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Over The Edge

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Gambling with Your Education

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Volume 20, Issue 11 overtheedgenewspaper.ca

February 26, 2014 ote-newspaper@unbc.ca

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Want more? Find us online: Harlem Globetrotters in Prince George Brady Stark | Contributor Photos by Elissa Doerksen | OTE

“Manileaks” part 1 : World Cup 2014 draw conspiracy theory Mani Samani | Contributor

Virtue and Moir settle for silver Brady Stark | Contributor

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Over The Edge is the University of Northern British Columbia’s independent newspaper. Our office is located on the 2nd floor of the NUSC building in room 6-350.We are an equal opportunity publication which represents students in the UNBC and Prince George community. Our publication supports student writing by welcoming news, arts, sports, culture and opinion articles as well as photography, comics, and creative writing submissions. Every year, we provide employment as editors, designers, and managers to students with a passion for journalism and are always looking for motivated individuals to work and volunteer in our collaborative environment. Over The Edge offers competitive advertising rates for space in our print publication as well as online.

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Student protests in Venezuela Nicole Halseth News Editor | ote-news@unbc.ca

ccording to the BBC, “At least three people were shot dead as violence erupted during anti-government protests in the Venezuelan capital, Caracas, on Wednesday.” This follows a series of protests against the policies of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. After around 10,000 people had already left what was a largely peaceful protest, two people were shot dead by men on motorbikes who opened fire on what was left of the crowd, and a third person died in later protests. Many of these protestors are students, and they marched to the federal prosecutor's office on 12 February “to demand the release of 13 protesters who they say were

illegally detained in previous marches.” Two of the victims who have been identified as the ones shot after the rally include Bassil da Costa, 24, and Juan Montoya. It is believed that da Costa was an anti-government protester, while Montoya was at the rally as a pro-government supporter. President Maduro blames the incidents on a “neo-fascist upsurge,” and claims that while he wishes for peace, he will not allow the violence to go unpunished. In a TV and radio broadcast, Maduro stated “There will be no coup d'etat in Venezuela, you can be absolutely sure of that, let the whole world know that.” However, there is still strong oppositional support, and politicians are calling for more protests despite the recent violent upswing.

One of these oppositional politicians is Caracas mayor Antonio Ledezma, who had this to say on the matter: “Just as we condemn the violent incidents, we say to all Venezuelan families that we have to remain ready to continue fighting, calmly but with determination.” He continued by saying “You have to know, Mr. Maduro, that whatever you do, what started today will not stop until change is achieved in peace and with democracy for all Venezuelans.”

in 2013,” in addition to having one of the highest murder rates in the world. Staple shortages, such as with supplies of milk and toilet paper, have also been incredibly common in recent times. Many blame the current government for this state of affairs, though opinions are incredibly divided throughout the country. The government, meanwhile, blames the current troubles on “saboteurs” and “profit-hungry corrupt businessmen.”

Protesters are calling for the resignation of the President amongst growing discontent. Among the strongest supporters for this anti-government movement include students from western states of Tachira and Merida. They claim that the lack of security and the failing economy need to be addressed.

For more pictures of the protests, and more information on the current situation in Venezuela, check out: http://www.bbc. co.uk/news/world-latin-america-26166094.

According to the BBC, “The country has the highest inflation rate in the region at 56.2%

These protests are being driven by students, and as fellow students in Canada, we can only hope that these protests remain as peaceful as possible, to avoid future deadly violence.

News

Everest fees drop

Nicole Halseth News Editor | ote-news@unbc.ca

ees for climbers on Mount Everest will drop substantially, in a bid to attract more tourists to the world’s highest mountain. This move comes despite growing concerns over the increasing environmental impacts of the already crowded Everest during the high season. Head of Nepal’s Department of Mountains, Madhusudan Burlakoti, said that as of next year, it will cost $11,000 US per person to climb the mountain. Current regulations dictate that each climber must pay $25,000 US. However, larger parties pay $70,000 for a group of seven. This significantly discounted rate has encouraged climbers to team up, regardless of familiarity or experience, in order to pay less.Under the new rules announced on 14 February, each climber must pay the flat rate, and there will no longer be group discounts. On the subject, Burlakoti said “We hope to attract more climbers and also at the same time better manage the climbing teams. This will allow the smaller teams and individuals more freedom when they climb Everest.” wikimedia commons

The high fees for climbing Everest have long drawn criticism from skeptics who claim the rates only allow the very rich to have the opportunity to go up the mountain. As such, this price decline may be enthusiastically received by many around the world, despite the realities of how much money it may actually save mountaineers.

Project, responded to the move by saying “The government should have done a proper study of the impact before deciding to allow more climbers on the mountain. More climbers would naturally mean negative impact on the mountains.” He also claims that the old high fees helped regulate traffic on the mountain and keep tourism at a manageable level.

However, the move is not welcomed by everyone. Notably, environmentalists are already concerned about the pressures of tourism on the mountain. Should this price drop increase traffic on Everest, it is likely these pressures will also increase.

810 climbers attempted Everest from Nepal during the previous high season, last spring. From this, environmental impacts included garbage deposits from food wrappers, oxygen containers, and other climbing gear. According to the Globe and Mail, this litter has even led to Everest being referred to as “the world’s highest garbage dump.”

A leader of a non-profit group around Everest, Dil Bahadur Gurung of the Kathmandu Environment Education

Despite prompts for more regulation on the mountain, the Nepalese government has refused. According to the Globe and Mail, a prominent critic, Italian climbing legend Reinhold Messner, has even “called for Nepal to close down Everest for a few years for the mountain to rest and recover.” The Nepalese government collects $3.3-million annually just from the climbing fee. Additionally, the tourism from mountaineers on Everest brings a substantial boost to local economies and supports numerous livelihoods, such as those of tens of thousands of hotel owners, guides, and porters. The Nepalese government is also decreasing the climbing fees for the eight (of 14) other highest peaks in the world that also reside within the country.

According to the head of a governmental review committee on the subject, Ang Tshering, “the government plans to more strictly monitor climbers to make sure they bring down all their climbing gear, food wrappings and oxygen cylinders.” Tshering continued by stating that “Our focus has been on minimizing the negative impact on the environment in the Everest region.” If you cannot get enough of the ice and snow, or if you have been thinking of climbing Everest but have been held back by the high prices of the past, this could be your chance to climb the world’s highest peak for less! Best of luck to all those brave adventurers.

