her up at the airport, since she was new to Ottawa and was alone.

“Take care of her, I’m gonna come in the next available f light,” Ahmadipour said to Hojabri.

The plane crashed in Iran and killed all 176 passengers on board, 63 of them Canadians. “I am trying to manage my mind to handle this situation,” Ahmadipour said. He is surrounded by family in Iran at the moment.

Ahmadipour’s classmates were made aware of the situation on a WhatsApp group conversation according to Felix Elugbaju, a friend and fellow first-year energy management student. “I was very saddened by the news

FACEBOOK PHOTO

Married couple Ahmadipour and Azadian pictured in Iran. Azadian was set to start her new life with her husband in Canada before she died on flight PS-752. of the demise of his wife.”

Energy management program coordinator Martin Lee said that the college has activated its mourning protocols and has lowered the f lag. “The energy management students have been contacted with offers of counselling and support if needed,” he said in an email. “Professors in the program have been alerted directly and are watching for signs of distress.”

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February 13, 2020

Everything you need to know about the SA election JACOB CROCKER Eventually the winter term will come to an end and with it, the end of the current term for the Algonquin College Students’ Association board of directors.

Every year the SA holds an election to create the new board of directors, but few students understand the process.

The process for selecting the new board has been underway since Nov. 25 when the Students’ Association began accepting nominations from students interested in a director position.

Each candidate was required to fill out a nomination package, which requires the candidate to write a cover letter and collect 50 signatures from students supporting their candidacy.

“It is a very complicated process,” said Shanti Cosentino, who is the current SA president following the recent departure of former president Deijanelle Simon.

“Sometimes I think it does get misunderstood.”

The deadline for nominations was Jan.17, and all candidates were required to attend a mandatory orientation on Jan. 22.

“Every candidate, as long as they come to the orientation, they meet the criteria, they’ve checked all the boxes,

several directors who want to return. So, I’m the only director on the selection committee right now.”

Cosentino is joined on the committee by two former directors: Chris Kolberg and Matt Regnier, the board’s communications officer. Regnier, who is no longer a student, will merely be advising

“But at the end of the day, it’s up to the students who they want to be their representatives and advocates.”

Students’ Association President Shanti Cosentino

they have the GPA, and the signatures, they are granted an interview,” Cosentino said.

The interview process is conducted by a special selection committee, which is usually made up of outgoing directors who aren’t planning to return to the board.

“This year is a bit of an anomaly,” Cosentino explained. “Because we’re a small board and we have had

Cosentino and Kolberg.

After conducting the interviews, the committee will draft a recommended board from those they believe to be the best candidates.

“This then has to get approved by the current board of directors,” Cosentino said.

“At this point, the recommended board is released, and we start something we call ‘proxy voting’.”

The fall term break shows success among students CHARLOTTE RIETHMAN Algonquin College’s first fall semester with a midterm break saw student retention increase compared to the 2018 fall semester that didn’t have a break.

Withdrawal rates are typically highest in weeks nine and 10. According to the registrar’s office at Algonquin College, the 2019 fall semester, saw a withdrawal rate for full-time post-secondary and graduate certificate programs of 7.5 per cent.

In 2018, it was 8.2 per cent for the fall semester. The withdrawal rates improved by 0.7 per cent between the years.

The Students’ Association had pushed for the break over concerns of student’s mental health and success.

By adding a break in the eighth week, the SA had hoped students would return to classes refreshed for the last seven weeks of the term.

Many students found adding the break was helpful and gave them time to rest during their stressful schedules.

“It was a nice mental break,” said Connor Williams, a second-year

CHARLOTTE RIETHMAN PHOTO

Connor Williams, a second-year computer systems technician outside of the Students’ Association office was happy the fall mid-term break was added. computer systems technician student. “It really helped with stress.”

Despite the success of the break, some found it wasn’t executed as well as it could have been.

With the change in the semester, some students felt like professors didn’t adjust the syllabus accordingly.

This created a rush at the end of the term to get all the necessary teachings done in time for the post-term break.

“I felt like it was needed,” said Kaitlyn Jorssen, a first-year early childhood education student. “But my professors didn’t think everything through. I guess they

kept the same schedule as last year so when it came to week 14 they were cramming.”

Although it was the first time Algonquin College had a fall break, students in joint programs with the University of Ottawa followed the semester schedule of the university.

Kaity Stewart, a second-year nursing student said her professors didn’t run classes despite other Algonquin College programs going on.

“It’s good to take a break and you can catch up on school work too,” she said.

“It’s definitely nice to have the extra time to study.”

Proxy voting begins on Feb. 28 and allows students to vote for their preferred candidates, including the recommended board. Every student can fill out a single paper ballot, and vote for eight candidates.

“We fully support our recommendation,” Cosentino said. “But at the end of the day it’s up to the students who they want to be their representatives and advocates.”

After the voting ends on March 9, the candidates with the most votes will be announced at the Annual General Meeting in the corner lounge of E building on March 12.

The new board will elect the president and vice president from among their members, unless two directors want either position, in which case an election will be held and students will have the opportunity to vote again.

The entire process will be finished by April 3. the new board will begin assuming their responsibilities for the coming year.

JACOB CROCKER PHOTO

Shanti Cosentino is the new Students’ Association president since the departure of former president, Deijanelle Simon.

algonquin times 5

February 13, 2020

Standing together to heal

Algonquin College’s Indigenous community leaves the mural’s damage visible to all as a symbol of strength and resiliance KATELIN BELLIVEAU

Students, faculty and community members gathered quietly around a podium at the foot of the three-storey Indigenous mural in Algonquin College’s DARE district on the afternoon of Feb. 4.

The crowd, so large that it filled the surrounding stairs and the balconies overlooking the space, was there for the Gather to Heal ceremony in honour of the mural that had been defaced with yellow paint nearly a week earlier, on Tues., Jan. 28.

Ron Deganadus McLester, Algonquin’s executive director of truth, reconciliation and Indigenization, chose to leave the vandal’s damage uncovered, for the public to see.

“There is no reason to hide this from the community,” he said. “There is no reason to protect people from it happening. I think we need to shine a light on it and acknowledge it, and so that’s what we’ll do.”

McLester closed the

ceremony with a message of coming together as a sign of strength: “In one voice, we can tell the world that we do not stand up for this.”

As the crowd moved into Nawapon to finish the healing ceremony with a Round Dance, the yellow paint remained – allowing the process of mending the mural’s physical damage to begin.

According to Manon Levesque, associate director of Algonquin’s facilities operations and maintenance services, the extent to which the college has dealt with vandalism so far has been removing graffiti.

“In one voice, we can tell the world that we do not stand up for this.”

Ron Deganadus McLester executive director of truth, reconciliation and Indigenization

ANGELEAH BRAZEAU-EMMERSON PHOTO

Terry Quinlan, professor of conservation in applied museum studies, performed a patch test on the eagle on the Indigenous mural. The test determines how easy it will be to remove the damage done on Tuesday Jan. 28.

In this case, the team had to turn to another in-house expert for the first time.

Terry Quinlan, a professor of conservation in applied museum studies with over two decades of experience in the field of mending material culture, agreed to use his expertise to help the college.

“For me, I think this particular mural holds an awful

lot of significance, not only to those First Peoples, but as an employee,” he said.

For Quinlan, the next step is to uphold his field’s code of ethics before he can begin any physical restoration by applying solvents that will remove the yellow paint.

This means conducting a full photo and written documentation of the mural’s

damaged state. Quinlan must then present a treatment proposal to Shalak Attack and Bruno Smoky, the artists who created the mural in 2018. His proposal will outline the risks associated with the mending process.

The risks could be higher if he does not act sooner rather than later, explains Quinlan.

“This is not going to stop the Indigenous community, it’s not going to stop us.”

Michael Grabiec supervisor of operations services

ANGELEAH BRAZEAU-EMMERSON PHOTO

At the Gather to Heal ceremony, Ron Deganadus McLester, Algonquin’s executive director of truth, reconciliation and Indigenization, holds up Algonquin College’s wampum belt, found on the coat of arms and the mural.

“When the paint was applied by the vandal, in some areas its quite thin,” he said.

“That’s extremely easy to remove. It would take minutes for me to take that off.”

Quinlan warned that the areas of the mural that have a thick layer of paint are an issue.

“When you apply the solvent, you’d have to then extend the amount of time you leave the solvent on,” he said.

“And that poses a risk to the varnish and to the original mural underneath.”

According to Michael

Grabiec, supervisor of operations services, ensuring the restoration process is done correctly is a way for the physical resources team to stand by those affected.

“This is not going to stop the Indigenous community, it’s not going to stop us,” he said. “Adapt and overcome.”

Two days after the college joined to heal, Quinlan put on his harness, got on a lift, and got to work preserving the art.

Although it will be a long process, Quinlan is happy to do his part in the best way he knows how. “It often requires a considerable amount of patience and it isn’t about speed,” he said. “It’s about getting it right.”

According to McLester, Shalak and Smoky have committed to coming to the college in February to make any restorations on their part.

While the Indigenous mural will be mended, McLester believes the incident is telling of what needs to be addressed in the college community.

“Placemaking, providing space is important,” McLester said. “But this exemplifies that there is still work to do to address systemic change as it relates to Indigenous presence, Indigenous inclusion and just safety for Indigenous people, art, artifacts and knowledge.”

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February 13, 2020

Design prof hosts drawing workshops to fill shelves KATELIN BELLIVEAU

KATELIN BELLIVEAU PHOTO

Algonquin Food Cupboard coordinator, Jessica Clark.

She’s been with the Food Cupboard for two years.

When Randy Terpstra last made a trip to Algonquin’s Food Cupboard, the visit demanded he use a rolling cart to carry the mountain of food that students, alumni and members of the art community had brought.

Terpstra, a layout and design professor and a graduate of Algonquin’s animation program, saw the need to support the Food Cupboard as students in his own program were in need.

So he started hosting Algonquin’s Life Drawing Initiative – a weekly human form drawing workshop.

Although the workshop is free every Friday evening, Terpstra encourages participants to bring items for the Food Cupboard.

“I thought it was a good opportunity for those folks to contribute to a worthy cause,” he said. “And a cause that is obviously very close to the college and meets the immediate needs of students within the college.”

Jessica Clark, the Food Cupboard’s coordinator, is

thankful for frequent donations like this from within from the college community. Students in need continue to send-in monthly food request forms to the Food Cupboard. And since the beginning of 2020, she has noticed a trend: an increase in demand from students with children.

Hidden in the very back of Student Central, the Food Cupboard is filled with cans, bottles and boxes, ready to support students struggling to make ends meet. And the Woodroffe campus location – the only one among three Algonquin campuses that offers fresh and frozen food – is feeling the effects that come with rising costs.

“I can get less food for an amount of money,” Clark said. “I have to watch for sales to stock up to avoid running out.”

Clark, in her second year with the service, also connects the Food Cupboard’s steady demand to province-wide cuts in OSAP funding, high rent costs and students’ struggle to find local jobs.

Along with making sure

KATELIN BELLIVEAU PHOTO

Randy Terpstra, layout and design instructor at Algonquin, hosts the Life Drawing Initiative every Friday. the shelves are well-stocked to meet the demand, another challenge Clark faces is the balance of raising awareness for the Food Cupboard while keeping the service completely anonymous.

Her hope is that with new information cards and table services promoting the Food Cupboard, students

will understand that asking for help is nothing to be embarrassed about.

“It’s sort of a win-winwin thing right,” he said.

“Because it’s raising awareness to our Life Drawing Initiative, and it’s raising awareness to the Food Cupboard in terms of delivery and also receiving.”

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algonquin times 7

February 13, 2020

Multicultural orientation ends HRITIKA JIMMY

The International Education Centre held an orientation event on Saturday, Jan. 11 in Marketplace cafeteria, for international students starting their classes this winter term.

The cafeteria was filled with small flags of all the countries in the world and multicultural songs played prior to the event. In total, 437 students registered for the event and received their tickets online.

The event started with a game called social bingo after which the students were sent to different classes in the afternoon to get detailed lectures on health insurance, important immigration information, student services, Canadian culture, law and rights.

“These services were starting to cover the gap in our ability to support international students,” said Ernest Mulvey, director of the International Education

Centre, talking about the pre-arrival and arrival services. “The college is one of the top 25 institutions in Ontario that receive international students.”

Later, they went back to the cafeteria where they had lunch and socialized with other students.

“These services were starting to cover the gap in our ability to support our international students.”

Ernest Mulvey director of the International Education Center

This marked the end of the string of events held for the international students since they were accepted. There were pre-arrival services in

HIRITIKA JIMMY PHOTO

Three international students took advantage of the photo booth provided at the event and took a couple of goofy photos to commemorate their first week at Algonquin College.

India and China and arrival services for all the international students, which included pick-up from the Ottawa International Airport, up to three nights at a hotel.

