OCTOBER 31 TO NOVEMBER 7, 2018
VOLUME 26 ISSUE 27
Look at this... graph since 1993
More Student Life events
more events and pg.4 event planning
Basketball recap
men’s and women’s pg. 16 games last weekend
WWW.UFVCASCADE.CA
Thunder Bay
canadaland’s pg. 18 anticipated podcast
VOL. 26 // ISSUE 27
Opinion Editor Jeff Mijo-Burch jeff@ufvcascade.ca
Production Assistant Renée Campbell renee@ufvcascade.ca
Features Editor Jen Klassen jen@ufvcascade.ca
Multimedia Editor Mikaela Collins mikaela@ufvcascade.ca
Arts in Review Editor Martin Castro martin@ufvcascade.ca
Online Editor Jeff Mijo-Burch jeff@ufvcascade.ca
News Writer Edina Balint edina@ufvcascade.ca
Social Media Coordinator Anjuman Grewal anjuman@ufvcascade.ca
Social Media Writer Laurel Logan laurel@ufvcascade.ca
Illustrator Kayt Hine Illustrator Simer Haer Illustrator Cory Jensen
Sports Writer Alexander Jesus
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Staff Writer Emmaline Spencer Staff Writer Nadia Tudhope
THIS WEEK’S CONTRIBUTORS Emma Kent-Dion Mehaknoor Kaur Lauren Johnston
Cover Artwork: Kayt Hine Back Cover: Advertisement
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@UFVCASCADE FACEBOOK.COM/UFVCASCADE INSTAGRAM.COM/UFVCASCADE Volume 26 · Issue 27 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 1,000 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 every Monday at 2:00 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 200 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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Culture & Events Editor Cassie de Jong cassie@ufvcascade.ca
ARTS
Copy Editor Kat Marusiak kat@ufvcascade.ca
OPINION
Production Manager Caleb Campbell caleb@ufvcascade.ca
NEWS
News Editor Jessica Barclay jessica@ufvcascade.ca
CONTENTS
FEATURE
Business Manager Quintin Stamler quintin@ufvcascade.ca
Managing Editor Cat Friesen cat@ufvcascade.ca
CULTURE
Editor-in-Chief Joel Robertson-Taylor joel@ufvcascade.ca
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Snapshots.......8
15.......Study Break
Events Calendar.......13
17.......CIVL Shuffle
Q&A with Dr. David Harper.......3
NEWS
4.......Building B renovations
Student Life.......4 Course Planning.......5
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4.......Correction OPINION
Cultural appropriation.......6
6.......Remembrance Day overshadowed? 7.......Editorial
CULTURE UFV India.......12 Film screening.......13
12.......Finnegan's Pub 13.......Peach Pit 14.......Alumni Q&A
SPORTS Men's basketball.......16
16.......Women's basketball
ARTS The Haunting of Hill House.......17 Young the Giant.......18
18.......Canadaland Podcast 19.......The Tattooist of Auschwitz 19.......The First Man
news@ufvcascade.ca Jessica Barclay — News Editor
OCTOBER 31, 2018
NEWS
Q&A //
NEWS BRIEFS World sees 60 per cent decline in wildlife populations A new report by the World Wildlife Fund states that between 1960 and 2014, 60 per cent of the world’s wildlife population has been wiped out. Freshwater habitats and the neotropics, consisting of Central and South America and the Caribbean, have been hit the hardest, seeing an 89 and 83 per cent decrease respectively. The greatest threats to species worldwide were cited as overexploitation and habitat loss. Climate change was also said to be affecting species populations. A study of tropical birds in remote mountain ranges in Peru found populations in decline, even without humancaused habitat loss. -CBC
First Nations left out of McMurray fire emergency response A report by 11 Indigenous communities in and around Fort McMurray has concluded that no plans were in place for emergency response for Indigenous communities during the Fort McMurray fires. The twoyear analysis, funded by the Red Cross, found there was confusion in whether municipalities, the province, or the federal government were responsible for the communities, and Indigenous leaders were not included in the Regional Emergency Operations Centre. “You had Fort McMurray First Nation, just east of Fort McMurray, and they didn’t even know there was an emergency operations centre,” said Tim Clark, the consultant who wrote the report. -Abbotsford News
Professor ProfileDr. David Harper EDINA BALINT NEWS WRITER
Dr. David Harper began teaching at UFV in 1994 in the biology department. He moved to the kinesiology department when they started their degree program in 1997, and has recently been named interim director of innovation and entrepreneurship at UFV. He has been doing extensive research on the health benefits of the ketogenic diet. You have recently been named interim director of innovation and entrepreneurship at UFV. What progress has been made with the development of the innovation platform? UFV has a number of existing innovation and entrepreneurship programs, mostly running through either the research office or the school of business. What we (UFV) want is to become more active in innovation and entrepreneurship and we also want to provide some leadership in the eastern Fraser Valley. We also want to work with similarly sized institutions such as Thompson Rivers University and Vancouver Island University to coordinate what we're doing on these initiatives. It's pretty new. I mean, a lot of universities now have business incubators, but the first ones were only about 10 years ago. Even some of the really successful ones in Canada — like District 3 at Concordia University — is only about I think four or five years old. This is where we grow businesses: to help with the economic development of the community, provide our expertise, and provide sometimes even just space. The other part of my mandate is to try and develop a culture of innovation on campus. I have read various news articles and blogs about your research on the keto diet as an alternative to the highcarb diets of the Western world. What led you to pursue research on the benefits of a keto diet despite the lowfat diet recommendations of Health Canada? I was doing a radio show
called "Think For Yourself" on Co-op Radio in Vancouver about critical reasoning and healthy skepticism. And so I was presenting the Canada Food Guide almost 10 years ago now, and the notion that exercise is the way to address obesity. We had a guest on named Dr. Richard Mathias. He's retired, but he spent his career looking at First Nations’ traditional diets which are ketogenic. We were talking about the cause of obesity, and I was giving the usual kind of conventional wisdom that it's a very complex issue that involves psychosocial, hormonal, and metabolic factors. He just waited until I was finished and said, “Dave, it's your body's physiological response to excess carbohydrates.” When he said that, because I had at that time taught anatomy, physiology, and pathology for more than 25 years, it immediately resonated with me. And so then he said, “Have you ever looked for the primary evidence that supports the Canada Food Guide or the dietary recommendations for Americans?” And I said no. So I looked into it and I realized the recommendations are not evidencebased. In an article from Business Insider on the keto diet it notes that the diet is not for people with kidney/liver disease and pregnant women. Whom would you recommend the ketogenic diet to and what have you concluded are its side effects from your research? The first thing you have to do is determine whether or not you need it. If you're slim, fit, and healthy then why bother? A lot of people have adopted a ketogenic diet because it helps them lose weight. You basically shift from sugar burning to fat burning and that involves some changes right down at the cellular level. And so because of that there will always be some contraindications because your metabolic system is working differently. Some people who have liver issues, if they have their gallbladder removed, that can be an issue because they don't metabolize the ketones. But that said, if
David Harper. (David Harper)
you consider that 72 per cent of American adults — and Canada is not far behind — are either overweight or obese, it seems to me roughly about seven out of eight people would benefit from being on a ketogenic diet. And we can prove its therapeutic benefit for treating diseases. You are currently working on a book about nutrition, Biodiet, which will be released next year. What subjects does the book address? It's based on ketogenic diet and it tells you what to eat. That's very important because with ketogenic diet there's no processed food in
it at all. So people kind of have to relearn how to eat because a lot of people eat convenience food which is processed. In the book I do tell people how to do it, how to do it safely, what to watch for, and what to measure. But I view the first part of the book as the most important part which tells people why the ketogenic diet works. Through my experience as a health educator I help them understand why a ketogenic diet works. It gives them enough biology understanding so that they can stay with it so that they can make wise choices about their nutrition. This is a true change to a healthier lifestyle and it's intended to be permanent.
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NEWS
VOL. 26 // ISSUE 27
Renovations //
Building B washrooms under renovation EDINA BALINT NEWS WRITER
UFV will be addressing the failure of a wheelchair automatic door opener in the newly renovated B building in single-stall bathrooms this week. The issue occurred during a series of accessibility renovations to bathrooms in B building. UFV approved the completion of the project, however it was not until recently that the problem with the automatic door opener was noticed. According to Mark Goudsblom, director of campus planning and facilities management, no one is known to have issued a complaint but it took some time for UFV’s planning and facilities unit to find out. One of the two single-stall bathrooms have a nonfunctioning wheelchair automatic door opener, but the accessibility issue is scheduled to be fixed by Friday of this week. The single-stall bathrooms on the first floor of UFV’s B building are available for public use. “One door is broken and the other one works because the wiring to the button was cut during the demolition,” Goudsblom said. “So when we put them back into service we found that out.” There have also been a couple improvements to these single-stall
bathrooms and renovations are currently underway for the creation of barrier-free bathrooms on the third floor of B building. New flooring has been installed in the single-stall bathrooms in order to make the flooring easier to clean. Add-ons to these first-floor bathrooms have also included the accessibility handles around the toilets. The third-floor washrooms will be gendered washrooms and are currently under construction. According to Goudsblom, the new barrier-free design will hopefully facilitate access to bathrooms for people who are visually impaired or physically disabled. Goudsblom said that it provides a safer environment when there are no doors, as people can be heard calling for help in case of an emergency. The third-floor bathroom renovations are in their final stage and are expected to be completed by the end of next week. Additional improvements in B building include a new water bottle fill-up station in between the single-stall washrooms. There are also new bathrooms in A building that have the same design as the newly built third-floor B building bathrooms.
Correction // In our previous issue, the article “SUS by-elections cancelled” quoted SUS president Gurvir Gill as stating that “the elections for the next executive will be hopefully called early June,” when he had meant to say that the elections for the next executive would likely be called in January.
