The McGill Tribune Vol. 42 Issue 18

The McGill Tribune

Ali je t’aime forever and ever, encore plus que Legolas ou la tartiflette- Ton baby love

I love you to the moon and to Saturn and back - Sunshine

Charlotte you are the best sister anybody could ask for

I really like you and i don’t know if you do too..

I fear not dark skies. For they remind me of you.

Hair like winter night. - JPV

B, very grateful for you <3 love, A

<3 my fockey girls, my roomies, m and j

Kareem oh my god I love you so much

You’re the only person who I’ll pause reading feminist theory for. Thank you for a year of tenderness.

H.S.

to my rocking co-editor and loving mother, would die without you<3

I know we are young, but I want to feel this way with you as long as I live, in this life, and the next, and all the ones after that. -T

Open your eyes and see what’s just in front of you, she is waiting for you to love her.

Adele

Happy birthday and happy valentines day, my dear fiancé Jean.

I just can’t shake the feeling that we are going to see each other again.

To all workers at McGill: McGill campuses would not exist without you. You deserve fair wages, safety and security.

From: AMUSE

Dois sós se passam Um só para a outra só na rua Sozinhos juntos -JPV I don’t know what I would do without your beautiful souls <3 much love my friends

to z, you’re my bestfriend and my everything. my fav - k

Super sandwich ham and cheese I love you

Anthropology TA Leo, you have my heart [....]

Be my valentine. N. D.

LND

s and t, thank you for making this fun and letting me pretend I know what I’m doing, so much love, s

To my bed, I love you. M

Elle rit si gracieusement

Keep putting love out into the world, it will always come back around!

To C Thank you for being you. Thank you for being my valentine.

Love A

Being in such a beautiful place also makes me fall in love with my own company.

i never felt confused

y, I may not know the secrets of the universe but i do know that with you, the world is never underwhelming. laughing with you feels like the tree branches are reaching out and embracing us both. s

Meryam Hamel you’re in my Korean class [....] just know that you always look amazing

To the curator of this love project, to amaretto, you deserve love in volumes that overwhelm you. To the biggest constant in my life, to my best yet most forgiving critic, my only regret is not having met you earlier.

-y

A, I do wish we could have been in love [....] Actually, I’m not sure if I love you. But you certainly matter to me.

To my 3641 roomies, i couldn’t live without you guys. Love, A.M.

Ioana and Lachi, you’re the lights of my life.

Love, your secret admirer

To Fernanda (A.K.A Fern) [....] Love you long time - S.H. <3

Lots of love to the grilled cheese and tomato soup at Soupe Cafe xoxo

To my everything [....] 50 years in and forever more to go. Love forever, Your Darling

Souris si chaleureusement Ses cheveux tombent parfaitement Et mon coeur s’éprend - L Δ V

Love you Soup <3 -Smeag and Cheesedog

You always tell me the truth and you never hurt me on purpose. I hope we never change A I’m so in love, like so hard [....]

My James, I didn’t know I could love anyone the way I love you [....]

-Your Dea

Im soso grateful to have this person in my life.

Dear A and E, you make me want to keep experiencing life [....] Je vous aime!

- A

Dear Kelly, our maiden of love, we love you very much. <3 -ELM

a, nooreh cheshmami

To S: Happy Valentines Day sweetheart [....] I love you so much<3 -L

Prof Moser, the best of the best.

I love you so much, Linda. I can’t wait to be old and fabulous with you.

To my beloved Soupe Cafe, your soup and grilled cheese sandwich always makes my day.

Life is strange and crazy and maybe we could’ve had something, I dunno. Wish I had asked you about chickens -gs

- Barbara

This is the city where I feel most “me,” I love you Montreal <3 ~NH

to the vinny to my marisa tomei

you were the good thing i still think about you M.G

hope you’re having a good semester here my love, i love you! -a.s.

To M. From Z. You’re my best friend, and you’re so damn important to me.

Dear lachi, The first night I saw you, you were a sight for sore eyes

senior ed, you’ve been the best. prod day won’t be the same without you. <3 s

Todos os dias que passo com você, pra mim são abençoados! Sou grata por nos escolher. Com amor

Happy 3rd Valentine’s Day Together! <3 [....]

To my soccer-loving boyfriend, S.W. From H.R.

م- كبحب

Ex-SSMU employees speak out over alleged workplace mistreatment

SSMUnion president shares union objectives amid second conciliation effort

Jasjot Grewal Staff Writer

After three years of disagreement over their first-ever collective agreement (CA), the second conciliation between the Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU) and the SSMU employees’ union (SSMUnion) occurred on Feb. 3.

After being accredited as a bargaining unit in January 2020, the SSMUnion began negotiations with SSMU in August of the same year. SSMUnion President Mo Rajji Courtney shared with The McGill Tribune that one of the union’s goals is to eliminate the “casual” staff designation that SSMU assigns to the bulk of its employees. This designation means that employees receive no benefits or protections, but are treated like regular part-time employees fulfilling permanent labour needs.

“[People] think of [SSMU] as a student governing body and a student representative body, which absolutely is a very important function of SSMU,” Courtney said. “However, it’s also a workforce, and that is forgotten a lot of the time.”

Courtney believes that there are dire consequences to viewing SSMU solely as a governing body. Generally, employment contracts are one year, and positions are not guaranteed to carry over to the following year. Positions at SSMU range from desk jobs in human resources to bartenders at Gerts Bar.

“You might not be offered that contract again,” Courtney said. “Instead, it [may go] to the new president’s friend who doesn’t necessarily know what they’re doing. How are we supposed to offer good quality services to students if there [are] huge amounts of turnover [...] and there’s constantly new people who have to relearn everything from scratch?”

In their negotiations, the SSMUnion is also demanding a non-voting seat on the Board of Directors (BoD), competitive pay, research copyright, and a guaranteed, regular workload for employees. Courtney explained that the fluctuating workload caused serious problems for the staff, as employees would sometimes be asked to work 60 hours a week.

“The contract has a set number of hours, and [SSMU] just divided that by the number of weeks,” Courtney said. “There are many weeks where [employees] go without having work, and then weeks where there’s way too much work to do.”

Past Gerts employee alleges negligence, mishandling of paperwork

Hailey Agostino, an ex-Gerts employee, described an understaffing problem at SSMU in an interview with the Tribune Agostino began working at Gerts as a café supervisor when they were a student, in November 2021. They found that their responsibilities grew throughout the 2021-2022 academic year.

“I was working 20 hours a week, but technically, I was

working more than that. I just wasn’t logging more,” Agostino said.

After deciding to discontinue their education at McGill, Agostino, who is originally from the United States, approached SSMU to ask for a work permit sponsorship in January 2022. But they believe the SSMU executives’ negligence led to them failing to confirm Agostino’s employment status by September, when their previous permit to stay in Canada expired.

Agostino qualified for a facilitated Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)–-a document that some employers in Canada need to prove that they require a foreign worker for a position instead of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. SSMU would have had to submit the LMIA form and pay a returnable fee in order for Agostino to fill out their application for a work permit.

In May 2022, Agostino was told they were promoted to a management position at Gerts Café. However, they recall never receiving a pay increase, benefits associated with that position, or a new contract despite fulfilling the duties that the title encompassed. In the summer of 2022, Agostino grew more worried as they still had not heard back from SSMU about their work visa, and the time remaining on their student visa was quickly running out.

“For most of the early summer, I remember being very hopeful,” Agostino said. “As time went on, we were getting more stressed. It turns out that what was happening was HR [human resources] and the exec team were basically passing the responsibility of dealing with the actual immigration paperwork back and forth, because they both thought that it was the other person’s job to do it. It was just kind of sitting there for months.”

This was over the summer, before Gerts was set to re-open for the academic term, so the work environment was becoming increasingly stressful, according to Agostino. They felt that executives were not responsive, which made completing simple tasks difficult. Agostino said the last few weeks of summer were especially demanding, marked by having to take on additional management responsibilities that arose from staff absences while simultaneously renovating the Gerts kitchen and planning for Frosh.

“A couple weeks before Frosh was to happen, I remember myself personally spending a lot of time trying to organize the financial situation for Frosh,” Agostino said. “Me and my worker, we were the only two that were cooks in the entirety of Gerts [....] We spent multiple 10-12 hour days trying to cobble this kitchen.”

Agostino and their coworkers, including Sam* who was also trying to obtain a work visa, asked the SSMU executives to expedite the immigration paperwork. Agostino recalled an interaction that Sam had with the SSMU vice-president (VP) External Val Masny, where they both voiced their concerns about the inaction surrounding the paperwork.

“My coworker [Sam], actually, at one point, said [...] ‘I’m sorry, but I’m not coming to work unless someone gives an answer about this immigration stuff,’” Agostino said. “Val sent an email saying, basically, if you don’t show up to work, we’re going to drop this entire immigration thing completely.”

The Tribune obtained a copy of the email Masny sent, which read “I have come to understand that you are considering not coming in tonight. I want to tell you that it is hard for me to guarantee any specific outcome for the LMIA application. [We] have worked considerably on this [....] [I]f you decide to not come in and go ahead with planning your departure, that would signal us that you are no longer interested in pursuing the application. Please let me know in the next half hour as this will impact tonight’s opening.”

Agostino eventually had to leave the country and return to the United States because they were never granted a work visa.

“It was a day after I lost status in Canada that [SSMU] decided that it was just not going to happen, that [they were] going to find different people to fill our roles,” Agostino said. “I literally had a week to vacate the country because I had no other option.

“They have completely screwed over my entire situation, my life. If they had told me earlier, I would have had a chance to figure something else out. I wouldn’t have had to just cut and run.”

SSMU executives stated that they “do not agree with these allegations” in an email to the Tribune, adding that they are unable to comment further due to confidentiality measures.

Conciliation underway between SSMUnion and SSMU

The summer was a similarly challenging time for SSMUnion representatives trying to reach an agreement with SSMU. After bargaining began in August 2020, the SSMUnion reached an agreement in principle with SSMU on May 27, 2022. Courtney recounted that SSMU then suddenly went back on their verbal agreements and involved lawyers.

“SSMU delayed by two months in having [the CA] voted on, and then in the end, they didn’t even vote,” Courtney said. “They said ‘we don’t want to vote until it’s reviewed by lawyers’ [....] And their failure to involve the lawyers was [...] not our problem.”

After the SSMUnion finally received an 11-page document with over 50 amendments from the SSMU lawyers, the union filed a complaint with the Tribunal administratif du travail (TAT) claiming that SSMU was engaging in bad faith negotiations.

The SSMUnion and SSMU had a court hearing on Dec. 14, 2022, where the SSMUnion agreed to attempt a few more days of conciliation, the first of which occurred on Feb. 3. Courtney said that while they have some hope an agreement can be reached after this conciliation, they are frustrated with the yearly turnover of SSMU executives.

“We made some progress. But we’re dealing with now the third round of executives, and SSMU, like the rest of student organizations across McGill, have very poor institutional memory,” Courtney said. “So I’m re-explaining things and having the same negotiations that I’ve had.”

The next two conciliation dates are scheduled for March 7 and March 8. Courtney explained that if an agreement is not reached by the second hearing scheduled for April 26, the SSMUnion will proceed with the TAT trial.

In an interview with the Tribune, Karine Rainville—a representative from SSMUnion’s parent union, the Canadian Union of Public Employees—echoed similar uncertainty about what would happen if the SSMUnion won the TAT trial.

“Now, the hearing is not scheduled until April [...], and we’re in conciliations, and things are going well,” Rainville said. “We’re quite confident that we’re not going to have to end up with a ruling. But should that be case? If [the Tribunal] decided to rule in our favor, what would the actual remedy be for this? I’m not sure.”

The SSMUnion would prefer for a CA to be reached, but SSMU cannot be forced to ratify a document, even if there is a court ruling in favour of the SSMUnion. As such, there is a chance that the pair would have to return to the bargaining table.

SSMU declined to comment about the ongoing negotiations. Various actors from SSMU and the SSMUnion are under nondisclosure agreements and are thus unable to comment.

*Sam’s name has been changed to preserve their anonymity.

Conciliation is when a third party mediates bargaining between an employer and a union. (Kate Addison / The McGill Tribune )

Hailey Agostino alleged that SSMU would take pay out of employees’ paychecks for breaks without confirming they had actually used their breaks. (Kate Addison / The McGill Tribune )

Protestors rally for poet and boxer Nicous D’Andre Spring after unlawful killing at Bordeaux prison

Organizers demanded release of official footage and elimination of spit hoods

Elena Lee Contributor

Content warning: Description of police violence

Nicous D’Andre Spring, a 21-year-old rapper, poet, and boxer, was illegally detained in Montreal’s Bordeaux prison when a physical intervention by guards led to his death on Dec. 24, 2022. Guards placed a spit hood on his head and pepper-sprayed him twice, but other details surrounding his death remain unclear as footage from the prison has yet to be released.