News 5

Search & Rescue tax break Nicole Halseth News Editor | ote-news@unbc.ca

nder the new federal budget, revealed on 10 February, volunteers for search and rescue organizations across Canada will be getting financial assistance to help them pay for the high costs of necessary equipment. The budget stated that volunteers with sufficient accrued hours with a search and rescue organization, a 200 hour baseline, will receive a tax credit each year. As such, volunteers with search and rescue organizations must keep good records of their hours. According to Prince George Search and Rescue president Jeff Smedley, “We volunteer time away from work and away from our families…a little bit of recognition from the government, it's going to be greatly appreciated.” He elaborated by stating that the cost of a basic search and rescue kit is around

$500, which contains only staples like a coat, boots, raingear, and compass. Should the volunteer wish or be required to include additional gear, such as swiftwater equipment or rope rescue devices, their costs grow exponentially. According to Smedley, a swift water set could cost up to $2,000 every five years per person. Additional annual costs, like radio licenses, also fall to the volunteers. Stan Mitchell, Prince George KPMG tax partner, claims the 15 per cent tax credit could save volunteers up to $450 per annum. According to the Prince George Citizen, “basic training for a search and rescue volunteer runs about 100 hours and there is ongoing annual training to ensure members keep up their skills,” and the local search and rescue division “averages about 25 calls a year, including local search and rescue operations and mutual aid calls in other parts of the province.” The initial advocate for this tax break is Prince George-Peace River MP Bob Zimmer. He received official recognition for his idea

Prince George Search and Rescue president Jeff Smedley

at the unveiling of the new budget in the House of Commons by Finance Minister Jim Flaherty. Zimmer explained his support for the idea by saying “These volunteers give countless hours to help those in need at their own expense, and this tax credit will help defer those costs.” This financial break will help search and

A New Partnership Nicole Halseth News Editor | ote-news@unbc.ca

NBC has formed a new partnership with Emily Carr University to provide a new northern teen arts program. This two week program, set to happen during the summer, is intended to offer youth in the north an opportunity to gain pre-university arts experience. Comparable experience was previously only available to interested youth in the Lower Mainland. According to The Citizen, the focus of this local seminar will be

Emily Carr University wordpress

“creative arts and their practical applications to topics like mapping, architecture, urban planning, community research and design.” Lisa Haslett, the continuing studies co-ordinator at UNBC, commented that “There is definitely going to be artistic skill development, but also some local cultural elements and learning techniques to understand your sense of community and your sense of place within our region.” Emily Carr has previously partnered with institutions in the north for a variety of programs, but this new partnership will be the first in a long time and represents the only current program the art university intends to pursue in the north. Emily Carr's dean of continuing studies, Sadira Rodrigues comments on the university’s participation by saying “[We have] an important role to play as a champion of high quality, innovative and integrated education within our province…What we offer to regional partners is efficient leverage of Emily Carr's institutional

rescue volunteers all across Canada provide a high quality of service without incurring unreasonable costs upon themselves. It is a welcome indicator of how much these dedicated individuals are appreciated for their continued hard work.

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reputation and expertise in art, design and media education, all toward community engagement and strategic growth [of our BC] creative economy.” According to Haslett, partnering with Emily Carr provides more opportunities to students and interested youth than a UNBC-only program of a similar nature would. Haslett added that “They [Emily Carr] have considerable drawing power of their own, based on a reputation they have built over many years. Emily Carr does something unique within Canada and certainly within BC, and UNBC also does something unique within Canada and certainly BC. This partnership, because of who we each are as institutions, can offer our region's students an educational experience that is world class.” A similar program is being offered by Emily Carr in Whistler, but officials from both organizations wanted to make sure that the UNBC program was northern-specific. Content for the summer program is set to be focused on Prince George’s unique context.

Emily Carr official Rodrigues elaborated on this by saying “Both programs are strategic, multi-stakeholder collaborations, and will coordinate participation and input from various relevant councils, community groups, cultural organizations and educational institutions,” in order to provide youth education that is “responsive to community needs and objectives.” The total projected cost of the art program is $1,500, and includes supplies and food. Registration opened with the UNBC Continuing Education department on 17 February. Both organizations hope to promote art-interest among northern youth, and hope to work together more in the future. UNBC students and faculty may well have an artistic summer to anticipate.

Culture Wages: A trending topic in North America Tyson Kelsall Culture Editor | ote-culture@unbc.ca

longside Barack Obama and the Democrats looking to raise the US federal minimum wage to $10.10 from $7.25,fair wages have come to the forefront of many political conversations around North America. In Seattle, Socialist Alternative party member and city councilor Kshama Sawant has been leading many protests fighting for a $15 minimum wage; these marches have begun to manifest themselves across the continent, including in Philadelphia and Toronto. Although the Toronto protests in YongeDundas Square, led by Ontario Federation of Labour and attracting over 150 people, was demanding a little less at $14 per hour. This is following the Wal-Mart and Fast Food

worker strikes which both occurred in the USA within the past few months. In midFebruary, the faculty at the University of Illinois went on strike for a fair wage. Many groups are demanding better pay around North America. With the income inequality gap continuing to grow, more people are starting to become unhappy. Students graduate only to work a job where they are paid below the poverty line more and more often. Tensions are intensifying between the capitalist class and the rest of the population. Additionally, the matter of a living wage has started to become more prominent. The Canadian Center for Policy Alternatives defines a living wage as “the minimum

Moose Mystery, B.C. Tyson Kelsall Culture Editor | ote-culture@unbc.ca

ver the next five years, the BC government will study at least 200 moose in the province's interior, including a large portion in the Prince George area. The BC government study shows that there has been an approximately 50% decline in moose population around Prince George since 2005, though the upcoming study will give a clearer picture of moose population change. Since the study is lengthy, results will not be prepared for a while, but as more insights are offered there will be room for change and growth. The study is hypothesizing that the factors of declining moose include: hunting pressure, predators, parasites, climate, and forestry-related changes. However, some have brought up the fact that a study in 2007 showed over 150 moose carcasses surrounding the railway between Endako and Smithers. This seems a large number of dead moose in the span of roughly only 200-250 kilometers. Critics say that CN Rail has not done enough to combat animal deaths by their trains.

Of course, investigating what is causing so much grief in regards to the lives of moose could lead to findings concerning other animals. It is more than likely, especially when it comes to things as big as the climate or fast moving trains, that other wildlife has been likewise affected. Aside from the Prince George area, there will be two other studies near Fort St. James and Kamloops (Bonaparte), although the study could grow upon itself as information is gathered. Of the staff included so far in the project, there will be eleven wildlife biologists, and the budget will be over two million dollars. In the end, the goal is about finding out what is causing moose decline, if it is really happening, and what can be done to change it.

hourly wage necessary for each of two workers in a family of four to meet basic needs and to participate in the civic/social life of their community.” In certain areas, including New Westminster, BC and Seattle, WA, the living wage has been implemented for public service employees, but has yet to be put in place for people working outside of the government. In Prince George, public service workers are paid above the living wage, which has been calculated to be $16.90, despite no binding legislation. Conservatives and other right-wingers argue that raising the minimum wage destroys jobs, especially with the corporate manufacturing sector looking for the cheapest labour on a global scale. However, the most familiar argument against cheap

labour is that the lowest paid workers will be able to spend more money, hence creating an economic stimulus, and will either leave the job market relatively the same or slightly better. If the latter argument holds true, it is also important to recognize that raising the minimum wage will be improving the lives of many people. For instance, it is assumed that roughly 28 million people in the USA are making less than $10.10 per hour, according to the Economic Policy Institute. It was perhaps comedian Chris Rock who summed it up best, early in his career: “I used to work at McDonald's making minimum wage. You know what that means when someone pays you minimum wage? You know what your boss was trying to say? ‘Hey if I could pay you less, I would, but it's against the law.’”

