Varsity Writer Micah Della Foresta micah@ufvcascade.ca
Columnist Sean Horn sean@ufvcascade.ca
Columnist Faby Cruz Alderete faby@ufvcascade.ca
Distributor Kirat Dhami kirat@ufvcascade.ca
Editorial //
Welcome to issue 32.12
Some light reading from your friendly student newspaper…
KIARA OKONKWO
Welcome to The Cascade, your source of news, culture, and student life at the University of the Fraser Valley. Whether course registration is on your horizon or a celebrated past, you’ve inevitably spent a little bit of time thinking about your not so distant future. I recommend you take some time to ground yourself in the present moment. The end of semester is a time when the call of our beds is louder than ever — remember to take care of yourself amidst all of the other commitments vying for your attention.
We’ve been busy here at The Cascade bridging the gap between content and campus; issue 32.12 manifests as a reflection of the triumphs, pitfalls, and happenings within our university.
Cause for celebration can be found on page 4, where we sit down with two of UFV’s political science students who were featured on CityNews as panellists discussing the provincial election. If you move on over to page 19, we interview UFV librarian Camille Callison, who received the Ron MacDonald Outstanding Service Award for her work in the preservation of Indigenous knowledge.
The Student Union Society’s (SUS) October public meeting is recapped on page 3, which includes important information regarding the discontinuation of Blackboard next semester. We also unpack the annual Diwali celebration with SUS student executives on page 6.
Our featured article on page 11, takes a deep dive into accessibility in local cultural spaces with The Metzger Collection, a replica museum housed within Columbia Bible College.
If you want some mo’, check out our sports section for some lively interviews from women’s volleyball middle Mo Likness and Ledgeview golf superstar Luke Bogdan on pages 14 and 15. To tip it off, we recap the UFV basketball men’s and women’s home game weekend on page 16, in case you missed the fun.
Looking to lose yourself in the arts? Beginning on page 20, we’ve got you covered. From video games, books, a newly released Netflix animation, and a deep dive into the latest single from Tyler, The Creator, there’s a little something for everyone.
P.S. Do you have thoughts on this issue, or want to contribute your own words? Send an email to managing@ufvcascade.ca — we’d love to hear from you.
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 other Wednesday with a print circulation of 800 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. Pitch meetings will be digital for the remainder of the semester. Please email managing@ufvcascade.ca to be put on the assignment email list.
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,
expressed do not necessarily reflect that of
NEWS BRIEFS
AVIAN FLU OUTBREAK STRETCHING FROM CHILLIWACK TO DELTA
On Nov. 13, it was confirmed that wetlands from Chilliwack to Delta have been tested and show instances of avian flu, including at Abbotsford’s Mill Lake, Langley’s West Creek Wetlands, and Delta’s Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary.
Back on Oct. 21, it was reported by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency that avian flu was also confirmed on three Fraser Valley farms. In response to these findings, a general order was issued by Dr. Theresa Burns, B.C.’s chief veterinarian. The order stated that:
“All persons responsible for birds in the Lower Mainland [can] not take birds to poultry swaps, auctions, flea markets, bird shows, fairs, public displays, and competitions.”
The above order refers to all people and organizations who work with birds, including but not limited to research facilities, hatcheries, pet stores, and anywhere live wildlife are kept.
The order will be in effect until revoked by Dr. Theresa Burns.
Last Saturday, Donald Trump, U.S. president-elect, publicly offered to help pay Vice President Kamala Harris’ 20 million dollar debt, which was seen by some as a way to humiliate Harris and her party.
“I am very surprised that the Democrats, who fought a hard and valiant fight in the 2020 Presidential Election, raising a record amount of money, didn’t have lots of $’s left over. Now they are being squeezed by vendors and others,” Trump said in a post on X.
Harris and the Democratic Party reportedly raised more than one billion dollars during her campaign. However, around 1.1 billion dollars was also spent on the campaigns of Harris and President Joe Biden.
Trump has rallied his Republican Party to support the Democratic Party and help pay off their debt, with the intention of making “America great again” and help unite the nation. The initial response has been that the debt figure was inaccurately represented, and no amount has been disclosed yet. In the meantime, Harris continues to campaign for more donations and funding.
Student Union Society’s October Public Board Meeting
Club and association policy updates; goodbye Blackboard, hello Brightspace
KIARA
All at the university are welcome to attend the Student Union Society (SUS) public meetings, which are held once a month. SUS makes decisions that impact the learning environment and campus culture for both students and faculty.
On Oct. 29, 2024 the Student Union Society (SUS) held an in-person Public Board Meeting in room S3103. The meeting consisted of changes to policies regarding funding for clubs and associations, as well as reports from Jayden Hovey, SUS president, Harmanjot Singh, vice-president internal, Roxy Granikovas, vice-president external, and Bilal Faisal Faheem, vice-president students.
reduce textbook fees for students. Further, President Joanne MacLean is retiring this coming June, and SUS is contributing to the President Search Committee. SUS is also in conversation with the UFV Library to potentially add additional seating and study space. Lastly, SUS has reached out to BMO and RBC to hold financial literacy workshops for students, and are continuing the conversation with BC Transit regarding the U-Pass.
The main takeaway of the Vice President Internal’s Report was the plan to update the flags in the S building atrium to better reflect the diversity of UFV’s international student body.
Over 55,000 postal workers took to the picket lines on Friday, Nov. 15 after labour disputes between Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) went unresolved. Pressing issues for the strike include wage increases matching inflation, health benefits extending to fertility treatments and gender affirming care, paid medical leave, and an increase in short-term disability payments.
In a statement made on Friday, Nov. 15, CUPW cited the cause of the strike as Canada Post’s refusal to negotiate toward real solutions for problems postal workers face.
As Canada Post is a Crown corporation, the federal government has the jurisdiction to interfere. One of the ways the federal government can do this is through a back-to-work legislation, which will force postal workers off the picket lines.This legislative power was used against Canada Post strikes in 2011 and 2018, but Trudeau’s liberal minority government would need opposition support this time around.
Mail and parcels across Canada are not being delivered during the strike, and some Canada Post offices are closed.
On Sunday, Nov. 10, the Business Engagement Ambassador Project (BEAP) run by MatsquiAbbotsford Impact Society hosted a community clean at the protest encampment outside City Hall prior to the Remembrance Day ceremony on Nov. 12. About 62 people, mostly from the street community, showed up to pick up garbage, rake leaves, and tidy up the area. The Remembrance Day ceremony was hosted at the cenotaph adjacent to the encampment and was restricted to dignitaries only. It was live streamed for the public online and at Rotary Stadium.
Many veterans and attendees were upset by the reduction in ceremony size. One man went so far as to stage a protest and verbally attacked residents of the protest encampment, which has been in place since June of this year. Justice Sandra Sukstorf ordered the city to work with encampment residents in gradually relocating them as appropriate shelter space for them is found.
Some policy changes which will affect the clubs and associations at UFV were discussed at the meeting. Firstly, “Resident Student Organization” (RSO) will be amended to “Clubs & Associations” (C&A) on the Fund Request Policy and Procedures documents. SUS has increased the C&A funding from $500 to $750 per event, contingent on the C&A not exceeding maximum yearly funding, which has also been amended. First-year C&A’s are allotted $1000 in funding for the academic year. Upon re-registering for a second year and going through an annual general meeting (AGM), C&A’s will be allotted an increase of $500 for a total of $1500 in funding for the academic year.
Timelines for funding requests have also been reduced. C&A’s will now be able to submit a funding request within 10 business days of their event through the Rubric app (formerly QPay). This is an improvement from the previously required 15 business days.
Another stipulation was added to guideline 3.2 in the Fund Request Policy, stating that reimbursements of purchases made before the C&A event was approved may be declined.
Changes to C&A’s Fund Request Procedure includes the removal of the option to receive C&A funding via cheque. E-transfer will be the primary form of fund transfer.
The President’s Report covered SUS’s “Get Out The Vote” campaign which brought advanced voting to UFV. Hovey is also working on a zero textbook cost (ZTC) initiative, that encourages faculty to use openly sourced educational material to
Furthermore, the Vice President External’s Report covered the new learning management system (LMS) UFV will be transitioning to in winter 2025. UFV will be phasing out the use of Blackboard, and implement the LMS tool Brightspace, which is reported to have a comprehensive mobile app. Regarding the ZTC initiative, Granikovas also mentioned that SUS is advocating for UFV professors to present their course syllabi for the semester upfront (accessible at the time of registration) to help students fully understand the course’s workload in hopes of mitigating withdrawal fees.
The Vice President Students Report consisted of an overview of successful start of semester events, like the Abbotsford Canucks Rush Night. At that time, Faisal Faheem reported that the SUS Diwali event had garnered enthusiasm evident in the growing waitlist, which exceeded the 400 person capacity of Evered Hall.
Student representatives brought forth some concerns heard from the student body, which included a lack of sitting space, a lack of access to study spaces on campus such as pods, and concerns over the 10 per cent course withdrawal fee.
The next public meeting will be held on Thursday, Nov. 28 at 5 p.m. in room S3103.
OKONKWO
CATHERINE CAMPBELL
RACHEL TAIT
KIARA OKONKWO
DARIEN JOHNSEN
UFV political science students featured on television for B.C. elections
Students share their experiences on CityNews and the importance of understanding the B.C. elections
SKY S. TERRONES
On Oct. 19, people were focused on the news, anxiously awaiting the voting results from the provincial election. For UFV political science students Yonni Silberman and Prabujot Bagri, the experience was slightly different as they shared their expertise on the CityNews 24/7 Vancouver Election Night Panel.
Bagri, an aspiring lawyer, was one of two students selected by political science associate professor Hamish Telford to appear on the panel. Bagri shared with The Cascade that it was Telford who was connected with CityNews and expressed his gratitude for the opportunity.
“I have to give a big thanks to him for recommending me.”
He explained how the discussion-based method of Dr. Telford’s class helped him
prepare for the panel and gave a “sense of familiarity” with Dr. Telford and his classmate, Yonni Silberman present.
Silberman said that from the previous day when he was preparing his notes, every moment leading up to streaming live was daunting,
“It’s terrifying, of course. It’s terrifying as soon as you enter the building. It’s terrifying when they give an announcement right before, that we’re five minutes away.”
He explained that despite the cameras rolling, it still took a while for the panel to begin, and those minutes being filmed without speaking is what ultimately helped him quiet his nerves.
“The realization that you’re just in a room with the same people that you’re normally in, talking about the things that you’re normally talking about settles in,
and the expectation that you just have to speak your mind, speak your truth … at the end of the day, it’s not that I have to achieve something above and beyond what I know that I should achieve. It’s simply being myself and presenting what I know.”
Bagri echoed this statement and said that the coverage action was happening all around them.
“Slowly, you see everyone else doing their job, all the moving parts coming together. And you do sort of get used to it.”