On Feb. 10, hundreds joined the Justice for Nicous Action Committee at the Roddick Gates for a march that

called on Projet Montréal, Fraçois Bonnardel, Simon Jolin-Barrette, Christian Dubé, and other officials to release the footage of Spring’s killing. Other demands included the prohibition of spit hoods, the introduction of a civilian oversight board, and punitive action for the officers responsible.

“[We are] individuals from the community, organizers, activists, community organizations, friends of Nicous, and some of his mentors,” committee member Nanre Nafziger told The McGill Tribune in an interview at the protest. “We’re just looking for justice for Nicous, and those are the demands that are backed by the community [....] This is a protest that is from the community, by the community, in support of the cause.”

Despite the heavy wind and sleet, protesters began congregating around the Gates well before 1 p.m., when the

march was scheduled to start.

The organizers made it clear that the footage demanded was not to be shared for sensational purposes, but rather to advance justice for Spring’s family.

“We want the videos to be released to the family,” one of the organizers said. “And I don’t want it to be running on TV, seeing another Black man snuffed out. But it’s imperative that the family see this video. We know they have the footage.”

Jordan Cassanova, a longtime friend of Spring’s, took the microphone shortly after to commemorate his life.

“I’ve known this young man before he was a man,” Cassanova said. “A man’s life was taken away, he was murdered [....] He was a member of the NDG community, a member of the recreation centre that helped with the youth [...], and he

was a good kid [....] [As] a member of this community, he was like a younger brother to me.”

Spring’s sister Sarafina Dennie spoke soon after, leading a chorus of “justice for Nicous.”

“All I want is for them to release the tapes now,” Dennie said. “I need justice for my brother; his life was taken for no reason. We’re really tired of being treated really messed up in Quebec by the police. Every day I wake up and hear a siren, I have anxiety. I’m tired of hearing them, I’m tired of seeing them, I need justice for Nicous.”

Dennie then passed the mic to her and Nicous’ mother, Nequette Spring.

“I bring my kids here [...] for

a better life,” Spring said. “But I [didn’t] know this was the way we were going to end. I have to bury my son. [To] everyone who came out to represent me, my family, and everybody, I say thank you. I am now asking everybody to stand with me, march with me, go everywhere with me. I’m just looking for justice. I need justice.”

After the speeches, the protesters marched to the Palais de justice de Montréal, chanting “no justice, no peace,” “whose streets? Our streets,” and the calland-response “when Black lives are under attack, what do we do? Stand up, fight back.” The procession had designated marshals who were responsible for guiding protestors and interacting with the fleet of police cars and bicycles. Organizers repeatedly warned protesters against engaging with Montreal police officers.

“We know that there is no justice for Black people, so we continue to struggle,” Nafziger said. “The justice system is broken, the police [system] is broken. So we are fighting for justice for Black lives and we will continue fighting until we achieve our goals.”

As of Feb. 14, one correctional officer involved in the fatal physical altercation with Spring has been suspended. To the public’s knowledge, the footage of the incident has not yet been released to the family.

Students press Board of Governors about divestment and student

representation at community session

Feb. 8 meeting was first community session of the academic year

Juliet Morrison News Editor

McGill’s Board of Governors (BoG) met on Feb. 8 for the first community session of the academic year. The community session, typically held once a semester, is the only opportunity for students to directly engage with members of the highest governing body of the university, who make decisions about McGill’s academic, financial, and business affairs.

The community session was preceded by the BoG’s regular open session meeting, which featured reports from the Audit and Risk Committee, the Vice-Principal (University Advancement), as well as a presentation highlighting the Desautels Faculty of Management.

Toward the end of the session, Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU) President Risann Wright asked whether a motion could be put forth to accelerate the BoG’s review process on divesting from fossil fuels.

“Three years ago, a decision was made to wait until 2024 to revisit the idea of divesting from fossil fuels,” Wright said. “I wonder if we might have a vote of the Board to see if we could push up

or accelerate that timeline to revisit it now and to have the committee take a look at divesting from fossil fuels prior to 2024, given the increasing, consistent calls for divestment.”

Wright’s motion garnered support from McGill Chancellor John McCall MacBain, but prompted concern from BoG Chair Maryse Bertrand, who said it was unwise to make a decision about speeding up the review without consulting the Investment Committee, which would perform the assessment.

“These are not costless decisions, there are tradeoffs and I think, as a Board, it is very important for us to understand what the tradeoffs are,” Bertrand said. “I can tell you that and certainly the members of the Investment Committee [...] would tell you that they have a lot of anxiety around exclusionary policies and constraints that impose on their ability to manage endowment funds to the best of their abilities [....] It’s a complex issue.”

After a discussion and amendments, the BoG passed a motion to consult with the Investment Committee, senior management, and other parties first to see if an acceleration would be possible. The Chair is mandated to bring updated information from these consultations to the next BoG meeting.

The topic of divestment continued at the

community session. Emily Hardie, a member of Divest McGill and a U1 Arts student, asked the BoG why McGill had not divested yet, considering how other universities, including Harvard University and Concordia University, were in the process of doing so.

“I would like again for the Board to reconsider divestment. If it’s not for the ethical argument, I’d say for the sake of your reputation,” Hardie said. “Why not make a plan for 2025, 2030 or make a

plan for divestment today? You are a group of 25 people who have this responsibility to make this decision [....] McGill is behind the times.”

Students also brought up food insecurity, the mental health crisis on campus, and the limited student representation on the BoG. Out of 25 voting members, there are two spots for student representation: One for a member of the PostGraduate Students’ Society and another for the SSMU president.

MOMENT OF THE MEETING

Marc Weinstein, Vice-Principal (University Advancement) updated the BoG about his team’s strategy to secure donations to support the New Vic project. He noted that his team had hired an additional staff member to develop the university’s “narrative” around the project, which has been controversial due to outcry from Indigenous advocates who believe there are unmarked graves on the construction site.

SOUND BITE

“Ultimately, [BoG] decisions are made in the long-term interests of the university. Students are probably only there for three or four years. You want an organization that has 200 years of history and wants to continue for the next 200 years to be governed by people who have both the current view [...] but also [those] who have their experience from McGill that have also garnered experience in industry and business.”

— Chair Maryse Bertrand on why members-at-large are disproportionately represented on the BoG compared to McGill students

Black people comprise 9.2 per cent of the incarcerated population in Canada, despite representing only 3.5 per cent of the total population. (Ilia Shareghi / The McGill Tribune)

Turkish students organize donation drive in response to devastating earthquake in Türkiye and Syria

Freezing

Ghazal Azizi News Editor

temperatures in disaster-struck areas intensify need for winter supplies

no official affiliation.”

On Feb. 6, Türkiye and Syria were struck by an initial 7.8 magnitude earthquake, followed by a series of quakes, including a 7.5 magnitude aftershock nine hours later. It was Monday morning in the region and Sunday night in Canada. Less than 48 hours later, on Feb. 7, the Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU)’s ballroom was packed with winter clothes, canned food, and hygiene products. The Turkish Students’ Society of McGill University (TSSMU) booked the room for a donation campaign and scheduled a cargo plane to bring supplies to Istanbul, Türkiye within 24 hours.

In an interview with The McGill Tribune, coPresidents Kerem Ozkefeli and Balca Erozeden explained that TSSMU is coordinating its relief efforts with the General Consulate of Türkiye in Montreal and Turkish Airlines. The student group had previously contacted the Consulate General to schedule an information session for students hoping to vote in Türkiye’s upcoming general elections.

“We’re not directly affiliated with the government in any way,” Ozkefeli said. “Our Consulate General here in Montreal is greatly helping the students [with] the arrangements of these supplies from us to the airport and the loading and the packaging. They’re helping us, but there’s

Most of Ozkefeli’s and Erozeden’s families in Türkiye reside outside of the affected regions. But the catastrophe reminds them of the 1999 earthquake in İzmit, which also caused monumental damages and is remembered as one of the worst natural disasters in the country since Türkiye became a republic in 1923.

“My family was in the centre of that earthquake, so it’s a sensitive topic for my family in general,” Erozeden said. “When I learned about [the earthquake], I was really scared for them [...] because they’re traumatized already from this [....] It’s been chaos for a while. They evacuated the city [....] My family is fine, but I hear from my friends, the people they know are still under the ruins.”

The current death toll from the earthquake in both Türkiye and Syria has risen to over 36,000, but rescue teams are still finding survivors more than 150 hours later. Aylin Tezol, U3 Arts and volunteer at TSSMU’s drive on Feb. 6, is worried about the other humanitarian crises that may follow the earthquake, such as floods from damaged dams and houselessness.

“Because it’s on the southeast part of Türkiye, there [are] a lot of dams and now, they’re very panicked about the dams getting damaged and a flood,” Tezol said in an interview with the Tribune “It’s gonna be very hard to come back from this, even when they’re done with saving everyone. Most of the cities are all down, most of the

buildings are gone, so it’s gonna take a lot of time [to] get everything back together.”

Some of the cities affected by the earthquake are also facing snowy and cold weather that has complicated rescue missions. The TSSMU co-presidents stressed that with the risk of hypothermia, winter supplies are some of the most urgent items to donate.

“The most basic needs are food, non-perishable canned food, and winter supplies such as coats, parkas, gloves, and socks to [...] keep them warm,” Ozkefeli said. “We’re collecting some hygiene products [...] such as pads, anything from band-aids to baby diapers. Other than that, we’re collecting air-activated warmers that skiers generally use here.”

Tezol added that Canadian dollars are a higher-valued currency than Turkish Liras. She encouraged Canadians to make any financial donations they can afford, since even the smallest amounts can be significant contributions after the exchange rate.

“The currency is very different, like 70 Canadian dollars is around 1,000 Turkish Liras which means a lot in these regions where they need help,” Tezol said. “After [rescue and relief efforts], we’ll need donations for a long time.”

The TSSMU has not announced another donation campaign as of Feb. 14. The student group is instead encouraging donations to Türkiye’s Ministry of Interior Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency. McGill Syrian Students’ Association is also accepting donations in the form of e-transfers to vp.finance.ssa@gmail.com.

SSMU Legislative Council discusses student federations, upcoming referendum

Council rejects Student Support fee after tense debate

Kareem Abuali Opinion Editor

The Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU) held its second Legislative Council meeting of the year on Feb. 9. Members of the council voted on whether to approve questions for the upcoming Winter 2023 referendum. While questions regarding a fee increase for campus groups such as the Muslim Students Association and Midnight Kitchen were approved, a question regarding the continuation of the Student Support fee was struck down.

The meeting began with two presentations, one of which was a pitch from University of Toronto student

Nelson Lee, the founder and CEO of HAVEN, a campus safety app. The app allows users to send alerts, seek resources, and communicate with emergency services in cases of harassment or assault on campus.

“We noticed that a lot of current resources [offered by universities] are more on the reactive side, dealing with things such as counselling after a traumatic instance, rather than providing tools for students to preemptively get help from campus police, from their friends or family, or from emergency services,” Lee said.

The second presentation was given by SSMU vice-president (VP) External Val Masny, who recommended several student federations SSMU should consider joining. They suggested

MOMENT OF THE MEETING

SSMU President Risann Wright announced that the nomination period for executive positions at SSMU has opened and will run until Feb. 20, and encouraged students to reach out to any of the current executives if they are interested in applying.

SOUND BITE

“I recognize that there were concerns about the overall validity of this company as an organization and previous ethics questions, but I think [...] this is ultimately a value statement that each of us individually is making about whether this is worthwhile for our peers, and I think that our peers are better equipped to answer that question than we are.”

— Engineering representative Mahia Reed arguing in favour of the Student Support referendum question

Undergraduates of the Canadian Research-Intensive Universities (UCRU) and Inter-Associatif, which are coalitions of student associations at the federal and provincial levels, respectively. UCRU would require a fee collection of $0.50 per semester per student, while Inter-Associatif would require $4 per semester per student.

Masny argued that, because InterAssociatif services would allow for both faculty-student unions and departmental student unions to be affiliated, it would be worth considering despite the higher fee. An alignment with UCRU would mean that SSMU could continue to represent student interests on Parliament Hill as part of the organization’s federal lobby week, which, in the past, has helped eliminate interest rates on student loans across the country.