Culture 7

We want Candy! Nahid Taheri Contributor

tand on a crowded commuter train in Prince George, New York, Paris, London, Tokyo, or Berlin and you will see a multitude of people, goldfish-mouthed, eyes glazed, deeply breathing, fixated on one thing only: getting rows of red jelly beans and orange lozenges to disappear. Candy Crush Saga is a match-three puzzle game which was released for Facebook at first and then for smartphones by the King game company in 2012. Candy Crush Saga has overtaken Angry Birds to be the world's most popular game, hitting the top spot on Facebook, iOS, and the Android Play store. According to developer King, there are more than 66 million players

Kin

worldwide, with more than 15 million of those playing Candy Crush Saga on Facebook on a daily basis. Since the game launched, Candy Crush Saga players have spent the equivalent of 103,000 years playing the game. Over 1 trillion candies have been crushed, which is more than the stars in the Milky Way. The game has been installed more than 500 million times across Facebook, iOS, and Android. It's so popular that, according to the studio, one out of every 23 Facebook users is a fan of the game. King has taken advantage of a change in the way people play video games. There was a time when a particular demographic was overrepresented among gamers - young men at home, using consoles. The advent of smartphones and tablets has changed gaming - so much so that the typical Candy Crush Saga player is a woman aged 25-45. Some people's devotion to the game leads to them changing their smartphone's internal clock so that they get more lives, an all-important (and scarce) commodity doled out at regular intervals. One gamer, a

UNBC student, claims that he sometimes stays awake until 4am to finish more levels. There have been plenty of games that follow the same basic format as King's creation; however the function of the game, and the way it rations lives, has been carefully crafted by King to provide maximum enjoyment, and to keep people coming back for more. Players regularly

check the countdown until their next life is released and they can play on. It is precision-engineered addiction, and it has resonated with the public. Because it is so user friendly to access, and due to it’s colourful graphics, the game makes users calm and happy. This is an addictive game; we want more candies, and we want to crush them.

Hamilton becomes a sanctuary city Tyson Kelsall Culture Editor | ote-culture@unbc.ca

ollowing Toronto's lead, Hamilton has now become Canada's second “sanctuary city,” a title that means undocumented newcomers can access city services without fear of deportation, including shelters, food banks, and the like. Hamilton's city council voted in the motion unanimously. Since immigration is a federal law, the municipality has the power to decide whether or not to enforce the law with their resources, which

they will no longer do. Brad Clarke made a statement saying, “the council has a duty to care.” Federal Conservative Immigration Minister Chris Alexander, as was reported by the Sun News Network, came out firmly against Hamilton's decision. Alexander said that people in Canada illegally should “go home”; and added that there should be no enticement for migrants to “abuse” Canada's immigration program. Sun News also reported him saying, “We are reforming our immigration programs, to

make sure that people who come here end up coming in record numbers.” However, undocumented residents in Canada are some of the most marginalized in the country. Hamilton's city council defended their position by stating they wanted to create a place of safety for their fellow humans. Over 100 people who wrote to the city council requested they accept the motion. In Toronto, when the city council voted

and accepted it a year previous, a full gallery gave them a standing ovation; it was received by a 37-3 vote. Critics then said undocumented residents do not deserve any government treatment. Since this is a municipal ruling, there are still many limits to what they can receive, such as everything under provincial or federal jurisdiction, like social assistance. In theory, it is only about the safety of each individual. Hamilton and Toronto join other cities across America who have had similar rulings, including Chicago and San Francisco.

Hamilton, ON wiki commons

The

Feature

$cholarship$

& Bursaries :

Choosing to Gamble at UNBC Devon Flynn Contributor

’m very grateful to say that I’ve been fairly successful in receiving scholarships and bursaries during my five years at UNBC. The university, as well as the community of Prince George, make available an abundance of scholarships and bursaries to be taken advantage of by a wide range of students. Though these awards may not always be prominent or in your face, I assure you they are out there, and they’re up for grabs. For those of you who don’t know, there is a difference between scholarships and bursaries; scholarships are awarded based on scholarly merit – the better grades you achieve, the more likely you are to be rewarded. Bursaries, on the other hand, are given

on the basis of financial need, sometimes requiring applicants to meet certain geographical or demographic criteria. It’s becoming more common that both demand you also have to be an exemplary volunteer and be involved in the community. I’ve had several friends come up to me and ask, “Devon, how do I apply for bursaries?” The first thing I tell them when applying, which somehow still manages to surprise them, is just that – apply! You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take. That may seem very cliché, but it’s also extremely accurate. It’s also how I first began getting into bursary writing. When I was younger, my parents and teacher encouraged me to enter a writing contest. While it was very imaginative, I didn’t feel what I had was an amazing piece of writing and wasn’t confident it would be chosen. They suggested that perhaps the other entrants felt that way too. I quickly realized that if everyone held the same negative thought of rationalization I had and chose not to apply, then maybe the winner would be the one person who applied. Homer Simpson said it well:

“The two sweetest words in the English language! De-fault!” It’s pretty freakin’ sweet when you’re on the receiving end of those default situations, but you have to make that first step. This is particularly true for university students where you are a lot less likely to have mommy and daddy kissing your ass and filling out those award applications for you. I’ve seen it before when I graduated from secondary school: class dummy wins a hefty bursary and he doesn’t even know what for. It was because his dear mother did all the paperwork for him. The worst part was he let it sit and expire because he was too busy partying and never even went on to college or university. While I strongly believe scholarships and bursaries should be available to a range of people and not just the academic elite, I also believe they should be rewarded to those who deserve them and work their asses off. So to those of you who are eager to pursue educational goals, as well as the financial means of achieving those goals, bursaries and scholarships are a great way to go! Just because you apply for

them doesn’t mean you automatically get them, bingo-bango. No, the stark reality is your application gets you the chance to be awarded a bursary or scholarship, something I’ve come to realize feels a lot like a form of gambling. Allow me to explain.

require. And finally, you may or may not need reference letters which I find to be the most time-consuming actually: contacting possible references, providing them with additional information that makes you look good, and running around to grab the letters from them.