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Student Life //
Increasing engagement on campus
Student Life revamps programming
Student Life lounge. (Nadia Tudhope/The Cascade)
NADIA TUDHOPE STAFF WRITER
This fall, Student Life increased the number of events they put on, in order to create a community space on campus and promote student engagement. According to Cambree Lovesy, senior lounge leader for Student Life, the increase in events is due in part to redesigning the Student Life lounge. The student lounge moved from what is now the Pride Centre into the old Student Life area over the summer, and with this transition, Student Life brought in more programming. “We found that there was a lack of activities for students to have to just relax between classes and be able to socialize and meet new people,” Lovesy said. “The new lounge and the new space has allowed for more programming like that to happen.” On any given weekday, the Student Life lounge now hosts at least two events per day — including both regularly occurring weekly events, such as Ted Talk Tuesdays and Movie Night Fridays, and one-time events like pumpkin carving or making your own flipbook. “We have anywhere from two to five events per day,” Lovesy said. “In the old lounge space we would have informal events, but not a lot. It was just kind of whenever events came up or specific departments wanted to do something, but it wasn’t a regular schedule like this.” Student Life’s goal with the new events is to increase engagement and feelings of community on campus. With the aspiration of bringing together students in different departments who would not normally interact, Student Life seeks to foster new connections amongst students. Mallory Manley, coordinator of student transition and engagement, said on the push for more events in Student Life that in addi-
tion to creating more community on campus, they are trying to demonstrate that this could be a vibrant campus, but providing more events for students is necessary to accomplish this. “I think there is definitely a need for a community space and a greater feeling of community at UFV. This is here to foster new friendships, to foster those relationships being built, those connections. It’s also here to be a safe space for all students, and just to give people a break between classes,” Lovesy said. “We know that midterms and finals get super stressful, and we’re here to just be that fun place you can come to let go of all your worries and your stresses.” Many of the events in Student Life have the stress of students in mind: there is free hot chocolate and colouring every Thursday, and relaxing crafts for “Wellness Wednesdays.” As well, Student Life’s push for community can be seen in their events like DiversiTea, a partnered event with UFV International to learn about and share different cultures over cups of tea. The new Student Life events are proposed by lounge leaders, and take in the input of other students. According to Manley, the lounge leaders come up with proposals at the beginning of the semester for events they would like to put on, and senior lounge leaders work on the proposals with students and other lounge leaders to ensure the best time to host events with students’ schedules. “[The student lounge leaders] all have one thing in common, which is that they want to create community,” Manley said. “It’s hard to just go up to a group of students who are studying and be like ‘Hey do you want to do a puzzle with me?’ or ‘We’re about to do this cool event, with paints, do you want to join in?’ So definitely they need energy, they need to have this interest in building community and making connections.”
OPINION OPINION
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2018
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2018 opinion@ufvcascade.ca Jeff Mijo-Burch — Opinion Editor
Course planning //
It’s that time of year again Planning your courses for next semester NADIA TUDHOPE CONTRIBUTOR
With registration season almost upon us, it’s time to talk choosing classes. The struggle with registration is one we’re all familiar with: mourning how late your registration date is, constantly checking your spot on the waiting list for that class you really wanted to get into, resigning yourself to a semester full of back-up classes you didn’t actually want to take. I’m sure there are better and more efficient ways to register for classes, but as a person with a tendency to be thorough to the point of redundancy, I always start by making a list of every available class I could possibly want or need to take, and attempting to narrow it down into a workable schedule from there. Usually, the first to go are those 8:30 a.m. ones, if I bothered to include them in the first place, because who am I kidding — I have never been and never will be a morning person. Next on the chopping block: Friday classes. There’s nothing like starting your weekend on a Thursday night, knowing a bunch of your friends will be dragging themselves to Friday morning classes while you sleep in. Sweet,
sweet schadenfreude. Once I have my list narrowed down to class times I’m actually willing to attend without three cups of coffee and an endless stream of complaining, I open up the most sacred of all websites: RateMyProf. I’ve had people try to warn me off of RateMyProf because of how polarizing the reviews are, but how else are you supposed to know what to expect from a professor? Nothing is quite as upsetting as going into a class blind and then looking at the reviews later and realizing just how right they were, and the stress you could have avoided by taking their advice. And yeah, some of RateMyProf’s reviews are written by upset students frustrated with their grades, taking it out on a professor who didn’t do anything wrong. Those ones are pretty easy to weed out. Syllabuses and introductions just don’t tell you what to expect from a professor the way RateMyProf does. And besides, the reviews are funny. I have one review memorized word-for-word because it was so accurate and so hilariouslyworded. My mom spent all of my freshman year going “Is that the man-child?” anytime I mentioned one of my professors because she
thought this one review was ridiculously funny. Every semester, I try to balance out the dreaded required classes with at least one class I’m really excited to take. If you cram in a semester of only classes you’re not going to enjoy, it’s going to be a rough four months and your grades will probably suffer due to abject misery. Plus, if there’s one class every semester you don’t like, you can make it your lowest priority when doing homework without feeling too bad about it, and put more energy into the classes you do like. Am I well-prepared enough to book off my registration time from work? You might think so, from how extra I am about literally every other stage of the process, but no. Which means that usually, I end up rolling into work carrying around a list of the classes I want, and spend my shift frantically watching the clock tick down to my registration time, praying no customers come in while I’m trying to get into my courses. Don’t be like me — try to move things around so you can register in peace. Illustration: Cory Jensen
THE CASCADE IS LOOKING FOR A Production Manager Contact: cat@ufvcascade.ca for more details 5
OPINION
VOL. 26 // ISSUE 27
Holidays //
Blinded by Christmas lights Capitalistic holidays are overshadowing Remembrance Day
EMMALINE SPENCER STAFF WRITER
November 11 is approaching at a fast pace. Little red poppy pins can now be found in local businesses. The 11th is meant to be a day to respect and honour those who fought for our country and died. However, when I attend a Remembrance Day ceremony each year, I see people on their phones, impatiently waiting for the ceremony to end, and poppy pins being tossed in garbage bins, or worse, on the ground. In the days leading to Remembrance Day, I find that the more popular topic to speak about is Christmas. Even now, when I wander my neighbourhood, I see Christmas decorations up; some houses even have a Christmas tree lit up indoors. I can hear the quiet humming of carols as I study in libraries. Are we paying respects or planning what we’ll buy as gifts for everyone we know? Christmas tends to be centered around materialism and profit for the corporations, that push the “holiday” on us sooner
than need be, despite the concept of Christmas originating from the story of Saint Nicholas. The story being the Saint Nicholas would make toys and give them to orphans and poor children. Frankly, if we as a society were to follow the beliefs of Saint Nicholas we would focus on giving back to our community instead of counting down the days until Christmas. Aside from the countdowns starting 50 days before Christmas, parents have the chance to bring their children to sit on Santa’s lap at the mall as early as Nov. 10. As a society we have made it acceptable to put a heavily materialistic holiday before having a moment of silence for our fallen soldiers. As a nation, we have a moment of silence on Nov. 11. It is a solemn day not to celebrate, but to be thankful for the sacrifices made in order protect the freedoms we have. During the moment of silence, televisions and radios stop operating on the normal schedule and instead play “The Last Post,” which is a trumpet song played at military
funerals. During this solemn moment I have, on multiple occasions now, overheard the complaints of people whispering about when either the radio or television will go back to normal programing. Has the attention span of our society gotten so small that we can’t sit in silence for a short minute? I’m not asking for everyone to spend two hours at the Remembrance Day ceremonies, but to take a literal minute out of every year to honour the fallen soldiers. We have forgotten our history of hardships of war and famine that let us enjoy holidays like Christmas now. Before planning how you are going to celebrate Christmas, before putting shining lights on your house, before buying gifts to hide away for over a month, take a day and put on the red poppy to not just pay respects to the families of fallen soldiers, but to show your gratitude for how the loss of another has gifted you the privilege of living your life in such a carefree way. Illustration: Cory Jensen
Cultural appropriation //
Indigenous costumes: it has to stop Costumes making a mockery of sacred indigenous artifacts are still being sold
EMMA KENT-DION CONTRIBUTOR
It’s that time of year again where everyone dresses up and celebrates Halloween. Everyone gets excited picking out costumes and displaying their hilarious and/ or creative side. It is a fun time. However, it’s also that uncomfortable time of year where we anticipate what ridiculous and offensive costumes are going to be for sale. One costume that keeps coming back every season is the native man or woman. It’s like they never got the memo: this is highly offensive. Why is it offensive? Speaking with Sydney Ned, a student here at UFV who is from the Sumas (Semá:th) First Nation, she makes
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it clear. “The costumes are so inaccurate, it’s a joke. Making fun of everything our Indigenous people have fought and died to hold onto.” The costumes sold on Amazon. ca vary from “Women’s 3 Piece Noble Indian Sweetheart Costume” which sexualizes the female native woman, to a “Deluxe Men’s Indian Costume” with an inaccurate head piece and bland colours. “Our regalia and clothing is usually used in sacred ceremonies and gatherings,” explained Ned. “Some gatherings are so sacred that they can’t be spoken of outside our longhouse. This is where it shows that wearing native costumes is wrong. It is
spiritual and powerful when our families wear our regalia/clothing and there’s a deep meaning behind why we wear it.” Making a mockery of this special and important cultural artifact is highly unethical. It’s up there with the use blackface in films during the 1920s and ‘30s, where white men would paint their face, exaggerate their features, and pretend to be simple-minded. This practice was stopped in the television and movie scene, especially during the civil rights movement. In 2018 there’s still an abundance of racism, but the fight is growing stronger to eradicate it. We need to take steps to move away from oppressive tactics, and eliminating racist costumes is one of
them. “[It’s especially wrong considering] how the clothing is made — most times it has come from a living being,” Ned said. “We honour and respect the life that was taken in order to provide for our families. We don’t just throw it on and show off. There is a whole process.” Just because the majority doesn’t care, doesn’t mean it’s not hurting someone’s identity. “It’s disrespectful towards Indigenous people, our families, our children, our Elders.” The mere fact that there are profits being made (on top of people parading around in these costumes) augments the severity of these unethical practices of these companies. So why do
they continue? Why aren’t these companies taking these costumes (and others like it) off the shelf? In the dominant culture, it is accepted to dress up and mimic other cultures. This principle needs to change, because there is a shift of dominance in this day and age. Minorities are speaking up and claiming their voice, and they’re telling the world it’s not okay to mock them and oppress them. The Indigenous people have suffered all types of atrocities throughout history, so give them a break and refuse the native person costume. You have other options.
