MAY 17 TO MAY 30, 2017
VOLUME 25 ISSUE 15
I’m a writer, not a production guy since 1993
CEP recreation Fitness programming to be developed at CEP campus, replacing the Cheam Leisure Centre.
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Jagmeet Singh Will he be our first Indo-Canadian and GQ prime minister?
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Cascadia pg. 10-11
Pure Comedy’s not funny Father John Misty brings entertaining cynicism.
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WWW.UFVCASCADE.CA
WEDNESDAY, MAY 17, 2017
Editorial //
STAFF Editor-in-Chief Joel Robertson-Taylor joel@ufvcascade.ca Managing Editor (interim) Kat Marusiak Kat@ufvcascade.ca Business Manager Quintin Stamler quintin@ufvcascade.ca Illustrator Amara Gelaude amara@ufvcascade.ca Production Assistant Satinder Dhillon Satinder@ufvcascade.ca Photographer Alexandrah Pahl Alexandrah@ufvcascade.ca Ad Representative Kayla Normandeau-Cowan Kayla@ufvcascade.ca
Copy Editor Kat Marusiak kat@ufvcascade.ca News Editor Joel Robertson-Taylor joel@ufvcascade.ca Jr. News Editor Jesse Boyes jesse@ufvcascade.ca Opinion Editor Panku Sharma panku@ufvcascade.ca Culture & Events Editor Jeff Mijo jeff@ufvcascade.ca Arts in Review Editor Martin Castro martin@ufvcascade.ca Distributor Griffy Vigneron distributor@ufvcascade.ca
THIS WEEK’S CONTRIBUTORS Kara Joanna Mitch Huttema
Jennifer Trithardt-Tufts Kapil Sharma
Cover: Vanessa Broadbent
WWW.UFVCASCADE.CA
@UFVCASCADE FACEBOOK.COM/UFVCASCADE INSTAGRAM.COM/THE.CASCADE Volume 25 · Issue 15 Room S2111 33844 King Road Abbotsford, BC V2S 7M8 604.854.4529
The Cascade is UFV’s autonomous student newspaper. It originated under its current name in 1993, and achieved autonomy from the university and the Student Union Society in 2002. This means that The Cascade is a forum for UFV students to have their journalism published in an entirely student-run setting. It also acts as an alternative press for the Fraser Valley. The Cascade is funded with UFV student funds, and is overseen by the Cascade Journalism Society Board, a body run by a student majority. The Cascade is published every Wednesday with a print circulation of 1,250 and is distributed at Abbotsford, Chilliwack (CEP), Clearbrook, and Mission UFV campuses and throughout the surrounding communities. The Cascade is open to written, photo, and design work from all students; these can come in the form of a pitch to an editor, or an assignment from an editor. Writers meetings are held each Monday at 12:00 p.m. in The Cascade’s office on the Abbotsford campus. In order to be published in the newspaper, all work must first be approved by The Cascade’s editor-in-chief, copy editor, and corresponding section editor. The Cascade reserves the right to edit submissions for clarity and length. The Cascade will not print any articles that contain racist, sexist, homophobic or libellous content. Letters to the editor, while held to the same standard, are unedited, and should be under 400 words. As The Cascade is an autonomous student publication, opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect that of UFV, The Cascade’s staff and collective, or associated members.
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Finding the right medicine It can come in all kinds of forms, some we don’t recognize JOEL ROBERTSON-TAYLOR EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
I ran out of adrenaline last semester. I went to a walk-in clinic to figure out what was going on. It began as a quaint visit — I couldn’t remember the last time I’d been to see a general practitioner and I figured a check-up was due. We had our conversation, she spoke medicalese, and I agreed to get blood tests. Then she asked if depression ran in my family. It does. She suggested I try an antidepressant. I don’t see why? “You don’t have any need to worry,” she said, trying to reassure me — as if I was unsure of something. “This is a mild antidepressant, and they’re very common.” I feel like I’ve heard this sales pitch before. I’m not depressed. And I do understand its complexity. So I was surprised to have medication pushed on me when I came for what I thought was a different issue. Yes, I was worked up about finals, but I really went to the clinic for one of two things: to find out if there’s a reason why I’m waking up more tired than the night before, or a way to mainline epinephrine into my dome. Either way, I didn’t need antidepressants. What I needed was to push through the last of my exams. Our conversation got uncomfortable, we argued about my need for antidepressants for a solid 10 minutes. Ultimately, I couldn’t leave the doctor’s office without a prescription. They were for “just in case.” Antidepressants are the second highest category of drugs claimed by UFV students through the health and dental plan. Not all students claim their medications, but this gives a good indication as to what’s being taken. And so I wondered, if I was handed them like candy, what are those other hundreds of students’ experiences? In a New York Times article titled, “The Antidepressant Generation,” Doris Iarovici writes: “A growing number of young adults are taking psychiatric medicines for longer and longer periods, at the very age when they are also consolidating their identities, making plans for the future and navigating adult relationships.” According to a study by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, Canadians consume 86 doses of antidepressants per 1,000 people per day. We are the third-highest consumer among 23 developed countries surveyed. The report suggested that antidepressants are increasingly prescribed for “milder forms of depression, generalised anxiety disorders or social phobia.” In every country surveyed, antidepressant usage is on the rise. In another recent study, the Canadian Association of College and University Student Services found that a fifth of post-secondary students battle mental illness, which includes depression and anxiety. Depression is a serious form of mental illness, and thanks to many advocates and campaigns, this culture is beginning to see past the stigma. I saw an “interesting facts” meme a while back; one of them said that in Japan, until the late 1990s, depression was incredibly stigmatized and antidepressant use was nearly nonexistent. In 1999, pharmaceutical companies launched an ad campaign: “kokoro no kaze,” which literally means “a cold of the soul.” They then began selling the problem of mild depression, and the solution for it. As the
idea caught on, more and more people began to realize they were depressed. Accord to the BBC, after this campaign, the market for antidepressants skyrocketed and in 2006 it was worth six times what it had been prior. Doctor visits for depressionrelated issues also rose dramatically. In pre-1999 Japan, the word for depression was associated with disorders like schizophrenia and severe mania. Since the campaign, mild depression has become a buzzword, according to Kathryn Schulz, writing for the New York Times. Mental health had long been inadequatly addressed in Japan. Suicide rates are disgustingly high (third highest in the world according to the Washington Post) and the culture has been known to be dismissive of mental illness. The problem with the ad campaign is that it didn’t differentiate between levels of depression. Arthur Kleinman is a psychiatry professor at Harvard and the co-author of Culture and Depression. He told the New York Times that “there is no question in my mind that severe clinical depression is a real disease…But mild depression is a totally different kettle of fish. It allows us to re-label as depression an enormous number of things.” Without a doubt, real clinical depression is as crippling as losing a part of your body. It is losing part of the body — it’s losing your kokoro. But while some injuries need a John Hopkins surgical team, others need a pep talk and a pat on the back. The campaign did some good, it opened depression as a legitimate conversation. But Schulz also noted that other forms of treatment haven’t caught up with medication. Now that medication is so prevalently used to treat anything from periodic sadness to full-blown depression, psychiatrists in Japan are trying to introduce other forms of treatment, like counselling and talk-therapy. What’s concerning is that a lot of people might not be getting the help they need, if mood swings are treated like brain infections. I didn’t go for a follow-up. I figured if it was an external stressor that jumbled up my neurochemistry, it would best be another external change to tidy it up. So instead, I went for a hike; I wrote without a goal; I devoted an allotted time for rest — a Sabbath, or Uposatha, if you will. Many ancient spiritual practices ritualize focused rest. It’s a bit different from doing nothing, however, it involves focusing on being at peace, or amongst a community of friends. When you pay attention, you see there are rhythms to everything. We call them seasons, currents, rotations, cycles. Rest is always a part of these cycles. If everything else on this planet is attuned to it, I reason I’d better do the same. And it seemed to work. Even that short practice of rest reversed my woes from the entire semester. I threw out the prescription. Not because of a moral superiority, purely because of pragmatics. I just don’t need them. Like I didn’t need cigarettes either — and although I’ve quite smoking dozens of times, for a long time I regretted my first drag; there were better ways to relax. I don’t know much about psychiatry, but I find that whatever is bothering me always pales in comparison to grandfather cedars and prehistoric glaciers.
