Johnson Investigated (Digital)

VOL. 171 ISSUE 9 JULY 4, 2022

NEWS

O PINIO NS

FEATU R E S

A RT S & C U LTU R E

Barriers to Métis healthcare

Rethinking Canada Day

SFU club creates sustainable racing cars

Exploring the agency of fungi

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JOHNSON: INVESTIGATED WHO REALLY RUNS THE PAPER? HUMOUR P.14

Volume 171, Issue 9 Still rewriting tickers since 1965

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Maggie Benston Centre 2900 Simon Fraser University 8888 University Drive Burnaby, BC, Canada V5A 1S6 (778) 782-5110

NEWS Council raises concerns over in-camera discussions

COVER Shaheen Virk

OPINIONS

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Michelle Young eic@the-peak.ca

SFU students talk corporations at Pride

COPY EDITOR Nancy La copy@the-peak.ca

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FACT CHECKER Gurleen Aujla factchecker@the-peak.ca BUSINESS / ADVERTISING MANAGER Yuri Zhou business@the-peak.ca 778.782.3598

FEATURES

PROMOTIONS MANAGER Jaymee Salisi promotions@the-peak.ca

Racing into a sustainable future

NEWS EDITOR Karissa Ketter news@the-peak.ca

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NEWS WRITERS Chloë Arneson and Pranjali J Mann OPINIONS EDITOR Luke Faulks opinions@the-peak.ca

ARTS & CULTURE

FEATURES EDITOR Meera Eragoda features@the-peak.ca

lessLIE’s art says more with less

ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR Gem Yelin Lee arts@the-peak.ca

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HUMOUR EDITOR Kelly Chia humour@the-peak.ca STAFF WRITERS Nercya Kalino, Yasmin Simsek, Isabella Urbani, and Olivia Visser

HUMOUR

PRODUCTION AND DESIGN EDITOR Josh Ralla production@the-peak.ca

Getting my biochemistry on (accidentally)

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CORRECTION

In last week’s issue, Activism and Art, The Peak stated Controller was produced by Theatre Conspiracy.

This is incorrect and has been updated on web to reflect that Controller was produced by Nebula Theatre Company.

PHOTO EDITOR Gudrun Wai-Gunnarsson photos@the-peak.ca MULTIMEDIA EDITOR Karla Salazar multimedia@the-peak.ca ASSISTANT MULTIMEDIA EDITOR Rashi Sethi WEBSITE MANAGER Karar Al-Mamaar web@the-peak.ca BOARD OF DIRECTORS Kelly Chia, Emma Dunbar, Emma Jean, Angela Wachowick, and Yuri Zhou CONTRIBUTORS C Icart and Jerrica Zabala PEAK ASSOCIATES Krystal Chan, Max Lorette, Stella Nyguen, Angela Shen, Jocelyn Stevens, Alyssa Umbal, and Sara Wong

NEWS

July 4, 2022

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MÉTIS HEALTH

Brodie Douglas gives presentation about historical perspectives on Métis health Douglas explains the effect colonization had on Métis people in Canada

CHLO Ë ARN E S ON // NE WS W RI TE R

On June 9, BC Centre for Disease Control and SFU faculty of health sciences hosted a virtual presentation by Brodie Douglas on the historical context of Métis health.

Tanya Davoren, the senior director of health of Métis Nation BC, welcomed the audience by introducing Douglas. “I can think of no one better to address how colonial history of the Métis nation has impacted our nation’s health and well-being,” she said. Douglas is Fraser Health’s Indigenous cultural safety educator and a Métis Nation historian.

“The social determinants of Métis health are not only social but are primarily and more specifically, political and historical,” he said.

For Métis peoples, current social health determinants of health, such as being a visible minority or unemployed, are stronger health predictors than behavioural factors such as smoking or obesity. Métis health can be determined by the disproportionate health risk that resulted from colonial history and modern institutional racism, such as being poor, owning a car, or living near polluted lands. The United Nations permanent forum on Indigenous issues has identified the need for culturally specific determinants for Indigenous peoples.

Currently, health funding for Indigenous peoples does not include Métis or those who do not hold status. “The marginalisation of Métis has its origin with the non-recognition of Aboriginality by the Canadian state,” Douglas said.

The presentation was held in partnership with BC Centre for Disease Control and SFU health sciences.

Douglas explained as the government of Canada historically ignored Métis land rights, many individuals agreed to scrip certificates, which stripped them of their Indigenous title in exchange for land or money. He said these documents were difficult to navigate as most Métis did not know how to read or write. “The scrip regime defrauded Métis of our treaty and Indigenous rights,” Douglas said. “This loss has had a negative impact on Métis culture and continues to impact the health and well-being of the Métis population.”

The social determinants of Métis health are not only social but are primarily and more specifically, political and historical.

BRODI E DOUG L AS INDIGENOUS C ULT URA L SA F ET Y EDUCATOR

Douglas went on to explain some of Métis peoples’ rich history and how it has contributed to inequitable access to

PHOTO: Pixabay / Pexels

health services. Through military and political conquest, colonizers displaced Métis peoples, resulting in demographic shifts among their population in 1885. “Métis people found themselves without a landbase. Without a landbase and without an economy, marginalised at the fringes of society,” Douglas noted.

In the 1900s, this was often still true. “Even though there were public schools in these areas, Métis could not attend because there was such a remarkable amount of racism,” he said. Residential schools were in operation long before and after this period, with attendance becoming mandatory in 1920 under the Indian Act. In 1936, Métis peoples were still not afforded health benefits and many lived far away from doctors or did not possess the financial means to go see one. Douglas’ presentation featured a quotation by Diedre Desmarais that noted “the colonization of Aboriginal peoples created the circumstance whereby poverty became an inevitable consequence [ . . . ] colonization created the conditions for inequitable access to health care and services.

“I joke sometimes, Métis is the best kept secret in BC, but it’s because our history is not often told,” said Douglas. “We become invisible.”

OLD GROWTH

Fourth-widest tree in Canada located in North Vancouver Big-tree hunter urges BC to protect the undiscovered and unprotected oldgrowth forests

CHLO Ë ARN E S ON // NE WS W RI TE R

On June 24, Ancient Forest Alliance (AFA) announced the fourth-widest tree in Canada was found in the Lynn Headwaters regional park in North Vancouver.

Two big-tree hunters, Colin Spratt and Ian Thomas, found the 5.8 metre wide ancient Western Red Cedar on their recent expedition, naming it “The North Shore Giant.” This giant cedar is the widest tree found in Canada in over 34 years and is estimated to be more than 1,000 years old. The British Columbia Big Tree Committee will soon be visiting the tree to confirm its measurements for entry into BC’s tree registry.

The park, situated on the unceded xwməθkwəýəm Musqueam, skwxwú7mesh Squamish, and səlílwətał Tsleil-Waututh nations, is known for its large trees, but faced “aggressive logging in the 19th and early 20th century” which resulted in drastic forest loss, according to AFA’s press release. AFA noted Lynn Valley might have been home to the tallest trees on earth, but “castle-like stumps are all that remain of the ancient trees that once dominated the region.”

Ian Thomas, AFA researcher, noted this tree was one of few that are protected by a park. “Most of our richest ancient forests are still unprotected and in danger of being logged,” he said.

Many of BC’s old growth is not renewable and is in danger of extinction from logging.

Many are criticizing the lack of action to control logging limits in these areas, specifically after the issue was used as a political talking point in both the provincial and federal elections since the blockades began to attract global attention.

In summer 2021, a swell of protests to protect old-growth forests broke out across BC. By September 2021, there were 882 arrests made at Ada'itsx Fairy Creek, which was considered the “largest act of civil disobedience in Canadian history,” according to CBC. The blockades are led by a grassroots organization, Rainforest Flying Squad.