OPINION
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2018
Editorial //
Move on up
Dish stacks. (Unsplash)
MARTIN CASTRO
ARTS IN REVIEW EDITOR
Literally everyone I know right now has a lot on their plate. Most of them are also students, some of them are recent graduates. I can’t speak to the experiences of all my colleagues and friends, but here’s what’s on my plate at the moment: I’m in the middle of mov-
ing, am holding a job at which I’ve recently taken on additional responsibility, I’m working on translating a book, volunteering at a local school, and am currently studying as well. Recently, I quit one of the two part-time jobs I was holding in order to leave some time for myself. It was, admittedly, a difficult decision. But why was it difficult?
Look at any of the people around you and I’m sure you’ll notice that many of us measure our success in terms of volume: not whether we’re accomplishing something, but how much or how many things we’re accomplishing. The most important advice I’ve heard in the past year came from a friend and co-worker: he stressed that working is impor-
tant, and that doing more is always a goal we should have, but only if we can manage to stagger our added responsibilities. Like lifting weights, our responsibilities can all be managed. However, if you walk up to the bench for the first time, and attempt to lift 350 pounds, of course you’ll fail. But (and here’s the important part) is it really failure? Perhaps insofar as your set goal is concerned, but the failure does not come in the unsuccessful attempt at lifting such a weight, only in the planning. The kitschy Einstein quote about judging fish says it all, but we cannot forget to push beyond our boundaries. What does this mean? It means that whatever you’re doing right now, however many things you’re doing, you can do more. You can do more. Should you? Make no mistake, the glorification of being busy has its roots in the ideology of work ingrained into us by a society focused on products, on productivity. Our utility does connect to who
we are, and it does connect to our self-value, but as the semesterend crunch beings to wind up, and as you find yourself stressed, recognize that stress is useful, but just as useful is to think about whether you’re stretching yourself too thin. We place an irrational amount of focus on progress and utility in our society. That much is clear. As university students, it behooves us to remember to apply ourselves intently in all our endeavours, but if you find yourself thinking that you’re in over your head, take a step back, look at your situation, and balance your own goals with your current state. Whether or not you believe that you’re succeeding at the moment, think about the reason behind your involvement in any activity, and proceed consciously with that context in mind, even if only a bit at a time. A small step is still a step; take it. Once you have, take another.
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S S S N N N SSh A h A A P o P P o t t s Simer Haer s Illustrations by:
I’m ruining all my relationships because I can’t stop talking about fonts I know, I know. If someone asked you what the top three most boring conversation topics are, fonts would definitely be up there. But I had to read a hundred pages about this for a class — it’s not my fault I retained all this font knowledge! I didn’t realize I had a problem, though, until my friend told me I’ve complained to her about why sans serif fonts shouldn’t be used in print three times already.
The story in the tree
“Please,” my mother begged me over the dinner table last week, “You sound like such a nerd, please stop talking about fonts.” (I can admit I have a problem, but at least I don’t use Comic Sans in newsletters, Mom.) But I can’t stop. Every day, I wait for my next victim, and my next opportunity to explain why Calibri is the default font on Microsoft Word.
Nadia Tudhope
Sitting at my desk in The Cascade office, through the window I can see three great Douglas firs. One of them tilts towards the other, whispering secrets to his friend as the wind sways them back and forth. I am very convinced that trees can talk, whispering to one another as people scurry by beneath them. I think they judge us, constantly moving, never pausing to feel the rain on our barks or the wind in our leaves. The tallest trees
at UFV have been around since before the university was here. The trees have watched us build and learn, squabble and make up. My Douglas firs have watched me as I’ve struggled from my car with armloads of school work, and whispered to friends at my late night studying. I like to think they worry a little about us, wondering why we move so fast, but we’re probably too small to even be noticed by the towering giants.
Jessica Barclay
Chair scare (and why you should care)
Oat fudge bars get my goat I have a problem, and that problem is the decadent, saccharine marvel that’s graced UFV: oat fudge bars. Until recently, they were merely a once-in-awhile treat from Starbucks. Now, Fair Grounds coffee shop is selling them, and all I have to do to obtain one of these babies is waltz down the stairs, bypass the trap that is the SUB chair situation (see Jeff’s snapshot), and order. I know you’re saying “But Cat, that doesn’t sound like a problem.” Let me as-
sure you friend, it is. Because now that I know they’re only steps from my office, I’ll be down there every single day until they’re sold out. And then, when they’re sold out, I’ll pace the SUB until they’re back in stock, periodically checking the display case, likely pounding on it and wailing for dramatic effect. And what if they don’t order them again? Well, let’s just say, for everyone’s sake, I hope that day never comes.
Cat Friesen
The Student Union Building has become infested. Not by rodents or insects, as far as I’m aware. No, it’s a larger, much more obstinate pest that makes no efforts to hide its presence. You know what I’m talking about, of course: the chairs. It’s great that we have ample seating, don’t get me wrong. What’s not so great is that there’s too much for the space, or at the very least, it’s poorly arranged. Trying to navigate from the parking metre on one end of the atrium to the water bottle filling station on the other is a perilous endeavour that’ll have even the most nimble of people dodging and weaving around studying students scat-
tered around tables and lethargic lattelovers clumped in an amorphous line around Fair Grounds, waiting for their orders to be ready. Heaven forbid you should want to climb up the central staircase — you’ll be far faster waiting for the elevator than trying to chart a course through the sea of chairs and outstretched legs. It’s an annoyance if you’re running late, and a hazard if you travel too quickly. At this rate, I’m going to have to start actually talking to people and saying excuse me soon.
Jeff Mijo-Burch
Someth ing will
u always go b m p in the night
Retaining Samhain traditions this Hallowe'en. By: Cat Friesen Managing Editor
It’s 6 p.m. on October 31 and
you’ve just finished glueing fake warts to your face.Your skin, a slick, sickly green, offsets the drab black of your flimsy dress and cape. Your broom and bottle of tequila rest against the bedroom wall, waiting to be taken out into the stygian night. Adjusting your pointed hat atop your head — a steal at only $10.99 — you place the tequila in your bag, hoist it onto your shoulder, grab your broom, and head out the door. You walk west down your street, listen to the squeals of children eager to fill their pillowcases with candy. You pass a tin man, a lion, and a scarecrow; where’s Dorothy? Further on, Princess Jasmine, a minion, a gumball machine, and an astronaut skip past you, bags already heavy at their sides. Two parents follow close behind, eyes alert for predators. (Later, they’ll dump the contents of the haul on the kitchen table, checking for razor blades or bags of ecstasy that look disturbingly like Rockets.) Finally, you reach your destination. A remix of “Spooky Scary Skeletons” with a thrumming bassline thuds out to meet you as you take the steps two at a time. You don’t have to ring the bell; the door is open. You cross the threshold, pass a zombie banana and a mad scientist intertwined on a couch so you can’t see where the banana begins and the scientist ends; the scientist’s fake blood now covers the banana, so that it looks as though a horrible accident has taken place. You walk on, find your friends taking shots in the kitchen. You toss your broom aside, pull the tequila from your bag, join the festivities. Now imagine this night again 200, 800, 2,000 years ago — what would be different? In reality, not much; there are still treats to be had, alcohol to be drunk, friends to see. Halloween, or Samhain, as it’s originally titled, began over 2,000 years ago as a pre-Christian Celtic celebration of the dead, as well as a transition between autumn and winter. Starting October 31, farmers harvested their crops for the final time, and ensured their livestock were kept safe and warm for the coming cold months. The Celtic calendar was divided by four major holidays, and Samhain was the most momentous, as it was the end of the Pagan year — a time to harvest, a time to reflect. Not only was it a time to bring the season to a close, it was also a celebration of the dead. After all, Pagans believed Samhain was a time when the dead were closest to our world. A bonfire was used as a guide for the dead’s journey to and from the world of the living, as well as a way to honour them. And, in order to appease the spirits and keep the living safe, people left food and drink on their doorstep as an offering to the dead, in order to keep the dead from harming them or taking them back to the underworld.
However, costumes didn’t come in until later, when people began dressing up as the ghosts and ghouls they most feared in order to get treats for themselves. Funnily enough (or perhaps not), we became the things we feared the most, and continue to do so more than 2,000 years after the tradition started. Back to the question: what would be different? Really, the most glaring contrast is the lack of purpose. One problem with how Halloween is currently celebrated is that, for the majority of the population, there’s no purpose behind it other than to eat copious amounts of sugar and to get drunk. We buy an
Really, the mos t glaring contras is the lack of purpose.
