The Navigator Vol 48 Issue 2

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SEPTEMBER 21

OCTOBER 4

Vol 48

FREE

VANCOUVER ISLAND UNIVERSITY STUDENT PRESS

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New Sexual misconduct policy being developed at viu

From Malaspina to moscow: An Alumni story

Mariners Home Opener Action

“Having respect for women and understanding their historical circumstances and journey is good for everyone.”

“We started slow, going 8 km a day,” says Pavlov. “Then 100, 120, and eventually 200 km a day sometimes. It wasn’t easy.”

“We got down, but we didn’t let that get to us. We stayed the course.”

CONTENTS

NEWS

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Editorials

News in a nutshell --Upcoming Arts & Humanities Colloquium presentation mixes alchemy and fiction

ACER hosts 5th annual symposia to combat climate change --New sexual misconduct policy being developed at VIU

VIULEARNS brings student support into the light --New professors hired in Creative Writing Department

FEATURES

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Digging up our ghosts: BC’s resource history

Point of VIU --Bunnies and stairs

Dirtyin’ The Nav: Communicating desire --Op-ed: The streets of Nanaimo

Fresh start: Nanaimo community rallies behind barbershop charity event

From Malaspina to Moscow: an alumni story

ARTS

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Nerd pride at MosaiCon

No Man’s Sky: Hype Dreams --Let’s give violence a chance: G.L.O.S.S.’ Trans Day of Revenge

Alone with you: Video game review --Unapologetically Canadian

The Living Finger: a comic book review

SPORTS & LIFESTYLE

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St. Andrew’s United Church --Mariners soccer success at Douglas --Mariners tied up at Langara

Mariners home opener action

BBQ cauliflower bites --Exercisers connect with new fitness app --VIU golf team wins tournament in Abbotsford

Intramural sports --VIU Athletes win PACWEST Athletes of the Week

Comic

CONTENTS

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LETTERS

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CONTRIBUTORS Jocelyn Dickson

Gordon Hak

Shanon Fenske

Brandon Kornelson

Dane Gibson

Chantelle Spicer

Philip Gordon

THE NAVIGATOR TEAM

THE NAVIGATOR WELCOMES READER CONTRIbuTIONS To submit, visit <www.thenav.ca> or email <editor@thenav.ca>.

Molly Barrieau Editor-in-Chief

Jessica Pirson Graphic Designer

Avery Crosson Art Director

Zyre Hoskins Graphic Designer

Natalie Gates Associate Editor

Spenser Smith Web Editor

Brendan Barlow Arts Editor

Elissa Doerksen Social Media Sp.

Aislinn Cottell News Editor

Lynne Williams Bookkeeper

Cole Schisler Sports & Lifestyle Editor

Christine Franic Business Manager

Catherine Charlebois Production Manager

Diana Pearson Copy 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 iews o The Navigator staff.

DESIGN WORK

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Avery Crosson Cover

Zyre Hoskins Spread

900 Fifth St. Bldg. 193, rm. 217 Nanaimo, BC, V9R 5S5

T: 250-753-2225 F: 250-753-2257

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Letters

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EDITORIALS

Making space for consent

Molly Barrieau --Editor-in-Chief The Navigator

This year, I have the opportunity to share a column with our readers. Back in 2010, The Nav infamously published a Nav-a-Sutra column that included some less than savoury how-to suggestions in the bedroom. This led me to avoid such topics for fear of our younger readers and their parents.

Yes, we are a student newspaper and our demographic should reflect that, but when Diana, our fearless Copy Editor, pitched a sex-positive Q&A column, I was nervous. Was it going to be racy and too inappropriate for the community audience? Were we going to get complaints?

No, because as a gender studies major, Diana saw the opportunity to dive into the subject with class and an easy approachability that allowed me to get excited for what I was providing my readers: answers torelevant issues surrounding sexuality.

So, dear readers, every two weeks you will find a new topic on page 10, and we encourage you

to send in your anonymous questions to Diana at <column@thenav.ca>.

This issue, “Dirtyin’ The Nav” covers the controversial conversation on consent. And this got me thinking about last week’s incident, when a 15 year old woman was jogging in the residential neighbourhood by Country Club Centre. She was taking a break from her jog, headphones in, when she was pulled into the bushes off the road by a man.

She managed to fight him off and ran home, and I applaud her for her strength (check out Campus Rec’s Street Self Defense class Tuesdays/ Thursdays 4-5 pm).

As long as we have to hold our keys between our fingers, and shift uncomfortably in our clothes, consent and sexual assault education must be a top priority.

How often do we hear about a grabbing, smacking or brushing up on a woman, in a

crowded bar, a taxi cab or a lonely street? “Man exposes himself to 9 year old girl”, another headline reads, scaring just about every parent in the city.

As much as consent is about your intimate partner and yourself, it is a necessary discussion in our everyday lives. Same goes to you, men; never feel like you aren’t a part of this. We all need to understand that everyone has their own physical boundaries, and understanding that is the beginning to respecting them.

If you’re looking for more on the issues surrounding sexual misconduct, the VIU Status of Women Chair Kathy Page is working with the VIU Sexual Violence Steering Committee on creating our own legislation on sexual misconduct on campus. Here’s to VIU for creating a safe space for all students, but as for the rest of Nanaimo…

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Natalie Gates --Associate Editor The Navigator

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editorials

Stuff. How much of it do you have? Think about each piece of clothing, each book, plate, pillow, knick knack, and—the big one—electronic. Think about the number of items you get for Christmas, your birthday, or a shopping spree alone. Think about how much you throw out each year.

It’s enough to make you nauseous.

I was reading this article for class last week, called “Collaborative Consumption: Shifting the Consumer Mindset” by Rachel Botsman and Roo Rogers. Once I finished, I had the overwhelming urge to grab everyone I know by the shoulders and tell them about the epiphany I just had. If you have me on Snapchat, you might have gotten a tiny bit of that.

Over time governments, economists, and, especially, corporations have molded our society into one that “can’t live” without our personal possessions. If you ain’t got no stuff, you ain’t nobody. We are told we must work more and more hours a week so we can afford to buy all the stuff that makes us “worthy” and brings us “happiness”. Once that stuff wears out, we throw it into an invisible disposal system buried in the ground or an oven that burns it and spouts the fumes into the sky, and on to the next.

Watch Story of Stuff onYouTube for more.

Since we—and several generations before

us—have been raised to worship “stuff,” it’s impossible to simply tell a whole population to just quit consuming. That would be inconvenient; in the high-paced reality that is most of our lives, we can’t handle many more burdens.

It’s better to have your own washing machine at home than to have to lug your laundry to a laundromat. Bostman and Rogers reference the “Great Washing Machine Debate” which came about in the 1980s because of the collapse of laundromats and staggering increase of washing machines in landfills every year.

But what if laundromats were hip places where you could multitask—grab a coffee, eat food, socialize, and do your homework? A laundromat in San Francisco called Brainwash has done just this. This is collaborative consumption. Botsman and Rogers define it as “organized sharing, bartering, lending, trading, renting, gifting, and swapping through real and online communities”.

It’s not just laundromats. Things as simple as clothing swaps, thrift stores, and car-sharing are all collaborative consumption; they all gradually wean us off mass consumption, reduce our environmental footprint, and slowly pry open the grasp of capitalism.

Botsman and Rogers write, “Instead of trying to change consumers, the system itself

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has changed to accommodate needs and wants in a more sustainable and appealing way, with little burden to the individual.”

There’s a guy in Japan named Fumio Sasaki who owns only 150 items, including his wardrobe.

A practitioner of Zen philosophy, he is kind of my idol right now. Maybe he had to throw out thousands of possessions first to achieve this minimalist lifestyle. But, if he truly lives this way now and for the rest of his years, the amount of waste he is saving in his life alone is simply staggering.

Imagine if everyone valued experiences as much as we value stuff. Imagine the extra productivity, quality time, and pure uninterrupted joy there would be. Not to mention the general mess and clutter it would eliminate in your home.

Both us as consumers and business owners can do our best to start shifting mindsets and inviting others to follow suit.

This isn’t to say I’m never going to buy something at the mall again. Stuff doesn’t stop overnight. But if I give you a homemade wall hanging, a used shirt, a free pass for the bowling alley, or a coupon for a full day of fun times with me for Christmas, don’t be surprised. You’re welcome.