The contractor, Inderpreet Singh also took all the international students to the bank and for groceries so that they “feel like they are properly

Happy Place event works to lower the stigmatization of mental health CHARLOTTE RIETHMAN

With music playing and a multi-coloured bouncy house set up in the Student Commons lobby, the Happy Place Event was hard for students to miss. When students passed the bounce house they saw video game stations, a trivia game and tables from different organizations with mental health services.

Algonquin College’s Students’ Association and Health Services organized the event on Jan. 29 in association with Bell Let’s Talk day to promote mental health education, research, awareness and ending social stigma.

There was a strong focus on self-care and decreasing stigma around mental health from participants and staff.

“Self-care is a way to clear your mind when you’re overworked,” said Allison Barnes, the events programmer for the Students’ Association.

“It’s important to take a break for your overall well-being.”

Students could access tables set up by different organizations with information on dealing with mental health issues.

“There are lots of different

CHARLOTTE RIETHMAN PHOTO

Early childhood education students Hailey Lachance, Abbie Frazer, Alyssa Lapointe and Faith Savoy. services at the school,” said Barnes. “There’s Counselling, Health Services and Project Lighthouse.”

Health Services table had signs for students to write messages to show others that they are not alone in their struggles with mental health.

One student looking at the messages posted was Hailey Lachance, a second-year early childhood education student. Lachance struggled with her mental health during her first year at school.

“I took time to reflect and it really made a difference in succeeding,” said Lachance.

“It took some me time and not worrying about others which sounds bad but I just needed to be alone. I don’t even recognize myself from last year.”

Health and counselling

services are two places on campus to access mental health resources. There were other organizations from around Ottawa offering information to students.

One table accessible at the event was Ottawa Public Health. “Physical health is just as important as mental health,” said Kimberly David, a public health nurse with the mental health team at Ottawa Public Health.

Ottawa Public Health offers community support partnerships and does various presentations around the city to decrease stigma in different ways.

“There needs to be support for decreasing stigma,” said David.

received.”

“Today I am hoping to know about the college,” said Reshmi Jose, 18-year-old, business administration student near the health insurance booth. “I have been to the counseling and employment booth and I will register to the volunteering booth in the end.”

Algonquin College is the only college that provides the opportunity for students to get their Social Insurance Number on campus as opposed to going to Service Canada.

The International Education Centre has planned a pilot for online module courses on Brightspace with the

vital information that will be available to them as soon as the students get their student ID number.

“It is good because it guides us as to how to be in college and the facilities given to the students,” said 24-year-old Mrinalini Pardiwala, electro-mechanical engineering technician student.

8 algonquin times

February 13, 2020

Indigenous culture celebration Students learn how to make Talking Sticks and how to use them during a Talking Circle in Pembroke CAMRYN MAJUARY

A community charity organization that works to teach people about Indigenous traditions held its third annual Talking Stick and Talking Circle workshop to a full house in the gym of Algonquin’s Pembroke campus on Jan. 14.

The First Moon, First People Indigenous celebration event, which ran between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., taught students and staff how to create their own Talking Stick and use it in a Talking Circle.

“A Talking Stick is something that is at every event, it is always used,” said Aimee Bailey, 62, the spokesperson for the Circle of Turtle Lodge, the organization that hosted the event. “We introduced the importance of the Talking Stick and spoke about the elements that go into the Talking Stick.”

When a Talking Circle is in progress, a Talking Stick is passed along from person to person. The person holding the stick at the time is the only one allowed to speak.

“We all sit in a circle and we are all equal from the center of the circle because we are all

JODI BUCHOLTZ PHOTO

Outdoor adventure naturalist students gather together with The Circle of Turtle Lodge members during the Talking Stick and Talking Circle workshop. equals and it is important to teach that everyone is equal,” Bailey said.

“The Pembroke Campus is committed to responding to the Truth and Reconciliation of Canada Calls to Action by continuing to build meaningful relationships with our Indigenous community,” said Keltie Jones, 53, dean of the Pembroke Campus.

“The First Moon, First People Indigenous Culture Celebration is one example of our

commitment, but it is only the beginning of our Indigenization journey.”

On Jan. 22 the group will host a blanket activity that “educates the loss of our land,” Bailey said. “We hope to have 40 people at least, we need a lot of people to be able to successfully do the exercise.”

The First Moon, First People culture celebration is having their last workshop on Jan. 28 at 11 a.m.

It is a song lesson and drumming circle where a universal water song will be taught, and the participants will also be drumming along to the song.

The Circle of Turtle Lodge plans on coming back to the Pembroke campus next year to host workshops that get the students involved and informed about indigenous culture and look forward to seeing everyone next year for the fourth year in a row.

Unwind by knitting at Algonquin SAM MCGOWAN

Algonquin College hosted the first knitting event of 2020 on Wednesday at noon and employees took a break from their busy schedules to stay in the community loop at Algonquin College.

Every Wednesday, all staff and faculty are welcome to join and learn to knit, crochet, embroider and do other crafts in the Marketspace room C276.

“The purpose of this event is to create time and space for employees to come and work on their craft, so that can be crochet, knitting & embroidery, stitching, whatever they want to do, this is the time and space for you,” said Vanessa Trans who is a professor, instructional designer and host of Unwind - The Employee Knitting Group.

There were over twenty employees who showed up wanting to learn these new skills.

Shianthi Algama, who works in the finance department, was one of them. Algama said she came to the event because her friend Vanessa was hosting it. She also wants to find a new hobby so she thought she would come and give knitting a try.

“I think I got the basics so I am very careful and Vanessa was very patient and she taught us how to start,” said Algama.

Just like Algama, there were many beginners there.

Trans was willing to help everyone as much as possible as well and her co host Clara Carrar who is in business development. Both are experienced knitters and who feel that knitting has many benefits to it.

“For me it has multiple benefits because I am experienced so when I produce something, I donate and usually I work with projects,” said Carrar.

“I have a group of ladies in

SAM MCGOWAN PHOTO

Hannah Douglas, Jessica Ruttan and Jessica Montgomery take a break to knit at the unwind event. retirement homes and when we are finished we donate them to the hospitals. Sometimes we make hats, gloves and we donate those to the shelters. I also do it because it helps me relax and I teach the elederly people to help keep their mind at peace and it works.”

Trans also mentions that the event has no agenda and that anybody can come and work on whatever.

Eventually, however, she would like to start a knit along and what that means is that as a group we can decide what to knit and all start and finish together.

algonquin times 9

February 13, 2020

Algonquin students get cooking New downtown learning centre has its grand opening with Ronald McDonald House Algonquin College hosts a ribbon-cutting event in celebration of its new centre KIERAN MORGAN Algonquin College held a ribbon-cutting ceremony at its new corporate learning centre in the ByWard Market to celebrate the opening of the facility on Tuesday, Jan. 28.

The Algonquin Learning Centre, located at 700 Sussex Dr., will serve not only as a creative inspiration for students in attendance, but as advertising for the college as well.

The event was well attended, with many notable people in attendance including Cheryl Jensen, the former college president, and Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson.

“This is what is needed not only for jobs of today, but also for the jobs of tomorrow,” said Watson before the ribbon-cutting. “Algonquin is seeing that need, and moving on it.”

Before the opening of this new location, the college a different spot downtown.

This new 8,800-foot centre promises to help employers

and individuals who want to retrain, upkeep or develop new skills.

It features a versatile floor plan and walls that slide to separate or open new rooms, allowing for adjustment depending on purpose.

Catered by Algonquin College grad Stephen Beckta of Beckta Dining & Wine, the event also featured a variety of wines, meats, and cheeses served by a professional staff of waiters.

The opening of the space additionally maintained the college’s commitment to Truth and Reconciliation of Algonquin land.

Six rooms are named after aquatic animals to pay homage to various creation stories. For example, Mikinak, Kigonz and Amik, which translates to Turtle, Fish and Beaver, respectively.

Prior to the ribbon-cutting, Ron McLester, vice president of truth, reconciliation, and Indigenization, did a land acknowledgement which is a way to recognize that the

land utilized for the college’s purpose was Algonquin land originally.

“Algonquin is seeing that need, and moving on it.”

Jim Watson Ottawa mayor

Finally, Jim Watson and Angela Vanikiotis of the Royal Canadian Mint, joined college president Claude Brulé in cutting the ribbon to signify the grand opening. This was met with applause from the crowd.

“Part of the reason we’re doing this is to promote lifelong learning,” said Claude Brulé after cutting the ceremonial ribbon.

“We want people to know Algonquin College isn’t just here for those in entry level or first careers.”

Webinar aims to support allyship and inclusion in the workplace CHANELLE PINARD An organization that does work around LGBTQ2+ communities in the workplace gave a webinar about intersectional allyship and Algonquin students and faculty were invited to participate.

Pride at Work Canada, a Toronto-based organization, hosted its monthly webinar to inform and empower individuals to create spaces of inclusiveness and equity Wednesday afternoon.

The webinar was presented from Vancouver by Cicely Belle Blain, a diversity and inclusion consultant.

It consisted of interactive activities and visual graphs to help participants understand and reflect on their identity within social systems.

Doing this better helps them be an ally to the people around them.

“Allyship is a responsible and ethical use of privilege and power,” Blain said.

“Being a Black Lives Matter activist, we couldn’t do the work we do without allies being by our side.”

“Being a Blak Lives Matter activist, we could’nt do the work we do without allies by our side.”

Cicely Belle Blain Diversity and Inclusion Consultant

Algonquin College is one of the 125 Canadian employers that access Pride at Work Canada’s educational, consulting and networking programs.

“While it is illegal to discriminate on the basis of gender identity, gender expression or sexuality, sometimes people might just not get jobs for whatever reason that doesn’t get spoken,” said Quinn Blue, the coordinator of Algonquin’s Wellness and Equity Centre.

“But when it happens again and again, especially to trans women, it comes clear that there is a bit of a pattern there.”

During the presentation, Blain explained that the “end goal is collective liberation and equity for everyone.”

The Wellness and Equity Centre works towards achieving this by creating and providing a drop-in space on campus that “works around mental health and wellness and all the different equity-based issues that can impact that,” said Blue.

A haven for families with sick children CODY BYRNE Rather than sitting in class Monday morning, six Algonquin College students took the day to participate in a community event at Ronald McDonald House to prepare a chili dinner and chocolate chip cookies for the families living at the residence.

Hunter Morris, 27, a graduate of Algonquin’s business administration program and the community engagement officer for the AC Hub, lead the team of students. The motley crew from a variety of programs came together under Hunter’s instruction to make the best of the experience. They completed the task in just under three hours.

“I learn something on every community event I go to,” Hunter said. “There’s no better way to get to know people than sharing the gift of a meal with them.”

Paige McCabe, the development and volunteer manager of Ronald McDonald House, explained that the organization is “a home away from home for families who have a sick child at CHEO or any local hospital.”

“We take them in and become a haven while they receive treatment,” she said.

“Our top priority is oncology because of the six to eight months of treatment those patients require, but we help all families living at least 80 kilometers from their child’s treatment facility. We are currently at

CODY BYRNE PHOTO

Hope Rudd, a development services worker student, mixes the batter for her chocolate chip cookie recipe. capacity with 14 families, and 10 more on a waiting list.”

McCabe is one of only four full-time staff members with a mere three other part-timers working at the house presently.

“I wear a lot of hats,” McCabe said. “I manage events, our social media presence, group organization and more. We all have to help out in different departments to make it work.”

With minimal employees, the organization relies on volunteers to fill in the gaps when necessary.

“We can’t do what we do without the volunteers that come in every single day to help us out. It sounds so

simple to make a meal, but to come back form a long day at the hospital and enjoy good food together makes a big difference,” McCabe said.

Hunter has been working with the volunteer centre at Algonquin for over two months, speaking highly of the impact these events have on both the community and the students involved.

“I encourage everyone to look beyond their normal routine and try something new,” he said.

“Volunteering is a great way to make a positive impact on our community and the best way to learn about it firsthand.”

CHANELLE PINARD PHOTO

The Wellness and Equity Centre’s coordinator, Quinn Blue, shares a vision of improving the workplace by collaborating with Pride at Work Canada.

10 algonquin times

February 13, 2020

Free peer tutoring services improve Peer tutoring services are running smoother than ever after receiving more funding ALVIN TSANG

Increased funding for peer tutoring services has led to improvements to operations this year that include more tutors and coaches on staff, additional coverage of subjects and a booking system upgrade.

An allocated $27,000 from Algonquin College students’ ancillary tuition fees was given to the Student Learning Centre’s peer tutoring services.

This was completed as part of the Algonquin College Strategic Plan 2017-2022 detailed in the Treasurer’s Report of the 2018‐2019 Annual Budget.

“We have more subjects now,” said Ritu Sindhu, Student Learning Centre representative and student in the office administration

program. “There was always a high demand for difficult subjects like Java and other programming languages, and now we have tutors in those subjects.”

Sindhu said that operational procedure in the centre had noticeably improved compared to just a few months ago.