The continuous coverage went from 8 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., featuring a variety of experts, including Nerissa Allen, president of the Black Business Association of B.C.; Jill Atkey, BC Non-Profit Housing Association’s CEO; and DJ Larkin, executive director of the Canadian Drug
Policy Coalition, among others. Bagri shared how it felt to be surrounded by such talent:
“It was really great talking to these people.”
He praised their knowledge and expressed his appreciation for their hands-on experience as well as the chance to have an educational conversation.
“It expanded my knowledge as a whole, you know, there’s only so much you can learn from a textbook … it was also interesting to watch the perspectives of panellists when they’re not supposed to be biased on air to kind of see them air their true thoughts and their true beliefs,” Bagri said. “And when one party’s in the lead and the other party’s down, they start sighing and worrying, and to see that, to kind of reflect, you know, my emotions off of them, was very interesting.”
Election data was updated as the panel progressed, and both Bagri and Silberman were encouraged to have solid foundations and statistics to back up their comments. Silberman admitted it was difficult keeping up with it, especially considering how tight the election was.
“We were doing our research live off of the same websites and news sources that the general public could keep up with and sort of coming up with our analysis in real-time.”
Overall, it was an instructive experience that the two of them would love to repeat. Silberman, who is also pursuing law, said he felt thankful to share this same goal with Bagri:
“I feel more that I am in the right direction when I know someone else who is as competent as Prabujot, is also in the same direction as me, or taking the same steps as me.”
When asked what advice they would give people regarding politics, Bagri said:
“Look at policy platforms, look at the facts, try to formulate your own opinion … It’s a civic duty to vote … Democracy only works when people actually vote and show leaders their opinion and show them why they should care about those people and their issues.”
Silberman weighed in on fostering inclusivity and mutual understanding.
“We need to bridge gaps between each other to sort of find a way forward that is inclusive of all of us … So, find people you disagree with or are not familiar with and talk about uncomfortable things with them so that we can learn more about each other.”
Photo by Sky Terrones
One million dollar giveaway to voters has Elon Musk sued for fraud
An update on Musk’s promises regarding a pro-Trump political action committee petition
SKY S. TERRONES
Despite Tuesday’s Nov. 5 celebration of Donald Trump’s presidency win, Elon Musk, founder of Tesla and SpaceX, remains the focus of scrutiny: two lawsuits have been filed against him for fraud and breach of contract on his one million dollar giveaway.
On Oct. 6, Musk offered 47 dollars for every referred registered swing state voter who signed their America PAC (political action committee) petition supporting “free speech and the right to bear arms,” raising questions about the legality of his actions. “Easy money,” Musk called it on X, an offer he kept increasing until hitting the million dollar mark.
The initial payout, first mentioned on an X post, increased to 100 dollars on Oct. 17 for those in Pennsylvania, a critical election state which helped secure 19 Electoral College votes for Trump. On Oct. 9, during a town hall meeting in Pennsylvania, Musk upped his 100-dollar
offer to a one million-per-day giveaway to a randomly selected person who signed the petition. This offer brought more attention to its potentially fraudulent nature due to its registration prerequisite — a prerequisite that he has denied, contrary to his PAC’s online petition eligibility requirements.
The million dollar offer was meant to go till Nov. 5. However, on Oct. 23, a warning letter issued by the Department of Justice (DOJ) from its Public Integrity Section (PIN) temporarily halted the daily winner announcements. It’s uncertain if this warning was the reason for the absence of the lottery prize that same day; regardless, the payout continued on the evening ofThursday, Oct. 24 with two more winners, defying the DOJ’s warning. Law experts denounced this action as a violation of the federal law regarding voting-prohibited acts; his actions could potentially land him five years in prison.
This isn’t the first time Musk’s PAC has been under scrutiny. Since its creation
in May 2024, the organization has run in favour of former U.S. President Donald Trump and in opposition to Vice President Kamala Harris while financially supporting and collecting data on voters, especially those in swing states. Despite finding no evidence of law-breaking from the PAC — after a voter’s rights group pleaded for investigation into their tactics — the states of Michigan and North Carolina said they would remain vigilant to ensure voter registration remained fair.
Musk, who was offered a leadership position contingent on Trump’s victory, defended his giveaways on Friday, Oct. 25, and said that, “To be clear, this is not a petition to vote for or register for anyone. It’s really a petition in support of the Constitution of the United States, and in particular, freedom of speech and the right to bear arms,” two popular concepts among conservative voters.
On Monday, Oct. 21, a group of public officials wrote in a letter acquired by The Washington Post requesting an
investigation of the PAC’s payments. They stated that while the offer was framed in a way that encouraged the signature for the petition rather than voter registration, the registration was still a prerequisite.
“Many of the payments are restricted to registered voters, so anyone who wishes to get paid must first register.”
Loyola Law School professor Jessica Levinson shared with USA TODAY her expertise on a potential judge interpretation, pointing out the buyout’s intended audience.
“It’s not just the lottery system … It’s who it is targeted to — it’s not just everybody in America. It’s just registered voters, just in swing states. And it was announced shortly before the election deadline in many of those states.”
On Monday, Nov. 4, a Pennsylvania judge ruled the giveaways could continue after Larry Krasner, Philadelphia’s city’s district attorney, filed a lawsuit attempting to stop the “illegal lottery.” This was done on the grounds of misleading rules and going against Pennsylvania’s lottery and consumer protection laws.
In defence of these allegations, Musk’s lawyer, Chris Gober, revealed the winners were pre-selected.
“There is no prize to be won instead recipients must fulfill contractual obligations to serve as a spokesperson for the PAC.” He said winners “are not chosen by chance.”
This contradicted Musk’s Oct. 19 statement:
“We’re going to be awarding $1 million randomly to people who have signed the petition every day from now until the election.”
This statement was instantly perceived as a possible liability and has resulted in lawyer Robert Anthony Alvarez and Arizonan civilian Jacqueline McAferty initiating legal proceedings against Musk in a federal court in Texas.
Alvarez’s lawsuit points to the biased targeted demographic.
“The selection not only is not random but is a targeted process that eliminates anyone who is not a Republican or vocal supporter of Donald Trump.”
McAferty further contributed to the discussion.
“Defendants have continued to promote the petition as a chance to win $1,000,000 ‘randomly’ while simultaneously choosing winners based on selective, predetermined criteria.”
Musk has yet to comment publicly on this.
Photo by James Duncan Davidson
UFV // Lights out on Diwali
Conduct at the annual celebration hosted by SUS led to an early end
PRATI KAPOOR
Diwali, known as the festival of lights, was celebrated on Oct. 30 at UFV. Created in partnership with UFV International and the Student Union Society (SUS), the event was meant to create a safe and welcoming space for students, fostering cultural diversity and providing an opportunity for international students to connect on campus. Unfortunately, this year’s celebration was unexpectedly cut short. Jayden Hovey, SUS president, Bilal Faisal Faheem, vice-president, and students, shared their insights with The Cascade.
The evening featured an array of cultural foods, including samosas, gulab jamun, jalebi sponsored by RBC, and chai from Chaiiwala. Students were able to partake in diya painting and mehndi, with a student DJ and musical performances by students.
Seven security guards monitored the crowd to ensure a seamless and safe celebration. Additional safety measures included a registration desk and waiver forms for students which outlined code of conduct and behavioural expectations for the events.
The maximum capacity for the event was a total of 400 students, and a growing wait list formed after maximum registration was reached, with 600 students wait-listed. At the time the event started, around 800 students waited in the SUB atrium. Despite the safety measures set in place, wait-listed students were seen shouting and disrespecting SUS staff. Students were attempting to gain access through the back doors of Evered Hall, about 20 people snuck in; some forged wristbands.
Despite this, Faisal felt the festivities inside went well.
“I appreciate those students who attended and respected the organizers, making sure that everybody around them and themselves have a great time at the event.”
SUS clarified that they had no control over disabling the wait list option on Rubric.
“Students that had the wait list ticket thought that having a [ticket] gives them a super high chance of getting inside the event, whereas an actual wait list means that you may or may not get entry to the event, because it is guaranteed to students who have the tickets … we weren’t expecting a wait list of 600 students.”
Hovey believes students should have an understanding of how wait lists work.
“If you’re in the hundreds in terms of the wait list, there should be the onus on
the students to understand or have some sort of an expectation that you’re not going to be getting into an event of only 400 people.”
SUS has already approached Rubric to request limits to the wait list capacity. They plan to find alternative means of monitoring registration to avoid having students attempt to circumnavigate the registration process. Clearer communication with students before and during events also needs to be established.
“We want to make sure that there’s a clear expectation for students that if you don’t have a ticket, then you’re to wait outside the line.”
UFV student Sumanpreet Kaur expressed her disappointment over how the event played out.
“The event was scheduled to end at 10 p.m., yet people were still waiting in line for tickets at nine, which created a lot of frustration. The food options were limited, and the quality did not meet expectations. I believe these issues affected the overall enjoyment of the event. To make matters worse, some students crashed the event by entering from another door, which led to the cancellation of the event by SUS. This was bad for those of us who entered by fair means, as we waited in line and got
our tickets prior to the event.”
Kirandeep Kaur shared a similar sentiment.
“I was quite excited for [the] Diwali party to celebrate with my friends at university. I even had [a] ticket and ID with me … [there were] big line-ups for entry and within five minutes they shut down everything. I was so shocked, just like everyone else at the party. This was very disheartening for me.”
Hovey reiterated how disappointing it was that students didn’t participate respectfully. He went on to talk more about SUS’ future plans.
“We’re going to continue putting on great events and we want to make sure that students feel welcome and they feel safe at events. The students are the community and we want to be the ones who can help put the work into planning these sorts of gatherings where students can get together and have a great time.”
While not what they planned, the outcome of the event has inspired SUS to work even harder to ensure the safety and experience of students. Diwali was a learning experience for SUS, and they want to ensure that cultural and community engagement on campus continues to grow.
SNAPSHOT
Drowning in a sea of vests and sweaters
by Iryna Presley
Sometimes when I walk down UFV’s halls during the fall season, I trip out. One after another, a parade of people wearing the sweater and vest combo stream past me as I walk to class. The combo is always the same with slight tonal variations: grey sweater, black vest, black sweater, grey vest, black sweater, black vest, white sweater, black vest … never any colour. It’s like a wardrobe clone machine malfunction spitting out copies of the same outfits. Suddenly, I feel like I’m walking the linoleum path of some university dystopia. I feel out of place in my long pink raincoat and cropped sweaters. Clearly I missed something because my current ‘fit sticks out like a sore thumb. I ponder the fascination with this go-to combination, and although it does look cozy, I just don’t get it. What’s the appeal? This is not a rhetorical question; I am truly bamboozled. Send help.
The holiday season is what I most look forward to. I enjoy Thanksgiving and Halloween thoroughly when they come around, but it’s becoming increasingly difficult to soak it in when the world pushes the next holiday onto us before we can start celebrating the previous one. Stores whip out fake Christmas trees and advent calendars, as Justin Bieber’s Christmas album echoes on every loudspeaker before we can say trick-or-treat. It’s just too much, too fast.
