The Carillon - Volume 66, Issue 1

the carillon

the staff editor-in-chief holly funk editor@carillonregina.com

business manager thomas czinkota business@carillonregina.com

production manager shae sackman production@carillonregina.com communications amin malakootikhah comms@carillonregina.com

web + advertising manager jaedyn whittal web@carillonregina.com

graphics editor lee lim graphics@carillonregina.com

copy editor emilie wren copyeditor@carillonregina.com

news editor vacant news@carillonregina.com

a&c editor mikayla tallon arts@carillonregina.com

s&h editor vacant sports@carillonregina.com

op-ed editor hammad ali op-ed@carillonregina.com distribution manager sun sidhu distribution@carillonregina.com

staff writer victoria baht

staff writer nazeemah noorally

staff writer maren savarese knopf news writer vacant a&c writer will bright s&h writer pall agarwal

vol. 66

contributors hailey emery, sarah feeley, calla fuchs, novia invidiado, katlyn richardson, natalie williamson board of directors thomas czinkota, holly funk, tayef ahmed, harnisha bhatt, diya patel, mishree patel, ghanshyam pravinbhai savaliya, rishi thakkar, mikayla tallon, and sun sidhu

the paper

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The Carillon welcomes contributions.

Opinions expressed in the pages of the Carillon are entirely those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect those of The Carillon Newspaper Inc. Opinions expressed in advertisements appearing in the Carillon are those of the advertisers, and not necessarily of The Carillon Newspaper Inc. or its staff.

The Carillon is published no less than 11 times each semester during the fall and winter semesters and periodically throughout the summer. The Carillon is published by the Carillon Newspaper Inc., a non-profit organization.

land acknowledgement

The Carillon is written on Treaty 4 territory. As such, staff recognize that we are living, working, and telling stories on and of Indigenous lands. We recognize that we are on the traditional homelands of the Cree, Saulteaux, Nakota, Lakota, and Dakota peoples, along with the homeland of the Métis nation. The Carillon understands that it is pointless to acknowledge the land on which we work without demonstrating our commitment to telling stories and prioritizing voices that further the return of this land to its sacred place.

the manifesto

In keeping with our reckless, devil-may-care image, our office has absolutely no concrete information on the Carillon’s formative years readily available. What follows is the story that’s been passed down from editor to editor for over sixty years.

In the late 1950s, the University of Regina planned the construction of several new buildings on the campus grounds. One of these proposed buildlings was a beltower on the academic green. If you look out on the academic green today, the first thing you’ll notice is that it has absolutely nothing resembling a belltower.

The University never got a belltower, but what it did get was the Carillon, a newspaper that serves as a symbolic bell tower on campus, a loud and clear voice belonging to each and every student.

the people’s friend;

the tyrant’s foe

The University of Regina Students’ Newspaper Since 1962 june

news

One of the goals for the Carillon set out in training this year is to take a solutions journalism approach to our work. This first involves finding a harm, injustice, or a system that might not be working, and then looking at who’s being impacted (harmed) and how. That’s standard good journalism, but the solutions aspect comes in by looking at who’s already working to minimize the harm or what others have done in similar situations that could be used as strategies in the one being addressed. Solutions journalism requires the voices of those being impacted by the decisions of people in power, and so we are committing to seeking out and welcoming in student voices.

By seeking out, I mean we will be looking to interview students on the work they are doing and the issues they are knowledgable in and passionate about, so we invite students to send in article tips to our editorial staff if they know of something they believe should be on our radar. By welcoming in, I mean that now more than ever we are wanting students to contribute articles and graphic work to every section possible. Our university is full of students who are brilliant writers, insightful researchers, dedicated artists, and who have innovative minds - I cannot wait to see what we’ll create together through this year. Welcome to volume 66 of the Carillon holly funk editor-in-chief

tuition raze p. 3

The university continues to raise tuition while cutting resources, which burdens students, staff, and faculty. Questions, concerns, and solutions are proposed by all.

Restorative Justice Club p. 4

With a focus on honesty, hope, and healing, this budding campus group has more big plans for campus and is practicing their approach throughout Regina.

s&h

Queering the Queen City p. 6

This guided audio tour around Regina, co-produced by Evie Johnny Ruddy and Dr. Claire Carter, showcases the innate connection of queer and trans history to space in this city.

manip by lee lim

Farmer’s Market 2023 p. 8

Victoria Baht reviews the Thursday evening iteration of the Regina Farmers’ Market, complimenting both vendor selection and the venue’s accessibility.

who’s made vulnerable p. 12

Community care is essential in a time when social supports are increasingly gutted, and acknowledging interdependence may be one key to building this approach.

no pride in xenophobia p. 15

An educator’s role is not only to foster understanding, but to learn (and unlearn) throughout their life what teaching is really supposed to be about. Hint: coercion and demeaning others aren’t involved.

Voices raised on tuition raze

been making up the difference with steady tuition increases for years.

present alternate solutions

A news release on the University of Regina’s 2023-24 budget was made public on April 28, 2023, and explained that most tuition and fees for postsecondary students would be increasing by four per cent – the highest amount the university is currently permitted to raise these costs by – in the coming fall 2023 semester.

This release followed the announcement that a five per cent reduction in budgets across nearly all university units would be expected alongside other penny-pinching measures the university is attempting, including encouraging staff into early retirement and reducing the amount of staff positions.

In an article for the Carillon published on April 6, 2023, news writer Josh King interviewed Britt Hall, President of the University of Regina Faculty Association (URFA) on the announced cuts.

Hall encouraged students to stay up-to-date on and involved with the budget for many reasons, but explained why undercompensated and overworked faculty should be a concern to students: “...our [faculty’s] working conditions are your learning conditions.”

King also noted in his April 2023 article that in the 2009-10 academic year, the university received just over 60 per cent of its funding from the provincial government. Now, just over a decade later, the university will be getting less than 50 per cent of its funding from the province, and has

Tuition has risen drastically at the U of R. The average domestic undergraduate student taking five courses in the fall 2023 semester will be charged $4,595.06 in tuition fees, whereas that same course load for that same student in the winter 2018 semester was only $3,721.38. The price for one full semester has increased nearly $1,000 in just over five years, and seeing as most undergraduate degrees require at least eight full semesters, students now will be paying roughly $8,000 more for their degrees than students half-adecade ago were charged.

While tuition hasn’t risen quite as drastically for international students, they are charged exceedingly more than domestic students for access to the same services and resources. In the winter 2019 semester an average international undergraduate student taking five courses would’ve been charged $10,822.76; a domestic student with the same load would have paid $3,560. The average international undergraduate student who takes a full-time load of five courses in the fall 2023 semester will have to pay $11,597.56.

International students will pay roughly $7,000 more than domestic students for a full course load in one semester. The university reported that international student enrollment rose by 17 per cent between 2021-22 and 202223 which will doubtlessly make a dent in their multi-million dollar deficit. However, there is some

debate as to whether the university should be looking to line their pockets by dipping into the pockets of students.

Aarchee Patel, an international undergraduate student studying biology, said that tuition rates here are comparable to other Canadian universities. ”I think it’s fine if we compare it to other universities, so I think it’s a decent price.” At the same time, firstyear international student Letícia Toledo expressed frustration, explaining that she works three jobs on top of her full course load to make ends meet. As to her education, Toledo said ”It’s good, but sometimes I feel some regret because of the price.”

“I’m sorry to say, but it’s criminal what they do with us.” Toledo continued, referencing the university’s tuition rates for international students. “In my English 100 class I talked with some classmates and they always

provide the University of Regina with the increase in funding needed to prevent cuts, job losses, and tuition fee increases.” Hall commented. “As a publicly funded institution, it is our government’s responsibility to ensure that the university has the funding it needs to provide a fair working environment for faculty and staff, and an enriching learning environment for students.” Hall later recommends contacting the Minister of Advanced Education (minister. ae@gov.sk) and as well as MLAs to raise awareness and demand change.

Members of the University Employees Union – CUPE 5791 – are also hard at work alerting fellow members and non-members to the reality of the university’s situation, and relaying demands to ensure the university operates in the best interests of those employed through it and those it serves. A petition to the

filled by tuition increases, making university education less affordable and accessible for residents. International and domestic students are unfairly shouldering this burden. Staff are being laid off, positions are being cut or consolidated. The quality of education at the U of R is in jeopardy.”

There are six demands listed at the petition’s end. Emergency government funding must be sought out, a plan to sustain domestic student enrollment with lowered tuition rates is required, and the province should be worked with to ensure the success and fair treatment of international students. In addition, the administration must ensure the university receives the funding necessary to be considered a desirable place of employment, must put effort into retaining skilled staff rather than pressuring them to leave the institution, and must work in tandem with the

say it’s something really criminally unfair for us.” When asked what she might do if tuition continues to increase, the first-year student stated: “We pay too much for just a piece of paper. If they increase [tuition] more, I don’t know if I’m going to stay here.”