The increased funding, which allowed for more coaches and tutors, created the need for a more complex booking system.

“It’s not just an upgrade, it’s a whole new system that’s much easier to use than the old one,” Sindhu said. “It makes registration easy, on and off campus.”

Ethan Kutschke, another Student Learning Centre representative and a student in hospitality and tourism management, explained

that the new changes didn’t result in a bigger or busier centre, just a centre that runs more smoothly.

“It’s hard to scope out whether we have more customers due to the increased budget or not. It’s not a super busy time right now, but we will see closer to midterms.”

Kutschke said that the tutoring service always produced good results even before the budget change.

As always, the tutoring service paid for itself through customers and was self-sustaining.

It was mostly the coaching service that needed some investment, expansion and promotion.

“Coaching is a free service,” Kutschke explained, which was why in order for the service to grow and improve, the college had to

CODY BYRNE PHOTO

!"#$%$&'()*&+ Fatima Kahn, a graphic design student at Algonquin College, works carefully at a Henna art studio event that was opened to the public in January.

spend money toward it. The difference between the tutoring service and the coaching service is that tutors focused

on building concrete skills under a specific subject, whereas coaches worked on strategies to help students succeed.

Both services are available at Peer Tutoring Services located in room 259 in C-building.

algonquin times

February 13, 2020

11

Graphic Design students go into new year with 2020 vision CHANELLE PINARD Algonquin’s graphic design department hosted an art sale on Friday, Jan. 31 featuring prints created by third-year students.

The event, which began at 10 a.m., went late into the afternoon and attracted large crowds throughout the day.

There were a variety of stickers and art prints all under $5 that visitors could choose to purchase.

Over the semester, students work with the intention of promoting their creations at the annual grad show exhibition in April. The event displays graduates’ design portfolios and allows them to demonstrate problem-solving skills and creativity. All of these things will help them with the transition into the industry.

“It’s a really good opportunity to showcase what we’ve

been doing for our future employees and anyone who’s seen us suffer for the last three years through the program,” said Genevieve Lepine, with a laugh. Lepine is a third-

projects.

“Our theme for the brand is anthology which plays-off of old records,” said Jenny Owens, a third-year student and the event’s co-coordinator.

CHANELLE PINARD PHOTO

One of the event coordinators and a third-year graphic design student, Genevieve Lepine. year student and the event’s co-coordinator.

During a pitch competition held in January, the students selected “anthology” as the chosen theme to guide their

“We release a series of records in the same anthology series, loosely related to each other but different.”

In preparation for the grad show, 43 graduates came

together with each of their specialties. “Motion, web designers, print designers,” said Owens. “It’s a big variety of different types of work, which is really exciting.”

First- and second-year students in the program volunteer in support of the final show. “A lot of our events, we couldn’t do without the first- and second-years,” Owens said.

“Although when I was in first-year, I volunteered for the grad show and they had a popcorn machine,” Genevieve said.

“I was in charge of the machine and burned all of the popcorn, which filled the horticulture building with a wonderful smell. So, there won’t a be a popcorn machine this year.”

The graduates will be hosting a henna event, bake sale and a pub night within the next few weeks.

Baseball-bat maker gives advice and motivation during lunch talk

SAM MCGOWAN PHOTO

Tubing participant sliding down the hill at the AC hub event.

Students suit up and ride on tubes at an AC hub event SAM MCGOWAN Students got to experience some real Canadian winter weather on Jan. 23 as they made their way down the hills of Sommet Edelweiss on tubes in -6C weather.

The event was hosted by the college’s AC Hub. For some students like Fernanda Iandim, who is an interactive media design student, it was a new experience“It is my first time tubing,” said Iandim.

“We don’t have this kind of weather in Brazil. The winter is not that rough, mainly our winter is rain so we don’t have snow in Brazil. So this is my first time actually experiencing snow in my life.”

Leanne Jarrett, an events programmer for AC Hub, says this is an annual event.

“We host are off campus annual winter tubing event

every January as a way to allow both international and domestic students to experience our Canadian winter,” she said. “It’s particularly great for international [students].”

Deborah Pricilla, an international student from India who is in project management, says she enjoyed tubing down the hill.

“It’s awesome,” said Pricilla. “It’s not scary but it’s totally fun. We have hills back home but this was 10 times more awesome.”

For Iandim and the other students, the event was an experience that they will never forget for the rest of their lives.

The Hub hosted another event called “Skating through the forest” on Feb. 4 where students skated through a 3-km outdoor trail in Lac Des Loups, Que.

KATHERINE DIABO PHOTO

Arlene Anderson, guest speaker for Third Thursday and special events officer, Susan Pridmore. The two women stand in the woodshop at Algonquin College ready to talk to a room full of eager learners.

KATHERINE DIABO Entering the wood work shop in the CA building on Jan. 16 at noon, you would have been greeted with a smile followed by a table spread of various doughnuts.

Event guests were there to hear Arlene Anderson, president and co-owner of the

Original Maple Bat Corporation, speak and offer motivation. Her company supplies professional baseball players with maple bats.

Her talk to the 55 people in the room stretched from topics such as managing employees, advice for starting a business and communication.

“Communication is abso-

lutely critical if you want to get the job done,” said Anderson to the group.

Anderson’s presentation was part of the Third Thursday series put on by the AC Hub. It is a social event that takes place once on the third Thursday of eacwh month, with new guest speakers and different subjects.

This event was created to spark conversation and to inspire the Algonquin community. It is free and open to all students, staff and alumni.

“It’s so rare that this happens. It’s an opportunity for a diverse group to come together, share ideas and learn from one another,” said Michelle Hevey, 26,

events officer for the AC Hub and one of the coordinators for Third Thursday.

Every month is a different topic touching on important subjects. They are chosen by a committee.

The speaking series focuses on the concept of innovation and bringing local leaders to Algonquin Col-

lege to help the community.

“My hope is to motivate attendees,” Michelle Hevey, explained in an email.

“Whether that be through listening to Arlene Anderson’s motivational presentation or through conversations with the other students/ staff attending the event.”

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February 13, 2020

Flood leaves residence students in temporary rooms Fifteen students on fifth floor were displaced overnight due to leaks ROBBIE SMITH

When Adam Mcdonald woke up in his Algonquin residence room around 3 a.m. during the first week of the winter term, he noticed water coming from his ceiling.

“It was dripping out of the top of the window the way water would drip out of a tap,” said Mcdonald, a pre-trades student. “Then it just started f lowing very fast.”

Shortly after 3 a.m. on Wed., Jan. 8, a leak occurred on the fifth f loor of Algonquin residence, f looding 11 suites and leaving 15 students displaced.

The leak was caused by a valve on a rooftop water tank that failed due to a campus-wide power outage, as well as below-freezing temperatures.

The repairs were not made by Algonquin

College maintenance workers, therefore they could not comment on the incident.

“Employees were immediately on hand to support students and acted quickly to find alternative accommodations for students within residence,” said

“It was dripping out of the top of the window, the way water would drip out of a tap.”

Adam Mcdonald free-trades student

ROBBIE SMITH PHOTO

Adam Mcdonald and Easton Morrison stand in front of the truck they slept in, outside of residence.

Sophie Galvàn, the general manager of residence, in an email regarding the incident.

Mcdonald, whose room was f looded, said he and his roommate, Easton

Morrison, an H-VAC technician student, spent the night in their truck as no accommodations could be made for them right away.

“We were able to coordinate all room moves by

the end of day on Jan. 8,” said Galvàn, confirming that students weren’t given new rooms until the following afternoon.

“While we regret and apologize for any

inconvenience thisa may have caused those who live in residence, we very much appreciated that those students affected were very responsive, cooperative and patient

despite the situation,” she said.

“This allowed remediation and urgent repairs to commence immediately, helping us resolve the issue as quickly as possible.”

New ARC building progressing well Athletic Recreation Centre set to open August, 2021 BRENDEN LAFRAMBOISE

For st ude nt s, st af f a nd v isit or s t o A lgonqu i n’s Wood rof fe ca mpu s, t he sig ht of con st r uct ion worke r s a nd la rge const r uct ion t r uck s work i ng away at complet i ng t he new At h let ics a nd Re c re at ion Ce nt re is a d ai ly o ccu r re nce.

A lgonqu i n Col lege’s St ude nt s’ A sso ciat ion is work i ng on a fa ci l it y t h at w i l l i ncor p or at e new a ct iv it ie s such a s bowl i ng a nd a gol f si mulat or along w it h ex ist i ng sp or t s such a s ba sketbal l a nd vol leybal l. T he ce nt e r is exp e ct e d t o op e n i n Aug u st 2021. “ T he proje ct is at about 65 p e r ce nt de sig ne d a nd con st r uct ion is prog re ssi ng n icely,” said Ja ck Doyle, t he ge n e r al m a n age r of t he SA. T he ce nt re w i l l h ave

mu lt iple g y m n a siu m s, a re st au r a nt a nd a b ou lde r i ng /ro ck cl i mbi ng wal l.

“The project is at about 65 per cent and construction is progressing nicely,” Jack Doyle SA General Manager

T h is st ude nt spa ce w i l l be f re e t o al l a nd w i l l be a pla ce for st ude nt s “ t o ch al le nge a nd exp e r ie nce,” a ccord i ng t o t he SA at h let ic websit e.

Ce me nt is bei ng p ou re d , says Deija nel le Si mon , t he pa st pre side nt of t he SA. “ We a re on t r a ck t o h ave t he bu i ld i ng f i n ishe d by 2021,” she said .

BRENDEN LAFRAMBOISE PHOTO

The ARC’s construction is underway. On Jan. 14, 2019, the ARC had a crane come in to work on the foundation of the building. They continued to work through the cold, snowy afternoon.

algonquin times 13

February 13, 2020

Dean Jim Kyte’s transition from the NHL to Algonquin College From being the first and only legally deaf NHL player to dean of the School of Hospitality and Tourism KASSIA SKORZEWSKA

As an NHL player, 55-yearold Jim Kyte developed a strong work ethic and passion. He has now taken those characteristics into his role as dean of the School of Hospitality and Tourism at Algonquin College.

As Kyte celebrates his fifth anniversary as dean, he reflected on his past and what he has learned.

Throughout his 13-year NHL career, Kyte played for the Winnipeg Jets, Pittsburgh Penguins, Calgary Flames, Ottawa Senators and the San Jose Sharks, while also being the first and only legally deaf NHL player. After suffering a severe brain injury in a car accident, Kyte’s NHL career was cut short and he searched for his next passion.

While speaking at an event, former Algonquin College president, Kent McDonald, then the Dean of the School of Business, offered Kyte the

position on the advisory committee for a new program related to the business of sport.

“I was very proud to be selected as the dean of this school and have enjoyed being in this position for just over five years now.”

Jim Kyte Algonquin College

“Kent McDonald asked me if I’d be interested in developing the program so I dove straight in and developed the program,” Kyte said.

“The sport business management post-grad program had its first intake in the fall of 2002.”

In 2003, Kyte became a full-time faculty member,

and then, four years later became the acting chair of the marketing and management studies department in the School of Business.

Two years later, he applied for the dean position in the school of Hospitality and Tourism, and since then, hasn’t looked back.

“I was very proud to be selected as the dean of this school and have enjoyed being in this position for just over five years now,” Kyte said.

Kyte has taken the lessons he’s learned in hockey to being dean. For example, the value of perseverance, hard work and attitude.

“It’s all the work that happens beforehand that indicates the success later,” he said. “As Sun Tzu writes in the Art of War, every battle is won or lost before it is ever fought.” For Kyte, it was also about finding a new passion.

“Hockey is something that I did for a living but it’s not

who I am…find something else that you’re passionate about and those characteristics that made you successful in being a high performance athlete will make you successful in this other field,” he said. Kyte said he enjoys the relationships he has with colleagues but misses connecting on a daily basis with students when he was a faculty member.

Kyte mentioned that his favourite days in his new schedule as a dean are the spring and fall convocations as well as the School of Hospitality and Tourism awards.

“When you see the students walk across the stage and they get their diplomas or their certificate when they graduate, that’s very satisfying,” he said.

“The students are very proud and I’m very proud to have played a small part.”

KASSIA SKORZEWSKA PHOTO

Jim Kyte, the dean of Hospitality and Tourism, in one of the kitchens of Restaurant International at Algonquin.

Algonquin’s clubs reach out to would-be members Algonquin College has 56 clubs and communities that you can join and be a part of DOUGLAS BOYLE

Once a term, Algonquin College’s clubs and communities do a member drive to showcase to students the range of groups anyone can join.

On Jan. 30, 18 of Algonquin’s 56 clubs and communities gathered in the Student Commons to advertise what their group is all about. Club founders and leaders set up several tables with games, prizes and sign up sheets where students got a chance to meet some of the club leaders and introduce themselves to like minded people who share a passion or heritage.