It angers me how ignorance is reflected toward Remembrance Day. We wouldn’t be here and be able to celebrate if it weren’t for the soldiers who fought for our freedom.
I’m not trying to be a scrooge, because I too love Christmas, but pushing it into our community before Nov. 11 is disrespectful. By all means, get into the Christmas spirit, but I implore everyone to refrain from acknowledging it publicly until after Remembrance Day.
BY VERONICA POWELL
The Environmentalist: carbon footprint 101
Understanding the environmental impact of our daily activities
FABIOLA CRUZ ALDERETE
Have you ever wondered how your daily habits impact the planet? From your morning coffee to your evening commute, every choice contributes to your carbon footprint. But what is a carbon footprint, and why should we care about it? Welcome to The Environmentalist, your column for understanding the natural world. Today we introduce the carbon footprint.
According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, a carbon footprint is the quantity of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emissions that come from a person’s activities. It can also be measured beyond the individual through carbon footprints of buildings, corporations, or even countries. Carbon footprints include direct emissions, like fossil fuel combustion for heating, manufacturing, and transportation, as well as indirect emissions produced by consumed goods and services, like electricity or food. But how is it calculated? Carbon footprints are the sum of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG): emissions resulting from every stage of a product or service’s lifetime, considering production, manufacturing, use, and end-of-life.
Let’s think about a loaf of bread. We need wheat, which requires fertilizers, which generates greenhouse gas. The wheat needs to be harvested, milled, and processed into flour, requiring both electricity and fuel for the machinery. More ingredients are incorporated, leaving their own footprint. The dough is then baked, using fossil fuels or electricity. The bread i packaged, possibly in plastic, and transported to your local supermarket. Finally, you buy and toast it, then discard the packaging, which releases methane as it decomposes. This all leaves a carbon footprint.
It’s important to note that your carbon footprint does not equal that of big companies. According to The Guardian, 57 companies are linked to 80 per cent of the world’s global CO 2 emissions since 2016, while about 100 companies are responsible for 71 per cent of emissions since 1988. It is not you nor me that are causing climate change.
To get the necessary data to calculate a specific carbon footprint, supply chain mapping, data collection, and calculations
need to be performed, making it a challenging process that can’t be done by one person alone. Thankfully, some tools exist to help us. The Global Footprint Network has a “footprint calculator” where you answer questions regarding your lifestyle. The web page gives you the number of planets humanity would require if every person on earth lived like you, your CO 2 emissions in tonnes per year, and the percentage your carbon footprint represents in your overall ecological footprint. To clarify, an ecological footprint represents how dependent we are on natural resources, telling us how many environmental resources are needed to support a specific lifestyle or industry; this is not the same as the carbon footprint. Don’t let yourself be overwhelmed; as consumers, we still have the power to choose to buy more consciously while recognizing the part we play in stopping our climate crisis. As The Lorax once said, “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better.” So, let’s care.
Illustration by May Beeney
Illustrations by Iryna Presley
Students // Homesick season
Festivals don’t feel like home anymore
PRATI KAPOOR
As I moved miles away from home, my perception of festivals shifted. What once felt like a warm hug now lingers like a distant memory. Festivals used to be intertwined with culture and affection as relatives filled my home with sweets, warmth, and tons of love. Now, as an international student, I find myself reminiscing on those memories with bittersweet heartache. The excitement has dimmed, and the magic of festivals feels quieter now.
Back home, every festival danced to its own rhythm. Holi, for instance, is about celebrating the triumph of good over evil and is full of colourful memories. I still recall all the girls in my neighbourhood ganging up against the boys and throwing water balloons at them from my patio. My parents headed to our neighbour’s houses to exchange good wishes with tilaks (a mark stamped on forehead with the ash of a sacrificial fire). Every year, buying packets of balloons, colours, and water guns was our unspoken tradition. Holi holds a special place in my heart; my dad reminds me every year that I was born on this very day.
Diwali, though, is the one that truly echoes home to me. Celebrated to mark Lord Rama’s return from fourteen years of exile, it has always been a time to reconnect with family and my roots. A month beforehand, we deep cleaned our houses to welcome Goddess Laxmi, adorning every corner with diyas, lights, garlands, and rangolis. My mother and I took sweets to relatives’ houses and they would do the same. My home filled with the sweets’ aroma, adding to the festival’s enchantment.
The most beautiful part of Diwali is the sacred tradition my family followed of praying to Goddess Laxmi, Lord Rama, and Lord Ganesha, seeking their blessings for the year ahead. We have a container filled with raw milk that we then filled with silver coins of different denominations, including a special silver coin with Goddess Laxmi stamped on it. After the prayer, we take turns pulling out coins and putting tilak on each; it’s considered lucky to get the special one. After the ritual, we share sweets and burst crackers together.
When I moved out, things started to change. I remember my first Holi here — it was amazing, but only because it was celebrated in the comfort of my university. I remember the crowd dancing to songs, and the celebration hit home for me. But, this year, Holi came and went like any other day. I didn’t do anything to mark it.
It’s as if, over time, the excitement I had for the day has started to fade. Diwali no longer holds the same anticipation either. Decorating a rented basement or spending extravagantly on decor doesn’t feel necessary when I don’t have my family around. I think it’s the same for many international students; I don’t see anyone going out of their way to do something festive in their rented spaces, which don’t feel like ours anyway. Still, Diwali means so much to me, I’ve created my own small tradition: I buy sweets for my close friends, and deliver them personally, just like my mom and I did back home. I hope to do it every year; it makes me feel connected to my roots and like I celebrated the festival in my own way.
As an international student, managing everything by yourself means it’s easier for traditions to slip into the background. Celebrating these festivals may not feel as meaningful as it once did, especially when you are without family in a house that isn’t a home. But our roots weave us together and it’s unfair to cut ties entirely. While homesick, chasing dreams overseas, it’s understandable if celebrations get overlooked. Yet, doing a small gesture — video calls with your family during rituals, dressing up, or anything that makes you feel at home — can help create the magic of these festivities, even when you’re miles away from home.
Column // Tech Talk: to charge or not to charge?
Wattages, battery life, and corner store cable damage to your device
SEAN HORN
Imagine this: you’re on campus, working hard, listening to music, and checking your texts when… crap! Your laptop and phone are about to die. Damn you Spotify and Bluetooth for eating too much of your battery! Et tu laptop? You charged it last night.
That’s okay, you have a charger in your bag and you can charge them in class. You do have a spare, don’t you? Well, dear student, you better have gotten that spare from a reputable source.
Believe it or not, not all USB chargers are made equal. Shocking, I know, but it’s so easy to pick up a charging block for a phone these days. Laptops are getting easier since they charge with USB-C (unless you’re stuck in the dark ages of technology like myself and still need a barrel jack adapter). That cheap spare charger may be the end of your device if you plug it in. Best case, no charge, worst case… say goodbye to that expensive tech.
USB devices all have varying power needs. If you’re an Apple user, you know the struggle of trying to charge your iPad on an iPhone charging brick. Many modern USB charged devices actually need 10-30 watts to charge efficiently. If you have a laptop that uses USB-C charging, you’re looking for 45W, at least, for better battery health (take the output voltage and multiply that by the output current — this would get you the wattage of the charger. For example: 5V
and 1 AMP or 5W is the baseline USB standard). You can always use a higher wattage USB charger as long as it’s from a good manufacturer.
But, you bought one at the corner store or Amazon for $10 to $20 or less, plugged it into your phone and… nothing. The phone gets hot and doesn’t work anymore. To quote Dr. Bones McCoy from Star Trek, “She’s dead, Jim.” Unbeknownst to you, that cheap charger has a fault that basically connected your phone to the wall power directly. Remember that your phone only needs 10-20W; when those cheap chargers fail they send up to 1800W into the phone. Most high end gaming desktop computers use 500W or in some cases 1000W, so you can see how that’s way too much power.
A charger from a reputable manufacturer like Ugreen or Baseus will cost you more, but the investment is worth it, especially because they undergo stringent testing and quality control. It’s common to find 65W to 100W chargers these days with multiple ports — that’s enough power to charge most laptops and a phone at the same time. These chargers also have protection built in so that they never send too much power to one device.
So, be careful: not only can a bad charger damage your devices, it could also damage you if the fault is severe enough. Always read the reviews and check your devices to make sure they’ll be able to charge properly.
Image By ActionGP / AdobeStock
Illustration by Eseniia Bondar
Community //
What’s with last month’s atmospheric river?
October 2024’s atmospheric river took many people by surprise; let’s find out why it had so much media traction
NATALIA TOSCANO
Atmospheric rivers, extreme rainfall, severe floods, weather warnings … If you live in British Columbia, there’s a good chance you heard some combination of these words on Oct. 20. There’s also a fair chance you saw images of flooded streets, inundated houses, semi-submerged cars, and more. Surely witnessing this has left a strong impression on many of us. Was October’s atmospheric river a case of media sensationalism influencing public perception? Or was it a sign of catastrophic climate change drawing us closer to doomsday?
As humans, we are very good at believing the world is ending. As David Mitchell once stated, “Anticipating the end of the world is humanity’s oldest pastime.” So, surely, there has to be more than meets the eye when it comes to this increase in atmospheric rivers and floods. Rest assured, the world is not ending.
Essentially, atmospheric rivers are weather systems that contain high water vapour concentrations that travel from the tropics to the poles, eventually reaching North America’s west coast. These weather systems are responsible for single-handedly creating about 50 per cent of the U.S. west coast’s water supply, so you can imagine the impressive amount of water atmospheric rivers can carry.
If they are known to cause heavy rainfall, then October 2024’s atmospheric river shouldn’t be much of a surprise … Except it was. The Weather Network declared Oct. 19 the second wettest October day on record with 67 millimetres of rain, only after Oct. 16, 2003, which had 85 millimetres recorded. Although extreme rainfall events such as the one we witnessed this past October are not common, they do happen: most notably, the Sumas flood in November 2021 broke rainfall records and severely swamped rivers and farmland across B.C.,
causing an estimated $285 Million worth in damage in Abbotsford alone. So, while these dramatic weather events are not new, they are far enough apart to leave a longer lasting impression than their tamer counterparts — for obvious reasons.
What makes atmospheric rivers feel like a growing threat is the idea that they have mutated monstrously thanks to climate change. There is evidence that suggests climate change is causing more rainfall to hit British Columbia and its surrounding areas, but to a certain degree this stems from the cooling of the Pacific Ocean associated with La Niña conditions. Coupled with that, there is more data suggesting that the behaviour of atmospheric rivers are indeed changing: they are happening more often and more severely. This is where some people draw the line; they hear climate change mentioned, see the effects of a severe weather event and, understandably, react with fear and panic. This then leads to them publicizing their reactions on social media, where news of the floods are often shared.
It is at moments like these where the perfect conditions for fearmongering are created. Online media has a tendency to lean toward the exaggerated and extreme, since it easily captivates people’s attention and evokes strong reactions. I believe the recent atmospheric river event created such conditions for these reactions to take place, making the news go viral.