A representative from the Bar Milton-Parc Solidarity Cooperative—a community-owned gathering space— motioned for a plebiscite question asking students whether they are interested in investing five per cent of SSMU’s Capital Expenditure Reserve Fund (CERF) into a project to revitalize Bar des Pins, which has been closed since 2019. The project, which would be owned and operated by the Milton-Parc community, would offer free lunches twice a week, café services, and a coworking space during the day, doubling as a pub at night.

“The cooperative is going to be

owned and operated by the community,” the representative said. “The name of the game is a space that is open to all groups in the area, students and nonstudents alike.”

The plebiscite question would be a non-binding trial poll to gauge student interest in the project. The motion passed with 15 votes in favour.

The Legislative Council discussed over 20 motions during the course of the more than five-hour meeting. (ssmu.ca )

There was a great deal of contention surrounding a Winter 2023 referendum question that would implement a fee for the for-profit Student Support corporation, which provides the university with access to Calm, Udemy, and Grammarly. In March 2022, the Student Support fee passed in a student referendum for a trial period of one year.

For the upcoming referendum, Student Support is seeking an optoutable levy fee of $10.29 per semester for providing these subscriptions. Ajamu Attard and Karim Atassi, founder and representative from Student Support respectively, argued that to disapprove the motion would be to deprive students of vital learning services.

Councillor Amelia Whitcomb began the debate period by asserting that while the services are important to many students, they worry about the corporate nature of Student Support.

“I feel that working with a forprofit company as a student society is probably not within reason, because for our students to be supporting the profits of a company doesn’t really feel good for me,” Whitcomb said. “I would prefer if it was possible for SSMU to do the leg work on our side and work with the companies on our own.”

Councillors struck down the referendum question, prompting an email from Student Support on Feb. 13 explaining that their services would be discontinued as of Aug. 13. The company is urging students to fill out a poll stating whether they would have voted yes to the fee.

Freezing temperatures in disaster-struck areas intensify need for winter supplies. (Ghazal Azizi / The McGill Tribune )

T EDITORIAL BOARD

Editor-in-Chief Madison McLauchlan editor@mcgilltribune.com

Creative Director Anoushka Oke aoke@mcgilltribune.com

Managing Editors Sepideh Afshar safshar@mcgilltribune.com Matthew Molinaro mmolinaro@mcgilltribune.com Madison Edward-Wright medwardwright@mcgilltribune.com

News Editors Lily Cason, Juliet Morrison & Ghazal Azizi news@mcgilltribune.com

Opinion Editors Kareem Abuali, Leo Larman Brown & Chloé Kichenane opinion@mcgilltribune.com

Science & Technology Editors Ella Paulin & Russel Ismael scitech@mcgilltribune.com

Student Life Editors Abby McCormick & Mahnoor Chaudhry studentlife@mcgilltribune.com

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Representation, not impersonation

The McGill Tribune Editorial Board

On Feb. 7, Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond returned her honorary degree from Royal Roads University. This is the second honorary degree she has returned—one of 11 she received, including from McGill—after an investigation late last year by the CBC called her claims of Indigenous identity into question. The Canadian lawyer and advocate was widely considered a preeminent scholar on Indigenous issues in Canada and secured many prominent positions, such as the University of British Columbia’s academic director of the Indian Residential School History and Dialogue Centre, under this guise. Her actions, however, illustrate only the most visible failure to create spaces for Indigenous people and knowledge in Canadian academia.

Turpel-Lafond was appointed to roles created for Indigenous people, effectively stealing limited space available for Indigenous women in positions of power. Her actions unjustly call into question Indigenous identity for all whitepassing Indigenous people, which is something Indigenous people must constantly fight to claim due to

OFF THE BOARD

Lily Cason News Editor

centuries of colonial erasure through legislation such as the Indian Act. Every day that McGill chooses not to revoke the degree, the institution condones her lies and the harm they have caused. McGill must get ahead of Turpel-Lafond and immediately revoke her degree before she can return it and present herself as a white saviour.

Although her actions are unconscionable, they open the floor to long-overdue commentary on the exclusion and erasure of Indigenous peoples in prominent institutions such as McGill. Meaningful representation necessitates the inclusion of Indigenous voices beyond just hiring one or two Indigenous professors. It means creating a system where there are no barriers in place to prevent Indigenous peoples from thriving, practicing their cultures, and speaking their minds without fear of retribution.

McGill claims to value Indigenous voices. However, there are merely a handful of Indigenous lecturers, along with only around 150 students, or approximately 0.4 per cent of the student body, who identify as First Nations, Inuit, or Métis at McGill. It is easy to fulfill equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) requirements when it seems that McGill is satisfied

with having one or no Indigenous professors in a department. Yet, this is only the most visible failure in creating proper representation in academia. Indigenous professors are compelled to work within a Eurocentric framework which only prioritizes Western considerations of academia, such as publication count, and stifles Indigenous knowledge systems. Ignorant white professors continue to teach Indigenous topics at the university, often with a colonial gaze.

Part of the issue is the unreasonable barriers to entry for Indigenous people into academia.

Along with the already brutal publish-or-perish requirements in place for academics, Indigenous people, and especially Indigenous women, must contend with systemic barriers to education, lower-thanaverage incomes, and systemic and institutionalized violence. The ongoing genocide of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, along with police who are either indifferent or participatory, is a striking example. Once inside academic institutions, Indigenous topics are seen as “unacademic” or not worth the department’s time. Racialized people at the university continue to contend with James McGill, a slaveholder of Black and Indigenous people, being glorified

Long live Herbert

surprise has remained intact—and had a solid routine of watering and rotating him so all his leaves could photosynthesize. By the start of the pandemic, Herbert nearly reached the floor.

of limp, shit brown that was rather pathetic.

and memorialized as the namesake of the university.

The structure of academia itself must change. The existing barriers to education at all levels for Indigenous students must be recognized by the university, which should adjust its admissions criteria accordingly. Instead of just hiring the professors who publish the most, real-world experience and traditional Indigenous ways of knowing must be seen as academic and valuable. McGill actively sustains an environment of systemic racism, showing that racialized professors are unwelcome and excluded by the administration. To combat this, the university must implement policies that empower and uplift Indigenous voices, such as instituting mandatory EDI training for all professors, having more than just a token number of Indigenous and Black professors, and ensuring that Indigenous subjects and knowledges receive the academic respect they deserve.

The response to TurpelLafond’s disgraceful impersonation of Indigenous identity should not be to question all claims of Indigeneity; rather, it should be an opportunity for institutions across Canada to implement changes and create true representation across all levels— from staff to students.

Herbert came into my life sometime around 2018, a short, wilting thing from the reject corner at Home Depot. He led an unfortunate existence right from the start: About half of the people I told about him misheard me and thought I had named him “Pervert,” which… no. After some trial and error, I found him the perfect corner. I haphazardly installed a hook in my ceiling—which to my utter

In January 2021, I came to Montreal after finally receiving my study permit, which, as many other international students know, was beleaguered by a toxic concoction of standard bureaucracy and the pandemic. Crossing the border in my parents’ car, Canadian officials peered into my many boxes—random mugs I had taken from home because I liked their weight, Birkenstocks that were deeply unnecessary in Canadian winter, books that I would probably never read, and a single struggling plant (hi, Herbert).

Full disclosure: Herbert had seen better days. The night before, I had mistakenly left him in the car in Upstate New York. I was stressed about my move and forgot that below-freezing temperatures are not great conditions for a house plant used to a cushy life hanging above a radiator. By the time I discovered Herbert in the morning, most of his stems had frozen and turned a kind

As it turns out, importing plants into Canada is subject to scrutiny. Upon inspecting my belongings, a rather dubious border guard asked, “Exactly why are you trying to bring a dead plant into Canada?” The clear implication was that I should surrender Herbert. I explained, somewhat embarrassed and to my mother’s great amusement, that the plant had been quite alive when my journey began two days prior and that I’d really like to keep him if at all possible, due to silly sentimental attachment. Upon interrogation, I assured her that the plant was, in fact, from Home Depot and not laden with any contaminated soil or invasive species.

After about 45 minutes, Herbert was allowed into Canada. Once I entered my new apartment, he was placed on a window ledge and given a rather drastic haircut. Although nearly dead, there were about five small leaves that made the cut.

This plant has seen a lot of my life—college applications, relationships, sick days, diagnoses, an ill-fated road trip, and now, my

first apartment. Rather symbolically, Herbert is like a cockroach: He refuses to die. I don’t say this lightly—I apparently lost my green thumb in the move and have systematically killed every plant I have bought since coming to Montreal (sorry, Linus II). Notably, Herbert never really regrew either; even after a repotting, much experimentation with light and water levels, and a consultation from my much more plant-trustworthy roommate, he totals about eight inches of foliage on a good day.

You might be wondering what the point of this story is. So far, the takeaways have been that Lily gives her plants old man names and abuses them. While both things are true, it’s probably time to say something sappy. Herbert has taken on a comforting role in my life. I have always been someone who seeks constants in a world of unknowns, and his resilience has been unmatched. I take great pleasure in my routine of caring for Herbert and especially in getting to see a (now very) little green in the otherwise desolate Montreal winter.

God help me when this plant finally kicks the bucket.

LAUGHING MATTERS

Noa Garmaise Contributor

Now’s the time to look for living accommodations for next year—and, boy, is it stressful! Not every apartment will be right for you. Some will lack natural light, others will exclusively have windowless rooms, like a dungeon of sorts. Not ideal. That’s why I am pleased to announce that I have finally signed a lease (which was by no means an easy journey). It was so difficult that it made

How to sign a lease in 10 days

combatting hypothermia at Igloofest look like a walk in the park. But it’s how I met him.

His name was Vito and he was giving us a tour of an apartment he was leasing. Yes, Vito is my landlord. I was with some of my best friends. He was with his closest confidante and arguably Montreal’s most eligible bachelor: Frank, the contractor handling the renovations in the unit below us. Sure, we bantered casually, but I could have never predicted the spark that would be ignited between us.

After the tour, my soon-to-be roommates and I headed outside and debated whether we

Odes to Love

From when we met on data match, And the cookies you made me that weekend from scratch You had my heart from that point on, Like my favourite bottle of Dom Perignon You liked that my parents had connections on Wall,

My first question to you was “Are you tall?”

But even if you were the height of Napoleon,

I’d still profess: Happy Valentine’s Day, I love you, King Joelian

I saw you in my dreams last night. The pale moonlight shone on you

As you beheld the stars in your eyes. Your beautiful gaze bore wonders; Everything that life promises.

“Come with me,” I cried out.

“And we can go to untouched golden shores,

With our footprints in the sand

As witnesses to the marvels we will see, That were then veiled to all eyes until ours.”

You are a paradox--the contradiction of my emotions.

Then it is only appropriate that I feel the most alive When you make my heart Skip a beat.

could look past the minor rat infestation that drove out the previous tenants. That’s when my friend Suhani proposed the bet that would change my life completely. She told me, “if you can make Vito fall in love with you in 10 days and get him to lower the rent, we’ll all sign the lease.”

Little did I know that back inside the apartment, Vito was having a similar conversation with Frank. Later I would find out that Frank had wagered Vito the following: “If you can make the especially short, crazy-eyed one fall in love with you in 10 days, you can upcharge her on her lease.” The gears had been set in motion.

In the beginning, we were always trying to trick one another. What did we know? We didn’t get each other yet. Vito took me to IKEA on our first date. As we strolled through a row of sensible desks, I mentioned how lovely it would be to get the apartment fully furnished at no additional cost. He tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear and whispered, “the place is no longer utilities-included.”

That day at IKEA, I felt our relationship shift. It was becoming real. He bought me IKEA meatballs and held my hair back when I immediately threw them up. I learned he was the most caring man I’d ever meet, and he learned that I have an aversion to ground beef.

Before too long, Vito and I would regularly spend hours together scrolling through Facebook Marketplace. We wrote ads for his

four-bedroom in the Plateau. Hand-in-hand, we would dream up how we could lie about the distance from campus and get away with it. We watched Property Brothers and joked about how they would never be as in love as we were. We were falling for each other. And fast.

Suddenly, I couldn’t bear to look into his sparkling, muddy eyes anymore. I needed to tell him the truth—that I’d been trying to get him to lower our rent this whole time but fell in love in the process.

When I finally confessed, Vito admitted his own plot, too. Both upset, we agreed that if our love was meant to be, we would meet at the top of Mount Royal at midnight to sign the lease. If not, we would unfriend each other on Letterboxd and end this fever dream forever.

