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SFU Queer Collective’s webinar tackles 2SLGBTQIA+ rights in universities
Pride Month kicks off at SFU as panel looks to improve queer inclusivity on campus and beyond
“We will always be here within these classes, so why is it not a normalized thing?” Mah said incorporating queer and trans experiences across curricula is more useful than confining learning to gender and sexuality classes.
On June 5, SFU Queer Collective held their first webinar since the organization’s revival earlier this year. The network includes SFU graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, faculty, staff, and alumni who hope to foster an inclusive environment for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community at SFU.
The online event focused on the role universities like SFU should play in creating spaces that welcome queer individuals, and combating the recent waves of anti2SLGBTQIA+ attitudes across the country. The panel included Jude Mah, coordinator for the SFSS’ Out On Campus department, Jen Marchbank, SFU gender, sexuality, and women’s studies professor, Norma Lize, trans activist and communications manager for Rainbow Refugee, and Mackenzie Kolton, director of learning for Egale Canada.
“We know that in other provinces, the conversations around the queer community this year is not very positive,” Lize said. For example, the Premier of Alberta, Danielle Smith, announced numerous anti-trans policies for queer youth in February 2024. This included a wide variety of restrictions for trans and non-binary youth, “banning name and pronoun changes at school,” and allowing the option to forgo discussions about the 2SLGBTQIA+ in classes.
Lize emphasized the importance of educators making classrooms safe and inclusive, and how universities should be training faculty on supporting 2SLGBTQIA+ students.
Speakers discussed “othering” effects in inclusivity curricula. Mah cited their own experiences of being othered while learning at SFU. Othering is a dialogue of “us vs. them,” made to exclude or insult groups of people. In the context of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, “feelings of otherness are fueled by the heteronormative structures” in society, which includes “the assumption that everyone is ‘naturally’ heterosexual,” rather than integrating the understanding that it shouldn’t be assumed whether someone is not queer.
Kolton added, “Oftentimes when curriculums are developed, it’s developed about a community — forgetting that that community is often sitting in the seats that you’re teaching to.”
At the institutional level, Kolton added it’s also important for senior leadership to uplift and make changes for students.
This is a larger systemic issue that involves partnership that goes beyond a pride presentation.
Kolton noted where she sees these programs often fall apart is when the university is too focused on checking a box rather than long-term change. “This is a larger systemic issue that involves partnership that goes beyond a pride presentation,” Kolton said. To create lasting impacts, Kolton stressed working with and listening to queer organizations.
“I’ve had a lot of international students who don’t necessarily have the words to talk about their identity, sexuality, or their gender, and they want to know themselves,” Mah said. “Growing up in small rural Alberta, I didn’t have the lingo that I have now, and didn’t come into my gender and sexuality until I was in university, so I think it can be really detrimental to students when we don’t offer that space for learning.”
“Brock University comes to mind with their name change policy. They launched and created that pilot within a year,” she said, referring to the university’s policy that no longer charges students to change their name on their student card. It was brought forth by student organizing. “This isn’t the time to take five–six years to implement [policies protecting queer students.] We have to act now.”
Lize noted universities can “issue clear and strong public statements” and “engage with policy makers to provide expert testimony, research, and data that support 2SLGBTQIA+ rights.”
Lize also mentioned the need for an intersectional lens in post-secondary inclusivity efforts, especially for asylumseekers and refugees in Canada. These communities have different accommodation needs such as specialized legal or mental health support networks, which are often inadequately supported by post-secondary institutions.
Mah added, “It’s really easy for universities to say they prioritize EDI [Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion] and that they’re inclusive and that they’re for the rights in supporting queer and trans students but I think it’s putting it into practice and actually acting on these in good faith that doesn’t always happen.” They also note that it’s been challenging to find institutional support through SFU given recent budget cuts. “The people we used to go to answer these complaints to fix [ . . . ] they’re no longer here, or they’re at capacity.”
Marchbank asked, “We get a lot of flag waving, but what happens in December?” in reference to a lack of year-round support for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community from post-secondary institutions, saying combating bigotry is larger than an annual parade walk.
“Prioritize what queer and trans students, staff, faculty are asking for,” Mah said. “At the end of the day, these are the most knowledgeable people. What their demands are, what their asks are — are pointing out the gaps in these systems. That’s where the universities should start with their policies.”
SFU Queer Collective hopes to expand the conversation regarding SFU’s role in fostering an inclusive community for 2SLGBTQIA+ people.
PHOTO: SOPHIE EMENY / UNSPLASH
MACKENZIE KOLTON · EGALE CANADA
KAJA ANTIC · STAFF WRITER
KELLY CHIA · PEAK ASSOCIATE
Over 200 Canadian charities found funding the Israeli occupation
Organizations and politicians are calling for a formal investigation into the matter
HANNAH FRASER · NEWS WRITER
On June 3, a public letter by Just Peace Advocates and the Canadian Foreign Policy Institute (CFPI) revealed over 200 Canadian charities have been funding Israel with a collective $237.5 million since 2022. This goes against the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)’s charity rules which note that donating money to the military or armed forces of another country is not considered charitable activity. Their letter is addressed to the Canadian government, asking them to enforce more rules on taxpayer-subsidized donations.
The Canadian petition e–4922 deems these donations “Canada’s most important contribution to Palestinian dispossession.” Recent findings have shown that Canadian organizations are receiving tax receipts, or tax-payer subsidized income tax breaks, for their donations to Israeli organizations and armed forces supporting the genocide in occupied Palestinian territories.
PATIENT PROTECTION
Protect Our Province BC holds briefing on COVID-19 infections in hospitals
Medical experts discussed how improving hospital air quality could protect patients
YASHITA DHILLON · PEAK ASSOCIATE PETRA CHASE · EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
On May 30, Protect Our Province BC hosted an online event where a panel of healthcare researchers discussed the prevalence of COVID-19 in healthcare settings, the lack of protective measures against its spread through the air, and its impact on vulnerable patients.
Protect Our Province BC is an organization of scientists, healthcare workers, and community advocates calling on BC’s health authorities to enforce evidence-based policies to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
The panellists included Dr. Victor Leung, who specializes in infection prevention. Leung explained healthcare-associated infections are acquired while receiving healthcare services, including at emergency, in-patient, and long-term facilities.
The discussion focused on the findings of a 2023 article in BC Medical Journal (BCMJ) about how high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filtration systems could help prevent the spread of airborne COVID-19. Studies show that “A HEPA filter filters 99.97% of aerosols,” which includes COVID-19. Multiple studies indicate that “HEPA purifiers were able to significantly reduce airborne SARS-CoV-2 [COVID-19].” The co-authors of
The CFPI “informs people about the country’s diplomatic, aid, intelligence, and military policies abroad.” Just Peace Advocates is an “independent human rights organization promoting Just Peace/Paix Juste through the rule of law and respect for human rights in Canada and around the world.”