Just like gambling, applying for awards can rely on a degree of luck. As I had mentioned earlier, the fewer people who apply, the greater the chance you have of winning, regardless of academic or extracurricular merit; it’s like a draw. However, most scholarships and bursaries require a bit more work and skill. I’ve found these tend to fall into two tiers of applications: there’s the basic application, and the extensive application. The basic application is where you are required to provide typical contact information, what program you’re in, goals and aspirations – about as much information as you might expect to see on your average Facebook profile. You may also be asked to write a small essay on a chosen topic like your future career goals or modern day issues, but these are usually short, simple, and demand nowhere near the work a class assignment might

Not the most demanding of requirements, eh? A fairly simple process you could squeeze in between classes and work. But you’re a gambler, and broke to boot. A horrible combination, and perhaps interrelated, but what do I look like, your gambling counsellor? Tuition is up, and student loans suck. So it’s time to up the ante and win…err….apply for some big money! The next tier of bursary and scholarship applications are biggies. You’ve likely seen or heard of these before: The Terry Fox Humanitarian award; the UNBC Scholars award. These are worth several thousands of dollars and more or less considered a free ride because they cover so much of your expenses. As I mentioned earlier, bursaries and scholarships are like gambling, and now it’s time to play some high-stakes

9 poker. The payout is big here, so unlike smaller bursaries and scholarships, you will not be winning by luck. Unlike basic applications, these applications are hard work. You need sublime reference letters that ooze recommendation out of every sentence; your future goals have to be so altruistic and admirable, they’d make Mother Teresa cry; your extracurricular activities and work experience need to have such range and commitment, you might as well give up on the thought of ever sleeping; and your essay (and yes, there will be an essay) needs to be succinct and eloquently written, it should make Mark Twain weep. I thought I did a lot of activities in my spare time – hell no! If you look at the bios of recipients of these big-payout bursaries and scholarships, you would almost expect to see they donated their kidney to a disabled man while feeding the homeless and coaching children’s soccer within the span of a day! They’re the kind of people you want to punch in the face for being so amazing and likeable, but you also want to hug and shake their hand for being so amazing and likeable. Let me be frank – these people absolutely deserve these kinds of payouts. They work their ass off to get to where they are, and that deserves great recognition. But if you want to apply for the same big-pay bursaries and scholarships as them, then you need to step up your game. So here are some helpful tips to help you apply for bursaries and scholarships, whatever kind you may come across: Tips: Apply! Practice makes perfect, and soon you’ll be whipping out applications in no time. Whether you’re applying for simple one-off awards like coins in a slot machine, or hoping for a royal flush at the big-league poker table, you have to play to win. The more difficult the application, the less likely people will apply. Don’t limit yourself. It’s like applying for a job; you never know when you’ll land that job out of your league. That being said… If you don’t think you can match what the top-tier applicants are bringing to the table for large bursaries and scholarships, then do what it takes so you can! Join a club, volunteer, save a kitten from a burning tree, whatever plumps up that academic resume and makes you look good. Save everything. Don’t treat every application with the same “cut and paste” shortcut, but be aware that similar questions are asked often on applications. It can save you a lot of time when you can reuse a lot of information over again, like a list of volunteer activities or future goals. Apply for niche awards. These are the odd awards that you’ve never heard of and are offered by some obscure group in the

community, but are available to anyone. The local clown college throwing a few hundred bucks to any student willing to write on the merits of juggling? Pick up those balls and start practicing, there’s money on the line. These awards are helpful actually when you need to… Set yourself apart from the competition. If you can’t do that through impressive extracurricular experience or grades, you better make damn sure you’re a more skilled and convincing writer or speaker than the other applicants. Know the “risks.” I use the word “risk” here as I still want to reiterate my analogy of gambling. You are not guaranteed anything. However, the higher the risks, the higher the payout. Bursaries and scholarships are not a risk in losing money, only a gain. You do, however, gamble with the time and effort that comes from the application process and writing involved. Okay, there may also be a small fee for express shipping when hitting those close deadlines. The reality is, sometimes you will put a lot of work into an application and still won’t be chosen. That sucks, but that’s life. It’s like a job – just because you’re the most qualified doesn’t always mean you’ll get it. There are numerous reasons to why others may be chosen over you, and there’s a good chance you’ll never learn why. That’s not to say you’ll walk away empty handed. In the process of applying for bursaries and scholarships, you learn time management for short-notice deadlines; you hone your short essay writing skills; and you practice presenting yourself and communicating your thoughts to complete strangers, all of which I find to be extremely valuable in university. Hearing all the nice things your references said about you tends to leave you feeling pretty positive too. The UNBC Process: You’ve got the tips and tricks, now you just need to get started. Although UNBC has moved their Financial Aid office to the depths of the Student Registrar’s office where you can no longer flip through the big giant binder of awards or visit with Gloria Benazic (we miss you!) they have streamlined the application process and put much of it online, making it much simpler. Here’s what you do: Sign in to Student Online Services; click the top-right Awards and Financial Aid tab; and view your current awards and financial aid payments, the awards guide and their criteria, or begin filling in the application. Your general awards application requests basic information and can be filled in fairly quickly, but obviously the more effort you put into it, the better. This application acts as sort of a template which applies to a range of UNBC awards. If your “template” fits the requirements, you’re good to go,

and don’t need to do anything else but wait for a response. If you want to improve your chances for receiving awards or bigger awards, you need to provide more information in your application. If an award requests a little extra criteria beyond your basic information, like reference letters or a short essay, than those need to be provided. Often these can also work as one-shot templates which can save you time. For example: if ten different awards request a short essay on why you joined your program or your career goals, you only need to provide one essay. It will cover all of the awards and you don’t need to hand in ten copies of the same essay. Most important of all, read the criteria. Reading the fine print can make the difference between getting an award and not. It’s these awards that are often recycled back into circulation, giving students a chance to apply for them again. A couple months later, you may receive a wonderful letter from the UNBC Financial Office informing you you’ve been chosen as a recipient to an award; it’s like winning the lottery! They will request you respond with an acceptance of the award. I’m pretty sure nobody has ever declined an award. “Free money, no thanks!” Pft, as if. They also ask you send the award donor a thank you card if requested. I’ll be blunt, this should not be

optional. A group or organization gave you free money; you bloody well write them a sincere thank you card! In regards to this coveted letter you may receive, you best make sure you have your mailing information correct. Currently, correspondence for these acceptance letters does not utilize emails. I’ve been in the situation where I’ve almost missed an acceptance deadline because I was unavoidably between places of stay and never received the letter. However, the Financial Aid Office staff is working hard at improving the awards system in hopes of fully transitioning the application process – including notifications - online. So there you have it, the nitty-gritty reality of applying for bursaries and scholarships. The deadline for this year’s awards application is 1 March 2014, so be sure to get those reference letters and extra writings done early. I tell you this now because I always forget the deadline until a few days before, until I’m fortunately reminded by one of my peers. I literally had to run down the hall one year to get my application into the office before it closed! As I’m graduating this year, I won’t have to worry about award deadlines anymore. I graciously leave those available awards to the remaining hard-working and dedicated students of UNBC who deserve them.

