The Navigator Vol 47 Issue 05

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Vol 47

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Campus Vandalism

Col. Hadfield inspires young minds on campus

Squash the seasonal blues with VIU's Farmer's Market

Students concerned about recent vandalism to design department's class project installation.

Hadfield dreamed of being an astronaut at nine years old, watching the moon landing on TV.

Experiencing local food means working with nature, not against it, and learning to appreciate the very ground that we walk on.

contents

NEWS

FEATURES 08

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08 04Review: The Thing About Book Dying

08 Editorials

ARTS 14 08 08 04 vandalism Campus

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Battle of the blood clubs: VIU vs. UVic

VIU Services: Students working for you

Nanaimo stage set to show Broadway favourite

Col. Hadfield inspires young minds on campus

Everyday earth: Building bridges—uniting the environment and the economy

An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth book review

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06 Political youth groups continue to reach out

Sharing and the time of Thanksgiving

Harbourfront Library re-opening

18 Go hard or go home Mariner schedule

Orange crash and burn

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SPORTS & LIFESTYLE

16 Netflix and chill: The Invention of Lying Cultural art display open to students

19 08 04 Clippers games October The toonie that moved mountains

20 "Fall back" into a healthy sleep schedule Mental health matters: Finding the right counsellor Alyssa's slow cooker chili Colour me interested

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Tobacco, alcohol, and drug awareness conference open to students

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Point of VIU

Bioshock game review

CHLY Fun Drive

The rantings of a half-breed girl: Allyson Anderson to speak in Arts and Humanities lecture series

Tenth annual urban issues film festival

21 Squash the seasonal blues with VIUs Farmers' Market Rising from the ashes: the journey to quit smoking

Political estro-jection

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There's something about Sophie

23 Calendar

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CON T EN TS

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letters

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CONTRIBUTORS Sebastian Barkovic Alison Cheung Reid Eccles Farida El Sheshingy Gordon Hak Zoe Lauckner Don LePan Jordan Peterman

Lauren Rogers Spensor Smith Chantelle Spicer Sarah Torgerson Miranda Wallace Rob Wilson

THE NAVIGATOR IS

THE NAVIGATOR WELCOMES READER CONTRIBUTIONS

Molly Barrieau Editor-in-Chief

Emily Johnston Graphic Designer

Kaytee Davis Art Director

Avery Crosson Graphic Designer

Alexandria Stuart Associate Editor

Gabby Fleming, Shaina Bolduc Ad/Sales Rep

You don’t have to be a journalist to get published in The Navigator. We encourage creators to submit poetry, art, comics, photo essays, editorial cartoons, and coverage of club events on campus.

Megan Wolfe Social Media Sp.

Send any inquiries or content to <editor@thenav.ca> or visit <thenav.ca>.

Antony Stevens Web Editor

All submissions must be original work of the author.

Editors reserve the right to refuse submissions, and to edit for space or clarity. Letters to the editor should be no more than 400 words in length. The Navigator does not pay for letters. Opinions expressed in The Navigator are expressly those of the author and/or artist and do not reflect the views of The Navigator staff.

Alyssa Morton Arts Editor Natalie Gates News Editor Catherine Charlebois Sports & Lifestyle Editor Kelly Whiteside Production Manager

Lynne Williams Bookkeeper Christine Franic Business Manager

Lori Shwydky Copy Editor

900 Fifth St. Bldg. 193, rm. 217 Nanaimo, BC, V9R 5S5 T: 250-753-2225 F: 250-753-2257

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editorials

PM JT

Molly Barrieau Editor-in-Chief So, I do realize that we, as Canadians, already know this. Yes, our new PM is a sight for sore eyes. I mean, he always has been, but until news broke about Canada’s election to the rest of the world, no one else really cared.

Justin, or JT as I like to call him, is that really good guy you friend-zoned, then after one summer away at camp, JT returns for senior year a foot taller, grew chest hair, and POOF, everyone and their mom is talking about his pecks.

But you still remember him before he was popular, before People Magazine, The Mirror, Huffpost Canada, and Independent began gossiping. A quick Google search including the words “Trudeau”, “PM,” and “hot” now garners almost eight million hits.

Media all over the world is rejoicing at this chance to exploit Canada’s “friend that’s a boy”, gathering photos comparing JT to Prince Eric from The Little Mermaid, a “grown-up Hogwarts student”, and even the statue of David carved from marble.

My mother, who has seen firsthand over the years the (albeit grey) likeness of our PM’s, is relieved that for the first time, our newly elected does not resemble her father, a WASP (white Anglo-Saxon Protestant) of Ontario. No offence to you, grandpa, but there is something comforting and bright about a leader who still has all of his dark, lustrous locks. However, one can only assume how JT might age during his time in office, when you see comparison photos to Pierre Trudeau—his father.

I mean, when your dad is “The Canadian Newsmaker of the 20th Century”, there are certain expectations. When Pierre stepped onto the scene back in the 60s, the world was enthralled.

Accentuated by the counterculture of the decade, the man at the PMO was the most eligible bachelor in the country. Then came Margaret Sinclair, flower-child to a former Liberal Party leader, and oh-so-perfect for Canada’s Pierre. Again, the media took this opportunity to showcase his family like royalty. Luckily for Margaret and Pierre, Twitter had yet to be hatched, and no one could start trending #Trudeaumania.

JT, like his dad, is a straight-shooter, confident, and openhearted, giving the public a lot to drink in. As websites scour for tweets about our PILF (Prime Minister I’d like to f―), many Canadians are beginning to wonder if Pierre’s time in office, with JT only 12 years old, inspired the young Trudeau into the leader he will be.

Unfortunately for us, JT is happily married to (the prettiest) First Lady Sophie. Who, you can’t deny, is a catch, and is featured in our spread, along with other wives before her. In case JT isn’t really your thing, we’ve got a whole lot of Chris Hadfield on his book and recent visit to VIU on page 5 and 15.

The scourge of The Premature Merger

Alexandria Stuart Associate Editor

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EDI TOR I A L S

We’ve all seen it happen. The construction-triggered special one-day-onlypop-up-surprise merge road signs appear, and cars immediately force their way from the right to the left lane; it’s not so much a merge as a game of Chicken. Ahead, the right lane stretches, vast and empty, for a full block, to where the truck with the pointy arrow sits flashing, “Go left, go left.” But it’s too late. Like a left-lurching wave of lemmings, they’ve already gone: The Premature Mergers.

Those signs are laid out well ahead for a reason. They’re planting a seed, giving drivers a chance to get used to the idea: “Hey guys, this is coming up, but no need to stress. You’ve got time. Relax, find your neutral space, you’ll come together when the time is right.” Those signs, they’re a warning, not a call to action.

The problems arise when they aren’t read that way. Panic ensues and the forced merge activity—all higgledy-piggledy—creates dangerous situations in crosswalks and intersections. Lanes are changed over solid white lines, exactly what the nice people who lay out those signs are trying to avoid. It’s The Merge of Chaos.

The ideal model for merging, according to the law and driving instructors, is The Zipper. It’s built on calm and courtesy. The Responsible Merger follows those rules, proceeding carefully through to the end of the right lane, watching for an opening. His compatriots in the left lane have kindly fallen back to create space, just enough for him to execute his merge as God intended: The Zipper Merge.

Look at your coat or your pants and regard the zipper. Observe how the teeth slide peacefully together and proceed to join the sides of your garment, in bliss, as one. It could be like that on our roadways if we all played by the same rules and came together with calm and gratitude.

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The Premature Merger disregards the premise of The Zipper. It may be lack of education, a sense of entitlement, or self-righteousness, but they will yield the space they’ve staked out in the left lane over their cold, dead bodies.

Resentment has kicked in. The Premature Merger feels like they’ve been cheated. They don’t see a vehicle proceeding calmly down the roadway in anticipation of the appropriate time to engage in the merge; they see a Grease-style race down Thunder Road where they’re left behind, in the dust, with Sandy and the rest of the Pink Ladies.

When that resentment clashes with an approach of responsibility, space dissolves as the right lane shudders and hiccups. Flow becomes stasis, and the dance of The Merge grinds to a halt like fabric caught in the teeth of a zipper.

Why can’t we all just come together as one? Consistent application of The Wave could go a long way toward healing this rift, this Clash of the Mergers. So much can be cured by a simple, kindly upward flick of the hand. The Wave says, “I’m not a jerk who cut you off.” It says, “I sought space and you kindly granted it to me. And for that I thank you.” Courtesy and consideration, that’s the key to bliss on our roads my friends.

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Battle of the blood clubs: VIU vs. UVic Natalie Gates

VIU’s Blood Club is challenging the University of Victoria’s The Navigator (UVic) club, Blood4Life, with the claim that VIU can recruit more donors than UVic.

Both clubs focus on raising awareness of the need for blood donors, providing education, and helping out with blood drives. UVic’s club currently has more donors, as it has been established longer that VIU’s, but nursing student and chair of the Blood Club Scott Remmer is determined to change that.

“I’m currently calling it ‘Operation Bad Blood,’” Remmer said. “I want to start a bit of rivalry between the two schools.”

Chair of UVic’s club Darcy New said they would be more than willing to participate in this rivalry. “We have a group of about 25-30 existing volunteers and have recruited and trained 34 new members this year.”

Remmer is planning on making the club’s presence bigger on campus by holding tables where they will provide information and sign-up sheets for potential donors every two weeks in the lead up to blood drives in the area. In the Nanaimo region, there are blood drives every 56 days, which are run by Blood Services Canada. The club will have tables set up in both the upper and lower cafeteria on November 10 from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. and the next blood drive is November 17, 18, and 19 at Beban Park Social Centre.

“If we can’t have the drives on campus, I would like to get busses or shuttles to run from campus to the blood drives,” Remmer said. “We’re also going to get the art department involved with making more posters about the club and blood drives. But I don’t think posters have enough of an impact, so that is

why I’m challenging UVic. I don’t want to just be the person that sets up the tables and does all the normal crap everyone always does.”

Remmer believes that misunderstandings about the realities of the blood donating process prevent people from signing up. “Things such as how much time donating takes steer people away, but it is actually only an hour from when you get in the door to when you leave with your cookies,” he said. “People are unaware; they don’t know what to expect and aren’t informed of what the process is. They think it will be more painful, but it only takes a few minutes to take the blood. The thing that takes the majority of the time is the questionnaire and test to make sure you qualify to donate. Plus, you can sit and eat cookies as long as you want; they won’t kick you out.”

Last year, Blood Services Canada declared that

the country’s blood supply was at a six-year low.

These donations are needed for a large variety of injuries and illnesses, from victims of car accidents, to chemotherapy patients, and those going through dialysis.

“I think a lot of people feel desensitized about the issues because they don’t have time to think about how you or your family could need blood in the future,” Remmer said.

Email Remmer at <s_remmer@yahoo.ca> with the subject line “minions for the blood club” to get involved with the club, and drop by the club’s table on November 10 for further information, or to sign-up to be a donor. Visit Blood Service Canada’s website or call the Service at 1-888-2-DONATE (1-888-236-6283) for more information.

VIU Blood Club signs that were “vandalized” by UVic’s Blood4Life Club.

Scott Remmer

COL. HADFIELD INSPIRES YOUNG MINDS ON CAMPUS “GO TO A PLACE THAT ALLOWS YOU TO PURSUE FREELY WHAT’S IN YOUR HEART, AND NOTICE IT.” Malaspina Theatre filled up with eager students and faculty on a sunny The Navigator afternoon on October 20. The sold-out event hosted Colonel Chris Hadfield, engineer, musician, author, YouTuber, public speaker, and first Canadian astronaut to walk in space.

With a long list of achievements under his belt, Hadfield has continued his support of learning by visiting and Skyping with students of all ages across Canada to inspire and remind young learners of their unlimited potential.

Hadfield began by explaining to the audience what it was like to put on the spacesuit every day, a process that took almost four hours. “Have something to eat,” he said. “There’s no food in the suit and you’re going to be in it for about ten hours.”

Hadfield used realistic metaphors to illustrate his spacewalk in a very attainable way that made listeners feel like they had experienced it themselves. He took the audience out, easily creating a vivid picture of the spacewalk, and the moments he had with the universe, himself, and NASA.

“You’re holding onto the spaceship with one hand,” Hadfield says, “and this whole world, this gigantic world is turning next to you. It is every colour and texture that exists.”

“It is so visually powerful that it stops thought,” he adds.

“It is stupefying.”

Molly Barrieau

“Space is the endless choice of everything.”

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Molly Barrieau

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The universe, he says, as you turn your head away from Earth, is so “velvety black” it feels like, if you stuck your hand out, it would come back “covered in the universe.”

Keeping the enormity of space light-hearted, Hadfield joked,“If you get the chance to do a spacewalk, I really recommend it.”

Hadfield dreamed of being an astronaut at nine years old, after watching the moon landing on TV. However, Canada did not have a space program. Hadfield went into Air Cadets, learning to fly gliders and power planes in his teens; continued to military college at Royal Roads University, joining the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF); and then exchanged to the University of Tennessee Space Institute.

“I have been incredibly privileged as a Canadian,” he said. “People have taught me things my whole life.”

Hadfield believes that because of the opportunities given to him, visiting schools nationally allows him to inspire Canadian youth to stop limiting themselves at an early age, eliminating the possibilities for their futures.

“Part of my responsibility as a Canadian is to let other people see the fringe possibilities that actually exist, that our country has built, as choices that we can make.”

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Political youth groups continue to reach out Natalie Gates

The election is over, Justin Trudeau is being sworn in The Navigator as Prime Minister as this paper hits stands, and Sheila Malcolmson is gearing up to establish NDP plans as Nanaimo’s new MP. So what are Nanaimo’s youth partisan groups planning to do?