Both organizations are focused on Canada’s involvement in Israel’s ongoing genocide against Palestinians, which has now killed over 37,000 and wounded 85,000. The UN noted, “In Gaza, half of the population — more than a million people — could face death and starvation by the middle of July.”
The June 3 public letter is addressed to Marie-Claude Bibeau, the Canadian minister of national revenue, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The Peak received a statement from the CRA on their registered charity rules. However, they noted, “The confidentiality provisions of the Act prevent the CRA from commenting on specific cases. As a result, the CRA cannot confirm or deny whether a registered charity is currently under audit.” They confirmed donating with “a purpose to promote a foreign military is not charitable. Beyond this, it becomes a question of fact whether a particular registered charity’s activities in any region furthers a charitable purpose or not.”
Taxpayer subsidies are tax credits received by donors when they donate money to eligible charities. More specifically, when these donors pay their taxes, they won’t have to pay a certain percentage of their income taxes depending on how much they’ve donated.
The HESEG Foundation has raised almost $200 million since 2007 to “assist non-Israelis who join that country’s military,” according to Just Peace Advocates. The “Canadian Zionist Cultural Association has raised $50 million since 1992.” In the last five years, over 11% of funds sent to other countries by Canadian charities were sent to Israel.
Karen Rodman, executive director of Just Peace Advocates, told The Peak, “We’re concerned and we want taxpayers to understand that.”
Niki Ashton, an MP for Churchill–Keewatinook Aski in Manitoba, wrote a letter to Minister Bibeau on May 27 asking for an “immediate investigation” into the situation and that “the status of any so-called charitable organization engaged in such activities have their charitable status revoked immediately.”
the article were also a part of the panel: anesthesiologist Dr. Susan Lee and palliative care worker Dr. Jean Warneboldt.
Lee and Warneboldt’s research found HEPA filters have the greatest impact when combined with other measures like medical masking and physical distancing.
Warneboldt spoke about how HEPA filters were initially implemented in the unit she was working in at the beginning of the pandemic but were removed when regional guidelines changed. There are no longer any “standardized indoor air quality standards,” with the Fraser Health Authority “actively removing the availability of HEPA filtration,” according to BCMJ In a statement to The Peak, the Fraser Health Authority said, "There is no requirement from any governing body for the use of portable HEPA filters in rooms other than those with specialized use," such as operating rooms. Mandatory masks were also removed from healthcare settings on April 8, despite community advocacy efforts from Protect Our Province, DoNoHarmBC, and Masks4EastVan, who highlight COVID-19 is not a seasonal virus.
“Guidelines are still focusing on contact and droplet transmission, emphasizing handwashing rather than clean air,” Dr. Susan Kuo, a family physician and moderator stated. She said many healthcare researchers and professionals in BC “still don’t acknowledge” that COVID-19 is airborne.
Lee recalled a moment at the beginning of the pandemic when Warneboldt told her several of her patients had died due to COVID-19 that was acquired in the hospital. “It deeply affected
me that our healthcare system could be potentially putting people at risk,” she said. “For some of these most vulnerable patients, the air in the hospital can be deadlier than the diagnosis that brought them in.”
Lee said sometimes it's forgotten that there continue to be patients who seek care in hospitals, and are vulnerable to COVID-19 exposures. Between May and June 2024, COVID-19 hospitalizations increased by 67%. While data on active COVID-19 cases is not currently available via the BC Ministry of Health, COVID-19 Resources Canada collects data from hospitals and wastewater reports of COVID-19 for weekly updates. They estimate that 1 in 73 people were infected in BC between June 8 to 21.
COVID-19 disproportionately impacts vulnerable patients with weakened immune systems and can develop into Long COVID. Long COVID can persist months after COVID-19 contraction and can affect healthy and vaccinated individuals — the risk of Long COVID increases with each infection. Long COVID is a condition with various symptoms including severe fatigue and weakness, and immune dysregulation. It can increase the risk of heart failure and stroke. It has no definitive treatment. According to Statistics Canada, one in nine Canadians have experienced Long COVID symptoms.
Grassroots organizations such as Protect our Province BC, DoNoHarm BC, and Masks4EastVan continue to advocate for change. You can follow their social media to stay informed on COVID-19 literature, measures, and provincial policies.
PHOTO: ELYANA MORADI / THE PEAK
PHOTO: AMIRUL ANIRBAN / THE PEAK
Indigenous voices must be prioritized when fighting climate change
Those harmed by climate change need to be heard
HAILEY MILLER STAFF WRITER
The effects of climate change disproportionately harm Indigenous communities, yet their voices are often overlooked. Many Indigenous communities, especially those outside large cities, rely on natural resources for livelihood and sustenance, and are at a higher risk of health problems due to exposure to wildfire smoke. They’re also being displaced from their homes at significant rates due to wildfire evacuations. Climate action should prioritize the voices of those most affected by climate change, and Indigenous Peoples have been protecting the environment for thousands of years.
BC’s worsening wildfire conditions have resulted in an increase in drought and disruption to ecosystems. This includes harmful pollutants and toxic gases from wildfire smoke, alongside extreme weather conditions and a lack of fresh water supply. BC’s wildfire season has begun exceptionally early this year, following last year’s recordbreaking season. Many communities have been affected by the wildfires, including Skeetchestn, near Kamloops. Here, the wildfires have threatened the salmon habitat, as well as food and medicine supplies.
Many Indigenous communities rely on fishing, hunting, and plant harvesting as a means of food supply and ceremony. For instance, on Truth and Reconciliation Day last year, Lílwat Nation and N’Quatqua First Nation closed down Pipi7iyekw (Joffre Lakes Park) for a harvest celebration. Some Indigenous Peoples also use plants for traditional medicinal purposes,
The BC government should pay for therapy
Getting help without paying out of pocket should be the standard
YASMIN HASSAN · STAFF WRITER
Right now, about 17% of BC residents are experiencing issues with mental health and substance use. If you’ve ever considered therapy or counselling, have you wondered if you’ll have to pay out of pocket? Psychotherapy services are not covered by the provincial Medical Services Plan (MSP) unless prescribed by a psychiatrist. Even then, treatment typically only covers a limited number of sessions, and wait lists span up to two years. The government should subsidize mental health services that are essential to the wellbeing of so many people in BC.
The BC government states MSP doesn’t typically cover services from counsellors or psychologists outside hospital settings. There are some non-profit organizations that offer low-cost or free counselling, but the problem lies in the scarcity of treatment. And even with extended benefits such as those offered by SFU, coverage includes a very limited number of sessions. SFU’s free counselling only includes “three to four appointments” on average, and the Studentcare health plan covers up to $600 a year in mental health services. Counselling sessions range from $50–240, so even extended benefits only cover a handful of sessions. According to Global News covering the cost of psychological services prevents mental health issues from “escalating to more severe cases.” This would in turn lead to “cost savings,” on top of “decreased wait times” in emergency rooms.