NEWS NEWS BRIEFS Gold medal
WEDNESDAY, MAY 17, 2017
Recreation //
Cheam Leisure Centre dropped Chilliwack students will instead be able to use CEP facilities
Both the women’s and men’s UFV Cascades golf teams came back victorious from the Skagit Valley College Cardinal Invitational in Burlington, Washington earlier this month, each bringing home team gold medals as well as individual ones, with Sharon Park and Halen Davis taking the top spot in their respective events. The women’s team also won at the Southwest Oregon Community College Invitational in Bandon, Oregon on May 14-15, with Park again taking first place in the individual standings. - UFV Cascades International admission This fall, Canadian universities will see a huge rise in the number of international students — a testament to Canada’s reputation as a welcoming, safe, and inclusive country. This influx of foreign students, as well as researchers and professors, further globalizes the institutions and will hopefully help plug budget gaps caused by declines in domestic enrolment in Ontario and the Maritimes. Administrators assure that this increase in international admissions will not affect the number of available spots for domestic students. - The Globe and Mail Displacing students A research paper by a University of B.C. economist and a University of Alberta law student has brought into question UBC’s claims that international students do not compete with or displace domestic ones, arguing that some Canadian students are being denied entry in favour of less qualified, full-fee paying international students. The UBC vice-provost and other officials maintain that this is in fact a myth, and that international and domestic applications are adjudicated in separate pools for review. - Vancouver Sun
Photo: The Cascade
JOEL ROBERTSON-TAYLOR EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
The Student Union’s UPass won’t give students access to the Cheam Leisure Centre in Chilliwack anymore. Instead, UFV and the Student Union Society (SUS) partnered to create facilities and offer programming at the CEP campus. The fitness project will ultimately see the development of a weight room and fitness facility, as well as organized social sport activities. While not all the programming has been laid out yet, the plan is to make some of these offerings available within the next two weeks. Some of the fitness classes that UFV currently offers at CEP are belly dancing, pilates, and yoga, which take place at the black box theatre in CEP A building. The decision to leave the partnership with the Cheam Leisure Centre was made by the previous SUS board; the announcement was made April 28 on the Centre’s facebook page. Although SUS and the Centre engaged in discussions over the past year, the centre was informed April 27 that effective May 1, the partnership would not continue. Current SUS president Gurvir Gill said that part of the reason that the partnership was discontinued was because the centre planned to increase costs for the Student Union. “We don’t think that’s fair for students,” Gill said. “At around that same time, the university came to us with this option saying they were already doing something, and asked if we’d be interested.”
UFV offered the Student Union a better deal, said Gill. Now, students will have full access to any of the programs or facilities at CEP — the $43.13 UPass fee will stay the same. However, the increased subsidy asked for by the leisure centre was “nominal,” according to Cheam Leisure Centre facility manager, Shawn Bourgoin. With the cost increase, the centre was also planning to open the membership to all fitness classes. Previously, the membership only allowed students access to the weight room and pool. The change would have granted access to all fitness classes, which includes yoga, pilates, and boot camps. Additionally, the partnership would have given students a 50 per cent discount for services outside of a membership, which includes lifeguard and first aid training. An exact figure for how much the Student Union was paying the leisure centre and how much they plan to give UFV wasn’t provided, but SUS will be able to redirect funding from the leisure centre to UFV. The plans for CEP had been in place prior to the Student Union / UFV partnership. Last year a new UFV student fee dubbed the “experiential learning and wellness fee” led to changes to campus recreation programs, which included offering free fitness classes all winter semester as well as the revitalization of what was formerly a gun range on the CEP campus. The range, an industrial warehouse tent with an asphalt floor, will be used for sports like basketball or hockey. The experiential learning and wellness fee, when presented in UFV’s 2016/17 bud-
get, was expected to generate $540,000 in revenue. Funding from that fee, with the reallocation of SUS UPass fees, will lead to the development of the new CEP recreation plan. The decision to reallocate the funding to UFV from the Cheam Leisure Centre was made in the last week of April, which means there hasn’t been much time to prepare. Cheryl Van Nes, UFV’s program manager of campus recreation and wellness said that the time crunch has made it challenging to pull everything together. “I can have all sorts of equipment but where are we going to put it?” she said. “The university is supportive of having this stuff, so it’s just trying to figure out how we can make what we have work.” Now, the Student Union and UFV are engaging in meetings to plan and fast track the rest of the programming. “It’s surprising how [UFV] came exactly when these guys wanted to crank prices,” Gill said. “But so now we definitely want to do our best to get the students a better deal.” Gill added that another appealing aspect of an on-campus recreation facility is that it can be geared towards students. “Say you go to a rec centre and programming happens during they day, say yoga is at 10 a.m. Well everyone’s in class,” he said. “Especially Chilliwack, their programs are pretty set in stone. You’ve got a lot of nursing students, kinesiology students, and trades and tech.”
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NEWS
WEDNESDAY, MAY 17, 2017
UFV Tech //
Blackboard’s database flown to the cloud Blackboard finds a home on a new host server JESSE BOYES JR NEWS EDITOR
In April, Blackboard went black for a few days during scheduled system updates. The data that comprises Blackboard is now stored and accessed in a new place, and its interface is a little bit faster. Chief information officer Darin Lee explained that the change was a relocation of the host database. “It was hosted and managed centrally here in a collaboration between the teaching and learning department, education technology services, and information technology services,” said Lee. “Essentially what we’ve done is taken the servers from here and put them in Blackboard’s data centre in Calgary.” Now, the company that builds and sells Blackboard will host the system, rather than a third party host. “So it’s totally secure, all the data is maintained in Canada,” he said. Blackboard Learn has already been operating this way for some time and it was just a matter of getting UFV up to speed. Lee noted that 80 per cent of their clients are managed this way.
Nicolle Bourget, project manager, information technology services (ITS), said that no downsides have been noted so far. “It was moved over and was live as of the first [of May], and I met with the team on Tuesday for a lessons learned meeting, and they’ve identified that the service seems seamless. It’s a faster connection, and they’re getting great support in the back. So we’ve kept the project open and will keep it open for another couple of weeks just in case anything arises.” Lee elaborated on the benefits that may be noticeable to students. “Speed, and theoretically what else would be noticeable, is that while we used to have maintenance windows where we take the system offline, but that will happen in the middle of the night now. So theoretically less downtime,” he said. “It also provides us with the future ability to upgrade to newer versions faster from a technical perspective.” The IT team had a mission critical task at hand to make the change happen while the system was offline. The only real option was for them to backup the database onto a
hard drive and then take that hard drive to Calgary where Blackboard Learn then transformed the data into their database version and moved it over. “The challenge with that was, we had a very tight window to do it so we ended up having to have somebody take the hard drive and fly it,” Lee said. “We had to actually get it to the data centre before a certain time of the day in order for them to trigger the work to be done, otherwise it would have been delayed for another 18 hours.” “So that was our key thing; we did a lot of prep work up front to reduce the amount of data and shrink the amount of encryption time so we could make that.” Lee also spoke on the topic of what future changes UFV’s IT team has planned. “At the moment, no major changes expected in the future for Blackboard. This was a pretty big one and was an exciting project for us in terms of IT strategy and moving things to the Cloud. Just working to try to improve the student experience when it comes to technology.”
The Cascade is hiring a
COPY EDITOR Are you anal about grammar? Do you have an eye for precision? The copy editor reviews writing for punctuation, grammar, and readability. For more information or to apply, visit ufvcascade.ca/employment or email kat@ufvcascade.ca.
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NEWS
WEDNESDAY, MAY 17, 2017
SUB //
SUB Lounge to be converted, then removed JOEL ROBERTSON-TAYLOR EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Students were surprised when they found out that the Student Union voted to remove the Student Union Building (SUB) lounge. The lounge, room S2101, behind the Canoe on the second floor in the SUB, is home to tables, a pool table, and couches. At the last Student Union board meeting, the board decided to switch the lounge with the clubs and associations room, then replace it with a collegium. But many students who frequently use the lounge were concerned that the decision was made without considering the impact it would have on those who use it. “The way this happened was we found out about everything when we attended the board meeting,” said Logan Clelland, UFV student and advocate for the lounge. “That was also when they made the decision to switch the two rooms.” Clelland said that he had heard about potential changes to the lounge prior to the board meeting, but was shocked when he learned that the changes meant removal. “I really enjoy that room. I’ve been here for two years and there’s a fantastic community that meets in there,” he said. Student Union president Gurvir Gill said that the previous board wanted to give clubs and associations more space, and address unspecified conduct issues within the lounge. Regarding space, a year ago clubs and
associations had two rooms, but changes resulted in the loss of one of them. They’ve since utilized office space in a room across from the lounge. The current lounge is a bigger room than what the clubs and associations currently have. The collegium is planned to be a partnership between the Student Union and UFV, through Student Life. “The university would provide a staff member so it would be beneficial in creating a welcoming gathering space,” said Gill. “As well, it would help address some conduct issues, and the people not personally feeling safe.” A collegium can take a variety of forms, but typically offers a lounge atmosphere for both programmed activities and general use. It may also be used as a bookable space for student-led activities. Although the board passed the motion, since the backlash, dialogue has been opened. After the board meeting, advocates for the lounge arranged to meet with the Student Union to argue for preserving the lounge. “We sat down with some of the students who brought questions from a fair bit of people who were supporting the lounge space staying the way it was,” said Gill. At their meeting, the lounge advocates were told that there is no timeline for the changes, and nothing would be done until a more informed decision could be made. It was decided that students should be involved in the decision-making process.
The proposals will be presented to students once they’re drafted. “A lot of it is still in the process and in the proposal stages. So we definitely took that into consideration prior to anything being finalized, we’re going to look at the spaces we have,” said Gill. Daniel Holmberg, a lounge advocate, said he’s glad there will be an open conversation and wants to consider all the options for the space. “We’ve suggested that if if they want to transform the lounge into a collegium, leave the lounge where it is, leave the clubs where they are, see if we can improve that space as well,” Holmberg said.
“Let’s try out our options before moving things around and creating a whole new set of problems to deal with.” Gill said that there are multiple space change possibilities. One option is to move the lounge into the SUB atrium and making it all into a lounge environment. Nothing will be finalized until students have been notified and consulted. “They said that they’re very open to communication and that their doors are always open,” said Clelland, “which is a great change from the previous board. I’m excited to work with them moving forward.”