“I’ve joined two clubs, and it’s helped me branch out into things I never thought I’d do,” said Barkadley Magan, a business administration student. After joining both the chess club and the modern

hip-hop club, he’s found himself trying new dance styles he never considered before.

“If you have any time, do it,” he said.

No two groups were the same at the member drive.

The biggest group with over 300 members is the esports club.

Sanctioned by TESPA, a network of students and club leaders that facilitate competition on the college level, they offer a wide range of video games to play casually or compete in.

The esports club was only one of the 18 groups present, with Chinese and Lebanese culture clubs, dance club and table-top gaming to name a few.

Brandon Carkner, a library and information technology student, staffed the table-top gaming group display.

“Anyone can join,” he said.

“We’ve had people who only knew about the concept and, through the club, helped them make the leap.”

Although member drives usually happen once per term, the coordinator for all clubs and communities, Sienna Benson, is hopeful that another member drive will occur after the mid-term break.

“Algonquin College is very lucky,” she said. “We have the ability to join a club or start one for free.”

Last year, 15 per cent of students opted-out of the ancillary fee for clubs and activities. This fee is under $5 and helps determine if official clubs get funding from the Students’ Association.

Benson encourages students to take advantage of the wide range of clubs and communities. “Get out there, learn what clubs we have and try something new.”

DOUGLAS BOYLE PHOTO

Barkadley Magan enjoys mini-games at the Club’s and Communities membership drive in Algonquin College’s Student Commons building.

14 algonquin times

February 13, 2020

lifestyle

“To this day I feel unstoppable.”

Adrienne Aliyak Pathways to Indigenous Empowerment Program

ANGELEAH BRAZEAU - EMMERSON PHOTO

Adrienne Aliyak, 26, is creating a new home for herself in her community and at Algonquin College in her first year in pathways to Indigenous empowerment program.

ANGELEAH BRAZEAU-EMMERSON

For many, home includes family, friends, a house and a community. Ultimately, home is where you make it.

For Adrienne Aliyak, 26, the small community of Rankin Inlet, Nunavut, approximately 2,193 km away, was once home. Aliyak is an Inuit student currently in her first-year of the pathways to Indigenous empowerment program at Algonquin College.

In the five months since Aliyak began here at Algonquin, she has not only been on the path to accomplishing her program, she has grown as a person, and has also found a new home.

Aliyak was 21 when she left her home community, which she says is beautiful. The people within her

community are knitted tightly together making it one big support system. Elders are highly respected and guide the community in many of its important decisions.

The community is no bigger than a large village.

There are no stoplights-only grocery stores and dirt roads. “It was small,” said Aliyak. “The only way to get around was by plane, that’s how isolated it was.”

Although Aliyak came from a united community, she faced a rough childhood.

Her parents’ addiction to alcohol forced her to become the sole provider for herself at the age of 17. After she watched her parents “drink their life away,” she realized that her life wasn’t like other children.

Feeling trapped, she knew she needed to escape. “I was lost,” said Aliyak. “I didn’t

realize how messed up my life was.”

At the age of 21, Aliyak and her boyfriend left Rankin Inlet and decided to start a new life in Rockland, Ont., which was her boyfriend’s hometown.

After approximately five hours and one connecting flight, Aliyak’s new adventure began. It soon became an eye-opening experience that would change her life forever.

Two years after her arrival in Rockland, her and her boyfriend separated. She was in a new environment where she had few friends, no family and still no sense of belonging.

“It was a culture shock, I was alone…It was hard,” said Aliyak. “At times like these you need your family.” She may have been doing fine with all the materialistic

aspects of her life, but emotionally, it was one of the hardest times she had ever been through. “I don’t ever want to feel that way again,” said Aliyak.

“I have a hard time leaving this place. I love it so much. It’s like my safe heaven.”

Adrienne Aliyak Indigenious Empowerment

After struggling with the circumstances her new life created for her, she soon came to a realization.

“Friends of friends helped me find services and support,” Aliyak said. “They were vessels to showing me

everything.”

Once Aliyak began gaining more support, she gained that sense of community.

This was her push forward.

Her life was in Rockland now. That’s where her close friends lived, where her three-year-old daughter went to daycare.

“That’s where I became something,” Aliyak said.

However, Aliyak knew what her next step was. She wanted a career, one that would help build a future for her daughter.

In September 2019, Aliyak began school at Algonquin College.

Still not used to the city environment, Aliyak found it difficult. She didn’t know her way around, she was a single mom juggling work and school, while commuting back and forth from Rockland to Ottawa.

Soon enough, Aliyak became comfortable with the school, enjoying the many aspects it has to offer, especially the Mamidosewin Centre, where she was able to reconnect with her people.

“I have a hard time leaving this place,” said Aliyak of Algonquin College. “I love it so much. It’s like my safe haven.”

Aliyak overcame the challenges that came with leaving her small community in Nunavut. She grew as a person and built a concrete foundation for not only her, but her daughter in Rockland.

Through her journey Aliyak realized that home doesn’t have to be where you grew up or where you come from; home is where you feel you belong and is where you make it.

“To this day I feel unstoppable,” said Aliyak.

algonquin times 15

February 13, 2020

Project Lighthouse hosts Sex after Dark Algonquin students get a better understanding of sex and sexuality with a Q-and-A they first start out so they can get more aware.”

The Q-and-A session featured questions submitted both anonymously by paper and asked verbally. To entice attendees, there were free nachos and even a sex toy giveaway.

MEARA BELANGER

Project Lighthouse hosted its annual Q-and-A at the Algonquin College residence SA Lounge at 7 p.m. Friday.

Project Lighthouse is a program which aims to inform about sexual health and consent and prevent sexual violence on campus.

“The whole point of sex is to have fun and to feel good,” said Sarah Crawford, 31, the program’s founder, to a room full of diverse students sitting in a circle around her. Crawford is the sexual violence prevention and harm reduction coordinator at Algonquin College and founder of Project Lighthouse.

The session was geared towards answering questions about sexuality, sexually transmitted infection prevention, consent and stigma.

“It helps me because I’m able able to help others with it too,” said Caitlin Bauer, 20, a second-year social services placement student in

“We’re hoping that understanding what a healthy relationship is will help end sexual violence.”

Sarah Crawford, 31, is the sexual violence prevention and harm reduction coordinator and founder of Project Lighthouse and is hosted the Sex after Dark Q-and-A.

Sarah Crawford Project Lighthouse founder

for the first time, they’re learning about drinking and alcohol and other drugs,” said Crawford, of her student participant. “So, really, we’re just trying to educate them about consent and dating and healthy relationships, substance abuse, sort of when

The questions ranged from, “do I need to use a condom if I don’t want to?” to, “what does an orgasm feel like?” Although this particular meeting shifted the conversation away from sexual violence,

MEARA BELANGER PHOTO

attendance.

There are events like this hosted at the residence every semester. According to Crawford, the turn out usually includes a mixture of students from all walks of life, including many international students.

Project Lighthouse runs events year-round, but at the start of a new term they become more frequent. Over the first eight weeks of fall and the first four weeks of winter they focus mainly on sexual violence prevention.

“They’re away from home

Crawford believes candid discussions about sexuality will help reduce related assaults on campus.

“They ask questions and I can kind of tailor it to consent,” said Crawford. “Obviously not everyone is comfortable talking about sex, and that’s okay. The reason we talk about consent and healthy sex is it’s really just a way of sexual violence prevention. We just want people to know that we’re a resource they can use.”

In the midst of the #MeToo movement, the dialogue surrounding consent is one that is happening everywhere.

Crawford’s goal is to reduce the stigma surrounding sex and to create a safer campus for all students.

“We’re trying to empower people to listen to their partner and ask for what they want,” Crawford explained.

“We’re hoping that understanding what a healthy relationship is will help end sexual violence.”

Weekly Wednesday dinners Home-cooked meals and talks about mental health happen every Wednesday KASSIA SKORZEWSKA

In order to bring mental health outreach to students living in Algonquin College Residence, a weekly community dinner program was established a year and a half ago.

Every Wednesday night, the Community Kitchen program invites students living in residence to come down to the back lobby and interact with their fellow peers in a dinner setting. At the same time, they are also being introduced to mental health subjects which they wouldn’t usually be comfortable talking about.

“It helps a lot with some of our residents that do have some difficulties with social interaction,” said child and youth care intern, Kaitlyn Evoy, 20. “I’ve found that a lot of residents that I’ve engaged with have found similarities in the people they have met at Community Kitchen.”

Believing it would start out small, Cassie Greenough, 32, the Community Kitchen’s organizer, was surprised when over one hundred residents showed up to the inaugural dinner a year and a half ago.

Throughout the school year, the dinner event will host talks for Let’s Toke About It, Bell Let’s Talk Day and sexual health advice.

“We’re giving information on harm reduction, and safe cannabis use, and cannabis storage in the residence, and we even have police officers and health promoters come in,” Greenough said about the Let’s Toke About It event.

Aside from the mental health aspect of the dinners, Wednesday nights also give residents a chance to feel a sense of belonging while they are far from home.

“I’ve had comments from students that say I don’t feel comfortable cooking in the kitchens around here,” said Laura Gaylord, 25, a social

service worker intern. “I haven’t cooked a home meal in a while, so it feels like a home meal, it feels like I’m at home.”

As a student, Jade Rogers-Baptiste, 18, has noticed the inclusion she has felt since she started coming to Community Kitchen in September.

“I feel like they allow me to feel more comfortable in the school in a sense of community because I can talk to more people and it helps me make more friends and stuff like that,” said Rogers-Baptiste, a first-year animation student. “It’s awesome.”

As the Community Kitchen keeps evolving, so does the experience the interns have with working in mental health outreach.

“I feel like it forces you to get out of your shell and connect with people you might not necessarily would have had a chance to connect with,” Gaylord said.

16 algonquin times

February 13, 2020

AC Hub serves free pancake breakfast for mental health Event helps promote mental health awareness ALFRED CARREON

As pancakes were being cooked on the grill in the AC Hub, curious students and staff slowly began to line up, following the sweet scent of chocolate pancakes to figure out what was going on.

Pancake day, hosted by the AC Hub, happens at the beginning of each term.

It’s part of the Mental Health 360 series of events The event’s goal is to bring students together and remind them to take a break and to take care of their health.

“Pancake day is a little reminder that you don’t need much to create a sense of community,” said Michelle

Hevey, 26, the event coordinator, an Algonquin graduate and one of the event’s founders.

“I followed the smell of it all the way here.”

Liz Martins, personal training student

“It creates organic conversations between students and takes the stress off them,” said Susan Pridmore, 39, another founder of the event.

Justin Baumgardner, 41, is a volunteer who helps out at

ALFRED CARREON PHOTO

Three students in the military arts and sciences program eat a pancake breakfast at the AC Hub on Jan. 14. every single AC Hub event.

“Breakfast is one of the most important meals of the day,” he said.

“Having a good breakfast means that you have enough energy for the day, which helps your mental health.

You’re less likely to be tired throughout the day.”

The line started to grow shorter and the students were engaging with one another while eating delicious chocolate pancakes an international student who was exploring the building followed her nose over to the AC Hub. “I followed the smell of it

all the way here,” said Liz Martins, 34, a personal training student from Brazil.

Martins was ecstatic that she could try a new type of food that she rarely has back in her home countwry.

“I’m glad t hey’re do i ng someth i ng li ke th is because it’s i mpor t a nt to

Algonquin College Events and Activities February 14th Wind Down Friday: Music with Natalie Hoffmann

February 18th DIY Workshop: Button Making

February 19th Paws 4 Stress

February 20th Third Thursday: Regeneration

For the full list of events visit the link below. algonquincollege.com/studentsupportservices/events

Keep up with the Times

eat,” says Ma r t i ns.

“When your phone’s battery is about to go out, it goes on sleep mode.The same thing happens to your body when you don’t get enough energy from eating f It starts to get tired, and your mental health gets affected.”

algonquin times 17

February 13, 2020

Meet the newest Dog Squad The Algonquin College Dog Squad held a ceremony to celebrate and welcome the 11 newest recruits to the team BAYLEE CLARK

Algonquin College’s Student Commons was filled with fury friends and smiling faces on the afternoon Monday, Jan. 27.

A special ceremony welcomed 11 new “therapy dogs” to the Dog Squad program, now a group of 18 dogs and employees. This event came one year after the original start of the Squad, which had just seven dogs in January 2019.

There are also service dogs on campus, but there is a clear difference to watch for. The therapy dogs can be found on campus wearing green vests with clear identification: Algonquin College, Dog Squad.

“Green jackets mean those dogs can be approached, pet and they love the attention,” said Shelley Doherty, project

manager for ITS department at Algonquin College.

Doherty spends her days on campus with Jessie, sevenyear-old, white, female, British Bulldog. Jessie has been part of the Dog Squad since the start of the squad.

“Green jackets mean those dogs can be approached.”

Shelley Doherty Owner of Jesse “Working with Jessie is great,” Doherty said. “As soon as the green vest is put on, she is at the door ready to go see students and then when she comes back, she sleeps under my desk.”