Preventative care comes in different forms depending on each person, ranging from developing healthy habits to talk therapy. When possible, assessment and treatment should be implemented before people reach mental health crises. This would lessen the load on hospitals and allow people to live their lives without worrying if the next paycheck will be enough to
and land for ceremonial and burial purposes. Climate change threatens the availability of these natural resources, and by extension the ecological security of Indigenous Lands and Indigenous communities. While climate action has gained traction in recent years, Indigenous Peoples have been caretaking for the natural environment for millenia.
Community-led action involves staying connected to and taking care of both the environment and communities. Some ways Indigenous Peoples are doing this are by using renewable energy, curating climate conversations across generations and communities, and using Indigenous traditions and languages. Montana First Nation’s Green Arrow Corp is the first Indigenous-owned solar energy company in western Canada and is operated by their community members. Similarly, Indigenous Climate Action curates programs across the country that raise awareness about the climate crisis and emphasize how Indigenous rights are essential to climate justice.
The climate crisis is also disrupting communities. Extreme weather events result in community displacement and reduced access to food and supplies, which threatens cultures and traditions. Alongside physical and often irreversible damage to lands and species, human health risks are a significant threat to communities. Climate-related conditions such as chronic respiratory diseases, cardiovascular disease, and cancer are just a few results of the climate crisis.
Indigenous Peoples are disproportionately impacted by the climate crisis, yet the Canadian government often leaves them out of climate talks and resolutions. To successfully combat the risks of climate change, we must work with Indigenous communities and leaders to respect their Lands, and allow Indigenous Peoples full liberty to initiate collective care of the environment. Prioritizing Indigenous rights will shift our efforts beyond climate awareness to equity and collaboration.
cover counselling sessions. Incorporating psychotherapy into the public healthcare system would encourage early intervention for mental health conditions, preventing them from escalating into more severe conditions.
A recent proposal would put psychotherapy under the provincial government’s oversight. This could provide a framework for public funding. While there are some low-cost options from organizations across the province, that “low cost” can still be debilitating at $25–80 a session, especially with the cost of living in the Lower Mainland. People shouldn’t have to pay out of pocket for essential services, and mental health is essential.
While there are some low cost options from organizations across the province, that “low cost” can still be debilitating.
assessed for ADHD through the public system, she was told it’d take up to two years. Imagine how many other BC residents breathe a sigh of defeat upon seeing that kind of waitlist.
It’s no secret the Canadian healthcare system is a bleak thing to marvel at. Extreme waitlists, family doctor and staff shortages, consequent burnout of staff and patients — you name it, most people have experienced it. Many have spoken about how federal and provincial governments must invest in fixing our broken healthcare system, considering Canada spends less on public healthcare than many other countries. But, it’s not enough to only fund physical health. Mental health directly impacts your physical health — if left untreated because of inadequate access, those serious cases of depression or anxiety could sprout into actual physical ailments.
Dr. Karine Gauthier, president of the Coalition of Québec Public Network Psychologists, said psychologists in Canada have a “lack of professional autonomy and salary recognition.” On top of lower salaries, psychologists in the public sector also have lower benefits and pension plans. So, while we as the receivers of care need to be taken care of, so do our caregivers. Mental health professionals should be fairly compensated for the services they provide, otherwise they may move to the private sector.
As we engage in discussions about improving the Canadian healthcare system, mental health should also be a consideration. Something that’s incredibly important is encouraging preventative care, and subsidizing that would be nothing short of beneficial. Easy access to psychotherapy has physical health benefits, reduces mental health crises, and helps people stay engaged with their communities. Reaching out for help can be daunting, but it shouldn’t be a financial setback.
PHOTO: PROVINCE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA / FLICKR
PHOTO: PUNEET AULAKH / THE PEAK
The genocide of Palestinians is not up for debate
Refusing to acknowledge a genocide only gives it fuel
Content warning: mentions of the Holocaust and death.
On June 16, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau attended the Ukraine peace summit and said Russia is committing “an element of genocide.” This is true, and it’s important Canada stands for peace in Ukraine. However, along with other Canadian officials, Trudeau has continually shied away from calling Israel’s ongoing violence and occupation of Palestine a genocide, which shows a double standard. While there are many factors that influence who and what receives open support from governments, political power is at the forefront — and Israel is certainly not lacking in it.
The United Nations (UN) recognized genocide as an international crime in 1946, shortly after millions of Jews were killed or displaced during the Holocaust. Two years later, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) brought forth the Genocide Convention, which has been agreed to by 153 states. Even states that have not agreed to the Convention are still bound by it, according to the ICJ. The Genocide Convention defines genocide as “any of the following acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial, or religious group.” Some of these acts include “killing members of the group, causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group,” and “deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part.” Israel is committing many of these acts in occupied Palestinian territories. And yet, the Canadian government doesn’t find the truth convenient enough to admit.
This January, the ICJ reported it’s “plausible” that Israel has violated the Genocide Convention. They voted nearunanimously that Israel must take “‘immediate and effective’ measures to ensure the provision of urgently needed humanitarian aid and basic services.” One month later, Israel made it clear they had no intention of complying with this demand. According to Amnesty International, they “have failed to ensure sufficient life-saving goods and services are reaching a population at risk of genocide and on the brink of famine.” Since October 7, 31 of 36 hospitals in Gaza “have
been damaged or destroyed.” In recent months, Israel has begun targeting refugee camps in Rafah, killing “at least 45 Palestinians” in one day and putting even more at risk of illness. The number of Palestinians killed since October 7 surpassed 30,000 in February, with reports that the actual number was likely higher. As of June 20, at least 37,431 people have been killed in Gaza alone.
Canada should also be concerned with the disturbing level of Israeli lobbying that undermines any façade of political neutrality.
This January, Canada froze arms export permits to Israel due to the risk of weapons being used to violate international law. In March, they announced they were extending this restriction until they “can ensure the weapons are used in accordance with Canadian law.” There are no excuses for supporting a militia that’s provenly committing genocide — no amount of time passed during a “freeze” will make it OK.
It’s unsurprising that Trudeau was willing to call the Russian invasion of Ukraine a genocide, yet avoided the word when asked about Gaza. It’s easy to criticize Russia, a country with weakening diplomatic ties to the US and Canada. Israel, on the other hand, is one of the US’ largest economic and military allies, receiving billions of dollars every year in assistance. Canada, with close military and economic ties to the US, has notably stayed silent when it comes to calling the Palestinian genocide what it is: a genocide.