Stories worth paying attention to
#SisterlyLove
#WorkingTogether
#PracticalSolutions
Women-only overdose prevent site opens in Vancouver
BC Liberals plan to introduce new Greeninfluenced budget
Former foreign minister to lead international refugee council
SisterSpace, a women’s-only safe injection centre, has recently opened up in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside to provide women with a safe location for combatting addiction and overdoses. The centre is open from 6 a.m. to noon, and again from 6 p.m. to midnight, and will be staffed with nurse practitioners who will be able to provide services such as chronic disease management, pregnancy testing, and sexually transmitted disease related treatment. The purpose of the site is to help vulnerable women, especially in light of the current opioid overdose crisis. SisterSpace will be able to accommodate up to 15 women at a time. - CBC
After the May 9 election, the Liberal party is poised for victory with 43 seats totalled from the preliminary count. Christy Clark has plans to test her party’s strength in legislature with a rewrite of the budget in hopes of gaining approval from the opposition MLAs, specifically the Green party. The Liberals hope to see the bill survive the House vote as early as June. With 180,000 absentee votes still awaiting a count, final numbers will be announced on May 24. Clark has mentioned she will have to work with Green Leader Andrew Weaver moving forward if the party sees a successful throne speech and vote of confidence. Weaver has made it clear that he expects electoral and campaignfinance reform if the Liberal party hopes for Green cooperation.
With massive amounts of people being displaced from their homes all over the world, Canadian former foreign affairs minister Lloyd Axworthy is set to lead the new World Refugee Council, an international group which runs out of Waterloo, Ontario. The council says it will be looking to research and recommend structural reform of the current refugee system. According to the Globe and Mail, the group is “branding itself as a fresh perspective on finding solutions to an unprecedented crisis that has uprooted 21 million people and forced them to flee their home countries.” Axworthy stated: “Now more than ever there is an urgent need for bold and innovative thinking on how we can improve international cooperation and ensure more predictable outcomes for refugees.” The council hopes to find practical solutions for this international crisis the world is facing. - The Globe and Mail
- The Globe and Mail
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SPORTS
WEDNESDAY, MAY 17, 2017
Profile //
Cascades’ athletic therapist, a winner UFV’s Tyne Campbell win’s athletic therapist award, for a good reason
Photo: Joel Robertson-Taylor
JOEL ROBERTSON-TAYLOR EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
The UFV Cascades’ athletic therapy clinic is nestled in E building, down a hallway, followed by an immediate right. It’s run by Tyne Campbell, the lead athletic therapist. Athletic therapists specialize in treating musculoskeletal injuries and disorders. They work both in the clinic for rehabilitation and injury treatment, and on the field for emergency care and advice for athletes. Some do so much more. In April, Campbell won the Athletic Therapist’s Association of British Columbia’s athletic therapist of the month award. Campbell said she doesn’t know why. Anyone who’s watched her interact with her athletes knows exactly why. She exudes positive healing energy. From the way she talks about keeping athletes healthy to interacting with them as special individuals. Each athlete needs something different, and her practice isn’t only tender compassion, it’s as much motivational butt-kicking. Some athletes need both.
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The clinic is where all athletes converge. In it, there’s constant activity — the clinic is an arena unto itself. At any given moment, another student or athlete might bounce through the door, already in midconversation with Campbell before fully entering the room. This kind of atmosphere is disarming. Even describing the place as a clinic sounds far too, well, clinical. It’s as much a lounge and a classroom. It’s a safe environment for athletes to unwind, and a learning environment for her student trainers. Campbell also oversees all of the student trainers. These are typically kinesiology students completing practicums, or shadowing for lower-level classes. Many of these students go on to become physiotherapists, chiropractors, and athletic therapists. On one of her walls is “Clinic Jeopardy!,” which started out as a game for the student trainers. When things got slow, Campbell would ask questions and they’d get points for answering correctly. The game evolved — now it lists questions in different categories, from nutrition to
sprains and strains. “The student trainers love it, and the athletes love it too. If they can answer more questions than the student trainers, they’re on top of the world,” she said. In medicine, Campbell’s philosophy is to approach injuries holistically. That means you have to truly know the person you’re working with. “These guys get treated as entertainment so much from the outsider community, it’s nice just to say in here, I’m taking care of you; in here you matter. You’re a person and not just a basketball player,” Campbell said. “It’s so important to get to know the people you’re working with. I stress that as much as I can with my student trainers. It’s the difference between believing them when they say they don’t have a concussion and they actually do, versus trusting them enough to honestly say, ‘Yeah, okay, I’ve got a pretty severe headache, I think I should sit out.’” This June, Campbell will have worked at UFV for five years. But before becoming an AT, she didn’t know exactly what she wanted to do.
“I knew I wanted to help people, but I didn’t know how.” Campbell started university off in general studies, focusing on sciences. “I knew I kind of wanted to go that route,” she said. One day at the gym, she saw two guys working out, and one helping the other stretch. “So I went over and asked what they were doing, that sort of thing,” Campbell said. “He said, this is one of my hockey players, I’m the student therapist for the men’s hockey team.” Campbell then went and talked with the program director. After that, she knew where to go. Now she’s working on a master of education at Simon Fraser. She already teaches in many ways at her clinic, teaching classes would broaden the amount of students she can impact. She won’t admit it, but Campbell brings the life back to many of UFV’s athletes. When a minor knee injury can mean complete loss of identity, therapy is lifegiving. Whether it’s working through a torn ACL protocol or taping minor strains, Campbell’s therapy practice is a staple of the UFV Cascades.
OPINION
WEDNESDAY, MAY 17, 2017
Politics //
Jagmeet Singh and the Promised Land KAPIL SHARMA CONTRIBUTOR
Well this is it. One of the most electric stories in the history of the Indo-Canadian experience is about to play out and it’s not a film, book, or novel — it’s real life. Perhaps it may become one of the more intriguing tales in Canadian political history. An over-exaggeration? Maybe, but you will definitely remember the name Jagmeet Singh. Singh has thrown his hat into the NDP leadership race. This comes after months of being woo’d by substantial names in the party such as people who worked closely with Jack Layton and have now put their names forward to help Singh. Some like Brad Lavigne, doing so at the cost of leaving a high profile job. After considering Singh’s bio, one can see the allure. A successful defence attorney who got into the field after experiencing injustice firsthand from police officers — Singh not only took this experience as inspiration for law but also policy, by pioneering a bill which ended the action of “carding” by police in Ontario that allowed them to randomly perform street checks. He also has experience in overcoming the odds politically which was seen vividly in the thrill and suspense of his 2011 provincial victory in which he won by a close margin in the liberal stronghold, Bramalea- GoreMalton. He became the first turbanwearing MPP in Ontario history. There is also an “X” factor. His fashion taste has made it into the world of GQ magazine which detailed his charm. His Ontario roots and the ability of making a dent in that province is also rightfully anticipated among party insiders. There’s ample reason to get excited for the NDP faithful. That being said, the obstacles will be immense and his race and culture will most likely be the focus of dialogue. It will be asked: is Canada ready for an Indo-Canadian (let alone non-white) prime minister? At some point you can bank on a story being done on hate reactions towards Singh. Yet, what I am more interested in is this: how will Singh deal with himself and his religion? Through history we have seen different examples of the mixing of religion and politics. Tommy Douglas, a
former baptist preacher, intertwined his policies with his religious beliefs. He was clear in communicating a Canada that would embrace the social gospel and see healthcare as a right, a divine right even. Looking south, JFK made sure to tell the public he wasn’t running to be the first catholic president but rather the first president who happened to be catholic. Martin Luther King was quite comfortable using biblical imagery in describing his journey; he often compared himself to Moses straining for the promised land ahead. Further away we see the example of Gandhi who was explicit in the religious, mystical, and contemplative fuel for his stance on peace. Canadian intellectual giant George Grant, in the Plato tradition of defining philosophy as the ongoing experience of the perfections of God, saw Gandhi’s integration of religion, philosophy, and policy as fruit of true knowledge and experience that the enlightenment and technology would always be inept in offering. Obviously these are examples of figures who are quite loved across the spectrum. However, for every William Wilberforce — sparking the end of the slave trade, there is also a George Bush — highly associated with violence and war and also being highly religious. This latter element is well known in the modern liberal ethos of Canada, especially its university campuses that mostly approach religion as an ill to be evolved from. The former peace and rights tradition has been forgotten. People are hard pressed to remember that it was actually the protestant reformation and its focus on the priesthood of all believers and access for all to scriptures that birthed liberalism — some would even say modernism. In certain circumstances in the Hindu Mahabharata were the first instances of a peace tradition encouraging warriors to do whatever it takes to avoid casualties. Without a pastor, there would be no NDP. So how then will Jagmeet Singh, in light of this cultural amnesia, respond to mention of his religion? Will he completely ignore it? That would be hard to do as he openly lives his life with the hallmarks of
“It will be asked, is Canada ready for an Indo-Canadian (let alone nonwhite) prime minister?”
a practicing baptized Sikh. It should also be difficult to avoid since the decision to keep a turban on can be so vital for IndoCanadian youth who are facing all kinds of pressures inside and outside the culture. In an interview with Rick Mercer however, Singh leveraged questions about his turban to make more general connections with the audience. He related how his friends described him as a hipster before it was trendy on account of his fashionable clothing, colourful turbans, and vegetarianism. This type of deflection will be detrimental, especially in light of previous challenges the NDP experienced regarding the balance of citizenship and religion — namely the Thomas Mulcair and the niqab fall out in Quebec. Will Singh intentionally avoid the elephant in the room like JFK did? Will he be unashamed like MLK and Ghandi? Or is he just a Canadian hipster, an NDP version of Trudeau and simply what many
unique politicians want to be desperately seen as: normal? For Christian Alberta, secular Quebec, and perhaps all of Canada, authenticity might matter more than normality. Here’s to hoping whatever the answer is, that Jagmeet Singh dares to keep the turban on, and not just literally. History is kind to winners and martyrs. Every Joshua needs a Moses. Every worldview needs to be challenged. If the typical Canadian voter does not care what Guru Nanak Dev said about equality, or does not care what Singh believes and how this impacts his choices in personal or public life, then it’s time to show them why it does and will always matter. Should this be the central issue? Of course not. But this not being a point of reflection at all would be a fruit of cultural assimilation at its worst. Here’s to looking at you Jagmeet Singh. Sat Sri Akal.