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NEWS

News In a Nutshell WHAT

Aislinn Cottell --The Navigator

WHERE

Free open textbooks available for student use throu h the B pen e tboo ro ect the first government-sponsored site of its kind.

WHY YOU SHOULD CARE

open bccampus ca find open te tboo s

Free textbooks. Need we say more?

WHAT

WHERE

WHY YOU SHOULD CARE

September 27: Screening of the documentary CODE: Debugging the Gender Gap, followed by a Q&A and discussion. Hosted by Innovation Island, snacks and drinks provided.

Vancouver Island University, 900 Fifth St., Nanaimo Bldg. 355, rm. 203 and 211.

An interesting documentary exploring the lack of women and minorities in the software en ineerin field

WHAT

WHERE

WHY YOU SHOULD CARE

October 1: ACER symposia on combating climate change. Featuring speakers, a panel discussion, practical demonstrations, and free lunch. Admission is free, but please email <ACER@viu.ca> to preregister.

Vancouver Island University, 900 Fifth St., Nanaimo Bldg. 355, rm. 203 and 211.

A great way to expand your knowledge of science, politics, and the policy of climate change. Did we mention free lunch?

WHAT

WHERE

WHY YOU SHOULD CARE

The City of Nanaimo is seeking proposals for temporary outdoor art to display in public spaces for the enjoyment of residents and visitors.

All artists can submit their proposals through the City website, under “Call for Artists for Temporary Outdoor Art No. 1812.”

Anyone can submit, not just professional artists. Get some exposure and art up, Nanaimo. We want to see your stuff.

Runs from 5 pm – 8 pm.

Runs from 9 am – 3 pm.

Deadline for proposal submission is November 15.

WHAT

WHERE

WHY YOU SHOULD CARE

October 5: Book launch and lecture by ethnomusicologist Dr. Michael B. MacDonald for his new book Playing for Change, a critical pedagogy of arts-based community learning and development (A-CLD). Hosted by Masters of Community Planning.

Vancouver Island University, 900 Fifth St., Nanaimo Bldg. 356, rm. 109

Of particular interest to anthropologists, educators, social workers, sociologists, philosophers, and musicians; this book is a unique and much-needed contribution to Canadian history and cultural theory.

Runs from 7 – 9 pm.

Upcoming Arts & HUmAnities colloqUiUm presentAtion mixes AlcHemy And Fiction Gordon Hak ---

How do you mix the study of alchemy with creative Contributor writing? That’s the question Dr. Cynthea Masson, a member of the VIU English Department, will address in a talk on Friday, September 30. The presentation, “From Academic Article to Fantasy Novel: Medieval Alchemy and The Alchemists’ Council”, is part of the popular Arts & Humanities Colloquium Series. It will be held in the Malaspina Theatre, at 10 am.

Alchemy is about transformation. This medieval science sought to find a universal cure for disease, the means to prolong life with an elixir of immortality, and most famously, a method to transform base metals into gold. In a 1995 study of the history of alchemy, Andrea De Pascalis describes alchemical texts as a series of “enigmas, contradictions, allegories, symbols, interruptions, veiled meanings and apparent absurdities.” With its scientific, spiritual, and artistic links, alchemy continues to intrigue people in modern times. Masson noted, “From the Philosopher’s Stone to the laboratory alembic, from the Emerald Tablet to the alchemical hermaphrodite, the language and iconography of alchemy has both fascinated and confused scholars for centuries.”

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Masson’s talk will explore some of these “apparent absurdities.” But she is most keen to make connections between the academic study of alchemy and the process of creative writing.

“I hope to convey that the transformation of scholarship into fiction is an alchemical process that others can pursue,” Masson said.

Masson is uniquely qualified to do just this.

Her PhD in English from McMaster University is a study of medieval literature and the rhetoric of mysticism. She later studied two medieval poets.

This meant a semester working on alchemical manuscripts at the British Library. Masson is also a creative writer and in her work she draws on her expertise in the study of alchemy. Her 2009 novel, The Elijah Tree, combines theories of medieval mysticism with contemporary issues of faith. Her new novel, The Alchemists’ Council, published in 2016, is anchored in various concepts from medieval alchemy. It focuses on a group of alchemists who, in order to save the world, must determine why the bees are disappearing both from their world and from ancient alchemical manuscripts.

Masson is also known for her work in the area of television studies, especially on the fantasy series of Joss Whedon, the creator of Buffy the

Vampire Slayer (1997-2003), Angel (1999-2004), Firefly (2002), Dollhouse (2009–10) and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.(2013–present). She has won awards, including the 2014 Whatley Award for Best Paper Published in Studies in Popular Culture, and is co-editor of the book Reading Joss Whedon (2014).

For this Colloquium, Masson will focus on alchemy and fiction: “I will briefly discuss the relevant academic work, and then explore several key concepts of alchemy and the ways in which I used those concepts to create and develop the world of my fantasy novel, The Alchemists’ Council.” During the presentation she will read several short passages from the book, introducing the reader to the unique alchemical practices within what the novel refers to as the “Council dimension.” The presentation will be accompanied by slides featuring images from medieval and early modern alchemical manuscripts.

The talk on September 30 promises to be illuminating and possibly transformative. It is open to faculty, employees, and the general public. Students are especially welcome and there will be refreshments.

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NEWS

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Acer Hosts 5tH AnnUAl symposiA to comBAt climAte cHAnge Aislinn Cottell ---

The Awareness of Climate Change through Education and Research group (ACER), The Navigator is hosting their 5th annual symposia on the VIU campus this month, and would like to encourage all students and faculty to attend.

The symposia will begin at 9 am on Saturday, October 1, and be hosted in bldg. 355, rm.203 and 211. Attendance is free; however, they ask that anyone interested please register in advance by emailing <ACER@viu.ca>.

Presentations will be held in the morning by Tom Pederson, former Executive Director of the Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions (PICS), and Rob Laurence, Environmental Planner for the City of Nanaimo. Their talks will focus on the socialeconomic impacts of climate change, as well as public policy initiatives and methods for promoting sustainability through all levels of government. Following a free lunch in the afternoon, there will be a panel discussion as well as several interactive demonstrations, including Marine Acidification, the Greenhouse Effect, Computer-based Visualizations, and Evidence-based Decision Making.

For those unfamiliar with ACER, the group was founded ten years ago by a group of students from the chemistry club, who were inspired by a question posed to them on a final exam.

The question, however, wasn’t just a mere calculation, but a far more sweeping inquiry: “what can we as individuals do to effect change on the issue of climate change?”

Their answer? Create ACER, a group dedicated to combating

these effects through education and research as their name suggests. Chemistry Professor and Co-Director of the Applied Environmental Research Lab (AERL) Erik Krogh became their first faculty advisor, and today shares those duties with Jeff Lewis, Faculty of the Geography Department and Climatology Specialist. They have also expanded to include students and staff of all disciplines—from chemistry and geography, to psychology and creative writing.

ACER carries out the educational aspect of their mission largely through presentations and demonstrations to high schools; since its inception, ACER members have presented to an estimated 15,000 students across BC, as well as to various community groups and organizations.

“It’s been a very successful model for us,” says Krogh.

The group has developed several different presentations they show to groups of different backgrounds, with topics ranging from the science of climate change the health effects and to the socio-economic impacts of climate change as well.

“Depending on where the [presenting] student’s interests may be, we can match them up with a presentation that fits their interests.”

Krogh says these presentations provide a valuable experience for their members, as they help to develop many “soft skills” that can later be utilized when applying for positions, or working in public relations.

ACER also makes an effort to keep themselves up-to-date on the newest research and developments in the world of climate

change, and works to promote an inter-disciplinary approach to the problems it poses. Krogh says, “It’s a lot easier to care about something when you understand it a bit more.”

Any students or faculty who are interested in having ACER present in their class, or getting involved with the group themselves, are more than welcome to contact <ACER@viu. ca> for more information.

New Sexual Misconduct Policy Being Developed at VIU Aislinn Cottell Bill Cosby, Jian Ghomeshi, Johnny Depp— --the last few years have sometimes felt like The Navigator

a never-ending roll call of the abuse that pervades our society.