While the current environment may seem bleak, we are not out of options. URFA president Hall shared a message with URFA members on May 10, 2023, and while very real concerns were noted, care was also taken to point out ways to address these concerns. “We have been calling on the provincial government for months to step up and

university’s president has been circulating in recent weeks that, at the time of writing, contains 201 signatures ranging from current students, alumni, postdoctoral fellows, faculty, sessionals, and previous employees, as well as staff at RPIRG and the University of Regina Press.

The petition’s preamble explains that the university has been subsidizing the lack of funding from the provincial government by depending more and more heavily on tuition funds and high enrollment, and questions why the university has not yet pushed heavily for an increase in provincial funding. “This gap is being

campus community to maintain the university’s academic mission.

Perhaps the sign-off message taken directly from the petition says it best: “We, the undersigned clean the University’s floors, teach, manage research programs, attend the institution as students, provide important academic advice, heat the buildings, and deliver important support services that keep the university on track. We worry that the U of R leadership is doing little to advance the mission of our institution by avoiding tough conversations with the provincial government. The U of R deserves better.”

holly funk editor-in-chief

While increased tuition and budget cuts abound, staff and students

You may be feeling the loss (financially, of course), but you don’t need to feel at a loss when there are people working to minimize harm. Image: csamhaber via Pixabay, manipulated by Lee Lim

“

International and domestic students are unfairly shouldering this burden. Staff are being laid off, positions are being cut or consolidated.

The quality of education at the U of R is in jeopardy.”

– CUPE 5791 Petition to UofR President

Students restoring true justice

nazeemah

staff writer

Can justice truly be achieved without healing, rehabilitation, and reconciliation? Well, the University of Regina’s very own Restorative Justice (RJ) Club which originated in the Department of Justice Studies believes otherwise. This club stands as a beacon of hope and is actively dedicated to promoting restorative justice principles within and beyond the campus.

With a commitment to fostering healing and providing support for Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities and organizations, the UR Restorative Justice Club (URRJC) is home to an inspiring initiative that recognizes the needs of those affected by crime. Restorative justice, at its core, is a platform where victims, offenders, and communities unite, nurturing a safe place for open and honest dialogue.

In the words of URRJC President and sixth-year Human Justice student Kaitlyn Stadnyk, “The URRJC is dedicated to providing programs, services, and support for all communities, organizations, and schools in the Treaty 4 area. Through valued collaborations, the URRJC embraces an approach to justice that encourages meaningful community engagement on the causes, circumstances, and impacts of crimes while providing an opportunity for healing, reparation of relationships harmed, and reintegration.”

To gain deeper insights into the club’s mission, services, and impact on the student body, the Carillon had the privilege of speaking with a key advocate figure of the URRJC, Dr. Muhammad Asadullah. He is an assistant professor in the Department of Justice Studies at the U of R, and he is also a pillar of the club. With an impressive tenure of over a decade in this field, his deep passion for restorative justice shines through, particularly through his teaching of the Justice Studies 318: Restorative and Community Justice course.

Reflecting on the origins of the URRJC, Dr. Asadullah explains that this club emerged from a group project undertaken by his students during the 202021 academic year. As part of this project, students went beyond the classroom to promote the concept of restorative justice. Some visited local high schools while others engaged with the community and initiated activities on campus themed around restorative justice.

Within this motivated group of students inspired by Dr. Asadullah’s vision, a clear outcome arose: the establishment of a formal Restorative Justice Club on campus. The club thus emerged as a collective of Dr. Asadullah’s students, all driven by their shared passion for restorative justice. Sophie Daschuk, a fifth-year anthropology student as well as co-president of URRJC, explained that

they “strive to give university students the opportunity to become responsible community members by providing volunteer opportunities and various training opportunities such as naloxone training to help keep the community safe.”

“With our monthly meetups, known as RJ cafes,” Daschuk continued, “we welcome community leaders, activists, and restorative justice practitioners to share their experience and knowledge

Saskatchewan during the 2022 Restorative Justice honour and promote the ethos of restorative justice.

For offenders, it offers an opportunity to take responsibility for the harm they have caused, while for the victims it aims to reduce the feelings of anger and powerlessness. Held in the Multipurpose Room of the Riddell Centre, this community dialogue event brought together restorative justice organizations and programs

Moreover, it is worth noting that the AIDS Program South SK, a Regina-based non-profit harm reduction organization, conducted a comprehensive Narcan training session for members of the URRJC. Narcan, also known as naloxone, is a medication known for its ability to bind the brain’s opioid receptors and rapidly reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. This year, AIDS Program South SK’s dedicated team shared invaluable knowl-

Pony Lodge (WPL) Community Patrol whose efforts to enhance the cleanliness and safety of the North Central neighbourhood are ongoing. The primary focus of WPL during their Friday and Saturday weekly patrols is to remove hazardous items such as needles, syringes, pill bottles, baggies, and weapons from the streets and alleys where they can potentially be harmful to residents. The volunteers also hand out warm clothes and food to those in need during their patrols.

Zoe Goetz, Director of Outreach with URRJC and a fourthyear Psychology student, highlights that “WPL demonstrates to patrol volunteers the values of RJ when they are acting within their community; they encompass respect, integrity, compassion, active listening, and restoration of relationships. [...] It is fundamental that we as a community have the opportunity to voice what we had seen on patrols, and support SHRIP’s [Students for Harm Reduction and Informed Policy’s] initiative.”

In the same vein, Joshua Mendoza – Director of Programming for URRJC and a student in Police Studies – declared “After volunteering once with the White Pony Lodge Inc., I not only enjoyed the company of the executive members, but I found myself sharing the same passion for restorative justice. Prior to volunteering at White Pont, I volunteered with the Regina Alternative Measure Program (RAMP) for two years. RAMP has given me the opportunity to learn more about restorative justice over the years. [...] I believe that as the only university restorative justice club in Canada, we can advocate for this passion of ours nationally.”

Envisioning the future, Dr. Asadullah said “Conflict is neither good nor bad. It is an opportunity for growth as seen in the restorative justice paradigm. Conflict in RJ worldview is seen as a symptom to address underlying needs. [...] We hope to apply the restorative justice principles at all levels on campus.”

with us. We hope to better understand what our role as a responsible community member is, and what it means to use a restorative justice approach within the criminal justice system and in our relationships.”

When asked about the club’s most significant impact to date, Dr. Asadullah spoke proudly of the remarkable community dialogue held at the University of Regina in collaboration with the John Howard Society of

from across the province to share and learn about diverse restorative justice practices. In Dr. Asadullah’s own words: “We had folks from Saskatoon Police Services and practitioners from Prince Albert, Moose Jaw, Saskatoon, and Regina where they shared amazing restorative justice practices. In my opinion, that event is of the highest achievements of the club as of now. We are hoping to celebrate the Restorative Justice Week once again on campus this year.”

edge and practical skills during the training session held in the Education Building on campus. Following this, all executive team members of the URRJC are equipped with the expertise to administer naloxone effectively. This ensures their readiness to respond swiftly in emergency situations, thereby being a crucial lifeline for individuals experiencing an overdose.

The URRJC also frequently volunteers with the White

The club aims to uphold that hope, and to integrate restorative justice processes both on and off campus. Their vision extends beyond individual incidents, as the club aspires to apply these practices to different scenarios. Whether it’s addressing conflicts among campus residents, tackling academic misconduct, or resolving disputes between faculty members, students, or individuals in the community at large, the club champions the application of restorative justice at all levels.

Dr. Asadullah ended on a note of encouragement for students from all disciplines. “Students from any discipline can join UR Restorative Justice Club as the notion of justice affects all of us. Students from other disciplines will gain valuable experience and find ways to apply restorative justice principles in their own lives.”

In this picture from left to right are Sophie Daschuk, Ashley Layman, Aidan McMartin, Dr. Muhammad Asadullah, Kaitlyn Stadnyk, and Nicole Mah.

Photo courtesy the University of Regina Restorative Justice Club

noorally

Our university’s Restorative Justice Club may be young, but their impact cannot be understated

“

Conflict is neither good nor bad. It is an opportunity for growth as seen in the restorative justice paradigm. Conflict in RJ [Restorative Justice] worldview is seen as a symptom to address underlying needs.”

– Dr. Muhammad Asadullah

What is restorative justice?

natalie williamson, sarah feeley, calla fuchs, hailey emery, & novia invidiado contributors

Restorative justice is a way of looking at and thinking about crime that is holistic, collaborative, and humanizing. It seeks to repair harm, encourage integration, and focus on rehabilitation and reconciliation rather than isolation.

It views crime as not only a violation of the law, but also of people, relationships, and communities. It provides an opportunity for the three parties involved – victims, offenders, and communities – to discuss what happened, who was harmed, and what can be done to address the crime, the situation, and the unintended consequences of the offender’s actions.

Referral into restorative justice can occur at various points within the criminal justice system. It can happen pre-charge with a referral by the police, post-charge by the Crown, pre-sentence by the courts, post-sentence by corrections, or pre-revocation by parole boards. Restorative justice can be used for any type of crime and for any offender. Although thought to be only used by Indigenous peoples and communities, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples can benefit from restorative justice and its programs.