UNBC Life Kelley’s “Korner:” fanpop.com

Come to Clone Club Kelley Ware Finance Manager | ote-finance@unbc.ca

very once in a while, a television show comes on that hooks you so much you simply have to share it with everyone. For me, that show is currently Orphan Black, a Canadian science-fiction thriller distributed by BBC America. Earlier this month, our production coordinator, Isabelle, came up to me to say she ended up watching the show. This made me realize I want to share this television show with more than just my close friends. So this issue's Kelley's Korner is all about why you should start watching Orphan Black before the season two premiere on 19 April. Orphan Black follows Sarah Manning, a con artist and thief who arrives home after a period on the run to see her daughter. In the subway station, Sarah witnesses the suicide of a well-off woman who looks just like her - Elizabeth Childs. Being in a less than desirable situation herself, Sarah realizes she can benefit from Beth. By switching identities, she can capitalize

on Beth's $75,000 bank account and free herself from the people after her by letting them identify Beth as her and assume she is dead. This is where the real story kicks off. Once Sarah assumes Beth's identity she gets pulled into a conspiracy that she was not expecting. Beth was not a long lost twin that Sarah assumed she was. They are clones, and there are more of them. Not only that, but someone has been hunting them down. Orphan Black's first season is a ten episode long roller coaster. It takes a rather clichéd and overdone science-fiction theme and does it right. It not only gives excitement with twists and turns paced out perfectly to keep your attention, but also explores interesting themes of the moral implications of cloning and its impacts on the idea of personal identity. The true success of Orphan Black is its choice

in casting. At the forefront of the show is Tatiana Maslany, a Regina native who is absolutely stunning in this show. This is a woman who gets to play four different main characters - one of which is pretending to be another person half the time - and several other supporting characters. This is the make-or-break point of the show. What could have been flat, cliché, and corny ends up setting the show apart and brings it into the realm of amazing. Each of these clones are their own person and are fleshed out so uniquely. From a British punk to a soccer mom, bohemian scientist, or crazed Ukrainian zealot, these characters are all so unique and interesting in their own way. Tatiana Maslany brings such life to each of them, playing these different characters with different personalities and different accents, it is hard to believe that it is only one person. In the scenes where multiple clones are together, it is easier to believe that it is a group of triplets instead of one

person doing all the roles herself. The best example of Maslany's acting chops are scenes where one clone pretends to be another. Instead of falling flat, it is so believably one character, with their own quirks and mannerisms, trying to copy those of another. It is truly unbelievable and Maslany's talent alone is reason enough to watch this show. Even though it is mid-semester and assignments are due, I highly recommend you start watching this show. It is the perfect time to get caught up, with the second season beginning in April. It is still small, but it is already being recognized. Maslany was even nominated for a Golden Globe. And with a first season that is only ten episodes long, it is not nearly the commitment it could be. Ten hours is all it asks of you, but it will get you hooked after the first.

Vote in the NUGSS election! Tyson Kelsall Culture Editor | ote-culture@unbc.ca

t is the election season for the University of Northern BC's Northern Undergraduate Student Society. The campaign period is running until 2 March, with a voting station being set up for 3 and 4 March. Winning candidates will serve from April 2014 until March 2015. This is the undergraduate student population's opportunity to shape what is done with the $65 society fee they individually pay each year. However, previous election days at UNBC have not attracted as much of the student body as it should have. In fact, last election only 403 votes were cast, contrasted with UNBC having roughly 3300 undergraduate students. Voting is an important

mechanism in showing the board and executives of NUGSS what students want, as is engaging with the people who are hoping to run NUGSS. On 27 February, speeches will be held by candidates to display their platform, attending this is an important step in deciding on how to place your vote. On 14 February, NUGSS released the final list of nominations. Incumbent President Alden Chow will be challenged by Angela Kehler, the current Academic Representative; Danielle Dysserinck and Carlin Haines will both run for VP of Finance; Amarilys Ducharme and Kelley Ware will run for VP of Student Affairs; William Clyne and David Clarkson will run for VP External; while Shawn Caldera will be uncontested for VP Social, as will Molly Fredeen for Academic Rep, and Mia

Pupic for Women's Representative. Michael Watson and Mark Monroe will each run for Assistant Directors of Sustainability and Events, respectively. Students often have a range of criticisms for the university. This year for instance, there have been mutterings of frustration towards the new food services contract and the lack of consultation; or the narrative that has run across the years that students have too many fees for things they do not use. Regardless if one agrees or disagrees with these things, it is important to elect people that align with students' beliefs, and the more students who vote the stronger chance is that this will happen. Looking further ahead, if students start becoming more involved with NUGSS, the more potential NUGSS has in playing

a bigger role. Not only is it likely that more people will run as the importance of NUGSS elections starts to expand, but the more participation the students have the stronger the society will be in influencing decisions that UNBC makes. Historically, student unions have played an important role in advocating for what happens within a university, but only when the student collective is large and engaged. One of the recent and largest examples, of course, being the student strikes of 2012 in Québec, which halted tuition increases. Beyond that, it can be argued that UNBC is filled with some of the most progressive and/or innovative minds and people of the Prince George community, so the stronger the voice that NUGSS can be is important to how they can affect the town in which they are grounded.

A completely biased prediction of:

Arts

2014

Laura Mooney Arts Editor | ote-arts@unbc.ca

ith the king of all award shows rapidly approaching, the film industries best and brightest are prepared to battle it out at the 86th annual Academy Awards. Airing on Sunday 2 March 2014, host Ellen DeGeneres will once again lead the audience through a night honouring achievements in filmmaking, where those films that are the most deserving will take home the coveted golden man to place on actors', directors', and all of the forgotten support staff's mantles. While the upcoming night is exciting for us film buffs, speculating about who will be those lucky few to take home the award is even more fun.