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OPINION
WEDNESDAY, MAY 17, 2017
SNAPSHOTS Curtailed commentary on current conditions Do you want to fund prom Y/N?
A Letter to a Thief
Jeff Mijo
Panku Sharma
Illustrations: Amara Gelaude
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Dear credit card fraudster: It’s hard to believe just a few days ago I didn’t know you existed — how time flies when you meet a new friend! When I saw those unexpected charges on my credit card statement in Australian dollars, I’ll admit you surprised me. I’m not sure how my card was compromised. It doesn’t really matter, because it brought us together. I don’t know your name, and I don’t know what dreams you have for the future. But I hope that the $114 of alcohol you purchased will bring you closer to making them a reality, and satisfy you more than whatever you bought for $184 at a department store before returning it the very same day. I’m sorry I had to cancel my card, but I can’t afford to support both of us, and, well, I selfishly need that money for tuition. My new card arrives soon, and with it my life will continue on its previous course, but I’ll never forget you, credit card fraudster. Whenever I look at my new card, I’ll fondly remember this bond that we shared, and the place you’ll eternally have in my heart.
Panku Sharma
The relationship between SUS and its members is an ill-fated but well-intentioned budding romance (with a high school level of maturity) that at its best, uplifts and brings out the best in both parties, and at its worst gets bogged down by failures of communication and the irreconcilable personal qualities of the people involved. There’s only so many times that the phrase “We must improve our communication” can be uttered before it becomes a meaningless garble of sounds. The late, and at first vague, response on the Cheam Leisure Centre might be a prime example (although for the record, student calls to ask UFV to refund student fees out of protest are hilariously off the mark) but so have been the concerns with the lounge where many students who showed up to the board meeting didn’t feel they were adequately warned or consulted. On the bright side, their email and Facebook response times are on the upswing. A few stumbles to start, but transitions are understandably difficult. Here’s to a hopeful future where there won’t be a fallout over a misinterpreted text message, Instagram follow, or rumor mill of whom someone sat beside at the last movie night.
Google Frights
Mediocrity, in all things
I am not going to say that “I’m not sure who to blame for this,” because that would imply that I am in some way embarrassed or it isn’t a conscious decision. I gladly still subscribe to Google flight notifications for trips I have already booked, just to see the price climb over what I already paid. The satisfaction of knowing how much more money I could have spent (but didn’t) is the only thing that gets me through the slog of failed sweepstakes, useless coupons, and e-bills in my inbox cleanup drudgery. Of course there is always the odd chance that it will show the flights going cheaper, but I’m stretched and limber for the mental gymnastics required to explain how I still came out ahead and in fact found a good deal. And there is a thrill in that danger, of having gotten ripped off, that is exhilarating in a way that cannot be ignored. The frugal life (never call me cheap) is one full of cheers and fears; because the nebulous capitalist monster that has taken our planet in its stomach has given me no other way to feel in control.
It might be typical of our West Coast culture that even our final election results will be scrambled together in the final moments before the deadline. Absentee ballots will turn the tides in a few, namely Comox-Courtenay and its nine vote spread, which should hopefully be enough to rattle the cages of everyone who thought their vote wouldn’t matter. It’s also typical of our perpetual drizzle that although anger and polarization were typical, so much about our energy in this entire endeavour was subdued. Was there much to be excited for? The best meme was Hulk Horgan and that wasn’t even that funny or good. Local candidates were sigh-inspiring, tops. Yes of course there is reason to celebrate the fact that the Greens finally have a proper caucus, but there is still apprehension for what the makeup of our government will be (and the choices Andrew Weaver will make) and doubt for how far the drive for electoral and campaign finance reform will go. Maybe this malaise will subside when the final call is made later this month, but for now this entire election has just made me feel tired.
Panku Sharma
STUDY BREAK
WEDNESDAY, MAY 17, 2017
Crossword // ACROSS
DOWN
1. A carnivore’s porcine preference
1. A pun or humorous use of language (3 words)
3. Publisher of Scott Lang’s adventures
2. Small one or two person watercraft
4. Pattern made of diamonds, common on socks or vests
3. Tiled ancient artwork made of glass or stone
5. Cute aquatic mammal; “Kiss from a Rose” singer
6. Classical ancestor of the guitar
7. Alien aircraft
8. A location, either physical or on the internet
8. To read briefly 10. Traditional birthday dessert 12. Cleverness, often with humour
9. A sequence of musical notes 11. Slang for a clumsy person
13. Bouncy sounds 14. Original stage-surname of John Mellencamp 15. Shrek’s sidekick 16. King of the Greek gods
LAST ISSUE’S ANSWERS: Across: 1. applicant 6. arc 8. quintin 9. pyramid 11. Leo 12. crossword
Down: 2. prequel 3. Loki 4. centuries 5. naan 7. Cheddar 9. poor 10. meow
Made by Jeff Mijo
Horoscope //
Astrological mysteries interpreted by Master Moji
Aries — Mar 21 to Apr 19 To avoid losing your keys, consider having them surgically implanted in your hands, Wolverine style. But maybe leave your car key out, or you’ll have to keep your hand next to the ignition the whole time you drive.
Leo — Jul 23 to Aug 22 I heard (from the stars, of course) that members of the Abbotsford Police Department read and enjoy my astrological interpretations. On a completely unrelated note, the current position of Jupiter tells me that people in positions of authority should be very lenient to any astrologers they might consider ticketing, not just this week, but every week.
Sagittarius — Nov 22 to Dec 21 That friend of yours with a birthday coming up? Start preparing the perfect gift for them now: a life-size sculpture in their likeness, made out of an amalgamation of every gift they’ve given you over your years of friendship. You did keep them all, right?
Taurus — Apr 20 to May 20 The temperature’s rising, and with it, so is the need to always stay hydrated. How many times do I have to tell you?
Virgo —Aug 23 to Sep 22 The long weekend is coming up, and you know what that means: avoid any public parks, roadways, or places where children amass. Stay inside and hide from the crowds. #HermitLife
Capricorn — Dec 22 to Jan 19 This week will bring you good luck in the artichoke department. Do with this information what you will.
Gemini — May 21 to Jun 20 Next time you click one of those “I’m not a robot” things on a website, stop to really consider if you’re being honest. Do you know for sure that you’re not?
Libra — Sep 23 to Oct 22 By the way, horoscopes can have hashtags now, because it’s 2017.
Cancer —Jun 21 to Jul 22 An apple a day keeps the doctor away, but an orange a day keeps the scurvy at bay.
Scorpio — Oct 23 to Nov 21 The stars are a bit tricky for you, but it looks like you have a chance to win one million dollars this week. If you have a million dollars, I’d suggest you buy a monkey. Haven’t you always wanted a monkey?
Aquarius — Jan 20 to Feb 18 The position of Mars relative to Pluto tells me you’d better stop using the same password on every website. That’s not at all secure, buddy.
Pisces — Feb 19 to Mar 20 Those two Canada geese that seem to have taken up permanent residence at UFV have launched a petition to become the school’s new mascots. They’re named Cranston and Clarence, and have strong opinions on the aviation program.