“We want to keep engaging youth that have Liberal values,” said Avi Dixit, member of the Young Liberals of Nanaimo. “We want to continue with the idea of positive politics, and stay present.”

The Young Liberals are a nationwide partisan group not associated with the university’s students’ union.

“We worked with Tim Tessier when he was running to be Nanaimo’s MP,” said Arjan Manhas, who is also a member of the Young Liberals of Nanaimo.

“I was Tim’s Facebook Manager, and Avi helped campaign with youth.”

The group also plans to get more youth in the area involved and meet once a month to socialize and talk about politics, as well as arising federal policies. The organization has ties with VIU’s Political Society Club and will meet with them to plan events.

“The stakes were high for youth before the election, but they still are now,” Manhas said.

VIU’s NDP Club is also planning to stay involved with their party.

“A few ideas thus far include working with

the VIU Political Society to have ‘meet your MP’ events a couple of times a semester for students to voice their concerns and issues to our member of parliament [Sheila Malcolmson],” said club chair Trevor Dickinson. “We want to work on student policy ideas to present to the federal NDP, and have social democratic movie nights and fundraising for local charities that align with NDP values.”

Both groups agreed that youth involvement in the election was a driving force for change, illustrated by the amount of voters that showed up at the polls at VIU’s student residence.

Resident Life Assistant Manager Kelly Muir said having polling stations on residence helped draw in more voters because it was easy to access.

“We had a line up for the majority of the day, beginning in the early afternoon and running right until the end of the polling period,” she said. “We also had confirmation of residence letters prepared in advance, and sent notice to the students about the process. We just made it more accessible to students who may not be familiar with Nanaimo yet. I really think the increase in voters was largely due to the mobilization of students in general across Canada.”

The voter turnout across the country was 68.5 per cent, meaning 17.6 million of 25.6 million eligible voters cast ballots—the highest turnout since 1993.

In the Nanaimo-Ladysmith riding, turnout was 71.4 per cent, a 6.2 per cent increase from the 2011 federal election.

Arjan Manhas with Justin Trudeau at the Port Theatre in May 2013.

Arjan Manhas

HARBOURFRONT LIBRARY RE-OPENING

Peter Wong

Alison Cheung

After six months of renovations, the Nanaimo Harbourfront Library is Contributor back up and running.

Built in 1996, the Harbourfront Library “was due for some updates,” said Abbas Saffari, Branch Manager. Initially, the building was simply used as storage for books, but now it is “more active.”

The second floor has been completely remodeled to become what is now called the Creativity Commons—a facility where individuals or small groups can use up-to-date computers and gadgets. The space consists of three areas: Story Lab, Make and Break Lab, and Family History. All are free to the public and intended to promote learning.

The Story Lab boasts an espresso book machine, which is exactly what it sounds like: a bookmaker. Simply insert a USB stick, and the machine will convert a Word document into a printed book—completely bound and covered. The section also includes studio quality headphones, USB microphones, and HD

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Camcorders for those who are interested in recording music or podcasts. There is also a VHS converter available.

Aptly named, The Make and Break Lab is for tinkering. “It has special computers about the size of a credit card where people can come and connect wires and program it, and things like that,” said Saffari. The section also includes a large flat screen TV that people can use to prepare for presentations.

The Family History area contains an impressive Genealogy collection and a computer with access to <ancestry.com>, which allows people to search their family history. Customers can print off relevant information using the scanners and printers which are conveniently placed in the vicinity. In addition, the section boasts an extensive collection of old Nanaimo newspapers on microfilm—most of which are exclusive and not available for viewing online.

Downstairs, “everything is new,” Saffari said. “The flooring, the lighting, the colour scheme, and the furniture are all new.”

Shorter shelves allow more natural light to come in. “The library

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Peter Wong

is so bright and open since we got rid of the tall shelves,” he adds.

The computer area is equipped with 32 public computers, which “have proved to be very popular,” according to the manager.

Due to the “soft opening,” Saffari says that turnover is quiet at the moment; however, he expects it to pick up once people realize that Harbourfront is open for business. Previously, the branch would see approximately 700 to 1000 customers a day, far more than what they are seeing at the moment. He hopes the celebration happening on November 7, will inform the public of their re-opening.

The celebration is from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Guests can expect a fun celebration with music, refreshments, and snacks. There will be a blessing with First Nations elders, and a short speech by Board members. For the kids, the Kerplunks will be performing as well. Everyone is welcome.

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TOBACCO, ALCOHOL, AND DRUG AWARENESS CONFERENCE OPEN TO STUDENTS

10TH ANNUAL URBAN ISSUES FILM FESTIVAL Natalie Gates

Natalie Gates

What roles have tobacco, alcohol, and drugs played in society throughout The Navigator history? How are advertisements for such products directed toward children? And how will new policies surrounding marijuana affect the economy? These questions—and more—will be addressed at VIU’s Alcohol, Tobacco, and Drug Use History, Policy, and Regulation Symposium November 5-7.

Over the three days, the public is welcome to listen to keynote speakers presenting research on different policies and legal cases surrounding the history of tobacco, alcohol, and drugs, as well as pose questions and comments about the issues themselves. Each day will focus on one of these three topics.

In addition, there will be round-table discussions for speakers to talk about their research and findings before their presentations, which students can sign up to attend ahead of time if there are available seats.

“It will be of interest to students in the social sciences, health sciences, marketing, and history,” said Cheryl Warsh, the coordinator of the event and history professor at VIU. “It will touch on research in all these areas.”

The history, policies, and case studies of various issues surrounding tobacco, drugs, and alcohol touched on will date as far back as the 1840s up to present day. For example, marketing for such products targeted toward children is one of the topics discussed. “There was a huge lawsuit in Quebec against three major tobacco companies, when they knew tobacco was a health

risk, but advertisements didn’t reflect that in the 1950s, 60s, and 70s,” Warsh said. “Historians on both sides went through all of the ads and private reports, and found that they targeted eight to 10 year olds.”

Warsh compares this to the marketing of products such as Palm Bay. “It’s directed at young girls because it tastes just like pop,” she said. “Palm Bay has craft competitions; grown-ups don’t do crafts. And the website features people that look like they could be young teenagers.”

Policies and effects of the medical marijuana industry will also be discussed, with speakers such as Philippe Lucas from Tilray, a medical marijuana dispensary. This topic may hold even more relevance with the possible legalization of marijuana the Liberal Government plans to bring in, Warsh said.

“That plan has opened a door, and at some point the government is going to want to get involved and tax like they do with alcohol and tobacco,” she said.

The Conference is on the Nanaimo campus in the Royal Arbutus Room on Thursday, and the Library Board Room in bldg.

305 on Friday and Saturday. A full program schedule of the threeday conference is at <wordpress.viu.ca/limi> under “Upcoming Conferences.”

If students would like to attend the roundtable discussions with the speakers before their presentations or evening receptions, contact Warsh at <cheryl.warsh@viu.ca>.

Political estro-jection Lauren Rogers

While women are increasingly becoming more involved in politics, they are Contributor still disproportionally represented. An election follow-up event titled “Women and Politics” was hosted at the Grand Hotel in Nanaimo on October 25 that addressed the issue.

The lecture was organized by Equal Voice, a national, multi-partisan organization whose mandate is to promote the election of more women to every level of government. Speakers included Grace Lore, a PhD candidate and national board member, and Carolyn Jack, chair of Equal Voice’s BC chapter.

The event strived to educate its attendees on the gender disparity found in Canadian politics. The talk was well-attended, drawing dozens of men and women of varying age groups and stature. Present in the crowd, and eager to share their experience on the topic, were City of Nanaimo past and present councillors Diane Brennan and Diana Johnstone, as well as newly elected MP Sheila Malcolmson.

Equal Voices’ national Board member Grace Lore began the event stating that in this year’s election, there were 11 more women elected than in Canada’s previous federal election. “Due to the seats gained in this election, Canada is now beneath the United Nations’ minimum level of women in government,” she said.

Lore identified two major obstacles, which hinder the quest for gender equality in Canadian government:

1. There are not enough women running. In this election, the NDP had two times the female candidates than the Conservatives, which created huge disparity in gender representation nationwide.

On Vancouver Island, due to the prevalence of the Green Party and the NDP, half of the MPs are women, yet, in regions dominated by other parties, gender inequality in government is much more apparent. Lore stated, “We need more women running for all parties.”

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2. Even when women do run, they aren’t being elected. Lore said the problem isn’t that women can’t get votes, as 80 per cent of Canadians want more women on the ballot, but instead that Canadians need to be more aware of the distribution of political resources. Lore explains that, often due to their historically disadvantaged position in Canadian society, women running for government don’t have the means or the experience essential to establishing an effective campaign.

A reoccurring topic between both Brennan and Johnstone was harassment in the workplace. Politics was described as a balancing act for women, as females involved are constantly stuck in a dichotomy of labels. Women with power are almost always perceived negatively, and consequently labeled as weak, pushy, timid, arrogant, defensive, or passive, for example.

Malcolmson, who has been elected four times locally and once federally, spoke at the end of the event, imploring her audience to get involved and force change in Canadian politics.

To ensure that it doesn’t take the projected 89 years worth of federal elections to reach gender parity in Canadian government, Malcolmson suggested that everyone should pick a party, attend their conferences, and push for proportional representation. She stated that it is up to us, as politically-engaged citizens, to stand up for what’s best for our country, and hold elected representatives accountable.

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The Navigator The 10th annual Urban Issues Film Festival on Friday November 10 will feature films and keynote speakers on housing regeneration.

This free festival, which is planned each year in conjunction with World Town Planning Day, is sponsored by the Planning Institute of BC North Island Chapter, the VIU Geography department, the Geographic Students’ Union, and the Master of Community Planning program.

“It serves as a great forum for different people to get together to discuss contemporary issues of the city,” as there is a discussion period after each film and after the guest speaker, said VIU Geography professor Don Alexander.

The event features a series of short and longer films. Speakers include Ting Pan from the Regional District of Nanaimo talking about green buildings; and Dave Witty, Vice-President Academic from VIU, as part of the annual Don Stone Lecture on Urban Planning and Design.

“We never stick to the theme religiously, but we’re going to have a lot of films about housing,” Alexander said. “There’s one about shipping containers that are being repurposed for portable housing, and there’s one about Cincinnati and how they’ve recovered from being a roughly-built city.”

The festival began with Alexander’s idea to make sustainability issues surrounding urban areas more interactive for people. “It started when my colleague Pam Shaw, who is in the Geography department and the Master of Community Planning program, was telling me about a conference on urban issues,” he said. “It was being workshopped in City Hall, and I was thinking, it’s always so much more vivid when you see films about these issues come alive.”

In addition to the films and guest speakers, there will be a free pizza and sushi dinner, as well as popcorn and beverages provided by the Geographic Students’ Union.

The event is November 6 from 3 – 9 p.m. on the Nanaimo campus in bldg. 356, rm. 109. Individuals who wish to attend must register and indicate if they plan on bringing a guest at <eventbrite.ca> by clicking on the icon for the festival under “Popular Events”. The full schedule is at <sites.viu.ca/ sustainability/uff2015>.

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Book Review: The Thing About Dying Mildred Tremblay’s The Thing About Dying also has a thing or two to say Contributor about living; for every haunting line that compares cats to heartless murderers, there is another line that reflects on the grace found in the fragility of beating hearts. The book contains Tremblay’s lifetime worth of experience, molded into 84 poems that could only be written by someone who has witnessed countless friends and family members fall into the sleep of winter. Born in 1925 in Kenora, Ontario, Tremblay spent her life in many cities, including Victoria, Edmonton, Montreal, and Toronto, before settling in Nanaimo in 1970. She has won numerous awards for her writing, including the League of Canadian Poets Award, the Arc National Poetry Award, and the Orilla Award for Humour.

Tremblay’s award-winning writing ability is apparent in The Thing About Dying, as each poem contains esoteric insight on the matters of life and death that Tremblay has masterfully decoded with her own everyday happenings.

The Thing About Dying is divided into two sections: “Death,” and “All These Loves.” In “Death,” Tremblay looks at the act of dying through heartache and humour. “Frozen Lakes” depicts a child who is walking across an icy lake with her father while witnessing his metaphorical walk towards death: “puffs of complaint / from my mouth / float into the air / I long to turn around, go back / soon he says, soon / but he hurries on / towards his old age / and death / and nothing I say / can stop him.” In “Parlours,” Tremblay reflects on the absurdness of going to funeral parlours as a child: “Parlours we called them / when I was a child / Funeral parlours / They

Spensor Smith

ORANGE. CRASH.AND. BURN.

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were semi-attached to furniture stores / Say goodbye / to Aunt Mabel / while you shop / for table.” There is lucid insight and humour packed tightly into each poem, yet there is a simplicity in language that makes them fast and easy to digest, and that just might be what makes the book so powerful. Each word doesn’t need to be critically analyzed to feel the impact of the poem. One or two readings is all it takes to fully absorb the blow of Tremblay’s sharp and cunning lines.

In the second section, “All These Loves,” sexuality, love, and religion are the main topics. In “Juncos,” Tremblay imagines two birds on her porch as reincarnations of a monk and a nun: “little monk did you way / lay a little nun / reach under her cape / touch a little nipple / little nun did you kiss him / under the arbors / did you stroke his tail feather / was it lovely / was it worth a lifetime / pecking seeds / in the cold.” Throughout “All These Loves,” Tremblay skillfully transfers between the human and animal world, and blends them seamlessly in a way that powerfully explores what it means to be in love.

In The Thing About Dying, love is shown to be the ultimate antidote to death, and is often what creates the beauty that can be found in dying.

The Thing About Dying is not the type of book that academics drool over. It is not full of tightly wound symbolism that takes years to pick apart and debate. It is a book of poetry that is simple to read, yet stunning in its wisdom and humour, covering the darkest of subjects. Tremblay passed away in October of 2014. In her poem “Reading Obituaries,” she leaves this message: “Loved ones, when you write my obituary, say this: Once, sitting still, she changed into a tiger.”