For months now, everyone from high class news reporters to gossip columnists have cast their vote as to who will be the top winners come Oscar night, and for once, there is quite the deviation between preferences. So in order to join in on the Oscar prediction fun and to provide a helpful guide for readers on Oscar night, here is a completely biased look at the nominees and who will (or should) win the academy award. First let us start with the supporters, actors and actresses that is. While being nominated for best supporting actor or actress kind of seems like the “oh yeah, they were in that movie too” award, this usually uneventful category has been stirring up a bit of drama this year, with the two supporting actress front runners, Jennifer Lawrence (American Hustle) and Lupita Nyong'o (12 Years a Slave) nearly neck and neck. What this basically means is that throughout the award season, these two nominees have both collected a handful of awards each; Lawrence got the Golden Globe and Nyong'o got the SAG, so the clues as to will win the Oscar are still up in the air. Typically in the past, those who win the Golden Globe go on to win the Oscar, but this year may not be so straightforward. While Lawrence's performance as Christian Bale's jaded ex-wife in American Hustle was good, when compared to her Oscar winning

performance in last year The Silver Linings Playbook, it honestly falls a bit flat. There is no doubt that the young actress has talent, but in this year’s case the award will most likely go to Nyong'o simply for the political aspect and the sheer passion she put into her role as Patsey, a woman in the time of slavery. As for best supporting actor, 30 Seconds to Mars frontman Jared Leto has it in the bag for his turn as a gay transvestite in Dallas Buyers Club. Seriously, if you have not yet experienced this film, drop everything and see it now simply for Leto's performance. Next is the much more concrete category of best actor and actress in a leading role. Without question, the award for best actress will, and should, go to Cate Blanchett for her role as a ruined socialite who suffered a severe mental breakdown. The world already knew that Blanchett was a fabulous actress, but there is something about this role that solidifies that fact. The scenes in which a broken Blanchett is sitting on a bench talking to herself, still in her designers clothing from her past life, are heartbreaking. Seriously, give this woman all of the Oscars, just hand them over.

Oscar season. While many are rooting for Chiwetel Ejiofor, with his performance as Soloman Northrup in 12 Years a Slave, the only award he has taken home so far has been the BAFTA, which admittedly is not the best indicator for the Oscar winner. The other clear favourite to win is Leonardo DeCaprio with his performance as the raucous Jordan Belfort in The Wolf of Wall Street. Although DeCaprio is long over due for an academy award, and even though his performance was incredibly good, he is up against some stiff competition this year. At this point, if he wins, it would just feel as though the academy was giving him the award to make up for the one he should have won back in 2007 for The Departed. So does anyone remember when Matthew McConaughey was just known as that creepy older guy who cat-called at young girls in Dazed and Confused? Me neither. As of this year that image has been completely erased and Matthew McConnoisseur was born. With his turn as a straight, homophobic cowboy who finds out he has AIDS in Dallas Buyers Club, McConaughey is my personal favourite and looks as though he stands a good chance at winning after proving he can perform in a drama like a champion.

Now best actor is a bit more complicated, and here is where the matters of personal preference begin to show in this year’s

Best director? Alfonso Cuaron, no questions asked. Gravity was beautifully shot, and was a visual masterpiece (but that is about it).

Cuaron will win. Finally the big one. The king of all categories, the champion of the night. The award for best motion picture. With a whopping nine nominees, the best picture category is always the most debated and surprising category of the year. With some of the nominees seeming as though they are only there to be fillers (here is looking at you Captain Phillips), the race for the award is only between a few contenders. For months now critics have been claiming that American Hustle will claim the prize without question, but after watching the movie, it really makes me question those critics' sanity, as well as why the film is even in the category in the first place. Sure, American Hustle is a good movie, but Oscarworthy? I do not think so. Instead, due to its dramatic nature, political message, and overall amazingness, 12 Years a Slave should be the one to win for best picture. Although secretly I am rooting for the epic man and machine romance film Her, but I will admit that one is a bit of a long shot. So when Oscar night arrives, gather around the television, cheer on your favourites, make your predictions, and know that in a mere week’s time, all of these films will be long forgotten.

Arts

The Tonight Show welcomes Jimmy Fallon Laura Mooney Arts Editor | ote-arts@unbc.ca

or a man known for laughing in every Saturday Night Live sketch he has ever been in, Jimmy Fallon has admittedly made quite the name for himself, and on 17 February 2014 he was officially welcomed as the host of The Tonight Show. Taking over for Jay Leno, who had previously hosted for 22 years, the SNL alumni showed the world that although he had moved from the popular Late Night With Jimmy Fallon, to admittedly a much more prestigious show, Fallon was still bringing his unique brand of humour and own personal flare to his new television home. Fallon opened the show in typical late night television form. He told some selfdeprecating jokes, gave the audience a bit of his backstory, and then jokingly said that his buddy “who knew who they were” now owed him $100 for never believing Fallon would host The Tonight Show. While the audience chuckled at the joke, a sheepish Tina Fey crept out from the side stage curtain, while the crowd erupted into raucous applause and laughter, and placed

a $100 bill on Fallon's desk. But the joke did not end there. Out from behind the curtain stepped Lady Gaga, Sarah Jessica Parker, Mike Tyson, Stephen Colbert, and even Kim Kardashian, each rolling their eyes in mock disdain. All of this occurred with the initial ten minutes of the show, and before Fallon even had his first guest out. Viewers and producers alike knew then that they were looking at the next great Tonight Show host. Fallon's humour was not the only thing that was brought over from his previous gig on Late Night. Fallon's much beloved band The Roots, as well as his ever-trusty sidekick Steve Higgins who had accompanied Fallon during his time on Late Night, became a pivotal part of Fallon's act, and had also made connections with their viewing audience, who followed them. While it was unknown for a period of time whether or not Fallon would be able to bring his cohorts over to The Tonight Show, fans were overjoyed to see the familiar faces yet again alongside Jimmy Fallon. The show continued with Fallon and his first guest, Will Smith, performing a spoof of the popular viral video “The Evolution

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of Dance” with their own version entitled “The Evolution of Hip- Hop” in which Fallon and Smith danced their way through some of the world's most popular hip- hop moves such as the “make it rain” all the way to the lesser known moves like “pick up all that money because that's all you had.” The sketch was funny, and proved that The Tonight Show would be the same old Fallon, just with a different name. In perhaps the most touching and real moment of the show, Fallon finished interviewing Will Smith and sat with the first musical guest of the season, U2. Instead of the typical stage performance,

the members of U2 remained seated on the sofas, and performed a semi-acoustic rendition of their Oscar nominated song “Ordinary Love,” the perfect intimate end to the beginning of Fallon's new era. So while Jay Leno was an icon and will always be remembered for his time on The Tonight Show, Fallon is a welcome change to a fairly steady late night model, and is sure to bring in more comedy and heart than any late night program in recent years, and will prove to the world that he is called “the Johnny Carson of this generation” for a reason.