Despite fewer ties to Israel in comparison to the US, Canada is not immune to anti-Palestinian lobbying. Last year, The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) hosted a conference on antisemitism which was attended by Justin Trudeau, Pierre Poilievre, and Jagmeet Singh. According to The Breach, CIJA formally requested that the Canadian government “officially recognize” that anti-Zionism is a form of antisemitism.” Zionism is a “Jewish nationalist movement” that supports the forced establishment of a Jewish nation state in Palestine. Independent Jewish Voices, a Jewish organization that supports justice in Palestine, responded: “There is every reason to be concerned about the rise of Jew hatred . . . but we cannot allow efforts to combat these social scourges to be hijacked by those whose purpose is to justify and defend the racist policies of the state of Israel.” The Maple also reported that CIJA has engaged in lobbying with “at least 56% of MPs or their office assistants,” including “taking MPs on fully paid trips.”
While the Canadian government should absolutely take action to tackle antisemitism, that doesn’t equate to unyielding support for Israel’s crimes. Canada should also be concerned with rising anti-Palestinian sentiment, and the disturbing level of Israeli lobbying that undermines any façade of political neutrality.
For a country that proclaims its supposed commitment to Truth and Reconciliation, the safety of Indigenous Peoples in other nations appears to be a low priority. Numerous countries and organizations have condemned Israel’s attack on Palestinians, including the UN and ICJ. Nonetheless, Trudeau has the gall to call attention to one genocide while undermining another that is the “deadliest rate of conflict of the 21st century” so far. The question is not if Israel is committing a genocide, but how. It’s not enough to support a ceasefire once it’s convenient, after many other nations have already done so. When the Canadian government looks back on the Palestinian genocide one day, there may be some temptation to believe they were on the “right side” of history — but silence is complicity. Delayed support is complicity. Pandering to lobbyists is complicity, and complicity in genocide is just shy of support for it. Never forget that Canada sat back when their support was direly needed.
PHOTO: ÖMER YILDIZ / UNSPLASH
AMANDA TAYLOR · SFU STUDENT
From Turtle Island to Gaza The distrubing patterns of settler colonialism
Written by Yildiz Subuk
Content warning: mentions of genocide and residential schools.
Orientalism by Edward Said, published in 1978, examines the way western society views “the Orient,” which was known as South Asia, East Asia, and the Middle East. Said was a Palestinian scholar, an outspoken activist, and writer on western denial of Palestinian statehood. Said gave prominence to the field of postcolonialism, which reclaims the history and agency of oppressed people and critiques the enduring impact of colonial rule. His book critiques western works of literature and art by highlighting how they perpetuate stereotypes about non-western cultures, and how that ultimately leads to the colonizers “legitimizing” their colonialist pursuits. Orientalist paintings like Napoleon in the Plague House at Jaffa by French painter Jacques Louis David have been criticized for portraying the East as “a place of backwardness, lawlessness, or barbarism enlightened and tamed by French rule.” It demonstrated how colonizers often reduce cultures that they do not understand as “the other” through exotification, and pushing the agenda that the colonizing culture is the dominant one.
Settler colonialism is a result of mass migration: when colonizers settle into the land of an Indigenous population by force, bureaucracy, and ethnic cleansing, they become responsible for the erasure of the Indigenous population’s culture and rights. Under colonialism, Indigenous Peoples are denied statehood and displaced, and colonial governments use violence to try and assimilate Indigenous Peoples into colonial society.
There are various ways in which Indigenous communities in Palestine and so-called Canada — also referred to as Turtle Island — are denied their statehood. The first step in denying statehood and the rights of Indigenous communities often comes in the form of a colonial piece of legislation. For Indigenous Peoples in Canada, this document was the Indian Act, established in 1876. Essentially, this piece of legislation, labeled many Indigenous Peoples under a single identity, —“Indian” — and were entitled to a limited amount of rights. It then established a set of colonialist rules designed to erode Indigenous cultures and identities, making the process seem “legitimate.” This arbitrary and immoral piece of legislation restricted Indigenous Peoples’ mobility outside of reserves — portions of designated land set aside by the government, for the Indigenous population to live in. It also prevented them from having self-determination, placed restrictions on finances, and banned Indigenous traditions, like the Potlatch ban.
For Palestinians, the colonialist legislation was the Balfour Declaration, established in 1917, which focused on establishing a Jewish homeland in Palestine. However, the Zionist movement, which pursues the establishment of a Jewish state, came through the erasure of Palestinian statehood and identity. It was first conceptualized in 1897, over 50 years before the creation of Israel in 1948. Zionism was given significance by the Balfour Declaration, written by the British Secretary of State, Arthur James Balfour. Jewish people have religious and ancestral ties to the land. However, for Palestinians such as historian Rashi Khalidi, having a religious connection to the land or the possibility of having ancestors from the region doesn’t give the right to establish a settlement in Palestinian lands.
The contents of the Declaration, which is composed of three deceptive sentences written with just the right amount of ambiguity, is best analyzed by Khalidi, in his book The Hundred Years War on Palestine Khalidi points out that in the Declaration, Palestinians, who belong to various religious identities are reduced to “existing non-Jewish communities” — the Indigenous population that was non-Jewish at the time was 94%. In the Declaration it is stated that “nothing is to be done” to the Palestininans civil and religious rights, but leaves out
any mention of Palestinians getting political rights, such as the right to vote, or reject the basis of the Declaration. Once again, the Indigenous population is reduced using disingenuous terms, and has had their rights to land stripped by a colonialist piece of legislation.
After such documents are officiated, displacement ensues. For Indigneous communities, it was being forced to live on reserves, for Palestinians it was the Nakba in 1948. During the Nakba (or “catastrophe”), the Israeli army forced over 700,000 Palestinians to flee their homes. During this violent displacement, around 15,000 Palestinians were killed, and 78% of Palestine was occupied by Zionist settlers. The Palestinian population was forced to relocate to what is now the Gaza strip and the West Bank, also known as occupied Palestinian territories.
Indigenous populations in Canada were moved to reserves, which were small parts of lands, often far away from settler society. Their purpose was for European settlers to control the mobility of the Indigenous population, and ensure that there was land available for more Europeans to come.
From 1880s to 1990s, about 150,000 Indigenous youth attended 130 federally funded residential schools. The focus of these schools were on the erasure of Indigenous identities. In Palestine, an area where many religious groups previously thrived before the establishment of Israel, Palestinians resisted the forced transformation of their homeland into a Jewish state, as many Indigenous communities did not identify with being Jewish. In so-called Canada, residential schools were justified under the notion that assimilation was “necessary” for peaceful coexistence, but in reality, both settler colonialist narratives forced the erasure of religious heritage.