Sage Barson, an 18 year old Iroquois Mohawk land defender, attended the Fairy Creek protests. She told Teen Vogue, “As an Indigenous person, we care about all living creatures.” Barson added, “I’m not just there for the trees. I’m there for the whole ecosystem that comes with the old-growth forest because we care about the trees, we care about the insects, the moss, the salmon, all the biodiversity that comes with those ecosystems.”

TJ Watt, a AFA campaigner, said, “this is one of the most remarkable big-tree finds of this century and it just shows

PHOTO: Ian Thomas and Colin Spratt

how special the old-growth forests in BC are.”

As a response to the BC government’s overestimation of remaining old growth, a 2020 report found that productive old forests with the potential to grow very large trees cover less than 3% of the province. BC reports that 23% of remaining forest is old growth forest, but by using this definition, it is only one percent. The study describes the irreplaceable biodiversity these ecosystems provide. “They will ensure that the status quo of industrial clearcutting of the last unprotected old-growth stands occurs,” Watt said.

Watt discussed his hopes after this historic find, stating, “support for Indigenous old-growth protection initiatives and the associated sustainable economic development in the communities is needed, along with a major, dedicated land acquisition fund to purchase and protect old-growth forests on private lands.”

To find out more information about saving BC’s old growth forests, you can visit the Ancient Forest Alliance website or Save Old Growth BC.

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NEWS

News Editor Karissa Ketter

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News Writers Chloë Arneson and Pranjali J Mann

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news@the-peak.ca

HEGEMONIC HEALTHCARE

Migrant Student Union hosts town hall on healthcare for international students The rise in international student health fee causes financial stress

P RA NJALI J MAN N // NE WS W RI TE R

Currently, international student healthcare fees are mandatory.

The Migrant Student Union (MSU) chapter at SFU organized a hybrid town hall for students on universal healthcare fees on June 23 alongside the Simon Fraser Student Society.

International students from SFU, other Designated Learning Institutes in BC, and students from American universities presented their thoughts on the medical healthcare and dental fees international students pay.

The event was held in collaboration with other on campus groups and community organizations including the Teaching Support Staff Union (TSSU), Graduate Student Society (GSS), Sanctuary City Vancouver, and BC Health Coalition.

At SFU, new undergraduate, graduate, and exchange program international students are required to have medical insurance through Guard Me. Additionally, new international, exchange, and study abroad students are also required to apply for BC Medical Services Plan coverage.

An international student from Kwantlen Polytechnic University opened the discussion by saying he knew the pain and hardships international students faced, in addition to living away from family. He underlined the additional financial burden of any kind “adds up a lot of depression. And so I think this needs to be removed so we can help international students in a much more integrated way and in a positive way.”

A former SFU student also brought out the issue of exploitation of international students. They said, “It’s just getting worse.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada is being

more horrible than ever, in terms of making sure everyone is precarious. Folks mentioned the inflation rates, but really it’s just like mental health crises — you just don’t have the support you need.”

Folks mentioned the inflation rates, but really it’s just like [a] mental health crisis — you just don’t have the support you need.

SF U A LUM NI

An undergraduate student at SFU noted, “I realized that I have to get two jobs just to make ends meet, pay my tuition, paying rent, and groceries and everything like that [ . . . ] How I look at it is that migrant students, a lot of the time, subsidize everyone else’s education.” It was mentioned a government mandated 2% cap exists on tuition fee increases for domestic students but not for international students. Hence, for international students, “campuses can actually increase it by 10%. And students can’t do anything.”

PHOTO: Dom Fou / Unsplash

The concern was echoed by Eshana Baran, SFSS vice president external and community affairs. Her presentation noted this healthcare fee is an unfair measure which negatively impacts international and migrant students.

Baran stated the international student health fee as of now is $75 per month, per person. Baran called it a “violation of Canada Health Act.” The Canada Health Act contains a principle of universality, where all residents of Canada are entitled to uniform terms and conditions.

She noted this fee was a double charge, imposed due to the health care switch from Medical Services Plan to the Employer Health Tax (EHT). Explaining further with some statistics, she noted students with families are burdened with as much as “around $150 per month, per family.”

Baran said, “In 2018, international students contributed $3.9 billion in GDP, $2.45 billion in labour income, and $392.9 billion in income tax.” According to Baran, “Essentially, Canadian universities and colleges are relying on international students to manage the budget shortfalls.

“The institutions just rely on international students to fund post-seconday education.”

A toolkit was also shared with attendees for those interested in learning more. Follow @msu.at.sfu for campaign updates.

Council discuss changes to policies on in-camera discussion Council members concerned over the transparency of the executive’s governance

Policy amendment for in-camera sessions At the June 22 Council meeting, Judit Nagy, SFSS vice president internal and organizational development, introduced a motion to suspend policy PM-1.2., which dictates how policy is notified and changed. This is because “a time sensitive situation has come up surrounding the amendment of old policies,” and would therefore “allow [the] Committee on Councillor Breaches of Confidence (CCBC) to continue its work expeditiously.” The motion passed and PM-1.2 was suspended.

After PM-1.2’s suspension, Council discussed time sensitive changes to R-9 and SO-22. The motion proposed only councillors and invited third-parties will be allowed into in-camera meetings. Additionally, if a councillor is not present for an in-camera meeting, they will not be given the information that was discussed.

our in-camera discussions are not granted any access to the in-camera discussions.” He added, “It’s very frustrating and very concerning. This is highly irregular, and I don’t see how you could desire it.”

Reed continued, “There’s just a lack of transparency that has taken place with regards to this. This was proposed within the last 24 hours, we were given no clear information about this, and now we’re asked to vote on it.”

Nagy responded, “That’s actually incorrect.” She said directors who are not present for in-camera meetings are not allowed to view the discussions, which “is not actually irregular.” She added, “I highly encourage Council to let CCBC do its job, and do it well.”

Nagy stated the policy suspension had already been put into place in the last Board meeting in March. “This is highly, highly important to pass. We have work to do. This needs to be handled now,” said Nagy.

Rea Chatterjee, vice president equity and sustainability, added, “I just want to reiterate a sentiment that a lot of people have been saying: this is becoming increasingly concerning with the lack of transparency, and also the lack of time that was given to everyone for a decision this big. This undermines the democratic nature of the society as well.”

Matthew Reed, history student union councillor, raised concern about this policy. “This is a highly questionable motion to propose. You are essentially saying that any councillor members that are not in attendance of any of

Vivian Ly, Disability and Neurodiversity Alliance member, echoed similar concerns. “I do not have any trust in this process right now as a councillor, because this does not seem to be good governance at all.”

P RA N JA L I J MA N // NEWS WR I TER

After voting, 56% of Council voted in favour of Nagy’s policy amendment. This fell short of the two-third majority it required to be passed. The motion was not carried.

SFU Bridging for Future Initiative Arthur Lee, sociology and anthropology councillor, presented the SFU Bridging for Future Initiative to Council. This initiative aimed at assisting and supporting students who are directly or indirectly affected by civil and international conflicts.

Lee highlighted the initiative as a support tool for students in response to major international conflicts, such as the Russian invasion of Ukraine. He stated this was in accordance with similar past attempts of the SFSS to support students through implementations like the Palestine policy.

This proposal is set out to roll in a three-step basis. The first step would include communicating with the university regarding what has been done already. This would be followed by consultations with SFSS and students to get an understanding about what the SFSS can do to support the student body. The third step would be to implement measures agreed upon in their student consultation in coordination between the SFSS, staff, and students.

The proposal passed unanimously.