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FEATURE
WEDNESDAY, MAY 17, 2017
Making Sense of Bioregionalism Written by: Jesse Boyes Design: Satinder Dhillon
C
ascadia Culture Week, a celebration for inhabitants of a bioregion that encompasses British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, parts of Idaho, southern Alaska, and northern California, takes place from May 13–21. The concept of Cascadia emerged in the ‘70s and has grown and morphed since its genesis. At its core it embodies a sense of conservancy of community and attention to the interconnectedness of place and living beings. Bioregion: it’s an area of land, or region, that is defined by its landscape and geographic features. Rather than lines drawn in the dirt, a bioregion tends to be made up of what can clearly be defined as a natural border — like the Pacific Northwest defined by the watershed of the Columbia, the Fraser, and the Snake rivers. In this way, a bioregion is something distinct from conventional national borders. CascadiaNow!, an organization putting on events during the Culture Week, encourages Cascadians to appreciate and talk about the many common cultural values and traditions throughout the region. Brandon Letsinger, founder and director of CascadiaNow!, discovered this bioregional idea in 2005 while studying at Seattle Central Community College. He kept working with the idea, because to him it perfectly encapsulated a vision for the Pacific Northwest. “We’re a not-for-profit, non-governmental organization. Basically what we work to do is highlight and raise awareness of Cascadia
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and Bioregionalism,” Letsinger told The Cascade. “More than that, we kind of term ourselves as your local interdependence movement. So we really focus on building a positive and inclusive social and cultural movement to empower every person to be active about what they care about.” Bioregionalism argues that the cultural and natural boundaries that compose an area are a more effective representation of place than the edges determined by political outcomes. This is a view that may stem from “deep ecology,” a term that Norwegian philosopher Arne Naess used in the ‘70s in reference to a primordial interdependence of living beings. He thought of deep ecology as a kind of self-realization, to see that each of us is an integral part of a whole ecosphere. While CascadiaNow! began in 2005 as a separatist movement which aimed to section off Cascadia from the U.S.A. and Canada to become its own country, it’s taken on new ideals as it became more rooted in bioregionalism. If Cascadia was its own country though, its population would be about 15,500,000– 17,000,000. The midpoint of 16,250,000 would place Cascadia as the 71st most populated country, right behind Zimbabwe. “If we had that vote tomorrow, say we just broke off — we’d be facing the same issues that we’re facing today. We’d be facing the same levels of homelessness, same levels of poverty, same issues with gentrification,” Letsinger remarked. “So Cascadian
bioregionalism is really about building the systems that we want to see regardless.” Letsinger said that the focus is to think of the region holistically. While part of that is to think of the bioregion autonomously, the priority is to build into the culture, “we’d much rather be out in our communities right now making that change happen rather than waiting for someone else to do it” he said. David McCloskey, one of the early Cascadia bioregionalists and professor at Seattle university, was the first to place May 18 as Cascadia day. He chose the day because it’s the anniversary of Mount St. Helens’ major eruption in 1980. St. Helens is one of many volcanos in the Cascade range, serving as a humbling reminder that a bioregion is something we have in common across multiple states and provinces. Letsinger suggested that in despite international borders, Cascadia will always share similar problems. It would make sense to pool resources and work together to combat natural disasters and climate change. “If there’s a forest fire, it concerns all of us. If Seattle is polluting into the Salish Sea and Vancouver is polluting into the Salish Sea, that affects both of us. Just as if there’s an earthquake,” he continued. “Just because there’s an international border which is only a line drawn on a map, it doesn’t mean that we don’t share the same watershed.” During culture week, many people host potluck gatherings to strengthen the
community bonds of Cascadians. Letsinger said CascadiaNow! does presentations on Cascadia, hosts art making events, and a “guerilla art night”. A whole day will be focused on environmental and climate change issues, panel discussions, presentations, and they’ll do a fundraiser and silent auction. “Sunday, the 21st, will be our big closing of Culture Week. So we’ll have a celebration with a couple hundred people and projects and all the rest of it, where we’ll probably have trainings, talk about what Cascadia is, how to get involved, but then also have artists making art, musicians playing music.” Culture really does arise organically in accordance with the nature of the landscape we live in. Letsinger noted that, “if you look at the native people’s, pre-settler context, even their language groups form the Cascadia bioregion, because it’s a natural thing. This idea that culture stems from place is a powerful one.” Cascadia is home to mega corporations Amazon, Starbucks, and Microsoft, and a wide array of others. Vancouver has long been a booming centre of activity for the film industry. Letsinger is excited about the focus on the idea that Cascadia is something that already exists and it’s here. “What’s really powerful too is it’s an idea that’s being picked up by people at all levels of government and organizations and businesses.” Letsinger thinks that one of the most important aspects of Cascadia is the idea of bringing it here now, because it already exists whether it’s a massive political movement or not.
FEATURE
WEDNESDAY, MAY 17, 2017
“We’ve done a great job educating and raising awareness about Cascadia but I think there’s still a lot of misconceptions, and as people get rooted with the idea of bioregionalism, the excitement goes up because it’s actually a much deeper philosophy than just a political or social movement, or just a beer or soccer team.” Being home to many kinds of artists, Cascadia inspires its own brands of creative dynamism. You can experience its spirit in reading of poetry, viewing paintings, hearing music, or going for a walk outside and talking to people. As Brandon Letsinger observes: “Culture is the sum of our interpersonal interactions. So that’s why we really focus on culture. It’s food, it’s music, it’s all of our actions and activities that we want to shift to more of a local level.” In a culture where technology and busy lives can increase disconnection and fragmentation from each other and the land, it is thoughtful attention to the place that we live in, and how we’re connected to it that creates active community, and conserves symbiotic communication. The Cascade Mountain Range early on was called “the mountains by the Cascades,” referring to the falling waters of the Columbia river. The website for the Cascadia-Institute calls the region “Land of Falling Waters”. In their Cascadia overview, it is called a land of “Mountains and Rivers Without End”, what poet Gary Snyder, who grew up in Washington state, titled his epic poem. Humans, being made up of something like 50-65% water, have the Cascades flowing within. We trek through the mountains, and the rivers travel through us. Cultural attitudes and values in Cascadia have arisen out of interactions between us and the place we share. Living in such a beautiful environment of mountains within mountains and cascades within cascades, and abundant plants and wildlife, it’s only natural that there is so much enthusiasm for environmental concerns. Along with those greener values being encouraged and acknowledged by multitudes of people, business and politics organically lean toward the same respects. With the realization of biological interdependence, all positions in the political spectrum are developing a greater reverence for our kinship with the biosphere. Proponents of eco-capitalism have been called Blue-Green, an idea that sprouted in the 1960’s revolving around the notion that there is not a need to dismantle capitalism but merely to become educated about how there is capital existing and produced in nature. The ecosystem itself is in a constant state of productivity, on which all of our productivity depends. This is true whether or not Cascadia is ever put into political motion, and regardless of whether one might consider themselves liberal, conservative, or otherwise. Cascadia is an empowering approach to communicating about the matters that we care about. It offers some perspective into how many of the things that we value tend to come back to reliance on the deep ecology that connects us all. With Cascadia Culture Week we can remember that each of us has a voice that can potentially influence the whole, and strengthen feelings of gratitude and pride to be Cascadians. This place exists and is our home regardless of what additional boundaries are imposed on it. Being alive is inevitably a group project, so remembering the common ground that transcends our disparity is a cardinal means of collaborating to maintain society.
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CULTURE
WEDNESDAY, MAY 17, 2017
Local //
‘Pay what you can’ in the works for Abbotsford
Local project aims to confront food insecurity PANKU SHARMA OPINION EDITOR
Kyle Dyck, a former youth pastor for eight years at Immanuel Fellowship Baptist Church, is currently in the early stages of fundraising for Abby Eats Café, a proposed “pay what you can” establishment that would allow patrons to substitute work (like washing dishes) for food, or even pay meals forward for their fellow community members. Inspired, as it happens, by an episode of Guy Fieri’s Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives that featured a pay what you can model establishment, Dyck became interested in the idea and began researching. As he learned more, he got “fired up [and] passionate about how it’s a creative way to help with social issues like food security.” According to Dyck, there are around 50 to 60 establishments with this model currently operating in the United States successfully, but none in western Canada. He thinks there is room and support for this initiative. “You live in Abbotsford, just look around, you don’t even really have to give stats to convince people it’s an issue, it’s just everywhere,” Dyck said. “I don’t think it really matters what you believe, or where your worldview is at,” he continued. “I think it’s a real human need for people to be fed a healthy meal at a price they can afford. I look at the Lower Mainland, and there’s no excuse — we produce so much food, there is so much wealth around here. There is no way that people should be struggling with this issue at least.” However he also understood the limitations and scope of the plan. “I’m not trying to solve world hunger,” said Dyck. “Nor am I under any illusion that this is going to fix the issue at large, but if I can do my part to at least put a dent in or contribute to positive social change I’d love to be a part of that.” Currently Abby Eats Café is still in the first phase of online fundraising with a goal of $25,000 by the end of June, and $75,000 overall in the next year or so. According to their website this would cover a location, head chef, kitchen equipment, licences, and marketing costs, to get the establishment off the ground before it can start bringing in revenue through patrons and donations. Dyck also mentioned that the process to become an officially registered charity would still take time, but once they are approved, it would open the door for more supporters, donators, and suppliers to become involved as Abby Eats would be able to give tax deductible receipts. “For this model to work, you need about 60 to 80 per cent to pay the suggested price or more, to make up for the 20 per cent or so who don’t,” said Dyck. “You are marketing to middle and upper class, you need them in there. That means the meals we serve need to be of a high quality.” The menu would have to match the excellence of other businesses in downtown Abbotsford, but the decision would best be made by whoever comes on as the head chef. The response from the community and stakeholders he has met with in this process has been for the most part positive — although he admitted there has been some kickback from people who question whether they will have to be sitting next to someone who is homeless
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in the café. His answer? “Yes. Hopefully. That’s the dream.” Dyck admitted that the city’s relationship with the homeless and those most at risk of food insecurity has been strained in the past. His hope with the café is to “mix social classes, and that’s obviously an enormous challenge.” He wants to see the café become a hub where people become more cognizant of our relationship with food — and what it means to have stability and nutrition — but also where people can come together as a stronger community. As the project grows, Dyck hopes that Abby Eats Café becomes a place that can give work experience, perhaps to homeless youth or people who can’t get it else-
where. There, they could also get training in food prep or cooking. He is also open to students who might be passionate about these type of issues but don’t have the monetary means to support the first stage of the project, to volunteer their time and expertise during this fundraising campaign. He noted they have a UFV student from the graphic design program who had recently come on board, and is also looking to tap in with those pursuing careers in business or financials. If nothing else, he encourages people to spread awareness of the project if they can.