expensive costume, eat an entire bag of Tootsie Rolls or mini Mars bars, drink too much alcohol, and wake up the next morning feeling as though we’ve been run over by a fleet of witch’s brooms. Most of us don’t harvest our last crops, nor do we pay respects to the dead. Kaitlin, on the other hand, tries to incorporate traditional Samhain practices when autumn rolls around once more. Kaitlin Rhiannon — a 14th-generation Familial-Traditional Witch that comes from a long line of healers — clears away the remaining summer decor before welcoming autumn into her home. “I will bring in symbols of the end of the season: leaves in red and gold, pomegranates, gourds. I prepare for the cold that follows Samhain as we make ready for winter. This is also a great time for canning/preserving, or drying meats.” Kaitlin’s practices are in line with the origins of Samhain and the conventions of the million other Pagans in the world. Some other common autumn practices among Pagans are baking and sharing apple cakes and ciders with friends, communing with nature by going for a walk and admiring the changing leaves, or focusing on an intention, such as gratitude for the year that has passed. Let’s backtrack to the party. You’ve moved onto the back deck where your friend has coaxed you into taking cherry Jell-O shots with her. You don’t even like cherry Jell-O, but it’s all in the spirit of Halloween, right? So you down the shots, wobble over to the edge of the deck, lean against the railing. Superwoman runs past you, yelling something about the patriarchy as Wednesday Addams chases her. The guy on your left; what is he supposed to be? Did he really think blackface was appropriate? Did no one tell him? Dressing up for Halloween is fun. In present day, it’s an excuse to become something you’re not for a night (like, say, a princess. Who doesn’t want to be a princess?). However, Halloween is not an excuse to be offensive — for example, dressing up as a mental illness or a different race. You don’t need to
We became t he t hings we feared the most, and continue to do so more than 2000 years after the tradition started. go very far before you see people (often Caucasians) dressed as KKK members, terrorists, or Indigenous peoples. (One costume’s name at Spirit Halloween is — I shit you not — “Reservation Royalty.”) Walking the aisles at Spirit Halloween, you can also find masks of Donald Trump’s face — offensive in its own right. Who wants to wear his face? Then, of course, there’s the controversy from last year: a child’s costume titled “World War Two evacuee girl” which bore a disturbing likeness to Anne Frank, whose famous diary depicts her life as a German Jew hiding from Nazis in Amsterdam during World War II. Unsurprisingly, this was pulled from shelves rather quickly — so why do costumes of Indigenous, transgender, and the mentally ill still exist? The fact of the matter is, some people don’t think that using blackface, or slapping on a sombrero and a mustache, or dressing as a gender identity, or as an eating disorder is offensive. They don’t think about the harm they’re causing to others, because they’re only thinking about the laughs they’ll get from friends, or the shock value of offending people. Sometimes, they don’t think. Period. Kaitlin’s least favourite aspect of Halloween is, unsurprisingly, the insensitivity of some people. “People use it as an excuse to ‘get away’ with being insensitive and intentionally derogatory — such as blackface, or ‘sexy Indian princesses.’” Then there’s the fetishization of anything you can imagine. Sexy nun? Yep. Sexy clown? Got it. Sexy minion? Why not! I don’t have a problem with people showing skin (in fact, I applaud it), but the fact that the industry has cashed in yet again, pumping out costume after costume for $60 a pop when there’s about $10 worth of fabric, is repulsive. Kaitlin has a similar view: people can dress how they want, especially if it gives them confidence. But there is one thing that troubles her. “I am bothered by the obvious imbalance of male to female ‘sexy’ costumes, as well as the fact that the men’s costumes usually look much more closely to what they are imitating than what women’s costumes end up being.” Despite this, she doesn’t have complete disdain for the act of dressing up for Halloween. “It’s definitely fun to indulge in playing dress-up (or dressdown, as the case may be). Just don’t be insensitive for the sake of ‘being allowed.’” Kaitlin’s view of the commercialization of Halloween is one of annoyance, but unfortunately, it’s also come to be the norm. “To be honest, I’m used to it. I’ve seen it as such my whole life, even though at home I knew the old traditions and how they still remain relevant now. It’s not really different than any other desanctified holiday to me.” As a teenager, I absolutely partook in the same festivities my friends were. We dressed up, got far too drunk, and danced to the “Monster Mash” until 3 a.m. But I’m getting old (in spirit, at least). The last five years or so, I’ve celebrated Halloween my way. I carve pumpkins and eat candy, of course, but I also
take walks outside to enjoy nature, cook dinners with friends, and reflect on the year that has just past; what I’ve done well, what I’ll do differently next year. Kaitlin has a similar story: the celebration of Samhain has changed quite a bit for her now that she’s an adult. “For one thing, I don’t trick-or-treat anymore. When I was little, even though I knew the basic concept of Samhain, I didn’t learn some of the more sombre aspects of the day. When I was little, I would attend rituals and sometimes help in distributing the blessed food and drink; now I’m an ordained Priestess who has performed rituals with others in my Temple.” So, if you’re fed up with the commercialization of Halloween, or just looking to reconnect with society’s Pagan roots, you can do so simply by focusing on a few things: balance, and how you incorporate it into your life; gratitude, and what you’re thankful for this year; letting go, and disposing of anything (physical or otherwise) that will only hold you back in the coming year. Kaitlin has one last piece of advice for everyone to be aware of this Halloween: “Samhain is the Death cycle on the Wheel of the Year. At its peak, the veil between our world and the world of Other is thinnest, and we are a lot more likely to be contacted by those who have passed on. Don’t be alarmed if someone pays a visit to you in your dreams, or in your peripheral vision.” The party is winding down now; Superwoman and Wednesday Addams have stumbled off, hand in hand; the Jell-O shots are gone; the front of your dress has someone else’s beer on it and you’ve misplaced your broom. No matter — the sticks were falling out of the end anyway. You walk home surrounded by night. There are no more children, no more parents trailing behind. Doors are shut tight, and the remnants of firecrackers litter the streets. You open your door as silently as possible but stumble over a rogue pair of boots on your way in. You stand in the pitch black, hoping not to have woken your family; no one stirs. You take the stairs, carefully, your hand on the wall to support yourself. Flopping onto your bed, you don’t bother to change. Instead, in the drifting moments between awake and sleeping, you wonder: did I have fun? A question for another time, perhaps when the tequila has left your system. For now, another Halloween has come and gone. In the night you dream of bonfires and harvests, candy apples and popcorn balls. You dream of cakes shared with friends. You dream of death and renewal. I want to reiterate: there’s no wrong way to celebrate Halloween. I’m not telling you to return your costume or dump your drinks down the sink, nor am I telling you not to eat that bag of Halloween candy. (Your dentist, however, may say otherwise.) What I’m saying is, it might be a good idea to pause and think about why you’re celebrating the way you do. Far too often, humans do things because everyone else is doing them that way, or they’ve never done it differently. This Halloween, take a moment and reflect on what you’re doing. And, however you decide to celebrate, watch out for ghouls — you never know where they may be lurking.
LEGEND
The Cascade -ARY
Community Events are in UFV Events are in Music Events are in Art Events are in Cultural Events are in
Oct 31
Trick Or Treat @ Downtown Abbotsford Businesses, 1:00 - 4:30 p.m. MOO or BOO 2018 @ EcoDairy (Abbotsford), 1:00 - 5:00 p.m. 2018 Chilliwack International Fall Film Series @ Cottonwood 4 Cinemas (Chilliwack) 3:30 - 9:00 p.m.
Nov 3
On a Roll! Mpowerment Board Game Night @ Boardwalk Cafe and Games (Abbotsford), 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Defeating Anxiety: A Meditation Course @ FLOW Yoga and Fitness (Mission), 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Pete Seeger’s - The Incompleat Folksinger with Mark Hellman @ Chilliwack Cultural Centre, 7:30 - 9:30 p.m.
La Dolce Vita: Opera Recital @ The Reach Gallery Museum (Abbotsford), 1:30 - 3:00 p.m.
A Night with Roadside Attraction - A Tragically Hip cover band @ Captains Cabin Pub (Mission), 8:00 p.m. - 1:00 a.m.
Nov 5 Glass Tiger @ Clarke Theatre (Mission), 7:30 p.m.
Celtic Night with Murphy’s Lagh @ Tractorgrease Cafe (Chilliwack), 7:00 - 10:00 p.m. Play: The Piano Teacher @ Chilliwack Cultural Centre, 7:30 - 9:30 p.m.
Nov 2
Nov 6 Learn to Draw @ The Reach Gallery Museum (Abbotsford), 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Nov 10
NWO’s Daze of (Roller) Derby @ Landing Sports Centre (Chilliwack), 9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. Handpicked Pop-Up Christmas Market @ Quality Hotel & Conference Centre (Abbotsford), 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Farmteam @ Tractorgrease Cafe (Chilliwack), 7:00 - 10:00 p.m. Dark Stone @ The Railyard (Mission), 7:00 - 11:00 p.m.
Nov 11
Graphic Design Program Info Night & Student Exhibit @ S’eliyemetaxwtexw Gallery (Abbotsford Campus), 5:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Birch Pereira The Gin Joints @ Tractorgrease Cafe (Chilliwack), 7:00 - 10:00 p.m.
Eamon McGrath/Stephen Carl O’Shea/ Matt McKeen @ Carport Manor (Abbotsford), 7:00 - 11:00 p.m.
Nov 13
Nov 7 Métis Day Awareness Event @ Evered Hall (Abbotsford Campus), 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
The Vintage Barn Market at Christmas @ 44140 Luckakuck Way (Chilliwack), 4:00 - 10:00 p.m.
2018 Chilliwack International Fall Film Series @ Cottonwood 4 Cinemas (Chilliwack) 3:30 - 9:00 p.m.
Songwriters Unite @ Tractorgrease Cafe (Chilliwack), 7:00 - 10:00 p.m.
Nov 8
2018 Stó:lō Comedy Night @ Tzeachten Hall (Chilliwack), 7:30 - 10:30 p.m.
Nov 9
The Vintage Barn Market at Christmas @ 44140 Luckakuck Way (Chilliwack), 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Wes Mackey @ The Railyard (Mission), 8:00 - 11:00 p.m.
UBC PharmD Info Session @ Room B132 (Abbotsford Campus), 5:30 6:30 p.m.
Some of these events require tickets, most are on Facebook. If something catches your eye, take to the internet for more details.
Handpicked Pop-Up Christmas Market @ Quality Hotel & Conference Centre (Abbotsford), 4:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Blue Moon Marque @ Tractorgrease Cafe (Chilliwack), 7:00 - 10:00 p.m.
Book Reading: Napalm Hearts @ Lifetime Learning Centre (Mission), 12:30 - 2:30 p.m.
Note:
25th Annual Gift, Craft & Antique Fair @ Minter Gardening (Chilliwack), 9:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Murder Mystery: Murder At Whittington Hall @ The Stage in Mission, 5:30 - 11:30 p.m.
Nov 1
Blue Green Red Purple Yellow
Celtic Night with Knackers Yard @ Tractorgrease Cafe (Chilliwack), 7:00 - 10:00 p.m.
Learn to Draw @ The Reach Gallery Museum (Abbotsford), 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Nov 14 UFV’s Town & Gown Fundraising Dinner @ Evered Hall (Abbotsford Campus), 6:00 - 9:30 pm. Acrylic Pouring @ Chilliwack Cultural Centre, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. John Mellencamp @ Abbotsford Centre, 8:00 p.m.
CULTURE
VOL. 26 // ISSUE 27
culture@ufvcascade.ca Cassie de Jong — Culture Editor
UFV India //
UFV Chandigarh student and alumni social
MEHAKNOOR KAUR CONTRIBUTOR
The UFV Alumni Association, in collaboration with the South Asian Studies Institute and UFV India, recently organized a social networking event for the Chandigarh students who are now studying at the Abbotsford campus. An ocean away from home, the thrill and excitement of meeting with people who share your culture and have gone through a similar journey was unmistakable. The event was initiated by a welcome note from the director of UFV India, Mr. Gurneet Singh Anand, the UFV Alumni Associa-
tion, and the South Asian Studies Institute. Nav Bains, the chair of the Alumni Association of UFV addressed the eager audience as well. As the evening progressed, various UFV alumni spoke to the students and talked about the key factors that pose a challenge for international students and how to overcome them. Quoting many instances from their life, the students were given career advice from the alumni along with tips on how to expand their network. Nav Bains talked about bringing the lost alumni together through such social networking events. From beginning their lives in a different country to juggling academics and work, the
students were asked to keep in touch with the alumni, for they can guide them in the right direction. Speaking on various topics, the keynote speakers, Arjunveer Singh Kamra and Avneet Kaur Riar, stressed the importance of gaining work experience while completing the undergraduate degree. This would not only help the students build a better resume but would also help them gain insight into how the corporate world works. Venturing out into the industry opens new doors for the students and assists them in establishing connections with people and helps them in developing their network of acquaintances.