Benefits of restorative justice

There are many benefits to the use of restorative justice for all parties involved. For victims, it can decrease fear, provide empowerment and closure, allow their pain and feelings to be explained, understood, and heard, and it gives them the ability to recover from the harm that has been done to them.

For offenders, it can allow them to participate and speak face-to-face with the victim(s), give them an understanding of the consequences of their actions and behaviours, allow them to be accountable and reconnect with their community, and provide an opportunity to change and learn from their mistakes. Lastly, restorative justice can benefit communities by enhancing safety, reducing court costs, lowering the chance of repeat offences, and rebuilding trust to strengthen the community.

Forms of restorative justice

Restorative justice can take many different forms. Victim-offender reconciliation programs use mediators to bring the two parties together to discuss the crime, its impact, and how to move forward in the healing process. Conferencing involves the victim(s), the offender, supporters, and community members working toward reparation. Victim impact panels bring victims

together to speak to an offender about the impact that a crime has had on their lives. There are also victim-offender panels that bring victims and offenders who have committed similar crimes together. Circles, which can vary according to different commu-

and it allows understanding and responding to the needs of each party. Restorative justice allows for higher levels of fairness and happiness. Individuals who have gone through a restorative justice process have said that they feel much more involved than those

Saskatchewan and in Canada. In Regina, the Regina Alternative Measures Program (RAMP) is for anyone who may come into conflict with the law. Circles of Support and Accountability is a Canadian program that is grounded in restorative justice principles that is accessible in Regina. Their goal is to reduce sexual victimization by assisting those who have committed sexual offenses to lead responsible, constructive, and accountable lives within their communities. Around the province, many towns and cities have their own community justice programs or tribal council community justice programs.

UR Restorative Justice Club

nities, include elements such as bringing together community members to discuss the offence, its underlying causes and impacts, and to identify a path forward.

What can restorative justice do

Restorative justice views justice as repair to harm rather than a punishment for a crime,

who go through the traditional court system. It also lowers the likelihood of an offender committing another crime and re-entering the criminal justice system.

How we bring restorative justice in

There are many different restorative justice and alternative measures programs offered in

Triumph through perseverance with JDC West

Never celebrate something you didn’t accomplish” said Randy Linton, Faculty Advisor of JDC West – University of Regina team. The team certainly lived up to their advisor and had plenty to celebrate after securing second place at the JDC West competition held at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon this past January.

The Hill School of Business had a team of 56 participants experienced in different fields like accounting, not-for-profit, charity, finance, entrepreneurship, human resources, marketing, international business, business tech management, business strategy, debate, sports, and challenge.

Competing among 12 universities in Western Canada, Hill JDC West surely left its mark by securing first in not-for-profit and finance, second in charity, entrepreneurship, and accounting, and third in human resources, charity dollars raised, and participation. Co-Captains Kyle Bye and Logan Lindskog managed and helped all the participants navigate their roles and responsibilities for the competition, which acted as a guiding reference for all the executives as well.

JDC West’s theme for 2023 –Triumph Through Perseverance – was uplifted by Hill JDC West as the participants worked extremely hard and through resilience and

determination made the most out of this opportunity. In a conversation with Linton, the emphasis on collaborative effort was heavily made. Encouraging everyone in the business school to apply, he believes that there is a large scope of growth in this space with the level of difficulty increasing every year.

“Didn’t feel like work, but more like a spare time,” said Nicole Pyne, Hill JDC West alum-

from this opportunity. She mentioned the importance of becoming involved with something one is passionate about, and impacting the community through the results.

Majoring in International Business, Vansh Patel started out his JDC West journey in international business and eventually changed to business tech management and operations. “It is more than just a competition; it’s my

The University of Regina has its very own Restorative Justice Club! They are dedicated to providing programs, services, and support for Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities, organizations, and schools. The club aims to promote the principles and values of restorative justice through education to strengthen our community by promoting awareness of the needs of people affected by crimes. It also fosters innovation and participation in the field of restorative justice. If you are interested in joining, you can reach them on their Instagram page @ur.restorativejusticeclub, and their Facebook page “UR Restorative Justice Club.”

of some team members’ takeaways

international business and then moving to sports, Mills wanted to challenge herself more so she moved to the academic team last year. She said part of this has taught her to be more confident and trust in a process. “It came naturally to me,” she noted after mentioning the process of solving cases and presenting slides to a group. She mentioned that an experience like this helps one in preparing for interviews and growing

to other classes where she was able to leverage the knowledge acquired and score better grades than she may have otherwise. The collaborative and friendly environment gave Winnicki a platform to network and build relationships that were both personal and professional.

Another newbie, Autumn Chomos, brought her competitive spirit to the team and found JDC West a great way to “expand [her] network.” Chomos leveraged her skills of presentation, public speaking, and finding creative solutions. A great addition to the team, Chomos sparkled with her positive and competitive energy.

na. Pyne also mentioned how the deliberate practice of making quick decisions on the spot helped her realize the impacts as a past participant can be really tangible. Making great connections, learning soft skills, and adapting a good practice of acceptance is what she took away

family.” Patel noted. Under the guidance of the coaches, executives, and Linton, Patel continued to master the art of solving complex cases which he will be able to bring into his professional approach.

Briar Mills has also had a great experience. Starting off in

as a person. After building a safe circle she plans to reach out to for the rest of her life, Mills found her place in this program.

“You never know until you try something out,” said Logan Winnicki of the marketing team. She realized that her involvement and engagement was applicable

A great team is baseless without good leadership. Co-captain Bye lived up to his title and worked hard in giving the participants access to resources. Bye mentioned how the JDC West journey went from just boosting his resume to him giving back to the team alongside co-captain Lindskog. Bye noted he lives by the motto of being fair and ensuring others grow, giving them opportunities to succeed. Hill JDC West has impacted many people, and will continue to do so because a space for learning and growing is what it offers.

True justice isn’t one man with a plan, it’s the collaboration of a whole community.

Illustration: Mohamed_hassan via Pixabay

The gang’s all here.

Photo courtesy of Randy Linton

An approach of welcoming in, intimate and honest discussion, and sincere support in growth

arts & culture

“Queering the Queen City” audio tour

History and a hike? Yes please!

June is Pride Month and, like cities across the country, Regina hosts Queen City Pride. This year’s Pride Parade was held on Saturday, June 10 and remotely broadcasted for those unable to attend in person.

Pride has its roots in what began as the 1969 Stonewall riots, a series of riots concerned with gay liberation. Following the Stone-

us an opportunity to resist ideas of heteronormative/hegemonic narratives and, in doing so, allows us to explore spatial complexities and consider non-heteronormative experiences within them.

In thinking about space, queerness, and public space activism, I invite you to explore the Regina-based audio tour “Queering the Queen City,” which is concerned with queer spatialities. This is a wonderful activity to undertake in the month of June and in thinking about space, the roots

of Gender, Religion and Critical Studies.

The tour explores placebased stories as told by queer, trans, non-binary, and two-spirit Regina residents in Treaty 4. As Ruddy reminds us at the beginning of the tour, all the space is already queer and trans space, even the pavement. This is true, despite spaces within the Queen City often being unintelligible to us as such. While on the tour, you are reminded to be mindful that you are on Treaty 4 land, the

Travel app, a free app available for download through the app store, and a pair of headphones. The app is GPS-triggered, and each story will begin playing automatically as you approach the site. Though, you have the option to opt out of the GPS function and start the tour manually. The audio tour can be undertaken by any form of self-propelled locomotion. Or, if you cannot get out to each location, the audio tour can also be enjoyed just as well from home. After hitting the start

Park, the site of Regina’s 1990 Pride Parade. Since its launch in 2018, the tour has been updated and now includes 10 stops, starting you at Darke Hall and ending with Fada Dance Studio on Toronto Street. Each stop is around five-six minutes long, and the total duration of the audio tour should wrap up in two hours. Of course, this depends on how you travel and how fast.

Along the way, you will hear stories that include an Indigenous-led movement to remove the

wall riots, activists in New York City took to the streets of Manhattan a year later to commemorate the social justice-informed acts of public disobedience. Today, this legacy of commemorations continues with Pride Parades across the globe. As demonstrated with the Stonewall riots, public space and activism are intimately linked. This connection is often referred to as “public space activism” and works to redefine not only our social world but also how we interact with public space(s).

It is likely that we all have some idea of what it means to have a “sense of place,” or an idea of who and what “belongs” in any given place. Ideas that are, of course, informed by our social locations. Likewise, we may have an idea or feeling of the “space” that we live, move, and organize within. Since the 1980s, there has been a growing body of research concerned with queer spatialities and geographies. The practice of “Queering space” draws from the notion that space is unstable, in flux, and subject to being constantly made and unmade as people interact and attribute understandings to space(s). Understanding space as unstable offers

of Pride, and queer experiences.

“Queering the Queen City” is a 120-minute audio tour that takes you along a 10-stop journey within the heart of Downtown Regina and the Heritage neighbourhood. The tour is guided and co-produced by Evie Johnny Ruddy, a trans non-binary settler

traditional territories of the Cree, Saulteaux, Dakota, Nakota and Lakota people and the homelands of the Métis Nation. In exploring space, walking, or any type of self-propelled movement, it offers a particular intimacy by making yourself vulnerable to the people and places you explore. It engages

button, the tour begins outside of Darke Hall where you will be introduced to your guide and start your journey.