I remember sitting at home on that rainy October day, when I received a couple texts from my father. One of them was a link to a video showing the floods in Burnaby and the other one was him worrying and asking me if I was okay (which was very unlike him). I remember how upsetting it was to think that he thought I was in danger, and that I had to assure him I was out of danger’s way.
To sum it all up: yes, atmospheric rivers are getting stronger and will probably fluctuate more in the future due to the conditions mentioned earlier. But even with this shift, there is no cause for concern; there are systems in place to handle floods. British Columbia is and always has been a tropical rainforest, so a lot of rain was expected from the start. Extreme events like this year’s atmospheric river, as well as the one in November 2021, are impressive, if not frightening. But one thing is for sure: it’s no sign that the world is ending.
SNAPSHOT
Where does the time go?
Illustrations by Iryna Presley
We are university students; we have classes to attend, homework, house chores, co-op, volunteer, and work to do. And as a university student, 24 hours just aren’t enough.
I swear it was just morning, but the clock says it’s 3 a.m., and I still have a 2,000-word essay due.
Where does the time go? Why does it feel like it’s running like a bullet train, unwilling to get caught?
One day, I had a presentation to give at 6 p.m. The PowerPoint was ready — all I needed to do was add the finishing touches and make a Kahoot. But one problem after another arose, and my teammates put off their work till the end; before I knew it, it was not 8 a.m., but 6 p.m. My team gave a wonderful presentation, but my plans for the day were ruined — and it was my birthday! I had hoped to celebrate myself, but that didn’t happen. I was so tired I fell asleep at 8 p.m. Seriously, where does the time go?!
BY NISHI CHANNA
Photo by Luke Miller / Pexels
OPINION
Poetry in the media
I yearn for traditional poetry in the age of social media
SAMANTHA PENNER
I bought Mary Oliver’s Devotions (2017) and I am in the midst of a poetic revelation — not my first, but my most recent. I gave into the aesthetic TikTok post set to a reading of “Wild Geese” and bought the collection. If there’s a bandwagon, I’ve jumped on it. This particular bandwagon has me ruminating on poetry, where it stands in society, and how it has changed throughout history. As an English major who is a sucker for a rush of romanticism, I find myself confronted by the role of poetry in the age of social media.
On one hand, social media places the world at our fingertips, offering a never-ending ability to share and receive art through our screens. On the other hand, I ponder the loss of tradition — realms of poetry that the Victorians or Romantics have contributed to the literary world. Realistically, and my literary background aside, modern and traditional poetry are both noble pursuits. To feel poetic feelings, write poetic literature, and share your art is noble — but something is holding me back. I yearn for traditional poetry. I am an obnoxious “born in the wrong generation” complainer.
Mary Oliver has a special way of speaking about nature — one of poetry’s most prominent themes. She connects nature to the internal feelings of self-discovery and self-misunderstanding. I have an obsessive draw to mundanity, poetry about life, love, and the simple yet intricate human experiences.
I have a deep rooted hatred for poems that mention texting, social media, or anything that centres complicated relationships with modern technology. Maybe a psychological coping mechanism; my addiction to my phone stresses me out … As such, I’ve developed an aversion to poetry written before the 1900s (with some, but few, exceptions). I admit this is all a little pick me… I’m not like other girls, I like super old poetry… Cry me a river!
I digress — long story short, Mary Oliver changed that for me.
My modern poetry a-ha moment comes from Oliver, this wonderful woman, who lived until only a few years ago. She saw what I see, experienced the shift into an age of media craze, presumably got to know a few younger people, and yet held true to explorations of poetry in the natural sense. This forced me to dive a bit deeper into myself and ruminate on the idea of poetry in the age of social media. I realized that poetry shared on social media is empowering in its own right. Varsity writer Esyllt Parry Lowther
reflected on classic poetry’s media transformation.
“Poetry has not been immune to the rejuvenating force of social media, with three line micro-poems and aesthetically pleasing posts taking over our feeds.”
But with this daunting change to poetic tradition, there’s room for the expansion of beauty. I feared social media would “dilute the depth” of poetry as it shifted into bite-size snippets found online. A lover of classic literature, informality feels foreign, yet it is also all I have ever known.
The reality is that I experience poetry in various forms every day. I see it in thoughtful texts, posts from my favourite Instagram readers and writers, and TikTok trends set to beautiful words. Poetry has come full circle and remains prevalent in my life. Which makes me feel
a bit dumb for being a hater — but hey, cheers to growth!
The way Mary Oliver prompted my internal poetic reflection means more to me than I can say. Now, I can stop being a pretentious classicalist and expand my exploration of poetry. Lowther said it with grace:
“The accessibility, creativity, and engagement fostered by social media have revitalized poetry, allowing it to evolve and adapt to the changing times. Social media has democratized poetry by breaking down traditional barriers to entry and enjoyment and has opened doors for diverse voices to publish their work, challenging traditional literary hierarchies.”
Poetry is not dead — it just looks different now. But it remains a product of humanity, regardless of the decade.
SNAPSHOT
I can do beauty all by myself
I have decided to stop outsourcing my beauty services. I’m cutting my own hair, waxing my own eyebrows, and doing my own nails. This recent change to my beauty routine has brought me to the realization that these services are a financial privilege… and a sign of wealth.
My brain is definitely over-indoctrinated with the expectation of women getting things done (regardless of your socio-economic status) — thank you, popular culture. In high school, a day out with my friends sometimes looked like nail salons and eyebrow threading appointments. It was all so commonplace that I never gave much logical thought to the financial expenditure that these never-ending beauty services are. And no, you won’t convince me that eyelash extensions are at all a necessity. I’m now of the camp that taking care of these things myself is way more fun and interesting, anyway. I’d rather fix my own mistakes than cry over a $65 manicure or a terrible $120 haircut. Talk about financial empowerment.
BY KIARA OKONKWO
Illustration by Natasha Zilcosky
Illustrations by Iryna Presley
METZGER COLLECTION MUSEUM CREATES OPPORTUNITIES FOR MORE ACCESSIBLE LEARNING
The role replicas play in revolutionizing historical learning
ANNA MCCAUSLAND AND RACHEL TAIT
Accessible museum learning with interactive artifacts marks a shift in the idea of what museums should be. Two local museums, The Metzger Collection and Colossal Creations, specialize in replica artifacts and artwork, taking a more engaging and inclusive approach to art and history.
Founded by Reverend Fred Metzger, a pastor and teacher who sheltered Hungarian Jews during World War II, The Metzger Collection is free to the public and can be found in Columbia Bible College in Abbotsford, B.C. Metzger immigrated to Canada in 1950. Attending Expo 67, he was inspired by the idea of a biblical museum. After a career as a Presbyterian minister, he founded the Biblical Museum of Canada in 1980. Metzger’s worldly travels inspired him to collect replica artifacts from Sumerian, Egyptian, Biblical, and classical antiquity, spanning to the Middle Ages to modern history. In 1997, he was honoured with a Doctor of Divinity degree from the Presbyterian College at McGill University. After his death in 2011, the Biblical Museum of Canada was moved to the Columbia Bible College in 2012 and renamed The Metzger Collection.
Greg Thiessen, practical theology program director, Metzger Collection manager, and assistant registrar, shared his thoughts with The Cascade on the uniqueness of replica museums and their potential for accessible learning.
“I would travel around the world to see the originals of these [artifacts],” said Thiessen. “But there is something about replicas that is also greatly of value.”
Having a replica museum here in Abbotsford gives the community the opportunity to access these unique pieces without having to travel to far-off destinations to view them. Even if they aren’t the real thing, artifacts are still works of art; Thiessen commented on how replicas bring history to life just as much
as the original.
“There’s an element of beauty [and] fascination that comes through seeing artifacts rather than simply information. There’s something about the artifact that interacts with our imagination and our creativity and there is an incredible opportunity with that.”
Replica artifacts are also less costly to insure and, if damaged, can be replaced at an affordable price.
“I think they’re actually great,” said Aleksandar Jovanovic, an assistant professor in history at UFV. Jovanovic is all for the idea of replicas, especially when it comes to areas of history that are farther away from the learner. Replicas bring history into the hands of the learner.
“Specifically North America, where for ancient or pre-modern stuff from around the Mediterranean, the Greco-Roman, Egyptian,
Babylonian, or whatever other, we had very little to engage with in terms of material.”
Artifact replication is not a new notion, especially in ancient civilizations when travel was even more difficult.
“Romans were [very] much into the replicas as well. It was part of their world, too. Not every[one] could have access to every single original. So they were making replicas all around the empire. They make this sort of history more accessible,” Jovanovic shared.
The accessibility of replicas extends beyond geography; their interactive quality is an aid for visually impaired learners.
“You can have a tactile feeling of how an object was made, how it looked, its shape, things like that. So it does bring about quite a bit in terms of accessibility [to] the past [for] students with different types of learning,” Jovanovic said.
Moreover, replica artifacts bypass issues of rightful ownership because they are only a copy of an original. Thiessen also posited that replicas offer a solution to the growing demand for artifacts to remain with and be returned to the cultures that produced them.
“[It’s a] matter of justice … so many of the artifacts that can be found in museums around the world are not native to that place … especially European museums.”
This injustice is not just something that happens in Europe. Canadian museums for a long time have been accused of the same thing.
“This is also very much an active issue in our own [Canadian] context with Indigenous artifacts and movements of repatriation. These [artifacts] should go back to the peoples to whom they properly belong. Replicas bypass that issue of justice,” Thiessen stated.
In the world of replicas, most pieces are acquired from the museums that are home to the originals. Certain replicas are 3D printed by places like the Smithsonian Institution and the British Museum and are easily obtainable. Theissen mentioned that The Metzger Collection museum buys authentic replicas
from these institutions while other pieces are procured from various private organizations specializing in artifact replication through practices like moulding.
“In some cases, Fred Metzger was given permission to make a mould off of the original and produce his own replica,” said Thiessen. Thiessen is proud of the accessibility and diversity that the Metzger Collection offers through its unique replicas.
“The Metzger Collection is the only place in the world [where] you will see all these pieces under one roof.”
While that may be true, The Metzger Collection isn’t the only museum that puts an emphasis on replicas in B.C. Colossal Creations is another replica museum based in Coquitlam that mainly features replica paintings you can only find in places like the Louvre. Replicated masterpieces like Leonardo da Vinci’s The Lady with an Ermine (1490) and Johannes Vermeer ‘s Girl
with a Pearl Earring (1655) hang on its walls. There’s even a replica of the Mona Lisa (1513).
Cosimo Geracitano is the man responsible for all the replicas housed in Colossal Creations, which is also the home of Geracitano. Called “painstakingly precise” by CTV News, Geracitano is dedicated to the art of reproduction. His reasons for housing replicas are quite different from that of The Metzger Collection.
“Obviously, I cannot buy them, as they are too expensive and they are not for sale, but I want them in my house, so I paint them and now they are here for me to look at every day.”