Most of the transfer students from the Chandigarh campus of the university have prepared for a long time to be a part of the Canadian culture. UFV India, through its thorough and carefully planned curriculum, introduces the students to the Canadian education system. However, even after having been equipped to take on the academic challenges of the Canadian education system, the culture shock of settling into a new environment takes a long time to subside. This gap was bridged when the Chandigarh students got a chance to mingle with UFV alumni. The event not only helped the students to socialize with the
UFV alumni, but also brought the alumni together. After graduating university, the graduates become engrossed in building their careers. Such social networking events are a great way for the graduates to stay in touch with each other, the faculty, and the current students at the university. As the students socialized with the alumni and faculty over snacks, the sound of chatter, uproarious laughter, and the light heartedness of seeking guidance from someone who has gone through the things that the students are going through now, proved the success of the event.
UFV Speaks //
The new new future of the Finnegan’s space
Ideas on replacing the replaced CARISSA WIENS STAFF WRITER
In UFV Speaks, our intrepid reporters pick a topic currently relevant to UFV students or staff, and ask them for their heated opinions to get a real sense of how the UFV population feels about the facts.
Finnegan’s Pub. (The Cascade)
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Several weeks ago it was confirmed that UFV purchased the former location of Finnegan’s Pub and Phoenix Ballroom to use as a temporary location for offices and classrooms that will be moved out of their regular locations due to future remediation plans for the A and D buildings. These plans occupy the site’s use for the next several semesters, but what’s to succeed the lot that succeeded the pub? UFV has not made any concrete plans about the next occupation for the lot. To help the university decide we’ve asked several students about their ideas on how the soon-to-be-available space should be used. The seemingly obvious answer is to make another pub with Finnegan-like qualities such as their former and affordable happy hour (rest in peace $4 sangria), and creating a welcoming space for students. Of course if this was
run by the Student Union Society we might end up with another Canoe situation, so different management would be crucial. UFV English student, Krystal, is adamant that UFV should provide a place for one to have a drink with their classmates after an afternoon or evening lecture. With a pub on campus students would again have a place to spend time with each other in a casual setting without the thick study atmosphere that fills the SUB and the library. Krystal added, “Honestly, I could use a drink after most of my classes.” Though many agreed with her, we also heard some ideas that branched from the pub idea. John from the science department thinks UFV should follow Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s lead by building a student brewing lab which would be the space for the creation of a new brewing program. Because of the booming craft beer industry in B.C., this would provide many students with a useful trade that is in demand. It would be another trade-like program for the university to add to their already wide selection, upping their trades reputation, or it could be a
branch of the chemistry program for those working on their undergrad. John adds that this would also be a place for students not in the program to try the beers being made in the lab, creating easy access to beer without building a pub. Unrelated to alcohol, social science student, Rachel, thinks we should solve the parking problem at UFV once and for all with the opportunity to do something “truly great” with the space. She thinks a multi-level parking garage built by the university would do the trick. Rachel does have good reason to back up this suggestion, for it is a well-known fact that finding a parking spot on campus mid-day can get quite challenging. Maybe the multilevel parking garage would solve this problem for good. With these helpful suggestions, maybe the university will take one of these into consideration as they make plans for what the lot will be used for after the remediation projects are complete. As the property will soon begin to transform, we’ll have to fight another day as we live without a place to purchase alcohol on campus. We’ve made it for a while now; I’m sure we can continue.
CULTURE
OCTOBER 31, 2018
Film screening //
History department at UFV screens Joan of Arc: Maid of Orleans EDINA BALINT NEWS WRITER
The UFV history department showed the second documentary of a three documentary film series event on Oct. 24 in room B121. The documentary was Joan of Arc: Maid of Orleans and it provided some background information leading up to Joan of Arc’s assent to power as well as her downfall. The event began with a brief history lecture on the 100 Years’ War, led by Adrianna Bakos, department head and associate professor of history. The 100 Years’ War was a series of battles that took place between the English and French kings at the time that Joan of Arc was a young child. France was in a state of unrest because of disputes regarding who had the right to accede to the French crown after the king’s unexpected death. And so, the English took advantage of France’s weakness and were able to defeat the French in several battles. The documentary portrayed Joan of Arc’s biography in great detail. As a young
peasant girl, Joan claims to have received a vision from God about her duty to lead the French to victory against the English army. This event took place in the 15th century, when France’s army was at its lowest point. What is particularly baffling to historians is that Joan of Arc was able to convince the king of France, Charles VII, that she should lead the French army. Although the nature of mysticism and the ability to receive visions from God were revered in the medieval ages, it was uncommon for women to be taken so seriously in these matters. The documentary suggests that the French were waiting for a prophecy to occur indicating that a virgin woman would save France. Since Joan of Arc was a virgin and was determined to rescue France, she was considered by the masses to be the prophetic character the nation was expecting. However, the film also carefully depicts Joan of Arc’s unfortunate death and fall from power. After winning multiple battles for the French, Joan’s leadership capabilities began to plunge. When Joan started losing important battles, Charles VII with-
drew his support for Joan and took her prisoner. At her trial, Joan was condemned for falsely claiming to have heard the voice of God and also for dressing in men’s clothing. This led her to be burned at the stake and tortured, which was a scene that was vividly depicted in the film. Ironically, in 1920 Joan of Arc reached sainthood and became a symbol of French nationalism. At the end of the documentary, there was a discussion about the character and personality of Joan of Arc. There were also a few questions about the perception of Joan of Arc nowadays. When Ian Rocksborough-Smith, sessional faculty in the history department, was asked about the success of the previous screening, “Augustus,” Rocksborough-Smith said, “I would say that it was successful in terms of content and discussion. It was a pretty modest turn-out. But I think we are not expecting huge crowds.” He mentioned that it continues to be hard to get more people to come out to events during midterms. In regards to the objective behind the event, Rocksborough-Smith said that it is
done to raise awareness about the history department and the courses that are offered at UFV. “We thought we would use the theme of biography which is a great entry point into the study of history. There are lots of fascinating figures in history that we can study and that give us windows into whole areas of history like the study of women,” said Rocksborough-Smith. His expectation for the last film series screening on Nov. 21 is that it will generate more interest. According to Smith, the film Tecumseh’s Vision is noteworthy because it is an important part of North American history. “The last film is about a famous indigenous, North American leader, Tecumseh, who opposed colonialism settlement in the early nineteenth century. And of course that still has reverberations and legacies in the present, with unresolved issues about Native land rights and ongoing inequalities.” Rocksborough-Smith said.
Concert //
Peach Pit sells out hometown show at the vogue
LAUREN JOHNSTON CONTRIBUTOR
This past Friday, Oct. 26 Peach Pit played a sold-out show at the Vogue in Downtown Vancouver. Haley Blais, also a Vancouver local, opened the show followed by Sun Seeker, a similar indie band hailing from Nashville, Tennessee. Peach Pit was brought to life in 2016 when high school friends, lead singer and guitarist Neil Smith and guitarist Chris Vanderkooy, decided to collaborate on a musical project. Bassist Peter Wilton and drummer Mikey Pascuzzi joined shortly after. Their debut EP Sweet F.A. gained them popularity over YouTube when their song “Peach Pit” went viral. Self proclaimed as “chewed bubble gum pop” the
band has been making a name for themselves in the Pacific Northwest indie scene, and in September 2017 they released their debut LP Being So Normal. At the band’s Halloweenthemed show at the Vogue in Vancouver, they all entered the stage dressed as members of the band KISS. After running back and forth across the stage, lead singer Neil announced himself as Gene Simmons before expressing how grateful and how excited they were to be playing a sold-out show in their home town of Vancouver. Neil even pointed out that his dad and some of his friends, who could be seen yelling out all the lyrics and constantly playing the air guitar, were in attendance. The band has made their way into the indie music scene, alongside similar sounding artists such
Peach Pit at the Vogue. Vancouver, B.C. Oct. 26, 2018. (Lauren Johnston/The Cascade) as Mac Demarco and Homeshake. The band sounded the same live as they do on record, which is always a breath of fresh air at concerts. It was evident how happy and how humbled the band really was to be able to play a soldout show at the Vogue theatre, posting on Instagram that they were “real excited for this one.” The concert was complete with multiple people crowd-surfing, including the band’s guitarist Chris, who crowd-surfed during the show’s final song, “Peach Pit,” while playing his solo.
This concert was an experience because the band sounded so good live, but also for so many other reasons. It really felt like such a hometown show, and the energy in the crowd was evident especially when you could hear the entire theatre singing along to a slower ballad of the band’s called “Tommy’s Party.” Once the show ended Neil announced they were going to the merch table to meet fans. All members of the band set themselves up around the lobby of the Vogue, and my brother and I were lucky
enough to meet them and get our merch signed. They’re truly down-to-earth people; they seemed genuinely excited to meet the swarming crowds of fans and to be playing a sold-out show in Downtown Vancouver. Congratulations are in order for Peach Pit for playing a soldout night at the Vogue, but also for putting on such an amazing show and being so great with their fans.
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CULTURE
VOL. 26 // ISSUE 27
Alumni Q&A //
Business insights and major discussions A Q&A with Haley Chase QUINTIN STAMLER BUSINESS MANAGER
This second installment in a series of upcoming Alumni Q&A’s gives students insight into the potential outcomes of the majors offered through the university’s Bachelor of Business Administration degree. I interviewed a recent UFV grad who is now in their respective field, discussing studies and their leap into the job market, and what sort of things they experienced. This week I spoke with Haley Chase, a Bachelor of Business Administration with a major in human resources management. What pushed you toward the field of human resources? I think I was attracted to business in general, and so when I went back to school, I went back as a mature student in my late 20s. I had an idea to change directions because when I first went to school after high school I was a musician by trade. I did that for a large number of years, my life changed, I had kids, and have become a bit more mature in my mind. I realized that a starving musician is called a starving musician for a reason. When I went back to school I thought “Well, business is rather general,” so I could find something I found interesting through that. Human resources came into play for me in my second year, when I took Dr. Kirsten Robertson’s human resources class (BUS 201). I found that I really enjoyed the introductory course, and I enjoyed the idea of being a part of recruitment, selection, training, development, and those aspects of the business cycle. The employee’s life cycle was appealing to me; I decided that was the concentration that I wanted to focus on. What was your experience with finding a job after graduation?