OPINIONS OPINIONS

July 4, 2022

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THE MULTICULTURAL MYTH

WHAT GRINDS OUR GEARS? Two+ midterms You can’t champion your country’s human rights when serious inequalities remain unaddressed.

P H OTO: JP Valery / Unsplash

What do “midterm exams” really mean in a word with more than one midterm exam?

We need to stop celebrating Canada Day Why Reconciliation Day would be a better reflection of positive Canadian values

I L LUSTRATI O N : Angela Shen / The Peak

O LIVIA V I S SER // STAF F W RI TE R

Content warning: mentions of anti-Indigenous violence and discrimination, residential schools Canada Day is a celebration of national pride. From endless hiking trails, to universal(-ish) healthcare, and Tim Horton’s, many Canadians get to celebrate their quality of life.

However, not everyone shares this privilege to the same degree. And it’s due to our failure to provide those Canadian privileges to Indigenous peoples that we should cancel Canada Day in favour of a Day for National Reconciliation.

In this country, Indigenous people have historically suffered from and continue to endure systemic injustices that our government both caused and refuses to tangibly address.

A celebration of a country’s history that takes place while a large segment of its citizenry is actively suffering isn’t innocent, it’s nationalistic. We’re minimizing the country’s colonial history and continuation of genocide in favour of an artificially positive vision of the country.

Canada’s history, inextricably linked, as it is, to violence and discrimination against Indigenous peoples is nothing to be celebrated — particularly when that celebration inevitably turns to talk of how Canada is uniquely multicultural. The treatment of Indigenous peoples makes the country’s claim to multiculturalism ring hollow.

Beyond having their land violently dispossessed, Indigenous people experienced cultural genocide by being forced into residential schools and forcibly stripped of their Indian Status through the Indian Act’s policy of enfranchisement.

The enfranchisement process involved losing “their treaty and statutory rights as Indigenous peoples, and their right to live in the reserve community.” The Act also banned practices like potlatchs and the Sun Dance in a deliberate show of racism. The government was intentionally trying to establish its own eurocentric culture, yet nowadays people praise Canada for its public commitment to diversity. The central Canadian myth — that we value multiculturalism — is undermined by the history that we choose to celebrate every July 1st.

Today, Indigenous people continue to suffer the consequences of Canada’s genocidal past. The last residential school was only closed in 1996, so many survivors are still alive today. New unmarked graves are continuously added to over 1,300 that have been confirmed to be discovered so far at residential schools. For most Canadians, this is a devastating reminder of our history, but for Indigenous people, it’s a traumatic manifestation of the violence that still burdens survivors and their loved ones.

Before we begin to celebrate Canadian culture, we need to address our present-day injustices. The Canadian government still violates Indigenous rights by encroaching on their lands for resource development and denying basic needs like water and healthcare. We also need to seriously address the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women by moving away from performative gestures and towards measurable action. Land acknowledgments are essential but don’t generate substantial change on their

own. The Canadian government can start by addressing the material well-being of those living on reserves by increasing funds for essential resources and restoring land rights.

Reconciliation by our government is performative if many communities still lack access to safe drinking water, and live on land owned and controlled by the Crown.

Reconciliation isn’t as simple as holding hands and pretending everything is all sunshine and rainbows. A step

We also can’t sit back and expect the government to entirely fix a problem caused in part by civilian complacency.

Reconciliation involves individual as well as systemic solidarity. as simple as adding “Reconciliation Day” to the calendar, as the country did last year, isn’t enough. It is performative in the same way Canada claims to care about reconciliation, while still actively harming Indigenous communities — because every Canada Day we still celebrate being on stolen lands.

Reconciliation is just the starting point, not the endpoint, in accounting for the trauma that’s been forced onto Indigenous communities. It involves respecting Indigenous land rights, honouring treaties, and recognizing the contributions that Indigenous people have made to our society. It’s time to ditch Canada Day in favour of an alternative that actually accounts for our country’s dark history, and celebrates multiculturalism in a genuine manner.

We also can’t sit back and expect the government to entirely fix a problem caused in part by civilian complacency. Reconciliation involves individual as well as systemic solidarity. Canadians can donate to Indigenousrun mutual aid organizations as a way to directly support those affected by colonization. Indigenous Mutual Aid is one organization that offers emergency funds, medicine, and community resources to Indigenous people in need.

Because these funds bypass government involvement, independent organizations like this can allocate their resources more effectively, with firsthand knowledge of where support is needed.

Canada is far from meeting the mark on reconciliation, but that doesn’t mean it’s a hopeless feat. The only real way forward is for everyone to recognize their place in this system that has targeted Indigenous communities since it began. Every settler in this country benefits from contributions made by Indigenous people who were subjected to genocide. Because of this, Canada Day should be permanently replaced with a Day for Reconciliation. We should have a holiday that reflects the values our society emptily articulates and should genuinely strive toward.

Course selection week! The best time of the semester — when we’re all absolutely drowning in school work. I gloss over prospective course syllabi and suddenly find myself in the shits; I’ve just found out the beloved required course for my degree has midterm exams . . . Plural. This is, of course, absurd. By definition, midterm means halfway. There can’t be more than one halfway point in the term. So then how can there be more than one midterm exam!?

Seeing the course syllabus on the SFU website already gives me anxiety. How are you gonna make me write more than two tests and call it “midterms”? Here, let’s make it easier for you. “Mid” is shorthand for “middle.” “Middle-term” exam.

Feeling pretty silly having two or more of them now, aren’t you?

The only acceptable definition of multiple midterms would have to be in the MIDDLE of TWO terms. Unless I’m pursuing TWO degrees at TWO different universities, I should not be taking TWO MIDDLE term exams.

Do you know how embarrassing it is to have two midterms? Especially during a conversation when your friends ask, “What do you mean you have a midterm? The semester is done in three weeks.” Like what is that about? Oh, and why the hell are you giving out a “midterm” exam two weeks after the semester has started? I digress.

You want students to take your class with minimal test anxiety? Don’t call it a “midterm exam,” just call them unit tests. Midterms are exactly what it describes. Mid. It may be the most insignificant things students complain about during our time at SFU, but don’t fucking push me on it.

Written by Jerrica Zabala

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OPINIONS

Opinions Editor Luke Faulks

OPINIONS IN DIALOGUE

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opinions@the-peak.ca

YASMIN VEJS SIMSEK // STAFF WRITER C ICART // SFU STUDENT

The corporatization of Pride Month Students Yasmin and C talk about what the presence of companies at Pride rallies means for the LGBTQIA2S+ community

Content warning: mentions of homophobia and transphobia Pride month merch from faceless, multi-billion-dollar corporations is among the most calculated, yet somehow weirdly personalized marketing schemes ever. Over the course of a month, companies with seemingly no relation to the movement will emblazon their logos with rainbow flags and produce cringy but supportive merchandise. But does a corporate presence at Pride represent a victory lap for a marginalized community, or is it a smokescreen that hides companies’ actual lack of loyalty to the LGBTQIA2S+ community?

YASMIN

I will be the first to admit that I believe companies’ overtly over-the-top attempts to be allies to the LGBTQIA2S+ community are extremely performative and there’s no way the majority of these CEOs actually give a flying fuck for the community’s rights and liberation. That being said, I can’t help but see this is a huge step from where we were 50 years ago, with Stonewall being an example of raiding gay safe places, arresting folks, and police checking people’s orientation.

Now, I bet you that many of these organizations have homophobic or transphobic managers who strongly disagree with Pride month messaging. But they’re forced to support the community because waving around the rainbow flag in an attempt to prove allyship has become the corporate norm. And this norm is helping silence those haters.

This is obviously looking at it from a North American point of view — unfortunately, there are still places in the world where being LGBTQIA2S+ is a crime, even punishable by death. Corporate support for North American Pride Month doesn’t extend to those countries, which is a problem.