With incidents involving celebrities bringing attention to these problems in the media, there is a growing awareness in the western world that rape and assault are not merely the crimes of monsters hiding down dark alleys, but are often committedby known,and often even beloved, people in our lives.

As more women speak out about their experiences, it is becoming equally apparent how frequent sexual misconduct occurs in what should be safe spaces—like doctor’s offices, workplaces, and universities. In particular, the investigation at UBC over “rape chants” heard during their 2013 frosh celebration sparked heated debate over the responsibility of post-secondary schools to protect their students and staff from harassment and assault, a discussion which finally came to solid fruition in April of this year.

In April, a new provincial bill was tabled—and a month later given royal assent—that requires all BC colleges and universities to develop and maintain policies regarding response and prevention of sexual assault, misconduct, harassment, and voyeurism. Called the Sexual Violence and Misconduct Policy Act, the bill was initially introduced by Green Party Leader Andrew Weaver, who modelled it after Ontario’s similar recently-adopted legislation.

The bill will come into effect May 2017, and require all BC universities to develop procedures and strategies for the prevention, response, and documentation of any incidents of sexual misconduct on campus. The institutions will also be required to seek input from students and to review the policy

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every three years to ensure it remains up-to-date and effective.

In the meantime, it’s part of recently-appointed Chair of the Status of Women Committee Kathy Page’s job to begin developing a draft for these regulations here at VIU. Kathy Page, 58, is a well-established VIU professor who has been teaching part-time in the creative writing department for 11 years. She says she accepted the Status of Women nomination because she felt “enraged” at how many problems women still face in the 21st century.

“Being the generation that I am, I thought we had started to fix this when I was a student. So it is absolutely enraging to see that some of the work done back then is being kind of pushed back,” Page says.

The Status of Women was founded by the Vancouver Island University Faculty Association (VIUFA) in 1987, and is dedicated to dealing with issues facing women both on campus and in the wider world. The position has historically been a one-woman gig; however, this year Page hopes to find a few more members and form an actual group with whom to brainstorm.

The committee is funded by VIUFA, something Page says is relatively unusual, and highlights the university’s commitment not only to combating the problems female students face, but also to the enrichment of the university as a whole.

“I think having respect for women and understanding their historical circumstances and journey is good for everyone, women and men,” Page says.

She says that the committee has several main angles, one of which is teaching.

“A big part of the role, historically, has been events and education about issues of importance to women, which often

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of course, is violence.”

“It’s quite a complicated issue—it’s simple in one way because you want to eliminate it, but it’s finding a way to be able to deal with both those who are victims, but also you could be in a situation as a university where the perpetrator is also a student. Or staff.”

“We are in fact quite aggressive in that respect already, we have a good record of listening when there are complaints. And we do keep a record of complaints, but many large universities say they have none. They haven’t got anything on record.”

Status of Women also supports and networks with groups such as the Haven Society and Canadian Federation of University Women to host events as well as develop new strategies of dealing with discrimination and abuse. From hosting vigils for incidents such as the Montreal Massacre, to showing films celebrating women’s achievements and inspiration on International Women’s Day, Page hopes to build a strong community of support and progress on campus.

“Having a sophisticated understanding of the issues of violence against women and what we can do to improve the situation has got to be the number one thing at this time, but also to celebrate the achievements of women...despite what’s against us psychologically, physically, and economically.”

Over the next several months, Page will be working with the VIU Sexual Violence Steering Committee to develop the new VIU policy surrounding sexual misconduct on campus.

She enthusiastically welcomes any input concerning this or other related issues, and invites students and faculty to contact her at <kathy.page@viu.ca> if they have ideas or want to get involved. Those interested can also check the Status of Women Facebook page for news on upcoming events and initiatives.

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NEWS

VIULEARN BRINGS STUDENT SUPPORT INTO THE LIGHT Dane Gibson ---

Every student runs into barriers now and then. Whether it’s keeping up with VIU Communications course demands, getting motivated to study, determining a path to success or something else–at those times it’s good to know where to turn.

The VIULEARN, Enhancing Student Learning Event that gets underway September 26-29 on all VIU campuses is bringing together almost 30 VIU programs, as well as support and student organizations focused solely on VIU student supports and success. For students who attend, it means knowing where to turn will become that much easier to navigate.

VIU’s Director of Enrolment Management Tina McComb and Centre for Innovation and Excellence in Learning Director Liesel Knaack helped organize the event. McComb says VIULEARN is an extension of the Successful Student Learning Initiative that got underway at the university acouple of years ago.

“At that time we engaged the VIU community and asked the question: What does student learning look like for you?

We developed a report based on that initiative and one of the recommendations included challenging us to be creative when we approach learning and engaging our students,” said McComb. “That included bringing faculty together with students and showcasing a lot of the really great work that already happens on campus. The result of that work is VIULEARN.” McComb says the process of pulling VIULEARN together and incorporating so many different components has been interesting.

“It’s not just about support services, it’s about highlighting the many different opportunities there are for learning. It’s quite exciting seeing the academic and program areas coming together to engage students in a variety of different learning opportunities,” said McComb.

VIULEARN highlights a number of those opportunities and

McComb and Knaack hope students and faculty will explore all the many different options.

For example, VIU’s board-certified success coach, Sharon Kelly, will be there. Success coaching is offered to VIU students through the Student Affairs Department.

“I am a huge advocate of identifying one’s circle of support and expanding it to include VIU resources as well. When all the supports are available in one place, it highlights for students how available and helpful these resources can be for students,” said Kelly. “The message I will be conveying to students at VIULEARN is to be intentional in their goal setting with self-knowledge about what is most important to them.

This will help them to create a daily life that manages their priorities better so they have more energy and greater focus for what is truly important to them.”

A workshop being offered that all students should consider is Biology Professor and winner of the Provost’s Award for Teaching Excellence Tim Goater’s “Igniting the Flame: Inspiring a Lover of Parasitology through Experiential Learning”. His goal is to inspire students in every faculty to take advantage of lab and field trip opportunities and get involved in hands-on learning experiences outside of the classroom.

Mike Thibodeau is the VIU Campus Store manager. He says the Campus Store will be at the VIULEARN event to raise awareness about their Sell Your Used Textbooks app and the Dare to Compare service offered through the VIU Campus Store website.

“What we don’t want is to have students come here for four years and not know that we offer services like this. VIULEARN is about asking students to really think about how they are going to succeed here at VIU and for us we want the Campus Store to be a part of their journey,” said Thibodeau. “An event like this is a reminder of what we all do together to help students succeed and that’s important. It brings us as service

providers all together and reminds us why we are all here.”

Other participants include representatives from the Peer Supported Learning Program, Creative Writing and Journalism Department, Arts and Humanities, and International Education. There will also be a Learning Fair, documentary film screening and a graffiti poster activity—these are just a few of the highlights happening over the four-day event.

The workshops for students and faculty scheduled throughout are free, just make sure you get registered because the workshops will fill up fast. For more information check out VIULEARN September 26-29.

(L - R) Pheobe Lo Patigas, VIUSU Chair, and Melissa Liew, VIUSU volunteer at last week’s FROSH fest.

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neW proFessors Hired in creAtiVe Writing depArtment Aislinn Cottell If you have the time to pry an eye from --your textbooks this semester, you might The Navigator

spot a few different faces on the endless stairs we call home. In the wake of several departures from the Creative Writing and English departments last year, some new members have been hired this fall to fill the gaps in our literary line-up.

Alissa Gordaneer is a poet, journalist, and communications professional who, before starting at VIU this semester, spent several years editing for alternative papers such as Victoria’s Monday Magazine and the Detroit Metro Times. She also worked as a freelance journalist, and taught writing at Royal Roads University and the University of Victoria. Gordaneer has received both the Nuclear Age Peace Poetry award and two Dorothy Sargent Rosenberg awards for her poems, and has been given awards for her journalism by the Association of Alternative Newsweeklies, the BC Newspapers Association, the Michigan Press Association, and the BC and Yukon Community Newspapers Association.

Gordaneer will be largely taking over VIU’s journalism program from its founder Richard Dunstan, who retired last

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spring after teaching at the university for 19 years.