Ruddy, the audio tour’s guide, explains that since 2017 they have been talking with other queer, trans and two-spirit people to share stories about living in Re-

Sir John A. MacDonald Statue in Regina, gender policing, and two-spirit groups that organize in the city. Stops along the tour vary from a parking lot, Q Nightclub Lounge, the public library, Victoria Park, government buildings, and a dance studio. Ruddy explains how this is intentional for two reasons.

First, because Regina does not have - and has never had - a gay village, and secondly, because all space is already queer. The tour also includes some, perhaps, unexpected locations, such as the SGI building on 11th Ave. Stop 7, the SGI building, explores the story of a trans woman fighting for the sex marker on her ID card to be changed. As the tour demonstrates, unexpected sites, like the SGI one, are often spaces of tension and importance within the queer experience in navigating the Queen City.

and instructor in Creative Technologies at the University of Regina, and Dr. Claire Carter, Associate Professor in the Department

the senses and asks us to explore space up-close and personal.

For those interested in taking the tour, all you need is the Izi

gina. The audio tour was developed out of these conversations. Originally, the audio tour included 7 stops and began in Victoria

If you plan to enjoy the tour in person this month, be sure to stay hydrated and protect yourself from prolonged sun exposure. Enjoy exploring the city in a way you perhaps never knew it before.

maren savarese knopf staff writer

Meeting new people is easy when you’re walking in a group this big!

Photo: Lee Lim

“The tour explores place-based stories as told by queer, trans, non-binary, and twospirit Regina residents in Treaty 4. As Ruddy reminds us at the beginning of the tour, all the space is already queer and trans space, even the pavement.”

– Maren Savarese Knopf

Pride in the prairies 2023

It’s June! Happy Pride Month!

It’s the time of year when lots of places around the world celebrate the 2SLGBTQIA+ community through Pride events and a Pride Parade. Pride is an incredible time and often is part of a weeklong series of activities leading up to the Parade. All six of the major cities in the Prairies (Regina, Saskatoon, Brandon, Winnipeg, Calgary, and Edmonton) have celebratory Pride events.

As I mentioned last year, this is not meant to be a comparison of different pride events or to say one is better or worse than another, but a showcase of Pride events in the prairies that allow queer people to celebrate themselves and their community. By the time this article is released, some of these events will have already happened, and some may not have. As this is being written, some events have happened, and some have not.

In Brandon, Manitoba (where I go for Pride), Pride Week is from June 11 to 17. It starts on Sunday, with a Sunday Church Service. For many queer people church is scary and religious trauma is very real. But, as someone who has been to the Knox United Church in Brandon multiple times, it’s full of pride flags year-round. They speak about Pride and supporting the 2SLGBTQIA+ community through more than just June. It’s a great place to be if you’re religious and queer, or if you’re queer and wanting to explore religion.

Cosmic Hex.

Wednesday night has two events and the first is in the morning. It’s the annual raising of the pride flag at City Hall. The other is a board game night in the evening at a local cafe. Thursday night has another two events, the first bring a sketch game called Drawing Drag with Luna Hex

shows, workshops, park get-togethers, movies, hiking, and even wrestling. If you want to go somewhere in the Prairies for Pride with lots of events, go to Winnipeg.

Pride week in Regina, Saskatchewan, is from June 2 to June 11, which is a little over a week (but the more Pride, the better).

ryline. On the following Tuesday there is a bandana-making workshop and an open mic night.

There were six events on Wednesday. A Zoom presentation about gender, a movie showing at the library, a craft workshop, karaoke, another movie showing, and the Pride Awards Gala. The Gala is a celebration of the leaders of

in Regina is June 11, which had two church events and a choir performance.

Pride Saskatoon is June 9 to June 18. The only event on June 9 was a showing of the Enter the Drag Dragon movie. There are two events the next day, a car wash and a family picnic in the park. On Sunday, June 11, there were two movie showings and a park event. The Flag Raising took place on June 12, along with lawn bowling, a dance party, and a library event. June 13 had an event called “Spark Your Pride” at the Western Development Museum. There were three events on Wednesday the 14, an art exhibition, a concert, and a party. As we get closer to the Pride March, there are even more events.

Also on Sunday is Pooch Pride. Which, yes, is dogs and pride. You can take your dog out to the park or go visit some dogs! There are two events on Monday. The first is a history event at the Community College, which is also available online. It covers how queer people were persecuted during WWI. At the same time is an online-only event about how to be a supportive parent to a 2SLGBTQIA+ child. There are three events on Tuesday; the first is a luncheon that will teach the history of pride as an event. The other two are both at 6 p.m.; the first is a talk about queer activism and solidarity, and the other is a trivia night at Black Wheat Brewing with the local House of Hex drag queens: Mercy, Lilith, and

from the House of Hex. The other is a queer karaoke night. Friday night gives the options for a music night at Chez Angela cafe (which I highly recommend to anyone in the Brandon area or travelling to) and, shortly after, a comedy show at Lady of the Lake (which you can find my review of from last summer on our website).

The final day of Brandon Pride is on Saturday. It starts with a rally, then the march, and finally the march ends at Rideau Park. Later that night is a Pride social event.

Pride Winnipeg actually starts a little bit before June. Pride Winnipeg was from May 26 to June 4. There are so many events in Pride Winnipeg I can’t even list them all. There’s karaoke, art exhibitions, comedy shows, drag

There are six events on the first day, including the Pride Flag Raising Ceremony at City Hall. There are two library reading events, two artist gallery events, and one library movie event. The following Saturday, June 3, had five events. The main event was the Queer Local Market, which was a way for queer artists in Regina to showcase and see their work. There’s also a Pride Story Time, a button-making session, and two movie showings at the library. On Sunday, June 4, the only event was the Pride Tea Social, a social event with tea (presumably both kinds) and cake. On Monday, June 5, there was an event called Rainbow Realms, which is a queer Dungeons & Dragons one-shot following a queer sto-

the queer community in Regina and a way to thank them for their work. Thursday has seven events. There are three film events at the library, a drag story time, a Zoom presentation about inclusive language, and a lesbian dance party. There were another seven events on Friday, June 9. Two were films at the library; one was another session of Rainbow Realms, there was an event for families called “Family Pride Festival of Fun” which was a workshop about sexuality, and a White Party. The last event on Friday was a preparation for Pride itself, which happened on the next day: Saturday, June 10. There’s the parade, a park event, two film library showings, and two party-like events. The last day of the Pride celebration

On June 15, there’s an online history presentation, bingo, a fashion show, a makeup presentation, and “Welcome to the Gayborhood.” On the 16, there’s a sign-making event for the parade, a French drag show, an event about two-spirit people, a concert, and a foam party. The busiest day is June 17. There’s a BBQ in the morning, the parade itself, a kid’s event, an artisan event, a party, and Pride in the Park all before a youth event and another party. The last day, June 18, is a Father’s Day breakfast.

Calgary and Edmonton both have Pride weeks, but not until much later in the summer. Pride Calgary is August 26 to September 4. Pride Edmonton is August 18 to 26.

Happy Pride, everyone! I hope you get a chance to go out and celebrate this June (or this summer).

will bright a&c writer

A look into the past Pride events and those yet to come

Pride wasn’t always a parade.

Photo: Lee Lim

“There are so many events in Pride Winnipeg I can’t even list them all. There’s karaoke, art exhibitions, comedy shows, drag shows, workshops, park get-togethers, movies, hiking, and even wrestling. If you want to go somewhere in the Prairies for Pride with lots of events, go to Winnipeg.”

– Will Bright

Regina Farmers’ Market review

As the sun starts peeking out of the rain clouds, Regina farmers start marketing

victoria baht staff writer

The Regina Farmers’ Market is a popular event that takes place during the summer months in Regina. The Farmers’ Market takes place on Wednesday and Saturday mornings from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Pat Fiacco Plaza (right downtown in Regina) and on Thursday nights from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at 4701 Buckingham Drive. This week I decided to go down to the Farmers’ Market on Thursday night to check it out.

I have to say, this event’s location in the east end is a great idea. The Farmer’s Market is located in Horizon Station Park. Although it is near a quite busy park, there are many cars due to apartment buildings, sports, and an active community. On this Thursday night, there were children in the park playing flag football, soccer, and hanging around on the play structure. There is even a recently opened dog park!

Once you find a spot to park your car, you can walk along

the sidewalk and find some food trucks. Last week when I visited, I got to see Mr. Spudds Poutinerie, Rebellion Brewing, El Tropezon, and Smokin’ Outlaws BBQ. Having food trucks available makes for the perfect night activity. You could come down, get some delicious street food, sit on the nice green grass in the sun and enjoy your meal, and then you can enjoy the Farmers’ Market.