C

I can’t get behind the idea that this is a victory lap. There is no evidence that queer and trans folks are the people who primarily benefit from the corporatization of Pride. Even today, many people in the LGBTQIA2S+ community don’t feel safe around police, anti-trans legislation is sweeping the US, and discrimination against LGBTQIA2S+ individuals still happens in Canada.

Companies selling us overpriced rainbow everything doesn’t address any of this. These companies only participate in Pride month because they can benefit financially from doing so. Every June, we see corporate Pride logos, but generally, these same corporations do not display their Pride logos in the Middle East, for example. Only being a visible “ally” in countries where it won’t affect your business is not allyship, it’s bullshit, and we don’t need it. Seeing Pride flags pop up in more spaces makes me smile, but I think as a community, we still need so much more, and we shouldn’t be afraid to demand it just because things could be worse.

YASMIN

No doubt about needing more. We need everything! And I think generally the white saviour complex stretches into this in terms of doing things to benefit the self, but not actually to benefit the community. Part of the problem is that corporations don’t actually ask the community what they need! As of 2022, only four CEOs in the Fortune 500 were gay, so any seemingly pro-Pride decisions are being made by people outside of the community.

I agree that pride merch shouldn’t only be offered in countries where a display of support won’t affect your business. However, I think shows of support in those regions where homophobia is prevalent, wouldn’t just harm your business, it could actually bring harm to the community. I think we should keep demanding what the community deserves, whilst still celebrating the victories along the way and picking our battles. I won’t fight corporations overcharging and overselling Pride merchandise, but I will fight their support for anti-LGBTQIA2S+ campaigns. I think those two can co-exist.

OPINIONS

July 4, 2022

ILLUSTRATION: STELLA NGUYEN / THE PEAK

C

I don’t believe rainbow capitalism happens because corporations are trying to help anyone.

They’re trying to make money. You are right; corporate Pride logos wouldn’t help queer and trans folks in regions that are hostile to gay rights. In the same way, they don’t help anyone here.

They are strictly performative. Many corporations are both Pride sponsors and anti-LGBTQIA2S+ campaign donors. This is something that needs to be called out. Companies don’t get to market themselves as an “ally” when they want to sell us things while funding our oppression at the same time. I do believe in celebrating victories along the way, but I can’t think of a single LGBTQIA2S+ victory that was corporate-led. The first Pride was a riot led by Black and brown queer and trans folks, many of whom were sex workers. Pride is about liberation, and corporate visibility does not liberate us.

YASMIN

See, I think corporations at Pride help folks here; not directly, not financially, but by raising awareness and making the rainbow the norm. On funding anti-LGBTQIA2S+ campaigns, I completely agree. It’s a huge issue and they need to be called out! But I think we can do that without stopping the corporate Pride awareness, performative as it is, because I think it’s better to have it than not to have it. It can’t be compared to the liberation that Pride itself gave us, but I think there is a level of liberation. I don’t know that it would be possible to make statistics on the decrease in homophobia due to the over-awareness of Pride that corporations contribute to, but I do believe it might be the case.

We are allowed to be angry and there are a lot of things we need to fight for. I just think we will get further not by fighting the performative rainbows, but by fighting the rest of the shit the companies do. We need to target their support to anti-LGBTQIA2S+ campaigns rather than the flags themselves. As hypocritical as these corporations can be, the corporatization of Pride helps silence homophobes by making Pride the status quo.

C

I think the impact of general “awareness” of the LGBTQIA2S+ community is overrated. I’m concerned that the corporatization of Pride may be normalizing empty acts of allyship. When people use the Pride flag, it should mean something. It should be attached to a real commitment toward queer and trans liberation. Corporations being performative may be better than corporations actively contributing to harm in the community, but I still think corporations being performative while simultaneously harming the community is an extra level of twisted that we should not stand for.

To be fair, rainbow washing criticism is not new. In response to the charge of “hypocrisy,” some companies contribute to charities with the profits they make from Pride campaigns. Rainbow washing remains an issue for the community issue because it obscures the real needs that LGBTQIA2S+ folks have. I’m not targeting the flag; I’m targeting corporations co-opting an important symbol, diluting its meaning, and selling it back to us. If you want Pride merch, I encourage you to get it from queer and trans folks. Vancouver Pride Society has a helpful list of local LGBTQIA2S+ producers.

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PH OTO : E l e n a S o b o l eva

Do you have a need for speed? Since 2017, Team Phantom has been designing fully-operational electric vehicles for racing competitions. The club was started by students majoring in mechatronics at SFU — a branch of engineering specialized in mechanical, electrical, and electronic elements of building. The club originally started out building electric go-karts but switched to assembling electric cars from scratch. The team enters their car into electric competitions hosted by the Formula Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), who also put on other competitions as part of their Collegiate Design Series.

The Peak spoke with operations director and mechatronic SFU student Alex Cherniavskii about how the club strives to make their cars as sustainable as possible. Since the cars run on electricity and don’t produce any emissions, they are “cleaner than a traditional combustion-engine.” This helps the team demonstrate that crafting smaller scale electrical vehicles is practical, and helps prospective engineers build the skills necessary to pursue a career in sustainability.

It will be our responsibility to ensure that we do things to ensure the integrity of our future as a collective of people that live on this planet.

Alex Cherniavskii operations director and mechatronic student

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“We already have club alumni that started their own cleantech company, Moment Energy, and we have both current and past club members currently working at industry-leading electric transportation and energy companies,” said Cherniavskii, who currently works as an intern for Tesla.

As the next generation of engineers, Team Phantom is mindful of what they can do during their projects to limit emissions. “It will be our responsibility to ensure that we do things to ensure the integrity of our future as a collective of people that live on this planet [ . . . ] We all know what’s coming, so it is our job to recognize that we can apply ourselves to improve the outcome as much as we can.”

Part of using greener building methods also means picking and choosing when to use resources. Instead of competing annually, Team Phantom participates in races every other year. In order to design a car from the ground up to race every two years, Team Phantom is split into four sub-team — controls, dynamics, frame/ aero, and power — and a business team to seek out sponsorships to make their cars.

The control team is the driver’s right-hand man. They build the communication system the driver uses to remain in control of the vehicle at all times. The dynamics team is the car’s eyes and ears.

FEATURES

Meet the SFU club building electric racing cars from scratch The team’s designs keep sustainability at the forefront of their building plan

W R IT TE N BY ISABELLA URBANI

PH OTO : G ab ri el So ares

They make sure integral parts of the car such as the breaking and steering system are good to go. The frame/aero team give a hand to the car’s structural design, including its bodywork. And lastly, the power team is the heart of the system, constructing and managing the electrical system of the car to power the motor. Once a vision for the car has been assembled, the team gathers together to weld and assemble the metal parts.

Due to the team’s two-year design focus, the team will not be competing at this year’s Formula SAE Electric competition, but is preparing for next year’s. They are close to assembling the car, with plans to test drive in the fall. When ready, the car will be judged in comparison to other entries from schools across the world based on two main categories: static and dynamic.

The static category consists of a technical inspection of the car, a presentation by the team to a panel of judges, a cost and manufacturing component to evaluate the team’s business savviness, and a design event. The dynamic portion, on the other hand, looks at the on-track racing abilities of the car in three races: acceleration on a straight path, skidpad event for evaluating turns, and the car’s overall performance.

Team Phantom relies on a plethora of sponsors to get the resources needed for their car each competition, including support from the Simon Fraser Student Society and companies such as Race Energy Performance. But when the club isn’t bringing their creations to life, they are visiting local middle schools and high schools with building challenges (such as hydrogen-fuel powered mini-cars) to inspire young STEM students. On their website, Team Phantom explains they do this because “to teach is to learn twice.” The club is true to this mantra by accepting all student members, regardless of experience, to partake in the building process.