Goodnightmare Laura Mooney Arts Editor | ote-arts@unbc.ca

icture the scene; a quiet night curled up at home, glass of wine in hand, and a perfect harmony playing in the background. These are the images stirred up when first listening to the soft, melodic tones of Goodnightmare, and the emotions conjured are anything but a nightmare. From its humble beginnings in 2012, Goodnightmare has been the sole project of Prince George born and raised musician Britt Meierhofer, and has gained a loyal following as she prepares to release her first EP on 4 March 2014. The self-titled EP, while only featuring three songs, is filled with a heavy folk tone, and contains more emotion than many other chart topping albums released this year. With her unique use of loop and effect pedals, Meierhofer is able to create symphonic sounds, as though you were listening to an entire orchestra while knowing it is only a one-woman act. The loop and effect pedals, while not widely

used, enable the singer to record multiple sounds one at a time, and then play them back creating the illusion of background singers or accompanying sounds that correspond to the song. Essentially, the final product is a singular source that sounds like a full band. This tactic used by Goodnightmare produces beautifully creative sounds that lull the listener in with its depth and drama; it is difficult to believe that one very talented woman does it all. Each track on the EP, while all consisting of a distinct folk sound, still embodies its own unique feel and distinct qualities. From the melodious “Burn Out,” to the hypnotic track entitled “No Use,” one cannot help but get a glimpse into Meierhofer's world, and the passion that she puts into her music. It is the type of music one hears from a musician of great experience; perhaps Meierhofer has her six years of touring around Canada and the United States to thank for that. Even the origins of Goodnightmare consist of that very same depth and drama that

facebook.com/goodnightmare

is put into the music, with Meierhofer crediting the creation of the band to “a bottle of Shiraz and a book of lyrics” all during one dark, and very productive night. While any band whose origin story begins with a bottle of wine is bound to be great, the fact that Goodnightmare is from our very own city makes it even better. Although Meierhofer left Prince George

not long after graduating high school, she has chosen her hometown as host to her EP release party, where her talents will no doubt be showcased for music lovers from all over town. So on 4 March 2014, experience Goodnightmare in person at Nancy O's, and settle in for a night of relaxation and great local folk music from a very talented local woman.

Sports

bigfuntours.com

The High Risks of Snowmobiling in the North Laura Mooney Arts Editor | ote-arts@unbc.ca

he mountains in Northern British Columbia are undoubtedly a sight to behold. Looming in the distance they look nearly untouchable to the average Northerner, but to us they have become a beautiful backdrop and a part of our Northern lives. There are brave groups of people to whom the mountains become more than just scenery, they become a playground filled with twists and turns, where the bravest are commended for their acts, but do not always leave unscathed. Over the years, snowmobiling, or sledding, has become a winter staple for many of those who live in snowy climates with many of them having ridden sleds for their entire lives. As of recently, the increase in injuries and deaths related to sledding in the mountains has become more prominent, and has caused many seasoned riders to question whether it is even worth it anymore to venture up into the dangerous peaks.

In most recent news, Chris McCoy, a resident of Sylvan Lake was killed near Revelstoke, BC in an avalanche after trying to help a fellow rider who had become stuck in the snow. This has been the second report of a death due to sledding just this year, with the previous death occurring near Valemount in January. While the men were all properly equipped and had avalanche beacons, the conditions were poor due to recent snowfall, and had even been updated as being high risk areas by the Canadian Avalanche Center not long before the men's arrival. Each incident alone was incredibly tragic, but the common thread between each death is that each man who was killed was quoted as “living for sledding” because of their passion for the sport. This passion that the men felt is no doubt understandable, but is it really worth a day of riding when your life is put in jeopardy? Especially when the day turns to tragedy and lives are lost? Snowmobiling in high-risk areas has only been an issue within the past ten years or

so. With a massive rise in the popularity of the sport, that alone would mean the chances of fatalities occurring would be more likely. However, that is not the only cause. Over the years, huge developments with sledding gear, such as the avalanche beacon, and more powerful sleds than ever, have led to a rise in risk-taking amongst riders. Essentially, since they believe their machine is powerful enough to pull the rider out of sticky situations, they choose to take part in high-risk activities, such as going into banned areas and high risk zones. According to information released by the Canadian Avalanche Center (CAC), in Northern British Columbia, within the last five years alone, there have been over 50 deaths relating to sledding in the mountains. Seeing as a sledding season typically runs from November to March, that means that in a five month span there are approximately ten deaths that occur each year, mostly due to high-risk behaviour. Thankfully, the CAC has made it their top

priority to ensure the safety of riders all over Canada. In an article in the Calgary Sun, CAC member Mary Clayton claimed, “We're getting somewhere in building a culture of avalanche awareness…we're building a knowledge base among the people that go in the backcountry, but also their loved ones.” Although the CAC claims the numbers of high-risk sledding deaths are declining, the question still remains, why do riders continue to choose these areas to ride in when they are being made well aware of the potential risks? It is an unfortunate circumstance when it takes a number of deaths to change the way a person thinks, but hopefully if one positive can come from men like Chris McCoy's death, it is that it will change the minds of many people who regularly snowmobile in high risk, mountain areas, believing that nothing could go wrong. All it takes is a bit of discretion and the right equipment, in order for countless lives to be saved.

Sports One Last Shot for Winter Sports

Mark McMorris with bronze medal canada.com

Laura Mooney Arts Editor | ote-arts@unbc.ca

Mark McMorris braves rib injury for bronze Brady Stark Contributor

anada’s Mark McMorris snowboarded his way into the countries’ hearts with his gutsy performance in the Men’s Snowboard Slopestyle competition at the Sochi games. One week before the Olympic games, McMorris was competing at the 2014 Winter X-Games in Aspen, Colorado. A medal favourite in the competition, McMorris had two solid runs that saw him take second spot going into the final run of the day. Fellow Canadian Max Parrot was sitting in the first place spot. Seen as the best in the world for the slopestyle discipline, McMorris wanted to capture first place in order to ride a hot streak going into the Olympics. The start of his last run went like clockwork, as he executed the first two rail sections with ease, but then disaster struck. McMorris jumped awkwardly onto the last rail before heading onto the jump portion of the course. His body crashed against the rail with such force that fans and onlookers instantly knew something was very wrong. Not only were people worried for his safety but also for his Olympic hopes. The next day, the snowboarding world was holding their breath, waiting to find out the extent of McMorris’ injuries. McMorris’ Olympic dreams were in jeopardy when he found out that he had broken a rib. That’s when his Olympic story truly began. Going against doctors’ orders, McMorris vowed he would compete for his country at the Sochi games. Upon arriving at the games, he exclaimed to the media and his fans that his ribs were healing better than expected and that he would once again be a threat for a gold medal. Having his sport make its debut in the Olympics was motivation enough for him to brave the course of Rosa Khotar Extreme Park. There are three rounds that the boarders have to go through in order to have a chance at a medal: qualification,