Time stood still as I waited for Vito at the top of the mountain—kind of like how it feels when it’s the other person’s turn in Scrabble. I was prepared to leave when I finally saw him with a bouquet of roses and an envelope of lease papers in his beautiful hands. Forgiveness. We embraced each other and signed, gently weeping on each others’ shoulders and taking pictures of our respective IDs for security purposes.

Without this unpredictable house-hunting experience, Vito and I would have just been two strangers at opposite ends of Milton-Parc, almost meeting, but never really seeing each other.

So basically, the place is a four-bedroom, one-bath. No extra cost for laundry and hydro, but we have to figure out WiFi.

ode to burnside

oh burnside, with your walls so old a welcome refuge from the cold from basement cove to GIC you truly mean to much to me

underground and earthy warm grilled cheese in hand, always the norm or further up, on floor oh-five a scene of smiles and study, thrive when i leave, you will be missed even your outside, brutalist but in my heart you will remain oh burnside, dear, you keep me sane

I gave you a flower. / One flower— / For you, / Ripped from the ground, / Robbed from the soil, from the breeze, / Carried away, / A wound stuck in water / To extend life, / death—

I picked a flower for you; / For the occasion, for the expression of my care, / My love, / Mine—

I picked it for me— / And with its life / I clothed myself. -id.

An article published in the February 7, 2023 issue (“SSMU BoD debates motions about campus safety app and trans students’ rights on campus”) stated that SSMU President Risann Wright was opposed to the motion in support of trans rights. In fact, Wright asked a question as to whether SSMU could face defamation for using someone’s name in the motion and, upon receiving an answer of no, proceeded to vote in favour of the motion. The Tribune regrets this error.

Every day, thousands of students regret signing leases in Milton-Parc (flytographer.com).

Local Stories: The fabulous Miami Minx Fabian Moreno works as a barista by day and dazzles Montreal’s burlesque scene by night

Harry North Staff Writer

The lights flicker and the poised audience draws to silence. Old school jazz or perhaps Michael Bublé’s ‘Feeling Good’ kicks off, and Miami Minx strides out beaming a flirtatious smile. She commands the room.

After strutting around the bar floor and teasing the audience— dashing to the left and back again— she whisks off the first clothing item. The show is underway. And the skill, raunch, and thrill only proliferate. The act culminates when Miami is just in pasties, holding a pair of sparkling handcuffs.

Fabian Moreno, 31, works as a barista by day, mustering cups of joe for students and downtown regulars at Pikolo Espresso Bar. Come night, he takes to Montreal’s burlesque stages and enthralls drag coteries as Miami Minx.

“[Miami] is an exaggerated version of the normal Fabian!” he exclaims.

Fabian is originally from Doral, Miami. He first came to Montreal at 18 to visit his old neighbours from Miami, who were close family friends, and fell in love with the city,

so he migrated in 2010.

Fabian’s goal was permanent residency. He got into CEGEP but realized he needed a different level of education to obtain permanent residency. Eventually, Fabian settled on a vocational study in graphic design at the Rosemount Centre, which he completed in 2012. This paved the way for him to settle down in Montreal long-term.

The Wiggle Room introduced Fabian to burlesque in 2016. Every Wednesday night, he would sit in the front row and soak in the entertainment. He was then asked to help out as a stage kitten, picking up the dancer’s clothes while the audience meowed.

Burlesque is typically an erotic storytelling performance removing costume pieces, similar to drag, said Fabian , who also considers himself a drag queen—though drag focuses more heavily on lip-syncing.

To learn more, he volunteered at the Arabesque Burlesque Academy, acquiring credits towards classes. He used these credits to pay for Class B, a 10-week intensive program at the academy.

Fabian made his debut in 2017 back where it all started—The Wiggle Room. Six years in, Fabian

An ode to agendas

How to stay on top of your schedule

Margo Berthier Staff Writer

Midterm season is fast approaching, and an influx of exams and assignments is steadily filling our calendars. As tasks pile up, managing deadlines gets even more daunting. But don’t worry; there’s no need to hit the panic button just yet! Here are some tips to help you tackle those deadlines, stay on top of your schedule, and manage your time efficiently.

Keeping track of deadlines

Remembering everything you need to complete might seem challenging, but keeping a written list of your assignments and their due dates is the best way to stay on top of your schoolwork. Having a clear record of your responsibilities will reduce stress and ensure that nothing slips through the cracks.

The key to successful to-do lists is organizing each task into manageable steps. Start by evaluating the upcoming week and listing your most important tasks and deadlines. Then, focus on each individual day and make a list of achievable goals. It’s important to set realistic expectations, as overloading your schedule with unattainable tasks will only lead to frustration and decreased motivation. By taking small steps and establishing feasible objectives, you’ll experience an increase in productivity and motivation. The satisfaction of completing your daily goals will give you the drive to tackle the next day.

Sacha Maitre, U3 Arts, is a big believer in making lists.

“Times like these can feel overwhelming,

now performs eight to 10 shows a month, performing mainly classic striptease.

Fabian first became a barista at Café Dépôt. And a couple years later, just as his interest in burlesque grew, he worked at a copy centre and shortly after as a barista again at Café Myriade. He also started a translation degree from French to English at Concordia in 2016 and graduated in 2019, though his interest in linguistics waned.

In 2020, Fabian joined Pikolo, which recently moved from Parc Ave. to the Ontario-Clark intersection. At Pikolo, you can recognize Fabian by his black flap cap, clean latte art, and pristine red nails.

Making coffee as a day job may not offer him the same joy as dancing, but it facilitates his burlesque career and he very much enjoys his colleagues’ company at Pikolo.

Although Burlesque is an industry that pushes back against standard Eurocentric stereotypes of body image and promotes self-expression and Montreal is one of the more liberal cities in North America, Fabian, as a brown queer man, still has to contend with racism and homophobia.

Some nightclubs, for example, only want skinny white women

during midterms

and lists are the first step into relieving stress,” Maitre said. “Doing this clears your mind on what needs to be done.”

Prioritization is next up on the organizational to-do list. If you have smaller tasks that don’t require too much time, try to squeeze those in between two classes or at times when you feel a bit more tired, to get them out of the way. This will leave you more time for larger assignments and longer revisions during library study sessions.

Tips for time management

Wisely managing your time during exam season is essential for maintaining a balance between school and your personal life. This goes hand in hand with the organizational tips mentioned earlier. By maximizing your time during the day and leaving some blank slots in your week for personal pursuits, you’ll be able to balance your workload while maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Whether you’re a morning person or a night owl, make sure to allocate time for self-care activities like spending time with friends, exercising, cooking, and getting enough sleep.

Mira Almrstani, U3 Arts, stresses the importance of holding a regular sleep schedule during exam season.

“The time to wake up sets the tone for the entire day, and helps you stay organized and motivated,” Almrstani told The McGill Tribune. “Getting up earlier in the morning means getting things done and out of the way.”

Hard copy agendas or online planners?

Various types of calendars can help

to perform, and even then, they can receive a hostile reception. Sometimes these adverse attitudes come indirectly with audience members telling Fabian how brave he is for performing.

“These comments make me kind of feel weird,” Fabian said, collecting his thoughts. “I think what they’re really saying is it would take bravery for them. ”

Fabian now produces his own show called ‘Les Folies Draglesques’ at the Cabaret Mado, a bimonthly show on Thursdays, and performs

weekly at the speakeasy Le 4e Mur.

He’s also danced at Unity nightclub for New Year’s, and since 2018, has performed at Montreal Pride in front of some 30,000 people.

“It’s the kind of stage that’s so big they have screens for the people who can’t see what’s happening,” he said.

Fabian intends to keep performing until his body starts to hurt. “I’m 31 now,” he said, chuckling, “[and] this is what I love to do.”

Local Stories is a new series on the stories of Montrealers.

Planning your time helps you strategize—even if you have to alter your study plans, you will benefit from having previously defined tasks and activities. (sikloernyozes.com)

you keep track of your deadlines. While some will find it useful to have an online agenda on their laptops, others will opt for hard-copy planners. Maitre is a big advocate for writing things down.

“It reassures me to write down my todo lists instead of typing it on a computer,” Maitre said. “It feels more liberating to actually jot it down on a piece of paper.”

Although Maitre has leaned more towards the more material side, Almrstani has been using the note-taking application called Notion.

“At the start of every semester, I usually organize my deadlines and readings on Notion. There I can create separate pages and folders for each class,” Almrstani explained. “As the semester rolls out it’s like I created a mini textbook for each course that I can go back to and study.”

Other great online options include Google Calendar or Microsoft To-Do. But whether you choose digital or old-school lists, they are bound to boost your motivation every time you check off a task. From my agenda to yours, a to-do list reassures!

Fabian designs his own outfits, which can take two years to make and cost upwards of $7,000. (Mason Bramadat / The McGill Tribune)

Iremember loving tap dance even before I knew what it really was. Even when I had only heard my mother’s animated description of how tap shoes had metal plates on their soles that I could make new sounds with, it was more than enough to draw me into an unknown world of movement, expression, and history. Something that I knew for sure, though, was that the people around me loved it. Some of my favourite memories with my grandmother are from when I would sit in the kitchen with her before Passover Seders, helping with some of the cooking prep, sorting out the teacups and saucers for coffee or tea—but most importantly, gleefully talking about the new steps I had learned in class that week or the last dance film she saw on Turner Classic Movies. Per haps I already knew it then––tap would remain in my life in more ways than one.

Each step an archive

Tap stands out from several other popular dance styles as a distinctly American dance rooted in histories of en slavement and cultural exchange. The style developed through the melding of several different styles, notably West African step dancing and Irish clog dancing. Until the late 20th century, most historians believed that tap originated from enslaved Africans and Irish indentured servants being influenced by each other’s dancing on Southern plantations. More research has suggested that tap was nurtured in urban environments where different ethnic groups congregated. Both narratives speak to tap as a genre created collectively through community for mation and cultural expressions. For instance, juba, a dance from the Kingdom of Kongo that uses feet-stomp ing and arm-flapping, markedly influenced tap. During the 18th century, various states passed laws outlawing en slaved people from using drums, which were considered a dangerous form of communication that could be used to incite rebellions. Enslaved peoples employed juba and other forms of rhythmic physical movement as media of communication and to cope with the ongoing trauma of slavery.

When I started taking tap classes early in my elementa ry school years, my teacher during the 2010-2011 school year, Maud Arnold, first taught the class about the history of tap dance. Beyond just explaining the history behind the dances she taught us, she also had us do weekly home work assignments where we would research tap videos and come to class prepared to discuss our favourite move ments. When I caught up with Arnold, a professional tap dancer, choreographer, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and producer, she was touched to learn that I still remembered her assignments in such fond detail.

“I always wonder—like today, when I was teaching, I was telling the kids: Tap dance is an African-American art form. What is February? February is Black History Month, tap dance is Black history, period,” Arnold said. “And I’m always like, I wonder if they’re listening, I wonder if they care?”

A major focus of tap dance classes is undoubtedly teach ing pupils new steps and routines. But ensuring that they learn the past that has been preserved in those tap steps invaluably works to contextualize and focalize the history of enslaved people in these lessons. Media that depicts African-American history often only sees their suffering as a worthy subject, obscuring their substantial creative contributions to American entertainment scenes and re instantiating the centralization of whiteness in popular media.

“Tap dance is extremely impactful and extremely pow

erful because it was born during a time of oppression, it was created by enslaved people—it carries so much more history and weight,” Arnold said. “You know, we’re lucky now because we can just do it for fun and express ourselves, but imagine a time in which this was the only

choreographed and performed by tap dancer Travis Knights that explored how the historical connections between jazz and tap dancing manifest through the physical self. The performance was explicitly framed through a non-Eurocentric lens, firmly centring Black also made waves for its use of vibrotactile devices—specifically, a vibrating vest that would allow deaf and hard of hearing audience members to experience the feeling of tap steps in coordination with

sociate with dance and art scenes—both in performers and in audiences—demonstrating how interdisciplinary diences, both in Montreal and around the world. Ableism and any kind of exclusivity in the dance world, Arnold asserts, is fundamentally opposed to her definition of the

“What’s really exciting and special about dance is that it’s a universal language,” Arnold added. “And dance is for everybody: Even if you’re not [non-disabled], if you’re in a wheelchair, you can groove, you can move. We’re all born with a heartbeat, so we all have an innate rhythm, portant when considering tap as an African-American

TAPPING INTO MY Exploring the unifying community of Michelle Siegel, Arts &

art form. Throughout history, the white powerholders that drive entertainment industries have pushed the false narrative that white stories and art are for all audiences, whereas Black art, even when commodified for the white gaze, is only for Black audiences—because they

“

TAP DANCE IS BLACK HISTORY

night Show in a segment where she performed multiple popular TikTok dances, almost all of which were choreographed by young Black dancers, without crediting the original creators.