The effects of settler colonialism is still ongoing. Currently, there is constant violence and displacement towards Palestinians, as the Israeli government furthers their genocidal agenda. As of now, over 150,000 Palestinians have once again been displaced from the Palestinian city Rafah, which was designated as a “safe-area” by Israel, with Israel killing over 35,000, mostly civilians. In Canada, Indigenous communities are often ignored, and while the government claims to attempt to reconcile, they often go back on their promises. Despite efforts to decolonize Canada, up to 618 Indigenous communities are still not supplied with clean and safe drinking water. Other forms of lasting colonial impacts on Indigenous communities in Canada include: the ‘60s scoop (the forced removal of Indigenous children from their families by welfare authorities), as well the overrepresentation of Indigenous people in prisons, who are usually unjustly convicted.
Despite the devastating effects of settler colonialism, resistance and resilience among Palestinians and Indigenous communities on Turtle Island prevails. An important method has been the use of selfrepresentation in the media, and emphasis should be placed on this rather than mainstream media. When self-representation is present, communities can take agency to document their issues how they want to be portrayed, and advocate for themselves. Examples of this include content creators documenting their experiences on Instagram, like @wizard_bisan1, or brothers Mohammed and Omar (@omarherzshow), who have been documenting life on the ground amid the genocide in occupied Palestinian territories, or in the works of Indigenous documentary film-maker, Loretta Todd. Others might fight for their justice in the form of organizing grassroots movements and cultural events to preserve and celebrate their heritage. For example, in the late ‘60s Indigenous groups in Canada gained political recognition, advocating for their people in the political sphere of the country. Self-representation has always been a useful tool to combat the distorted settler view, which wrongly paints Indigenous societies as the inferior “other.”
la lune rocks on with songs of disparity
The indie-rock and shoegaze band discussed the release of their latest EP
HAILEY MILLER STAFF WRITER
Disparity is de ned as “a noticeable and usually signi cant di erence or similarity.” However, in the case of Vancouver indie-rock and shoegaze band la lune, disparity also refers to the hard-hitting soft beats of their most recent EP. Released on April 19, the EP has shown “songs that reveal themselves” as la lune plays them.
Consisting of Ethan Rebalkin (guitar, vocals), Olivia Wells (bass, backing vocals), Ben Lock (guitar), and Taylor Pawsey (drums), the band formed in 2022 after a few jam sessions among the friends-turned-bandmates. Having been roommates and coworkers, and after getting to know each other better, the band decided to embark on their passion for music.
The dreamy, vocally-obscured shoegaze element is prominent on disparity, though Pawsey told The Peak he’s “always just thought of [la lune] as a rock band.” la lune is working on more new music, which he said will be “broader,” but considers it adventurous alternative rock.
The more the band evolves, the more they draw on inspiration from other artists. “We’re constantly writing,” said Lock. They lean into the writing process and in uences from artists like “electronic slowcore band” duster and alternative-rock band The Smashing Pumpkins.
INK AND EMOTION
la lune is interested in pushing the envelope with genres — particularly shoegaze. disparity’s tracks drip in guitar distortion and cutting jabs of feedback that make it feel like you’re oating around a starlit galaxy. The songs “despondent,” “disparity,” “spiral ((down)),” and “i feel like i’m pretending,” will bring you into the ethereal realm of cascading ri s and distorted feedback.
When you play the songs you learn so much more about them.
A unique part of the band’s musical development is how they feel out the tracks and alter them onstage. Recently, they’ve been playing an unreleased song live and have received positive reception from audiences. Wells noted that having recorded disparity months prior, and now performing the songs live, has been a good way for the band to develop their onstage presence versus what they had recorded in studio.
“When you play the songs you learn so much more about them,” said Wells, adding that the studio is a good place for “solidifying” everything, as aspects of the tracks change over time.
disparity feels new because we just put it out, but some of these songs we’ve been playing for a long time,” said Pawsey. “We’ve been hyped on writing a lot recently,” added Lock.
“We’ve all been pretty grateful for the reception,” Pawsey said of the release of disparity. “It feels good that people are just enjoying it and connecting with it.”
The EP lives up to its name, showcasing a plethora of guitar shreds, drum lls, and catchy bass lines. Songs like “a little life” start out slow and build up to a heavy rock vibe.
“It’s been really fun to reacquaint with the songs,” said Lock, regarding the time between studio recordings and now playing them live.
HalfSoul chronicles the struggles of mental health, identity, and morality
Vancouver comic artist Scarlet Wings Kaili illustrates a story about a non-linear recovery path
KAJA ANTIC · STAFF WRITER
For local freelance and comic artist Scarlet Wings Kaili (Kelly Chen), HalfSoul began as a project without much of a plan — one that has now continued for seven years.
“It actually started when I was in hospital and bored out of my mind. And I just wanted to make a short story, but it didn’t end up being short,” Kaili explained in an interview with The Peak.
The story revolves around a group of young adults working for the Halfsoul Extermination Association (HSEA), whose jobs are to kill “halfsouls” — those who traded half of their soul for a wish. Halfsouls have such a negative implication in this universe that the HSEA is a legal entity dedicated to their total annihilation. The four main characters — Tale, Nalia, Zach, and Scarlet — all have their own connections to halfsouls and the HSEA, along with personal challenges and traumas that are explored throughout their corresponding tales.
“Each book is through a di erent character’s perspective,” Kaili elaborated. “I wanted to give di erent challenges for them.”
Each book, consisting of three cases, focuses on a di erent member. Halfsoul: Zach, the third and most recently released instalment, focuses on Zach, the son of HSEA leaders. He struggles with coming to terms with his past, as well as how his upbringing has a ected his sense of self, safety, and morality.
“I wanted him to have con icts about what’s right and wrong, and also how your perception of what’s right and wrong is in uenced by your upbringing and your parents, and what happens if you have dysfunctional families and how you can manage that.”
Much of the character arcs throughout HalfSoul revolve around mental health and the non-linear path to recovery within a fantasy setting. The dark ink on the comic pages deepens in the more emotional sequences, with Kaili’s details adding even more dimension to the complex story. Though the characters traverse this shadowy world drenched in darkness and smog, much of their experiences mirror Kaili’s experiences in real life.
Even though the series is fantasy, I put a lot of my own experiences in a way that I try to process it through fantasy.
SCARLET WINGS KAILI
HALFSOUL COMIC ARTIST
They said creating the comic has “been quite hard because a lot of the content is also very emotional for me, so I also have had to take breaks and reprocess what I’m going through before starting again. Because even though the series is fantasy, I put a lot of my own experiences in a way that I try to process it through fantasy.”
Drawing on their style in uences from manga, Kaili expanded their artistic air as the comic went on. Expressive panelling,
Following their two recent shows at the Green Auto this month, la lune will be playing at the Fox Cabaret on July 6 and The Pearl on August 1. They’re looking forward to the upcoming gigs, releasing more music, and hopefully planning a future tour.