Sebastian Barkovic

Now that the campaign is over I can finally take out my earplugs.

Contributor (Op-Ed) Heck, I may even schedule an ear cleaning at the doctors since they were in for so long. After all the dog-whistle politics, fear mongering, and fact embellishing by the Conservatives, what else is a guy supposed to do to escape the eternal hell their campaign broadcasted? What was it? Oh yes, I remember—it was the longest federal election campaign since 1872, with a total of 78 days. In comparison, the average federal election campaign is about 45 days.

With my earplugs out, I can finally make sense of the ecstasy I went through. One of the most exciting times in a Poli major’s academic career is on election year. It was an interesting 78 days; every major party was leading the polls at some point.

The roller coaster was all too real. August was the peak of my high—the NDP was in the lead, the weather was fantastic, and the Conservatives were behind. Could you ask for a better end to summer? Like Robert Frost wrote, “nothing gold can stay,” so, for purposes of this article, nothing orange can stay.

It was determined by the CBC pretty early in the evening of October 19 that Justin Trudeau had won a majority. Truthfully, I was hoping for a nail-biter. I wanted to watch some live political theatre, but by the time Atlantic Canada and Quebec were counted, the election was called. There was still some political theatrics, though. Every time Sheila was in the lead, cheers could be heard across campus, and anytime Mark was in the lead, “boos” could be heard. The two semi-proud Conservatives in the room cheered quietly to escape the scorn of judgmental glances thrown like razors at their hearts.

That night, and many days since, my friends, peers, and strangers have been asking me how I feel about the outcome of the election. Truth be told, I had no answer until recently. It took me a while to come up with a good one—maybe because I had to come to terms with the fact that my orange crush turned into an orange crash-and-burn. And a burn it was. They came out with approximately 50 per cent less seats, and Tom Mulcair was not going to be Prime Minister like I was sure he would be.

After much excruciating self-exploration I was finally given the answer I was looking for by my inner self. Depending who it was and how long they had to listen to me, I told them one of three things, or all three combined. My main point

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was how I stood with the position Mulcair took during the campaign; all he wanted was Harper out of office, and then the rest would fall in place. Second, I talk about how Justin ran a sunny campaign which I respected. I am not one to like smear campaigns—half of the time they are lies, and the other half of the time the facts are embellished. Third, and most important, it’s about the smaller picture as well as the bigger picture. By that, I mean Vancouver Island becoming an orange beacon of hope, with the exception of Saanich–Gulf Islands, which Elizabeth May deserves after, garnering 55 per cent of the popular vote; (that’s nearly triple her nearest opponent’s).

But still, six out of seven voting districts on Vancouver Island elected an NDP MP. Although I am still upset, I have to keep a few things in mind.

First, our old buddy Stephen Harper, on his way out said, that voters are never wrong. Second, our new buddy Trudeau admitted the Liberal party had been on the losing side too. Third, our beloved buddy Jack Layton’s first election as leader of the NDP only won 19 seats. So, statistically, Mulcair did better on his first try. Vive l’orange. Naturally, I am looking forward to the next election in 2019; all we can hope is that the orange crash did little damage to the vessel. The hope is we can ride the orange wave to victory. For now, I will keep my eyes on Trudeau and maybe even send him a letter of congratulations.

I will also add something about my friend Kapri having the biggest crush on him (she has a pin with his face on it).

Oh, and for you fellow New Democrats that need some inspiration after the gloomy backdrop of October 19 set over your skies, remember what Layton said: “Don’t let them tell you it can’t be done.” It may take four years, or it may take eight.

Until then, we need to fight the good fight, take heart in the smaller details of the election, and have the conviction to complete the orange prophecy entrusted in us.

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features VIU SERVICES: STUDENTS WORKING FOR YOU Many university programs give The Navigator their students the opportunity to get hands-on experience by offering services to other students, staff, and the public. Since these services provide a learning experience and often take longer than they would elsewhere, costs are typically at a reduced rate. This way, both the students in the program and those using the services benefit.

Some programs at VIU that offer services to the public include Automotive, Dental, Hairdressing, and the Spa Institute.

VIU’s Automotive Shop will work on vehicles that fit into their current curriculum. If your vehicle is in need of immediate attention, it is suggested that you bring it to a different automotive shop. VIU students do not perform auto-body repairs. Students’ work is always inspected by an instructor to ensure it has been done correctly, and all safety-related

Kelly Whiteside

work includes a road test, so the quality of service is equal to what you would receive at any other automotive shop. This on-campus service benefits students who may be low on money, and can be convenient if your appointment is during your classes.

Students from the Dental Assistant and Dental Hygiene programs work together at VIU’s Dental Clinic to provide basic dental services. Services include head and neck examinations; oral health assessments and individualized care planning; radiographs; dental education related to gum disease and cavities, and how to clean your teeth; removal of tartar, plaque, and stains; polishing; fluoride applications; preventive sealants; tooth sensitivity treatments; mouth guards; nutritional analysis; and pain control. A screening is required, in order to become a client. Limited screenings are provided throughout the school year; however, there is one week in February reserved

exclusively for screenings. Appointments at the campus clinic may take longer than typical dentist appointments, and may require more than one visit, but the money saved makes up for time lost. For those who don’t have dental benefits, this is the place to go. It only costs $35 for adults and $20 for children. The clinic is closed during June, July, and August, as well as on statutory holidays.

As part of the Hairdressing program at VIU, there is a hair salon on campus that operates year-round. The students work hands-on in the salon with the supervision and guidance of their teachers. They provide all hair services, including cuts, styles, treatments, perms, colouring, and lightening. The pricing at VIU’s salon is significantly cheaper than other salons, but appointment lengths are limited to allow for lunch time. There’s also a reduced price for senior customers. In addition to hair services, the salon also sells hair products.

The VIU Spa Institute is located in Parksville. Similarly to the VIU hair salon, services are performed by students with supervision from certified licensed instructors. Services offered include manicures and pedicures, waxing, eyebrow shaping, lash and brow tinting, facials, back treatments, massages, make-up applications, and salt glow treatments. The pricing is affordable for a student budget, and the spa only uses professional products on their clients.

Services offered by the Automotive, Dental, Hairdressing, and Spa programs at VIU are available to students as well as the public at reduced rates, and the quality is professional.

By using these services on campus, not only are you saving yourself money for the same result, but you are helping students with their practices.

EVERYDAY EARTH:

BUILDING BRIDGES—UNITING THE ENVIRONMENT AND THE ECONOMY Chantelle Spicer

Humans love creating conflicts between all kinds of Contributor things—head versus heart; science versus religion; matters of race or gender; the environment versus economy etc. It is becoming more apparent, as time goes by, that these battles are completely arbitrary.

There is room for all of these things and humans to co-exist peacefully.

In our recent election, one of these alleged conflicts was placed in the spotlight: maintaining environmental protection while still sustaining a robust economy. This is particularly important in BC where two major projects are contested: The Site C dam and the Northern Gateway Pipeline. Both of these projects claim to be surefire ways to develop the BC economy, creating short and long term employment, profits, and provincial self-sufficiency. On the opposing side, they are scientifically guaranteed to create short and long term environmental disaster for both land and wildlife. It’s a very heated debate, with both sides refusing to budge from their embedded value systems.

Looking at these examples, it is hard to find the bridge leading to compromise. Much has been done over the past five years—especially in regards to the pipeline and dependence on fossil fuels—to create mistrust and fear regarding federal power and economy. It has become clear that our situation, both in Canada and worldwide, demands a transition to an economy that does not put the health of our planet at risk for profit.

A green economy is defined by <earthday.org> as “an economy that results in reducing environmental risk, aiming for sustainable development, and placing value on ecological services.” It rests on the three pillars of a sustainable economy: Increasing community wellbeing (social), the environment, and a prospering economy. This is not a means to an end, but a cyclic system. It will require many changes in value systems within the economic sector, new ways of looking at the environment by all world citizens, and adaptive regulations on all levels of government. The environment is not static; therefore, a green economy cannot be either.

The idea of an economy based on respect for the environment is encouraging to me, but at the same time I’m still apprehensive. I am not entirely sure how I feel about using price mechanisms as a form of environmental protection. I, perhaps naively, wish that humans would want to conserve the environment for its sake and ours, without having a price value attached to it. It makes me wonder who creates these value systems on things like forests or pollinators. What attributes of the environment create a monetary value? Is it spiritual value? Aesthetic value? Biodiversity potential? How does

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this affect our local forestry or aquaculture industry, both of which require growth to become truly sustainable? It seems far too complex of a system, in both meaning and function, to convert into a dollar. Trepidation aside, it seems to be the direction we must take to create some kind of protection for the planet and ourselves.

Economy is something every human society has to take part in, whether capitalist or barter system. Every culture has economy built into it, with each shaping the other into a system of ingrained ideals. Unfortunately, the capitalist economy and culture seems to be pervading all others around the world, increasing the effects of climate change, ecological destruction, and disconnect from the natural world. With a green economy, perhaps it does not have to be this way—the environment and a prospering environment can be its own symbiotic relationship.

Sustainable development is the heartbeat of this type of economy, focusing on cleaner technology, renewable energy, and the creation of a closed-loop system. This can create the opportunity for many levels of community-based explorations and innovations, involving all stakeholders, including residents, on issues of local concern. It also creates a new vision of the planet, recognizing that things outside the community are affected, shifting the perspective to that of a global system, connected through both space and time. This requires a scientific understanding of our ecological systems and how they change alongside humanity in perpetuity.

This scientific understanding has, within Canada, unfortunately been tossed aside over the last 10 years under the Conservative government, with environmental assessment losing credibility, making the hopes for a green economy fruitless.

As of Election Day, that outlook changed along with political power. The Liberal government, led by Justin Trudeau, hopes to create real change and the bridge we are looking for.

His platform for change rests strongly on the two sectors merging, making his success dependent on the reality of a green economy. This includes creating jobs within the clean technology sector, boosting domestic demand for these technologies, and integration of these technologies into natural resource sectors such as forestry. This will include the divestment of Canada’s fossil fuel reliance and subsidy, while at the same time expanding investment into the aforementioned clean technologies. It is quite a feat considering the amount of Canadians who are invested personally in the oil fields of Alberta and depend on this government support for their livelihoods. To assist in this transition, Trudeau plans to invest $300 million per year into producers and innovators of greener technology, which includes training for companies, along with plans to make post-secondary education more affordable.

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This seems like a lot of change. And it is not only federally that so much change could be happening. Sheila Malcolmson, Member of Parliament for the NDP in Nanaimo-Ladysmith, plans to help our local area transition to a more sustainable economy based on clean energy, leading to higher-quality jobs.

She recognizes that Vancouver Island has many success stories in green economy in agriculture, aquaculture, and education, and looks forward to sharing these examples in Ottawa. Malcolmson says she plans to continue on this path and, “advocate for switching fossil fuel subsidies toward renewables, moving away from raw log exports toward value-added forestry, and supporting infrastructure investments in local food processing, public transit, and bike lanes.” She also says there are many partnerships to be developed in creating longterm sustainable jobs in our region that are good for economy and environment.

There is a lot of hope. After hearing numerous accounts of scientific muzzling, the eradication of protection for national parks and waterways, and environmental atrocities over the past decade, I am hopeful, sometimes even in spite of myself.

The plans put out by our current leaders, both federally and locally, are ambitious and exciting. Better yet, they are manageable, as we have seen from countries such as Sweden, who ranked first in a global green economy index and has now set a target for zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

Their goal for this follows the same line of thinking Trudeau seems to be on—focus on green technology such as solar and wind power, transitioning to electric cars, and more reliance on local resources.

Even as I write, my mind is whirling with more questions and more possibilities for change. It is exciting to think about our economic culture supporting the environment, as it should have been all along. Centuries before capitalism, humans thrived, in balance with their local ecologies and its intimate knowledge. I look forward to taking some part, however small, in the transition to this kind of relationship with our planet, and I hope we all do. Becoming more personally invested in our local environments has been scientifically proven to be psychologically beneficial by improving mental health, reducing addictions and violence, and improving productivity in all facets of life. Having an economy enriched by the environment will hopefully prove to be just as effective in improving lives.

You’ll find more information on the Liberal plan to eradicate the conflict between the environment and economy in “A New Plan for Canada’s Environment and Economy” at <liberal.ca>.

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Sharing at a time of Thanksgiving Don LePan Contributor Canadian Thanksgiving is over for another year; American Thanksgiving approaches. The piece below—more a short work of speculative fiction than an essay—is not specific to either one of these.

I know this will be an unpopular argument: I want to speak out against something we have come to accept as part of our community values, as part of our traditions of sharing.

Some may say the matter I bring before you is a trivial one—one that pales beside the great issues of our day. In the big picture, you may say, can it seriously be suggested that the condition of our livestock is an issue meriting our attention?

This is where I beg to differ. Rest assured, I am no extremist; I make no call for the food animals to be “freed” or for we gniebs to eat nothing but plants.

Though I will in a moment be defending the “interests” of humans, I would not for a moment suggest they be accorded “rights.”

If there is one thing in this culture upon which all parties may be relied to agree with, it is the value of community and sharing—for neighbours to show respect and consideration for each other, to give each other the benefit of the doubt, to work together to keep neighbourhoods clean and safe for our children, to support local initiatives as much as national and international ones, to extend a welcome to families new to the neighbourhood. And, of course, for gniebs of all backgrounds to gather together and celebrate Thanksgiving with their families. That is for us a central ritual—a ritual that honours our shared history and all that we share in our national community, as well as the community that goes beyond national borders and the sanctity of life itself.

There are those who believe that the values of individual striving are more important than those of community, but no one is against community—no one is against sharing per se.