CULTURE
WEDNESDAY, MAY 17, 2017
UFV’s Lesser-Known Landmarks Your guide to the important sites (and sights) around campus Discovered and documented by: Jeff Mijo Bucket Corner:
We start our journey with a UFV fixture that really should need no introduction. How many times have you overheard students walking out of class, saying to their friends, “yo, meet me at bucket corner in ten,” or seen passers-by stopped to take in the majesty of this understated piece of campus art? Bucket corner has been a staple of new student orientation tours since its installation nearly two decades ago.
Tall Classroom:
This unique classroom in D Building has one particularly unusual feature. If you didn’t notice, the chairs are not on the floor — they’re on the table! And no, this isn’t the result of an exceptionally highstakes game of “the floor is lava,” rather it’s an intentional choice for one of the classes hosted in this room: CLMB 135: Urban Climbing in Canada. Students are required to climb up to their seats, to practice their skills, and to see what it’s like to learn at slightly higher than usual altitudes. Editor’s note: our field reporter was asked to also take a photo of the classroom for CLMB 212: Advanced Scaling, but he was unable to properly use pitons and could not reach it.
Emergency Supplies:
In the parking lot next to Baker House, you’ll see one of UFV’s most enduring mysteries: a large, green, metal box, claiming it’s for an emergency. Nobody knows what it contains, or what kind of emergency it’s preparing for. Is it food and water to keep us alive after an earthquake? A squad of firefighters, hoses at the ready if a Baker House party gets a bit too crazy? Stacks of money in case the university goes bankrupt? Many have guessed, but nobody really knows. And now, with a mysterious wheeled box added in front, concealed under a blue cover, we have to ask: what are they trying to hide?
Street Sweepings:
One of UFV’s most famous features is Street Sweepings, an art installation that grows and shifts throughout the year. With straw imported from the finest artisanal fields of Saskatchewan, the pile of natural debris represents the education UFV students come for: while they may arrive with specific intentions, more and more ideas and thoughts are piled on them, decomposing into one homogenous pile of knowledge. Yet they keep returning, time and time again, and more leaves and twigs and straw is piled on top, building layers to their knowledge until one day, their task complete, they vanish once again into the wide world, leaving no mark but their memory behind, but taking with them a lifetime’s supply of mental street sweepings.
The POSC Emergency Bunker (under construction):
Inspired by the replica World War I trench on the green, UFV’s political science department decided to create a campus fixture of their own, but opted for a more practical space. All too aware of the escalating global tensions, and with the constant threat of nuclear war lingering in the back of their minds, they began construction on a fully featured fallout shelter November 9, 2016.
A Cautionary Tale:
To highlight excess waste at UFV, the university commissioned this thought-provoking piece of art. The non-functioning garbage can is intended to make students stop and think before they throw out items that could be recycled or composted. The visually blaring orange pylon and yellow CAUTION tape draw a lot of raised eyebrows, and those who ignore the environmental warning and try to discard their waste in the can are met only with a pair of glowing yellow eyes, haunted by disappointment at the wastefulness, staring back at them from the darkness within.
LandMark Evered:
See that little speck in the distance, walking across the parking lot? Our field reporter claims that he’s sure it’s soon-tobe-retired UFV president Mark Evered, briefcase in hand, making his way to some important meeting or event. However, our field reporter did not sprint across the parking lot to get closeups, proving that he has no future in the paparazzi.
Wait, there’s another bucket?
Okay, that’s weird, our field reporter found a second bucket, just like the one at Bucket Corner. So that’s why people sometimes don’t show up when I ask if they want to hang out at Bucket Corner, they must be going to the wrong one! Anyway, I think this is just a bucket for plants or something, it has no significance.
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CULTURE
WEDNESDAY, MAY 17, 2017
Life is a Box of Swiss Chocolates:
The country and the culture Is the grass greener on the other side?
JENNIFER TRITHARDT-TUFTS CONTRIBUTOR / PHOTO
Life is a Box of Swiss Chocolates is a weekly column showcasing the life of a UFV student studying abroad. Jennifer is in Lucerne, Switzerland at the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts this semester, and documenting the process as she goes. When I was preparing for my trip to Switzerland, I probably didn’t do as much research as I should have. I researched logistical things like where I could travel, how much different food items would cost here, and what kind of weather to expect. I didn’t want to have any preconceived notions that might hinder my ability to be open to the new things I was going to experience here. When I arrived I remember thinking, Is this it? Sure, it’s a beautiful country and the traditional aspects are so fascinating and the architecture is absolutely stunning. What I didn’t expect was for people to dress the same as me, to use similar expressions to mine, and to be able to go shopping and see brands I’m familiar with. I guess I’m learning first hand the effects of globalization. When I expressed this to one of my Swiss classmates, he responded: “Well it’s still the Western Hemisphere.” I guess I feel like certain European countries are very glamorized in Canadian society. This would be the biggest culture shock I experienced here in Switzerland. As I’ve had more time to think about this, I finally realized what I was expecting. I took Europe from the movies a little too seriously. This isn’t really surprising to me based on the fact that in highschool I thought my parents would buy me a hot
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pink convertible which I could cruise around town in while I belted out songs with all my friends. Naive, delusional — whatever you want to call it. We see Europe as this super foreign place with people who don’t speak English and are traditionally dressed, and I’m sure that these people exist, but not often in the city centre. For the most part, trees look the same although sometimes pruned differently, grass is just as green, there’s even lots of graffiti on trains, under bridges, and close to the stations. This has made me realize that life is the same no matter where you live. There is always a team of kids playing soccer on the weekend in the local park, there are young adults struggling to find a job or their identity, and there are senior citizens taking a stroll by the lake Sunday afternoons. Because so much of what is Canadian originated in Europe, I guess I expected society to be more advanced here. At the end of the day, we are all people living our lives trying to be the best we can be and make the best out of what we have. Another thing I have found interesting in my travels across Canada and abroad is how much of a dominant factor money is for people. It doesn’t matter where you live or what language you speak, capitalism has a pull over everyone. There are often misconceptions, too. Sure there are many very wealthy people in Switzerland, but not everyone is making a lot of money. Their typical starting base wage may be double the B.C. minimum wage, but there are many other factors that need to be paid for in order for Swiss people to have the standard of living they currently have. Continues on page 14
The Cascade is hiring a
E R U T L CU OR T I D E Like going to events and then telling people all about what they missed out on? You may be our next Culture Editor! For more information or to apply, visit ufvcascade.ca/employment or email kat@ufvcascade.ca.
CULTURE
WEDNESDAY, MAY 17, 2017
Continued from page 14 As the end of my study abroad time is drawing near, I’m starting to think about the aspects of life here that I will try and incorporate in my life back home. Also as I am coming to the end of my degree I’m starting to realize all of the employment options I have and choices I can make in my life to get me to where I want to be. This experience really makes me feel reenergized about my future and it is an amazing feeling. I am experiencing many different things here, most of which I can’t really say are better or worse than how they work in Canada — just different. One of the biggest things is air travel. I decided to splurge and spend $300 Canadian to go to Greece after I am finished exams. Well for $310 in Canada, I could fly to Calgary. On my flight to Barcelona last week, there was no complimentary beverage and snack offered but there was, however, an opportunity to shop on the plane. There was a catalogue full of items from travel safe perfume to lipstick to toys and collectibles. The stewardess strolled up and down the aisle throughout the flight with all the items displayed on her cart. I guess with the flights being so cheap they have to make their money somewhere. Last week I went to Barcelona for a few days. It rained the first day I was there but it was so gorgeous the second day. It was my first time really leaving Switzerland and experiencing a completely different culture. Although I will admit there were more tourists than I expected, considering I went on weekdays. The Spanish people are very nice, but European tourists are much more disorganized than Canadian tourists, which kind of surprised me. I decided to take public transit to my hos-
tel because I heard that taxis were exceptionally expensive in Barcelona. It should have taken me an hour and one minute, but it ended up taking me two hours. Their transit system is kind of interesting in that they don’t have one major hub. So some main trains only go to certain stations. I got an unlimited 48 hour transit pass and at one point got myself so turned around I needed to ask a security guard for help to get out of the subway gate. They also have a subway system, bus system, streetcar system, and train system — very confusing.
great at graphic design? The Cascade is looking for creatives to join our production team! Must like designing things, preferably late at night and with lots of coffee. For more information or to apply, visit ufvcascade.ca/ employment or email kat@ufvcascade.ca.
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CULTURE
WEDNESDAY, MAY 17, 2017
Community //
Centre for Indo Canadian studies celebrates and reveals new name
JOEL ROBERTSON-TAYLOR EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
The UFV Centre for Indo Canadian Studies (CICS) came to a significant milestone this month. On May 3 the CICS celebrated 10 years. “It was a time to enjoy and reflect. We were having a good time and enjoying it,” said CICS director Satwinder Bains. “It was our goal to thank our donors and supporters. We could have just let it go, but we’re always into having a good party.” The centre works to encourage and support intercultural ties within the university and communities beyond. With a very interdisciplinary focus, it also brings together scholarly research with applied activities. Over the last decade, the CICS has worked on numerous projects, focusing on the the diaspora of Indians and their culture, both historically and contemporarily. Within that context, the research reaches very broadly. That might include looking at issues of race and racism in the early 1900s, or how culture and opinions have changed since then. Recently, the centre conducted a study of racism on university campuses. CICS Coordinator Sharanjit Sandhra said that the work they’ve done has built deep connections within the UFV community, and external communities. Bains and Sandhra are also the caretakers of the Sikh Heritage Museum and the Abbotsford Sikh Temple National Historic Site of Canada.