Jessie is just one of

many friendly members on the Squad.

Leo is a Yorkshire Terrier, the smallest dog in the program. The twelve-year-old dog is owned by Joanne Kalman, finance and special projects employee at Algonquin College. Leo is very lovable and enjoys interacting with everyone.

After the ceremony, the Dog Squad set out onto campus to meet students. Everyone walked around with their cameras and their phones, taking pictures and videos of all the excitement.

Elise Latimer, a first-year library and information technician student, stopped in to see the dogs and take a quick homework break.

“I wish it could happen every week,” she said. “It was an awesome time. All the dogs are so cute - great names.”

BAYLEE CLARK PHOTO

Jessie, a seven-year-old British bulldog and her owner Shelley Doherty, welcomed her new friends and co-workers to the AC Dog squad.

BAYLEE CLARK PHOTO

Emerson, a 14-year-old cockapoo and his owner, Laura McLellan, a support specialist, gets ready to walk the runway together at the event.

18 algonquin times

innovations

February 13, 2020

“This game has a part of me in it, and there’s so much reassuring feedback, it’s so cool to see.”

Stef Pinto Game Development Graduate

Intrusive thoughts inspire grad’s game

Stef Pinto created a video game called Exit Mask reflecting on his personal struggles JACK CASSELMAN

Following his rituals day after day, dealing with a constant barrage of unwanted thoughts, Algonquin game development graduate Stef Pinto decided that enough was enough.

“I took all the steps to get help, but even after getting through a lot of these issues, there were intrusive thoughts flooding my head,” said Pinto.

“But it suddenly just clicked.

I’m going to make this into a game.”

The result? A piece of art in the form of a game called Exit Mask. It was released on Jan. 3, 2020.

Pinto graduated from the game design program at Algonquin College in spring of 2019.

In September, he was diagnosed with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. “Yep, sounds about right,” recalled Pinto, reacting to his diagnosis. “It’s a bit of an anticlimactic reaction, but this wasn’t some big revelation.”

Exit Mask is a free-to-play horror game, pushing you through its twisted, maze-like

JACK CASSELMAN PHOTO

Stef Pinto, Algonquin game development graduate, created his first individual game, called Exit Mask. He used his experience with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder to make the video game different from others on the market. design. Horrific creatures stalk you through the levels while loud, distorted sounds play in the background.

“I wouldn’t say it’s a game about OCD,” Pinto said. “I’d say it’s inspired by it. It has gruesome, disturbing imagery that has no escape. You just sort of brute force your

way through hoping to get it to stop, but it always comes back eventually.”

Exit Mask was developed late June 2019. Pinto worked on the game by himself, while occasionally asking colleagues for advice.

“Stef regularly spit-balled ideas off of me, explaining

his creative process and what he aimed to replicate with the game,” said Nico Zobnin, a game development graduate and classmate to Pinto. “Though not something I could personally relate to, I found myself intrigued as the game slowly embraced its ugly and brash inspirations to

form a gripping portrait out of something so abstract.”

Pinto posted updates to his website throughout the development cycle.

“When you start working on a game solo, it’s a very gradual and slow process,” he said.

“You learn and improve as you go. I learned to expect and identify why someone might not like it during the development, long before actually putting it out there. I had to accept that no matter what the game was going to end up as, some people aren’t going to like it, it’s unavoidable.”

The game features references to self-harm through its mechanics, and suicide through its enemy design. “I can say with certainty it’s not everybody’s cup of tea, but it’s a brutally transparent and wholly unique art piece nonetheless,” said Zobnin. This resulted in reviewers describing the game as disgusting for the sake of being disgusting.

“A lot of that stuff is extremely gross, discomforting, but most importantly, obscene,” he said. “Obscene imagery toes a fine line between

being genuinely disturbing and eye-roll-inducing because it tries too hard. I related to both sides of that.”

Pinto suggests caution before playing, as the game does contain sensitive material that may be too much for certain players.

“The reason why people viewed the content as insensitive is the same reason I thought it was justifiable in the first place, as it’s what I felt towards my OCD when it was at its peak, which was excessive, edgy, bothersome, nonsensical and cheaply crude,” said Pinto.

Despite some negative feedback through comments video reviews, the game was well-received upon release, as it received over 1400 downloads and has amassed over 250,000 YouTube views across multiple reviews.

“I’m obviously surprised by the reception,” he said. t“This game has a part of me in it, and there’s so much reassuring feedback, it’s so cool to see. To see this positivity when there’s still so much more room to improve motivates me a lot.”

Makerspace holds free 3D design workshop JULIEN ST-JEAN

The Algonquin College Makerspace team held one of their weekly workshops, which covered the basics of 3D design, on Jan. 17.

The Makerspace, located in room C275, is an on-campus lab that students and staff are welcome to visit in order to use tools and software to build and design whatever they can imagine.

“Our plan is basically just to have a creative space that is open for everyone,” said 20-year-old Ryan Kowtecky, one of Algonquin’s Makerspace technicians and graduate of the manufacturing engineering technician.

The Makerspace concept is based around the idea that no

knowledge should be proprietary. The objective of their workshops is to invite people in to try new things that they might have an interest in, even if they are intimidated.

“Our plan is basically just to have a creative space that is open for everyone.”

Ryan Kowtecky Makerspace technician, host of 3D design workshop

“I just want people to come in and feel welcome without

any prior knowledge required,” said Kowtecky.

At the workshop, Kowtecky taught attendees the basics of 3D design in Fusion 360, a computer-aided design software that allows users to build and design in a virtual 3D space. The workshop covered some of the tools and theory of 3D design, such as sketching, extruding, revolving and the fundamentals of 3D modeling.

Approximately a dozen attendees, made up of both students and faculty, saw these techniques applied to actual design by following a step-bystep breakdown of the construction process of a domino in 3D space. Certain difficulties with the college’s internet made for some unforeseen

JULIEN ST-JEAN PHOTO

Ryan Kowtecky, is an Algonquin Makerspace technician and hosts the 3D design workshop. He is a grad of the manufacturing engineering technician program. challenges, but the workshop continued anyway.

“I definitely got what I wanted out of it [the workshop], and I appreciate that it’s

free software,” said Amanda Baxter, 37, a professor of the baking and pastry arts program at Algonquin. “I’m confident enough to share the app

with my students and let them know that this is a possibility.

Makerspace workshops are hosted in room C276 every Friday at noon.

algonquin times 19

February 13, 2020

entertainment TJ Morrison rocks Algonquin “They have the perfect leverage to use the resources to make an impact and bridge the gap between the domestic students and the Indian students.”

Kortney Force

business management student

CAMRYN MAJUARY

CAMRYN MAJUARY PHOTO

Former Algonquin student, TJ Morrison, 30, performed at the AC Hub in the Student Commons during the Wind Down Friday: Get Zen event on Friday, Jan. 31.

The event, which also featured board games, bracelet making and colouring, was in support of Mental Health Awareness Week for students.

Morrison was born in Ottawa and is currently playing at least five shows a week at local bars and pubs. “I love Ottawa,” Morrison said.

“I’m pretty happy here and it’s pretty cool to be

playing back here.”

He enjoyed the opportunity to play for Wind Down Friday because he likes to take advantage of practicing songs that he doesn’t usually get to play at his regular shows.

Morrison performed a “coffee shop version” of popular songs for a room full of Algonquin students.

“He’s got some classic coffee house music and I really enjoy that,” said Josee Leclair, 21, a professional writing student. “I quite enjoy music performances. I’ve been to a few Wind Down Fridays and I really enjoy the vibe.”

Muriel Morin, 24, a business administration student agrees.

“It’s good vibe music,” she said. “You can still work and have some nice background music. I like studying up here, it’s a chill space.”

Morin and her friend Sara Bryan, 34, also a business administration student at Algonquin, heard Morrison was performing and came right to the AC Hub to hear the performance. “TJ and I are friends, we saw he was performing and I wanted to bring her [Morin] to come and see TJ sing,” Bryan said.

Morrison, who’d like to tour eventually, didn’t disappoint his audience.

“I do a little bit of everything,” Morrison said. “I like taking the challenge of taking a heavier song and altering it to the environment.”

TJ Morrison singing and playing the guitar for Wind Down Friday.

Indian Student Society holds first homecoming of the decade

HRITIKA JIMMY PHOTO

DJ Mian plays Bollywood music all through homecoming night.

HRITIKA JIMMY

The Indian Student Society, in collaboration with the Students’ Association, held the first homecoming of the decade on Saturday, Jan. 25, in the ACCE building.

The theme of the event was Homecoming/Freshers and it was held for all the international and domestic students to get to know each other.

“They have the perfect leverage to use the resources to make an impact and bridge the gap between the domestic students and the Indian students,” said Kortney Force, 24, a business management student.

At the event, there was a popcorn stand, an ethnic jewelry booth, a booth organized by the Women in

Computer Science for games and the Glow photo booth.

The photo booth was popular with the attendees.

“The Indian Student Society is a good idea since now students can come together as a country and not from different states,” said Aradhita Sudhir, 18, biotechnology student.

Prachi Bhatia, 26, won a ticket for the event from a contest on Instagram.

“There should have been more people here, people who don’t use social media didn’t get to know,” said the international business management student.

According to the president of Indian Student Society, Shivand Dhawan, the promotions started on January 6. “The songs were only

going in one direction and there could have been a better choice,” said Dhawan, a 19- year-old computer technician student. “Since the majority were Indian, it was a success.”

The event was kicked off by a stand-up comedy piece

by Peter Saran from Carleton University. It was followed by a song performance and a dance by the Bhangra club. DJ Mian, from Toronto, played open music through the rest of the night.

“I loved that the songs were Bollywood,” swaid Bani Kaur, 22, an interactive media management student. “ The photo booth was very exciting but some more people would have been better. It felt very India oriented.”

There were some non-Indian international students who attended the event as well.

“I learned some Punjabi moves, and this was all new stuff,” said Dani Bouassi, a 19-year-old student from Lebanon. “There were fewer people but that didn’t affect the event.”

The members were expecting 200 students and they sold around 90 tickets.

The event went on after 10 p.m. with the open DJ and ended with food and the recitation of the Indian National Anthem.

20 algonquin times

February 13, 2020

Dancers raise money for mental health AKIRA COOPER An organization called Dancers Give Back had its Sixth annual performance at the Algonquin Commons Theatre on Feb.1.

Dance studios and schools from all over Canada come to perform in the showcase to help raise awareness for the Dave Smith Youth Treatment Centre. Which is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to helping youths 13-21 across Ontario overcome substance use and other issues.

This is not the first Dancers Give Back event for dancer Jasmine Limtung, 21 who is co-captain for the Carleton Univerisity Raven’s dance team, she talked about how much impact this event truly has with herself as well as the dance community.

“It’s really special to me personally because I’ve grown up in Ottawa, so this is my sixth performance with Dancers Give Back and my dance teacher growing up actually started it,” said Limtung. “So to be able to continue doing this with my team is really special and it’s just really great to get everyone from all over to get to participate,” she said.

The Ravens performed a dance by the name of

Ego-System, which had been choreographed by two dancers on the team. One of the choreographers was Julie Sterling, 20, she had her grandparents come up from Burlington, Ontario to see

“It’s really special to me personally because I’ve grown up in Ottawa.”

Jasmine Limtung Dancer

her perform the dance she created.

John Sterling, 79 and Alice Sterling, 78 say dancing has been in the family for years. Alice was a former dancer as well as Julia’s mother and herself who’s been dancing since she was three. The couple was very happy to be back in Ottawa as Julie’s grandfather was a Graduate of Carleton University circa 1968.

Other performers from all over were excited to be in the show like one girl from the uOttawa GeeGees dance team Zoe Lukach, 21, “I think it’s really good to come together and

especially because it’s also everybody in Ottawa to come and just forget about competitions,” said Lukach. “I feel like everybody’s coming together as one studio today instead of a whole bunch,” she said.

The performance lasted two hours with a total of 24 dance teams each performing their own dances.

Instead of rivalry between teams, there was support and love as all the dancers in the stands would cheer on fellow studios who were performing as if they were on their own teams.

Guest speaker Cindy J.Manor Senior Director of Philanthropy at Dave Smith Youth Treatment Centre spoke out just before the finale to continue to spread the word about the center and how much they’ve already raised as well as the impact it had on her recovering son. She spoke about his five-year journey through substance abuse and how the center saved him.

The finale was a collaboration between all teams in one big last performance, which had them running into the isles and taking up the whole stage with dancers in unison wearing DGB t-shirts to finish the show.

AKIRA COOPER PHOTO

Dancers perform a move called Thrilling Combination as they raise money at the Algonquin Commons Theatre for the Dave Smith Treatment Centre.

Comedian fundraiser for family counselling centre in Renfrew JACK CASSELMAN

JACK CASSELMAN PHOTO

Comedian Rob Stalkie tells an anecdote about stealing a pizza at the Comedy for a Cause event at the Algonquin Student Commons Theatre.