Nevertheless, the online dance community has its unique beat, and Arnold is extremely familiar with and enthusiastic about it. She is a member of Chloe Arnold’s Syncopated Ladies, an all-woman tap dancing band started by her sister, Chloe, that has accumulated over 100 million views across all their social media pages—and was once reshared by Beyoncé. Maud’s dancing was also spotlight, which her older

While Arnold, Larivée, Dutremble-Rivet, and Nyiligira all had varying opinions on the role of social media compared to physical spaces in the dance world, they all believe that in-person performances create an irreplicable level of connection and engagement with audiences.

“For me, it’s about being present. So, with COVID and in general with time on the internet, we have less concentration, we’re always moving and moving,” Larivée said.

“And I do think that going to see shows and exhibitions like this is challenging us to rethink how we are with each other, and being there in the present, and putting all your energy into watching something, witnessing something,

Perseverance of Black history and community

Regardless of the medium it is viewed through, tap dance can always be a number of things: Joy. Strength. Creativity. Expression. Continuing to teach not just the physical movements of tap dance, but its historical roots in African-American communities is vital so that we can continue to uplift Black art and experiences in the present.

“When you give something no context, no history, you lose so much value,” Arnold said. “Even when I talk to my students now and tell them where [tap] comes from, they’re like ‘wow,’ they have no idea. It means so much more, it’s so much more impactful, and when you don’t tell the history of anything that you’re teaching, you lose a lot of the connection, you lose a lot of the pride for it, and

Beyond just looking at the global history of Black oppression during Black History Month, we must acknowledge the sources of pride for Black communities—the amazing art, films, novels, exhibits—that highlight different manifestations and expressions of Black elation. Tap is just one of many. McGill’s Black Student Network (BSN) launched an Instagram story series titled “28 Days of Black Joy,” with each day of February spotlighting a different project or artist. One day highlighted where to , the 2014 biopic of James Brown starring the late Chadwick Boseman, and another centred on FairyHair, a mobile hairstyling service in Montreal that specializes in Black hairstyles—to celebrate Black histoMany people consider tap dance a lost art, or a style that is not as visible and popular as other classical styles— Arnold at one point referred to tap as “the step-child of dance.” But for me, tap is, and has always been, something that I associate with dance—and with history. The privilege in having the means to take dance classes, as well as the honour of having teachers like Arnold, who centred the history of dance in addition to the steps themselves, has never been lost on me. As long as we continue to discuss and teach the history of tap dance, it will never

Design by Shireen Aamir, Design Editor

MY FIRST LOVE unifying global of tap dancing

& Entertainment Editor

can’t go on any more first dates!”

Your first date survival guide for the post-pandemic internet age

Beatriz Neves Contributor

The red roses, the heart-shaped candies, the overpriced chocolate boxes, the cheesy Hallmark cards, and the pink helium balloons have already taken over the Dollarama shelves, which can only mean one thing: It’s February, Valentine.

Although it’s a great time of the year for love birds, the life of a single university student can feel almost as brutal as finals season. For those lonely souls, there is no other way around it than putting yourself out there and embarking on the awkward experience of a first date. More often than not, these situations can lead to a run-in with a bad first date after a lengthy study session, making you want to jump in a hole, but can also spark new attachments and insights. The post-COVID dating era also has reinforced the need to create genuine connections with people face-to-face––especially since we have been mercilessly denied it for the past years.

So, to actually have a fulfilling first meeting, decide what you want to discover or find out about your date. Manuela di Pace, U1 Arts, explains that in her experience, she puts a premium on learning about her potential

partner’s passions and ambitions.

“I want to know what you want in life or what you aspire to. Another point is probably if the person is able to have deep conversations and has a good sense of humour,” di Pace said in an interview with The McGill Tribune

If a good conversation is what you are looking for as well, try to avoid date locations where the focus will be on something else that could distract you both. A casual dinner, in these cases, can be a safe option, but make sure that you choose a place with character. That way, if there’s a weird silence, you can strike up a conversation about the place itself. Try out Snowbird Tiki Bar, Else’s, Damas or Karisma—locales packed with meaning.

To relieve some pressure from the conversation, choosing to do an activity before or during dinner could help. Cinéma Moderne can be a great option where you can watch a good movie and grab something to eat in their café after discussing the film. The Randolph Pub is also a unique option, as you can eat and enjoy a fun board game in the bar’s relaxed and laid-back environment. You could learn more about how your date reacts when they lose or when you disagree on the most critical aspects of a film.

After choosing the right place for you,

Trib’s V-day Crossword Puzzle!

what to wear is another big question—an important tip is to keep your outfit consistent with your typical style. If not, it will probably be costly for you, in more than one way, to maintain that new style that you adopted just for the first date. Second, you need to know if they will like you for who you really are; that won’t be easy if you look like someone else.

To make the situation feel as natural as possible, trust yourself. The cliché is a cliché for a reason: Being yourself is the sexiest thing you can be.

Leane Zogheib, U1 Arts, explains that for her, the importance of authenticity holds true.

“The worst thing someone can do on a first date is to fake liking something that I like, or when they do something [that] they don’t like just to impress me.”

There’s nothing more beautiful than a person talking about that one particular passion they have that makes their eyes shine. Though not everyone will understand your excitement for pandas nibbling on bamboo sticks, the right person will love this on you.

In the end, you can still have a terrible first date that leads to something wonderful or an incredible first date that will die out after a while. There is no magic formula; the best we can do is be ourselves and hope the other person does the same.

Remember that dating doesn’t have to be a serious commitment. Have fun and leave the tension behind! (istockphoto.com)

By: Ghazal Azizi, News Editor, Mattan Schachner, Sonya Colliander & Alia Scheuneman, Contributors

Down:

1. ‘What a cute couple!’

3. Montreal equivalent of a soundcloud rapper

5. “You had me __ hello”

6. Atlantic province abbr.

7. Prefix for sexual

8. “__, what are we?”

9. Fashionable

10. Netflix and _____

11. Singer with lots of songs about exes’ initials

12. Slang for pizza

13. “Let’s go to Las Vegas” is code for “Let’s _____”

15. 4 across’s mate

17. Lube alternative

18. Slang for phase

20. You are the ___ to my tac

21. Apple of my ___

22. Roman god of love

24. Fur baby

25. US Spy org.

26. Not to be cheesy, but I think you are _____

28. South American rodent

30. Carmela Soprano’s husband’s initials

31. Just ask them out!

33. Little

35. Dry response while texting

37. __SM

38. You’re so hot, turn on the

Across:

1. Popular exclamation while dancing

2. Third Wheelers hate seeing

4. 15 down’s mate

6. Maritime province abbr.

8. Spanish for consent

10. Organ known chiefly for pleasure

12. Friend ____

14. Romantic getaway

16. __ and behold

18. More than a single, fewer than an album

19. Bed in french

21. Before, poetically

23. A girl could have four of this

25. Toodaloo over text

27. Arguably Pixar’s most romantic animation

29. Kind of pie

31. Parents love this kind of job for a partner abbr.

32. Gentle touch

34. 2 across must be prefaced by a

35. A membership dream shattered by housing crisis

36. Taxi service by Apple

38. How much are singles allowed to feel sad on Valentine’s day?

39. Kinky nickname

40. If you were a triangle, you’d be _____ one

“I

Brandon Cronenberg’s new film ominously explores class disparities through cloning

Sofia Stankovic Staff Creative

Spoilers ahead for Infinity Pool.

Will elite travellers ever receive justice? Infinity Pool, Brandon Cronenberg’s terrifying satire on the hedonistic exploits of wealthy tourists might have the answer. By commenting on the Western gentrification of developing countries and the class disparities within the justice system, Cronenberg pairs science fiction with body horror, leaving viewers deeply unsettled by its uncensored brutality. While the sex and gore are overwhelming, these elements are essential—even if overdone by the conclusion—in accurately conveying the atrocities committed by the wealthy tourists to the audience. Horrifying and thrilling, Infinity Pool’s impressive cast and heady screenplay make for an undoubtedly compelling experience.

The film begins with married couple James (Alexander Skarsgård) and Em Foster (Cleopatra Coleman), who are vacationing in the fictional country of La Tolqa so the former can find inspiration for

his second novel. After James meets beautiful fan Gabi (Mia Goth), he and Em accompany Gabi and her husband Alban (Jalil Lespert) for dinner and a trip to the beach the following day. But inadvertently committing a fatal crime while intoxicated, James is sentenced with the death penalty. However, La Tolqa’s justice system allows wealthy offenders to avoid this fate by paying to have a clone of themselves take their place. James ends up joining Gabi and Alban’s group of wealthy tourists and chaos ensues as the group continues to commit crimes and clone themselves to get off scot-free. While James is initially enamoured by the sex, drugs, and excitement of this depraved trip, he begins to doubt his morality. When Gabi’s group prevents him from leaving, James wakes up to the morbid truth of their indulgence only as he’s trapped in their unrelenting mania.

Infinity Pool uses an exaggerated metaphor to critique the wealthy’s ability to bypass the law and avoid repercussions. Despite his amnesty from the death penalty initially seeming like freedom without consequences, James soon learns that the ordeal may cost him his hu-

manity. Since James married rich rather than coming from money, there is something innately different about him. The film implies that other affluent tourists who have always lived lavishly do not have this same moral quandary, as they only become more entranced with their lifestyle after each cloning. Throughout the movie, Gabi’s group wears masks with contorted faces to disguise themselves while they commit crimes. This suggests the true unseemly nature of the group: The masks disguise their misdeeds, while they are able to live normal, privileged lives once they’re removed.

Skarsgård does a fantastic job embodying not only James but several of his clones. The film raises the question of what it truly means to be human, and Skarsgård is the symbol of this conundrum as he struggles with his identity after cloning himself several times, and even brutalizing these versions of himself. Mia Goth—who gained recognition in the horror films X and Pearl—cements herself further as the scream queen of recent cinema, elevating the film’s creepiness to another level. Gabi is immediately recognizable as a character who is not all

that she seems, and her capacity for intrigue elevates the suspense.

Cronenberg’s screenplay is profoundly unique, and its fast-paced plot combined with complex characters keeps viewers on the edge of their seats. While cloning has been heavily explored in sci-fi, Infinity Pool avoids predictability by basing its horror around human overindulgence, with the clones only facilitating characters’ debauched exploits. The cinematography meticulously captures both the most indulgent and terrifying aspects, effectively intertwining sex scenes with the visual effects of hallucinogenic drugs, all edited together with pieces of gore. At a certain point in the film,

however, the explicit scenes become excessive in number and take away from the rest of the plot.

Infinity Pool questions how elite privilege exacerbates the class disparity in developing countries through relentless hedonism. Similar to other recent on-screen explorations about the upper class, such as White Lotus or Triangle of Sadness, the movie comments on the dangers of unbridled indulgence. A stellar entry into the body horror genre, this film stands out with its eccentric characters and distinctive plot.

Infinity Pool is now playing in theatres.

2023 Grammys: Historic wins, disappointing losses, and spirited moments

Music’s biggest—and most tantalizing—night revels in controversy

Naomi Gupta

Contributor

Packed with A to Z-list celebrities, the 65th Grammy Awards took place at Los Angeles’ Crypto.com Arena, hosted by comedian Trevor Noah for the third consecutive year. After the last few editions saw a disappointing mix of bad nominations and even worse wins (remember when Billie Eilish took home all four main category awards in 2020?), music’s biggest event boasted an exciting night of competition between chart-dominating artists and ignited a conversation about lack of diversity.

When nominations were announced, headlines buzzed over the contenders for top prizes. Despite some of Beyoncé’s past snubs, she took the lead with nine Grammy nominations in three of the four main categories, tying with none other than Jay-Z for the title of most nominated artist of all time. The singer won two Grammys for “Break my Soul” and RENAISSANCE , officially making history as the most decorated artist at the Grammys. Other groundbreaking moments included Sam Smith and Kim Petras’ Best Pop Duo/Group Performance win for their hit “Unholy,” making Petras the first transgender woman to be honoured with the award.