“Rock and roll evolution,” acknowledged Lock, and surely, that’s what la lune will continue to do.
Follow @lalunelalunelalunelalune on Instagram to keep up with the band.
detailed backdrops, experimental layouts, and sharp contrasts add to the story as characters evolve through their respective yet overlapping journeys.
The grey areas between good and bad, the struggle for belonging from adolescence to adulthood, the eternal dilemma of nature versus nurture, and the internal struggles of dealing with mental illness bloom in the ink illustrating Zach and the HSEA unit’s stories.
“The entire story is very mental health-based.” Kaili said. “It’s really about the process of having a mental illness, how it’s not linear. And even though this book ends, the journey is still an ongoing idea.”
You can read HalfSoul online on Tapas.io to follow along as Zach’s journey continues, along with Kaili’s website, social media, and Twitch channel — where you may even be able to nd them streaming while creating comics.
PHOTO: GUDRUN WAI-GUNNARSSON / THE PEAK
IMAGE: CLOUDSCAPE COMICS
OLIVIA WELLS
LA LUNE’S BASSIST AND BACKUP VOCALIST
How to spend a day at . . .
With a bustling public market and beautiful views of False Creek, Granville Island is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Vancouver. Even as locals, many of us are still privy to some of the hidden gems that lie within it. From bracelet-making to book-sleuthing, here’s how to spend a day at Granville Island.
Start your day o by visiting Tru Café, just outside of the island itself. Pick up an iced co ee or pistachio chocolate cookie for the jaunt, or take home a bag of their retail co ee beans. Their Tru blend mixes hints of milk chocolate and marshmallow, so be sure to take some home to use for a pre-class co ee later on.
Once you’ve gotten your breakfast or morning snack, walk along highway 99 onto Granville Island. Avoid the temptations of The Vancouver Fish Company and turn right, making a stop at Kids Market for some adorable plushies and handcrafted toys. Despite the name, Kids Market is de nitely not just for kids — but you can indulge your inner child by visiting them! Find the perfect Pokémon, Kirby, or Sumikko gurines at Token Toys, or take a look at Soumak Boutique for handmade robes and ke yehs.
Outside of Kids Market is a play area that overlooks a duck pond decorated with swooping trees straight out of a Studio Ghibli lm. I recommend taking some time to sit here and enjoy both your co ee and the view. If you’ve already nished your drink from Tru Café, then you’re in luck — My Island Café is right next to you. Try their gluten free almond chocolate cookie or a slice of their red velvet loaf.
Wander into the next market section and explore local storefronts hosting as many small businesses as you can name. Kingsmill Studio Pottery Shop is home to amber striped dishes by Vin Arora, mugs crafted by The Poplar Studio, and ornate masks and murals by Bob Kingsmill. At Nooroongji Books, you’ll encounter stories blossoming from a variety of cultures, as well as specialty events such as their Nooroongji Book Club, which will be hosting a talk on Mohsin Hamid’s How to Get Filthy Rich in Rising Asia on June 28.
Before heading towards the public market, be sure to stop by Beadworks, a jewellery shop that hosts the perfect activity for you to enjoy with loved ones. Here, shoppers can pick from the store’s variety of beads and string them together to create their own bracelets and necklaces.
We’ve made it to the part that will have you making the most di cult decision yet — where to eat! Granville Island’s Public Market is no stranger to good food and good views, so once you’ve gured out what you’re craving, take a seat near the docks and watch live performances by buskers. On my journey, I enjoyed a chicken pot pie from A La Mode, as well as some beef and pork tacos from La Tortilleria. If you’re craving a sweet treat, I recommend grabbing a pastry from Laurelle’s Fine Foods or a specialty iced tea from Granville Island Tea Company.
COME ONE, COME ALL!
Theatre Under The Stars’ CATS features two SFU dance majors
Elijah Sam and Tia Gunhold will respectively be playing Coricopat and Victoria in this open-air musical
YASMIN HASSAN ·
From July 5 to August 24, Theatre Under the Stars is coming back to Stanley Park’s Malkin Bowl. One of their featured productions this season is CATS, a dazzling ensemble musical of feline characters who gather for the Jellicle Ball. This ball is held ceremoniously to decide which among them will be granted a new life in a sort of rebirth. What makes this musical so special? Two of our very own SFU dance majors, Elijah Sam (pictured, far right) and Tia Gunhold (pictured, wearing white), will be performing as Coricopat and Victoria respectively! The Peak had the pleasure of speaking with them about their musical tails (and tales).
Eljiah Sam is currently a third-year dance major at SFU, performer, and instructor who works with kids. “Coming from SFU with this training and many di erent dance styles has helped me jump right into the work,” Sam said. He talked about how collaboration between di erent departments at the school, such as theatre and lm, support the ability to be adaptable to new things. His experience helped him “collaborate with a wide range of di erent creative people,” which is needed for a show like CATS.
To end the day, you’re going to want to peruse the intricate art of the many studios on the island. Take a stroll around Federation Gallery to see wispy brushstroke landscape, cityscape, and oceanscape paintings. Admire the “steel, wire, and stone” sculptures of Dominic Benhura on display at Ukama Gallery. Find the blooming, colourful art of the Northwest Coast at Inukshuk Gallery, which operates as part of Gallery Indigena.
Regardless of the shops, eateries, or galleries you visit, you’re sure to have a great time celebrating local cultures at Granville Island!
Tia Gunhold, a third year undergraduate student double majoring in psychology and dance, said that her “competition-heavy background” resulted in “a shift in movement styles and performing.” She also mentioned the di erences in things like comfort with physical touch between dancers and non-dancers.
“The musical is a great musical, rst of all, for dancers because it’s a dance heavy show,” Sam said when asked about his take on the show. Gunhold backed that up by mentioning how the performers “sing the entire time; there’s only one very very short monologue in the whole show, which is di erent from a lot of other musicals.”
Gunhold mentioned how many people may be enamoured with the singing and dancing of the show, but often don’t understand the storyline. “The storytelling and dancing go hand-in-hand,” Sam said, emphasizing how each element plays a part in telling the tale.
An aspect that I admire about the show is how it’s an ensemble, truly establishing every role whether big or small as a key part. “You need to have the whole tribe of the cats present on stage for the story to make sense,” Sam said.
Not only will the impressive set design take the stage, the modernized costumes that are detailed to suit each actor as well as their character will be certain to catch the audiences’ eyes. “The way that they orchestrated the costumes is so ingenious,” Sam told The Peak, noting how the costumes suit each cast member perfectly. As Gunhold stated, “The casting was so well done, because I feel like a lot of people, the actors/our cast are so well suited for their role.” Support our fellow SFU stars by seeing CATS this summer!