Professor Steven Guppy also retired in September 2015, having taught various poetry and fiction courses here for 30 years. Some of his classes will be picked by new professor Sonnet L’Abbe, an accomplished poet and critic who has taught English both abroad in South Korea, and here in Canada at the University of Toronto and UBC. L’Abbe regularly reviews both fiction and poetry for The Globe and Mail, is an occasional contributor to CBC Radio One and the National Post, and was the guest editor of the Best Canadian Poetry 2014 anthology.

Her own work can be found in several anthologies and journals including the Best Canadian Poetry 2010, Open Field: 30 Contemporary Canadian Poets, and Red Silk: An Anthology of South Asian Canadian Women Poets. She has also published two books—A Strange Relief (2001) and Killarnoe (2007).

Creative Writing Department chair Jay Ruzesky describes the departure of Dunstan and Guppy as a definite loss, especially considering the “institutional memory” that such established department members held when it comes to knowledge of course history and development.

“They were people who worked very hard, and put a lot

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into the department, so when I say we lost them,” Ruzesky said,”what I mean is that they gave a lot.”

However, Ruzesky is also excited about the new additions, the high qualityof their work,and what they can bring to the table.

“What you get with new people is new energy, enthusiasm— new excitement.”

“We had a department meeting the last week of August, just about everybody was able to come, and looking around the table—I use the word ‘loss’ about the people who left, but I was looking around at what we gained, and feeling really good.”

In addition to the new hires, both long-term but parttime professors Kathy Page and Robert Hilles are becoming permanent members of staff this year, something Ruzesky says will bring new stability to the department and is “as it should be,” given their success as teachers. He also believes that VIU’s approach to creative writing—namely small, workshop-based classes—is going well.

“I’m feeling really optimistic about the department going forward. It’s a really strong department, a good place to be, and a good place to be a student.”

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Digging up our ghosts: BC's resource history Chantelle Spicer Over the Labour Day weekend, my partner --and I set out into the Selkirk Mountains and Contributor

delve into some of the human history of our province—ghost towns in BC’s famed “Valley of Ghosts.” This area was part of a boom of development and resource extraction during the Silver Rush in the 1890s. It was once comprised of numerous towns, with the remains of six still (kind of) visible on the landscape.

Neither of us knew what to expect going in– especially how our bodies would feel after four to five hours of road travel every day.

Nor did it know how we would feel to stand in front the ruins of human ambition.

The pièce de résistance of the Valley is Sandon, marked by the presence of a gift shop, museum, and tourist info. The area came under development in 1892 with the discovery of rich deposits of silver in the towering mountains, leading to a flood of miners and families, eventually peaking at a population of 5000 residents. The rate and extent of growth is staggering considering the isolation of the area.

The town had brothels, three churches, a full hospital, numerous fancy hotels, dance halls, a newspaper, and banks—all the comforts of home to the colonizers of the area. The majority of houses even had the luxury of running water. Connecting them and their new-found treasure to the outside world were two train lines, which hauled $1 million worth of silver per day away from its origins deep in the surrounding mountains.

As powerful as this economy seemed to be, it was not immune to the powers of the land around it—namely fires and flooding, which ravaged the town beginning in 1900. As quick as it appeared, it succumbed to the land, and was abandoned by most in 1955. Year after year more of the town surrendered to the land until it became the ruins that it is now.

As preserved as the area is, it was my least favourite of the trip, as it had a hokey “wild west” tourist feeling to it. Only a handful of buildings still remain, the survivors of yet another fire which occurred in 2008, destroying two buildings which were in the process of being restored. The town is also home to BC’s oldest continuously running hydroelectric station, a remnant of Sandon during its boom-years.

As a visitor, you can take a tour of the building from its current operators, who are still providing power to the remaining town and the nearby mining operation which is still active.

Looking at a photo in the museum at the ravaged mountainsides, stripped of trees, scraped at by thousands of people for all the land could offer, I could not help but be overwhelmed at the greed of our society—the way people descended like a plague upon the area which had known only the footsteps of those in balance with the land, and the way it had been tossed aside when there was no financial value remaining. The land has since recovered, a dense and imposing forest towering above the city. Standing in the now dry Carpenter Creek, I felt glad that nature had reclaimed itself, proud of the resiliency

of those who still live there in the ruins to tell tales.

About two kilometres south of Sandon lies what was once a town of 150 pioneering folks based around the Noble Five mining company. Abandoned in the 1940s after a fire devastated the primary building, the town has sat in ruins since, ignored by the restoration activities of its closest neighbor. This was the most eerie visit of our adventures—houses with moth-eaten lace curtains fluttering in a breeze and narrow hallways giving way to rooms with trees growing through them.

Long ago human activity commands the area, the forest littered with rusted accoutrement of industry. As soon as I stepped from the car, I had goosebumps under my skin, my every sense on high alert.

It was the perfect set up for the spookiest part of a scary movie. (Un) fortunately nothing happened—we explored, we took photos, and we stood in awe of devastation.

The last quick stop we made was in Bells Camp, or as it was also known, Retallack, which was one of the longer-lasting towns in the area, finally being abandoned in 1967. Now all that remains, even after this very short time, are the ruins of a train trestle and two former mine buildings which sit right off the highway. In speaking with a recreational trail user who is familiar with the area, most of the loss of the historical landmarks are due to people taking them and its easy access. One man who still lives in Retallack has taken it upon himself to return these buildings to their glory and give them a restored voice as a piece of history. Though the buildings can be admired from the outside, he asked that we respect his mission and not enter.

Visiting these places gives us a chance to gain perspective on our effects on the landscape and roles of history in our lives. Set against the regal backdrop of the Selkirks on their own journey up to the Rockies, there is much to ponder. One thing I found particularly poignant was the absence of the history of the Sinixt people, on whose traditional territory we travelled. For 10,000 years, this nation lived on the land, creating their own unique footprint and creating many stories. However, upon doing a bit of research, I found that the band has been declared officially extinct by the Canadian government.

Strangely enough, we were lucky to have met a Sinixt descendant on the ferry across Arrow Lake. We joked that perhaps he was the ghost I had actually come looking for.

This leads to an underlying issue facing the people of Canada—a need to face our ghosts and our ideas of abandonment (terra nullius) upon which our “possession” of land is based. Where do our values lie? How can we be more sustainable? How do we reconnect with our past to better find our way forward? I am haunted by the sites I have seen, by those I have not, by ideas, by the passion of people who see value in abandoned places, the stories they tell, and those that are absent.

theoxypub@outlook.com

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Cole Schisler| The Navigator

The viu sTurgeoN haTchery Now smokes aNd caNs iTs research sTurgeoN wheN The TaNks geT Too full. how do you feel abouT This New iNiTiaTive?

alISha & Chaz

SeraphINe

raChel

alex

KaTrINa

Sciences / Pre-Pharmacy

Liberal Studies

Post-Bach Elementary

Health Care Assistant

Upgrading Courses

hate fish wouldn t eat them. They should just release them into the wild, but if there was too many maybe culling a few for people to eat would be okay.”

“If there’s no other option for them to stay alive then I think it’s better than them oin to waste definitely probably wouldn’t eat them.

I only eat wild line-caught fish m a di er mysel

Education “I wouldn’t eat it, I’m a vegetarian. I don’t support what they’re doing, it’s harming the sturgeon.

Sturgeon are endangered, they should be releasing them.”

- Chaz

“I wouldn’t buy it, I’m vegan.

Plus, they’re really cool. If they just naturally died then I don’t see a problem with it, but if they’re killing them then I have a problem with it. If they could survive in the wild then they should release them.”

“I wouldn’t buy it, it’s not really my thing. I’m not much o a fish or meat eater

Bunnies and Stairs The Navigator

The more the merrier! Submit your bunnies and stairs to The Nav by emailing <editor@thenav.ca> or Tweet us @theNavVIU. Bunny: Something nice, funny, positive, or sweet that happened in your life.

Stair: Something mean, annoying, negative, or gross that happened in your life.

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Bunny:

Bunny:

Getting my new student card took about two minutes.

Thanks VIU Library!

To the cashier at the caf who gave me extra peanut butter packets with my loaf of bread.

Stairs:

Stairs:

For a building full of writers, there are no recycling bins in building 345 classrooms.

To IT Help for the 1 am email reminder to reset my student account password...I’ve graduated! And sleeping.