In response to criticism of the Recording Academy regarding the lack of diversity in award categories, nominees, and recipients, this year’s nominations suggested lim-

ited progress in a newer direction. The decision to introduce categories such as “Música Urbana Album” shows an effort to slowly address the assumptions that English music is the norm—as evidenced by the Grammy subtitle dubbing Bad Bunny as “singing in non-English”. Likewise, the Academy’s recurring pattern of relegating the work of Black artists to Rap/R&B categories, thereby excluding them from major, pop-focused categories, makes these efforts performative.

Throughout the last few years, the Grammys felt more like a three-hour showcase of the same two artists sweeping through most, if not all, of the main category awards. Luckily, this trend was broken this year—most of the awards seemed evenly distributed amongst headlining nominees: Lizzo’s hit single, “About Damn Time,” won Record of the Year, and Adele’s “Easy On Me” was recognized for Best Pop Solo Performance.

However, the ceremony did not go without its usual snubs. Despite its absence from the Billboard Hot 100, Song of the Year went to Bonnie Raitt’s “Just Like That”—a surprising moment for Grammy viewers and the categories’ other nominees. Fans predicted Taylor Swift to have this award in the bag for her record-breaking track “All Too Well (10 Minute Version),” which would’ve made this her first-ever win in the category.

The ceremony concluded with the night’s biggest award—Album of the Year. This highly-anticipated moment brought fans,

quite literally, to the edge of their seats. A group comprising each nominee’s biggest fans took the stage in hopes of seeing their favourite artist awarded the top prize. Harry Styles’ Harry’s House won the award, and Styles delivered a tearful acceptance speech. He took a moment to thank his fans, family, and team before admitting how grateful he was, as “this doesn’t happen to people like [him] very often.” This particular line sparked controversy among Grammy viewers and sent the media into a frenzy. While some argued that this line referenced Styles’ modest upbringing and journey into the entertainment industry, others questioned the extent to which this was

true, given that the music industry’s structure exhaustively prioritizes young, attractive, privileged white men.

Overall, the Grammys made for a highly entertaining evening, celebrating a diversity of artists and genres who impacted music in 2022. Although many don’t take the Grammys seriously anymore, the discourse it generates still has a lasting impact on the music industry. Considering its important media coverage and nationwide attention, the Recording Academy must continue to address the structural inequities that fail music and artists time and time again.

‘Infinity Pool’ is a dystopian assemblage of sex, gore, and psychedelics

Iconic Canadian director David Cronenberg’s son continues his legacy, following in the footsteps of his father’s decades of acclaimed horror films. (latimes.com)

Harry Styles wins big with his first Album of The Year award, shocking many.. (nytimes.com)

‘La Flambeau’: The torchbearer of Montréal’s Black art scene

Celebrating Black History Month at the opera with David Bontemps

Iman Brown Contributor

Content Warning: Mentions of sexual assault

Are you looking for a way to celebrate Black History Month? Do you enjoy opera? How about living something that feels like a fever dream? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, look no further than Montreal’s very own production of La Flambeau by the National Academy Orchestra (NAO) Chamber Players.

La Flambeau, the magnum opus of composer David Bontemps and librettist Faubert Bolivar, celebrates traditional Afro-Haitian music, lore, and spirituality. The opera is rife with power imbalances, monologues dripping with raw emotion, and abuses most abominable in nature. Bontemps honours Black History Month with an all-Black cast and production team to bring Black artists and performers to the forefront.

Through their conception of La Flambeau, Bontemps and Bolivar pay homage to their Afro-Creole heritage. The musical score expertly weaves classical Western opera with Haitian percussion, pentatonic and wholetone scales, and blues notes. Reaching beyond the confines that characterize European opera, Bontemps’ decision to include Afro-Creole themes politically counters what opera can

and should be. The composite of styles celebrates Haiti’s spiritual roots in West Africa while inadvertently reckoning with its devastating colonial history with France.

The set only consists of a chaise longue, a podium, a small bookshelf, and a raised platform. Despite its modesty, the pieces complemented each other beautifully and never stole the audience’s attention away from the actors. Instead, the demure set highlighted the stars’ performances, allowing them to move naturally about the stage with a minimalist authenticity that many performances often lack.

The venue is part of Berri-UQAM’s campus, and does not lack incredible staff. The refreshment service, venue staff, and organizational team were kind, communicative, and considerate beyond measure, taking great care to ensure that all spectators were welltreated and comfortable.

Introduced first is Monsieur (Paul Williamson, tenor), a corrupt statesman and cruel husband. Monsieur laments the mental instability of his wife, Madame (Catherine Daniel, mezzo-soprano), who relays her restless night after being visited by a vision of her long-dead uncle. Finding his wife’s behaviour disconcerting, Monsieur returns to his political scheming. Mademoiselle (Suzanne Taffot, soprano), their maid, enters stage right and begins to pine for her lost ring, revealed to have belonged to the spirit Loa Papa Ogou, also known as L’Homme (Brandon Coleman, baritone bass). Monsieur

consoles her and in a fit of vile lust, assaults her.

Few things could have prepared me for this scene. Despite the story being fictional, I felt a tug of nausea in my gut and a tightness in my throat.

Mademoiselle staggers, crumpling to her knees, and collapses into her grief. Taffot’s voice, sharp and clear as glass, cuts straight through to the audience like a blast of cold wind. Mademoiselle’s grief hangs pregnant in the air and swells with each word.

Monsieur falls asleep and enters a dream realm where he encounters the Loa, Ogou, who condemns him for his many crimes. Madame holds Mademoiselle’s head in her lap and shares the horrific abuses she experienced living with Monsieur. The opera concludes with the two women, both victims of Monsieur, sharing a moment of compassion and tenderness in such a bleak story.

Williamson’s depiction of the lecherous, lout Monsieur was so convincing that it proved difficult not to hate him. By contrast, Taffot’s sweet demeanour onstage was the picture of innocence. Daniel carried herself

Junk on Earth: A fun premise falls flat

Netflix’s new mockumentary series is a poorly executed dud

Charlotte Bawol Contributor

If you are chronically online, odds are you have seen clips

over the past few months of Diane Morgan’s character Philomena Cunk from the Netflix mockumentary Cunk on Earth. The most notable of these soundbites went viral on TikTok and features Morgan’s character asking Oxford art history professor Martin Kemp, “which was more culturally significant: The Renaissance or Single Ladies by Beyoncé?” The pre-release hype surrounding the series, which premiered Jan. 31, prompted great anticipation in me—so much excitement that I decided to become a television critic for a day.

In five half-hour episodes, the show ambitiously promises to retrace the entire history of human civilization. Through interviews with academics and narrated walks across historical sights, our socially unaware, dim-witted narrator Philomena Cunk (Diane Morgan) ultimately failed to make me do anything but blow air out of my nose slightly harder than usual.

My biggest gripe with the series is that the premise could have been better executed—instead, it just feels like a misspend of who knows

how many millions of Netflix’s dollars. If only some of the money spent on shooting on location could have been invested in paying some decent comedy writers, I don’t think I would be here writing this review. A sizable gap in the humour comes from the time Cunk wastes asking guests idiotic questions. Before anyone argues that that is exactly the point of the show, I would contend that while there are some funny moments in the interviews, most of the segments are wasted on jokes that do not land.

The Sacha Baron Cohen–esque humour that Cunk attempts is only funny in the context of secrecy and unassuming participants. Cunk on Earth’s version feels too scripted, and the expert reactions do not mesh with Cunk’s attempts at levity. This is apparent in the section on the Olympic games, where Cunk interviews Dr. Lindsay Coo, a senior lecturer in Ancient Greek Language and Literature at the University of Bristol. Cunk launches into a mini tirade about the audience at the first Olympic games being able to see “right up their (athletes’) bumholes” (since athletes were competing naked), to which Coo doesn’t really have any significant reaction. The lewd quality of this joke is the rule rather than the exception

with the humour in this documentary. Perhaps the jokes might have landed better if the audience was better introduced to Philomena Cunk as a character, or if the expert’s reactions, while they were being interviewed, were less contrived. But, in its current form, the interviews feel like a repetitive misuse of audience time and expert talent.

The documentary reaches a point of diminishing returns with Cunk’s attempts at situational humour. In the fourth episode of the series, “Rise of the Machines,” Cunk interviews Jonathan Ferguson, keeper of firearms and artillery at the Royal Armouries. She spends actual airtime asking him what would happen if she looked straight down the barrel of the gun, and very cleverly questioning the idea of the American Constitution protecting the right to bear arms— since bears don’t have arms (Philomena, we all heard this joke in 2006).

In her full interview with Kemp, she

with a dignified grandeur, while Coleman’s voice can only be described as both decadent and profound.

La Flambeau is a story of love, compassion, justice, retribution, and resilience. By testing the possibility of Black feminist solidarity to overcome violence, the opera provides the audience with a much-needed dose of women supporting women through Madame’s warmth and generosity toward Mademoiselle. Even with its distance from reality and displays of human cruelty, one cannot help but feel a closeness and intimacy with the characters while bearing witness.

‘La Flambeau’ premiered in Montreal on Feb. 7, 2023 at Salle Pierre-Mercure and will be touring Hamilton, Ontario next.

asks about the “renaissauce”, and with medieval historian Laura Ash of the University of Oxford, about the “darkages” instead of the Dark Ages. For McGill students, Cunk reminds me of those peers in your lecture who just cannot help but annoy the class with their blend of confidence and stupidity, the ones that make you wonder, “are they actually still talking right now?”

Some of the dry humour, however, did make me laugh. For example, Cunk describes the guillotine as “the most humane way to decapitate someone in front of a jeering

crowd” and explains to her audience that Jesus Christ became a carpenter since he was named after the two words one is most likely to utter after hitting their finger with a hammer. From Jesus to Louis XVI, she runs the gamut of human civilization, as promised, but fails to touch on any interesting aspects.

Ultimately, the heartening opportunity to produce something that is both educational and comedic was thrown away. Cunk on Earth is best consumed through shortened TikTok clips, as watching it in its entirety feels like a waste of time.

David Bontemps’ last 20 years in Canada have shaped his relationship with Afro-Creole music, and he has incorporated its style into many of his compositions. (ledevoir.com)

Philomena Cunk’s character feels like an offshoot of Diane Morgan’s role as Gemma Nerrick in Death to 2020 (thehindu.com)

A PhD in love? Relationship advice from McGill psychologists

Lydon Lab highlights the importance of meta-perceptions and shared realities

Ella Paulin Science & Technology Editor

Valentine’s Day may be about celebrating love, but it’s also a chance to celebrate the science that helps us understand love and other intimate interpersonal relationships. //The McGill Tribune// spoke to Catalina Enestrom, a graduate student working at McGill’s Lydon Lab, about the latest research on the psychology of relationships.

Assessing personality is tricky

We all know that first impressions matter, so how do you make a good one? And on the flip side, how do you know if you are judging somebody else accurately? To answer questions like these, researchers at the Lydon Lab conduct speed-dating studies, where participants are asked to rate others on a variety of factors such as attractiveness and personality.

In an article published in the European Journal of Personality, researchers found that participants positively rated the personalities of people they found more attractive. The results also showed that if someone was rated as less attractive on average but as more attractive by an individual, then the individual who found the person attractive was actually worse at accurately assessing their personality.

The authors hypothesized that perhaps those judged as less attractive by the group were harder to ‘read’ personality-wise. If this were true, it would mean that even though the person who found them more attractive was paying close attention, they still weren’t able to form an accurate opinion.

Are you a good judge of how others see you?

I don’t know about you, but this speeding-dating study makes me wonder: Am I good at gauging how other people perceive my personality? Thinking about what other people think of you is called meta-perception, and it’s an important aspect of our social behaviour.

“So for example, I might be thinking right now like, do you see me as someone who is intelligent? Do you see me as warm?” Enestrom said in an interview with the Tribune Being accurate about these perceptions helps you “course-correct” if necessary.

“If I see that maybe you’re finding me a bit rude or off-putting, or like maybe I am talking too fast, [...] then because of that I can make adjustments to it,” Enestrom said.

In an article published in The Journal of Psychology, Lydon Lab researchers found that the accuracy of partners’ meta-perceptions do in fact correlate with their relationship’s wellbeing, especially regarding emotional and personal connections.

Shared beliefs can act as anchors in stressful situations

Meta-perceptions hint at another important aspect of interpersonal relationships: The differences and similarities between partners’ beliefs. The overlaps are referred to as shared reality.

“It can be something as simple as the sort of small things that make up shared reality, like, ‘I saw this movie, and I saw it in the

same way,’” Enestrom explained. “But it can be bigger things like ‘I see my work environment in the same way’.”