PHOTO: THEATRE
STAFF WRITER
PHOTOS: IZZY CHEUNG / THE PEAK
IZZY CHEUNG · ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR
Minimum wage worker doing the job of three people is excited for 65 cent wage increase
Their grind is finally paying off!
News anchor: Alexa, play “7 rings” because the minimum wage is increasing to a whopping $17.40 in BC. I sat down to interview an excited Minimum Wage Worker (MWW) about how his life will change now that he’ll be rolling in cash! Take a look at the footage.
A clip of the news anchor trying to ask a fast food worker questions in the middle of their shift starts playing.
News anchor: Good afternoon, Minimum Wage Worker. How are you feeling about today’s news regarding a minimum wage increase?
MWW: Ah, yes, well, I was just itching for you to ask! (to the crowd of angry customers) Order number 463! 463! Not you, ma’am, I know you didn’t order this. (to the news anchor) I feel warm, fuzzy, and splendid after hearing about the minimum wage increase. I might be able to afford to only have seven roommates instead of eight. But only if my landlord stops threatening to evict us so his imaginary family member can move in.
News anchor: That’s amazing! So, what will you spend your extra funds on going forward?
MWW: I’m so glad you asked! I simply cannot wait to splurge. Instead of choosing between my favourite cruciferous vegetables at the grocery store, I’ll buy both broccoli and cauliflower next week! (to the entitled customer who is yelling even louder than the others) No, sir. I did not charge you for ice cream because we don’t sell ice cream. We keep the machine broken, hoping you won’t come back. (to the news anchor) Are you going to buy anything?
News anchor: (ignoring the question) Talk about money bags! How would you like to thank those who made this increase possible, you know, the big wage increase bosses?
MWW: Ah, yes, well, boy, do I have a mouthful for them! Nothing brings me more joy than finding out that I’ll get a bigger wage and then realizing that it won’t even be remotely close to liveable. At this point, I might as well just live in a shoe. The government swoops in thinking they’re the financial saviour and all, but they’re jet-setting around the world, living in mansions, and blowing money like raindrops of climate change that aren’t coming down! This broke bitch ain’t affording a house anytime soon, or even a cardboard box-converted tiny home, for that matter. (To the customer who just walked in, definitely making the building overcapacity) Ma’am, I told you last week that that rare venomous snake is not a service animal! Order 465! 465! Cheeseburger, no cheese that is most certainly not a hamburger!
News anchor: Wow! It’s so great to hear about the joy you’re experiencing! Can you elaborate on other ways this increase is changing your life?
MWW: Ah, yes, well, if it weren’t for this minimum wage increase, I’d still be . . . drumroll please . . . broke! Trust me, I’d love to be rolling in so much dough that I could pay off my grocery and rent debt combined, but please, that only happens in fantasy land! I guess I better fly to Disneyland, where all our livable wage dreams come true! — Excuse me, I need to go; there’s an influencer trying to clean our bathroom again.
MWW starts running after a woman who is spraying pink cleaning foam everywhere. The camera cuts back to the newsroom.
News anchor: Well, this heartwarming story wraps up our broadcast for tonight. Thanks for tuning in, and if you got a raise, make sure not to spend it all in one place!
Written by Hailey Miller, Staff Writer and C Icart, Humour Editor
Wannabe influencer goes to the retirement home to tell her grandparents she’s replacing them with Marcus Pork and Grandma Droniak
If they don’t like it, they can leave
It’s a sunny Thursday afternoon, and Stacy is heading to the retirement home to visit her grandparents. She originally planned on going on Tuesday, but it was raining on Tuesday and filming a vlog in the rain is not a practice Stacy is interested in engaging in. That’s right, Stacy is an influencer. Or at least she wants to be. So the camera is always rolling, waiting to catch a viral moment. Stacy walks into the building.
Stacy: Oh my gosh, there are so many old people here! Oop, one just looked at me. Did I say something offensive? This is actually so good for me. Such a great reminder to wear SPF. Remember everyone, aging is a choice and so is botox. OK, we are finally here. Let’s knock.
Grandmother: Stacy? Is that you? Why are you filming me?
Grandfather: What are you talking about Murielle, Stacy never comes here — Oh Stacy!
Stacy: Hi grandma and grandpa! Say hi to my followers! Oh wait, maybe move your chair over there grandma, the lighting is better.
Grandmother: Oh my goodness, what a surprise! We’re so happy to see you.
Stacy: Yes, I needed to come here to tell y’all some super exciting news!
Grandfather: Murielle, we’re about to be greatgrandparents!
Stacy: No, grandpa. You know how I’m so obsessed with fashion? I thought my family should reflect that as well. So, I’ve decided to replace y’all with Marcus Pork and Grandma Droniak.
Grandfather: Murielle, did you understand what she just said? Why is she talking about pork? I thought the dinner tonight was going to be shepherd’s pie.
Grandmother: Stacy, please put the camera down. You can’t replace us. We’re family.
Stacy: No, no this is really good content! And it’s already set up! I reached out to them and I’m sure they’ll agree to collab! Marcus will make a unique fashion design for us and Grandma Droniak and I will feature it on our respective channels as OOTDs!
Grandfather: Murielle, why did Stacy come here to speak to us in gibberish?
Grandmother: Stacy, who are these people?
Stacy: Famous grandparents that will help turn me into the next viral fashionable grandchild! Plus it’s not like I’ll stop visiting y’all, just that I won’t claim y’all as my grandparents online.
Grandfather: Murielle, how can she stop visiting us when she never started?
Stacy: Grandpa! You know it’s difficult for me. This place is so out of the way and so inconvenient for me to go to because there are no cute coffee shops on the way. But that didn’t deter me from making the 20-minute drive to the retirement home today. I only got lost twice, which isn’t bad when you consider the fact that I’ve never been here.
Stacy starts pushing the chair her grandmother is sitting in.
Grandmother: Ow! What is happening?!
Stacy: I told you the light is better over there and we’re
C Icart Humour Editor
probably going to need to refilm because I need you to be more excited about my chosen family. I brought some shirts for you to wear as well.
Stacy hands them the shirts and her grandparents read them out loud.
Grandfather: Climate change is cringe?
Grandmother: Free bleed Friday? But I don’t. . .
Stacy: And mine says, “I slay while my haters lay.” It’s this iconic thing Grandma Droniak says because she keeps outliving her haters.
Grandmother: Hun, we’re not wearing these shirts.
Stacy: But Marcus Pork and Grandma Droniak would wear them!
Grandfather: I don’t even eat pork!
Grandmother: Stacy we’re going to be late for Bingo night and I’m sure Bertha is already waiting for us.