I declare myself here and now to be against one form of sharing. I am opposed to the very foundation on which our tradition of Thanksgiving dinner has come to rest.

More specifically—and I do want to be specific—I am opposed to the cruelty that underlies our treatment of the humans, whose consumption has become such a central part of our ritual of sharing at Thanksgiving.

When we gniebs conquered this planet all those centuries ago—and in the process, it seems safe to say, saved the humans from extinction—we faced a set of very difficult questions. Perhaps the most difficult was how to deal with the humans, who had themselves been so dominant for so long. Should we simply consign them wholesale to oblivion, as they themselves, whether through negligence of through wilful slaughter, had often consigned their own inferiors—from Beothuk to Bo to Bororo, from auk to passenger pigeon to rhinoceros? Or should we make a place for them in what would now become a better world—a world of gnieban values, of gnieban striving, of gnieban sharing?

We chose the second, of course. Humans were not

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subjected to wholesale slaughter. They were raised to be productive throughout their useful lives; human life was put into the service of higher values.

But at what cost? Here it is essential to distinguish between the practices of our ancestors and those that have become prevalent in our own day. When gniebs first domesticated the humans we treated them well— virtually every authority is agreed on that point. Their lives might be taken and their blood spilled, but as a rule that occurred at the end of their productive lives and/or in harmony with the natural cycles of harvest and of thanksgiving. Throughout their productive lives they were treated with dignity, even with kindness, in some sense as fellow creatures. They tilled our soil, they tended our crops—and, at the end of their productive lives, their meat graced our tables, and we gave thanks together for the sacrifice of their lives.

Is there anything that can equal the sense of true sharing that comes at Thanksgiving time with family and friends gathered around the table to celebrate the season, and to give thanks for that sacrifice. I may even suggest that such traditions extend to the animals who share themselves with us. We cannot understand their gibberish, of course, but perhaps we may imagine their own gratitude, their own sense of sharing themselves, in gratitude for having been given fruitful lives without suffering. It is to honour that tradition, not to sully it that I ask you to remember how those humans in bygone days were treated throughout their productive lives—with dignity, even with kindness, as our fellow creatures.

And their milk? That is arguably a more complex question, but once the nutritionists weighed in and informed us of how healthful humans’ milk was compared to our own, we could hardly be blamed for arranging a system such as that which survives to the present day. (Humans themselves are known to have put into place a very similar system with a fourlegged species that is believed to have become extinct not long before our arrival on the planet.) By removing the young from the mother, she may be induced to produce more milk, which the superior species may then consume. The young are the unfortunate victims of the process, but so long as their end is brought about quickly and without cruelty, there can be no ethical objection—any more than there can be any reasonable objection to ending any human life quickly and without cruelty.

The problem with all this is that we have not held to these values. Under the name of “tradition” we bring to the table humans that are nothing like the humans of old. I leave to one side the matter of taste—though I confess I can find nothing in the taste of today’s factory-farmed human to compare with the sweet and slightly gamy taste that I can still remember from when I was young. But it is not taste that should concern us—it is morality. The reader may not wish to know the truth, but know it they should. Today’s humans live lives that are hideous to contemplate. They are no longer seen in open fields—robotic devices now

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perform almost every task once assigned to humans.

They live behind closed doors in vast sheds, cramped, confined, and generally in chains; it is only for their milk and flesh that we value them now. The udders of those bred for the dairy industry—their breasts, as once we called them—are painfully distended as a result of the way we have bred them, to produce more milk that can be sold at lower prices. So too the bellies of those bred to gain weight quickly and reach the table as soon as possible; the weight we have bred into them is intensely painful to carry.

Once we know that, it is surely unconscionable not to take some action. To be blunt, it is unconscionable to continue to eat these products of cruelty. If we are to continue, on this and on every Thanksgiving, to glorify the harvest and to accept with grace the humans sacrificed at this special time, we must honour the traditions some of us remember from the time when we were young, when meat and milk were not the products of cruelty, when the traditions of sharing and sacrifice did not entail needless suffering on the part of humans or of other animals, imposed through our own cruelty, throughout the full duration of their lives. We must return to the practices of the past—to a time when we could eat Thanksgiving dinner with a clear conscience, knowing we were consuming the products of kindness rather than of cruelty.

But let us recognize that eradicating cruelty to humans cannot be done for free; the meat and the dairy products will all have to carry higher prices—and that, unless we provide subsidies, the poor will indeed bear that burden disproportionately. That, then, is exactly what we should do—provide income assistance to those whom require it. Such subsidies will prevent the poor from slipping into worse poverty, while allowing the animals—the human animals—to live lives that are no longer filled with endless suffering.

So there it is—a modest proposal for our families, for our communities, and for our world to depart from today’s traditions of sharing and of thanksgiving by returning to an older set of traditions—one that does not rest, as ours does today, on an unacknowledged foundation of cruelty.

No, this is not so important an issue as that of how to avoid war, or how to save our environment from destruction. But if we are tojudge ourselves as superior to the other creatures—morally superior, not simply more intelligent—then we must listen to our better selves. We must refrain from unnecessary cruelty.

We must reject the false tradition of sharing that is reliant on that cruelty. We must return to the great traditions of sharing and of sacrifice that were once the foundation of our society. We can—and we must— re-establish gnieban society on that great tradition of true sharing.

For more from Don LePan, visit <donlepan.blogspot. ca>.

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features

“QUESTION: WHAT DO YOU DO TO GET THROUGH THE MID-SEMESTER BLUES?”

POINT OF VIU JEFF SIENIEWICZ | CONTRIBUTOR .

ANKIT MIGLANI

CLAIRE WANG

JOSH PICHE

MITCHELL KENYON

MONICA REDMON

MBA

MBA

Economics

Criminology

Fisheries and Aquaculture

“I attend social events. End of October, midterms are over, and I get hyped for Halloween fun.”

“Midterms are tough but then you must reward yourself. Balance between work and relaxation is key.”

“School is its own reward.

Work in summer is tough, so school feels like a haven for me where students can validate themselves.”

“Perseverance. Graduating is the end goal and I keep that always in sight. The end of April, and the upcoming summer is my reward.”

“It helps to look forward to graduating in a year and a half. In the meantime, I power through.”

CHLY Fun Drive 1

Alexandria Stuart The Navigator

1 — CHLY relies on a dedicated team of volunteer staff and programmers to keep campus community radio alive and well in Nanaimo. Sandra Peña and Simon Schacher set up for another day at the CHLY Fun Drive.

2 — CHLY is Nanaimo’s community and campus radio, working in partnership with VIU to produce quality independent content on the airwaves.

3 — Ron Makowichuk, another volunteer, in the control booth at CHLY Radio.

Jesse Woodward

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THERE’S SOMETHING ABOUT SOPHIE Alexandria Stuart

Our political leaders take the stage, take the shrapnel, and are forced to respond on their The Navigator feet. But their mates have the luxury of time to think, to weigh the issues in terms of the long game. They share their thoughts in times of intimacy, helping to craft the direction of the country over the dinner table, under the covers, pillow to pillow. Nothing and no one operates in a vacuum. While the leaders of our time gain naming rights to civic holidays and libraries, the names we hear less often do the deeper, cellular level work of governing our nations: Jackie, Margaret, Hillary, Michelle, and now, Sophie.

Canada doesn’t have “first ladies,” though we borrow the term from our American-influenced media. The wife of the Prime Minister is actually third in line after the monarch’s spouse (Prince Philip) as well as the Governor General’s (Sharon Johnston). Lacking monarchical mojo, the Prime Minister’s spouse still plays a public role, accompanying her husband on certain occasions and appearances. That doesn’t change the fact that these women sleep beside their husbands at night, influential advisors during campaigns and terms in office—a private, but powerful role.

There is great power behind the throne. And the more the public learns about Sophie Grégoire-Trudeau, the more we see her as she operates on the sidelines, a silent support and guide to her husband. There’s growing optimism about the role she will play in this new era: Trudeaumania V2.0.

The media would find it easier if there was a catchphrase to attach to Grégoire-Trudeau, as she’s poised to become active enough to require one.

It’s easy to poke fun at a supermom who has it all, with sprinklings of pixie dust residue from an upbringing of white privilege, though she didn’t emerge from her idyllic childhood unscarred—she has been open about battling bulimia in her late teens and early 20s. Women in our society are raised to fear, mistrust, and be jealous of each other; perhaps it’s a seed planted by the patriarchy to keep them off their game, busy in-fighting so they won’t look outside at the real problem. Grégoire-Trudeau does enjoy advantages that make her life easier—paying the bills and affordable childcare aren’t likely to keep her up at night. Naysayers will find it easy to poke fun at her templed hands, un-coiffed hair, and style carefully crafted to shine with natural beauty without detracting from her famous husband’s famous baby-blues.

Cosmetics aside, she thinks and feels deeply for her chosen causes: missing and murdered Indigenous women, gender equality, body image, and eating disorders. Often seen as purely women’s issues, they also affect

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TRUDEAU TO TRUDEAU 2006 - 2015

men: the sons and husbands of the missing and murdered, and boys and men that suffer with eating disorders (even more marginalized because it isn’t seen as a men’s issue). Grégoire-Trudeau’s mission is emerging as one of improving the lives of women and children. The work, she feels, is an essential part of her service to the public. As she settles in, her agenda will emerge clearly, and in four years we will likely find great things have been accomplished.

Canadian women and mothers juggling the demands of work and devoting precious energy to other things that are dear to them find Sophie relatable, like someone they would share tea with. But beneath the looseflowing hair and yoga wear beats the heart of a journalist with a keen eye, always watching, always questioning, always on point.

After studying commerce at McGill University and shifting to communications at the University of Montreal, she moved in to television, first as a news ticker writer and later as a Quebec correspondent at eTalk.

Since setting aside the mantle of television personality and donning the cloak of motherhood in 2010, she has gained a whole new level of relatability.

She isn’t afraid of the limelight as some of her predecessors have been. “It’s important for Canadians to have a better idea of who stands by the person who is holding such an important role; and what kind of values does she share, what does she do with her life, and what are her passions?” GrégoireTrudeau told Canadian Family. “I want people to get to know me, because I want to get to know them.”

While Grégoire-Trudeau shines on her own merit, she is also part of a political dynasty. Canada, in general, quietly celebrates its celebrities. But if we’ve ever brought American-style enthusiasm and energy to personalities, the Trudeau family would be one of them—up there with the Kennedys in sparkle and shine, but not so much on the policy side. The voice of reason remaining from the dynasty of decades past is Margaret Trudeau. The matriarch, not without mental health and marital challenges herself, is at Sophie’s side to share and warn and prime for what’s coming. The world is a different place today than in Margaret’s time, but the political bedrock of old white male-dominated power remains. Justin is a feminist, but those ages-old tides will be dragging at his feet. Margaret and Sophie will keep him true to himself. The political landscape of family and politics has changed since her mother-in-law’s days, but Margaret’s wisdom is timeless. “She looked me in the eyes,” Grégoire-Trudeau told Canadian Family, “and said in one true moment: ‘Be wise, be grounded, and protect the people you love. It’s not always going to be easy.’”

Courtesy of Public domain via Wikimedia Commons.

Sheila Martin’s husband, Paul Martin, spent 26 months in office.

At 60 years of age, with three grown children, she had the luxury of focusing on charity and literacy issues. She was, however, uncomfortable in the spotlight and avoided contact with the media whenever possible.

Courtesy of Federal Government (Germany)/ REGIERUNGonline / Steins (G8 Summit 2007 Heiligendamm), via Wikimedia Commons.

1984 - 1993

Laureen Harper was 42 when her husband, Stephen Harper, took

office on February 6, 2006. Mother of two, she was Stephen’s trusted advisor, said to have an intuitive grasp on the optics of politics, possibly honed by her studies in journalism. She also worked quietly behind the scenes for causes closer to her heart during his nearly 10 years in office. Animal welfare groups, including the Ottawa Humane Society, received her support, as well as the National Arts Centre. She asked the Canadian Press to refer to her as the “spouse of the Prime Minister” in her public roles, activities, and campaigning alongside her husband.

Courtesy of (US) Department of Defense. Licensed under Public Domain via Commons.

1993 - 2003

Courtesy of Kremlin.ru via Wikimedia Commons.

Aline Chretien was 57 when her husband, Jean Chretien, was elected

One of the younger Prime Minister’s wives, Mila Mulroney was 31 when Brian Mulroney began his nearly decade-long term in office.

Mila was focused on raising the couple’s four children—one born during their time at 24 Sussex Dr. She was said to be an important influence, a trusted confidant and power behind the scenes of her husband’s office, providing him with unique insights. In contrast to Maureen McTeer and Margaret Trudeau before her, Mila was a dedicated housewife. This made her uniquely appealing to a demographic that the Progressive Conservative Party was trying to capture. She was active in children’s charitable causes, including the Canadian Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. She also withstood criticism for hiring a personal office staff to help her pursue those goals. Her redecoration efforts at Sussex Dr. also drew criticism. In hindsight, decades of neglect at the Prime Minister’s residence will prove to be even more costly to taxpayers.

Prime Minister in 1993. During Jean’s decade in office, she worked with charitable organizations, especially literacy programs. While she kept a relatively low public profile, Aline was said to be a key advisor to her husband during his term, something her husband admitted. Jean Chretien once joked that Canada was run by women: the monarch, the Governor General [at the time], and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court were all women; and that Madame Chrétien was pulling the strings of the Prime Minister.

1968 - 1979 1980 - 1984

1979 - 1980

Sophie Grégoire-Trudeau joins her husband, Prime Minister Elect Justin Trudeau, at the podium of the Liberal Party Campaign Headquarters in Montreal on Election Day, October 19, 2015.

Andrej Ivanov, Photo Editor at The Concordian (CUP).