Geracitano’s replication process is particular, as he attempts to get into the same mindset of the painter at the time they were painting.
“I’m trying to make an exact copy in the condition it used to be when the artist just finished the painting,” he told The National Post. “I’m not only replicating, I’m restoring, too.” Unfortunately, the museum is closed to the public until March 2025, so The Cascade was unable to see the museum in-person.
The Metzger Collection has recently launched a display on Martin Luther’s Reformation, titled 1525: Reform and Revolution, an in-depth visual exhibit of the history behind the movement, specifically
focusing on the year 1525, which Thiessen believes was when the reformation officially took off, challenging the status quo and affecting areas of politics and society.
“I typically would do one big exhibit like this one that starts in September, and then one smaller exhibit in March of [original] artwork of Columbia students.”
There is a certain criticism and prejudice that comes with being a replica museum; Thiessen emphasized the importance of how a replica is displayed.
“A replica will look cheap if it’s cheaply displayed … What I really value is that they made this space into a very professional looking museum space. These are beautifully housed artifacts and so there is that level of elevation of the replica that comes with that.”
The fact that these replicas don’t have the same prestige as their real counterparts shouldn’t negate their importance; Thiessen explained how value isn’t always about how old the object is, but what it can offer.
“Part of the value is the story that these artifacts tell, even if the value is not in the artifact itself and so [we try] to point toward the story rather than ‘look at this incredible treasured object.”
The role of the historian is vital in the discussion of replicas; Thiessen shared what he thinks historians’ attitude toward learning should look like.
“I firmly believe that the posture of the historian must be one of humility and learning … our approach is not one of judgement. It’s one of learning and listening. I think that is incredibly important to have that posture of a listener, of an observer seeking to understand … The collection [is] very geared towards hands-on learning, we are not just for school groups. Museums are not everybody’s thing. I recognize that museum fatigue is a real thing.”
History is a field of study mainly associated with textbooks and heavy non-fiction reading; Jovanovic reiterated how important it is to have museums, so we can see things from the past, rather than only reading about them.
“Historians rely on texts, but I think material culture can tell us quite a bit about the lives of the people, beyond the kind of high politics of the few people who were members of the political elite.”
The Metzger Collection is free to the public, removing a barrier to access that often comes with large historic collections.
Whether or not you are a student, everyone is a learner, and there is always more to discover that can impact the way we think and live. Engaging with history, replicated or otherwise, offers meaning and purpose. Thiessen’s message to the local community is clear: there is still plenty for all to learn.
by Gabriela
Photos
Gonzalez
Sports Editor - Jeffrey Kennett
Cascade Q&A: Mo Likness
Get to know your student athletes through our Cascades player profiles
JEFFREY KENNETT
Mo Likness is a fourth-year middle on the women’s volleyball team (WVB) at UFV. The Cascades are currently first in Canada West, one win ahead of UBC, with a 7-1 record. Likness has recorded 38 kills, 19 blocks, and five aces so far this season, and was the RBC On Campus Player of the Game on Nov. 16 against the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack. The WVB team returns to the UFV Athletic Centre on Jan. 17 and 18, to take on the University of Calgary Dinos.
Do you take an umbrella to class?
No — I’m scared of umbrellas — I just don’t like the way they close.
If someone wants to hold it for me, perfect, [but] I’m not going anywhere near an umbrella. Who’s the hardest player to block in practice?
Talia Attieh, she’s hard. She’s hurt my fingers a couple times. I hate blocking her.
What school does it feel the best to beat? UBC … they’re always top dogs, and it gets annoying.
We beat them last year, and it was one of the best feelings ever. I always want to beat them. We went to five sets … past 15 because it just kept going back and forth — back and forth — eventually we got it, and the whole gym went crazy. It was insane! One of the best feelings. Who are your favourite athletes?
Andi Jackson; she’s on the Nebraska [volleyball] team … she’s a really good middle.
She was kind of underestimated last year, and this year she’s being looked at as the potential player of the year. I love her demeanour out there, [there’s] something about her … she plays so confident.
Outside of volleyball, probably Caitlin Clark — she’s a freaking killer. I’m a big hockey [fan], so Conor Garland [too]; I love the Canucks. He is so small … and I love how he gets into everything, he’s just zooming around on the ice, and he’s always in the middle of it.
v
What’s your favourite Aubrey Gingles cheer? When I’m serving she goes, “You got this Mo!”
She’s so good; we [have] little pins we give out, and she got [one] for having such good bench presence — she’s the best — she’s also one of my best friends. Do you have any cheat day meals of choice?
Olive Garden … [I’m a] big Olive Garden girl.
I’ll absolutely go to Langley … I’m not [a pasta addict], which is the weird thing, but Olive Garden just gets me. I eat pasta at home, but that’s not my go-to… [but] Olive Garden? I’ll go there every day.
What song fires you up the most pregame?
“Only” by Nicki Minaj, Drake, and Lil Wayne. I have to listen to it.
I’m really into [rap], but only on game days. Every other day, I’m more country, and 70s and 80s, but, [for] anything volleyball it has to be rap. It kind of just happened a few years ago … and I’m like — okay … I’m a rap girl — I have to listen to it.
Who is the most underrated player on your team?
I’d say Kinna [Fisher], because she’s small. She’s very small for being a setter, but she has crazy volleyball IQ. She’ll be blocking up at the net sometimes, and she’ll get
these crazy touches that not even I can get.
What do you do after games?
Friday nights we do Subway, and on Saturday nights we do Freshslice pizza. Me, my mom, my aunt, and my cousin, we all go. I don’t know why we started [that], but we did, and it’s just stuck.
Who on your team has the most dawg in them?
Lauren Attieh, she’s got that dawg in her. Sometimes I’m like, “oh shit,” but it’s a good dawg.
What does “the Cascade way” look like in volleyball?
Not letting any ball hit the floor; just going for everything. We take pride in our game plan. That’s a really big thing about Cascades volleyball, we want to follow our game plan and get it down leading up to the game. We [watch] video on Mondays and Wednesdays; we take pride in that.
Inspiring the community too … trying to build that. Bringing in the fans and inspiring all the little ones and everything.
Q&A has been edited for length and readability.
by Joshua
Photo by Joshua Sulpico
Photo
Sulpico
Golf // Unconsciously competent with Luke Bogdan
Local golf pro discusses growing up in Abbotsford, overcoming adversity, and life on the road
JEFFREY KENNETT
“After I graduated, I kind of thought golf was over for me…” said Luke Bogdan.
He was wrong.
Bogdan’s family immigrated to Abbotsford in 1990. Without a ton of money, his parents enrolled him in cheaper activities, soccer being one of them. He played all the way up to gold level competition, before his curiosity was piqued by the game of golf.
“Maybe the year after, we all quit soccer and got junior memberships at Ledgeview Golf Club, and we played golf every day,” said Bogdan. The second he was dismissed from school, Bogdan would quickly have something to eat, and then be at the course until after dark. By age 13, he was heavily invested in the sport.
“I remember a few nights where we’d park our cars and put the headlights on over the putting green so we could chip and putt at night,” Bogdan recalled. Even when the course was closed for tournaments, he along with Nick Taylor, Adam Hadwin, Brett Webster, and Ian Mulder, were among the committed individuals who spent the day on the driving range or the chipping green instead.
Ledgeview is one of the few golf courses in North America that multiple PGA Tour players have come out of, and Bogdan is among the elite tier of golfers whose game was crafted there. According to Bogdan, what makes the course a unique challenge is the difficulty of their greens.
“Ledgeview is known for having very
undulating greens, and so people learn from the slopes … they’re able to read [the] greens over time really well, but also just the landscape.”
The terrain of the course forces golfers to constantly adjust to different slopes and hit the ball from awkward positions — there’s not a lot of flat surfaces. “It actually makes you really good,” said Bogdan, “Because you’re learning to be comfortable with being uncomfortable.”
After graduating from Northwood University in Dallas, Bogdan took a job at an advertising agency in Texas. He couldn’t stand being indoors all day at an office, so he returned to B.C., eager for a career in golf. It was there when his game hit a wall.
“I got my game to a really high level. I was playing extremely well, but I wasn’t performing in the moments that mattered,” Bogdan explained. The hours he spent practicing with great success weren’t translating into tournament wins.
Golf, like all sports, relies on emotional and mental strength just as much as physical. Bogdan struggled with handling his emotions during the biggest moments early in his career. This prompted him to seek the advice of mental coaches and tweak his approach to tournaments.
“One of the biggest differences [between] Nick [Taylor] and I was that I felt like he handled the mental side of things better than I did … I felt like our games, in terms of physical ability, were always the same. I didn’t feel like he could do anything that I couldn’t do, but when
it mattered in tournament settings, I felt like Nick was always slightly above,” he explained.
After coaching at Ledgeview for seven
years, Bogdan packed up his things and hit the road. “I sold all [my] stuff, and moved down to Arizona. I bought a travel trailer and a one ton pickup truck … [and] I basically started from scratch,” Bogdan said. He would live in his camper for a year, driving to mini tour events in the Arizona area and attended nine or 10 Monday qualifiers.
“I started my first one in Las Vegas … then all the way to Texas, and then to the East Coast — all the way down to the Wichita area; North and South Dakota — then I went back down to Texas.”
Getting the chance to compete in more tournaments was a great opportunity to showcase his talent for potential sponsors, but Bogdan felt he wasn’t always at his best under the circumstances.
“I felt like my mental game was in a much better place. But one of the things I didn’t take into account was how much of a toll driving takes on your body.”
Since then, Bogdan now holds a variety of different course records, and is focused on becoming “unconsciously competent,” a trait he feels is shared amongst top athletes.
You can book Bogdan as an instructor at https://www.cheamgolf.ca/.
Photo by Joshua Sulpico
Photo by Joshua Sulpico
// Tuchscherer sisters lead Cascades to weekend sweep over Heat
UFV women’s basketball team showcases offensive efficiency and defensive resilience in home series sweep of UBCO
MICAH DELLA FORESTA
The UFV Cascades women’s basketball team (WBB) continued to establish their defensive presence while increasing their shooting efficiency in two crucial victories against the UBC Okanagan Heat. The wins would be their first at the UFV Athletic Centre this regular season, improving their season record at the time to 3-1.
On Friday night, the Cascades shot 50.9 per cent from the field en route to a 76-63 win. The team’s marksmanship was particularly evident from beyond the arc, where they connected on seven of 12 three-point attempts (58.3 per cent). Forward Deanna Tuchscherer was perfect from long-range, hitting all four of her three-point attempts while contributing 20 points in just 24 minutes of play.
Maddy Gobeil added 18 points on her efficient six of 11 shooting, and Julia Tuchscherer contributed 15 points, shooting seven of 11 from the field. The team’s defensive effort held the Heat to just 36.4 per cent shooting and forced 13 turnovers. Saturday’s rematch proved to be a more dramatic affair, with the Cascades
Basketball //
prevailing 84-75 in overtime after overcoming a significant first-half deficit. UFV moved the ball well, recording 21 assists in the contest.