At the event, Bains announced the centre’s name change to the South Asian Studies Institute. “If you go back 10 years ago, the fundraising we did for the centre was really focused on India,” she said. “But as we do this work we realized that the region of India is very impactful in terms of its economic standing on the world stage, but at the same time there’s a larger region around it that, internationally, people are studying. As a research institute we wanted to connect ourselves to other institutes around the world and be in that same environment of ideas. We felt we had to move to a name that was broader than India.” The centre’s work has increased in both output and the regions they study. Bains said that to better work in a fast-shifting academic world, they have to be relevant
to South Asia as a whole. “I feel we’ve come into a geographical and theoretical platform. It’s a better platform, we’ll be more attuned with what’s happening in the academic world with this type of work,” Bains said. Looking at the future, the centre is planning to expand its capacity and work with other scholars at UFV. Right now, it’s only the two of them, but Sandhra and Bains hope to create opportunities to collaborate with other scholars within UFV and beyond. “We’ve changed our name, and that was a beautiful unveiling,” said Sandhra. “We started off looking at the past, at what we’ve done, then ended it by looking forward. It has that sense of progression.”
Photo: UFV Flikr
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ARTS
WEDNESDAY, MAY 17, 2017
Album Review //
Pure Comedy’s nothing to laugh at CHARTS 1
Loans Self-Loaning
2
Century Palm Meet You
3
Career Suicide Machine Response
4
Lee Rosevere Trappist -1
5
Tops Sugar at the Gate
6
Run The Jewels Run The Jewels 3
7
The Magnetic Feilds 50 Song Memoir
8
The Painters Supermoon Lunam Eclipse
9
Jenny Banai Live @ CIVL
10
Gen Gorman For A Friend
11
The Courtneys II
12
Terrifier Weapons of Thrash Destruction
13
Childinsh Gambino Awaken My Love
14
Gold Gloom C My Baby
15
Terra Lightfoot Live In Concert
16
The Shins Heartworms
17
Jack Mack Back to the Shack
18
Rob Montgomery And Friends Guitar Stories
19
Fleet Foxes Crack-Up
20
The Flaming Lips Oczy Mlody
SHUFFLE AARON LEVY
MOTIVATIONAL SLEEPER
CIVL Station Manager Aaron Levy had the pleasure of interviewing Miles from Fastball on I Live Here Now this week, so check it out on the podcast from www.civl.ca Fastball - The Way This was the first song that really vaulted Fastball into the public consciousness, however it wasn’t their first song overall. After releasing a debut record in 1995, it was the 1997 release “All the Pain Money Can Buy” that yielded this, as well as another big time smash radio hit. Fastball - Out of My Head Have I shuffled this before? Because I became obsessed with the songwriting structure of this recording ever since early-mid winter. One verse. Two choruses. A reprise identical, obviously, to the chorus. Intro, solo, straight up. That’s all it is. Nothing special, no frills, and just sweet salty catchy songiness. Fastball - Fire Escape CIVL programmer and WJ Mouat drama programme head Brian Billo loves this song and it’s video; it’s also the most country or rootsy song to come onto your television screens from this Austin, Texas 90’s breakout hit band. It’s not quite as bombastic as “You’re An Ocean”, but it’s smooth. MGK Ft. Camila Cabello Bad Things Taking the melody and chorus from Out of My Head (we learned about this above), Cabello really does a number with the hook, introing Bad Things with a bit of an auto-tuned inverse harmony to the original. Her chilling vocal may not satisfy the 90’s alt punks, just me.
MARTIN CASTRO ARTS EDITOR
Josh Tillman’s masquerade as a folk singer has been one hell of a ride thus far. 2012’s Fear Fun saw the former Fleet Foxes drummer dip his toes into the dauntingly broad field of conventions in folk. Writing ballads and bluesy tracks which poked fun at the trope of the troubled solitary male who is equal parts lover and womanizer, Tillman made it abundantly clear throughout Fear Fun that despite the twangy guitars and yearning vocals, it was Hollywood, not the West, that spawned the satirical tracks. On I Love You, Honeybear, Tillman’s yearning morphed into cynicism. Still under the guise of the world-weary troubadour, Tillman attacked conceptions of idealized romance and the notion that we, consumers who have been sold an image of a man full of contradictions and cliches through his portrayal in both his music and other media, might claim to identify with or know who he really is, what he’s really about. Pure Comedy drops the pretense of Western themes and embraces a more straightforward attack of entertainment culture. “Pure Comedy,” the opening track, is more of
a ballad than the rest of Tillman’s work, and at six minutes long, the track meanders back and forth as the singer muses on hubris. Although Pure Comedy is less varied in terms of instrumentals than its predecessors, Tillman’s vocals take centre stage in just about every track. An oddly cheerful “Total Entertainment Forever” continues the cynicism of his previous work among upbeat horns and a pre-chorus of the “na-na-na” variety. “In the new age we’ll all be entertained,” sings Tillman, “rich or poor, the channels are all the same.” One of the most strikingly direct tracks on the record also manages to slip by as one of its less immediately infectious ones. “The Memo” laments the trend that we have of falling prey to superficial selfishness which has blown up largely in part, says Tillman, due to social media. And although he’s more of the defeated outsider lamenting the state of things than he is an old man shaking his fists in outrage, Tillman’s dissatisfaction with the emergence of a kind of “cult of the self” is more than evident. One thing that Pure Comedy has over Tillman’s previous records comes in the way that Tillman allows himself a more earnest, less restrained platform. Vocally,
tracks like “Things It Would Have Been Helpful to Know” and the eponymous “Pure Comedy” showcase Tillman’s singing with less distractions than I love you, Honeybear or Fear Fun. For all his cynicism, Tillman sings with more emotion than most of the mainstream singer-songwriters on the charts — a fact that likely isn’t lost on him, and probably hardens his stance against modern pop, which he purports to be less akin to art than to a circus devoid of meaning. Is the commentary on Pure Comedy subtle? No. It’s as heavyhanded in its agenda as you could get, short of saying “Artists are not here to save or lead you. They’re here to entertain you.” Clearly, Tillman thinks those artists have failed even in a task so meagre as entertaining us without having to pander to already-established and well-worn images and sentiments. A bit chauvinist, perhaps, but if entertainment is the metric by which we’re going to measure Tillman’s success or failure (and, by extension, his right to call everyone else out on their hypocrisy) then despite his politics or Kanyelevel antics, Pure Comedy succeeds unquestionably.
17
ARTS
WEDNESDAY, MAY 17, 2017
Soundbites //
The Dirty Nil Minimum R&B Minimum R&B, the latest album by up-and-coming Canadian rock trio The Dirty Nil, is a collection of the band’s earlier singles and EP releases (with the exception of the new, bluesy “Caroline”). Album opener (and one of my favourite tracks on the record) “Fucking Up Young” was the band’s breakout single in 2011, and is the kind of track whose chorus you might find yourself absentmindedly singing or humming hours later. This song, and similar elements in others such as “Cinnamon” and “Verona Lung” had me tapping my foot along to a sound that reminded me of something akin to a slightly amped-up aggressive version of Australian rockers, Jet, while others like “Little Metal Baby Fist” give off more of a pop-punk feel. There’s plenty of screaming and angry head-banging to be enjoyed, although
Mac DeMarco This Old Dog some songs like “New Flesh” may be a bit metal for those who aren’t huge fans of the genre. At times, a somewhat fuzzy distortion surrounding the drums gives some tracks an unpolished but not unpleasant quality — like listening to a YouTube playlist of drum covers. Being a collection of previous work, a lot of diversity between songs makes for a good blend of harder, high energy tracks such as “Nicotine” and smoother, more mellow ones like “Hate Is A Stone.” Minimum R&B is a fun, energetic collection of singles showcasing some of the different flavours of this Hamilton, Ontario rock outfit, who just recently won the 2017 Juno Award for Breakthrough Group of the Year. Definitely a great introduction for those not yet familiar with the band’s work.
Kat Marusiak
18
Mac DeMarco’s “Salad Days” are over, apparently. The singer-songwriter’s outlook on his latest record is a significant shift from that of his 2014 breakout release. Compared to 2015’s Another One, This Old Dog holds onto the melancholy of its predecessor, but does away with most of DeMarco’s happy-go-lucky guitar playing. Focusing on more grounded folk melodies, DeMarco’s latest record gives us a portrait of the indie poster boy without the façade of the cheerful, carefree melodies of his previous releases. The use of more reverb-heavy recording and the addition of synths as primary instruments effectively accompanies narratives which
have grown increasingly unsure of themselves. Perhaps less appealing than his early releases due to its melancholy, This Old Dog quietly revels in more emotional vulnerability than DeMarco has allowed himself up until now. Because of this, the tracks on the record achieve a poignancy that the singer-songwriter’s previous releases failed to reach. “Dreams From Yesterday” ought to make a good ambassador to the record for those not sure where to start.