Comedians Rob Stalkie, Melissa Diaz and Gene Getman joined forces on Jan. 30 at the Algonquin Pembroke campus to help raise $3,200 for the Robbie Dean Family Counselling Centre.

The Student Commons of the Pembroke campus was filled with roars of laughter from the sold-out crowd of 160 people, gathered for the Comedy For a Cause show. The three comedians each performed their sets throughout the two-hour show, differing in styles and delivery.

The crowd was full of smiles after the show - some eager for more. “It was hilarious,” said Michael Campbell, 53. “I knew it’d be good, but it smashed my expectations. I’ll definitely be going to Rob’s next show.”

Stalkie is set to perform

in Pembroke again in April at the Pembroke Curling Centre.

Stalkie, a Pembroke native, had a smile on his face throughout the night.

Before the show, he made his way around the room talking with old friends in the crowd and giving hugs. He shook hands and thanked everyone he talked with.

“Thank you all, without all of you none of this would have been possible.”

Rob Stalkie Comedian

“From the bottom of my heart, thank you. Thank you for supporting Algonquin College and of course

the Robbie Dean Family Counselling Centre,” said Stalkie. He stopped during his set and talked on a more serious note about benefiting from self help, and taking care of yourself.

The joy and laughter was all for a good cause. All proceeds from the show went to the Robbie Dean Family Counselling Centre.

The centre was established by Monique Yashinskie, the mother of Robbie Dean. wYashinskie lost her son due to a lack of resources for students suffering from mental health problems, and opened the counselling centre to tackle that exact issue.

“Thank you all, without all of you none of this would have been possible,” said Yashinskie. “We would have had to close our doors without your generosity.”

algonquin times 21

February 13, 2020

focus

“Any operating nuclear facility has really robust measures for protecting people and the environment.”

Karl Soopalu ANSRS program coordinator

Accidental alert causes panic

JORGE ANTUNES PHOTO

Ludlum Model 12 Contamination meter, a common radiation protection instrument, is capable of detecting disintegrations per minute of radioactivity.

False nuclear warning sent out raises questions JORGE ANTUNES

Two weeks ago, Ontario residents awoke in a panic after Ontario’s Alert Ready Emergency Alert System sent out a false alarm.

Like many Ontarians, Karl Soopalu was awakened on the crisp Jan 12. 2020 morning to the blaring alarm on his phone. He said to himself, “Oh, oh.”

As the coordinator for applied nuclear science and radiation safety program at Algonquin’s Pembroke Campus, he knew there was nothing to worry about.

“Any operating nuclear facility has really robust measures for protecting people and the environment,” he said.

Connor Lahey, a second-year student of the ANSRS program had a similar reaction. “I was really nervous for a second,” he said.

In his first year, as part of his co-op term, he spent four months at the Pickering Nuclear Generating Station.

“In the nuclear industry there is a lot of safety systems,” he said. “It is completely redundant. You’ll

notice that the nuclear industry is over-protected. There’s systems protecting systems, protecting systems.”

The recent HBO mini-series Chernobyl may have fed some of the panic online. Many jokes on social media referenced the series which depicted the catastrophic explosion of the RBMK-type nuclear reactor in Pripyat, Ukraine in 1986.

In Chernobyl’s case, the Ukrainian technicians were carrying out an unsafe test on the RMBG-type reactor, a very poor reactor design which doesn’t have any containment. Containment is a standard of the much safer Canadian CANDU-type reactor, Soopalu said.

People also complained about vague messaging, which complicated things further. The first message read, in part, “An incident was reported at the Pickering Nuclear Generating Station,” and then, “People near the Pickering Nuclear Generating Station DO NOT need to take any protective actions at this time.”

Three Mile Island “had a significant meltdown,”

Soopla said. They failed “in keeping the public apprised,” which led to significant panic during the accident. “The public both has a right and a need to know what was going on.”

“In the nuclear industry there is a lot of safety sytems.

It is completely redundent.”

Connor Lahey second-year ANSRS student

He believes the ultimate error was one of communication. “The fact that there was this loosey-goosey ambiguous message did not alarm me a lot because of the mitigation measures that were there,” he said.

Within hours, Ontario’s Solicitor General sent out an official statement that read: “The Government of Ontario sincerely apologizes for raising public concern and has begun a full investigation to determine how this error happened and will take the appropriate steps to ensure this doesn’t happen again.”

of the hit TV sho w the una uth ori zed par ody

presented by Algonquin Commons Theatre

Friday, May 29th, 2020 lobby bar 7:00pm / show 8:00pm

AlgonquinSA.com/ACT

22 algonquin times

February 13, 2020

Horoscopes Film screening seeks to unmask men’s health Capricorn

An old lover will reenter your life. You will eventually find yourself choosing to stay with them or to let them go. Think hard and stay true to your heart.

Dec. 22nd - Jan. 19th

Aquarius

You strive to be inclusive to those around you leading to strong bonds being formed. Cherish these bonds, for upcoming trials and tribulations will try to throw off the harmonious balance of these relationships.

Establishing a men’s space to help male students express themselves

Jan. 20th - Feb. 19th

Pisces You work hard and yearn to be rewarded for it. This reward will be coming sooner than you think. Keep eyes and ears open as you do not want to miss this opportunity.

Feb. 20th - Mar. 22nd

Aries Criticism is not something you take well. Work on this and allow yourself to grow and be better through critique. Your future self will be forever thankful.

Mar. 23rd - Apr. 24th

Taurus Emotions tend to cloud logical thinking when in a stage of anger or sorrow. Take these emotions and use it as fuel for the accomplishments you have your eyes set on.

Apr. 25th - May. 18th

Gemini Get up and get moving. If you have found yourself stationary too often, then it is time to get active.

Lack of exercise is bad for mental and physical wellbeing. A light walk or jog is stimulating enough.

May. 19th - Jun. 26th

JACOB CROCKER PHOTO

Cancer This month is about practicing self-care. It is important to take care of others but it is equally as important to take care of yourself. Give your body a rest when it needs. You will thank yourself.

Jun. 27th - Jul. 29th

Virgo Mental clarity is important for success. Dismiss the intrusive thoughts that hold no benefit and instead set your sights on the ambitions and goals that you are destined to achieve.

Jul. 30th - Aug. 26th

Leo Taking the easiest way out is not an option this month. As much as that is what you would like to do, the universe is giving you the required energy you need to take things head on.

Aug. 27th - Sept. 22nd

Libra You enjoy spontaneity and all that it offers. You tend to be open with others and trust easy. Be weary of whom you trust and share with. Some may use this information to antagonize or use against you.

Sept. 23rd - Oct. 25th

Scorpio Time to put the plan into motion. The pieces just need to be put together. The energy you receive this month will give you the courage you need to finally set out on your endeavours for success.

Oct. 26th - Nov. 21st

Sagittarius A new found sense of life may be present for you this month. Bask in its beauty and uniqueness, and remember not to take it for granted.

Nov. 22nd - Dec. 21st

Event organizers Mindy Alexander, a member of Algonquin College’s counselling department and Toronto Art Therapy Institute, and Josh Kellar, a social service worker student, make masks.

JACOB CROCKER The sexual health initiative Project Lighthouse hosted a screening of the film The Mask You Live In in the AC Hub on Jan. 21 to raise awareness for men’s issues such as absent fathers, substance abuse and suicide.

Project Lighthouse is an Algonquin College community project aiming to promote sexual health and reduce sexual violence on college campuses. The Mask You Live In, created by the award-winning documentary producer Jennifer Seibel Newsom, explores the unique cultural pressure boys face to disconnect from their pain and fear and hide behind an idea of masculinity.

The event garnered little attention at the start, but as the movie continued, students were gradually drawn in. “Every dude should watch it,” said Jared Biefe, a student in the child and youth care program. “It’s not just about masculinity, it’s life.”

The event also included a mask-making workshop

organized by Mindy Alexander, a member of the Toronto Art Therapy Institute currently on placement with Algonquin College’s Counselling Department. By making masks, people can artfully explore the ways in which their outward behaviour serves to disguise their feelings, a key theme of the documentary.

“A lot of men are wanting to veer away from the male stereotype,” said Josh Kellar, an Algonquin College student in his final semester as a social service worker and a volunteer for Project Lighthouse.

“They want to be better connected with their emotions, and with other men.”Alexander and Kellar have also been involved in establishing a men’s space within the counselling department in hopes of helping Algonquin College’s men explore their issues in a safe and welcoming environment.

“Men are limited in how they can be themselves or express themselves,” said Alexander. “This group is a place for men to talk about the

pressures that they’re facing.”

Students can sign up for the space at the Algonquin

College Welcome Centre.

It’s open to on Tuesday afternoons at 2 p.m.

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algonquin times 23

February 13, 2020

sports

“We can beat any team, that’s the message.”

Jelle Kooijman Men’s volleyball head coach

Thunder storms the court KENED SADIKU Returning home after beating the number one seed Durham Lords the weekend prior, the men’s volleyball team went onto beat the George Brown Huskies on January 31 with a landslide 3-0 score.

Tom Cullingworth led the way for the Thunder with 12 kills on the night. Richard Bucar behind him in second with 10 courtesy of his hard work.

While the Thunder did face some adversity in the third set, head coach Jelle Kooijman admired the resilience his team showed.

“We’re coming up with two big serves and some good plays to just close it off,” said Kooijman. “That’s the kind of experience we’re gonna take into a later part of the season.”

The plan heading into the match-up was simple: make sure you do what you need to, and when you’re relied upon.

“Our game plan was to make sure that we’re doing our duties, and we’re properly blocking,” said Kooijman.

“I think we did a good job on that, it definitely bailed us out on some situations.”

The win on Friday night gave the team their ninth win of the year, they are now fifth in the OCAA men’s volleyball east division with a record of 9-7.

Kooijman wants his team to know after Friday night’s win,

KENED SADIKU

Right side forward Tom Cullingworth celebrates during the game Jan. 31against George Brown Huskies.

that they’ve gotta adapt to the mentality of believing they can beat anyone that comes in front of them as the playoffs will be here soon.

“We can beat any team, that’s the message,” said Kooijaman. “We just came off a big win at Durham, we

grabbed the win here, we need to take care of business tomorrow.”

Middle man Julien Caswell, also admired his team’s play amidst some struggles in the later half of the game.

“We found ways to come out on top, we had a bit of a

downfall with our setter getting injured,” said Caswell.

“Instead of bumming us out, it fires us up and I think that’s what helps us get a couple wins in a row.”

The Thunder faced a loss Saturday night, getting swept 3-0 versus Georgian College.

KENED SADIKU

Tom Cullingworth jumps to spike the volleyball during the intense match Friday, Jan. 31 on Thunder’s home court.

Algonquin Thunder women’s take down George Brown Huskies Algonquin volleyball team currently stands at 13 wins, 3 losses in the season JACOB CROCKER The Algonquin Thunder women’s volleyball team achieved a decisive 3-1 victory on Jan. 31 in a home game against the George Brown Huskies.

The victory all but guaranteed the Thunder a second-place finish this season in the OCAA women’s volleyball rankings.

The Thunder dropped the first set of the night to the Huskies after a close backand-forth set, finishing at 2520 for the Huskies.

Both teams came back with determination in the second set with long, dynamic volleys. The Thunder secured a strong lead in the middle of the set, but the Huskies made

an exciting comeback and just barely fell short of taking the set.

The final score was 25-23 for the Thunder.

In the third set, the Thunder was dominant. They took an early lead and managed to hold onto it, finishing strong with 25-18.

The George Brown Huskies came into the fourth set needing to secure a win, and they took an early lead.

However, the Thunder managed to claw their way back into the match and make a strong comeback. They finished the set with 25-21 for the Thunder and winning the night.

Despite winning the game, Everton Senior, the head coach of the Thunder,

explained his mixed feelings over the team’s performance.

“We’re playing in pockets where we look great,” said Senior. “But other times we look like we’ve never played the game before.”

Emily Porter, who plays the middle position, felt similarly about her performance.

“I want to work on getting my stats up,” said Porter.

“Like my kills, and my aces.”

However, Porter had a better feeling about the performance of her team.

“We meshed really well as a team,” Porter said. “We were all really positive and we worked together.”

In total, the Thunder delivered a solid performance, finishing the night with 49-25 kills and 34-14 aces.

JACOB CROCKER

Algonquin’s Thunder female volleyball team from left to right: Rylee Leger, Emilie Menard, Emily Porter, Sarah Martin, Sidney Sletcher, Tatiana Weissflog, Morgan Ott, Inge Hoogenboom, Marie-Chantal Ozorak, Samantha Balys, Skyler Cole, Anna Maria Falcucci

24 algonquin times

February 13, 2020

Men’s Thunder claim victory

KENED SADIKU

After a tough past weekend for the Algonquin Thunder men’s basketball, the team grabbed the win against the Centennial Colts on Saturday night with a score of 80-75.