The market itself is in a hockey rink/basketball court. This is a great idea for many reasons! To start, you are not walking on grass, which can lessen the chance of you waking up the mosquitos and getting bitten. It is also on pavement which means that it is more stroller, walker, and wheelchair accessible, and this week it was a nice short market which can also make it accessible for those who cannot walk for long distances.

As I walked down the market, I saw some familiar things that I have seen in the past at the Farmers’ Market. You had the chance to buy some homemade baked goods, hot sauce and spic-

es, unique hand-crafted jewelry, accessories, and food. There were not too many farmers yet at this time of the year, but that could have been because it is early June and certain foods just are not ready yet.

As I was walking and looking around, I got to pick some unique items, such as a beverage from Prairie Bee Meadery: seltzer that had a hint of a honey taste. I also got to check out some homemade dog treats from The Good Dog. I talked to the vendors at the table, and the treats themselves are made from bison and crickets; the crickets are raised in a controlled environment. They make a good crunch. Now, the best thing about these treats is that they are hypoallergenic and made for sensitive dogs; they just have a few simple ingredients.

Well, thanks for coming along for the visit to the Thursday night Farmers’ Market with me! This location is awesome. You can enjoy the sun, sunset, street food, the market, the park, and all the activities. You should definitely check them out this summer.

A program intended to improve students’ transition into university life Arts Student Services launch Mentorship Program

Navigating the first year of university can be both challenging and exciting at the same time. The Faculty of Arts at the University of Regina recently attempted to make this process easier for all the newbies. Their new buddy-like program that can help all the first years is quite an experience to have in the university. In a recent interview with Taylor Gilkes-Reed, an academic advisor, she mentioned that “creating the community” for students and participating in the student culture is essential to experience during a student’s academic journey.

This mentorship program matches senior arts students who have a major declared with juniors and is now set out to be a year long. The program is seeing new changes and revisions that

will aim higher with more features for participating students.

The goal behind the program is to minimize new student anxiety and give those students access to a mentor and guide in their first years. These mentors will be able to answer questions pertaining to university, academics, and many other parts of life. This would be a golden opportunity for students to get more campus exposure and experience and an inside look at what it is like to be a U of R student.

The expectations for mentors in the program include a requirement to have completed at least 60 credit hours with good academic standing, a declared major, and to be enrolled in the Faculty of Arts. The mentee requirements include students be-

ing in their first year of study –part-time or full-time – enrolled in the Faculty of Arts, and also have excitement about learning and growth. The matching of the mentor and mentee takes place through a personality type survey, as well as similarities in personal interests and other areas, to make the best match possible out of the group of students who apply.

The first cohort of the mentorship program appeared successful, with positive feedback from many mentors and mentees who strengthened their bonds and helped each other grow. The students greatly enjoyed the program’s regular check-ins between matched mentors and mentees, the orientation, a lunch that happened in the middle of the winter semester, and ending the program

with a reception which was attended by the Dean of Arts.

In a recent conversation with mentors of the program, it was heavily emphasized that the soft skills built on the mentors’ end can be used throughout your life. A mentor gets a chance to develop leadership skills, communication skills, and to expand their perspectives. It also gives them a chance to practice what they are preaching, thus encouraging the habit of being accountable and responsible as an individual. They also get to practice active listening, empathy, and patience, which will not only help them in the workforce but will also help them grow as a person. Mentors get a chance to increase their self-awareness and to nurture it in others, impacting the community

in many ways.

Mentees, on the other hand, enjoy learning from the mistakes and lessons that the mentors can share. They get to share their problems and learn how to successfully reach out to others in times of need. It can be challenging to navigate life, especially university, when one is lost and doesn’t know where to anchor. Mentors can be their guiding star, helping them sail through their university program much more easily.

Farmers’ Markets are a great place to spend your time (and your money).

Photo: Victoria Baht

Coffee and free life advice? Sign me up!

Photo: StockSnap via Pixabay

Goodbye, Blaseball

will bright a&c writer

I am from Chicago.

Now, that’s a weird thing to read, isn’t it? I’m writing for a newspaper based in Regina, and if you ask me where I grew up, I’ll say Saskatchewan. But, if you ask me where I’m from, I’ll say Chicago. This is because, in a little game called Blaseball, when you sign up to be a fan of the Chicago Firefighters you are eternally from Chicago. I don’t make the rules, that’s just how it goes. And, according to the Firefighters’ Twitter, just because Blaseball has ended doesn’t mean you ever stop being from Chicago.

Yes, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but Blaseball has ended.

You may be asking yourself, what is Blaseball?

Blaseball is baseball meets chaos incarnate. It’s an online game that was a baseball simulation, except not all the players are exactly human and sometimes in the middle of the game players get incinerated or stuck in peanut shells. It’s written out, and you read what’s happening in each game as it goes on, almost like a simplified radio broadcast of a real baseball game. As you watch, you can also gamble fake Blase-

ball currency on each game. You can choose your favourite team, and you get extra coins when they win. But there’s also a large community aspect to Blaseball. The community came up with the backstories for each player and tons of extra history about each team and player.

Blaseball was a pandemic creation. The man who made it wanted a game with friends that could be played through the browser. Originally it was going to be about horse races and gambling on those, but it ended up being about baseball. It launched on July 20, 2020. For those who knew me during that era of the pandemic, I was a Blaseball fanatic. I always had a screen with Blaseball on it. I bet on every single game during that first “Internet Series.” I was a Blaseball evangelist, telling everyone I knew about it. Which now includes all of you, readers.

In memoriam, let’s go over a couple of the most important events and players in Blaseball history.

The first-ever player to be incinerated in Blaseball was historically Jaylen Hotdogfingers. Hotdogfingers was the best pitcher for the Seattle Garages team. When the Forbidden Book (the rules book) was opened, Hotdogfingers died. Yes, Jaylen Hotdogfingers does have hotdogs for fingers. It’s

There will be no more home-runs, as home base has disappeared.

what makes them such a good pitcher. But, in the sixth season, Hotdogfingers was resurrected and rejoined the game. During the Discipline Era

of Blaseball, an event occurred called the Grand Unslam. It is believed that there was a Grand Slam so strong the space-time continuum broke. Los Angeles

I spy a Half Thriftmas Vintage Market

split into infinite cities, the team formerly known as the Los Angeles Tacos became the Unlimited Tacos, and the Wyatt Masoning was forced upon them. Every single player on the Unlimited Tacos was forced to bear the name of Wyatt Mason, the Tacos’ worst hitter.

Easily the most well-known player of Blaseball is Jessica Telephone. She emerged fully formed from a payphone, and that is how she was born. She is a waveform of the 80s. She started as a member of the Dallas Steaks but really rose to fame as a member of the Philadelphia Pies and the Hades Tigers. She has 11 wives and 25 girlfriends.

Baby Triumphant is a baby. A literal baby. A baby with massive muscles. Triumphant is a fantastic hitter, but a terrible runner because, well, baby legs.

Blaseball may be over now, but it was a cultural phenomenon while it was happening. I feel the following tweet from @ChiBlaseball, the Chicago Firefighters’ official account, sums it up best: “We cross our bridges when we come to them and burn them behind us, with nothing to show for our progress except a memory of the smell of smoke, and a presumption that once our eyes watered.”

Goodbye, Blaseball.

Pop-up markets are great chances for lesser-known artists and vendors to sell their creations

A vintage market graced the Regina area in December, drawing together a handful of thrift vendors from in and around the city. This summer, they decided to try a new iteration and make the event biannual with the Half Thriftmas Vintage Market. Over a dozen vendors filled the space in the Docks Room at Local Market YQR on Saturday, June 10. Doors opened at 11 a.m. and I arrived about 15 minutes afterward, and already the room was buzzing with activity, shoppers standing elbow-to-elbow while viewing the curated spreads.

Most of the vendors were the types to buy and sell clothing, shoes, and accessories, though even within that category there was incredible variety. Some shops had sturdy, dependable Carhartt pants, others had beaded dresses harkening back to a 1920s style, and others still had dress shirts of (seemingly) every pattern and style – a visual smorgasbord. There were enough earrings, boots, bags, and belts that it would’ve taken me hours to look at every piece, but there was one table in the north-west corner of the room that particularly caught my attention.

Standing behind this table (and pictured in this article’s photo) was Carrie Sweeney, owner of

– and creative artist for – Eye Spy Curio. Her handmade creations stole my breath for a minute – I actually had to circle around the room to de-fluster before stopping to speak with her. Sweeney specializes in insect and bone art, thrifting the glass domes and frames that her custom creations rest in to ensure that Eye Spy Curio maintains an approach of sustainability.

While Sweeney purchases some of the animal bones from farmers, others are foraged as she spends time in nature. “A lot of the plant material I collect myself when I’m out for walks, on hikes – stuff I find on the ground. Obviously, I make sure that I’m respectfully foraging and not taking too much from one place. A lot of the stuff is already dead and off of the plant and then, for the bones and butterflies, I source from a shop in Montreal who sustainably sources their materials.”

Moss seemed to be used as a base-type plant in much of the work, with pressed reindeer lichen and other accent plants wound about to emphasize the natu ral curves and lines of the animal bones and insects. Each frame or dome Sweeney puts together is like a snapshot in time, a small ecosystem on display that combines the intensity of bone and decomposition with the brightness and promise of plant life.