Martin Castro
WEDNESDAY, MAY 17, 2017
Movie Review //
Guardians of the Galaxy 2 is a marvel among the studio’s endless sequels KARA JOANNA CONTRIBUTOR
The A-holes are back in a big way saving the universe, dancing to their own beat all while trying their very best not to kill one another in the latest Marvel movie release, The Guardians of the The Galaxy Vol.2. This installment of the Guardians not only does the original movie justice, but delivers a grand slam home run that makes you crave more even after the fifth after-credits scene rolls. (Yes! There are five fun and tantalizing credit scenes that will not only entertain the average movie patron, but will thrill and excite those of us who love the Marvel movies and comics.) The film is set four months after the events of its predecessor, and is separate from the other interconnected Marvel movies. This allows viewers to jump right in and enjoy the film without having to know too much background. The Guardians find themselves employed by a ruling race called the Sovereign, to protect their precious batteries (yes, batteries) from a rather large and ferocious intergalactic alien that feeds on them. Things quickly go awry when Rocket (a smartass raccoon voiced by Bradley Cooper) steals them after the job is done, incurring the wrath of the Sovereign who begin to hunt the Guardians for revenge. Escaping from the Sovereign, the Guardians run into Peter Quill’s long-lost father and his parentage and purpose are revealed to him.
Director James Gunn immerses us into a complex universe with a myriad of exotic alien locations and inhabitants that we can all relate to and connect with on a personal level. The movie is visually stunning, and flows beautifully, weaving a perfect mix of action, humour, and characterization that draws us in and doesn’t let go. Like the first film, the retro soundtrack plays heavily into the film, but each song was meticulously selected for specific scenes. This not only adds to the richness of the film but the tracks selected are perfect to rock out to on the way home after the show. The film’s real strength lies with the characters and their development throughout the film. Each character is perfect in their interactions with one another, and all of them have a chance to shine and grow. They will all make you laugh, cheer, and cry right from the opening moments, and it doesn’t let you go even after the credits. You can tell the cast loves these characters, as their chemistry is enthralling, and Gunn delivers with snappy and heartfelt writing. Looking back in hindsight, I can see why Vin Diesel, the voice of Groot, was taken aback when he first read the script. This movie kicks the summer release season into high gear early this year and sets the bar really high with its near perfect delivery and execution. For the comic crowd, this film should be right up your alley. For the rest, Guardians of The Galaxy Vol. 2 is well worth a visit to the big screen.
Album Review //
Fred Penner’s new album is here MITCH HUTTEMA CONTRIBUTOR
Terry Fox, Nellie McClung, David Suzuki, and Margaret Atwood are all great Canadian heroes every child in Canada learns about at some point in their formal education. But for ‘90s kids, Fred Penner was the one they knew best of before they even embarked on their education journey. Penner’s first album The Cat Came Back, a true classic, came out in 1979 but it was Fred Penner’s Place (out in 1990) that changed the course of a generation. Whether it was hot or cool, most ‘90s kids fell prey to developing their whistling muscles to the album like fools once the sweet sounds of “Gooey Duck” first graced their ears. It’s likely been years since the thought of Fred Penner crossed the minds of anyone from that generation, but his track after track of encouragingly catchy material is still buried somewhere deep down in all those folk’s skulls. This was the case for me: I had slipped into a dull state of Penner-less life until I stumbled upon a targeted ad for his latest album, Hear the Music. Fred’s voice has the same old sultry tones that lulled my earlier, child self into peaceful playtime or sleep, whatever the setting. My first listen fired up the nostalgia guns for me but the repetitive lyrics of the songs dampened the initial buzz.
I had never realized how Penner’s music drills positive social values into kids in an almost propaganda-ish way. Feel like your kids don’t understand how much you do for them? Throw on “Working Together,” which features lyrics like: “Making the dinner, setting the table, shows that you care.” I have no issue with raising kids to be responsible, caring citizens — but when it’s done through music like some sort of hymn from the Church of Penner it indoctrinates kids in a weird indirect way that isn’t as effective as other methods. Sit your kid down and talk to them about responsibility or demonstrate it for them; don’t pop on a Penner track and leave it to good ol’ Fred to teach them for you! He may be a trustworthy guy, but he can only go so far. Despite my complaints, if I could publish only quotes from this album, I would. Each track has a feel-good philosophy bleeding out of it: “Working, helping sharing, working helping sharing, working giving lending, helping each other grow,” Fred sings like he’s throwing down bars from Daft Punk’s “Harder Better Faster.” Whatever issues I might have with what the method of the album is, I can get behind the message Mr. Penner puts out: “Whoever you are is best of all, don’t try to be someone that you’re not. Be proud of what you got.” This is the kind of thing that would have been great to hear on repeat every time I got strapped in the van to go any-
where when I was a kid. Another real selling feature of this album for me is that it’s packed with as many featured Canadian artists as Penner could find. Basia Bulat, Ron Sexsmith, Afie Jurvanen (who most know by his stage name, Bahamas), Jackie Richardson, and Terra Lightfoot (daughter of Gordon Lightfoot) are all collaborators on the record. Hear the Music is about as Canadian as it gets, short of K.D. Lang showing up. I remember finding out what a gooey duck actually was and being soundly disappointed that it wasn’t as cool as what I had imagined it to be — that was kind of how I felt about this album. For kids, I’m sure Hear the Music is still as good to them as his albums were to me when they came out in my day. Kids need the repetitive refrains and simple positive messages that Penner has to share, but for adults this album borders on weird art music. I acknowledge that as an adult this album inherently won’t have the same kind of appeal to me as it might have if I were younger, but Penner’s earlier albums were truly some excellent work. At times Hear the Music borders on “Polly Wolly Doodle” territory — damn, almost 20 years later and I can still tap into the seething hatred I had for that song. Anyways, this shit is like a self-help book for kids and might work a little for adults, too. Dig a duck, dig a duck, dig a gooey duck a day, I always say.
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UPCOMING EVENTS MAY
18
INTERNATIONAL MUSEUM DAY @ Trethewey House & MSA Museum (Abbotsford) 1:00 - 3:00 PM 2017 SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT SYMPOSIUM @ B140 (UFV Abbotsford) 4:00 – 7:00 PM
MAY
25
NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION, PART 1 @ UFV Abbotsford 4:00 - 8:00 PM SPRING/SUMMER OPENING RECEPTION @ The Reach Gallery Museum (Abbotsford) 7:00 PM
MAY/JUNE
WEDNESDAY, MAY 17, 2017
JUNE
3
RIP VAN FINN @ SippChai Cafe 7:00 – 9:00 PM
ENCHANTED APRIL (PLAY) @ Matsqui Centennial Auditorium 7:30 PM
NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION, PART 1 @ UFV Chilliwack 4:00 – 8:00 PM
JUNE MAY
19 MAY
20 MAY
22 MAY
23
MAY
24 20
ENCHANTED APRIL (PLAY) @ Matsqui Centennial Auditorium 7:30 PM
ENCHANTED APRIL (PLAY) @ Matsqui Centennial Auditorium 2:00 & 7:30 PM
MAY
26 MAY
27
AWAKENINGS @ Kariton Art Gallery 12:00 - 5:00PM
PRESIDENT’S LEADERSHIP LECTURE SERIES: DR. DEREK HARNETT @ U-House (UFV Abbotsford) 4:30 - 5:30 PM
ENCHANTED APRIL (PLAY) @ Matsqui Centennial Auditorium 7:30 PM
BARRACUDA: HEART — THE TRIBUTE @ Clarke Theatre (Mission) 7:30 PM
MAY
JUNE
DEAN BRODY @ Abbotsford Centre 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM
1
CONVOCATION — CEREMONY 1 (FACULTY OF APPLIED & TECHNICAL STUDIES; FACULTY OF ACCESS AND CONTINUING EDUCATION) @ Abbotsford Centre 9:30 – 11:30 AM CONVOCATION — CEREMONY 2 (COLLEGE OF ARTS) @ Abbotsford Centre 2:30 – 4:30 PM FRASER VALLEY SYMPHONY
RANJ SINGH @ Clik Coffee Bistro (Abbotsford) 7:00 – 9:00 PM
RIDE TO LIVE AND SHOW & SHINE @ UFV Abbotsford 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM
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6
ENCHANTED APRIL (PLAY) @ Matsqui Centennial Auditorium 2:00 & 7:30 PM
CHILLIWACK SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA & CHORUS SUPER SPRING CONCERT @ First Avenue Christian Assembly (Chilliwack) 7:30 PM
VICTORIA DAY UFV Closed
AWAKENINGS @ Kariton Art Gallery 12:00 - 5:00PM
RED ROAD YOGA — AN ABORIGINAL APPROACH TO YOGA @ Mission Library 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
@ Matsqui Centennial Auditorium 3:00 – 5:00 PM
JUNE
7
CONVOCATION — CEREMONY 3 (FACULTY OF PROFESSIONAL STUDIES) @ Abbotsford Centre 9:30 – 11:30 AM CONVOCATION — CEREMONY 4 (FACULTY OF SCIENCE, FACULTY OF HEALTH) @ Abbotsford Centre 2:30 – 4:30 PM
HOSTING ANY EVENTS YOURSELF? WANT TO SEE THEM POSTED HERE? Send the date, time, location, and any relevant info for the event to: jeff@ufvcascade.ca