“It takes an immense amount of engineering work to engineer a good but safe racing vehicle, so it’s rewarding to see the design once it is built,” said Cherniavskii. “But I think the most important part is the amount of learning that happens during the process, as that is what contributes to long term future career success and builds skills that lead to being able to do even more technical things down the road.”

You can find more information on Team Phantom by heading to their website and checking out their Instagram page for updates on their latest design.

PH OTO : M atthew M en d oza

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ARTS & CULTURE

Arts & Culture Editor Gem Yelin Lee

·

arts@the-peak.ca

Top cafés in Burnaby to work at this summer Perfect places to hunker down, get some work done, and enjoy delicious treats

WR IT TEN BY Y ELI N GE M M A L E E

Most Vancouverites can appreciate the summer because of our city’s rainy disposition. So, it can feel unfair to have to work or study in front of a screen all day while your friends are stockpiling Vitamin D exposure. At least once a week, I like to work long hours in a cozy café because I can focus better outside my apartment and I get to treat myself at the same time. These are my most frequented study spots in Burnaby, with reliable wifi and plenty of wall plugs to charge up.

01 Hiel Cafe 7885 6 th Street, Burnaby

This is arguably the best café to study at that I’ve found so far in the Greater Vancouver area. It has it all — high-quality food, delicious drinks, and an airy atmosphere with lots of natural light. The café seating area is well spaced out which is nice for COVID-19 related concerns. The food and drinks here are something to look forward to, with plenty of savoury and sweet homemade goods! They have an awesome selection of made-to-order sandwiches, poké bowls, and giant soufflé pancakes. If you’re more so in the mood for a sweet treat, their homemade cookies and cakes are swoon-worthy. Hiel has take-out options for their food and drinks, and they are on Uber for delivery as well.

I haven’t had issues with feeling like I was overstaying, even when I stay for five hours at a time on heavy work days. This might be because the café is in a rather quiet neighbourhood near the New Westminster/Burnaby city limits. I guess the awkward location is the one downside, but because of this, it’s never been overcrowded when I’ve gone in.

I llustra tion : A l yssa U mb al / The Peak

02 Juillet Cafe 206-4341 North Road, Burnaby

If you’re looking for a café with great Korean music and immaculate vibes, Juillet is the place to go. The large windows of this café overlook the North Road Koreatown which is a short walk from Lougheed Station. It has a wood-based design concept, with plants sporadically incorporated into the space. When you enter the building to access the café entrance, you are greeted with flowers and essential oils spilling over from Aromatears, the neighbouring fragrance and flower store. To your left, you’ll find a jewelry kiosk with affordable hypoallergenic jewellery from Korea and a photobooth.

You can really feel the warm and interconnected environment of the plaza community as soon as you walk in.

Juillet Cafe has lovely homemade pastries and cakes, and their coffee tastes great.

They offer a couple of sandwiches now but I haven’t tried them as I usually leave the cafe for lunch across the street at Kimbap Cheonguk, a casual Korean street food joint. The downside of this cafe is that it can be hard to find a seat depending on the time you go. To combat this problem of potential customers leaving after seeing the place packed with camped-out students, management recently applied a two-hour maximum seating limit. If you find the place full when you arrive, there’s another cute café in the plaza beside Hannam Supermarket called Standing Egg Coffee.

Illustra tion: Yin in g Zh o u / The Peak

03 Cafe Sweets and Beans 5152 Kingsway, Burnaby

A quick walk from either Royal Oak or Metrotown Skytrain stations, Cafe Sweets and Beans offers exactly what its name suggests and more. They have a fairly large space and it is clean and quiet. They are so consistent in this that I held my tutoring lessons here for two years and never worried about not finding a seat. They have a tiffany blue theme going on with their branding which I find strangely calming. Cafe Sweets and Beans calls itself a “cafeteria-style restaurant,” and although they serve pasta, pizzas, and sandwiches, I definitely consider it to be a café environment. You won’t feel uncomfortable pulling out your laptop or readings here, and I’ve had no problem staying for several hours at a time.

Their cheesecakes are my favourite in the city, and I always order an iced injeolmi latte, which is based on a traditional Korean rice cake. I haven’t seen this specialty drink anywhere else and I’m obsessed. If you’re getting hungry as you study, their truffle oil pasta is delicious. You can also head right upstairs to Sushi Oyama, one of my go-to sushi places in a “converted heritage house.”

ARTS & CULTURE

July 4, 2022

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MARVELLOUS MUSHROOMS

Changing how you think about fungi in What a Mushroom Lives For The book launch gave insight into mushrooms and their impact on our world JO CE LY N ST EVEN S / / SF U STUD E NT

On July 16, I found myself attending my first book launch event for SFU anthropology professor Michael Hathaway’s new book, What a Mushroom Lives For: Matsutake and The Worlds They Make. Although I’m not currently an avid reader, my obsession with mushrooms propelled me to buy the nonfiction book without a second thought. The event was hosted at Massy Arts Society, and Hathaway was joined by Spencer Greening, a Gitga’at doctoral student at SFU. They shared a conversation about the book and the ways fungi have been interpreted in western societies.

Owned and operated by the same crew from Massy Books, the room was cozy with lots of cool books and art showcased throughout. The energy at the event was very welcoming, and the community of fellow mushroom lovers in the audience were chatting away like old friends. Complete with complimentary food and wine, the book launch felt more like a living-room gathering.

In the first part of What a Mushroom Lives For, the reader is able to reimagine fungi as more than a simple mushroom on the forest floor. Hathway argues our planet is habitable because of fungi and how they are critical life partners for all living things.

The second half of the book focuses on Hathaway’s research in China on a specific mushroom — the matsutake — and the important role this sole fungi plays in our world. Hathaway

This book on the enchanting worlds of mushrooms is one to add to your summer reading list. talked about his time with the Tibetan and Yi people and how the matsutake has impacted their ways of life and interactions with the land. This point was contrasted with the fact that matsutakes are a multibillion-dollar global trade item.

Hathaway was challenged to think about forms of “agency and observation” in ways that he never thought of before in relation to plants and fungi. He hopes others will be challenged in the same way when reading his book.

“It’s just a given that other beings have agency,” Greening said when asked to share his Indigenous knowledge in relation to fungi. “When I hear elders talk about other beings [ . . . ] they’re talked about in a way that they’re just human. We might say the mountain goat people, the wolf people, the salmon people, and often when I hear oral histories, they say society. The mountain goat society, the salmon society, again, it’s this expression that there’s this deep, sort of institutionalism.”

Greening then asked Hathaway if there are any examples of institutionalism in the mushroom world. Hathaway brought up an example of encountering this in his personal life. “[I was] looking at this piece of cutting board that I have from an old pear tree and you can see the histories of fungal

PHOTO: Jocelyn Stevens / The Peak

interactions in that, you see these black lines as they’ve engaged,” expressed Hathaway. “There are these interesting physical archives of the histories of these relations going on that we just have the slightest hint.”

The idea that mushrooms, too, have institutionalism similar to other beings was very eye-opening. Even though I went into this event with some knowledge about mushrooms, it altered my views of fungi and their agency.

Despite fungi being associated with poison in western societies for so long, it was encouraging to have people come together with open minds and listen to two people talk about the ways in which fungi shape our world. I found myself very engaged with the conversation, listening to Hathaway and Greening’s conversation at the edge of my seat.

With all the fascinating things I learned about the magical matsutake from the event and the book so far, I’m really looking forward to reading more about “the worlds they make.”

You can purchase What a Mushroom Lives For: Matsutake and The Worlds They Make at Massy Books either online on their website or in store.