Adam Scotti, courtesy of Flickr Justin Trudeau.

Margaret Trudeau was the most controversial Prime Minister’s wife

Ted Grant, Courtesy of Library and Archives Canada.

Sophie Grégoire-Trudeau watches her husband, Justin Trudeau, deliver his acceptance speech as Prime Minister Elect.

Andrej Ivanov, Photo Editor at The Concordian (CUP).

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Another young wife, Maureen McTeer was 26 when her husband Joe Clark took office for 10 months in 1979/‘80. An ardent feminist, she stirred controversy for declining to take her husband’s surname, and maintaining her own career. Sitting with The Queen Mother during an official luncheon, McTeer withstood teasing from other women at the table addressing her as “Mrs. Clark.” Afterwards, as McTeer escorted The Queen Mother to her car, she said, “Don’t be bothered by criticism,” with the parting words, “Good luck, Ms. McTeer.”

The Trudeaus appear as a family at Montreal’s Pride Parade on August 16.

in recent memory. Pierre Elliot Trudeau took office for the first time in 1968 and married Margaret, just 22 at the time, in 1971. She expressed disappointment at feeling like “arm candy,” and struggled to raise their family of three boys through Pierre’s busy schedule and constant absences.

They separated in 1977 and he was voted out of office in 1979. By the time he regained office less than a year later, the two had divorced. Young and pretty, Margaret adopted the high life of the jet set, bouncing between her family and the international club scene. Today, receiving treatment for previously undiagnosed mental illness that may have been at the core of her behaviour in the ‘70s, Margaret is an advocate for mental health issues. She was at her son’s side often during his campaign to follow in his father’s footsteps, seeking the office of Prime Minister of Canada. Poised to fill the role of Prime Minister’s wife, Sophie GrégoireTrudeau appreciates the opportunity to learn from Margaret’s experience.

Note: Geills Turner, wife of John Turner, spent only 10 weeks in office, in 1984.

Canada’s first female Prime Minister Kim Campbell spent just 10 weeks in office in 1993, and was divorced at the time.

Adam Scotti, courtesy of Flickr Justin Trudeau.

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CAMPUS. VANDALISM. Sarah Torgerson Contributor

Found just outside the library, this installation has remained untouched.

Sarah Torgerson

Students of VIU’s Design Department have been working hard this semester to embellish the Nanaimo Campus as part of the typographic illustration class. Unfortunately, vandalism has taken place over the past week, leaving some art pieces in need of repair.

Campus security said they are taking this opportunity to review their systems and is exploring measures to continually improve security on VIU’s campus.

The “Hop to It” art piece in the upper quad by the library and cafeteria received a setback when someone kicked back the bunny-eared “O.” Euodia Mutua, one of the five artists who created the “Hop to It” art installation, was heartbroken when she heard of the vandalism.

“Wow, that’s actually very upsetting,” said Mutua, upon hearing of the damage. “I honestly don’t know why someone would do that. It took so much work.”

It is believed the “Mariners” display, located in the fountain by bldg. 200 (Student Services), was also vandalized. Kelsey Horsnell, a third-year Graphic Design student, and one of the display’s creators, explained the idea behind the floating letters. “We chose the colours to stick with the school’s theme, and then we wanted the letters to float to play off of the term Mariner, which means ‘sailor.’”

The letters were attached to one another, in hopes of preventing letters from floating apart and disarranging.

Horsnell was unaware of the possible vandalism until she walked past the fountain earlier this week, and found the letters “half sunk into the water.”

“Of course I was disappointed, but I wasn’t sure if it was because [the letters] weren’t 100 per cent waterproof and had fallen over, or purposefully made to sink or fall over. Either way, I guess it wasn’t meant to last forever, but I hope it got

The Mariner installment in front of bldg. 200 before falling into the fountain below.

Kelsey Horsnell

the message across to students who got to see it while it was still up.”

The VIU Art Department is a tight-knit group. In regards to the vandalism of the “Hop to It” piece, and the possible intentional damage done to the Mariners piece, Brooklynne Straiko-Hassenstein, one of the artists who took part in the “United We Grow” piece by the bookstore, said she was “concerned for her friends.”

The four additional artists who took part in the “Hop to It” art installation, Corinna Maier, Sylvia Mynarski, Avery Crosson, and Tim Yeung, have yet to comment, but have been informed of the destruction.

Mutua said she would try to fix the damage, but it is not known how much time and effort it will take, nor if it is, in fact, repairable.

Horsnell indicated that she would completely support a surveillance system, “not only for vandalism purposes, but for students to feel safe as well. Now that it’s almost winter, it’s quite dark,” and leaving classes after sunset makes her feel “uneasy.”

VIU security is working to keep the campus safe, and students comfortable.

Alan Cumbers, Executive Director Facilities and Ancillary Services at VIU, says the first steps have been taken in the hopes of updating the school’s security system. A special “task force” has been formed. The group, according to Cumbers, “is hoping to produce new policy and recommendations.

The “Hop to It” installation was found vandalized on the main campus stomping grounds a week after its unveiling.

Sarah Torgerson

NANAIMO STAGE SET TO SHOW BROADWAY FAVOURITE Alyssa Morton

Nanaimo’s own Harbour City Theatre is prepping to show the The Navigator award-winning musical Next to Normal. Local company Schmooze Productions takes the helm on the emotional story of a family dealing with mental illness.

Having won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, and a Tony Award for Best Score, the play dives into the story of Diana Goodman, a suburban mother who deals with her steadily worsening bipolar disorder. This impacts her two children and husband as they all try and cling to normalcy while trying to support Diana.

Schmooze Productions is already seasoned in high-end Broadway musicals, having performed RENT last season.

The same creative team is now working this season’s show, including Artistic Director Dean Chadwick and actor Padraig Hogan who plays the elusive son Gabe. Schmooze also welcomes newcomer Ashton Smith to the stage as practitioner Dr. Madden, who works with Diana on her mental health.

“I wanted to do another powerful and relevant musical

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following the success of RENT from last season,” says Chadwick in a press release. “I am particularly interested in narrativedriven pieces, and Next to Normal seemed to be a logical choice.

After viewing a clip from the Tony Awards of the Broadway cast, I thought it was just the most incredible, moving, witty piece, with a rock-n-roll score underpinning the whole thing.

This show is for all generations and I’m excited to be bringing it to Nanaimo audiences.”

The musical has garnered praise from all over, including Rolling Stones Magazine heralding it as the rebirth of Broadway musicals, and Washington Post hailing it as “an astonishing feat!”

The show will run at Harbour City Theatre every Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and matinee Sundays from November 12 – December 5, 2015. The shows run at 8 p.m., and matinees are at 2 p.m. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased online at <www. schmoozeproductions.com>.

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Artistic Director Dean Chadwick.

Schmooze Productions

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An Astronaut’s Guide to Life on Earth book review Alyssa Morton

Alyssa Morton

The Navigator

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For a man that has been to space three different The Navigator times, Chris Hadfield is incredibly down to earth. His pragmatic dealings with situations have led to countless opportunities and an understanding of how he has moved from point A to point B. And yet this is a man who is full of dreams, curiosity, and desire. It is this duality that shines through in his novel, An Astronaut’s Guide to Life on Earth. Part autobiography, part how-to guide, the novel explores all that Hadfield believes made him into the person he is today.

There is no glamour in his story. Hadfield is starkly humble throughout the book, and one lesson he refers to is the need to help others succeed. In space, sabotaging someone to make yourself look better can get people killed, and Hadfield says he has needed to actively work every day to make sure he is helping those around him. He states, “Over the years, I’ve learned that investing in other people’s success doesn’t just make them more likely to enjoy working with me—it also improves my own chances of survival and success.” The idea of community and teamwork can be foreign at times in a world where people emerging from high school and university are told they will be constantly pitted against each other.

Hadfield knows he worked hard at the achievements discussed in the book, but by no means does he tout himself as something great.

He willingly paints out the mistakes he has made, whether in his own work, in dealing with co-workers, or in his personal life. A moment that stuck out was how Hadfield described trying to fill the disciplinary father role after being away in training for a while, and his wife promptly explaining how he needed to earn the right to be that figure in the house again.

The way Hadfield describes his relationship with his wife is heartwarming, and a nice change from the usual drama and hostility that develops in astronaut relationships. He respects her in all the ways possible, it seems, and is willing and eager to give her credit for aspects of his success.

Often, space novels, fictional or not, glaze over the minute details, instead focusing on the bang, glitz, and achievement—not so with Hadfield. He takes great care in explaining these overlooked details and steps that were taken in preparation for missions and tasks. It disillusions the reader from the idea of an astronaut’s life being constant adventure and excitement, and that many of the accomplishments are near-magic in their creation.

Instead, the reader learns how much detail, energy, and monotony can go into each mission, which humanizes the whole space program. It brings it to a level that is understandable and relatable, and it’s important to pull back the curtain and show how people are put into space. Hadfield is perfect for this job, and works constantly to remove all

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the curtains—not just in his novel, but in his dayto-day actions. This potentially comes from how in-tune Hadfield can be. The book is saturated with sensory details, and Hadfield says he took moments time and time again to simply experience what he was going through with all five senses. The reader isn’t just told about space—they are painted it, and Hadfield tirelessly aims to help as many people as he can experience what he did. He knows that he is incredibly fortunate to go to space, and now feels he has a duty to bring others as close to this opportunity as well.

Truthfully, An Astronaut’s Guide to Life on Earth could almost be retitled as An Astronaut’s Guide to Surviving University. Hadfield’s advice to constantly push your learning, take every opportunity as its own reward instead of an attempt to get higher on

“YOU CAN’T VIEW TRAINING SOLELY AS A STEPPING STONE TO SOMETHING LOFTIER. IT’S GOT TO BE AN END IN ITSELF.” - CHRIS HADFIELD, AN ASTRONAUT’S GUIDE TO LIFE ON EARTH theladder, and how to make people view you as an asset, are things that any student can find immensely valuable. Readers will find themselves relishing in the advice and tips that are given throughout the novel and may be refreshed by how against the grain Hadfield is with his “self-help” advice. From telling readers “don’t sweat the small stuff,” to saying there is value in negative thinking, the new spin may work for those that thrive in tough-love advice. All in all, there are valuable lessons to be pulled from the book that can be applied over and over again in real life, regardless of whether readers are attempting to become an axstronaut, or a poet laureate.

For those looking for a chunk of Canada pride, or simply looking for a new way to view their goals and challenges, those that want to delve into the inner workings of space exploration, or those who are just looking for some oddball humour, An Astronaut’s Guide to Life on Earth is relatable to a wide audience, even if just for the how-to on peeing in zero gravity.

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NETFLIX AND CHILL:

THE INVENTION OF LYING Alyssa Morton

Science will tell you that humans begin lying around the ripe old The Navigator age of two years old, so it’s a bold thought to wonder what implications there would be to society if we were all honest people. Writer/director pair Ricky Gervais and Matthew Robinson attempt to create such a world in the romance comedy The Invention of Lying.

Gervais plays Mark Bellison, a down-on-his-luck writer that can’t seem to catch a break. In a world where everyone is blunt to the point of insult, he’s the butt of every joke honesty can hold. Coworkers admit exuberantly that they loathe him, women inform him he has no chance with them, and his mother is dying. Soon, though, Bellison learns he can tell a lie (throughout the movie he struggles to explain what he’s doing, because no one has ever done this before). Although the absurd bluntness of characters creates comedy in all forms during the first half-hour of the movie, one begins to wonder who would actually believe that pure honesty automatically means full disclosure. Eventually, people’s openness to insults wears thin, and The Invention of Lying struggles a bit to find another means of humour to continue the movie with. This is where it begins to struggle, and bounces between thought piece, philosophical jab, slapstick humour, and romance story.

The cast boasts recognizable names all over the board,

bringing in a wide range for potential talent to add to the story.

Instead, each side character begins a plot that is either almost instantly solved by Gervais’ character, or simply dropped all together. It would seem as though Gervais simply uses his co-stars as spring boards to set up his own lines and jokes.

Only Jennifer Garner, who plays love interest Anna, seems to be able to fight the spotlight away at times. Many of her star lines were improvised on set, and it goes to highlight her own ability to control and deliver dry and satirical humour.

One of the shining moments is when Mark brings a script into his work that would make the most ridiculous sci-fi pulp fiction story look like a masterpiece. The sheer absurdity of this story, and the reactions of Mark’s coworkers as they eat it up, is hilarious. Viewers might end up laughing hysterically at the overdone theatrics of the entire scene.

Like its main character, this movie tries too hard. It ends up being too much of a thought experiment to really be billed as a romance, leaving the main plot of man trying to get woman floundering around. Although Gervais’ humour and wit are highlights, they fight to drag the movie along and keep it in an upbeat mood.

CHILL FACTOR Oddball, and sometimes dark, humour can either have you laughing or cringing, but there’s enough in the story to make it enjoyable. A highly recognizable cast will have you calling out, “Oh, they’re from…” It gets all too real midway through the movie, which could put a damper on viewers’ intentions.

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CULTURAL ART DISPLAY OPEN TO STUDENTS Miranda Wallace

Salon Wall.

Miranda Wallace

One of Marshall’s highlighted pieces.

Miranda Wallace

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Few people can say they’re a successful artist at the age of 94.

Contributor Maureen Marshall is one of those people. The Islander has spent her life travelling around the world, painting what she sees with a heavy influence from the culture she’s surrounded by. The View, a VIU campus gallery, is lucky enough to have been gifted a series of these paintings based on Marshall’s experiences in Africa. The gallery is covered in colourful canvas from floor to ceiling in a breathtaking display.

The View was created in 1976 and mainly housed professional artists’ work. The focus is now being shifted to student art and more community-based works, according to curator Justin McGrail.

“I’d like students to integrate art into their everyday lives.