I applied for the auxiliary staff at UFV before I graduated and got accepted. I then had an interview with a panel including Tara Rosnac, who had been in one of my HR classes, and they said “Let’s get you in here!” A couple of days later I was accepted into the auxiliary staff, and found a posting for a position in the Office of the Registrar. I ended up working in OReg while I was taking my final exams. It was kind of a no-brainer for me, because I had done some work with UFV long before I graduated. Going into my third year I became Dr. Kirsten Robertson’s research assistant, and that changed everything for me in terms of focusing on HR-related topics. She dealt with a lot of experiential learning, and a lot of examples in relation to how I would look at my employee base if I ever became an HR manager myself. Then I figured I may as well stay at UFV, since I felt connected and found a sense of community there. So, I applied for the auxiliary staff position and got a posting right away. That posting turned into a permanent position within eight months, which is rare. It’s not something that happens to the auxiliary pool. Normally when you join, you get bumped around. But I believe that I had something to offer that departement. Getting a job there was easy, but getting a job in HR was a bit more tricky; I looked into becoming a recruiter for a recruitment company, but all the jobs were in Vancouver and I live in Chilliwack. I didn’t want to commute that far, so ended up at UFV as a starting point. Another job came to me after I was permanent position for five months. A friend of mine’s mother had retired from a treatment centre where she was the HR manager. She contacted me and said she had an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. It was exactly what I wanted, to be an HR manager for a small non-profit organization. It was like a marriage made in
The Cascade Journalism Society (our governing body) will hold it’s Extraodinary General Meeting on November 21 @ 3:00pm in S2111, The Cascade office. 14
heaven, and here I am today in that same position. What are some of the aspects of the job that you expected, and some you didn’t expect? I expected the staff to be as amazing as they are, because in order to be in an organization designed to transform lives, the staff needs to be supportive. There is the clinical side to the job, and there is the support side. Sometimes they don’t work in harmony quite like you would want them to, but generally I find that everyone I’ve worked with has been there for years, because they believe in what we are trying to do. In human resources, you’re not just starting a new job, you’re joining something bigger than yourself, and supporting your community. What I didn’t expect when I first started was that I am responsible for more than one building. One building that I work at, and another building I don’t work at which I still have to staff. I also didn’t expect that I would be called whenever someone was sick on the weekend. I didn’t really clue into that until it started happening to me every weekend. Because of this, I had to make some big changes pretty immediately in terms of my lifestyle, since I was still a dedicated singer on the side. I felt I was working 24 hours a day, and that I never had a break or a day off. I was always on edge on the weekends, worrying that someone was going to phone in saying they were sick. So, I changed the system so that people calling in sick had to contact the staff currently on-shift, and those people had to go down the seniority list and find a replacement. That way, I didn’t have to be called every single weekend. I do still get calls once in a while when there are emergencies that happen, but that kind of stuff I expect.
Why pursue human resources? I think it should be something that you’re attracted to. You can’t always be the good guy in HR; in fact, a lot of the time you’re not the good guy. You have to follow policy and procedure, and you’re a little bit of a policeman in the organization. Also, you hear about all of the issues, so you have to be willing to be diplomatic and listen to various views while being unbiased. Students should choose human resources as a career because it’s a role that is extremely important in organizations, and when done professionally, it can be a job that offers a supportive function for the overall mission of an organization. If you’re a person that doesn’t like conflict, then HR is not for you. Just because it seems like the classes are easier in university doesn’t mean the real world works the same. I didn’t want to stay behind a desk working with numbers all day, and HR offered me a more strategic management position. I was attracted to that I think that HR is going to be transferable too. There are a lot of roles that are not called “HR” specifically that deal with a lot of HR-related issues such as managing employees. You may be the manager of a department and still have to hire and fire, since not all organizations have an HR department. Management in general is where I find HR really encourages a lot of learning, and I think you get more out of management than you will any other concentration at UFV. This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
We will vote members onto the board of directors
(students, that’s a good looking piece of resume padding) We’ll also present bylaw revisions.
ALSO: FREE PIZZA.
STUDY BREAK Crossword //
OCTOBER 31, 2018 Made by Cassie de Jong ACROSS
DOWN
1: A record of muscle activity in the heart made by a machine. 3: Drawing with intersecting parallel lines to create shading. 4: The headquarters that monitors and directs the crew of an aircraft or spacecraft. 5: The prolongation of a sound, sometimes used in music or electric guitars. 8: To clear dust and particles from hard-to-reach places, reach for a can of _ _ _. 9: A building that provides food and lodging for paying guests. 10: A violent shaking of the ground caused by pressure in tectonic plates.
1: A set of clothes and/or makeup in the style of a different character, time period, etc. 2: A defined bump on a ski slope. 3: A larger cylinder of rolled tobacco for smoking. 6: The aquatic larva of a frog. 7: Mythology from Norway or Scandinavia. 8: A form of television service that fewer people are purchasing nowadays.
LAST ISSUE’S
ANSWERS: Across: 1: Budget 3: Hydrogen 5: Nudist 7: Peso 9: Gaelic 11: Nougat 12: Malt 14: Debunk 16: Pharmacy 18: Parody
Down: 1: Bubble Gum 2: Tar 3: Hen 4: Nap 6: Tan 8: Optometry 10: Cod 13: Tip 15: Key 17: Mop
Illustrations: Renée Campbell
Horoscopes //
Astrological mysteries interpreted weekly by Morgana the Mystic.
Aries — Mar 21 to Apr 19 Your default for dealing with obstacles is to face them head on, and lately you might be feeling like it’s not working as well as before. Don’t get discouraged, your tenacity is one of your most admirable traits. Taurus — Apr 20 to May 20 You’ve never thought of yourself as a trailblazer, but it might be the time to start. You have new opportunities awaiting you. They might require you to try new things but don’t let yourself miss out.
Leo — Jul 23 to Aug 22 Not everything that’s good for us is fun, and vice versa. Self-care sometimes needs to be focused on the long-term effects rather than an instant reaction. Try to find something that will continuously benefit you, rather than just bring you momentary happiness. Virgo —Aug 23 to Sep 22 If you’re struggling with staying positive as of late, it’s not your fault. The key to regaining your motivation is to refuse life’s lemons and carry on just as before.
Sagittarius — Nov 22 to Dec 21 Even the brightest bulb can dim sometimes. Monotony can be draining so why not recharge with something new and exciting? You might even find yourself wanting to incorporate it into your day-to-day life. Capricorn — Dec 22 to Jan 19 It’s easy to get discouraged when things don’t work out how you planned, but any recent failures aren’t as dire as you’re making them. Keep your head up and generate a Plan B.
Gemini — May 21 to Jun 20 Getting fed up with a project? Take a step back for now, Gemini. You work hard but you run the risk of burning out before you can complete it. Perfection requires time.
Libra — Sep 23 to Oct 22 A grudge can only be held for so long before it loses all meaning. Let go of the past for now, Libra. Forgiving and forgetting have their place, and it’s time you recognized the value of moving on.
Aquarius — Jan 20 to Feb 18 It’s time to stop sweating the small stuff, Aquarius. You’ll need to look critically at the big picture to accurately make the right decision on an upcoming offer. Getting caught up in the details will only confuse you more.
Cancer —Jun 21 to Jul 22 Your trust in others is invaluable to your relationships, but it’s time to extend that trust towards yourself as well. You’re capable of great things — and becoming confident in yourself is the first step to achievement.
Scorpio — Oct 23 to Nov 21 Take some time to celebrate yourself this week, Scorpio! With the sun in your sign, you’ll have plenty time to relax and revel in your well-deserved break.
Pisces — Feb 19 to Mar 20 If you feel like you can’t stop waking up on the wrong side of the bed, move some furniture around. You’re not as helpless as you’ve been made to feel lately. Take control; things will change for the better.
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SPORTS
VOL. 26 // ISSUE 27
Men’s Basketball //
UFV men’s basketball weekend recap Cascades and Wolfpack each sport a win and loss after exciting weekend of hoops ALEXANDER JESUS SPORTS WRITER
As the opening weekend of men’s basketball came to a close Saturday, it was evident that if this past weekend’s games were of any indication as to how the rest of the season will go, it will be a fun year for fans of the Cascades. Some might see the 1-1 season record, or even the box score and think it wasn’t as good as it could have been, but if there’s one thing that fans can take away from opening weekend, it’s that this team is fun to watch in victory AND defeat. As the first quarter of the season began on Friday against the TRU Wolfpack, it was evident that nothing was going to come easy to the Cascades in their home opener. Both teams tried to establish the three-point shot early while also getting called for a handful of fouls each. TRU led 20-11 after the first quarter but UFV hardly looked shook. Parm Bains opened the scoring in the second quarter with a three-point score assisted by Navjot Bains and from there UFV went on to have a high output quarter, outscoring TRU 21-14 to make it 34-32 at the half, nearly erasing their previous deficit despite the Wolfpack’s Anton Bilous scoring 13 points on 50 per cent shooting from the field and from three-point range.