The Cascades’ balanced attack featured four players in double figures.
The sister duo of Deanna and Julia Tuchscherer dominated the game. The elder Tuchscherer, Deanna, delivered a game-high 26 points on 11 of 21 shooting, while Julia stuffed the stat sheet with a near-historic performance, flirting with a triple double. Her stat line of 17 points, 11 rebounds, and nine assists included an impressive eight of 13 shooting display, and five offensive rebounds. The sister connection between Deanna and Julia Tuchscherer has become a cornerstone of the Cascades’ success.
“It’s cool to see [Julia] come into her own and become a dominant post player in our league, and gain confidence from it,” Deanna said of her younger sister. “It’s cool to see as her sister, and take those last moments that we have playing together, and know it is special.”
The Cascades also received significant contributions from their supporting cast, with Nikki Cabuco providing a spark,
scoring 19 points, hitting four threes, and recording three steals. Bernie Leda, while scoring less than her average, significantly impacted the game with her tenacious on-ball defence — pestering opposing point guards in all 27 minutes she played — pick-pocketing the ball four times. The team’s defensive intensity produced 14 steals overall, helping to fuel their comeback.
“We dug ourselves into a bit of a hole in the first half, so we had to get things together going into the second,” said Deanna Tuchscherer, who scored eight points in the overtime period to seal the game. “I think we did a good job at coming together and playing the way that we do.”
Maddy Gobeil also had another high-output game with 14 points, eight rebounds, four assists, and two steals.
The Heat put up a strong fight in the losing effort, with Tsuki Tsuzuki leading the way with 17 points and Lauren Foullong adding 12 points on four of six shooting from beyond the arc. Despite winning the rebound battle in both matches, UBCO could not keep pace in the paint, UFV outscoring them 52-30
from within the key.
The weekend sweep highlighted the Cascades’ veteran leadership and composure under pressure. Gobeil cited the team’s maturity as the reason the team has been able to remain unflustered and regain control as opponents go on runs.
Into the following week, the Cascades maintained their momentum on the road facing the Thompson Rivers University WolfPack. UFV won both games: on Friday with a score of 87-44, and 76-27 the following night, improving to 5-1 overall. The team now looks onward to their series against Victoria Vikes Nov. 22 and 23, as they chase the top seed, UBC, in Canada West’s Pacific division.
MBB takes charge “the Cascade way” against UBCO
A recap of the Cascades’ gritty sweep against UBCO, including Lopez’ big night, and Kurtz’ career high 23 points
VERONICA POWELL this year,” said Lopez on driving the hoop more and refusing outside shots. “We want to sit inside and then go out from there. We’ve been practicing a lot, and I feel like we’re very comfortable when the ball gets inside.”
With serious motivation and genuine support from the crowds that piled into the UFV Athletic Centre on Friday, Nov. 8, the Cascade’s men’s basketball team showed consistent determination against the UBC Okanagan Heat. UFV confidently stole the fire from under them, claiming their first win of the 2024-25 season by a score of 80-66, completing the sweep on Saturday to bring their record back to .500, at 2-2.
The Cascades’ victory on Friday night was fuelled by second and third quarter performances where they outscored the Heat 52-28. Fourth-year forward Dario Lopez had a game high of 28 points and chipped in five rebounds.
“I think we have a big dominance inside
The Cascades consistently torched the Heat in transition with crisp ball movement. Lopez explained that “[both teams] have different playing styles. I think we made them play our style … we started running, and then when that didn’t work out, we [ran] our sets, and we were getting the looks we wanted and hitting shots.”
Lopez said it was one of those days where the hoop looked big. “... I was feeling comfortable with the touches I was getting and feeling good with my shooting today.”
Compared to UBCO who had two
assists as a team, UFV had eight. “I feel like our guards trust us a lot, and we trust each other. When we pass, we’re ready to shoot. That’s very important,” said Lopez.
Lopez continued UFV’s momentum with clutch free throw shooting in the fourth quarter. Despite the Heat approaching fast with a pair of buckets, guard Dilveer Randhawa connected with Lopez to close out the game for the home squad.
UBCO presented a formidable challenge for the Cascades in the fourth quarter, outscoring UFV 21-9, foreshadowing the tighter battle to come the following night as the two teams met for a rematch.
In Saturday’s game, UFV’s guard Clay Kurtz, who locked in a career high of 23 points, brought the power, stretching the lead to eight in the third quarter. After a set of triples from UBCO interrupted
their lead, guards Takeshi Croke and Ismael Hernandez brought UFV back on top in the fourth quarter.
“We just did the job. It was a gritty win compared to the other night, but I think we needed that. It felt good tonight to get a gritty win,” Kurtz said.
UFV’s domination of UBCO came with some wild slam dunks and slick maneuvering while maintaining the dribble.
“It feels good to bounce back from UBC and UVIC. It was two tough teams — one and two top teams in the country — so it was good to establish [ourselves] at home, get a good lead, and win the game,” Lopez said.
You can watch MBB’s next home game on Friday, Nov. 22 at 8 p.m. for a rematch against the UVic Vikes.
Photo by Sukh Brar / @s.b_studioss (Instagram)
Basketball
Column //
Campus Fashion: coats, coats, coats
Staying toasty warm this season in style!
RACHEL TAIT
Keeping warm this season is all about drinking hot chocolate, sitting by a cozy fireplace, and wearing stylish winter coats. As the winter temperatures settle in, let’s take a look at some of the coolest and warmest coats available to keep you chic and toasty this season!
Wool coats:
Timeless and versatile, long wool coats have been around for ages and can be dressed up or down, depending on the season. A camel wool coat paired with a cream cable knit sweater and blue jeans is great for a casual look and is just as smart when worn over a little black dress for an evening out.
Shearling coats:
According to Vogue, shearling coats are popular this season for keeping out the winter chill, and they usually come in nice neutral tones such as brown, black,
Events //
and white. This style goes great with jeans and a thick flannel shirt for a casual day look, or draped over a sweater and a maxi skirt for a night out with friends.
Puffer jackets:
Practical and warm, puffer jackets are low maintenance and are made with goose down and feathers to keep you warm this winter. Coming in various styles and colours, this jacket is versatile and lightweight, perfect for skiing and keeping warm in below freezing temperatures.
Faux fur coats:
Want to look fabulous on a budget? Try adding a faux fur coat to your collection in a fun animal print or a deep, rich brown. A piece like this adds a soft and luxurious look to your wardrobe that is elegant without endangering any animals.
Tailored coats:
For a more professional look, try wearing a tailored coat in a houndstooth tweed or a rich burgundy to add class to your wardrobe. Tailored coats pair well with
Writers unite!
suits, jeans, sweaters, and dresses and can be dressed up or down.
Teddy coats:
For a fun look, a teddy coat is a nice, casual piece that is both fuzzy and warm to the touch. This coat works well when worn over a sweatshirt, T-shirt, and jeans for a relaxed look or paired with a sweater dress and tall boots for a fun night out.
Down-fi lled vests:
For days when it isn’t too cold, downfilled vests are still in style and are great for wearing when running errands around town or walking from your car to campus. Lightweight and breathable, this is a good option, and a long vest is great to wear with dresses and pants.
Keeping warm this season can be fun, with many options to choose from. So don’t hesitate to try out some cool winter styles and see which coat(s) work best for you!
The Fraser Valley Writers Festival packed Evered Hall for all things literature
ANNA MCCAUSLAND
On Nov. 1 and 2, UFV’s English department hosted the 17th annual Fraser Valley Writers Festival (FVWF), and brought Canadian writers together in a celebration of literature. The two day festival opened with the keynote addresses, and day two hosted panels and several writing workshops. FVWF provided attendees with plenty of opportunities to improve their writing skills and connect with likeminded people within the community. As Rob Taylor, artistic director and assistant professor at UFV, explained: “Writing and reading are usually solitary acts … events like this make reading or writing a real, living thing.”
Kicking off the event, Heather McAlpine — head of the English department — announced the newest Writer in Residence for Winter 2025. Leanne Dunic, a published author and member of the band The Deep Cove, will be joining us on campus as a mentor for students aspiring to get into writing, publishing, or music.
Setting the tone for the festival were keynote addresses from Billy-Ray Belcourt and Angela Sterritt. Belcourt, author and associate professor at the
University of British Columbia, spoke on deconstructing colonial notions of fiction and shaping postcolonial narratives. The second address was given by Sterritt, a journalist, author, and motivational speaker, whose groundbreaking work reporting on Indigenous stories shaped her experience as a journalist for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC).
Day two of the event began with writing workshops, where featured authors spent time in smaller classroom settings teaching various genres, from short fiction and poetry, to non-fiction writing. The small group atmosphere allowed emerging
writers to learn and ask questions in a way that felt more personal.
After each workshop, attendees were directed back to Evered Hall for panel discussions. Each author presented newly commissioned work for the festival, fielded questions from the panel host, and took questions from audience members. The first panel, “Revise,” hosted by Adrienne Gruber, brought Carleigh Baker, Richard Kelly Kemick, Anita Lahey, and Abbotsford author Logan Paylor into discussion on the process of revision. The second panel, “Abandon,” was hosted by Logan Paylor and saw authors Kate Black, Adrienne Gruber,
Marc Perez, and Onjana Yawnghwe speak on what it looks like to abandon a creative project.
When asked about student participation, Taylor said, “A large portion of our operations was done by students, and we’re hoping to continue to grow that in the future.” The festival was well attended, with a good show out from our student body and members of the community. This year’s FVWF was organized by practicum students Carly Fleming and Kiara Okonkwo, who advertised and ran the event.
A poetry contest for emerging writers at UFV provided the winner, student Annabel Bot, the opportunity to read their piece “Bring Me to a Place” in front of festival goers, furthering student involvement at all levels.
When asked why people should come to next year’s festival, Taylor said: “It makes you feel more a part of the community. That can be the UFV community, it can be your neighbourhood, your city; it makes you feel less alone in the world.”
So next year when the Fraser Valley Writers Festival comes to town, and you’re unsure if you should go or not, come anyway — be a part of the community.
Illustration by Gabriela Gonzalez
Photo submitted by Kiara Okonkwo
Crossword Puzzle
Horoscopes //
By: Madame LaCarte
Aries - Mar. 21 to Apr. 19
Crossword Puzzle
distinct and enjoyable scent
widely accepted as true
feelings of passion or devotion
shorter or condensed version
strongly dislike or be disgusted
Pump the breaks sweetie, and pump them hard. Your recent burnout is not done supplying disappointment unless you fix this lack of balance. You’ll slice more tomatoes if you take time to hone your knife, and if not, you’ll end up with not only fewer slices, but mushy ones at that.
Taurus - Apr. 20 to May 20
Just follow your heart, and all will be well. What a wonderful notion … for a child. Adulthood is a little more complicated though. Lack of resources is not your problem; lack of clarity is. Have you tried meditation?