To realize that the art gallery is part of campus life…looking at art and going to galleries should be a lifelong habit,” he says. “There are no titles or information on the walls. What I’d like students to do is learn to trust their own eyes. People spend a lot of time reading walls of text. We don’t want them to prioritize that kind of understanding; it’s meant to be a visual experience.”

McGrail said it is difficult to single out a favourite in the collection. Instead, he has a favourite wall, because of the hanging style: a salon wall. “It’s really alive,” McGrail said.

When looking at the wall, the pictures seem to tell a story— everything is so vibrant and organized.

“It’s surprising, the amount of variation within a series,

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whether the colour or the content. I think it really shows the possibilities. Each painting shows a different approach; they’re all slightly different. I love how many of the paintings have paper and holes—it looks like a scrapbook.”

“There’s a long history of painters integrating African styles, and it has anthropological roots that make us think of history. Her scrapbook and her memories are an entry into this history of African art.”

Marshall’s anthropology background is evident in the way she portrays a different culture in such a respectful manner. There’s no objectification or discrimination; it’s a very open display of humankind. McGrail encourages First Nations students to come, stating that they might see a lot of commonalities in the works.

Since the opening, less than two weeks ago, more than 50 people have been to see the works. It’s a mesmerizing experience, and the reaction was “outstanding,” McGrail said. A VIU student had similar thoughts. “The vibrancy and the lifeblood of it makes you feel like you’re really there. It’s a very visual story,” he said.

“I know that the family and the artist is really happy, because these works have been in storage for many years.

They’ve only ever seen these in a shed.”

The exhibit will run throughout November, and is open from 1—4 p.m. Tuesdays to Fridays. If you have the chance, go check it out.

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BIOSHOCK GAME REVIEW Bioshock concept art

It’s 1960, and the player begins the game with a cut-scene aboard Contributor a jetliner currently flying over the Mid-Atlantic, heading to an unknown location. From a firstperson perspective, we hear who we assume to be our main character exclaim, “They told me, ‘Son, you’re special; you were born to do great things.’ You know what? They were right.”

With the sounds of screaming women, and a plummeting aircraft, the screen fades to black.

The player is then given control of the character, Jack, who’s floating in the Atlantic under a full moon amidst flaming plane wreckage. Not far in the distance beckons an ominous, yet inviting lighthouse. With no other choice, the player swims towards the lit tower, climbs its steps, and enters through the dark door.

Upon entering, the door slams shut and the room suddenly becomes alight. As Django Reinhardt’s “La Mer” begins to play, the player is met with art deco architecture accompanying a bust of an unknown man looming above them. Under the bust hangs a banner, which reads “NO GODS OR KINGS. ONLY MAN.” By now, any reader who has played the game should know exactly what I’m talking about: 2k’s (later Irrational Games) masterpiece, BioShock. Released in 2007 as a spiritual successor to Irrational Games and Looking Glass Studio’s System Shock 2, BioShock received critical acclaim, with The New York Times author Seth Schiesel calling it “among the best games ever made.” Eight years later, the game still holds that title strong,

Rob Wilson

Courtesy of 2K

and is well worth a replay by those familiar with the game, and surely a play through by those not.

With beautiful, albeit dated, graphics, BioShock allows the player the chance to not only explore the underwater city of Rapture, but to also explore their own morality, and discover the ideologies of philosopher Ayn Rand. Rand and her philosophy, objectivism, play an undeniable role in the game; with the notion that self-happiness is the ultimate purpose of life, clearly echoed by the founder of Rapture, Andrew Ryan, and the city’s laissez-faire principles. Even Andrew Ryan’s name, as noted by BioShock’s Wikipedia page, is a partial anagram of Ayn Rand. Taking an even more direct name from Rand’s work is the character Atlas, after Rand’s 1957 novel, Atlas Shrugged. Further Rand influences range from explicitly obvious to the more subtle, but throughout, strong parallels are drawn between BioShock and Rand’s Atlas Shrugged and The Fountainhead (1943).

As the player explores Rapture, armed with various weapons in their right hand, and genetically enhanced, superhuman-like abilities in their left (ranging from telekinesis to throwing fire), they are able to delve deep into the history of the underwater city, as well as the intricacies of the various characters, and the events that eventually led to the city’s fall from grace.

Progression of the game opens many avenues for the player to make critical moral choices, which not only decide the fate of individual characters, but also the city as a whole come the finale of the game. The level of detail, and consequences of the player’s actions, allow for a level of immersion and self-

reflection not usually found in a first-person shooter game.

Playing BioShock involves, among other things, exploration, puzzle-solving, and shooting, set to a killer, retro soundtrack.

The action is not constant, as one would expect from a Call of Duty release, but can be very intense. Thoroughly entertaining, with a background of eerie darkness, the game keeps the player on the edge of their seat throughout.

However, the game is not without faults. Being able to save immediately before attempting to hack into a safe, or duke it out with a more difficult enemy, allows the player to retry every task without much consequence. Taking away from the challenge, this issue was resolved in BioShock’s sequels: BioShock 2 (2010) and BioShock Infinite (2013).

Overall, BioShock is a strong contender for one of the best games ever made. The extreme level of detail creates a beautiful piece of art that holds strong literary merit. The influence of Ayn Rand’s objectivism combined with ethical questions set in a creepy dystopian city fathoms below the Atlantic results in a game that has stood the test of time. For those who played the game back in 2007, it’s ltime once again to revisit Rapture.

For those who’ve never played, dive into BioShock.

THE RANTINGS OF A HALF-BREED GIRL: ALLYSON ANDERSON TO SPEAK IN ARTS AND HUMANITIES LECTURE SERIES Much good scholarship comes from a personal place. It is informed by Contributor emotion and experience, giving it resonance with wider audiences and providing unique insights into the world. But as well as portraying a particular reality, it can also serve as a mirror for others, forcing them to look afresh at themselves.

Allyson Anderson, a faculty member in the First Nations Studies Department, is going to explore the complexities of identities and representations on Friday, November 20, in an illustrated talk entitled “Gypsies, Tramps, and Thieves: The Contrapuntal Rantings of a Half-Breed Girl.” The talk is part of the Arts and Humanities Colloquium Series, and will be held in the Malaspina Theatre beginning at 10 am.

Anderson is a Métisse scholar whose roots reach back to Manitoba, the home of her ancestors, the Red River Métis.

In her talk she is going to examine representations, or more appropriately, misrepresentations of the “half-breed girl,” both mixed-blood and historical Métis, in popular culture.

Investigating these stereotypes will “expose some disturbing assumptions undergirding narratives of nation-building in Canada and the United States,” she says. “Reversing the imperial gaze demonstrates that representations often reveal much more about the perceiver than they do about the perceived.”

The “half-breed girl” is a stock character in the colonial imagination, though she appears far less often in popculture narratives than “the noble ‘Indian Princess’ and the

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ignominious ‘squaw,’” says Anderson. But when the character does appear, she embodies all of the social problems assumed to be the inevitable outcome of racial mixing, as well as of the modernization and urbanization of Indigenous peoples.

Historically, the social status of mixed-blood women varied around the world in the early years of colonization, depending on their role in their economies, which in turn was based on the status of women in local Indigenous societies before European occupation. In what became Canada, says Anderson, “Indigenous mixed-blood women enjoyed a degree of social status in fur trade and early colonial societies that was uncommon in colonies abroad.” What can be made of the unique position of these women at the intersection of race, class, gender, and culture? Challenging conventional readings of pop culture, Anderson argues that the image of the vilified “half-breed girl” is not grounded in historical fact, but rather “in the deeply rooted anxieties of Euro-settlers, anxieties generated by their appropriation of Indigenous lands and their protection of hierarchical privilege based on race, class, and gender.”

This talk draws on Anderson’s Ph.D. work, which she is currently undertaking at the University of Manitoba. She has previously earned degrees from Thompson River University and the University of British Columbia, and has been teaching at VIU since 1997.

The Arts and Humanities Colloquium is a successful lecture series that has been active since 2009. The goal is to expose students, the general public, and university personnel to

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the exciting, provocative research being done by Arts and Humanities faculty members. You can watch many of the earlier talks online at YouTube Colloquium Series Lectures—Arts and Humanities at VIU. The free, illustrated Colloquium presentation on November 20 is open to all, and, it should be noted, students are especially welcome. There will be refreshments.

From the movie Behold My Wife (1920).

Motion Picture News (March-June 1920)

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GO HARD OR GO HOME Catherine Charlebois

As I walked into VIU’s bustling cafeteria, all I The Navigator focused on was a giant blue water bottle on the table. It looked like a miniature water jug, and as I sat down, its owner, with her hoodie and trademark French braid, took a sip before turning her gaze to my notepad and I. I knew she did sprint kayaking, but from Danielle Caron’s calm outer appearance, she could have been any type of athlete.

No one could have guessed what lay underneath that smile, and how far she had come from her trials and tribulations in the past few years.

I place my recorder between us, and she starts listing all of her accomplishments—the list is so long. I would not have remembered it all.

“My first competition was at the BC Summer Games in Surrey when I was 15 and I won 11 medals. I made the Junior Team Canada two years ago as I placed top five in Nationals in Montreal, and then I competed in the Canada Games and I was the youngest person there that year, at 16 years old—everyone else there was between 18 and 21.”

I am just about to applaud her hard work when her face turns serious.

“I made the Western Canada Games this year, except I had to give my spot away,” she says.

A few months prior to the games, Caron got in a car accident, shattering her clavicle. The timing couldn’t have been worse, as fully healing the bone usually takes four to six months.

“I was working hard and making the best times I’ve ever had in my life. I was going fast enough to do really well at

Nationals,” says Caron. True to her nature, Caron wouldn’t give up her chance and tried paddling two weeks after her injury.

“I was determined to go to the Western Canada Games,” she says. “I was totally fine at the time, but when I woke up the next day I couldn’t move.”

Caron conceded that it wouldn’t be fair to her teammates and took to the sidelines. “They wound up winning five gold medals. I was there in spirit, texting them every day. I was very happy for them, but it wrenched on my heartstrings a little bit.”

Now taking a break from sprint kayaking, Caron is still training 26 hours a week and going to school working toward a physical education degree. All that hard work couldn’t have been done without the help and support of her coaches and family, she stresses.

Born with a deformed foot, and having undergone multiple surgeries at the age of 12, Caron persevered despite everything.

“It’s extremely rare and it still affects my sports a lot,” she says.

“I went to a Paralympic camp after my surgeries. I couldn’t push with my foot, but I was not declared paraplegic. I met a lot of amazing people at the Paralympics that participated in Toronto and are going to participate in Rio in 2016. I met a lot of people that definitely made me love the sport even more after I had my foot surgery.”

Her foot is actually what led her to sprint kayaking. Having first been inspired by the sport after seeing it on TV, and not being able to play soccer due to her surgeries, she joined a kayaking summer camp, and the rest was history.

In the initial consultation for her surgeries, Caron had been told she could never be an athlete.

Danielle Caron splashing away the competition during a 10 km race Danielle Caron

Mariner schedule WOMEN’S

We all have dreams, but in order to make dreams into reality, it takes an awful lot of determination, dedication, and discipline.

VOLLEYBALL

DATE

AWAY

HOME

TIME

Nov. 6

VIU

Douglas

8 p.m.

Nov. 7

VIU

Capilano

3 p.m.

Nov. 6

VIU

Douglas

6 p.m.

Nov. 7 Nov. 13 Nov. 14

VIU VIU VIU

Capilano KPU CBC

1 p.m.

6 p.m.

1 p.m.

DATE

AWAY

HOME

TIME

Nov. 6

Capilano

VIU

8 p.m.

Nov. 7

Capilano

VIU

3 p.m.

Nov. 13

VIU Gym

VIU

8 p.m.

Nov. 14

CBC Bearcats VIU

3 p.m.

WOMEN’S Nov. 6

Capilano

VIU

6 p.m.

Nov. 7

Capilano

VIU

1 p.m.

MEN’S

SOCCER

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Danielle Caron

( November 4-18)

BASKETBALL MEN’S

“That’s all I wanted to do,” says Caron. “The first thing I told my parents when I got in the car was ‘I’m going to be an athlete, he’s wrong.’”

However, her surgeon, Dr. Penny, fully supported her and gave her the extra boost in confidence.

“I sent him the first medal that I got at the BC Summer Games to thank him,” says Caron.

Her parents were always there for her, going to every competition, or, if they weren’t able to, packing her a lunch.

“They don’t like me being malnourished,” she adds.

Ultimately, it was her coaches that made her work hard and allowed her to accomplish her dreams.

“Ashley Rowe was my first coach who brought me to Nationals and then to Junior Team Canada. I also trained with Jonathan Wengel and he got me to where I was.”

Rowe’s successor, Igor Nikitovic, worked with Caron in preparation for the Western Canada Games, making her reach her full potential before the accident.

With a full course load, training three hours a day and working for her parents at Two Chef’s Affair, Caron shows no signs of stopping.

“The odds were against me but I came along. I did what I had to do. I fought for what I’ve done; I competed hard.”

When asked what she has planned for now, Caron says she isn’t sure what the future has in store.

“I’m not quite sure what I’m training for yet,”she says.

“Because when I’m going to do it I want to be able to give it 100 per cent.”

DATE

AWAY

Nov. 13

CBC Bearcats VIU

6 p.m.

MEN’S

Nov. 11-14

CCAA Nationals (Saint-Lambert, Quebec)

Nov. 14

CBC Bearcats VIU

1 p.m.

WOMEN’S

Nov. 11-14

CCAA Nationals (Peterborough, Ontario)

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OCTOBER CLIPPERS GAMES

Reid Eccles Contributor

REMPAL LEADS CLIPPERS TO WIN OVER CHIEFS The Chilliwack Chiefs were in Frank Crane Arena on October 18 with the intention of defeating a tired Nanaimo Clippers squad that took a loss to the Wenatchee Wild the night before, but the Clippers showed no signs of fatigue.