The third quarter got off to somewhat of a rough start, but after threepoint scores from both Parm Bains and Mark Johnson, the Cascades were back in the mix yet again. Another Cascades player who had a great game Friday night was Sukhjot Bains, who at the 1:19 mark of the third quarter scored a layup to take the lead. The game went back and forth until UFV had a twopoint lead courtesy of a layup made by Sukhjot Bains. Forced to foul in order to get another chance to win or tie, TRU sent Sukhjot Bains to the line. With a chance to win the game, he made the first of two free throws to extend the lead to three, but did not make the second, leaving a window for TRU to send it to overtime. The Wolfpack’s Enrico Nuno drove down the court and shot a heavily contested three with only three seconds remaining, sending the game to overtime. In overtime, both Parm Bains and Sukhjot Bains would score in addition to a pair of steals from Mark Johnson, but it would not be enough as a three-point shot from Yonathan Michael would win the game for TRU. For their second meeting just a day later, both teams had a better understanding of one another, and quickly UFV showed that they weren’t bothered, nor stuck on their OT loss the night before. Winning the first quarter 24-15, it was already evident that the
Cascades came into the game aggressive, similar to the Wolfpack the night prior. The second was much closer, and TRU was almost able to bring it within four, but Parm Bains had other plans as he unloaded a three-point score late to close out the first half up seven points with a score of 45-38. Despite UFV’s success in the second quarter, they were actually outscored by two points. They came out in the second half and like the veteran team that they are, they were not about to get comfortable against a team that just a night ago scored and rallied late for the win, winning the third quarter 25-18 and now sporting a 14-point lead. In the fourth quarter, TRU fought back and at the 5:35 mark brought the game nearly within reach to make it 68-72. After Mark Johnson made good on a three-point attempt assisted by Parm Bains, it seemed UFV might pull away, but it was then made a one-score game from a jump shot courtesy of TRU’s Joe Davis. That is as close as it would get for the Wolfpack, as UFV began to roll and with just 1:05 remaining in the fourth quarter, Sukhjot Bains would redeem himself for the missed free throw and win the game for the Cascades with a three-point shot that made the lead 11 points. Needless to say, it was a wild weekend for the Cascades who now will look to secure a winning record and more when they take on the Saskatchewan Huskies in Saskatoon, S.K. on the road.
Women’s Basketball //
UFV women’s basketball recap Cascades sweep the Wolfpack, start season 2-0 ALEXANDER JESUS SPORTS WRITER
Coming into the season for the UFV Women’s basketball team, it was hard to tell exactly how they would start and whether or not they needed some in-season experience to put together multiple wins. That was all figured out by the time Saturday’s game ended against the TRU Wolfpack, as the Cascades now start the season 2-0 with two impressive wins. On opening night, the first quarter started fairly even with UFV’s Taylor Claggett and TRU’s Emily Vilac both having strong starts offensively. However, the Cascades got on a roll and so did Claggett, who stayed consistently tenacious on offence and defence leading to a 23-16 lead after the first quarter. After a slow start to the second quarter for both teams, Amanda Thompson hit a three-point shot assisted by Victoria Jacobse that began another successful quarter for the Cascades, who turned a seven-point lead at the end of the first into a 22-point lead at the half. Coming into the second half, though TRU was down significantly they weren’t willing to relinquish their fastpaced style of play. Still, however, the
16
Cascades pushed on and got the lead up to 26-points with only two minutes and 16 seconds left in the third quarter courtesy of a jump shot from Natalie Rathler. Heading into the fourth it was safe to say that if UFV played somewhat alright, their 23-point lead was safe, but the Wolfpack began to rally. Michele Bos and Jordon Haggerty along with the rest of the team made a comeback seem possible, putting up shots and getting to the free throw line. However, it wasn’t enough, as UFV held on to win their season opener 62-50. Coming into their second meeting of the weekend, the Cascades were riding high after their season opening victory due to their excellent play on both sides of the ball and TRU’s struggle to shoot from the three-point line. The game started close, similar to the previous meeting the day before. By the five-minute mark however, TRU obtained a four-point lead on Leilani Carney’s three-point shot that signified the first deep ball hit by the Wolfpack of the season. UFV’s Amanda Thompson would have something to say about that, as she hit three threepoint shots of her own in the first quarter alone. When Kate Head made a jump shot with four seconds left in
the first, it meant that UFV had started strong again, leading 24-18 going into the second quarter. A score would not be registered until Amanda Thompson hit her fourth three-point shot of the night at the 7:51 mark, assisted by Alexis Worrell. The halftime score read 37-28 for UFV and despite the Cascades’ offensive output slowing with each quarter, they never lost a quarter in points and won by a whopping 14 points. UFV’s Taylor Claggett and Amanda Thompson shone bright for the Cascades over the weekend, putting up impressive back-to-back performances with Claggett leading UFV in scoring. Big time defensive stops from Victoria Jacobse and solid effort from UFV’s bench also contributed to the victories achieved. For TRU, Michelle Bos and Jordan Haggerty contributed in ways a box score doesn’t show, giving constant hustle and oftentimes slowing UFV’s runs down with fast break layups or points at the free throw line. Overall, it was a successful opening weekend for the Cascades, who now look to win their first road games of the season as they head to Saskatoon, S.K. to take on the Saskatchewan Huskies this Friday and Saturday.
UFV Cascades Sports Scores Oct. 15 – Oct. 21 Men’s Soccer Game/Date: UFV Versus Saskatchewan Oct. 27, 2018 Result: Win (1-1) (3-1 on PKs) Women’s Soccer Game/Date: UFV Versus Mount Royal Oct. 25, 2018 Result: Win (1-1) (3-2 on PKs) Game/Date: UFV Versus Trinity Western Oct. 27, 2018 Result: Loss (0-1) (OT) Men’s Volleyball Game/Date: UFV Versus CAMOSUN Oct. 26, 2018 Result: Loss (0-3) Game/Date: UFV Versus CAMOSUN Oct. 27, 2018 Result: Loss (1-3) Women’s Volleyball Game/Date: UFV Versus CAMOSUN Oct. 26, 2018 Result: Loss (1-3) Game/Date: UFV Versus CAMOSUN Oct. 27, 2018 Result: Win (3-1) Men’s Basketball Game/Date: UFV Versus TRU Oct. 26, 2018 Result: Loss (64-69) (OT) Game/Date: UFV Versus TRU Oct. 27, 2018 Result: Win (83-72) Women’s Basketball Game/Date: UFV Versus TRU Oct. 26, 2018 Result: Win (62-50) Game/Date: UFV Versus TRU Oct. 27, 2018 Result: Win (58-44)
ARTS
VOL. 26 // ISSUE 27
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2018
arts@ufvcascade.ca Martin Castro — Arts Editor
Netflix review//
CHARTS 1
Colin James Miles to Go
2
Young Jesus The Whole Thing is Just There
3
Kristin Witko Never Thought It Could Be That Sweet (Single)
4
Stephen Carl O’Shea & Sylvia Platters Shadow Steps (split)
5
Laverne Yarrow
6
Rae Spoon bodiesofwater
7
Art d’Ecco Trespasser
8
Jacques Greene Avatar Beach (Single)
9
David Gogo 17 Vultures
10
Dead Soft New Emotion (EP)
11
J.Alpinist Offerings
12
HAERTS New Compassion
13
Lindsay Beaver Tough As Love
Caesar 14 Daniel Who Hurt You? (Single)
15
Bart Foley Outside the Light EP
16
Dilly Dally Heaven
17
Jerusalem In My Heart Daqa’iq Tudaiq Danny Bell and
18 His Disappointments Good Timin’ Man
19
Julia Holter Aviary
20
Yoko Ono Warzone
SHUFFLE
Hill House adaption different but still brilliant Hill House, 60 years later, is still terrifying
AARON LEVY
CIVL STATION MØNAGER
CIVL Station Manager Aaron Levy has been obsessively rocking this first song for at least a week, and thus will cover a full shuffle of Mø’s work here.
Mø - “Nights With You” I think the most infectious part of this song, beyond the rounded baseline, the sick choreography in the video, and the turns of phrases in the lyrics (Danglish?) is Mø’s energetic, super brief little adlibs, like ‘look’ and ‘uh’ only just at the exact right times. Also the ‘throw away your phone’ line. Snakehips ft Mø “Don’t Leave” One of many Mo collabos (Diplo, Bieber being a recent and significant pair, on a far less exciting song), this one takes flight with the pre-chorus line ‘I’m not just a fuck-up, I’m the fuck up you need’, switch need for ‘love’ after the second verse. ‘Been thinking bout it.’ Mø - “Kamikaze” There are two distinctly different pronunciations of the word ‘kamikaze’ on this track - First, the seemingly more Eastern European pronunciation with the more z-h-y sound of kamikazhe, and then the more Anglo sounding zee like the letter pronounced by Americans. ‘We ain’t never gonna get enough’. Mø - “Drum” The best part of THIS final shuffle entry is easily the video, where Mø expertly tangos with her partner, and to the beat of their drum, while Bo Jackson style running along the wall and jumping back into the floor like an expert parkour enthusiast - I bet she is.
CAT FRIESEN COPY EDITOR
Shirley Jackson’s The Haunting of Hill House is, by far, my favourite novel. It was on my reading list in Gothic literature several years back, and since then, I’ve read it every October. The main premise is that Eleanor, a meek woman who recently lost her mother, along with Theodora, a free spirit with psychic abilities, and Luke, the heir to Hill House, are called there by Doctor Montague, a professor who’s looking to write a paper on the paranormal experiences that occur in Hill House. Naturally, I was thrilled to find out that Netflix recently created an adaption of the book. I was not so thrilled to find out that the adaptation takes place 20 years after the original paranormal experiences, and that those called to Hill House are no longer a carefully selected research crew, but siblings. The problem with this is that it fundamentally changes a
very important part of the story: Theodora and Eleanor’s “kind of a relationship but not quite” that grows and eventually crumbles, the dissolution of which is connected to Eleanor’s — Nell, as Theodora calls her — slow descent into madness. In doing so, the writers are forced to jump through hoops and backbend around plot holes to connect this modern version to the original. Having said that, despite the show’s writers completely annihilating an important plot point, they did manage to retain Eleanor and Theodora’s personalities — Eleanor is neurotic and nervous, Theodora is petulant and a little standoffish. But, because their relationship is buried, there are a lot more differences that leave the writers grasping at ways to maintain a semblance of continuity between book and show, past and present. In the book, Crain is the name of the family who built Hill House — in the show, Eleanor’s
family are the Crains, and the Hills are the ones who built the house and lived there prior. Dr. Montague is Eleanor’s psychiatrist in L.A., Mrs. Montague and Arthur don’t exist, and Mrs. Dudley is no longer a robot who repeats phrases such as “The dishes belong on the shelves.” And Luke, the amiable heir of Hill House, is now addicted to heroin — a narrative that, when the reason behind his addiction is revealed, is as heartbreaking as it is horrifying. However, one major difference, and I mean major, is that Eleanor, the main character of the novel, the one whom Hill House chooses to swallow up and bring toward insanity, is killed off in the first episode. So, instead of following Eleanor’s nosedive into insanity, the show focuses on the lives of her siblings (who, in the book, were no more than strangers when they first met at Hill House). Jackson was a master of subtle horror.