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Dirtyin' the nav : CommuniCating Desire no means no. yes means yes. so, lets get Consensual. it's simple...right? yes anD no.

Diana pearson ---

Let’s be clear: consent really is as simple as a yes or no. But the catchy taglines The Navigator don’t acknowledge the subtleties and complexities of sexual desire. How does one interpret body language, and resist making assumptions based on previous sexual experience? What about feelings of vulnerability that make it hard to communicate exactly what one wants and doesn’t want?

It is within these all too common and under-discussed subtleties that lead to misunderstandings, and at least, bad sex, or at worst, sexual violence. In 2015, the Canadian Women’s Foundation (WCF) reported that only 1 in 3 Canadians were able to demonstrate an understanding of what consent really means; that is, that consent is “positive (e.g. saying yes, initiating and/or enjoying sexual activity) and ongoing (e.g. continues during the sexual activity).” California passed a law in 2014 that requires a “yes means yes” rule. Under a “yes means yes” standard, sexual activity is considered consensual only when both partners clearly state their willingness to participate through “affirmative, conscious and voluntary agreement” at every stage.

Learning about and practicing consent is important in most areas of life, not simply in our sexual escapades. If you’re feeling unsure about how to negotiate consent, I encourage you not to see consent as simply exclusive to the bedroom.

Look for it in conversations with friends. Negotiate where to go for coffee (or tea?), or what to have for dinner tonight with your roommate. I use examples of food because our desires and senses are joyously intertwined, and taste preferences (like sexual preferences) are so diverse and personal. Would you insist on taking a friend out for Vindaloo, without giving them the details of how spicy the dish is, whether it is made with beef, chicken, lamb, or veggie, which restaurant you’ll be attending, and who’s going to be the designated driver on the way home? Plus, your friend may have tried Vindaloo before,

but only at their aunt’s place, and hasn’t had a chance to try it at Gateway to India, so in that sense, they may not know what they’re consenting to. This brings up the necessity that consent is informed, and not simply offering vague details on what is to come.

Cultural ideals of masculinity and femininity can sometimes play a role in negotiating consent in heterosexual relationships. As a twenty-something woman, I am slowly untangling my own expectation about being “agreeable” and “likeable;” I know that being seen as an angry feminist is undesirable. Socialized ideas of femininity play a role here.

On the flipside, dominant ideals of masculinity can keep men caged from displaying their vulnerabilities, closing the door to the necessary negotiations that lead to consent.

My go-to in negotiating consent is embracing awkwardness when we express desires. I recently asked a potential lover, “Do you ever think about kissing me?” and when they said yes, I asked, “Would you be interested in trying it now?” And while this may not be the hottest line from a romance novel, it was in that moment of vulnerability, that baited breath, and that flicker of uncertainty which created intimacy that was really sexy when they said yes. So I highly encourage you to include that nervous moment as part of the thrill of being sexy, because the motto that “it’s easier to ask for forgiveness than it is ask to ask permission” does not apply here.

A few of my handy tips for negotiating consent: Always err on the side of caution: Communicating desire through body language can be thrilling and tingle-inducing.

You may find yourself in a flirty and frisky scenario, and while body language is a great way to demonstrate affection and interest, don’t assume that the person wants to take you home. In the words of sex-positive songwriter Rachel Lark, “if you’re not sure it’s not rape, just don’t do it.” If vibes of uncertainty emanate, back off–and cool off.

Ask questions along the way: Asking questions such as “Is

this okay?” “Would you like me to (fill in the dirty blank)?”

“Would you be interested in ______?” and “How does this feel?” are a few really hot examples. Forget the idea that asking too many questions takes away from the seductive aspects.

Enthusiasm, confidence, and slowness are hot. Coercion is not.

Communicate always: Ask questions before, during, and after sexual activities. After each time my partner and I have sex, we talk about what we liked, what we didn’t like, what we’d like to do again, and how much further to go or whether to take a step back. This communication is as much as part of our sexual adventure as the sex itself. This practice is evidently most easily practiced in a long-term relationship; however, we shouldn’t be quick to assume that in a long-term relationship these kinds of discussions are not necessary. According to the WCF, 1 in 10 Canadians believe that consent becomes less important once you’re involved in a long-term relationship.

This is one of the many myths about consent that need to be debunked.

Engaging in sexual activity poses the potential for thrill, pleasure, and fulfillment, but also the potential for discomfort, and maybe trauma. Really great sex starts with emotional intimacy, and this requires empathy. Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another; it is about imagining what the other person feels, what would turn them on, what their bodily sensations might feel like. Pay attention to what might make you uncomfortable. My lover has told me that when I express what I want, it allows us both to go further in our experimenting. Empathy is not magic; it develops from diligent practice of communication and connection. So talking opens the door to emotional and physical intimacy—between friends, family, and lovers. It can certainly be exciting to explore the space just outside our comfort zone, but only if that exploration starts from a place of mutual consent, respect, and empathy.

Op-ed: The streets of Nanaimo The streets of Nanaimo are shifting. Where the salt-air and diaspora meet, hundreds of displaced people gather in huddled Contributor masses to talk about how broken the system is that put them there. Downtown Nanaimo is currently a hub of invalids, mental patients, and drug addicts—all of which I have been. And for the last thirty-one days, I’ve played in the streets with my fellow crazy folk.

Ah, the street. To speak of it is to begin the picture of the downtown Nanaimo core—the tourist destinations, the library and coffee shops, the many people milling about in the splendour of the sea breeze. What also goes on in downtown Nanaimo, however, is a homeless population about proportional to Vancouver’s in percentage, grinding through their daily toil in the hopes that the sun rising the next day might give them some reason to be alive. Riel and his girlfriend sell pop-can-tab bracelets outside Serious Coffee.

Viv, a grandmother of four, sits by Mambo’s Pizza to barter with her art. Artists from all walks of life ply their trades, busk, and offer information to help navigate the insane cesspool that is Nanaimo’s harbour funnelling—the entire city is a drain at the bottom of a giant swimming pool, long since abandoned and allowed to go to rot.

At least Vancouver has a size to excuse its callousness—but Nanaimo is far from a giant city. It’s a small town stretched out to twice the size, which means at worst there should be the one or two transients that wander around asking politely for change. Instead, we have hysterical bands of citizens frolicking in the grass and fountains, begging for scraps to keep themselves off the concrete.

philip Gordon ---

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A quick peek on one of the many Nanaimo Facebook groups will show “normal” people, in full view of their friends and family, warning each other not to go by the tent city that has emerged in the park, for fear of “tweakers”—in likelihood, schizophrenics or other mentally ill people who have been deprived of help and resources for so long they have nothing else to try.

The Nanaimo Mental Health Unit functions more like a turnstile, where police drag in the invalids as they kick and scream, let them mill about without any of their medication, food, possessions, or even hope of seeing a doctor, until they eventually get sick of the toxic atmosphere and leave. Nurses in the PES (Psychiatric Emergency Services) seem to resent the mentally ill for even being alive—“Wouldn’t it be so much easier,” they seem to say with every sigh as a poor, two-days sleepless man timidly asks to be let into the fridge, “if you just followed life’s advice and swallowed that .22?” One of the nurses with spiky hair and a face like a harpy told me, “Philip, there’s probably a good reason you were evicted,” after I was escorted to the premises by two police officers who saw me having a panic attack in an employment center.

Try this fun experiment: pretend to be crazy for one day.

Listen only to the voice in your head that says, “Haven’t you always wanted to hurt yourself?” and you will be subject to the subsequent most horrifying reality imaginable. When you are a schizophrenic, and the world thinks that “curing” you is locking you in a room by yourself for five days with no support or medication, you will find that the screaming only gets louder with no one around to bounce off of. You will find that the professionally trained individuals at the hospital know

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about as much about mental illnesses as a random person could learn through five minutes of WebMD. You will learn that no one in the world cares about your problems, other than to get you the fuck off their property because you’re scaring the neighbours. And you will learn that everyone has problems, but somehow consider themselves above you, just because your problems are too big to deal with on your own.

The situation in Nanaimo is not correct, fair, ideal, or even bearable, at this point. A city that aches to explode with culture is currently a melting pot of toxic nepotism and utter disregard for human dignity. Where are the city council members confronting the issues at the root of our problems, instead of bandying the police force about like a baton to knock on the head of people who yell too loudly?