“It’s kind of like creating a mini world,” Sweeney comment-

ed, “especially in our harsh winters. It’s almost like taking a tiny piece of a meadow – like a magical meadow – and it’s some way that you can connect with nature from your shelf.” In a province like Saskatchewan – with a dark, grey winter that freezes most outdoor life for months on end – having a sustainably-sourced, tangible snapshot of the earth to hold dear sounds like a very smart plan.

Sweeney said that she adheres to some “traditional Indigenous views on foraging” to support her sustainability approach. She outlined three steps, the first of which is to wait until you’ve spotted four of the same plant to pick anything from any of them. You shouldn’t pick from the first three you see in one area, but you may pick from the fourth – to ensure you disturb as little plant life as possible. “Only take what you need” is how Sweeney phrased the second step that applies directly to the forager, and she explained the third step as “not taking too much from one individual plant.”

To view more of Sweeney’s work, you can find her on Instagram and TikTok (@eyespy_curio), or keep your eyes open for the next thrift or vintage market she will (very carefully, I’d imagine) cart her wares to.

There is much that could be said about the beauty of life and death represented here.

Photo: Holly Funk

holly funk editor-in-chief

A tribute to an online game that brought people together during difficult times

& health

Run for Regina recap

Charity run comes back swinging, proceeds going toward the Circle Project

A charity run called Run for Regina was held on June 10 starting at 8 a.m. which began in the TC Douglas Meadow at the Wascana Centre and was organized by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association with support from the Ahmadiyya Muslim Students’ Association.

With the motivation to double the number of registered runners every year, they set out to organize their second run af-

plan a charity run in Regina for the first time. From going “beyond expectations” to making it happen, they were successful in assembling the event. Run for Regina was envisioned to grow pretty fast and double the numbers. Despite getting less time to prepare for the run this year, they managed to pull it off on a day of beautiful sunshine.

In an interview with the students’ association President, Muhammad Ata Ul Aleem Siddiqui, he mentioned the motivation of putting together a good gathering of people who would build a

cookies, brownies, juice, fruits, granola bars, and coffee to get people warned up. These volunteers believe that there’s nothing that people can’t do, so they lend a helping hand to all runners and the other volunteers as a show of support to promote togetherness as the cause.

The gathered group of people including volunteers, runners, and those supporting runners were able to hear Sandra Masters, the Mayor of the City of Regina, welcome all and emphasize the impact of the support and fundraising in the community for

joined in the walk to support all –dogs were just as welcome as human runners. A golden retriever named Sunny was a part of the one-kilometer walk along with his friend Ginger, a dobermann. Their owners seemed excited and eager to take their dogs for the walk that morning.

The event was also supported by the University of Regina Students’ Union (URSU) through their Vice President External Affairs Oghenerukevwe Erifeta who shared her kind words with the audience at the opening ceremony. She emphasized how very

rects their funds for the greater good of the community around them, supporting people in learning to support themselves. With earlier support the Circle Project was able to serve 17,000 lunches to address hunger, another steadily increasing issue in our area. Anderson referred to Run for Regina as one of her favourite events, and was grateful to be included as she found it fun and felt very welcomed.

As the event provided a bridge to all the people of Regina to come together and support a worthwhile cause, the event

ter having paused these events due to COVID-19. Funds raised through the run were donated to the Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) and the Circle Project last year, and the group decided to continue supporting the Circle Project this year. They managed to get 20-25 volunteers involved in event coordination and facilitation, assisting with various tasks ranging from marketing to selecting the run route to ensuring everything fell into place on race day.

“They told me it’s doable,” said Arslan Ahmed, youth leader of the Youth Association, when speaking on why he wanted to

space to support a cause showing love and harmony.

From fighting the first time nervousness to getting the experience and confidence to make this event a success this year, Run for Regina appeared to be well put together with great community turnout. With the hope of personal contacts and chain effects in the community, the organizers reached a lot of people.

The Carillon was on-the-scene at the opening ceremonies of the event, and there was an aura of zeal from people for the run that increased as they gathered. There was also a booth with refreshments for runners that included

the greater good. The time, energy, and support that communities put out makes the city not only vibrant but also beautiful.

As scheduled, the five-kilometer run open to anyone and everyone started at 9 a.m., followed by the three-kilometer at 9:15 a.m. and the one-kilometer fun walk at 9:20 a.m. After a gap of 20 minutes, the all-female one-kilometer walk commenced at 9:40 a.m. As all the participants set out, there rose an ambiance of unity together with the drive of competition some runners felt to complete runs at their best time. Without surprise, there were our four-legged friends who also

few communities come together and take the initiative to help the city. On behalf of URSU, she felt honoured to be there. With their motivation of being driven by the care of the community, Erifeta believed that the initiative would help people get meals on their tables and shelters over their heads through support from the Circle Project.

Operations Manager of the Circle Project, Larissa Anderson, shared a similar feeling of excitement and enthusiasm. With the purpose of continuing to help address houselessness , an already large and steadily increasing issue in Regina, the Circle Project di-

saw a great turnout. With the motivation to continue to double the numbers in their registration counts, Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association along with Ahmadiyya Muslim Students’ Association plan to continue with more similar events that would increase supporters and help organizations like the Circle Project reach their goals.

The event was welcomed by people of all walks of life who gathered with the spirit of uplifting everyone and spreading love and care. Initiatives like these will only help with this city’s growth from all aspects.

pall agarwal s&h writer

huff and I’ll puff and I’ll blow the competition away.

Photo: 2017 Canada Summer Games via Flickr

“

With the purpose of continuing to help address houselessness, an already large and steadily increasing issue in Regina, the Circle Project directs their funds for the greater good of the community around them, supporting people in learning to support themselves.”

– Pall Agarwal

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COVID and community care

As of May 2023, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the end of the global COVID-19 pandemic. In an attempt to justify the declaration WHO cited increased immunity, higher vaccination rates, lessening death toll, and observed reduced pressure on hospitals.

For some, this came as welcome news. For many, it entailed a collective sigh of relief after what feels like the end of a period marked by the confluence of

crisis. Yet, as this pandemic illustrates, crisis rhetoric can also enact the violent erasure of the most ‘vulnerable’ from safety measures and procedures. The formal ending of a crisis may work similarly.

Vulnerability in this sense is perhaps better captured in ‘being made vulnerable’ by inadequate government and social safety net responses. The COVID-19 pandemic paired with “we are all in this together” crisis rhetoric illuminated the disparities in what

it meant to be in it together by amplifying forms of ableism, ageism, classism, transphobia, and racism.

Disability justice and COVID-19

Today we stand at a point in time when the COVID crisis has supposedly ended. However, for those who continue to remain vulnerable to the COVID-19 virus such as the immunocompromised, people with disabilities, chronically ill, the elderly, or people living in confined spaces such as carceral settings, these vulnerabilities remain. Likewise, the need to continue community care practices such as masking has not disappeared.

When did we stop being ‘in this together?’ Taking a disability justice response to COVID-19 would move us away from the myth of independence that tells us everyone can and should be able to do everything on their own – this extends to ideas of individualistic health and well-being. Further, existing colonial and capitalist structures perpetuate the idea that we are all in competition and must protect ourselves and our individual freedoms from others’ self-interests and at their expense.

of being cared for and caring for others is essential to our well-being and survival. A collective care model, central to disability justice, acknowledges that the wellbeing of a community is a shared responsibility.

It requires that a community commits to addressing interlocking oppressions, such as those listed previously, and takes seriously the mutual responsibility to safeguard each others’ health and well-being. A commitment that must exist as long as some are made vulnerable.

Mutual aid and harm reduction

Despite the pandemic having been declared officially over by WHO, our commitment to each other to be in this together has not ended. Mutual aid works hand-in-hand with collective care and is about cooperating to serve community members and create networks of care outside of existing structures in order to meet the needs of our neighbours and peers.

is still present in our communities. Everyday practices such as masking, washing hands, or regularly testing for COVID remain an important part of harm reduction.

Pod mapping

Originally developed by disability justice activist and community organizer Mia Mingus for the Bay Area Transformative Justice Collective, pod mapping is a tool focused on addressing accountability and dealing with harm in community. Pod mapping can be easily adapted to individual use as an extension of mutual aid and collaborative care. It’s a visual tool that illustrates a microcosm of ‘community’ and is helpful to connect, plan, and follow through on support if needed.

Who could’ve seen this one coming… Illustration: Clker-Free-Vector-Images via

New head coach Nettey

Rather, disability justice posits that we must acknowledge our interdependence. This means embracing and recognizing that no one lives independent lives. This is a myth. Moreover, the idea

It can look like bringing your chronically ill friend a meal when they are too tired to cook, someone coming to clean your place when you’re still dealing with long-haul COVID, or staying up late talking with someone you know facing increased isolation because of continued COVID anxiety. In these supposedly ‘post-pandemic’ times, mutual aid remains critical as COVID-19

Although the COVID pandemic has been declared over, the ways we support, connect, and care for one another have been fundamentally reshaped by the pandemic. Individuals can practice harm reduction by continuing to have open and honest conversations surrounding collective care, and pod mapping is a practical tool from which to start. For those interested in principles of disability justice and additional resources, check out SinsInvalid. org.