The characters in Hill House deal with ghosts banging on the walls, children giggling and gurgling in the night, a room soaked in blood. But the show is, understandably, more terrifying. With appearances by the “bent-neck lady,” and a creature that shudders around the secret basement and tries to kill Luke, we’re brought into the 21st century of in-yourface jump scares. Yet there is one aspect of subtle horror the show holds onto from the book — Eleanor, oblivious to her surroundings, waltzing through decrepit Hill House with her invisible partner. Although Netflix’s The Haunting of Hill House deviates from the original in important ways, it still retains the same message that Shirley Jackson published in 1959: that Hill House is utterly, undeniably alive, not sane, and slowly chipping away at the sanity of those who inhabit it. Remember: those who walk the halls of Hill House, walk alone.
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ARTS
VOL. 26 // ISSUE 27
Podcast review //
Listen to the “Thunder Bay” podcast JOEL ROBERTSON-TAYLOR EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Last week, Canadaland released chapters one and two of “Thunder Bay,” a new podcast about the Ontario city famous for hate crimes and homicide. Chapter three came out Oct. 28. Hosted by Canadaland’s Ryan McMahaon (from “Commons”) the show attempts to explain why Thunder Bay stands out for its amount of hate crimes, notably against Indigenous. The national context for this podcast is that Indigenous children are the least important children in Canada. That’s what chapter three is about. Sounds kind of offensive? It is. And what McMahon so effectively captures in his exposition are the particulars of a systemic problem. Thunder Bay isn’t a microcosm. Local conditions make it notable, but what’s going on in Thunder Bay comes out of the same institutional failures affecting Williams Lake, Chilliwack, and Abbotsford.
This is an important podcast for Canada. Beyond the powerful and timely journalistic presence it brings as a longform, storydriven series, taking much of its form from “Serial” and “Shit Town,” it is an aesthetically relevant podcast. This episodic
investigative series with an impassioned focus on the suspicious deaths of Indigenous and the city’s Seven Youth Inquest, as well as the mayor’s preoccupation with extortion allegations, is worth celebrating particularly because the show
violin score, and important dramatic cues. The power in this kind of storytelling is that the listener experiences Murder Bay as McMahon describes it, ultimately to answer the question “Why?” and not, “Who dun it?” In chapter one, McMahon gives a condensed history of hate crimes directed at Indigenous people, and the unsolved, under-investigated, deaths of Indigenous youth. Chapter two changes course to look entirely at Thunder Bay mayor Keith Hobbs, who is still mayor, reelected despite being implicated in obstruction of justice and extortion charges. “Thunder Bay” is important because it is Canadian journalism on an entirely Canadian issue. And yet, this is a multinational story. Ignore the unabashed sensationalism in the was crowdfunded. mainstream media for a moment Being a multi-part podcast, and plug into important, timely “Thunder Bay” relies on good Canadian issues presented with production and narrative entertaining narrative. structure to hold audience attention. It is broken up into chapters, with the story accompanied by a melancholic
Album review //
Young the Giant touches on our vulnerability with Mirror Master ourselves at a time when people always try to put each other in a box culturally, socially, and politically. Gadhia insists that we don’t have to be a certain thing and that we take pride in different sides of who we are. The album begins with “Superposition,” which brings the record to a chill start. It’s one of those songs you listen to and unconsciously conjure the image of a constellation in your head. A superposition is a state of infinite potential, just like a galaxy or a healthy relationship. The slightly upbeat “Heat of the Summer” describes the summers of youth, when you are desperate to explore but struggle to seize control of your life. On the other hand, the album shines brightest when it forces us to wrestle with different personas that we put forth on a daily basis. “Call Me Back” is subtle, understanding yet heartbroken at the same time. It’s about the vulnerability of adolescence, a
UYEN NGUYEN CONTRIBUTOR
Everybody has that vulnerable side. We all know that we’re not perfect, and we do have flaws. Sometimes you find you are constantly reflecting on yourself and your interaction with other people. You realize there are so many personas within you, and that at the end of the day the person you find most difficult to understand turns out to be yourself. Young The Giant face that idea in their newest record, Mirror Master, a stripped-down and personal album that really digs deep. Describing the overall thesis for Mirror Master, vocalist Sameer Gadhia explains there are different dimensions within ourselves. In the time of technology and social media, we’re always conscious of what persona we choose to display. This album is concerned with how we have different separations within ourselves, and how we struggle to define
state where you constantly wonder and find yourself on a roller coaster of emotions. Similarly, standout track “Oblivion” melts away into fragiality via a raucous, building instrumental that invites listeners to embrace their biggest fears en route to growth. “Darkest Shade of Blue” lends a comforting hand to those experiencing anxiety and depression, which Gadhia says everyone harbours. Mirror Master beautifully deals with our internal self and conveys the struggle of taking authorship of our life, as Gadhia said. The albums reminds me of a saying: you are not a speck of dust in the universe, but there is an entire universe within you. You can’t have control of other people, but you have control of your own reflection, how you treat people, and how you choose to walk through this life.
“...romantic complications and a rich array of subsidiary characters make the play such a delight” ~The Edmonton Sun
PRIDE PREJUDICE THE JANE AUSTEN CLASSIC
NOV 9 – 17
ABBOTSFORD ARTS CENTRE 2329 CRESCENT WAY, ABBOTSFORD For Tickets & Info
18
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ADAPTED BY TOM WOOD
Production Presenting Sponsor
ARTS
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2018
Book Review //
The Tattooist of Auschwitz: a quick and enticing read CARISSA WIENS STAFF WRITER
After reading the recently popular novel, The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris, I was surprised how emotionless I felt. A love story based on the life of Lale Sokolov, The Tattooist of Auschwitz is set in the concentration camp, Auschwitz, in Poland from 1942-1945. In the midst of torture and imprisonment during the second World War, protagonist Lale falls deeply in love with fellow prisoner, Gita. Being worked to the bone for over two years they are eventually forced apart from each other and transported to different camps. With no freedom or knowledge of how to reconnect in the camp, Lale escapes to find his beloved. Having prior knowledge about some of the atrocities that took place during World War II, I assumed the novel would be an accurate representation of those terrible times. But as I read more about Lale’s life
in the camp, it was clear to me that Morris’ telling of the camp seemed to be just gliding along the surface of what happened. Of course with only 250 pages one cannot describe the entire intense hell lived in concentration camps, but I still expected more. The author describes the low rations of food for prisoners, the long days spent labouring, and the too often aquatinance with death many had, but the book still seemed to be lacking the description of the emotional nightmare they were presumably in. Written in third person, we aren’t able to know Lale’s thoughts very well, only in a few italicized sentences throughout the piece. The novel often reads as bullet points, describing what each person was doing in the scene and where they were going, frequently leaving out the character’s inner dialogue. Sometimes we were told that Lale was scared but unfortunately that was the end of the description of his
fear. I needed more to truly connect with Lale’s character. Mr. Sokolov met with Morris in 2003 to make sure his story was told before he died. After collecting his story she composed it into a screenplay. As time went on it was made clear that this life would be better told as a novel. As Morris shifted mediums she did her best to keep as much as she could true. Her editor claims the book is 95 per cent true, the rest was added to fill time gaps or other holes in the story. Even though I left this book feeling not as moved as I hoped to be, I would still recommend it. The novel was a quick read but covered a noble story of bravery, courage, and having hope in times of utter hardship. Morris did justice to Mr. Sokolov’s story and brought honour to his name.
Movie Review //
The First Man focuses on “Whitey on the Moon” The race to space
JEN KLASSEN FEATURES EDITOR
I like space movies. I like spaceships and aliens; I like planets and moons. I also like a good biopic, so when I went to see this movie, I was excited, thinking I would watch a true story movie about space. I didn’t get what I signed up for. Claire Foy (The Crown) and Ryan Gosling play the Armstrongs, Janet and Neil respectively. On the outside, they are the idyllic American couple with two sons and a daughter, who live in a happy home with a nice yard, complete with pearls, meals on the table at dinner, and a kiss on the cheek once he walks through the door. In a political climate that is focused on giving a voice to the minority, on realizing that white people aren’t the only people, it seems a weird choice to have only white people in this movie, when the public knows full well all about the many people, genders, races, ages, that it took to fly Neil Armstrong to the moon. (Hello, Hidden Figures.) The only time a person of colour appears on the screen is during a protest. A protest against the moon launch, against the money being spent to go to a new place, when Earth is still such a disaster. “Whitey on the Moon,” a reference to a Gil Scott-Heron poem, is quoted in the protest. Is it a coincidence that this is the
only time we see a person of colour in this movie, or is it a commentary that we still don’t see the diversity of our nation, especially on the big screen? When I first saw the poster for the movie, I thought, “Cool, the prequel to Tom Hanks’ Apollo 13.” But this movie was like drinking milk just a bit past its due date: off, and leaves a sour taste in my mouth. The whole film plays like a wet dream of the white Republican, depicting an “ideal” America: the 1960s extreme of perfect house, perfect hair, perfect kids. The footage is even filmed like a home movie in parts, with handheld camera, odd angles, and seemingly private, everyday moments playing out on screen, showing that even in privacy, the mirage was never broken. They truly were the picture of perfection. It’s an odd move to focus on the white, American male, living the white American dream, being the ultimate figure of manhood. Armstrong is depicted as unemotive, unavailable, and unmoved by tragedy — the loss of his daughter, the loss of his best friend. Here he stands, the ultimate man, the first to walk on the moon, stoic in the face of danger and loss. Hero. Visionary. Man of the century. It angered me until I realized that maybe it was intentional. Maybe, if the viewer looked close enough it was a com-
mentary on how we can no longer focus on the accomplishments of some without acknowledging the accomplishments of those behind, the ones who don’t receive the glamour of the spotlight. Maybe it was a commentary on how easy it is to slip back into the regularity of normative
white movie stars fulfilling white roles in white America. Or maybe it’s just a story about a white man in America who went to the moon.
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68% OF
BRITISH COLUMBIANS AGREE:
IT’S TIME TO ELIMINATE INTEREST ON STUDENT LOANS Aran Armutlu, Chairperson, BC Federation of Students
EMAIL FINANCE MINISTER CAROLE JAMES
TO URGE HER TO ELIMINATE INTEREST IN BUDGET 2019
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