It’s time to wake up, friends. The world turns whether you like it or not, and it is very easy to fall through the cracks when you can sense how quickly it’s spinning. If you feel moved by the issues in this article, please write or contact your city council about them. If you feel sanctimoniously better than someone who has struggled in a capitalist system their entire life only to finally give up and be displaced into nothingness, go donate your entire pay-cheque to a local charity. And if you think everything I’ve said is a lie, then we’re one step closer to it not mattering that I was homeless in the first place—because now my whole past is erased, as erasure is something Canadians are quite talented at anyway. Bitterness.

Regret. Maple syrup. Etc., etc., etc…

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Fresh start:

nanaimo Community rallies BehinD BarBershop Charity event

"aCCOrDING TO a 2015 repOrT releaSeD

By FIrSTCall: BC ChIlD aND yOUTh aDVOCaCy COalITION, ChIlD pOVerTy raTeS IN BrITISh COlUmBIa are 20.4 perCeNT COmpaIreD TO The NaTIONal aVeraGe Foreground: Karly Sue Menzie styles grade 12 student Tyra Johnson’s hair.

Background: While Dave Lawrence cut’s grade 3 student Elijah Plante’s hair. Elijah is reading No David by David Shannon, which is being heald up by his mother Serena Plante.

Shanon Fenske ---

It was five minutes before 10 am, September 3, on an otherwise Contributor unremarkable Saturday morning in Nanaimo’s downtown core. Outside of That 50’s Barber Shop on Victoria Crescent, however, stretched a lineup of children eager for back-to-school haircuts and school supplies. The reason? This was the 2nd annual Fresh Start charity event whose aim is to alleviate back-to-school pressure for parents of kids five to 17, and ultimately, for the kids themselves.

“People say to me, ‘I don’t think there’s much poverty in Nanaimo,’” says barbershop owner Dave Lawrence. “My reply is, ‘Don’t you see it?’”

According to a 2015 report released by FirstCall: BC Child and Youth Advocacy Coalition, child poverty rates in British Columbia are 20.4 percent compared to the national average of 19 percent. According to the same report, Nanaimo and Campbell River have a 23 percent child poverty rate—almost one in four children. Duncan and Port Alberni have the two highest percentages in the province at 31 percent. Of the urban areas reported on Vancouver Island, only Victoria has child poverty levels below the provincial average at 16 percent.

Shockingly, for BC children living in lone-parent family homes, 50 percent of them live in poverty.

“I grew up with a single mom and know how hard it is,” Lawrence says. “Financially, I definitely struggled.”

Lawrence, who used to get haircuts at the barbershop he now owns, hopes that Fresh Start will “open people’s eyes.”

Gord Kennedy, who brought his daughter to get her hair styled, expressed his gratitude. “Today has really driven me to give the shop more business,” he says. The Harewood father had his hair cut the week before and had asked about the children’s backpacks, which ultimately led to him bringing his daughter to the event.

People began to line up as early as 8:30 am for the event that ran from 10 am to 3 pm. Sonya Scott was at the front of the line with her son Chase, who expressed that they were “always early for everything.” Scott said she had heard about the event from a friend whose son got his haircut at the shop and wanted to show her support for what she believes is a great cause.

Lawrence and long-time friend Megan Hamlet organized the event last year as a way to help the community. This year, hairstylist Karly Sue Menzie also joined them. Many other volunteers including actors and other performers signed up as well.

“I read a post about a barber doing a similar thing on

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Facebook and told Dave,” Hamlett says, explaining how Fresh Start got started. “He was offering haircuts to kids in exchange for them reading to him.”

Iowa Barber Courtney Holmes received national coverage last year for launching the initiative to his community of 58,253.

For every kid who read to him, he offered a free back-to-school haircut. Anderson Sainci, who organized the event, told People magazine that their motive was to “help change the narrative for low income and particularly people of color [sic].”

Similarly, Cuts and Blends Barber Shop in Schenectady, New York—whose population is 66,135—launched their 9th annual Community Cuts on Sunday, September 4. The event, which gives children a haircut and school supplies, had four barbershops and two beauty salons involved this year.

Fresh Start is an amalgamation of the two ideas, branded specifically for Nanaimo who has a current population of 83,810.

“School is hard enough,” hairstylist Karly Sue Menzie of Cutting Room creative says, “nevermind the bullying and social anticipation of fitting in. Fresh Start allows us to freshen up their minds and hair, and as a bonus, because we live in such an amazing community, we are able to give them a backpack and school supplies to help them get the year started.”

Several businesses donated including Hired Guns Creative, Gabriel’s Gourmet Café, the Queens, Smoke Zone, Curious Comics, and Literacy Central Vancouver Island. Nature’s Source Dispensary made a $2K donation, the Fairview Parents Advisory Committee gave Fresh Start 60 backpacks, and dentist Sam Rotstein donated toothbrushes and toothpaste.

Threadscape Custom Embroidery volunteered to make the Fresh Start t-shirts worn by Lawrence, Hamlet, Menzie, and the hoodies that were worn by their children.

Lucid, on Commercial Street, raised $400 by selling donated vintage hats at $10 each. Owner Fred Jeffery, who described the idea of Fresh Start as “perfect,” also volunteered to hand out backpacks and school supplies.

Much to the delight of everyone in line, Little Tales Princess Parties had three “princesses” on site to entertain the children: The Glass Slipper Princess, Brave Princess, and Tinker Fairy. Owner Melissa Ball said that the ladies’ identities would remain confidential to retain “the magic” for events to come, but said that the women had volunteered their time for the cause as well.

Actor John Punt attended as Spiderman, while magician Brent Beadle of “the Brent Owen Show” performed tricks for people waiting in line.

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Shanon Fenske

OF 19 perCeNT."

Hired Guns Creative graphic designer Kristen Dullum was also on hand painting children’s faces. She expressed her interest in getting involved, purchased face paints with her own money, and set up near the tent where school supplies were being handed out.

Other volunteers handed out packs, supplies, and even snacks. The Vault Café donated dozens of fresh baked cookies, and Mambo’s Pizza—who also gifted backpacks—gave out pizza to those who had been waiting for a haircut for hours.

People in line even got involved.

“So many people and businesses donated,” Lawrence says, “that it is hard to thank everyone. Lots of gifts were given anonymously and a lot of people who gave were customers.”

Last year, Lawrence ended up giving out 60 haircuts.

Amazingly, he had exactly 60 backpacks on hand with school supplies.

“What are the chances?” Lawrence asks. “60 haircuts and 60 backpacks?”

With much more time to prepare, the media coverage was far more substantial, which meant news of the event spread.

“I got a message from a barber in England offering support, and a teacher from Saskatchewan sent me a letter,” Lawrence says. “CHEK News, CTV, and the Nanaimo Bulletin have been covering the story. We also had customers, businesses and other members of the community sharing the event on Facebook.”

With no idea what to expect, Fresh Start had 200 backpacks on hand with a contingency plan to get more if needed.

Lawrence had decided that if there was still a lineup when the event was over that no one would be turned away.

By the end of the day, Lawrence and Menzie ended up giving 75 haircuts.

“Some of the kids told me how happy they were, “ Menzie says, “because it was their first real salon experience. I am very excited to do this every year.”

Hamlet says that the items leftover would be donated to schools for children in need.

“We hope to do this every year,” Lawrence says. “I hope, with the Victoria Street Association’s support, maybe next year we could shut down a part of the street, have a stage and a bouncing castle.”

In a passionate video message on Facebook, Lawrence shared his gratitude for the community’s support, “I’m amazed at how generous the people in Nanaimo can be, amazed at all the businesses who donated, amazed at all my friends who helped with this, and I’m amazed at what you can accomplish when you put your mind to it.”

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From Malaspina to Moscow:

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An Alumni Story

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1 — The group met a lively old man in Ishim who was a former pro-cyclist. He told them he still goes for 100-km rides every now and then and would have loved to join them, but had to work.

2 — The support van sported a roof rack with the groups official hashtag, #thelong_wayhome.

3 — (Left to right) Yara Pavlov, Pastushok, Andrew Boogards, Nikloai Pavlov, and Alex Vigandt in Vladimir.

4 Pavlov and his dog.

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4 — The crew overlooking Lake Baikal.