Our track & field team had an impressive record last season, and this new coach hopes to continue the crescendo

pall agarwal s&h writer

Sports are believed to be an integral part of university life. It is believed to not only help aid in a healthy mental growth, but also fosters additional benefits like skill development and valuable lessons taught in safe, supportive spaces. The University of Regina recognizes these factors, and provides an array of facilities like the gym, pool, and fitness center that are accessible to all University of Regina students and anyone with a gym membership.

Recently, the U of R hired Sabrina Nettey as head coach for the track & field team. She has earned a Bachelor’s in Psychology from Trinity Western University and is currently enrolled at the University of British Columbia in the High Performance and Technical Leadership Program. She has been involved with sports all through her life. Inspired by the role of her father in this journey, Nettey has been exposed to track and field since the age of 10. Nettey has represented Canada for a significant amount of time, bringing laurels and accolades for herself and various institutions.

Nettey has played volleyball and basketball as well as partici-

pated in competitive swimming, all in addition to the track and field base. She found her inspiration from her coach when it came to helping other young adults through coaching. She mentioned how coaching gives her an opportunity to talk to people about the sport but also life beyond, and to support students in becoming a

better version of themselves. For the Cougars, she plans to build numbers on the team, keeping the culture how it is. Through the foundation pieces already existing, she wants to build a team that continues to bring accolades.

“I am psyched for it,” said Nettey on her new position and helping students train.

Illustration: Lee Lim

She mentioned that a midsize school like the U of R has a close-knit community that would help students get better access to coaches, and ultimately to walk on the path of success. Helping university freshmen make the transitory move to a newer environment and meet the team standards, Nettey is here to do it all.

To learn more, Nettey said she would be available via email (sabrina.nettey@uregina.ca) to have conversations and help students find the best match. The team is open to all students, including international students.

Nettey mentioned that the key measures of success in any walk of life would be professionalism, communication skills, and the ability to stay committed. She believes that one who can stay true to what they believe in will have the sky as their limit. Being surrounded by physically active friends engaged in sports, Nettey was able to explore a lot of co-curricular opportunities that helped her get to the place where she is now.

As coaches are entrusted with the responsibility of the team, Nettey believes that people who have the potential to bring an impact should “just come out there.” She advises people interested in sports who are thinking about it to “just do it” and take the leap. As varsity athletes set out to be the best versions of themselves, Nettey offers to readily train and help build a great community of growth and development in the Cougars.

Pixabay, manipulated by Lee Lim

maren savarese knopf staff writer

Despite WHO’s declaration on the end of COVID, people are still being made vulnerable

Local vs chain food experiences

victoria baht staff

Imagine this: it is a Friday night and you are wanting to head out with some friends, to go out and enjoy some food and even maybe some special drinks. But where should you go? When I want to go out for food with some friends and have a good time, I typically want to try something different. Make it adventurous, you know? I will usually do a search for restaurants in Regina, and I typically get the usual list of Boston Pizza, Montana’s, Western Pizza, and Canadian Brewhouse.

Do not get me wrong, these restaurants are good and have great food, but they just don’t hit the vibe that I am looking for. When I want to go out with friends, I want an environment that is different with some tasty food, and some activities to do nearby or even in the restaurant. I always try and go to local restaurants. After all, there is more to enjoy about local restaurants compared to chains.

To get started, here are some of my favourite local restaurants in Regina. My top favourites are Birmingham’s, Leopold’s

Tavern, Vic’s Tavern, Breakfast Bistro, and Coney Island. Why are these my favourite, you may ask, and why do I prefer a local restaurant over a chain restaurant? Well, there are a few reasons I will talk about today. First off, the food is unique and of good quality. Some restaurants even specialize in certain foods.

For example, Vic’s Tavern specializes in grilled cheese - and I know going out just to have a grilled cheese may seem a little “extra,” but trust me, it is worth it. They typically have a sourdough toast with lots of cheese. They even have a grilled cheese feature of the week. Some past examples

are buffalo perogy grilled cheese, mac and cheese, and tuna salad.

I have to admit, my favourite thing to do when I go out is to order a bunch of appetizers and try a little bit of everything. I find that local restaurants have the best options, which make them even better! Now let’s talk about the service. To me this is very important, especially because tipping is becoming more expected nowadays and the percentage suggested is becoming higher. I have noticed recently that the suggested minimum tip amount in most restaurants has gone from 10 per cent to 15 per cent. I have seen tipping suggestions for fast food restaurants in some

locations.

In Canada, service staff earns at least minimum wage no matter what. To me, tipping is based on your service. I want to get good service, be checked on occasionally get offered drink refills, and I want to feel comfortable making requests. Another thing I would like to see is the choice to tip either the service staff or the kitchen staff, because sometimes you can have bad servers but amazing food or vice versa.

Another thing I want in restaurant options is different things to explore. For someone like me who enjoys travel, picking a local restaurant helps me explore the community, culture, and the location of

wherever I am! When I am travelling alone or visiting family and friends, picking a good restaurant is the perfect way to hang out, catch up, and spend the night. Typically when you are travelling you can find local restaurants downtown where you get the chance to enjoy your meal, your company, and maybe explore the city as well. You can even do a little hop from restaurant to restaurant, or the restaurant may have an event or activity to do like an arcade, bingo night, or karaoke. Things like that are a great way to spend your time.

Even in Regina, if you are staying here and looking for a fun night out you can find restaurants with activities. A few of my gotos are the arcade at Birmingham’s, Singo at The Tap, or even restaurant-hopping. In downtown Regina we have a few good places such as Victoria’s Tavern, Fat Badger, and Lancaster.

Even if you are just travelling to Regina or areas around Regina such as provincial parks and lakes, you can always enjoy something local. Be sure to check out local ice cream shops! In Regina Beach you can enjoy fish and chips at the Blue Bird Café which serves up a recipe that’s over 90 years old. That is what I call unique!

writer

“

For someone like me who enjoys travel, picking a local restaurant helps me explore the community, culture, and the location of wherever I am!” – Victoria Baht

The hard work of love

you they are independent of you. They’re a person with their own will, not an object to re-shape at your will.

In essence, this is queer love.

I’m going to write about one of my favourite types of love. This love doesn’t have to be romantic or sexual – or either of the two, honestly – and it’s one of the most fulfilling ways to approach the world that I’ve ever had the pleasure to experience.

This love is a curious love. It’s an acceptance that people will always surprise you, that you can’t know another person’s every thought, but the beautiful curiosity to want

The existence of this love can help to explain some of what anti-trans hate and general homophobia are really rooted in, because one huge aspect of both is objectification. If a person doesn’t fit into traditional (*cough* heteronormative, misogynistic, colonial-value-based *cough*) categories, some more ‘traditional’ folk decide that if they won’t act like a ‘proper’ person, they don’t have to be treated like a person at all.

These sorts of situations will not be getting less common in the coming days. If anything, these situations will increase as right-wing bigots worldwide also witness this, as they see others like them be allowed to bully, abuse, and attack anyone of a different worldview than their own. Rather than having interest in any sort of love, this approach encourages violence in the face of difference.

One incredibly important caution I’d like to leave you with through this piece is to not underestimate those on the farright. It doesn’t matter how stupid their ideas, stances, or practices may seem to

being terrorized by their neighbours and law enforcement, they were tired of watching their friends die from brutal beatings or preventable sexually transmitted infections, and they were left with no option but to fight back in a war they didn’t ask for.

Megan Gorsalitz curated the Pride on the Prairies exhibit featured through the Diefenbaker Centre in 2021, and she included much Saskatchewan-specific history in the overview. Regina’s first pride week was in 1989, but Saskatoon didn’t follow until 1995. Saskatchewan didn’t legalize same-sex marriage until 2005. It wasn’t possible to mark one’s gender as non-bina-

to get to know them for a lifetime as they really are. To be willing to invest in their growth repeatedly and to understand that growth will change them, and to support what’s best for them when ‘what’s best’ changes through the course of a friendship (and in a healthy one, it will).

This love is work to not impose your will on somebody else, to not require that they exist in a certain way in order for you to love them, but to embrace the multiple ways they can be in this world and to work to help them find joy in their being. Some people see nurturing as a gardener pruning plants, but this approach doesn’t mean you get to decide which aspects of themself another person should have removed or which direction they should grow in.

A ruthless gardener makes for great produce, not good people. Nurturing means helping to create a healthy environment that you participate in, it’s an ecosystem that collaborates – the most natural thing in the world. You do not get to dictate how that support system works but you can explore whether or not you have a healthy place in it. You acknowledge and respect that others have autonomy, and even if in a friendship or relationship with

That’s when those folk go into ruthless gardener mode. Working quickly and violently, they try to keep someone else inside a box so they can control and benefit from whatever growth they allow to occur. Typically, only growth that benefits the ruthless gardener is permitted. They want a god-like control over nature instead of accepting they exist in nature; they could be a healthy part of the ecosystem but instead they act like a parasite.