PICTURE PERFECT

lessLIE’s Salish Modern/Tradition collection reclaims literacy through Indigenous oral and visual traditions This collection acquired by SFU reclaims his Peoples’ narrative through seven paintings JO CE LY N ST EVEN S / / SF U STUD E NT

SFU’s Teck Gallery is featuring an art collection by lessLIE, a “Coast Salish artist from the Cowichan Tribes,” until September 25. Salish Modern/Tradition is a collection of seven different acrylic-on-paper paintings which are inspired by the ways colonizers have used language as a tool against Indigenous culture and traditions. He combines the English language with visuals inspired by his Coast Salish culture to show the complex duality of the written word, “an instrument for both cultural oppression and cultural survival of his People.” The exhibit is held at Teck Gallery, a small area located in SFU’s Harbour Centre campus. It is easily accessible with a ramp for those who need it to get onto the platformed area.

The paintings were nicely laid out on the west and east walls, and the view of the harbour waterfront from the large window amplified the experience. There weren’t any individual descriptions for each piece, and visitors were encouraged to view the accompanying support material online. Each painting was painted in a circular shape and framed in a white square, laid out in an order that flowed well. lessLIE conveyed the interconnected relationship between the English language, Indigenous oral tradition, and visual symbolism. According to the exhibit description, “he argues that individual Coast Salish design elements, such as circles, ovals, crescents, trigons and u-forms, are like the letters of an alphabet, which can be used to visually ‘spell’ any image.” lessLIE, therefore, accepts literacy without sacrificing deep cultural connection, which is a powerful critique of how it was weaponized for assimilation throughout colonization.

Teck Gallery is the perfect place to showcase LessLIE’s Salish Modern/Tradition with its view of the waterfront.

My favourite pieces ended up being the two that caught my eye as soon as I got there due to their colour scheme and stylistic differences from the other pieces. The first piece stuck out to me because of its bright pop of yellow and was titled Sun, Salmon, Frogs and Ravens. lessLIE strategically used the yellow on the white canvas to bring out the different animals listed in the title, and the circle was outlined by a red paint. Although it gave the impression of being an uncomplicated painting, when I looked at it long enough, I could see the subtle shape and essence of sun, salmon, frogs, and ravens.

The second piece that I really liked was called heART. This piece was particularly striking because lessLIE used white paint on white paper, and was contrasted with a deep, dark blue background to bring out the boldness of the white circle. This made the circle eye-catching and gives it a 3-dimensional look when I observed it with less focus.

I was attracted to this painting because of the white-onwhite concept, which seems overly simple but was quite captivating. Similarly to Sun, Salmon, Frogs and Ravens, when you look long enough, you can see two fish-like figures using their fins to make a heart shape.

The other pieces were also very well done and used a lot of red and black pigments, which was completely different from the two that struck out to me. We learned about pictographs

PHOTO: Rachel Topham Photography / SFU

and the pigments that are used when creating them in my Indigenous Studies class last semester: red pigment is used in some Indigenous cultures as it carries a spiritual or mystical meaning.

Something that came to mind while viewing my two favourite pieces in relation to the other ones was that they seemed to be the sun and moon for the other paintings. This was due to the circular motifs, the colour choices of the two pieces, and how they were placed on opposite walls from each other. The Sun, Salmon, Frogs and Ravens piece was bright yellow with red elements like the sun. In contrast, the white with blue detail in the heART piece reminded me of the moon. This made the pieces feel really connected, and illustrated the intertwined nature and storytelling aspect of the collection.

I enjoyed going to view lessLIE’s Indigenous art and his powerful use of negative space. It’s one of my favourite kinds of artwork to see as it can come in so many forms, have many different meanings, and cultural interpretations.

The collection is beautiful, critical, and worth a visit to downtown Vancouver.

You can view Salish Modern/Tradition at the Teck Gallery until September 25, and an accompanying support material is available online.

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ARTS & CULTURE

Arts & Culture Editor Gem Yelin Lee

·

arts@the-peak.ca

ART OF GLIDE

Jenn Edwards’ journey from figure skating to professional dance and back again The SFU alum combines her passions with the Le Patin Libre skating company

SARA WON G // PEAK ASSO CI ATE

When someone asked me whether I miss my figure skating days, I usually summarize with, “I miss performing. I don’t miss the pressure and intensity of it.” In an interview with SFU alum and former competitive skater Jenn Edwards, I was comforted in discovering I wasn’t alone in this experience. Now, Edwards has found a place to skate again with Le Patin Libre, a Montréal-based company. Over email, Edwards described what led her to return on the ice.

“Looking back, competing made me pretty anxious,” said Edwards. “I didn’t love being out there all alone in front of the judges. And as I got more advanced and the jumps got harder, I started to realize it was the dance element of skating that I really loved.”

Sadly, there are few ways for figure skaters to make it professionally outside of competing. As Edwards said in an interview with Dance International, she “wasn’t interested in being a coach or in dressing up as a Disney character.”

So, at 18, Edwards put away her skates and began her studies at SFU. “I came to SFU not really knowing what I wanted to do as a career,” Edwards admitted. Since she enjoyed AP English in high school, she started working towards an English degree.

But athletics were still important to Edwards.

“My plan was to do a minor in dance, because I had just quit skating and wanted something to keep me moving,” she said.

“But then I became obsessed with modern and contemporary dance, and ended up getting concurrent degrees.”

After graduating, Edwards’ career as a performer and choreographer took her around the world. She is currently based in Newfoundland and Labrador, where she also works

as a yoga, barre fitness, and off-ice movement instructor. She contributes to dance magazines and tours with a local band called Ptarmageddon. Despite these successful ventures, figure skating remains Edwards’ first love. Thanks to Le Patin Libre, she has a place to revisit and express joy on-ice.

“I first became aware of Le Patin Libre in 2017, when The Cultch presented their show Vertical Influences in Vancouver,” Edwards said. While The Cultch hosted Le Patin Libre, their performances took place at the Britannia rink.

Being in a familiar environment, but seeing figure skating like never before, Edwards “knew pretty much immediately it was something [she] needed to be a part of.” She approached Le Patin Libre’s artistic director, Alexandre Hamel, and learned they were quietly holding auditions. Despite being about a decade out of practice, Edwards tried out and earned a spot in the company.

What makes Le Patin Libre stand out from traditional skating clubs is the focus on movement and theatricality, elements that aren’t prioritized as much in competitions, or even showcases. The elimination of elitism allows for a more welcoming creative atmosphere. Edwards shared she feels more connected to a figure skating community now with Le Patin Libre. “I love how authentic we’re encouraged to be in performance. There’s no pretense, we don’t have to jazz anything up or paste smiles on our faces,” she added. And because Le Patin Libre is a group, moving as one on ice, Edwards doesn’t have to skate alone anymore.

Le Patin Libre’s latest show, Murmuration, presents the same principles but on a whole new scale. “There are 15 skaters, whereas all the previous pieces have had only five,” Edwards explained. With more emphasis on a large ensemble, the idea is to emulate a flock of birds.

Edwards making moves as a multi-disciplinary performer.

PHOTO: Garrett Kling Watching the trailer, I got chills almost instantly. Aside from the visual of one skater being showered in ice crystals, the group’s collective movements felt haunting and edgy. They glided so gracefully, yet with such sharp precision. I’ve rarely seen this kind of choreography in a figure skating routine before.

“When we’re moving together, we’re constantly making these minute adjustments and calculations to create the overall picture you see on the ice. It’s really fun to perform, because it forces you to be so present, and connected with everyone in the group,” Edwards said.

After a two year delay due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the group recently debuted Murmuration in Paris. Though no other shows have been announced on their website, Edwards revealed that “a presentation in the Lower Mainland is definitely in the works.”