5 — Nikolai Pavlov (left) and Alex Vigandt riding through Moscow.

All photos are from The Long Way Home: Explore Russia with Nikolai&Sasha Facebook page.

6 — Andrew Boogards gasses up the support van.

Natalie Gates ---

There’s no doubt your years at university play a unique part The Navigator in your personal growth. You transition from the tight confines of high school to the daunting world of careers, or you expand your skills to embark on a new path.

You will meet new people—people with similar interests, and people you just can’t comprehend.

And sometimes, that person you found will be sitting beside you seven years later around a campfire in the wild Siberian woods.

On May 12, Nikolai Pavlov left Moscow and started “The Long Way Home Tour” to the other side of the world’s largest country—on his bike. Alongside him was his friend Alex Vigandt. In their support van, Pavlov’s sister Yara, his corgi puppy Pastushok, and Andrew Boogards, a fellow VIU alumnus who graduated with Pavlov seven years earlier.

The group documented their whole trip on social media and created their own hashtag: #thelong_ wayhome. “I wanted to show people what Russia really is. A lot of people have the wrong idea, the wrong stereotypes,” Pavlov says. “Especially lately, because of the political battle between Russia and the West. I wanted to get away from that. What you see in media is one thing, but at the end of the day, there are still people who are just people.”

Pavlov was born and raised in Russia, in the town of Mirny, and, in 2005 at the age of 18, he decided to go study in Canada. He chose Malaspina College (now VIU) in Nanaimo to call home for this next stage in life.

Pavlov majored in political science and soon met Boogards, a Comox local who was studying economics and global studies. The two instantly connected; they joined the Model UN club and took it to a new level, traveling to conferences in Washington and New York City. Like many VIU students, they spent weekends snowboarding on Mount Washington and visiting Tofino.

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In 2009, when the two graduated, they kept in touch but went their separate ways. After working several dead-end jobs, Boogards made the leap to teach English in Korea and started travelling the world. Pavlov moved to Edmonton to do a Masters in Political Science at the University of Alberta, and eventually returned to Russia in 2014 to be with his parents. Now 30 years old, he is a journalist for Russia Today.

As Pavlov’s 30th birthday approached, he had the overwhelming feeling that he had to do something big. He thought back to his days at Malaspina.

“When I was a kid, I wanted to do cross country cycling, from St. John’s to Tofino,” Pavlov says. “But, back then, in college, I didn’t have the balls to do it.

I couldn’t organize it and I needed the money. So it was in the back of my mind for a while. Eventually, Alex and I thought, ‘Let’s just do it’.”

So he called up Boogards.

Despite living in Russia most of his life, Pavlov didn’t know much of the country, besides Moscow and Mirny.

“By cycling and going from one point to another, we could actually see everything,” Pavlov explains.

“It was crazy, but probably the best thing I’ve done in my life.”

Boogards had even less of a grasp on Russia. Like the vast majority of foreigners, he had only ever seen Moscow. He too wanted to see the whole country, the culture, and the ‘real people’, which made him the perfect travel companion.

“Global Studies is in his soul,” Pavlov says of Boogards. “His soul is everywhere; he’s a citizen of the world.”

Once they were all on board, the hardest part was getting everything organized and started, Pavlov says. The wilderness they went through was challenging, but the planning was vital.

Pavlov’s sister played a big part in this, making phone calls to communities and local government

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for help, spreading their story, and seeking out accommodation.

Then came the major physical adjustment.

“We started slow, doing 80 km a day,” Pavlov says. “Then 100, 120, and eventually 200 km a day sometimes. It wasn’t easy.” Five-month-old Pastushok the corgi, who regularly caught the attention of local media, became a symbol of their ride and helped Pavlov find the strength. “He was my inspiration,” he laughs. “He has short legs and he’s not the most athletic dog, but he has a big heart which motivated me. Neither Alex nor I are super athletes, but he showed me you can be small and the underdog but still do something like this.”

From Moscow, they took the M-7 highway through Vladimir, Nizhny Novgorod, Kazan, and Ufa. They then took the M-5 highway across the Ural Mountains and hit Tyumen, Omsk, Novosibirsk, Krasnoyarsk, Irkutsk, Lake Baikal and then up north to Ust-Kut. After that, they took a four-day barge north on the Lena River (there are no roads in the summer). They landed in Lensk and then cycled 300 more kilometers to reach Mirny, Pavlov’s hometown, on August 29.

Along the way, the group met many locals with stories and lessons to tell. “Uncle Ural, a mayor of the Bashkir village Tolparovo, and Sergei Yemelyanov from the town of Vishnevogorsk in the Chelyabinsk Oblast were the most inspiring ones,” Pavlov says.

“Both men taught us what to value in life and the importance of having good relationships with friends, family, and everyone around them.”

Pavlov was also determined to prove that people can use alternative sources of fuel to do just about anything. If he could cycle 6000 km on a bicycle, anyone could cycle to work. Part of this idea came from Colin Angus’s story, the first person to travel around the globe without using any gas. Living in Nanaimo helped solidify that dream.

“I got this environmental inspiration from the Island,” Pavlov says. “The Island got me into

running, hiking, and all sorts of outdoors activities.”

Having his friend from VIU supporting him along the way gave the trip a nostalgic feel, from sharing memories of college, to Boogards’ steady stream of “that’s what she said” jokes, which were ever so popular back in 2009. They were reminded of the Island again when they came across similar landscapes, such as in the Altay Mountains. When Pavlov and Boogards went hiking, they reminisced about their time doing just that in Nanaimo.

I asked him where he would go if he were to come back to where it all started—to Nanaimo—for a day. He lists watching the ocean in Hammond Bay, grabbing Vietnamese food at Pho A Dong downtown, visiting Professor Catherine Schittecatte on campus, and grabbing a beer at the VIU pub.

“I had the time of my life at VIU, and met some of my best friends, like Andrew,” he says. “Those four years I spent on the Island were kind of life changers. The Island gave me something I didn’t have before.”

The ride across Russia also gave him something: an even deeper yearning to see the world from two wheels. Next on Pavlov’s to-do list is to bike across Canada, an idea inspired by his favourite Canadian of all time, Terry Fox. “Canada is still like a foreign

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country to me, so I want to see it that way,” he says.

University has a way of testing your limits like a 6000 km bike ride as you pedal your way to alumni status. Like most things, you learn as you go, struggle, but also do your best to have a hell of a good time.

You learn things in class, but you also learn just as much outside class. Your limits and patience are tested as new challenges are constantly thrown your way. You might relish in these moments, but sometimes you find yourself praying for the end to come and bring peace to your seemingly endless struggles. You succeed, you fail, you procrastinate; you make amazing and horrible choices.

“I firmly believe you can do it if you have the heart,” Pavlov says. “Whether it’s political science and economics, or biking across a country. It isn’t about talent. Just work hard and you can get better at anything.”

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“I had the time of my life at VIU, and met some of my best friends, like Andrew,” he says. “Those four years I spent on the Island were kind of life changers. The Island gave me something I didn’t have before.”

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nerd pride at Mosaicon Brendan Barlow September 10 and 11 marked a special --weekend here in Nanaimo: the second The Navigator

year of MosaiCon, a gaming convention that began its history just last year in the Vancouver Island University cafeteria. This year, however, the convention took place at the significantly larger Nanaimo Conference Centre, where it was able to expand and meet the enthusiastic fans of gaming, cosplay, board games, art, and plenty more, with open arms and ample space.

The word “nerd” has changed its meaning quite a lot over the last few years. I’ve seen this transformation myself, with it being used in a derogatory way while I was still in high school. Now, it seems the word and the label have both become stylish, and desirable. With conventions like San Diego ComiCon only increasing in popularity, and the number of small conventions popping up just on Vancouver Island, it would seem that there is a real sense of pride and enthusiasm among nerds, and those who aspire to be like them.

This was true and present at MosaiCon, with a line up of eager people ranging from children to (no—I’m not exaggerating) senior citizens, waiting with baited breath and high energy levels before the event had even opened. Some came in costume, some didn’t. Some clearly had more time and resources to put into said costumes, some didn’t. That said, they all greeted each other with smiles and excitement, and a very real sense of acceptance. In its own way, it was actually sort of a unique and special thing to watch.