You can see this rapid, ruthless violence in places like Glendale, California at a school board meeting. The board was

you – you thinking someone’s perspective is stupid doesn’t mean they as an individual are stupid. Far-right fascists are known globally for being intelligent, organized, ruthless, and very well-financed. They are incredibly motivated to make sure that the way the world works doesn’t change one bit because they benefit from it, and they stand to lose those benefits if people begin growing for their own good rather than the good of the ruthless gardeners.

Embodying queer love is vitally important right now because of the sheer amount of force coming from those in po-

ry on a Saskatchewan driver’s license until 2019. The majority of people have been alive for longer than queer people have had any semblance of rights, and these rights can very quickly be ripped away if we don’t have queer people and allies acting quickly and powerfully in this moment to protect them.

To start the ‘fighting back’ that our generations are facing now, we must boldly embody queer love everywhere possible. Not just in romantic and sexual relationships, but with everyone we encounter. Go about your life acting as a part of nature in

voting early in June to decide whether or not to officially make June pride month (for the fifth year in a row) this year, and there were 2SLGBTQIA+ supporting parents outside the school advocating for it when right-wing fascists descended on the group, physically intimidating and assaulting those who supported. Some of the group protesting 2SLGBTQIA+ rights were later discovered to be members of the Proud Boys. Not parents of children at the school, not people involved with the Glendale community, just militant intimidators trying to enforce their social order on others.

sitions of power to squelch the growth it brings. Queer love is a force of nature, it is nurturing and revitalizing and welcoming, and is under immense attack right now for the disruption it can bring because our status quo at the moment is not nurturing, revitalizing, or welcoming. The status quo is for people to behave like objects, to serve functions for those in power, to do what they’re told without question; none of the steps of that model incorporate love.

The first pride was a riot because it fucking had to be. The first pride was a riot because queer individuals were tired of

your ecosystems, protect yourself and others from ruthless gardeners, and be loud in your pride. The celebrations, club nights, and parades are important – it’s hard to have a fulfilling life without joy and community – but never forget that pride was first a riot.

Never forget that these rights can be ripped away in a fraction of the time it took to fight for them. Never forget the ruthlessness of those who are in power and looking to stay there. Never forget that while we must love, we must fight for what we love.

holly funk editor-in-chief

We’ve always been here and we’re (yes, still) not going anywhere

Notice how happy and calm everyone looks, unlike every fascist rally you’ve ever seen. Photo: Can Pac Swire via Flickr

“

Queer love is a force of nature, it is nurturing and revitalizing and welcoming, and is under immense attack right now for the disruption it can bring because our status quo at the moment is not nurturing, revitalizing, or welcoming.”

– Holly Funk

Every year in Regina, just like clockwork, the weather surprises us Rain in Regina

nazeemah noorally staff writer

As an international student who arrived in Regina last year, the surprises brought by the city’s annual deluge have been eye-opening. Having grown up in Mauritius, a small tropical island nestled in the Indian Ocean off the Eastern Coast of Africa, adjusting to Regina’s climate has certainly been an ongoing and intriguing experience for me.

Poles apart in two different continents, Mauritius and Canada share a surprising commonality: the annual rainfall. While Mauritius, tagged as a tropical paradise, boasts of a warm and inviting climate, it is yet prone to annual cyclones. Meanwhile, Regina, Saskatchewan, known for its extreme weather conditions, encounters a distinct yet comparable natural phenomenon - the annual deluge. In this op-ed, let’s explore the fascinating nature of rain; a natural occurrence that never fails to make its presence felt.

I always heard about the tales of Saskatchewan’s extreme weather conditions but, this time, I had the opportunity to witness it firsthand. As the seasons unfolded, I got to experience the unpredictable nature of the province’s climate. From bone-chilling winters to scorching summers, its climate is a force to be reckoned with. I quickly realized that the weather, especially the annual rainfall here, demands attention and consideration. With too much rain, we get flash floods! With too little of it we get wildfires, and the “land of living skies” turn into an orange and smoky landscape reminiscent of Mars. So, how much rain is enough? The City of Regina experiences an annual rainfall of 537 mm. With such a

substantial amount of precipitation, it is no surprise that the city encounters challenges related to water management, drainage systems, and road conditions during and after heavy rainfall.

aimed at improving infrastructure, just add another layer of complexity to this already challenging instance as commuters make their way through detours and temporary closures. Low-lying areas and streets such

ment, promoting community awareness, and advocating for sustainable infrastructure at least as a viable long-term goal. For instance, the city can organize workshops and educational initiatives that provide the residents with information on water conservation and stormwater management. Local organizations should collaborate with the city to host public events to facilitate open discussions while working towards a more conscious community. Simple yet vital flood protection tips should be provided to homeowners.

The monitoring of basements for signs of water infiltration should be considered. Safety precautions like properly storing hazardous materials, elevating electronics off the basement floor, and ensuring sewer caps are in place should not be neglected. Moreover, outdoor measures like clearing gutters and downspouts of debris should be enforced. Eco-friendly practices should be adopted, and emergency response plans should be developed to address the impact of heavy rainfall, including swift and effective deployment of emergency services so that public safety is at optimum during such extreme weather events.

Flash floods overwhelm drainage systems as streets become waterlogged, navigation becomes treacherous, and the city’s infrastructure is put to test. Drainage on streets has been an ongoing issue for years, and another instance is delays in transit caused by heavy rain. On top of all that, Regina faces the additional challenge of road construction during the summer months. The road construction projects,

as Scarth Street or the Albert Street underpass become susceptible to water accumulation, resulting in obvious road blockages and further waiting times during rush hour.

But, if we let nature take its course, how do we better prepare ourselves as residents of Regina? Well, it’s high time to pave the way for effective solutions. This means empowering residents with knowledge about responsible water manage-

We need to learn to disagree without alienating Pride and prejudice in Edmonton

A teacher in Edmonton recently sparked controversy by accusing some Muslim students of not being Canadian enough because they chose not to attend a pride event due to their religious beliefs. This incident highlighted the issues of xenophobia, homophobia, and transphobia that are pretty common (especially in education) in society today. It is now more crucial than ever to address these forms of hate, especially in the role of educators who have the responsibility to shape the future members of our society.

The foundation of any country lies in accepting and celebrating our differences. While individuals are entitled to their own beliefs and opinions, it is highly disrespectful to demean others based on personal or religious beliefs and invites the worst kind of behavior among those in positions of power. When a nation begins to impose legal restrictions on people’s existence, particularly when they pose no threat to public safety, it creates the worst version of society that can exist.

The Edmonton teacher involved in this incident failed to understand the role of an educator in such a scenario. True education requires not only teaching but also learning, especially when individuals from different cultures or religions express that certain practices clash with their beliefs. This teacher had the opportunity to

foster understanding and promote acceptance among students by addressing this situation. By doing so, the school could have become a more inclusive space for all students, regardless of their backgrounds. This incident reflects the growing division in society where it often feels like different groups are pitted against each other, each seeking their own interests without considering the well-being of others and ignoring the fact they are being no better than the

other groups causing harm and spewing more hatred.

As someone with a disability, I have personally experienced the struggle for acceptance and equal rights. For a long time, disabled individuals fought against the notion that it was merciful to end their lives due to their condition. Unfortunately, some people still hold such beliefs. The education system now addresses these issues, but it took me until university to gain

To crown it all, while it may seem daunting to strike a balance between too much and too little rain, we must acknowledge that nature plays a vital role in maintaining harmony with our ecosystem. Rain as a natural resource nourishes the land and sustains life. Rather than attempting to control or manipulate rainfall, our focus should instead be geared toward adapting and preparing ourselves for its variations. So, while the recurring challenges brought by the heavy annual rainfall are no laughing matter, we can certainly make a splash with our preparedness!

a comprehensive understanding of queer history, despite the fact that same-sex marriage was legalized in Canada when I was around nine years old. It has been nearly two decades since then, and while I see more young people embracing their queer identities, it is the responsibility of educators to create an environment where future generations can be accepted and thrive. This collective effort is essential for ensuring equal rights for all marginalized groups. In order to achieve a better future, we must work together to prevent those who refuse to grow and change from impeding the progress of future generations. It is through collaboration and education that we can pave the way for a society where all groups have equal rights and opportunities. Let us strive to build a world where acceptance and inclusivity are cherished values, allowing every individual to live their lives authentically and without fear of discrimination.

Canada is described as a mosaic where all these pieces that make us unique create a beautiful picture when together. As American beliefs of the melting pot infect Canadian society, we need to be extra vigilant about holding our own beliefs. After all, when they were blanketed with the smoke from our wildfires this week, the only points on conversation they had was how their air quality sucked. If America can’t be bothered to care beyond themselves, then the last thing we need is their culture ruining ours.

How is there always more water on the streets than we actually get in rain?

Photo: Angela de Marco via Flickr

If only people could learn to love one of these symbols without hating or belittling the other.

katlyn richardson contributor