Gemini - May 21 to Jun. 20
You’ve been independent before, and it has served you well as an individual. In a partnership, however, independence can cause breakdowns in communication. If the other person is independent as well, that’s a recipe for conflict.
Cancer - Jun. 21 to Jul. 22
You’ve been drinking your own Kool-Aid for a while now. You’ve completely convinced yourself you’re sensible, logical, oh, responsible, practical, but there are decisions coming your way that won’t be answered by you being clinical, oh, intellectual, cynical.
Leo - Jul. 23 to Aug. 22
Someone has been pulling strings, and it’s left you feeling disconnected. It might be time to get off the stage and have a little “you” time in the dressing room, away from people, puppets, and perturbations
Virgo - Aug. 23 to Sept. 22
You feel like you’ve made a bad investment and missed your chance, but really the only bad investment was putting all your dough down on yourself. If you want what you desire, learn to delegate.
Libra - Sept. 23 to Oct. 22
You’ve got a strong community and home, which is good, as right now you really need something to lean on. Eventually you will need to stand and walk on your own again, so use this support while you need it, but don’t let it become a crippling crutch.
Scorpio - Oct. 23 to Nov. 21
You have trapped yourself in the web of your own self-pity. Be the spider or be the fly, but please just pick one. You’re not a martyr. Un-hang yourself from that web; if not, consider renaming yourself Charlotte.
Sagittarius - Nov. 22 to Dec. 21
You’ve been adaptable so far. Use your strengths in this upcoming collaboration, and be accepting of your weakness when looking at the strengths of others in the group. Group work is not a place for you to try to work on your weaknesses to the detriment of others; it is a place for you to use your strengths for the benefit of the group.
Capricorn - Dec. 22 to Jan. 19
A big change has hit you hard and now you’re hurt from the blow. You’re in shock, a little stunned, and it will sting for some time to come. Time heals, but it takes a while, and the greater the healing needed, the more time it takes.
Aquarius - Jan. 20 to Feb. 18
What has been driving you lately: anger or willpower? It’s hard to tell sometimes, but since there’s been no accident, why question who’s driving, right? Sometimes taking a cab will get you to the same place, but under the control of a safer driver.
Pisces - Feb. 19 to Mar. 20
Avarice has led you to aspiration, but adversity is up ahead. Sometimes looking back can help us move forward, but don’t look so hard that you start to move back. Attractive awards are attained by those who advance toward inner peace. Have you ever tried goat yoga?
Comic illustration by Hannah Bricknell
The Cascade Kitchen: pork loin stew
Community
Spotlight
SHERRYL AGINGU
The Cascade Kitchen is a student-run food column that brings you budgetfriendly recipes and cooking tips. Check back monthly for something new to try in the kitchen, or if you want to see your own recipe featured next, get started by reaching out to culture@ufvcascade.ca.
With the weather cooling down, a nice plate of hot stew — with a twist — could make any day just a little bit better. This sweet and spicy pork loin stew is a delectable dish made easy and student friendly. It’s flavourful, filling, and unique with tender pork and a harmonious blend of sweet and heat.
Serves: 4
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 50 minutes
Ingredients:
* 4 pork loins (thawed or fresh)
* 1/4 tbsp brown sugar
* 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
* 1/2 tsp garlic
* 1/2 tsp paprika
* 1/2 tsp salt
* 1/4 tsp black pepper
* 2 tbsp olive oil
* 500 ml water
Method:
1. Separate the meat from the bone, and dice into medium cubes.
2. Transfer the bones into a deep pot and add your water and salt. Cover the pot and place it on high heat, boiling for 20 minutes.
3. In a small bowl, mix your seasonings with the oil and set aside.
4. Remove the bones from your pot, replacing them with the pork cubes.
5. Add the seasonings to the pot, stir, and leave to simmer on low heat for 20 minutes or until fully cooked, then serve. Enjoy!
// Camille Callison first Indigenous recipient of the Ron MacDonald Award
UFV librarian honoured with community leadership award for work with Indigenous knowledge and culture
GAURI SETHI
Leading the way in diversity, equity, inclusion, and the preservation of Indigenous knowledge is Camille Callison, a respected member of the Tsesk’iya clan of the Tāhłtān First Nation. Callison, who became the University Librarian at the University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) in 2021, is committed to elevating Indigenous voices in libraries, galleries, archives, and museums through her work as the chair of the National Indigenous Knowledge and Language Alliance (NIKLA).
“[NIKLA is] really set up to be able to create an association that unifies and amplifies the voices of Indigenous people, so First Nations, native Inuit, in this country ... and to network and through that community of practice related to Indigenous knowledge, horticultural memory, language, Indigenous ways of knowing, and [how] we relate to each other.” Reflecting on her Respectful Terminology Platform Project (RTTP) which she co-leads with Stacy AllisonCassin, she added, “One of the things that I’ve been really dedicated to [is] being able to ensure diversity.” Callison also mentioned the importance of phrasing and her hopes to see more appropriate terminology when referring to First Nations people. “We really want to be able to create terminology that is respectful no matter what race, religion, status in society, gender, sexuality, or even age.”
Her path to becoming a librarian wasn’t an easy one. Callison originally intended to pursue a profession in accounting, but after learning about anthropology, her plans altered. “I believe that’s what a university degree does for people; it allows you to be able to pursue dreams, and some of the dreams you may not know,” said Callison.
Through a work-study program at UBC’s Xwi7xwa Library, Callison, with renowned elder and mentor Dr. Gene Joseph, came to see the potential of libraries as keepers of culture and the art of preserving it. “I was much more comfortable being over the mountains, riding horses with my dad and others, [but] I wanted to be on the land, documenting our knowledge … working in archaeology and working more with tangible knowledge, rather than the intangible.”
The Ron MacDonald Outstanding Service Award recognizes Callison’s commitment to the library and archives community, her passion for Indigenous ways of knowing, and her current PhD pursuit at the University of Manitoba. Callison’s PhD research in anthropology lies at the intersection between memory institutions and Indigenous knowledge, languages, and cultures. She considers this recognition to be a tribute to Indigenous community and the mentors, knowledge keepers, and elders that helped her along the way.
“I acknowledge my elders and knowledge keepers and mentors … their
wisdom continues to guide me and shape my journey. But I also acknowledge the people who have stood beside me … and created more inclusive and respectful knowledge infrastructures that include many diverse voices. I think that’s critically important … because no one person can do this work by [themself],” she emphasized. “It was very rewarding to be acknowledged in that way, because that doesn’t often happen for people, and there’s many people who work very hard and never [get] acknowledged … It was important for me to also share with other people working in this field,” she added. “I was incredibly honoured and humbled that I was nominated.”
Her impact is not just limited to Indigenous communities, but also extends to the students and librarians she mentors. “That’s always been my passion ... working with students and ensuring they have the resources they need to be successful and to stay in their degree programs … I will say that I’ve had many students who are about to withdraw, and they spent some time with a librarian — some of them with me — who then kept on in their studies and realized that they could do it.”
According to Callison, the library is a resource for lifelong learning and empowerment. “If you fish for somebody… they’re only going to be able to eat that one meal, but if you teach them to fish … then they’re going to be able to feed themselves for the rest of their lives.”
Her efforts and commitment are a
powerful reminder that cultural preservation and diversity are valuable in education. “It was really an opportunity to uplift Indigenous voices and to uplift the voices of our allies that we’ve been working with.” She believes it is critical to remind people that the path of reconciliation is not an aspiration; “It’s a marathon and we’re moving toward creating more reconciliation — but we’re not there … how do we continue to move toward that more respectful and inclusive future for all Canadians?”
Photo by Sherryl Agingu
Photo courtesy of Sparc*
Video Games // Dragon Age returns
The Veilguard brings improvements while letting down a lot of its fans
REBECA MARQUEZ LOPEZ
After a decade, Dragon Age: The Veilguard has finally arrived as the fourth installment to the Dragon Age franchise. But was the long wait worth it? Well, that’s a complicated answer. While The Veilguard brings a lot of new and welcomed additions, like improved visuals, fast gameplay, and a robust character creator, it also brings a number of problems that have disappointed many. This mix of strengths and weaknesses makes playing a strange experience.
The first noticeable change is the improved graphics. BioWare, developer of Dragon Age, improved Frostbite — software used by developers to create the game’s graphics — to make the visuals more immersive and dynamic. This change gave the game richer textures and smoother animations that bring the characters and environments to life. Frostbite has already been acclaimed by game reviewers with The Veilguard’s predecessor, Dragon Age: Inquisition (a game that has aged fairly well after an entire decade), praising the stunning visuals, dynamic open worlds, and realistic lighting that set a new standard for the series. This time, their approach was to create a colourful and stylized world while maintaining some darker, eerie environments.
Another great change is gameplay, a key element that was expected to be improved
on, since Inquisition previously faced a lot of criticism for gameplay that became repetitive and boring over time. The Veilguard addresses the issue by delivering a smooth combat system. Players can create weapon and magic combos, along with team based attacks from two chosen companions that have unique abilities, creating countless possibilities.
However, The Veilguard is not perfect, and its imperfections dull the player’s experience, especially for long-time fans of the franchise. A big problem is the script and dialogue. With the Dragon Age franchise, players have the opportunity to create their own character and make choices that affect relationships with other in-game characters and the world. This time, the playable character is “Rook.” However, Rook seems to have a heavy personality, with a set moral code and a tendency to be the “good guy,” limiting players’ freedom to shape their character or explore morally complex choices. This “fixed personality” is not very common in role playing games, as they usually give you freedom to explore the “good” and “evil” paths of a story.
Another problem is that, while the Dragon Age franchise is known for its dark fantasy genre, The Veilguard has removed any trace of those “dark” aspects. This is clear in how the game uses necromancy, a form of magic that deals with the dead and is usually perceived as dark and sinister.
However, The Veilguard introduces a necromancer who is portrayed as a goofy, quirky guy that raises the dead for enjoyment. It unfortunately comes across more like comedic relief. This greatly contrasts a character in Dragon Age 2, who, in the quest “All That Remains,” is a necromancer and serial killer that has been gathering bodies of his victims to create a Frankenstein-like monster to bring back his deceased wife. The reduction of its
dark fantasy aspects happens throughout the game, approaching them at a shallow level, undermining the darker tone the series usually has.
Overall, The Veilguard is an ambitious but messy addition to the franchise. For those willing to embrace its lighter tone and new direction, it’s an enjoyable game. But for players looking for the dark fantasy and complex storytelling of the franchise, it may fall short of your expectations.
Photo courtesy of EA / BioWare
Photo courtesy of EA / BioWare
Television //
What you can expect from Act I, Arcane
This year’s most anticipated animated series just dropped
NATALIA TOSCANO MURUA
Spoiler free
The animated show Arcane: League of Legends (2021) kicked off its second season on Nov. 9 with the first three-episode batch, dubbed “Act I,” on Netflix — and for fans of the series, it is all the rage. The multi-award winning animated series by Riot Games was called “the future of animation and CG” by legendary Japanese video game designer and director Hideo Kojima in a post on X (formerly known as Twitter). The show was nominated for five Emmys, winning four. Arcane also took home nine Annie Awards, which highlight excellence in animation. After being left shook two years ago by the first season’s finale, there was no way I was going to miss the release of Arcane Season 2, and I sure as heck was not alone in that.