Having a sense of shared reality strengthens a relationship for many reasons, including making people confident in their experiences and fostering a sense of belonging.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Enestrom looked specifically at health-care workers who had nonhealth-care partners, and examined what effects shared reality had on their experiences. She followed couples through both the first and second waves of the pandemic, when they were experiencing unprecedented levels of instability and uncertainty, both in their jobs and their lives.

“What we explored specifically in that paper [is] how does shared reality actually benefit the relationship despite having all this stress in this big, uncertain, unprecedented context,” Enestrom said. “One of the things that we really found was that perceived support stems from shared reality.”

In a stressful situation like a pandemic, this shared reality and the resulting sense of support and stability was likely critical for health-care workers.

Another stressful situation, for some couples at least, is Valentine’s Day itself. Enestrom sees a potential for different views of the

holiday to fracture a couple’s sense of shared reality.

“One partner might be like, ‘Oh, this is just like a capitalist [construct], they’re just trying to make us spend all this money, it’s consumerist, et cetera,’” said Enestrom, “whereas another partner might see Valentine’s Day as [...] a way to show that you care.”

into evolving opportunities in pharmaceutical industry

McGill PCSN and ABTiP host panel as part of Black History Month

Ali Baghirov Contributor

The “Black in Pharma” panel, organized by the McGill Pharmaceutical Career Student Network (PCSN) and Advancing Black Talent in Pharma (ABTiP) on Feb. 9, was a candid talk about advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in pharmacology. Panellists included Corinne Buchanan-Russell, ABTiP president, Abraham Oniku, a senior manager in Medical Liaisons at Amgen Canada, and Jackie Hardwick, an associate of strategy and operations at Eli Lilly Canada.

Panellists started off by discussing their experience with EDI and the changes they have observed in pharma. Buchanan-Russell noted that the shared experiences of people of colour in the industry have united them and helped to create a culture of belonging. She referenced her own experience of waiting over 20 years to ultimately find such a platform that uplifts Black talent in the field.

“When we got together, we started with activities and initiatives that brought people together. And I remember our very first significant event, we were all at a Zoom meet-

ing,” Buchanan-Russell said. “We asked everybody to turn on their cameras, and it was a very moving experience to see and be exposed to people who look like us.”

According to Oniku, there has been an increase in the number of Black people applying for roles in the pharmaceutical industry. A career in pharma is often associated with stiff competition, he explained, so there are some CV additions that young Black professionals should aim to have.

“One of the things that I’ve sometimes seen lacking in Black talent [are] things like internship, co-op, or volunteering—those things help a lot on your resume because people think that you’ve really done something beyond your regular school training,” Oniku said. “So I think, as a Black person, be aware that these are some of the things that employers and hiring managers are looking for.”

As per Hardwick, competent applicants may hesitate to submit their portfolios, as employers sometimes seek years of experience, even for entry-level positions. For Black applicants, having acquaintances and colleagues who can advise them on resumes and qualities prioritized by

the hiring staff is an important competitive edge, which is why creating a more diverse and inclusive community is crucial.

“We could take back our organizations to say, ‘Hey, are we excluding great talent out there just by the virtue of how we’re articulating our job postings?’” Hardwick said.

Oniku believes that the protests sparked by the police killing of George Floyd in May 2020 changed the way Canadian pharma companies approach EDI.

“I’ve personally been very encouraged by how the pharma industry in Canada responded, ever since the George Floyd issue, to really step up with the [EDI] initiatives,” Oniku said. “[In] my company, for instance, there are a lot of concerted efforts to really bring in some of the interns that we have into the company to be Black or [another] minority group.”

Diversifying the workforce of pharmaceutical companies is essential, as both employers and employees benefit from a stronger feeling of belonging. Customers of different backgrounds also feel more welcome in an inclusive environment, Buchanan-Russell explained. As ABTiP president, Buchanan-Russell—who

also has over 30 years of experience working in pharmacology in the U.S., Germany, and Canada—has witnessed first-hand how companies have changed their EDI policies.

“I think that one of the things that the industry is getting right is that they’re open, they’re listening, and recognizing that there are things that need to be changed and improved in terms of increasing the diversity of their employees,” Buchanan-Russell said.

Harwick added that although the implementation of EDI practices has ramped up at some companies, others are only just beginning to understand the importance of racial di-

versity in the workplace.

“We’ve got some variation within the industry, some companies are leading the way and making some great progress, others are probably in the earlier stages of their journey,” Hardwick said. “There is no end destination on this [since] the needs [and] the expectations continue to evolve. So we’ll have to be up for that challenge.”

As a lot of work still remains to be done, companies that develop lifesaving drugs must rethink their approaches in order to create a medical community that supports everyone’s needs.

“Black in Pharma” event delves

Valentine’s Day has its roots in the ancient Roman festival of Lupercalia, which used to take place from Feb. 13 to 15. (Julia Buckle / The McGill Tribune)

In the United States, Black employees make up less than 10 per cent of the pharmaceutical industry. (cbc.ca)

Space crickets: Creative solutions to deep-space hunger

Fast-breeding crickets may be the answer to feeding astronauts on long voyages

Harrison Yamada Staff Writer

Landing a human on Mars remains the holy grail of the exciting 21st-century space science arena, with agencies such as the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) investigating longer human-piloted space voyages.

During the McGill Bicentennial Space Week last May, Julie Payette, former astro-

naut, former Governor General of Canada, and McGill BEng ‘86, commented on the logistical challenges of the hypothetical sixmonth journey to Mars.

“The problem with humans is they need air and they need water and they need food,” Payette said. “There’s no depanneur or 7/11 out there.”

Nourishing humans on long space voyages remains a conundrum. Thankfully, the Cricket Rearing, Collection, and Transformation System (CRCTS) team, led by recent McGill Bioengineering graduates Alexander Becker and Cynthia Hitti, has been investigating a clever solution. They are studying the feasibility of growing, harvesting, and turning crickets into powder in outer space to use as a food source. Becker and Hitti are contestants in the Deep Space Food Challenge, a contest held in collaboration between NASA and the CSA.

The competition tasked contestants with the creation of novel food production technologies that need little input, while maximizing safe, nutritious, palatable outputs that could be consumed during long space missions. Along with another McGill-led project, the InSpira Photobioreactor,

CRCTS was one of 10 Canadian teams to advance to the semi-final round.

CRCTS uses advanced air filters, ultraviolet lamps, and vacuum systems to sanitize the air and completely isolate crickets from the human living environment. Preventing cross-contamination is paramount in space, where air, room, and food are finite, and critical mission infrastructure is fragile.

“The biggest difficulty in producing food in space is how controlled any system must be,” Becker said. “Nearly all our technical challenges stemmed from the ways in which crickets would circumvent the barriers and safeguards we had put into place to separate the cricket environment from the outside world [….] The last thing we would want is to have crickets chewing through the wires powering life-support systems.”

Despite the challenges that come with controlling organisms as chaotic as crickets, the chirping critters are ideal candidates for extraterrestrial snacks. “They represent a source of protein that is more sustainable and requires far less space to produce when compared to traditional protein sources such as cattle,” Becker explained.

According to the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations, the protein yield for crickets is about 12 times greater than that of beef with respect to the amount of feed needed, with methane and physical space requirements paling in comparison as well.

Crickets could one day become a more

Injecting new potential into breast cancer treatment

Breast cancer vaccine out of University of Washington shows promise

Raymond Tu Contributor

Most of us know the statistics associated with cancer. It has touched, directly or indirectly, almost every Canadian. But thanks to the relentless work of researchers, around two out of three patients diagnosed with cancer today will survive beyond five years from their initial diagnosis—up from 55 per cent in the early 1990s. The most recent innovations in cancer treatment have stemmed from immunotherapy, a fast-growing and exciting field of study for cancer researchers.

“Cancer immunotherapy unleashes the power of the patient’s own immune system. It is today considered the fourth pillar of cancer therapy,” Sonia del Rincón, assistant professor in McGill’s Department of Oncology, said in an interview with The McGill Tribune

Recently, University of Washington (UW) researchers developed a cancer vaccine targeting HER2/ ErbB2, a protein on the surface of tumour cells which affects one in five breast cancer patients. The vaccine was shown to have minimal side effects, like fevers and fatigue, while generating a significant immune response in the non-

randomized trial.

William Muller, a professor in the Department of Oncology and renowned investigator of the HER2/ERBB2 genes in breast cancer, explained in an interview with the Tribune that the paper is a phase I trial, or a safety trial, that looks specifically at a safe dose range and adverse effects.

“The concept of vaccinating patients against specific tumour targets has its roots in the early 90s when Thierry Boon’s group identified the first human [tumour] associated antigen called MAGE-1,” added del Rincón, whose lab studies novel therapies for melanoma and breast cancer.

Vaccines generally work by training the body’s immune system to recognize and attack a foreign body, called an antigen. One such antigen is the spike glycoprotein, found on the surface of the COVID-19 virus. However, because cancer occurs when our own cells grow uncontrollably, specific proteins like MAGE-1 or HER2 that are overexpressed on the surface of only cancerous cells, must be targeted. “The target [of the UW breast cancer vaccine] is unusual in that it’s the intracellular domain of HER2, which is normally not presented on the surface,” Muller said.

The outcomes that the UW researchers reported are also promising because their breast cancer vaccine did not lead to any adverse effects.

“Researchers of the study did not report any severe side effects associated with the DNA vaccine,” del Rincón said. “Patients receiving other types of immunotherapy can be at risk for severe immunerelated toxicities.”

Patients enrolled in the study had an 80 per cent five-year survival rate, compared with the expected 50 per cent for patients with stages III and IV breast cancer. Of course, there is still work to do before this treatment could become widely available. The true efficacy of the approach will come from phase II and III trials,” Muller said.

When it comes to cancer research, only 25 per cent of phase II trials and 40 per cent of phase III trials succeed. Phase II trials are meant to further study a vaccine’s safety and evaluate its effectiveness, while phase III trials are meant to compare the medicine to the best treatments we have today, also known as the gold standard.

Dr. Nora Disis, the lead researcher from the UW breast cancer vaccine team, explained in the most recent episode of Freakonom-

prominent source of sustainable food on Earth, too, with many African countries, such as Cameroon and Zimbabwe, already practicing the culinary tradition. Becker described the crickets as being “not particularly needy,” with their main needs being food, water, and dark places to hide.

After producing food samples for a kitchen-level demonstration and presenting their idea’s feasibility on Earth for their semifinal presentation, Becker and Hitti optimistically await the results. Should they be selected as one of four finalists to advance, they will receive a $100,000 CAD grant to build a full-scale rendition of their project. Becker reassured the Tribune that he and Hitti have no shortage of ideas for further innovation.

“Crickets can be fed any number of foods and would be very happy eating table scraps and other food wastes. This is something we are actively looking into as an improvement should we move on in the challenge,” Becker said.

This would allow them to simultaneously feed the crickets and help mitigate waste management problems in space.

When asked how he feels about a future living in space and eating cricket-based food, Becker expressed optimism.

“Personally, I would love to go to space one day! As a protein supplement, I would be glad to eat cricket powder in my daily meals,” Becker said. “One of our favourite recipes involving cricket powder is a burger that we developed!”

ics, M.D. that the rapid development of mRNA vaccines against COVID-19 was in large part because its safety profile in innumerable cancer patients had already been defined.

Whether this breast cancer vaccine or other vaccines under

evaluation will change the landscape of cancer therapeutics remains to be seen. But, while the Emperor of All Maladies carries on its reign of terror, cancer scientists and oncologists, like del Rincón, Muller, and Disis, continue to pursue the disease with fervour.

Cricket farms on Earth are largely made of egg cartons, with temperature and humidity being carefully monitored. (Galaxy Frog / Soundcloud)

The first attempt to use a patient’s immune system to improve cancer conditions was in 1891 by Dr. William Coley. (Unsplash)

The Arctic Winter Games resume after a five-year hiatus with competitors as young as 11 Spotlight on the Arctic Winter Games

Julie Ferreyra Contributor

After being postponed again in 2022 due to COVID-19 concerns, the Arctic Winter Games finally made their long-awaited return on Jan. 29 in Wood Buffalo, Alberta. Last held in 2018, the four-day culture and sport competition saw athletes from across the circumpolar region face off in over 17 sporting events.

“All of the athletes were so excited to go to the 2020 games in Whitehorse. And then, you know, a week before we were

supposed to go to these games, they were cancelled,” four-time Arctic Sports medallist Danica Taylor told The McGill Tribune “[The cancellation of the 2020 Edition] was probably one of the most disappointing things most of us ha[d] heard in a while.”