The Clippers opened the scoring with three minutes left in the first period when Matt Creamer tucked in a cross crease pass from DJ Petruzzelli, the second assist going to Charley Borek.

In the second period the Chiefs got into some penalty trouble. After a high-sticking minor set the Chiefs down a man Clippers forward Sheldon Rempal exhibited his speed

skating end to end and deposited a quick wraparound goal. Just over a minute later, a scrum ensued and a few roughing minors put the Chiefs down again. On the following 5-on-3, Rempal scored his second powerplay goal of the period, both assisted by defenseman Yanni Kaldis. The Clippers did not capitalize on the ensuing 5-on-4.

Immediately after the powerplay expired, the Chiefs retaliated. Darien Craighead outwaited a sprawling Clippers defenseman to set up Jordan Kawaguchi for the one-timer goal to end the period 3-1 for the Clippers.

Over six minutes into the third, Clippers forward Corey Renwick caught an edge and

slid through Chiefs goaltender Aidan Pelino, injuring Pelino’s leg. Chiefs’ backup goalie Matteo Esposito had to be brought in and Renwick was given a five-minute major penalty for “goaltender interference” and a game misconduct. The Chiefs were unable to convert on the lengthy powerplay, but shortly after Kohen Olischefski received a gratuitous bounce and slap shot a rocket past Clippers goalie Jonathon Reinhart bringing the Chiefs to within one goal.

The Chiefs’ momentum was snapped with two minutes remaining when Rempal displayed his offensive talent once again.

Protecting the puck down his off-wing Rempal

drove to the net and chipped a one-handed backhand off Esposito’s pads, over his head, and into the net for Rempal’s third goal of the game. The Clippers won 4-2.

Rempal’s hat trick Sunday increased his league-leading point total to 28 points in 14 games played.

The Clippers are two games into a five-game home stand. The next home game is Friday, November 13 against Alberni Valley Bulldogs.

The Clippers are two games into a five-game home stand. The next home game is Friday, November 13 against Alberni Valley Bulldogs.

CLIPPERS FALL TO AMERICAN CLUB IN FIRST WILD MEET After a three-game road trip, the Nanaimo Clippers were back at Frank Crane Arena Saturday night to face the Wenatchee Wild.

It was the start of a five-game home stand for the Clippers and the first time the Clippers and Wild have faced off since the Wild’s induction into the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) this season. The Clippers sported their pink alternate jerseys in honour of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

The Clippers’ captain Devin Brosseau opened the scoring five minutes into the first period on an early 5-on-3 powerplay redirecting a saucer pass from Sheldon Rempal. The second assist went to Will Reily.

Wild forward Blake Christensen answered four minutes later, bursting past a sprawling Clippers defenseman to score. Zach Court added another powerplay tally for the Clippers late in the period, but the Wild’s leading point scorer Kyle Stephan evened the score at two early into the second period.

The intensity on the ice grew after a weak shot snuck past Clippers goaltender Jonathan Reinhart only 23 seconds into the third period.

Reinhart soon redeemed himself with a series of key saves to keep the Clippers in it, however Wild goaltender Garrett Nieto was equally as clutch warding off the Clippers’ relentless offense. A Nanaimo bench minor for “too many

men” and an empty netter in the final minute killed the Clippers’ hopes of a comeback. Nieto recorded 27 saves in the 4-2 Wenatchee win.

The Wild are the first US-based club in the BCHL since the Bellingham Ice Hawks dissolved in 1995. This was the Wild’s only contest of the season versus the Clippers’ barring playoffs.

The win over the Clippers was the Wild’s eighth of the season, bringing their point total to 18. The Wild’s 18 points places them first in the six-team Mainland Division, two points above second place Langley Rivermen.

The toonie that moved mountains October 29, 2015: Here I am, staring at this blank screen, hoping that we play our hearts out through provincials this weekend. I was diagnosed with a mild concussion earlier today as my team headed to Burnaby for this year’s provincial league playoffs. I can’t help but reminisce about how it felt last year with all the tension building up to our big game.

We had a “wild card” that year, which meant that we only had to win the first game out of two provincial title games to go to the National Championship. This year, on the other hand, we have to win both. I write this with great love for my team and with great faith that they will come through and play the best games they have ever played.

Last season had us in the lead, and going into provincials seemed like just another day at the office. The last provincial VIU women’s victory was 21 years ago when I was just a little over two months old. One of our assistant coaches was on that winning team in 1993, and that motivated us to work towards making this a special year for her. We had our game face on as soon as we stepped off the ferry and headed to Squamish.

We had been mentally preparing ourselves since our first team bonding session: focus on the now, win one half at a time. Somehow, it never came to us that if we won the two first halves of Provincials it meant we would be headed to Nationals.

Our bus rides to and from the hotel, the grocery store, and the pre-game training session were never as quiet, as heavy, or as long as they were on game day. Everyone was doing their own thing that day, whether it was listening to music, taking a power nap, or chatting about random things. All I could

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feel was my stomach fluttering.

We arrived at the field, marching quietly to the changing room, and tried not to focus on the other game that was already in play. We didn’t want the score to affect our focus, so we all walked briskly in single file as quickly as we could. I sat down in the changing room, waited for my team to get ready, and just soaked it all in. I couldn’t imagine myself going to Provincials in my first year of university-level soccer, let alone think about winning that game and going to Nationals. It was all beyond me.

After everyone was ready, the coaches walked in to give a speech, led by the men’s soccer team head coach Bill Merriman. He started by saying that it has been an incredible journey thus far, with our attitude, winning mentality, and resilience, and that he has had complete faith in us since our first league game. He continued to praise us on how far we’ve come and how extraordinary our accomplishments has been for the program this year. Coming from someone who has taken his team to Nationals several times, with a Nationals gold ring on his finger and a couple of silver medals around his neck, it was a big win in our books.

“This is for all the running you’ve done in pre-season, all the disappointment you overcame after a tough loss, all the hard work and effort you and your coaches have put in this season,” he said. “You have made your families, your friends, your school, and your whole community proud.” He proceeded to take out a little bag filled with toonies.

“And finally, this is from my father,” he said with a heavy heart. “May his soul rest in peace. I always give my guys a toonie before

Farida El Sheshingy Contributor

they win their big game, but this year I’m putting all my faith in you ladies. You are going all the way.”

Tears were streaming down our faces as he passed by each one of us in our crooked circle of chairs. Suddenly the room fell quiet, and no one could find words to express our gratitude for Bill, for our coaches, or for each other. At that moment, a silent nod to whoever you locked eyes with sufficed.

We got up together in a tight circle, reassured that our coaches, family, and friends would be proud no matter what happened, and cheered the loudest cheer we’d had in a while. We were stepping out to represent VIU in the best way we possibly could, and we did. My God, did we ever.

We battled hard all the way through to the full-time whistle, under the night sky with showers of rain, and silenced all our fears.

I felt as if I was in a movie, with my heart racing, and I was getting inexplicably warm in such cold conditions screaming my lungs out in support of my teammates giving it their all. We made it through as a team—two days of hard work for the first provincial gold in 21 years. The pain was over, yet had only begun, because what lay ahead was so much bigger

Last year’s Mariners team line up on the field

NAV IGATOR

Farida El Sheshingy

Tickets for Clippers games can be purchased at the box office at Frank Crane Arena starting an hour before puck drop. Tickets are only $10 for VIU students, and a free beer is included with admission.

than we had ever dreamed of or imagined.

But we didn’t care. “What happened after the changing room?” people would ask. The truth is, it all went so fast. We dominated the first half, and then kept on winning, half after half. Before we knew it, we were booking our flights to Medicine Hat and all we could hear were the words: VIU, Welcome to Nationals.

Editor’s note: At the time of publication, the Mariners Women’s soccer team was defeated at this years provincials, winning silver.

Farida El Sheshingy

SPORTS & L I F EST Y L E

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sports & lifestyle

“Fall back” into a healthy sleep schedule Catherine Charlebois The Navigator As the trees begin to shed and the temperature drops, daylights savings time can be the perfect opportunity to turn over a new leaf.

This time of the year, when winter is coming with the steady decline of sun and vitamin D, the pressures of school builds to a climax, and darkness becomes seemingly unending, getting proper sleep is essential.

To get more of these precious Z’s, what many fail to recognize is that taking an extra hour off those electronics is extremely important.

It’s a vicious cycle, isn’t it? You can’t sleep after a long day and you think maybe opening up Netflix or scrolling through your phone might help. The reality is, swiping through apps and having that blue light on you is very unhealthy. In fact, you are disrupting your body’s natural circadian system, and those extra late nights can’t be good for you.

If you can, try not to have your phone or laptop with you in bed, nor do any work in bed.

Making your bed a place of relaxation will help you get in the mood for sleep when you finally decide to call it a night. Ideally, both shouldn’t even be in the room, but having a designated

workspace is also beneficial. Not only will it put you in the mindset to work whenever you decide to do it, it will also solidify the idea that your bed means sleep.

Charging your phone in a place separate from your room is also something to consider.

Many of us use it as an alarm clock, however, dealing with constant incoming texts and notifications late at night can and most likely will, have you reaching for it.

If not having your phone in the room at night doesn’t work for you, try putting it on mute, have it lie face down, and place the charger in an outlet not directly next to

your bed. Not only will it give you twice the incentive to get out of bed the next morning, but you’ll most likely leave that phone alone altogether and get a better rest. Another option is to get a blue light-dimming app for your electronics, like Lux for Apple products and Twilight for Android.

So, when it is time to turn your clocks back this winter, also take the time to separate your sleeping sanctuary from those rest-robbing culprits. Your mind, your body, and your grades will thank you for that extra hour of blissful sleep.

MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS: Finding the right counsellor Zoe Lauckner Contributor Seeking counselling services is a big deal—it takes strength, determination, and a willingness to be vulnerable and open about your life. It means you’re experiencing some struggle that you recognize you need support for.

Counsellors practice in a wide variety of styles, or theoretical orientations, meaning that the way they view their role as a counsellor, you as the client, and the work that goes into the helping process, will differ depending on their orientation. The types of orientations are endless, from classical psychoanalysis to cognitive behavioural and art therapy: there really is someone for everyone. It’s uncommon to find a therapist who practices from one orientation only, as most contemporary therapists consider themselves “integrative”, meaning they utilize a number of techniques from a variety of approaches. At the very least, an effective counsellor should be flexible and open to trying techniques that fit you. Finding

someone who practices primarily in a style that is in line with your values, beliefs, and goals is the strongest determinant of treatment outcomes. The client-therapist relationship is a key agent in the change process, and to get the most out of therapy, here are some things to consider before choosing a therapist.

One of the most important questions is: What do you want to get out of therapy? If you have particular goals in mind, that’s great. Some orientations are more clientdirected, meaning that the therapist puts the responsibility on the client to identify their own goals and generally decide the direction of the therapeutic process. The therapist is there to act as a guide or fellow traveller, but ultimately you’re the one steering the ship.

Approaches that share a humanist perspective, such as person-centered, existential, and brief solution-focused therapies, all fit into this category, as they all consider the client as the expert. If you’re someone who works better with firm direction and homework activities, you might want to consider finding a therapist who works within a behavioural framework,

such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), where the therapist acts as more of a teacher.

Types of art and narrative therapy also bring different focuses on healing through creative processes.

Finances are worth considering, as we are all students on a budget. Private counselling ranges from $80 to $150, and the extended health plan through VIU covers only $300 per year for psychologists. But don’t fret, there are many options. The VIU Counselling Department offers brief solution-focused counselling to VIU students, up to 5 sessions per term, free of charge. The department’s practitioners have a wide variety of experience and utilize a number of techniques within their counselling, drawn from cognitive behavioural therapy, eye movement and desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), art therapy, and more. Despite the different approaches, the counsellors still practice from a brief solution-focused foundation, which looks at client’s immediate goals and desired outcomes rather than on symptoms or diagnoses. With an emphasis on the present

and future, the VIU service is a good option for students on a budget who are seeking assistance moving forward in productive ways. For more information on the counsellors available through VIU, visit their website and check out their bios: <https://www2.viu.ca/ counselling/contact.asp>.

It is also worth a mention that Discovery Youth & Family Substance Use Services, located in Nanaimo, is accessible to “anyone in the community directly or indirectly negatively impacted by substance use” and is free of charge. You can find out more about their services by visiting < http://www.viha.ca/ youth-substance-use/discovery.htm>. Lastly, the Island Integrated Counselling Society offers counselling services on a sliding scale, from $1 to $120 based on financial ability. They provide an amazing service and deserve kudos for all they do for the community. Check them out here < http://islandintegratedcounselling. com>.

Stay sane(ish) VIU! Until next time…

Alyssa’s slow cooker Chili

COLOUR ME INTERESTED

Alyssa Morton

Catherine Charlebois

Every student should have a Crock-Pot, or at least access to one. A small 1.5L one that doesn’t take up too much room, The Navigator but still makes a hearty meal. They’re versatile for a large range of diets, are easy to use, and are forgiving. This is a huge boost for students just learning how to cook. With awkward and busy schedules, you don’t know if you’re going to have time for meals, you usually find yourself with a strange assortment of groceries, and not everyone has the means to make a meal that involves a whole page of ingredients.

This is where the Crockpot wins out. Cooking times are forgiving, with most recipes calling for a time range of two hours. Throw your meal in to cook for six hours, get held back for a meeting with your prof, return home a few hours after you were supposed to, and your meal is still just as good. Simple ingredients can create hearty meals, and a little spice goes a long way in Crockpots.