Zerious Loney and Simon Desta led the team with 16 points at the half, with the Thunder up 39-29 when the buzzer sounded.

While scoring was a key factor, Loney applauded his team’s ball movement in the dominant first half.

“We moved the ball really well, we played as a team,” said Loney.

“It all started in practice, we ran a lot and people really executed today.”

The second half saw the Centennial Colts try to make a comeback, but the Thunder stuck with them through their surge, which was eventually halted.

The Thunder’s ramped up efforts on the court inevitably resulted in making Centennial turn over the ball in the second half.

“I saw a better effort from our guys tonight,” said head coach Trevor Costello. “They turned the ball over, they had the case of what we usually

have the case of is turning the ball over.” For the Thunder, it was about simplifying their game and getting the shots along with staying hungry. In his post-game comments, Loney said this was key to the final result.

“You get inside looks, you get the open looks, hit the open jump shots and stay aggressive,” said Loney.

While the defensive play worked out in the end for the Thunder, it was a change in strategy from the coaching staff that sparked the aggressive play off the ball.

“It’s just something different, control the tempo and see what they could get do out of it,” said Costello. “We got a quick steal, quick and one right after that. We kind of stuck with it a little bit.

We tried to mix it up a little bit more tonight with some zone and some half court trapping.”

While the playoffs seem far away for the Thunder, a win on Saturday night brings them up to a 3-11 record in the OCAA men’s basketball east division.

The team now prepares for another weekend on the road as they are set to play against George Brown College.

KENED SADIKU PHOTO

Thunder guard Simon Desta drives to the basket during Saturday night’s game against the Centennial Colts.

Thunder dominates against the Colts AKIRA COOPER

AKIRA COOPER PHOTO

Sierra Peck, 21, shoots a free-throw mid-way through the game against Centennial College.

The Algonquin Thunder women’s basketball team won their game Saturday against Centennial College with a final score of 88-68.

It was the 11th win for the Thunder as they are undefeated in the season with the thought of the OCAA championships on the horizon.

Although the women played with skill and strategy, Michelle Branker, a guard for the women’s basketball team would argue there is still much work to be done.

“I think we have to keep pushing strong especially knowing we’re going to be crossing over into the west division soon,” said Branker. “The teams in the west, they’re a tougher matchup so we need to focus on that and keep pushing ourselves in practice and competing really hard against each other.”

The women took on an 18 point lead over the Colts, going into halftime with a score of 49-31. The Colts began to close the gap in the third to an eight-point lead for the Thunder, but couldn’t maintain the momentum.

Branker took the opportunity to learn from this game and figure out what needed to be worked on amongst the team.

“After this game, I think we need to work on our press break for sure because that killed us a lot that game,” she said. “Little things like that with turnovers and such.”

The intensity during the game was high, as the Colts fought to turn over the ball on the court.

Meaghan McNamara, guar and forward explained what this win meant for the team and that it’s not the win itself but what leads up to it.

“Going into it we kind of

already knew what the outcome would be but it’s not just about the win anymore, it’s about how you win,” she said.

“So it’s about better wins, you know?”

McNamara and her team had learned these values from Jamie McClean, the head coach.

“It’s never just about squeaking by, it is about doing all of the little things,” said McNamara.

Despite the Thunder’s victory, the team seemed to be struggling more than usual on the court.

A fourth-year member of the team, Rita Sibo, doesn’t believe they had the right focus and communication during the game.

“I think we struggled as a team today, we didn’t execute as well as we wanted to,” said Sibo. “We kind of let little things get to our heads and we could have done much better.”

algonquin times 25

February 13, 2020

Algonquin grad perseveres to get dream job Former journalism student worked three jobs in sports media after refusing to settle for less KENED SADIKU

When Callum Fraser graduated from Algonquin College in 2016, he had a vision of what he wanted his career to entail: sports.

Four years later, Fraser, now 24, is juggling two job in sports. He is an Ottawa Senators correspondent for NHL. com and an anchor on CFRA radio.

He used to also host his show “Battle of the Atlantic”.

“Most of the time I’m working CFRA as a news anchor,” he said. “There’s probably 50 days in the year where I work NHL, and then there’s probably another 50 days in a year where I work at TSN.” As a Senators correspondent, Fraser attends all 41 home games in a single season.

But the hard work started even before he stepped in the doors of Algonquin College.

He started to practise sports writing in grade 12 when he created his own blog.

“I just started writing stuff that I would post on my own Facebook,” said Fraser. “Then when I recognized that I kind of liked it, I switched a couple of my courses in grade 12. One to creative writing and I started getting the hang of that as well.”

One of the first pieces Fraser wrote that started his career was an article he wrote on Silver Seven Sens in 2016 regarding former Ottawa Senator Matt Carkner. Not only was it one of his first articles for an official blog, but his initiative landed him an interview with Ian Mendes of TSN 1200, which then went on to secure his job at TSN. “It just goes to show you

KENED SADIKU PHOTO

Callum Fraser, an Algonquin College journalism graduate, worked for TSN 1200 and had his own show called “Battle of the Atlantic.”

He is an anchor on CFRA radio and works as an Ottawa Senators correspondent for NHL.com. that in this industry, you have to be proactive,” said Fraser.

“You have to do your extracurricular work outside your program, or else nothing is going to happen.”

As much as sports journalism is a passion of his, Fraser knew at the time when he left college that he had to have more than one skill in his toolbox while still pursuing his end goal.

“I understood that I had to make sure I became a bit of an everything guy,” said Fraser. “Having said that though, I knew what I wanted to do and I was super stubborn about it.

“I didn’t want to settle for just a job in journalism, I wanted the job that I wanted in journalism.”

Callum Fraser Journalism graduate

I kind of wouldn’t take no for an answer.”

His love for sports during post-secondary education meant that his eyes didn’t light up at the idea of doing something besides sports.

While he did try to mix things

up, he wanted people to understand his vision and drive for his final goal.

“I honestly felt like it was a bit of a setback if I wasn’t doing something with sports,” said Fraser. “I didn’t want to settle for just a job in journalism, I wanted the job that I wanted in journalism.”

While the industry is something Callum is heavily involved in, he acknowledges the concerns he has around the line of work.

“It feels more and more like the end is creeping in,” said Fraser. “It’s not just worldwide, or in North America, or the United States or Canada, it’s like very close to you.”

A new hobby Fraser is working on is his creating montages for the Ottawa Senators.

“I wanted to expand my knowledge of making film in a very juvenile kind of way,” said Fraser. “I wasn’t trying to show everyone that I could have a part in a film industry, absolutely not. But I definitely learned and got a lot better.”

The one piece of advice he would give out for people in the journalism industry?

Do something you love, he says. If you do something you enjoy it won’t feel like a job anymore.

algonquin times 26

February 13, 2020

Enjoy some hot cocoa During the winter weather.

Colour in the mittens!

Finish the maze!

@atpromo

@atpromo

Ot tawa’s New Music Instagram @CKDJ1079fm Facebook @CKDJ 107.9 Twitter @CKDJ1079

L ist en L iv e CK DJ.N ET

28 algonquin times

opinion

February 13, 2020

“That was the beginning of how my life would change.”

Brenden Laframboise Jouranlism student

Chess on Ice: The Curling Experience How curling as a team sport can provide new friends and change life for the better BRENDEN LAFRAMBOISE

W

hen I was 7 years old my grandfather picked me up from my house one early Sunday morning and drove me across Ottawa. He brought me to the RCMP curling club and asked me if I wanted to try to play.

That was the beginning of how my life would change.

That was twelve years ago.

When I talk about the curling, people will tilt their heads and ask “Is curling even a sport?” Or they’ll say, “Oh yeah I saw that in the Olympics once.”

I like to explain that the sport is a bit like “chess on ice.”

Algonquin College once had a varsity curling team.

They had a team in 2014, 2011 and 2007. It didn’t continue because of the lack of players and budget issues.

The team would also only compete in two tournaments and would barely practice because Algonquin doesn’t have a facility. For the teams to curl they would have to rent ice somewhere in the city of Ottawa.

Today, all that’s left are the words “varsity curling” on the wall in the hall beside N building. Although Algonquin’s team is now gone, I

argue that we need to bring it back. Students should have the opportunity to experience the sport of curling.

When I started curling I thought it was crazy weird.

“Why am I doing this?” I’d ask myself. I’d also think, “this is hard” when I stepped out on the ice. These were constant thoughts that went through my head. But I went again and again and I’m glad I pursued it.

I made some friends that I would see every Sunday and I eventually became their teammate.

We started competing in small tournaments around Ottawa and it was incredible. Stepping on the ice with three other guys who wanted to win just as bad I did was something fantastic to experience.

At first, that was what kept me going. The sense of accomplishment when you’d win a game. You would always want to win again.

Curling has a reputation of being a gentleman’s sport. This essentially means that respect is the top concern. Gentlemen’s sports include tennis, golf and, of course, curling. Curling does not have a referee in most cases. The teams govern themselves. Disputes or

physical aggression is extremely frowned upon and in some cases, a player or a whole team can get banned

“Stepping on the ice with three other guys who wanted to win just as bad as I did was something fantastic to experience Brenden Laframboise Journalism student

from competing in competitive play.

This teaches curlers to earn respect.

And as I grew, I played with different teammates and represented different curling clubs. I had the opportunity to travel, which is fantastic.

No matter your age, no matter where you are from, there is a spot for you in a curling club. There are learnto-curl programs for any age across the city, at any of the multiple curling clubs. Curling is known for being a sport that can be learned and played at any age.

PROVIDED BY BRENDEN LAFRAMBOISE

Members of team McNamara of the Royal Canadian Navy Curling Club in Ottawa from left to right: Maxime Daigle, Brenden Laframboise, Lucas Houle.

algonquin times 29

February 13, 2020

Our mural’s vandalism is nothing new Algonquin College’s Indigenous community had their mural vandalized on Jan. 28.

ANGELEAH BRAZEAU-EMMERSON PHOTO

People stop to watch the delicate repair of the mural on Thursday, Feb., 5. It was vandalized late in the evening on the Tuesday.

ANGELEAH BRAZEAU EMMERSON

Growing up, I faced my fair share of racist comments and discriminatory acts.

Every evening my roommate, Alex, and I sit down and talk about our days.

We’re both from Kitigan Zibi, two hours north of Ottawa, and have know each other since we were kids. One night in late January, I told her about the Indigenous mural at school that had been vandalized.

The news didn’t come as a shock to me nor did it really surprise my roommate. Here is why.

I learned at a young age that being Indigenous placed me in completely different category from people who are non-Indigenous.

The small community I grew up in sits beside a French-speaking town.

TIMES STAFF Editor Katelin Belliveau Managing Editor Breanna St-Jean Assistant Managing Editor Cody Byrne

“It’s not news to me that many First Nations people are disliked. People hate our ‘many privileges,’ and the fact that we are all ‘drunken Indians.’”

Angeleah Brazeau-Emmerson journalism student For instance, I’d see it in our text books at school when my class and I would read about Canadian history.

I am lucky enough to say I have not personally faced as

Sports Editor Cody Byrne Opinions Editor Hritika Jimmy Focus Editor Meara Belanger

ADVERTISING Ad Manager James Pavelich Sales Manager Justin Watt Creative Director Brendan Taggart

Social Media Editor Charlotte Riethman

Photo Editors Chanelle Pinard Angeleah Brazeau-Emmerson Production/ Traffic Andrew Traynor Lifestyle Editor Jackson Picco Camryn Majuary Digital Manager Innovations Jadyn Lanteigne Jorge Antunes

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Careers Sam McGowan

Design and Production Editors Phaedra Hamer Baylee Clark

Copywriting Adam Starkey

many racist acts as others.

But one comment from someone about where I come from or about the colour of my skin is enough.

So why am I not shocked by the recent defacement of Algonquin’s mural? It’s simple.

These actions no longer faze me.

The fact is, these types of unacceptable actions have become a norm and an unfortunate reality for Indigenous people and many other minorities.

It’s not news to me that many First Nations people are disliked. People hate our “many privileges,” and the fact that we are all “drunken Indians.”

After years of hearing uneducated, racial judgements, learning that paint was

thrown on a mural becomes nothing new.

For years and years Indigenous peoples of Canada have been suffering ongoing acts of colonization, stripping of their identity, culture and language, forced to be placed into residential schools in hopes to assimilate us once more, and forced to live on unwanted land called reservations.

The act committed against the Indigenous community of Algonquin College should not be overlooked.

Instead, we should be starting conversations about it, just as me and my roommate did.

As an Indigenous student, I have become so accustomed to the poor treatment of Indigenous people that its easier to push away those feelings

Creative Director Kyla Smuck Social Team Selina Rattani Account Executives Dior Carley Guilherme Dehichi Terzoni Noah Fridgen Digital Team Jacob Gibbs

“After years of hearing uneducated, racial judgements, learning that paint was thrown on a mural becomes nothing new.”