The 2023 edition of the Arctic Games reunited over 2,000 athletes and eight teams: Alaska, Greenland, North West Territories, Yukon, Nunavut, Nunavik-Quebec, Northern Alberta, and the Sápmi region that stretches across Norway, Sweden, and Finland. For the first time since 1992, no Russian

territory will be represented in the Games, as the International Arctic Games Committee suspended both Russia and the Yamal delegation in condemnation of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The suspension prompted the 2026 Games to potentially be relocated to Yellowknife as Yamal is currently slated to host them.

“If they are to come to Yellowknife, I just hope these games just get so much more exposure,” said Taylor, a Yellowknife resident herself. “I think these are one of the most exciting games to watch and to participate in.”

Among the 20 sporting events represented this year were biathlon ski, curling, ice hockey, and figure skating. The Games also featured an Arctic Sports category that included events such as Alaskan high kick, sledge jump, and knuckle hop. Many of the Arctic Sports find their origins in cultural practices, such as high kick, which originated from Inuit hunting.

The Arctic Games are all about community and perseverance—values that are reflected in the Dene Games,

an official event that was incorporated in 1990. Consisting of five events, the Dene Games are rooted in the traditional practices of Dene Nation, celebrating specific skills that demonstrate both strength and technical skill. Sportsmanship and camaraderie are at the heart of the Dene Games, and the concluding event, Hand Games, originates from the celebration of successful hunts.

“Carrying on the traditions is just so important,” Taylor said. ”It’s so great to go to these games and then have it all unfold.”

This year, Taylor competed in five Arctic Sports disciplines: One-foot high kick, two-foot high kick, arm pull, Alaskan high kick, and sledge jump, and medalled in the first three.

Memorable moments from this year’s Games included the last participation of knuckle hop veteran Chris Stipdonk, who seized gold, and at 37 years old, decided to retire from competition. He established the world record in 2020 and again at the Indigenous Summer Games in 2022. Nunavut celebrated their first-ever gold medal in hockey, brought home by their U19 boys team.

With over 2,000 volunteers and an emphasis placed on spectator participation, the support from those in the crowd was constant.

“I think it’s such a great thing to, you know, have that support, not only from people from your contingent [...] but from every other place as well,” Taylor said. “I know there were a lot of Greenlandic and Alaskan people watching and it was such a great feeling.”

When it comes to the future of Arctic sports, there are discussions of incorporating them into the 2027 Canada Winter Games in Whitehorse. Many participants and fans hope for them to be included in other international competitions in the years to come.

“If that is to happen, these are great games to spread awareness of Indigenous cultures,” Taylor said. “I would love to see it [...] show its debut at the Canada Winter Games, and also, I believe having them included in as many international sporting events would just show how unique these games are. I don’t think there’s really a sport quite like it.”

final Martlets basketball outduels Concordia Stingers in blowout victory

McGill defends its homecourt

Tillie Burlock and Nate Northfield Sports Editor and Contributor

On Feb. 9, as the cold and rainy weather sought to destroy the morale of the McGill fanbase, the Martlets (3–11) provided a cure the only way they know how: A thrilling victory over their most formidable opponent, the Concordia Stingers (3–11). With a full crowd packed into the stands of Love Competition Hall, another great chapter in a never-ending saga between the Martlets and their rival Stingers began to unfold.

After suffering a 55-44 defeat to Concordia on Nov. 12, the Martlets were eager to strike back. The home court advantage undoubtedly provided a surge of intensity from the top to the bottom of the Martlets roster as they prepared for battle.

in

a 77-50

McGill came out of the tip-off with an undeniably gritty presence, turning their always scrappy defence into well-executed fastbreak opportunities. Between this and their poise in the half-court set, they were able to come out as victors at the end of the first quarter with a commanding 17-9 lead.

In the second quarter, the Martlets continued to play their style of basketball, running their offence efficiently to create threepoint opportunities. They continued to expose Concordia’s weak interior defence in the second and overshadowed the Stingers’ strong shotmaking ability. Symbolic of this size advantage was Jessica Salanon’s overpowering post move in the second that gave the Martlets the momentum they needed to close out the half with an 11-point lead at 33-22.

After the half, Concordia made its biggest run of the game, owning their offensive identity as skilled shotmakers. The Stingers made it interesting in the third, being down by only eight points in the middle of the quarter. Leading the slight comeback was the stellar shooting of

Florence Poirier, who was the leading scorer for the Stingers with 16 points, shooting an efficient six for 10.

Despite the valiant effort, the Martlets were relentless, locking up Concordia’s players on defence and eventually going on a vicious 11–0 run in the third quarter to head into the final frame with a 55-40 advantage.

Daniella Mbengo’s defensive and offensive efforts drastically shifted the momentum of the game, as she finished with 22 points and a gamehigh five steals, shooting a highly efficient 64 per cent from the field.

“We kept just being aggressive and attacking the basket because that’s our strength against Concordia and we really just wanted to win, so sticking together as a collective was really important in doing that,” Mbengo told The McGill Tribune

In the final quarter, no hope was left for the Stingers, as the Martlets took the quarter 22-10.

“It always feels nice to win,” Salanon said. “This one was a big one for us because we showed who we really were. We played well, we played as a team, we found our shooters, so it was just a good feeling.”

Despite falling to the Stingers 47-43 in their rematch on Feb. 11, Thursday’s win was a step in the right direction for head coach Rikki Bowles.

“This win shows how much the team has improved from the beginning of the season and also puts us in a position to clinch a play-off berth with a win this Saturday, Feb. 18 at 2 p.m., once again, against Concordia,” Bowles told the Tribune

MOMENT OF THE GAME

During the Martlets’ 11-0 run in the third quarter, Daniella Mbengo made a difficult and crucial layup with her off hand that gave the Martlets the boost to finish off the third with a 15-point advantage.

“I thought we played a great team game on Thursday, with contributions from many athletes. We were led with 22 points from first-year guard Daniella Mbengo, and we also had a great showing from third-year forward Amelie Rochon, with nine points and eight rebounds.”

–-Head Coach Rikki Bowles on the standout performances

QUOTABLE STAT CORNER

Mbengo saw 30 minutes of court time, shooting 9-for-14 from the floor and 3-for-5 from the freethrow line, and pulled together a season-high of five steals.

“Time to shine” was the slogan of the 2023 Arctic Winter Games. (Stewart Burnett / NNSL)

McGill’s 77 points were the highest offensive output in RSEQ play since a 93-66 win over Concordia in 2017. (Lauren Mosley / The McGill Tribune).

To all the sports I’ve loved before

McGill athletes share love letters to their sport

Jenna Payette: Field Hockey Contributor

When I was little, my parents put my brothers and me in every single sport they could find. From ice rinks to soccer fields, I was able to find myself a home wherever I was comfortable, driven, and resilient.

Playing competitive ice hockey with boys, I quickly grew a thick skin and learned how to pave my own road to success. Playing soccer, I learned the importance of a group effort and how rewarding it is. From the techniques I sharpened in practice, to life-long lessons that can’t be taught in a classroom, I am eternally grateful for what sports have given me.

Then, when I least expected it, I found something new: Field hockey. A beautiful mélange of my two favourite sports with a weird stick and some unusual rules. But with the arsenal of skills I obtained from a childhood filled with sport, it came easily to me. And, now I can say I am a varsity athlete because of it. Field hockey, finding me only three years ago, is not only special, but rare. Sports never cease to amaze me. It reminds me that you never quite know how your future will unfold, but consistent patience, hard work, and self-determination will never lead you astray.

Drea Garcia: Climbing Design Editor

Dear Climbing,

It’s hard to believe we’ve known each other for so little time. When we first met, my hands

shook and my heart pounded. I honestly thought I might die— some might call these butterflies. You followed me like a ghost; a dream of my childhood that I never thought achievable. Everpresent, completely unattainable. I was terrified to hold you, so for years I watched, sat on the sidelines as others found you, guiding them to places I longed to discover.

Then we met through a mutual friend, and I know this sounds dramatic and unnecessary, but I never thought you’d change me so.

You taught me the significance of devotion, persevering through difficulty, and even more so when it felt impossible, showing up when I didn’t want to. This made its way into all other aspects of my life: School, relationships, my outlook on living. You lent me a community, an entourage of encouragement when I just wanted to let go and give up. Now, I can let go and accept things as they are.

You’ve shown me that progress is not only visible, but tangible; not day-by-day, but looking back and realizing you’re where you never dreamed you could be, or in this case, climbing grades once too intimidating to even glance at.

Now I try things for fun and I do things for me. Thank you for the rush after the fear; fulfillment after frustration; scraped shins and calloused wounds. You remind me of the value of being human.

I always knew it was you. I can’t wait to grow old with you.

Drea

Emma Hawko: Sailing Contributor

Dear Sailing, No one and nothing makes me feel free the way you do. The spray of the water is fireworks on my skin; the wind in my hair is electric. You have held my hand from childhood to adulthood. You know me in a way no one ever has and nobody ever will. I am always able to trust that you will make the hard parts of life easier, and the easy parts exhilarating.

You punish me in ways that excite my soul, mind, and body, with just enough tenderness to leave me wanting more. Your sweet caress of the boom swinging across the boat and into my head leaves me breathless and dizzy. The tug of the ropes wrapped in my hands on a windy day burns and thrills me.

You are my sun, my moon, my everything. I live for you, I breathe for you, I love you. Sailing, you are my world, and nothing will ever break us apart.

Yours for all eternity, A

sailor

Alex Pantis: Rugby Contributor

I often question why I continue to play rugby. I question why I subject myself to the broken noses, the weekly separated shoulders, the shin splints, and all the other bumps that come along with playing. At some point in nearly every game— or at least a few times during every fitness session—I want to quit. Sometimes, I think about hanging my boots up forever. But I always, always come back.

Rugby is a different kind of sport. A sport that demands extreme amounts of toughness, grit, and truly requires a team to work as one. It necessitates gruelling practices, months of pain, and sleepless nights but, when all is said and done, it builds unique bonds with your teammates, coaches, staff, and opponents.

I love rugby for that. I love rugby for the achy knees and the pops in my shoulder. I love rugby for introducing me to people I love, for allowing me to grow closer to people I already loved, and for providing me the opportunity to connect with people from all around the globe. I love rugby for privileging me to wear the crest of at least 10 different clubs across 17 different cities. Hell, I’m currently writing this in Mexico, at the kitchen table of a teammate of mine who has let me stay at his house for the past three weeks. I love rugby for showing me that a sport is played between lines and that outside of them, you can love your rivals. But most of all, I love rugby for giving me nearly everything I have. I’ve grown into the person I am because of rugby. It has always been there, through every up and down in my life.

I have a special kind of love for McGill rugby. I love the coaches for the tireless support they give, I love the athletic therapists and medical staff for attempting the impossible task of keeping us all healthy, I love McGill Athletics for allowing us to be us, and most of all, I love all the people who have left the program in a better place. This program is special. One that I’ve been so honoured to have been a part of for the past seven years

and one that I look forward to being a part of, in some capacity, forever. Words can’t describe how much love I have for this program and what it has become.

That’s why I will never leave rugby. I never want to stop feeling the pregame anxiety or the feeling of opening a can of beer after 80 minutes of work.

I will always crave that feeling of being completely drained, the feeling that only rugby can make you feel. I will always give rugby everything I can, because it has given everything it can to me. Thank you rugby, thank you McGill rugby, I love you.

Loi Duong: Climbing Contributor

Climbing is a totally unique sport. It meets you where you are. In its infinite possibilities, anybody can find their own way up a boulder problem or sport route, using the physical and mental tools that they already have. This is one of the reasons why I fell in love with climbing. No matter where you stand vis-à-vis sports, climbing provides a deep and rewarding physical and mental challenge.

Climbing grips my heart because, if you pay close enough attention, it has a sense of philosophical weight. The way I approach climbing reflects my current beliefs, allowing me to be more true to myself. Instead of trying to climb (or be) like anyone else, I lean into my personal superpowers, accepting that I am a unique athlete—a unique individual.

Finally, climbing has allowed me to meet the greatest of friends. I cannot imagine my life without them. There seems to be a special bond that climbing cultivates and it is truly a magical thing.

Emma Hawko was named the captain of the McGill sailing team in 2022. (Emma Hawko / The McGill Tribune)

Alex Pantis’ brother, Liam Pantis, also plays on the McGill rugby team. (Matt Garies / The McGill Tribune)