Starting right where the previous season’s finale left off, we experience the repercussions of the attack on Piltover’s council by Jinx, voiced by Ella Purnell, and see her fully embrace her chaotic nature. We also find Vi, voiced by Hailee Steinfeld, feeling out of place in a nation where she does not belong, while simultaneously feeling directly responsible for her sister’s destructive stunt. Caitlyn, voiced by Katie Leung, develops a fierce demeanour that was lacking in the first season; the circumstances that have left Piltover vulnerable demand her to fill a role with unprecedented expectations, even while in a vulnerable spot herself. Many other characters make their return, including Jayce (Kevin Alejandro), Viktor (Harry Lloyd), Sevika (Amirah Vann), and Ekko (Reed Shannon). While
their initial arcs are not to be understated, the series is very clearly setting up more to come for them in the upcoming Acts.
On the topic of storytelling, the show’s stellar writing is complimented by studio Fortiche’s sublime animation. They have implemented their signature style and have drizzled in new, exquisite visual effects, artistic liberties, and an absolute banger of a soundtrack. The series builds upon the masterful first season, delivering on the unspoken promise of closure from Season 1’s finale while setting up an exciting Season 2. You’ll be treated to a marvellous display of artistry from every angle, a kind of visual narrative and mastery I have seen executed very few times before. The creators wasted no time showing everything that’s relevant for this Act, making the most out of every minute and using detailed exposition to
tell the best story they can. If you enjoy media that isn’t afraid to showcase its bold artistic direction while it takes you for a roller coaster ride, then you will definitely not be disappointed.
Video game adaptations to movies or series have become more popular over the last few years, with the release of more and more projects of this type over the last decade. However, it has proven to be a tricky category of adaptation to pull off; they tend to have a bad reputation and the story of each project’s success varies widely. For example, the recent release of Borderlands(2024), directed by Eli Roth, reportedly bombed at the box office this summer — even though the movie stemmed from a well established IP and had a stacked cast, including Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, and Jack Black. Various sources criticized the movie for
its rapid-fire plot and uninteresting characters, which by contrast makes Arcane shine even brighter.
Watching Arcane for the first time was a revolutionizing experience; I found myself constantly coming back for more. Having watched the whole thing numerous times I — as well as many of the series’ fans — am still blown away by the quality of the work. You can feel the creative team’s passion infused in every moment; there is not a single scene in this series that feels like wasted potential. To say that Arcane has revolutionized the animation industry is not an understatement. I truly believe that anyone looking to witness a grand demonstration of storytelling, writing, animation, art, editing, and so much more, should definitely check this series out.
Photo courtesy of Netflix & Riot Games
Photo courtesy of Netflix & Riot Games
Music // Tyler, The Creator gets audacious with “Sticky”
If I don’t hear this song the next time I’m in
KIARA OKONKWO
Pop culture vultures have listened to Chromakopia (2024), the eighth studio album from Tyler, The Creator, and declared the standout track. As a vulture myself, upon hearing “Sticky,” I went a little feral, my lips turning up in a mock disgust because that beat is nasty. Let’s get into it.
We’ve come a long way since Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All (OFWGKTA) was brought into the cultural zeitgeist through albums like Goblin (2011). 13 years later, part of Tyler, The Creator’s infamy is his digital footprint. His self-produced tracks, Loiter Squad skits (the iconic Real Housewives “birthday gift” spoof lives rent free in my head) and chaotic Odd Future YouTube channel, makes him the representation of what rising to fame looked like before the TikTok-ification of the internet. With the spring 2024 release of his Louis Vuitton capsule collection, we see the gaps between high and low art bridged by true culture creators like Tyler.
the club, I’ll be that girl
“Sticky,” produced by Tyler himself, is genre-bending, dipped with drill beats, soulful harmonies, and classic rap proponents. Tyler must have known he had a hit when he secured three heavyweight features from GloRilla, Sexyy Red, and Lil Wayne.
GloRilla and Sexyy Red are having a moment right now. Both artists have released albums this year; GloRilla is currently running a press tour that has the internet’s full attention. Having already claimed a piece of the pop culture pie for themselves, being featured on “Sticky” alongside rap veteran Lil Wayne is sure to cement them as permanent fixtures in female rap.
“Sticky” has been described as seamless, invoking an exciting listening experience with biting social commentary and distorting lyrical turns. The distinct musical styles of all four artists meld together in tones that work in opposition to each other. Rauchy, tight verses by GloRilla and Sexyy Red are balanced by smooth, drawn out rhymes from Tyler, The Creator and Lil Wayne.
I was energized by Lil Wayne’s classic couplets: “Standing like ovation / On business, occupation,” it reminded me of the simpler YouTube years listening to “6 Foot 7 Foot” on Vevo.
Tyler, The Creator has been known for his lyrical controversies, with what The Guardian called “hypnotized and horrified” in 2011. “Sticky” is promising mess, rebellion, and tension, but within the lyrics we can uncover Tyler establishing his presence and self-identity. As an artist whose sexuality has been a media topic for years, one of his most biting lines “... give a fuck ‘bout pronouns, I’m that n**** and that bitch,” is radical, claiming the duality of his identity in a space traditionally dominated by hyper-masculinity.
How Tyler, The Creator carries all this cultural capital on his shoulder, I’m not sure. If you haven’t listened to “Sticky” yet, it’ll invade your orbit soon. I foresee this track carrying us out of 2024, in the wake of a certain sticky political situation…
Photo courtesy of Tyler, The Creator
Column //
Book Talk: Claire Fuller’s personable nature shines on and off the page
While in no way frightening, her writing will haunt you
for months
CATHERINE CAMPBELL
Welcome to Book Talk, where we help you find new fuel for your bookish obsession. While you might not find these authors while scrolling short-form content online, you will find their work to be significant, impactful, and, hopefully, something you reach for time and again. Happy reading!
One author that I can never get enough of is Claire Fuller. Her writing is elegant and personable, with the unique quality of drawing you so far in that, when you do come up for air, shadows of her work linger with you for days afterward.
Fuller graduated from Winchester School of Art with a degree in sculpture, followed by a Masters (distinction) from the University of Winchester in creative and critical writing. Although Fuller didn’t begin writing until she was 40, her five novels have been short and longlisted for various awards, including the Dublin Literary Award, and her fourth novel — Unsettled Ground(2021) — won the Costa Book Award in 2021. Her short fiction has appeared in a number of literary journals and, at present, her novels have been translated into over twenty languages.
CHARTS SHUFFLE
since its publication in 2017. It’s a book I always come back to, simply because it inspires me — both as a reader and as a writer.
One of her more well-known titles, Swimming Lessons(2017), is what got me interested in her work. Actually, interested isn’t the right word — let’s go with possessed. Because every word is chosen intentionally, strung together in a way that haunts you long after you put the book down. I would know: I’ve read Swimming Lessons every couple years
Beyond her writing style, what I like about Fuller is that she seems so personable. On her blog, she shares personal anecdotes — including time spent at writers’ festivals and her to-read list — making it feel as though she’s sharing parts of her life over a cup of coffee with you. And not to toot my own horn, but when I reviewed one of her books ages ago, she left a lovely little comment on my post. Such a kind person!
In interviews, Fuller’s personality shines through, showing someone who is — no surprise — passionate about reading and writing. But not just any writing: writing that has depth, and has been intentionally crafted (no wonder her writing feels so deliberate).
But let’s go back to her writing style for a minute. In Our Endless Numbered Days(2015), Fuller’s first novel, her thoughtful elegance shines through:
“In the middle, the river was a deep green, scattered with rocks poking their noses up for a breath. The water charged around them, creating eddies and whirlpools. Closer to the bank, the current dragged lengths of weed along with it so it seemed that long-haired women swam just under the surface, never coming up for air.”
Happy reading!
CIVL’s Aaron Levy is taking his first proper personal “holiday” (though he’s not left as of writing this, and he’ll be back before you read it) after spending the past 14.33 years on-call, ‘round the clock, rain or shine, even during Christmas and especially on birthdays, on behalf of you, the UFV student. Wish him luck, and enjoy these holiday themed bangers to mash with for American colonialism revisionism day!
Weezer - “Holiday”
The opening riff to this, the penultimate track on the original “shade” that introduced us to three fingers each on two hands — almost like a bat signal, followed by the chug of the then-still fresh, and suddenly fun, crunchy power chords — will never lose its sense of wonder.
The Get Up Kids“Holiday”
Opening the early-2000’s soft-emo staple “Something to Write Home About,” this song, like the previous one, also hops right into a zingy, distorted bit of guitardom right off the bat, but this time with upbeat power-chordy strums that set the tone for this record’s bittersweet, melodic choruses and slow breakdowns.
Madonna - “Holiday”
Do people even dance to this song anymore? ‘Cuz, lemme tell ya, back in the day, at the weddings, block parties, and bar mitzvahs (I know they don’t have those here, and we aren’t allowed to dance, but stick with me), this song’s got every age bracket but the disillusioned teens vibing.
The Dead Kennedys“Holiday in Cambodia”
One of these things doesn’t belong here, but despite this one’s title marking a potential departure, it’s actually unlikely that we’d ever get “weezy” OR “up” (following me?) without Jello Biafra, Klaus Flouride, and co. telling those special kinds of punks to you know what “Secretary” Kennedy. Jr. II. Esquire.
01. Caribou HONEY
02. Rapallo MERGER
03. Desiree Dorion REMEMBER YOUR NAME
04. Ben Cottrill THE BALLAD OF FAVOREAU EP
05. girly. ABOUT MAXINE EP
06. Francesca Wexler I DREAMT I FOUND A RED RUBY
07. JJ Adrian AS SOON AS I CAN
08. Sheenah Ko TRANSFORMATION
09. The Meringues PAVLOVA’S DOG
10. Madeleine Roger NERVE
11. Winona Forever SOUND ARGUMENT
12. Magdalena Bay IMAGINAL DISK
13. Infrared MANIFESTATION
14. Fontaines D.C. ROMANCE
15. Anvil ONE AND ONLY
16. ASKO ASKO
17. Cassandra Jenkins MY LIGHT, MY DESTROYER
18. Teon Gibbs THE CALM BEFORE
19. Nilufer Yanya MY METHOD ACTOR
20. Terell Safadi LIVE NOW DIE LATER
Graphic by Gabriela Gonzalez, illustration by grandfailure / Adobe Stock, mockup by James Thew / Adobe Stock, Fuller, Claire. Swimming Lessons. Penguin UK, 2017. Fuller, Claire. Unsettled Ground. Fig Tree, Penguin UK, 2021.