Angeleah Brazeau-Emmerson journalism student

As a person grows up, it’s normal to begin seeing the world as it is: with all of its positives and negatives.

For me, I’ve quickly seen it for its true colours. And as

much as I want to be hopeful for my future and for allfuture generations, there just comes a point where I just feel realistic.

To retaliate or be mad about what happened won’t fix anything.

The mural will be repaired, but another hateful act will always replace it.

For me, the power to fix this issue comes from being able to walk past the acts of racism everyday on my way to class and not let them affect me.

I have realized that people will be who they choose to be and do what they choose to do.

If I let myself be affected by every action and every word, that is thrown at me or my community, I would never be able to live my life.

algonquin times

Social Manager Shiann Aronson Promotion/ Distribution Grant Pederson Sophia Kandar

aside rather than always feeling angry

The Algonquin Times is produced three times during the fall and winter semesters by journalism and advertising students. Funding is provided by the Students’ Association.

The Times is printed by Performance Printing.

Reach us at 613-727-4723 ext. 5459 or by email at algonquintimes@gmail.com.

Check us out online at algonquintimes.com, on Twitter: @AlgonquinTimes, or find us on Facebook.

The Times office is in room N209, Algonquin College, Woodroffe campus 1385 Woodroffe Ave., Ottawa, ON K2G 1V8.

@at.news

@algonquintimes

AlgonquinTimes

30 algonquin times

February 13, 2020

Struggling with myself What it feels like to be blindsided by anxiety ARIELLE HUGHES

I was sitting in the Algonquin Times office one winter afternoon. Everyone around me passing ideas for upcoming stories while my heart raced. I could feel it beating in my throat. My hands started shaking and no matter how much I wanted them to stop they, just keep getting worse.

My chest got tighter and heavier, my breaths got shorter and shallower. The room started spinning, my ears started ringing and before I can stop them tears were falling over my cheeks. I wasn’t having a heart attack - this is what it’s like for me when I have a panic attack.

Being blindsided by an anxiety attack that has your heart racing, your ears ringing, and makes your chest feel so heavy that every breath is a struggle would be, for any average

person, a cause for major concern. For me, however, it was just another Tuesday.

I can’t remember a day in my life when I didn’t have the little voice in my head telling me that what I wanted was impossible. I have an anxiety disorder and it’s a tough weight to carry.

Living with it in my day-today life can feel like an impossible task. What wowuld make the weight lighter - for me and others like me who struggle with anxiety - is for those around us to understand our experience a bit.

My anxiety is more than just feeling worried or scared. It’s tossing and turning until 4 a.m. with flashbacks of moments that made me scared or uncomfortable or embarrassed. Even cuddling up to my favourite teddy bear can’t calm me down enough to get some sleep. It’s missing classes because I’m afraid of what might happen, or missing an assignment every week

because I’m too overwhelmed by the amount of work to get started on it.

It’s thinking too much, about things that don’t even require my attention. It’s being hyper aware of everyone, and everything, and overthinking the tiniest shift in tone or body language. It’s a constant state of being on the edge, panicking about tiny details and being too caught up in them to look at the big picture.

It’s overcompensating. Trying so hard to please the people around me. It’s striving for perfection and then beating myself up when I don’t reach my own standards.

It’s hearing people tell me to “just stop worrying” or to “just let it go” when they have no concept of how badly I wish it was that easy.

It’s wishing that it was as easy as just flipping a switch and turning it off so I could go just one day without the little voice in my

head reminding me of the work I’m procrastinating because I’m

“I can’t remember a day in my life when I didn’t have the little voice in my head telling me what I wanted was impossible.”

Arielle Hughes Journalism student

so scared of failing that I can’t start.

It’s listening to people tell me what I need to do to help myself when they’ve never experienced what I go through.

When really all I need, is someone to sit down beside me, hold my hand, and tell me “we can get through this, together.”

Marijuana dispensary coming to College Square PHAEDRA HAMER

Mihi Cannabis is expected to open a marijuana dispensary in College Square in the spring that will give students safe access to products and information.

I think this will be a great opportunity for students and members of the community to shop safely, be educated and meet new people.

Before cannabis became legal, some dispensaries in the downtown area were sketchy and I didn’t feel that they were the safest places to go.

I remember walking down Dalhousie and seeing lots of run-down stores. When I go to the shop, there were few employees and not much variety in the strains they offered.

With the regulations from the government in place, cannabis shops have become more user-friendly, appropriately advertised and much safer.

With Mihi Cannabis - the name translated from Latin to “for me” - their goal is to put their customers at the centre and find out what product suits them based on their lifestyle, experience and

needs.

For me, shopping online hasn’t always been a guarantee that what I pay for is what I will receive. Personally, when I have a poor experience with a certain company while buying online I don’t find myself wanting to shop

“It will be definitely be good for students who don’t shop online or don’t own a credit card because I know I didn’t have one for a long time.”

Dan Cohen Collier Interactive management student

there again.

Soon after the legalization date, the Ontario government launched an online site for consumers to buy regulated, safe weed from the comfort of their own homes.

However, the website doesn’t offer the best information about their products and wouldn’t be best for a first-time shopper who doesn’t know a lot about what they’re buying, their needs or

what they like.

In the beginning, users found troubles with the site because there were limited products and it was the only place to purchase legal cannabis in Ontario.

Buying weed online is nowhere near the same experience as buying in-store.

“It will definitely be good for students who don’t shop online or don’t own a credit card because I know I didn’t have one for a long time,” said interactive media management student, Dan Cohen-Collier, 24.

When you shop online, you don’t have the opportunity to learn about the products, smell it or see it before buying. You just have to hope for the best and wait for 7-10 days for your order to arrive.

With the new shop opening in College Square, I think students can see what they are getting before they buy it, learn and explore different options that are offered.

I believe students will have a more interactive experience while buying weed, and meet other people who know about the products and can give them what they’re looking for.

HELP CHOOSE

OUR STORY Vote to create a shared identity for all of Algonquin College.

Algonquin Thunder

Algonquin Wolves

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FOR MORE INFO VISIT

AlgonquinSA.com/chooseOurStory

algonquin times

February 13, 2020

editorial

27

“Starting conversations about mental health is a crucial first step in breaking stigma and helping people recover.”

Julien St-Jean Algonquin Times Reporter

Mental health demands more than talk

MELANIE ARUL ILLUSTRATION

Bell Let’s Talk Day has come and gone - and it will be forgotten for another 11 months.

Breaking the stigma around mental health is not something that can be done in a day. It’s a constant struggle that we have to work at year-round.

Designating one day to try to raise awareness around mental health isn’t enough because people struggle with mental illness everyday, not just one.

Bell Let’s Talk is an awareness campaign that was

created in January 2011 by Bell to open conversations around mental health. The goal was to reduce the stigma that stops people from seeking help to overcome their mental illness. After the most recent Bell Let’s Talk Day on January 29, Bell has donated a total of $108,415,135 to various mental health programs.

The event has done a lot to get people talking about mental illness, which is a crucial first step - but it’s not enough.

Every year, after Bell Let’s Talk Day, people move on from trying to raise

awareness about mental illness and into the next thing in their life. But people still struggle after that day. People afflicted by mental illness may feel supported for a few days, but will they still feel that way a few months later?

Solving the complex issues surrounding mental illness can’t be done in one day.

Building upon the momentum that Bell Let’s Talk Day creates, however, could be useful. It could push us all to take action.

This would mean that we need to continue to have open

conversations about mental health and reach out to those who could be struggling on their own.

Starting conversations about mental health is a crucial first step in breaking stigma and helping people recover. But it is only the first step. People dealing with mental illness need more than just our support, they need treatment.

We need to collectively push for consistent, readily available and reliable treatment for those who need it. Some treatment options

include low-cost therapy, psychotherapy and medication.

Stigma still surrounds these resources, keeping people from seeking help. To break this stigma, people need to know it’s okay not to be okay, and that it will get better if they seek help.

People struggling with a mental illness need to know they are not alone, no matter what time of the year it is. We can’t forget about these people who are friends, family members, classmates and neighbours until Bell reminds us.

If we really want to help people struggling with mental illness, then we need to recognize that we can’t do it in one day. And we can’t do it without taking action. Raising awareness around mental health, breaking down stigma and ensuring that people have access to treatment is not easy.

We need to fight mental illness everyday of the year, not just one out of 365.

JULIEN ST-JEAN

algonquin times 31

February 13, 2020

people Sew many pants, sew little time “If you don’t look professional, you won’t be taken seriously.”

Jenna Toews baking student

Linda Robbins co-founded Pant-a-Thon, a program that brings affordable pants hemming to culinary students KIERAN MORGAN

When Linda Robbins and Angela Ierullo, both graduates of Algonquin’s culinary program, had been working in volunteer kitchens and at the college when they noticed something unusual about culinary students working around them.

Some of them were using duct tape or staples to hold up their unhemmed pants.

Ierullo and Robbins were concerned about the safety of the culinary uniform without proper hems, in addition to the professionalism of the garb. Having been friends prior to their courses at the college, they decided to investigate the matter together.

They learned that many

students were living away from home and lacked the skills or equipment to hem their pants. They also found hemming services were expensive and inconvenient to access.

So the women decided to see if they could come up with a solution.

Over the next couple of months, the pair came up with a proposal after working out the various steps to hemming, getting equipment, gathering volunteers and ensuring cost efficiency.

After receiving approval from the culinary administration, they were able to perform a test in which they hemmed 20 pairs of pants for $8 each.

Thus, in 2016, the Pant-aThon program was born.

The program now happens every AC Day 1, and with over 40 volunteers primarily comprised of retirees, it has been running for four years.

“It’s culinary students paying back Algonquin students with foodthey’re trading pants hemming for food.”

Linda Robbins Co-Founder of Pant-a-Thon

“It’s culinary students paying back Algonquin

students with food- they’re trading pant hemming for food,” said Robbins. In 2016, the program included all of the hemming fees in the tuition of the students, and the proceeds went towards the Algonquin College Food Cupboard.

Cory Haskins, the current culinary program coordinator, worked with the women to organize this program.

For those in the program, it’s not just about safety.

“It’s all about professionalism,” said Haskins. “They need to be neat, clean, and ready to go.”

Jenna Toews, 19, a firstyear baking student at the college, agrees.

“If you don’t look professional, you won’t be taken seriously.”

KIERAN MORGAN PHOTO

Jenna Toews, a first year baking student, models a pair of the hemmed Pant-a-Thon pants.

Janitor turned public relations student Mikeal Du Plessis went from cleaning classrooms to attending them ALFRED CARREON

AC Day 1 allows teachers and students to meet each other, place a face to a name and learn more about their chosen program and the college.

When it was Mikeal Du Plessis’ turn to stand and introduce himself to his future classmates, he shared something intimate about his past.

“I used to clean and mop the floor of this very room,” he said.

The room fell silent.

When Du Plessis was in grade 10, he dropped out of high school to help take care of his mother. She has been diagnosed with diabetic blood clots and gangrene, which is an illness that causes the tissues in the body to die due to the lack of blood supply.

“I was there when he was going through that time,” said Melissa Smith, 27, his best friend of 14 years. “He was

emotional and a little angry all the time, but for someone who was put in an unfortunate situation, he handled everything like a calmly.”

At first, Du Plessis worked a job at Tim Hortons.

He worked there for three years before deciding that enough was enough.

He then decided to take a janitorial job because one of his regulars told him that being a janitor paid a little more than serving coffee.

He knew that he had to be in constant motion, so he became a floater janitor. A floater janitor is a janitor that gets called to go to different schools whenever they are needed.

Du Plessis cleaned hallways and classrooms for seven years for different schools in the Ottawa Catholic School Board and at Algonquin College, hoping to save money so he could go to school again.

“I wanted to make more money,” he said. “I needed a change in my life, and [I] had a death in my family. Felt like the right time to make a big change.”

“For the other people to read about his story or even hear about it, they’ll think: ‘if he can do it, I can do it too.’”

Bradley MoselyWilliams Coordinator public relations

When he gathered enough money for his schooling for the winter intake, he was unsure of the program to take, so he decided to attend the

ALFRED CARREON PHOTO

Mikeal Du Plessis, a 28-year-old public relations student and former janitor for the Ottawa Catholic School Board and Algonquin College. intake counselling sessions.

Getting the results back about being a good fit for public relations, Du Plessis was very surprised about it. “The more creative and spontaneous, the better you are would be at public relations,” he said when he heard the news.

But, when he first entered his class and met his professor, Bradley Moseley-Williams, he came to the realization that he loved the program.

“For other people to read about his story or even hear about it, they’ll think: ‘if he can do it, I can do it too,’”

Moseley-Williams says about Du Plessis’ past.

Mosely-Williams has advice for students who are also struggling.

“If there’s an opportunity, grab it,” he said. “Use the resources that you have available to you and grab that opportunity.”