For more from Jenn Edwards, follow her on Instagram @jjedwards. Check out Le Patin Libre on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

MONDAY MUSIC: GROOVY TUNES TO BLAST ON YOUR WAY TO A BEACH DAY Written by Yelin Gemma Lee

To be honest, I’m not a huge beach person because I’m a wimp when it comes to direct sunlight. If I want a tan in the summer, I want to be outside doing sports rather than lying there in my bathing suit and feeling like the UV rays are eating me alive. But when I do go a few times in summer it has to be a whole production and I end up having a great time. These are some of my favourite songs to hype me up while getting ready and driving to the beach with the windows down.

“Body Count”

(feat. Normani & Kehlani) Remix by Jessie Reyez

“Everybody Watching” IMAGE: Death Row Records

This song is sunshine and summertime encapsulated. The lyrics are so simple but the vibes make me picture myself biking along the beachside somewhere with palm trees, where it feels like summer all year long. This is a power trio of some of my favourite artists of all time. My favourite part of the song is when they sing, “Is it the sun on your skin? / Or the light in the wind? / Who knows.”

I love this song not for its lyrics in particular but for how these simple words are sung. The production of the song gives off a breezy and carefree vacation vibe. The song closes with Snoop Dogg’s iconic voice saying, “Yes sir, I hope you’re enjoyin’ this music brought to you by,” which is just the cherry on top of this sweet refreshing sundae of a song.

IMAGE: Universal Music

By Snoop Dogg, Raphael Saadiq, Miguel

If you’re looking for a new queer bop about woman empowerment for the summer, these singers have come together to bring you one groovy jam. Jessie Reyez has such a unique and dynamic voice, which sounds like she is both rapping and singing at the same time. Remixed with Normani and Kehlani’s voices, this song takes several level-ups. The lyrics sound like one big roast on controlling and insecure men. One of my favourite lines is when Normani sings, “You think you made me? You funny, you know that? You funny, boy / You were birthed by a woman, show some fucking respect.”

“Nothing’s for Sure”

By Nao

By Amber Mark, Shelley FKA DRAM

IMAGE: PMR Records & Virgin EMI Records

This song never fails to brighten my mood. Whether you’re listening to this while packing for a weekend trip, doing some seasonal cleaning, or listening to music at the beach, you won’t be able to resist the urge to dance. Amber Mark’s strong androgynous voice in this song is paired with Shelley FKA DRAM’s old-school slower rap in this song. A catchy beat will immediately have you grooving and the lyrics are easy to sing along to.

IMAGE: Little Tokyo Recordings

“Put You On”

Nao has such an amazing vocal range and a beautiful charismatic voice. I love everything she puts out into the world, but this song has a special place in my heart. “Nothing’s for Sure” is a groovy philosophical song about letting go of things you can’t control and going with the flow of life. A great principle for life in general but paired with production that has a tropical-island vibe it feels perfect for summer. I can picture myself reading a book at the beach or drinking sangria on a patio to this song. Nao croons in the chorus, “Nothing’s for sure / Just let the moment take you on its wings / Nothing’s for sure / Just go with the flow, let your spirit run free.” These lyrics feel therapeutic to hear from her sweet voice: it’s the perfect song to help me chill out.

HUMOUR

July 4, 2022

COMIC BY OLIVIA VISSER

Confessionals How I found myself in a midterm for a class I wasn’t enrolled in Written by The Impersonator (Olivia Visser)

Everyone has done it: enter the wrong classroom on the first day of school. You quickly grab a seat at the front and make yourself comfortable only to be caught off guard by unfamiliar jargon. Mitochondria, epinephrine, tropomyosin!?

Most of these words you’ve never heard in your life — this can’t be right!

Yup, that was me at the start of this year’s summer semester.

Anyone else would quietly see themselves out as soon as they realized their mistake, but not this human doormat! This is the story of how I people-pleased so hard that I ended up in a midterm for a course I wasn’t enrolled in.

I don’t like drawing attention to myself, and I certainly don’t like offending others. I wasn’t prepared to ditch BPK 110 after the TA, Frank, so enthusiastically complimented my pants. Who could abandon someone after that!? We had a connection. I don’t think either of us were prepared to throw away our blossoming new friendship.

I’m not a science person, so BPK wasn’t ideal for me. The textbook wasn’t that bad though. And besides, the more I showed up to office hours, the more connected I felt to the material. Beforehand, I didn’t know that there’s only one type of enzyme, that digestion actually occurs in the esophagus, or that Frank can bench 225.

It’s hard to form a genuine bond with your classmates when you’ve taken the name of the person who never shows up for class, Margaret Lee. I’d often get called upon and stare at Frank blankly, forgetting that I was Margaret in this sick game of mine.

Practice makes perfect, though. By the time our midterm rolled around, I’d become Frank’s favourite student and people were even asking me for study help. Frank reassured me that I’d do great, that I was so enthusiastic about the course there’s no way I’d fail.

There’s no way I could pass, either. I got ahead of myself. I forgot I’m an English major already enrolled in four courses, and this wasn’t one of them. Not only was I behind in every other class of mine, but by the time that fateful day was here, I realized there was no way I could take the exam.

I tried to tell the invigilator that I lost all my ID but they didn’t buy it for a second. Especially not when Margaret walked into the room and pulled out her student card. Oh God.

You skipped every class for the first half of the semester! If university were a meritocracy then I’d still be in BPK 110. I

deserved it.

Frank, if you’re reading this, I’m sorry you had to find out the way you did. I really thought we had something special going on, and if you can settle for an Arts student then I truly believe it’s worth a shot. I still remember our summer full of sweaty iClicker palms and heart-to-hearts about bile. I’ll be out here,

Little Mermaid style, waiting to be part of your BPK world.

SFSS WOMEN’S CENTRE BANS OFF OUR BODIES SOLIDARITY RALLLY Date: Wednesday, July 13 Time: 11:30am–1pm (post rally meet up until 3pm) Location: Simon Fraser University Burnaby Campus (see route below) On June 24, 2022, the United States Supreme Court overturned the precedent set in Roe v Wade that protected the right to abortion on a federal level. This decision is steeped in gendered, economic, and racialized oppression, and those from historically excluded and marginalized communities will face the brunt of this injustice.

Although this injustice is at the forefront of media right now, the United States is not the only country where abortion is currently prohibited on a federal level. As per the “Center for Reproductive Rights,” there are presently 24 countries globally that completely prohibit abortion. Additionally, there are over 90 countries that only allow abortion in the case there is a health risk or other complications that lead to, or are taking place as a result of, the pregnancy. There are over a billion folks globally who do not have the right to choose due to laws that prohibit abortion and strip them of their autonomy and freedom.

Join the SFSS Women’s Centre Collective as we stand in solidarity with all those who do not have access to safe and legal abortions on a global scale. We will be meeting at Convocation Mall where there will be a few speeches and then proceeding on an outdoor march through campus. We will end at the hill by the Terry Fox statue where there will be more speeches and further chants.

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HUMOUR

Humour Editor Kelly Chia

SFUnexplained: Joy Johnson is the Editor-in-Chief of The Peak The proof is overwhelming, you can’t deny it

Written by Yasmin Vejs Simsek

Joy Johnson is the president of Simon Fraser University. Or is she?

I’ve given this a ton of thought and at this point, there is not a doubt in my mind that Joy Johnson is actually Editor-in-Chief at The Peak.

Okay, hear me out! First of all, Joy Johnson is like the most powerful person at SFU. I bet you she has people at her beck and call to do whatever she asks. Want a 3:00 a.m. bagel? She’ll probably have it within the hour. Fancy a private whale-watching tour in pouring rain? She’s definitely got a guy on call for that. So, if she wanted to be the boss of the coolest newspaper in town, she could easily take over and completely forget about the yearly hiring process for the Editor-in-Chief. She’s. Got. The. Power.