Ingredients: •

One 26 oz. can tomato sauce

•

Two tbsp. chili powder

•

One lb. frozen lean ground beef (even better if you get extra lean)

•

¼ cup diced onion

•

One bell pepper and/or zucchini diced, optional

•

Two 16 oz. cans kidney beans, drained

Instructions: Put one can of beans down first, then your meat, then all the other ingredients.

Cook on low for five hours. Check your meat to make sure everything is cooked.

If not, leave in for another hour. Mix, serve, and enjoy.

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SPORTS & L I F EST Y L E

The Navigator I hadn’t touched a colouring book since I filled pages in with the help of my grandma.

That is until a month-long overseas trip left me stranded with nothing but a Kindle for entertainment. Those hours spent waiting either in the car or at the airport had my hands itching for something to do. After many sighs and long lost looks, someone shoved a colouring page in my hands and I began to explore different colour combinations with my arsenal of colouring pencils.

Just like that, I had rediscovered what it was like to be a kid again, except this time, it’s socially acceptable, my aesthetic choices weren’t an eyesore, and I could actually colour within the lines.

Not only was I entertained, but I found colouring to be a great way to relax. To my surprise, I found out I wasn’t the only one.

According to the Huffington Post, colouring mandalas were first used as a form of therapy by psychiatrist Carl Jung in the early 20th century. Not only does colouring stimulate different parts of the brain, the simple act of putting pencil to paper has a de-stressing effect.

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According to psychologist Gloria Ayala, colouring “brings out our imagination and takes us back to our childhood, a period in which we most certainly had a lot less stress.”

Not only that, but focusing on a task has us subconsciously put all our worries on the back burner and become present.

I definitely wasn’t the only one having a great time with this. When I came back from my trip, I found that the selection of adult colouring books had exploded while I was away and I could literally be doing this everyday if I wanted.

Simply googling the words “colouring page for adults” had me riffling through just about a billion results, all of which were printable.

With all the stress of work, school and the daily demands of life, colouring is something I highly recommend. Why not have a colouring party with friends? Making some art for a night and socializing is a great stress-reliever, especially if you really need some time-off and can’t really afford it. You can even colour on the fly: A colouring book makes a great activity in-between classes or when waiting for a friend—the possibilities are endless. In fact, why not have a go at it right now? Grab your pencils and go to page 22, and you may be surprised.

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sports & lifestyle SQUASH THE SEASONAL BLUES WITH VIUS FARMERS MARKET Jordan Peterman

Between mountains of reading, writing essays, Contributor cramming for exams, and trying to salvage something of a social life, students will often cut corners when it comes to eating right. On top of this hectic lifestyle, it can feel impossible to tackle issues like fighting climate change, supporting local agriculture, and raising funds to help our classmates facing challenges and disabilities. Who has the time? Well, as it turns out, we all do. The on-campus farmer’s market accomplishes all of these things and more.

The on-campus farmer’s market was developed as a joint effort between the Campus Food Movement and the Workplace Essential Skills Training Program (WEST). The Campus Food Movement was looking for a way to promote food security, support farmers in the Nanaimo area, and increase access to fresh, organic food on campus. Then along came Craig Evans, WEST Worksite Trainer, with over 30 years of agricultural experience, a passion for food, and looking for a way for his students to develop entrepreneurial skills in a supportive environment. “It was win-win on all levels, and it just came together,” Evans said.

The WEST Program provides workplace training for VIU students who have challenges and disabilities. This is a great

cause to support on campus, and doing so is no harder than buying dinner. First-year WEST students get to spend time on a farm, learning and developing valuable agricultural skills, while second-year students move on to develop retail skills which includes helping to operate the farmer’s market table.

The program also shares in the proceeds, receiving 25 per cent of the gross profits to help with funding. The remaining profit supports the Farmship Grower’s Coop, a cooperative of local farmers located just 25 km from campus, who are growing and supplying the veggies. It doesn’t get more local than that.

“You have a relationship with the people who are growing your food,” Evans explained. “The money goes direct, to farmers. The stuff that is bought from the supermarket can come from anywhere on the planet.”

VIU students also come from all corners of the globe, so buying local organic food can be a great way to get a real taste of Nanaimo.

“This might be their first opportunity to buy directly from a farmer, and it helps support that culture of local agriculture,” said Evans. Experiencing local food means working with nature, not against it, and learning to appreciate the very ground that we walk on. It is also a piece of authentic Canadian culture. “Food and culture are one-and-one. You can’t have a culture without food.”

As well as reducing greenhouse gas emissions, buying local also pays off financially. “The channel of distribution is less, so you’re paying much less,” said WEST Program Market Supervisor Jacqueline Burnip. “And unlike the supermarket, the vegetables don’t have to be perfect. It doesn’t have to look pretty, it only has to taste pretty.”

With a reduced supply chain, the on-campus farmer’s market can also pass savings on to the customer because the workers are volunteers and the growers don’t use any conventional agricultural inputs like herbicides, pesticides, and fertilizers. The end result is cheap, healthy, and positive for everyone involved.

And if supporting this great cause, helping the environment, and connecting to nature aren’t enough motivation, eating right should be, because poor diet choices will certainly come back to us later in life.

“Students might not notice it right now, but it will catch up with you. At 35 years old you will say ‘I should’ve done something different,’” said Evans. “In the end, you never think ‘Oh gee, all of the food I ate was too good.’”

The VIU Farmer’s Market is every Tuesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. — 2 p.m. outside of the upper cafeteria.

RISING FROM THE ASHES: THE JOURNEY TO QUIT SMOKING

Sarah Torgerson Contributor

Nestled in the heart of the Vancouver Island University campus, students can find plumes of grey smoke and a handful of generally unhappy-looking smokers. This mecca for stressed out, nicotine-addicted students is where I sit between classes and take study breaks.

I started smoking on a beautifully humid evening in November 2009. I was living in Perth, Western Australia, and thought I could smoke recreationally. “Recreational smoking” ended when I lit my second cigarette. Some may argue it ended when I lit my first. Who am I kidding, it was a downward spiral into addiction from the first puff.

As I write, I am, indeed, smoking a cigarette. In fact, during my three years of university education, it is not rare to see me chain smoking while working on assignments.

I know I am not alone in this struggle. Why, in this day and age, are young, educated people, still lighting up?

It may not be something a non-smoker notices, but a great number of people suck back cigarettes on a daily basis. I see chain smokers at the smoke pit, and the look of disdain on their faces. I am one of these people.

I don’t believe it is necessary to sympathize with smokers; smokers don’t ask for your sympathy. But I do think that there is a great deal unknown in regards to the trials and tribulations of addiction. The attitude towards smokers seems to be something along the lines of: “Well, they made that mistake, right? Who cares?” I care. I care deeply. Being raised with the Surgeon General’s commercials displaying grotesque lungs and holes in the trachea, it’s strange that people choose to smoke. But scare tactics clearly aren’t working.

Step outside any movie theatre, grocery store, bar, or health clinic, and you will see people of all kinds taking a break from life in hopes of easing the incessant voice of nicotine withdrawal. Something needs to change.

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Stats Canada states that smoking rates have decreased since 2010. That being said, the decline is small and not quite steady.

That same year, 20.8 per cent of Canadians identified as current smokers, compared to 18.1 per cent in 2014. The decline is evident, but the numbers are fluctuating. With all of the education, information, pharmaceuticals, and programs available, why is this decrease so slow and wavering? I’ve attempted to quit about six times. The first time, I went to my doctor and asked about the BC Smoking Cessation Program. For those unfamiliar with this program, the process is simple: pick up your phone, call HealthLink BC at 8-1-1, and tell them how you’d like to go about quitting—nicotine replacement therapy (patches or gum), or a prescription (Zyban or Champix). As a person who has suffered from depression off and on for 20 years, Zyban and Champix didn’t seem like viable options for me. Scientists are still uncertain of exactly how these medications work in regards to helping people quit, but they believe the drugs create a feeling similar to that of nicotine.

Essentially, Zyban and Champix are antidepressants, and I’ve always assumed that would mean ditching my own prescription that I went through hell and back to find. That being said, I have heard many success stories from people who have taken the prescription (my mother, for one.)

I picked up my free patches, slapped one on my arm, and felt instant dread fill my soul.

I spent the day with my boyfriend, getting whiffs of cigarette smoke while standing in the line for a coffee, and crying on the inside.

Finally, around 6 p.m., the crying was quite clearly on the outside. I said “I’m done!” and made the cold, sad walk to the Chevron down the street for a fresh pack of menthol cigarettes.

I had lasted mere hours as a non-smoker, and felt agonizing grief the whole time.

Last year in September, a week into my

semester, I decided laser treatment might do the trick. Laser therapy has become quite popular in the past few decades. Some say you can quit smoking, lose weight, or rid yourself of depression by sticking a special laser pen (not the one used to entertain your cat) on certain pressure points on the body. The laser can be felt in your bloodstream, and allegedly helps release endorphins.

I drove to a laser treatment facility in Qualicum Beach and, an hour and $350 later (thanks, Canadian government student loans), walked out and threw my pack away in the first trash can I saw. I was a non-smoker. I would conquer the world. That was it. I felt relaxed and generally okay.

I took the company’s prescribed list of vitamins and minerals to the nearest health food store, and spent another $90. All was going to be okay. By day three I was telling everyone I had quit and felt fine. Day four, however, found me in a doctor’s office, sobbing and begging for Ativan (a popular anti-anxiety prescription.) Addiction and withdrawals literally make you crazy. The next day, I caved. I was defeated, smoking, and $440 poorer (or, as I saw it, 44 packs of cigarettes poorer.)

After the failed laser treatment, I purchased Nicoderm patches. Nicotine replacement treatment aims to wean the smoker off nicotine. Patches come in three different levels, the first with the highest amount of nicotine, the third with the least.

If you are a light smoker, it is recommended you start at the second level. I started with the highest level of nicotine I could get my hands on, and I did alright. This is probably my most “successful” attempt.

Eventually, I was secretly puffing away when I could. But for the first time in years, I was able to go days, even weeks at a time without a cigarette. Of course, I carried a small vile of eau de toilette with me at all

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times, and packs of gum took over my purse and coat pockets, in hopes of covering my tracks. I was also constantly looking over my shoulder, fearing my boyfriend, a friend, or even a friend of a friend might spot me and proclaim loudly to the world that I, Sarah Torgerson, was a failure. I felt like a fugitive.

Everything was a lie.

Nestled in-between these attempts and failures, as well as quite a few times afterwards, are a number of half-hearted cold turkey efforts. Such attempts occur during cold season, a night out with friends (smoking heavily,) or generally feeling sick and tired of the whole process. I’d go to bed feeling horrible and tell myself I would not have a smoke with my morning coffee, I would not take a smoke break at work, and I refuse to give in. Sadly, cold turkey can be rough journey through the depths of hell.

A few days ago, I mustered up my courage and visited a doctor at the Port Place Medical Clinic. After speaking to Dr. Jatinder Mander about my horrible cough, I decided to discuss my smoking. After listing every avenue I’d unsuccessfully stumbled along, Dr. Mander informed me that Champix does not interfere with my current prescription. I was elated.

How foolish I’d been to avoid the subject altogether, instead of simply starting a conversation with my doctor. Talk to your doctor.

Next week, after I rid myself of this dreadful cough by diligently using my inhaler, I will start Champix. Aside from the possibility of vivid dreams and nausea, the side-effects aren’t too concerning. As with most anti-depressants, there is always the slight possibility of suicidal thoughts. I’m sure my family and friends will inform me if they see me falling off the deep end. Fingerscrossed.

SPORTS & L I F EST Y L E

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Namaste in bed and colour.

Stressed out? Colouring is good for you. Grab your pencils and get your zen on.

Mystical Mandala Coloring Book

<freecoloringpage.co.uk> <thebrowsingbrunette.com>

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ODDS & EN DS

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November

SUN

MON

TUE

WED

THU

FRI

SAT

4

5

6

7

Karaoke Night

GOB w/ Boids

VIUSU Pub

The Queens, 34 Victoria Cres.

8 – 11 p.m.

FREE

Doors 9 p.m. $20 advance, $25 door

World VIU Festival VIU Nanaimo Campus, Upper Cafeteria 11:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.

FREE

Edible Wild Mushrooms Workshop Englishman River Falls Provincial Park, 2245 Errington Rd. 12:30 – 4 p.m. $50

8 Fringe Flicks: Learning to Drive Avalon Cinema, 6631 North Island Hwy. 1, 4, and 7 p.m. $12

15 In Remembrance St. Andrew’s United Church, 311 Fitzwilliam St. 2:30 – 5 p.m.

Students $10

9 Matthew Good

10

11

12

VIU Theatre Department presents: Tartuffe

Nanaimo Remembrance Day Parade and Ceremony

Doors 6:30 p.m.

VIU Nanaimo Campus, Malaspina Theatre

$45

8 – 10 p.m.

The Port Theatre, 125 Front St.

Students $10

16 Essential Life Skills Workshop Nanaimo Family Life Association, 1070 Townsite Rd. 12:30 – 3 p.m. $10

13

14 So U Think U Can Drag?

Worldbridger Film Series: SIR! NO SIR!

The Late Show w/ BOOMSHACK

Front and Church St.

VIU Nanaimo Campus, Bldg. 356, rm. 109

The Queens, 34 Victoria Cres.

9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

7 – 10 p.m.

Doors 10:30 p.m.

Doors 9 p.m.

FREE

By donation

$5

FREE

The Vault Café, 499 Wallace St.

17 High Tea by the Sea Deep Bay Marine Field Station, Crome Point Rd. 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. $20

JOIN THE NAVIGATOR ONLINE THENAV.CA

/THENAVIGATORNEWSPAPER @THENAV_VIU

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C A L EN DA R

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By Levin C. Handy (per http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/cwpbh.04326) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

You don’t have to sit in school to stand among greatness.

› Thomas Edison: The world’s most extraordinary failure never gave up.

Thank goodness.

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