Stacy: Oh my god, y’all aren’t doing anything viralllll! I won’t be able to use any of this footage and . . . FUCK! Marcus is out, he said he can’t be my grandfather because apparently he’s 34? Dang . . . he needs a better skincare routine. I guess it’s back to the drawing board. I will be famous before I die, I’ll make sure of it.
Stacy leaves the retirement home without saying goodbye. Her grandparents are not complaining.
Bertha skipped Bingo night to scheme about how to steal Grandma Droniak’s boyfriend.
Fin
Remembering the 2023-24 Vancouver Canucks
We are gathered here today in memory of the 2023–24 Vancouver Canucks. What a season it was, starting with an 8–1 victorious roar over the Edmonton Oilers and ending with a 3–2 game seven loss against the same team. The team brought almost as much entertainment to the city this year as the Metro Vancouver Overpass Impact Counter. This team will be remembered for their miraculous achievement of finally injecting some energy into the overtired Canucks fan base after years of mediocrity, largely due to the Jim Benning regime’s passion for downward spiralling and disappointment. We at The Peak would like to acknowledge the players of this team who have reached the impossible — earning a living wage in Metro Vancouver. In no particular order, here are our final words about each notable (for good or bad reasons) member of the roster.
Brock Boeser: By some, he will
be remembered for his spectacular achievement of hitting the 40-goal mark. That man was traded by armchair general managers to nearly every team on the planet. Yet, he persevered and showed he was one of the best Canucks on the roster. But for us, his most memorable trait was his uncanny resemblance to Shrek’s Prince Charming.
J.T. Miller: We are astonished by the fact that Rick Tocchet was actually able to fix him. Gone are the days where he’d smack the tops of the net and yell at the goalie, and here are the days of him calling Brock Boeser his wife. As we bid adieu to his contribution to this unforgettable season, we are reminded of a great lesson. Change does not come from within, it comes from a $56 million contract.
Elias Pettersson: Today, we use our professional yapping skills to pay tribute to his efforts and silence the haters who think the Canucks need “more
Written by Kaja Antic, Staff Writer and C Icart, Humour Editor
Saskatchewan, less Stockholm.” The 2023–24 Canucks are dead, but through his new eight-year contract, he will carry their legacy.
Tyler Myers: Oh, our beloved chaos giraffe. He will be remembered for his defensive skills that BC teachers could only describe as “emerging,” and the entertainment value he brought simply from being ridiculously tall. In his next life, we hope he takes the hometown discount so he can continue to expose Conor Garland’s true height by standing next to him.
We are sure there were more players on the team, but it’s been over a month and we are beginning to forget. As we say our final goodbyes, let us remember the success of the Canucks this season was largely unexpected by many in the hockey world — including the organization itself. Our faith that the team will be reborn during the NHL Entry Draft on June 28 is what consoles us.
Your Weekly Horoscopes
Farewell Canucks. May you rest in peace.
Knick knack patty wack, give a dog a bone, the stars will find the figurines in your home
Aries March 21–April 19
You totally fell for the Sonny Angel epidemic. You couldn’t resist the cuteness and just bought one, telling yourself it’ll be good for the economy. Soon, you thought it wouldn’t hurt to give it a friend. Now, every corner of your room, kitchen shelves, and attic are all taken over by tiny angel babies.
Cancer June 21–July 22
Unarguably the most thoughtful sign, you guys are like mini grandparents to your figurines. Making last-minute trips to Michaels to pick up the finest markets to knit little hats and scarves to keep them from getting cold. In the same beat, you’ll keep forgetting how many you have and where you put them. I thought it was impossible to lose a Smiski when they GLOW in the dark, but y’all manage.
Libra
September 23–October 22
You’re really committed to the whole collecting thing, saving every little scrap, including the box and the receipt of the fries you bought two hours before getting your figurine. In this economy, do what you gotta do to get your money’s worth. You never know what random item you’ll need to flex on the future generations.
Capricorn December 22–January 19
Your home only contains items that have Sanrio characters on them. So, it makes perfect sense that you’ll collect over a hundred boxes of each Sanrio figurines series overseas. We’re not judging though, we love to see Cinnamoroll winning. But tone it down a bit, we’re not tryna have Disney Adults part 2 over here.
Taurus April 20–May 20
You guys will find beauty in the unappreciated, seeking out the figurines nobody wants, AKA Robby from Sonny Angels. To y’all, Robby is the only character in the Sonny Angel universe, buying over a thousand blind boxes to get him and taking him everywhere like a trophy. Good luck trying to find that chameleon mouse-rabbit thing. He’s rare because only Tauruses want him.
Leo July 23–August 22
Well it’s definitely a collection alright! You’re gripping at your childhood from the seams, babe. I promise you it has already run away. You’ll have a museum in your house dedicated to Monster High dolls, all in perfect condition. Any Frights, Camera, Action Operetta doll automatically puts all collectors on Leos’ “to rob” list.
Scorpio
October 23–November 21
I get that middle school, high school, and university can be a lonely time for everyone at one point or another, and everyone develops their own coping mechanisms. But I think you took it a bit too literally when influencers said that Smiskis are like little friends. Hiding them in each crack and crevice in your home is only dope if you notify your guests beforehand about your little “roommates.” It gives major “elf on the shelf” vibes, and nobody’s here for it, especially when the lights are off.
18
You guys seem to be content with anything. You just keep swimming no matter what. This is probably why you could pull the rarest Smiski on your first try and barely react while your collector friend congratulates you as they fight back tears.
Gemini May 21–June 20
You may say you’re very “particular with your interests,” but face it, sis, the word you’re looking for is picky. You will bend over backwards, crawl through the pits of hell, and enter Narnia for the last remaining box of Sonny Angels. Gosh forbid it’s a Robby instead; you’d throw it straight in the trash.
Virgo
August 23–September 22
Again, with the whole “I’m nothing like y’all.” A Virgo’s obsession will revolve around some completely different collectible that literally no one else has ever heard of. You were scrolling through Sonny Angel’s website, wondering how you could be different from everyone today, coming across their most random collection, the Animal Bakery, and deciding you needed them all. At least the competition of collecting the rarest one goes down to one to nothing.
Sagittarius
November 22–December 21
You have serious self-control when it comes to considering expanding your collection. No matter how amazing the new series of Sonny Angels is, you’ll go shopping to pick up the box, exclaim how adorable it is and how fundamental it is to your very being, and then place it down and exit.
Pisces February 19–March 20
You guys have a sense of clinginess that’s wholesomely disturbing. Those Sonny Angel Hippers have a serious chokehold on you because you bring them everywhere. If you’re sitting in your 8:00 a.m. lecture asking the person that’s half asleep next to you if you can borrow a pencil, don’t be surprised if they start freaking out by the smug pair of eyes piercing into their soul. Yeah . . . not the greatest experience to see a tiny angel staring at you when you wake up.