Second of all, have you ever seen the Editor-in-Chief and Joy Johnson in the same room at the same time? No? Because they are the same person! Joy Johnson might be powerful, but she does not have magical powers and therefore can’t be two people at once. Think about that next time you are in the room with Johnson and the Editor-in-Chief of The Peak isn’t there.

Suspicious? I think so.

And don’t even get me started on the amount of jokes The Peak makes about Joy Johnson or past SFU presidents. This is giving me some serious Gossip Girl vibes, where you know, Gossip Girl actually had to gossip about themselves to make sure people will never suspect it is you. And what better way to make sure people talk about you than to make sure the topic is always on you?

Speaking of which, most of the articles The Peak publishes on Joy Johnson are always poking fun of her and who better to make fun of someone, if not themselves? Self-deprecating humour, you guys! Why else would The Peak publish a humor article titled, “SFU gets rid of professors to save president’s salary,” if not to deflect from the fact that it was all true! I’m telling you, it’s all a ruse to throw us off the scent. You see? It all makes sense.

Listen, everyone here at The Peak is so confused. I have never actually met the Editor-in-Chief, the so-called Michelle Young in person. That’s OBVIOUSLY somehow an anagram for Joy Johnson.

And like COVID-19 is basically over (another obvious hoax), so why are we still meeting on Zoom? We’re all vaccinated, and it’s not like COVID-19 is rapidly mutating to be more transmissible or anything. EVERYONE else is back in-person (except those people with the worst “seasonal summer colds” of their life) and yet here we are at The Peak stuck in front of our laptops. I bet she’s using a green screen because our Editor-in-Chief does not want to be found out for who she really is! We need to expose her, so please spread the word you guys. I was only able to get this piece through to the Humour editor with fairly little resistance! I wonder why . . .

Sincerely, A desperate Staff Writer

ILLUSTRATION: Shaheen Virk / The Peak

jOy JoHnSon

·

humour@the-peak.ca

HUMOUR

July 4, 2022

Your Weekly Horoscopes My crystal ball is bigger than yours

July 4–11 Max Lorette

Peak Associate and Supposed Village Soothsayer

ARIES — Mar 21–Apr 19

LIBRA — Sept 23–Oct 22

Have you connected with your inner child recently? If not,

Next time you receive a spam call, lead them on a bit. Make

I think it’s ample time for you to start building that time

some jokes and strike up a conversation. Who knows! It

machine. Travel back in time and tell your younger self

could be your next true love/fling. The stars certainly seem

not to make the same mistakes you did. Fade away from

to think so.

existence as a better version of yourself comes to pass.

Realize what a grave mistake you’ve made.

TAURUS — Apr 20 –May 20

SCORPIO — Oct 23–Nov 21

If you’ve been looking for a sign to become a certified forklift

Hey buddy, I’m going to give you some advice. Scorpio to

operator; this is it. The stars have aligned perfectly, and they

fellow Scorpio. I promise it’s simply human nature to feel

have informed me that you will get bitches if you tell them that

like an outsider at all times. We all feel this way. Humans are

you’re a certified forklift operator. Godspeed, my dear friend.

funny like that. I don’t know if this is a comfort or not, but at least we can relate to each other on that.

GEMINI — May 21–Jun 20

SAGITTARIUS — Nov 22–Dec 21

Dear Gemini, the stars know how intelligent you are. I think

Hey Sag! I know that you skipped over all the other Horoscopes to

it’s time the world does, too. Grab a stranger and tell them

get to this one, but I’m going to ask you to take a look at Scorpio’s

all about Euler (make sure to emphasize it's pronounced

right above you. Do you know how I said that it’s human nature to

OIL-er) and his prolific role in the maths world. Strangers will

feel a little bit different? Yeah. I know that you’re fuelled by your own

appreciate the newfound knowledge! Go, my little Prometheus!

individuality complex, so I’m just going to bring you down a notch and remind you that your own human condition is not unique.

CANCER — Jun 21–Jul 22

CAPRICORN — Dec 22–Jan 19

A little birdie told me that it’s Cancer season! Whether your

Hey Capricorn. Did you read last week’s horoscopes? Do you

birthday has passed or is on the horizon, I’m giving you full

remember how I asked you to take a day off? Did you do it

permission to go absolutely wild with your online shopping

yet? DID YOU DO YOUR HOMEWORK??? If not, I’m docking

addiction. I promise that you won’t regret it once your credit

50% off of your final grade. That’s a promise.

card statement comes in.

LEO — Jul 23–Aug 22

AQUARIUS — Jan 20 –Feb 18

Next time you’re writing an essay and your professor asks you

Stay away from dairy this week. I’m serious. Aquarius. If you’re,

to defend your thesis, flip that shit around on them. Ask them

like, literally every single lactose intolerant person I know, I’m

with real tears in your eyes, “Why are you attacking my thesis?”

fully aware that you don’t avoid dairy as much as you should.

Let’s be real, your thesis is your brain child. It hasn’t done a

Stop it! Give your intestines a break. And if you aren’t lactose

singular thing wrong in its life! Your professor will be so caught

intolerant . . . now you are. The stars say so.

off guard that I think that they might just give you an A.

VIRGO — Aug 23–Sept 22

PISCES — Feb 19–Mar 20

Hey Virgo. Have you been feeling down in the dumps

Hey Pisces. How have you been? Long time no see. Anyway, as

lately? Next time you need a quick laugh, I encourage you

much as I’d love to stay and give you your horoscope this week, I

to look up your favourite historical figure on Archive of Our

was wondering if you could give me your mom’s number? She’s

Own and sort by Kudos. You’re welcome.

really hot. Zoo wee mama.

15

16

DIVERSIONS

Business Manager Yuri Zhou

·

business@the-peak.ca

CROSSWORD Across 1. Extinct birds 6. Knocks sharply 10. Gorillas 14. Elude 15. Actor ____ Guinness 16. Most excellent 17. Chinese mammal 18. Slangy affirmative 19. Simple 20. Blood part 22. In the middle 24. Private school 27. Drain opener 28. Beirut native

32. City railways 34. Overwhelms 35. Squabble 37. Midwest airport 41. Track events 43. Distinctive time 44. Famous 45. Desirable quality 46. Movie fish 48. Judge's garb 49. Dusting cloth 51. NASA employee 53. Lemon beverage 56. Paraphrase

58. Cold Russian region 60. Bother 65. Hunt for 66. Barbershop sound 69. Ruin 70. Mythical giant 71. At this location 72. Painter's stand 73. Folding beds 74. Space 75. Humming sound

23. Hosiery material 25. Poplar type 26. Most beloved 28. Tibetan monk 29. Female sheep 30. Pollen gatherers 31. Fall flower 33. Seaside 36. Florida City 38. Molecule component 39. Country singer ____ McEntire 40. Adam's abode 42. Drummer Ringo ____ 47. Promise

50. Female Japanese entertainer 52. Discontinued 53. Business gp.

54. San ____ 55. Critic Roger ____ 57. More sensible 59. Scrapes by 61. Mast 62. Fair (hyph.)

63. Property right 64. She, to Pierre 67. Animosity 68. Tiny vegetable

Down 1. Johnny ____ of "Edward Scissorhands" 2. The ____ Office 3. Comedian ____ Carvey 4. Probabilities 5. Sailor 6. Sunbeam 7. Tavern drink 8. Freedom from war 9. Plot 10. Aid and ____ 11. Oyster's treasure 12. Student's assignment 13. Current fashion 21. Fighter pilots

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July 17