semifinal and final. Mark McMorris stood at the starting gate looking as poised as ever to show why he is considered the best in the world at what he does, but then disaster struck again as he fell trying to complete the last jump. One could see on his face that all was not well with his body as every breath looked as though it was a struggle. Unfortunately, the fall that he had endured cost him the chance to advance straight to the finals, but his Olympic medal hopes were still alive. In the semifinals, Mark McMorris showed the world what he was made of and put up one of the top scores, an 89.25, to advance to the final day of snowboard slopestyle. The rest of the field was on notice as the number one ranked slopestyle boarder was poised to make Olympic history as the first Olympic champion in his field. Again, looking calm, cool, and collected at the starting gates, McMorris boarded his first two runs like magic as his height and trick tops garnered him second place going into the last run of his Olympic games. In slopestyle, the best score of three runs is the score that counts. Seeing that Sage Kotsenburg of the United States and Staale Sandbech of Norway had pushed him down to third in the standing, Mark McMorris put his bravery to the ultimate test. He started his last run with some great technical rails and then went onto the massive jumps that Rosa Khotar is now well known for, but then his gold medal dreams evaporated in one fateful moment as he tried a trick that had not been attempted before, but ended up falling on his back and unable to complete the run. Mark McMorris captured the Bronze medal and Canada’s first medal of the games. The bronze medal might as well be gold around his neck as every Canadian that followed his journey for the past few weeks knew the pressure and the pain that he was under. At such a young age, Mark McMorris is a shining example of how the Olympics can bring out the best in people no matter the obstacles that are in their way.

lowly but surely the cold weather is giving way and the once towering snow piles are diminishing day by day, but that does not mean that there is not one last opportunity to experience the best that Prince George has to offer for winter sports. No matter your preference, our fair city does have an extensive range of upcoming winter events for everybody no matter how wild or tame your favourite snowy pastime may be. For those of you who love to combine cross-country skiing with a little something sweet, then the Caledonia Nordic Cross Country Ski Club's upcoming event is for you. On 28 February 2014, for the first time the ski club will be hosting what they are calling a “Chocolate Race” at their Otway Road location. The event will consist of, naturally a cross- country race, followed by a chili dinner and of course, chocolate! All participants will be treated to the sweet surprise at the celebratory dinner, and if this was not enticing enough it is also an excellent way to enjoy the beautifully groomed trails we have right here in Prince George one last time before the season is complete. So make sure this is an event you mark on your calendars. If you have a bit of a wild streak and are not afraid to strut your stuff, in a sense, then experience the brisk winter air one last time by joining in on the fun at the UNBC Underwear Run. The three-kilometer run around UNBC and the surrounding area will

feature runners stripped down to their undergarments, (well, maybe undergarments over a pair of long johns) all to support and raise money for “below the belt cancers.” This is the first year that UNBC will be hosting the event in hopes to raise as much money as possible. So if you happen to love running, love good causes, and want to get out into the snow for a fun winter marathon, then grab your briefs and get out there! Finally, if ice skating is more up your alley, and you want to not only experience some great national talent as well as do some skating yourself, then come out to the Canadian National Championships: Short Track Speed Skating. From 14 March to 16 March 2014, Prince George will be the host to some of the country's finest up and coming speed skaters, who will be duelling for the chance to race in the World Championship in speed skating. The event will take place at the newly renovated Kin One near CN Centre, and will feature skaters as young as 15, all vying for a shot at national glory. Plus, if attending a professional skating event inspires you to put on a pair of skates yourself, then the free skate time at Kin One is the perfect way to show off your skills and dance around on the ice one last time before the skates are put away for the season. So although the birds are returning and the residents of Prince George are actually able to see the sun again, by no means should you count winter out just yet. There are still a number of great winter events and activities for all winter lovers to participate in while the snow still remains on the ground.

Personal Credits Notice

If you received a Common Experience Payment, you could get $3,000 in Personal Credits for educational programs and services. The Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement. The healing continues. Since 2007, almost 80,000 former students have received a Common Experience Payment (“CEP”) as part of the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement. CEP recipients are now eligible to receive non-cash Personal Credits of up to $3,000, for either themselves or certain family members, for educational programs and services.

Personal Credits of multiple CEP recipients can be combined to support a group learning activity. How can I get Personal Credits? Each CEP recipient will be mailed an Acknowledgement Form. If you do not receive an Acknowledgement Form by the end of January 2014, please call 1-866-343-1858. Completed Acknowledgement Forms should be returned as soon as possible and must be postmarked no later than October 31, 2014.

What are Personal Credits? Personal Credits may be used for a wide range of educational programs and services, including those provided by universities, colleges, trade or training schools, Indigenous Institutions of Higher Learning, or which relate to How do I redeem my Personal Credits? Once approved, you literacy or trades, as well as programs and services related to will be sent a personalized Redemption Form for each individual using Personal Credits at each educational Aboriginal identities, histories, cultures entity or group. Once the Form is received, or languages. CEP recipients have the option of provide it to the educational entity or sharing their Personal Credits with How much are Personal Credits? group listed. The educational entity or certain family members, such as: Adequate funds are available for each CEP group must then complete and mail back • Spouses • Children recipient to receive up to $3,000 in Personal the Redemption Form postmarked no later • Grandchildren • Siblings Credits, depending on your approved than December 1, 2014. educational expenses. Which educational entities and groups are included? A list What happens to unused Personal Credits? The value of of approved educational entities and groups has been jointly unused Personal Credits will be transferred to the National developed by Canada, the Assembly of First Nations and Inuit Indian Brotherhood Trust Fund and Inuvialuit Education representatives. If an educational entity or group is not on the Foundation for educational programs. list, please consult the website for more information. For more information, including how Personal Credits can be Will I receive a cheque? No. Cheques will be issued directly redeemed by certain family members of CEP recipients that are deceased, visit www.residentialschoolsettlement.ca or call to the educational entity or group providing the service. 1-866-343-1858. Who can use Personal Credits? CEP recipients can use the full amount themselves or give part or all of their Personal The IRS Crisis Line (1-866-925-4419) provides immediate and Credits to certain family members such as a spouse, child, culturally appropriate counselling support to former students grandchild or sibling, as defined in the terms and conditions. who are experiencing distress.

1-866-343-1858 • www.residentialschoolsettlement.ca

“

Participation is the key. Let’s reach our goal of 14%! Come see us at the Class Gift Kick Off March 4, 2014 in the Canfor Winter Garden.

– 2014 Class Gift Officers

Class Gift Challenge

Every Gift Makes a Difference

Participation

Reward

14% & higher

$4,000

10 - 13%

$3,000

7 - 9%

$2,000

5 - 6%

$1,000

We can do more by giving together so give what you can! If just over 100 people donate to the 2014 Class Gift 4 more students will benefit. Leave a legacy for fellow students by helping the Class Gift Bursary grow.

For more information visit unbc.ca/class-gift or talk to a Class Gift Officer: Alissa MacMullin, Deb Nielsen, and Jaspher Javison (L-R).

unbc.ca/class-gift