When I say that some had more time and resources to

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put into the costumes, I really mean that. I was genuinely surprised—and occasionally impressed—with the work and craftsmanship that went into the construction of these props and outfits. Most notable, at least to me, was the enormous Charizard sculpture that stood a little bit taller than the person who had built it. The time and love that went into it, and many other costumes, was very evident.

Of course, no gathering of people is without its issues. One issue that I noticed was that there really was a certain sense of testing each other, trying to make sure that the other truly “deserved” to be there. It was in small ways, but most notable was during the cosplay competition, when a woman dressed in a fabulous Ghostbusters costume, with an impressive 3D printed proton pack, was asked, while on stage: “Which do you like better, the remake or the original?” by the host of the event, there was a pause, and she quickly replied, “The originals”, which was met with a “good” from the host.

Now, it’s possible that I’m reading more into this than is necessary, but I do wonder what difference it makes, and why this clarification was needed. These “tests” are seemingly everywhere in nerd culture, with people questioning whether someone liked the comic before the movie, or the original before the remake came out, just to ensure that they are “equals”.

The organizer of the event, Marc Gervais, told me in an interview that the event was meant to be inclusive, that there was something there for everyone, and that everyone could be a part of it. While this is certainly a noble and wonderful sentiment, I do wonder how much that holds up against the

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evidence of measuring up to each other.

With this aside, there were a lot of happy faces parading around. On my tour of the convention floor, I surprised and disappointed by the number of tables occupied solely by vendors with wares for sale. To be sure, this kind of thing is expected and commonplace at conventions like this, but it would have been interesting to see local game developers demoing new games, or people there to demo new technology.

I had hoped there would be someone there with a virtual reality headset available to test. Sadly they were not present, but I did wind up purchasing comic books from a couple of local artists, that there is more about on page 17.

Vendors aside, the convention also featured an extensive collection of board games that visitors were encouraged to play, and tournaments for players of games like Magic: The Gathering, Super Smash Brothers, League of Legends, and Hearthstone. In truth, it didn’t take me long to realize that I was a bit out of my depth, despite my own interest in plenty of things many would consider “nerdy”. The event also featured the aforementioned cosplay contest, an 18+ swimsuit cosplay contest, and a burlesque performance as well.

MosaiCon was absolutely something that met the needs of its particular audience. It’s one that I will be keeping my eyes on, and strongly encourage you to do the same. Having it located so close by really makes it all the more desirable.

Here’s hoping that it continues to evolve and comes back next year.

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No Man's Sky : Hype Dreams Brendan Barlow Announced in 2013, No Man’s Sky has --been one of those games that builds a The Navigator

hype train so massive, and so powerful, that the only thing it can really do is explode and kill everyone on board. The prospect of a procedurally generated universe that we could explore to our hearts content seemed like what science fiction and gaming fans alike had wanted since video games became a thing.

Compound the excitement from just the idea of a game like No Man’s Sky with developer Hello Games’ vague and cryptic promises through the entire development process, and you have a recipe for hype and expectations that are absolutely impossible to live up to. So, the game has now been out for a couple of weeks and the question is: have video games changed forever? Are we all lost in an infinite universe, neglecting our friends and family for the joys and wonders of space? The short answer is no, of course not, because it’s a video game.

When it released and we realized that what we had was a pretty standard survival game set in a massive universe, it was easy to see how people felt a little bit deflated. Now, deflated is one thing, but the response from players sending death threats and harassment to Hello Games is another thing entirely. We’ve seen staunch defenders of the game being horrible to naysayers, and naysayers being horrible to fans, and there’s really no reason for any of the vitriol. It is now, and will always be, just a game, and that game will work for some, and not for others. Just like everything else.

With that said, is No Man’s Sky any good? That’s one of the hardest questions to answer, because the experience will be so significantly subjective for everyone who jumps into its universe.

What I feel qualified to say is that I have actually enjoyed my experience so far. I’ve toured space stations, purchased a new ship, explored some varieties of planets, and managed the heck out of my survival meters. It’s easy for me to understand how people who have played survival game after survival game would be sick of that genre, but it’s a type I’m not especially familiar with and I think that adds to my enjoyment.

The mechanics and inventory management may be old hat for many seasoned survival game players. You maintain your environmental protection, life support, and keep your ship and mining tool charged by harvesting resources from the planets.

The systems all function well, and I haven’t felt like I had to spend more time attending to the meters than on the rest of the game. It feels quite balanced, like you are a character who can take care of yourself, rather than being dumped naked in the woods as in other games in the genre.

One of my favourite things so far has been exploring and learning alien languages in the game. Interacting with different life forms with varying degrees of language comprehension has been interesting and makes you feel like you are exploring the unexplored, learning to speak and understand the immense universe around you.

Of course, No Man’s Sky is not without its problems; I wouldn’t presume to tell you that this is the perfect game that so many

wanted it to be. One of the first issues I had was with the wild animal populations on the planets. So many of the animals I encounter are small, and look a lot like first draft creations from Spore. Their movements are janky and bizarre—occasionally hilarious. There’s also the haunting noises they make that will be forever burned into my nightmares. Even when you feed them, and they love you, the noises are very strange and upsetting to me for some unknown reason buried deep in my subconscious.

Space combat is also an area that could do with some improvement. It’s possible that I’m simply not good at it, but it does seem a bit less balanced that I might like. Ships that attack me are able to zoom out of site, and I am stuck spinning in circles like an idiot trying to get a shot off on them. It’s also entirely possible that this is fixed through upgrades, so if you’ve been able to improve your combat experience, please let me know.

No Man’s Sky is not perfect, it’s not world-changing, or lifeshattering. What it is, is a technically impressive (and massive) survival game. It is also a lesson in keeping expectations under control and allowing a game to come out before you dream it to a level that is unattainable by any reasonable standard. It’s a fun, immersive, and almost zen-like experience that I will be continuing to explore over the coming months. I’m not sure that I can—in good conscience—tell anyone to spend $80 for the PS4 version, but frankly I balk at most games that charge that much anyway, even the ones substantially better than No Man’s Sky. Also published on the game review website <ClipThrough.com>.

Let’s give violence a chance: G.L.O.S.S.’ Trans Day of Revenge Brendan Barlow --The Navigator

“F*ck the Peace keeping f*ck the calm The investigation is a f*cking con The truth is known beneath the gun Black lives don’t matter in the eyes of the law” This is the chorus that screams out from the first track of G.L.O.S.S.’ (Girls Living Outside Society’s Sh*t) most recent EP Trans Day of Revenge. The EP was released in June, the day after 49 people were killed and 53 injured, during the terrorist attack at Pulse Nightclub in Orlando; and it is filled with all of the anger, frustration, and emotion that you might expect in response to an event like that, and in response to any of the countless senseless deaths that have happened even since.

G.L.O.S.S. hails from Olympia, Washington, and was formed by close friends Sadie and Jake. According to an article in Bitch magazine, “Jake and Sadie each grew up going to hardcore shows. Like many punk scenes, white suburban males made up most of the audience at these shows, but Sadie, then a closeted trans teen, was drawn to the music nonetheless”.

The band released a demo in 2015 that showed how much frustration and confusion was felt on the part of the band members, feelings that could be shared by any who listen to their music, or even just make attempts at comprehending the magnitude and brutality of things like the Orlando shooting.

Both the demo and Revenge have the air of old-school,

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hardcore punk music, with all of the angst and genuine anger that comes with it. This is amplified by the fact that Sadie and another band member are both trans women, living in the United States, and everything that comes along with that.

This perspective in punk music is something rare, a genre dominated by white men and one that hasn’t always been known for its acceptance and understanding. It’s these thing that set G.L.O.S.S. apart and almost make them punk in the truest form of the word. Not since punk’s heyday battling politics and an unfair system has a punk band come around with such a current and relevant message as this.

The album itself is spectacular, clocking in at a blistering seven minutes long (no, really), and packing a bigger gut punch than any other album I’ve listened to this year. The songs are short, raw, and full of everything that the band, and their audience, feel. It’s impossible to listen to it and not understand exactly what feelings are behind each song.

Perhaps Vice partner site Noisey said it best when they wrote “[Revenge] brims with a blistering rage directed to all transphobes, homophobes and bigots.”

The album also expresses frustration with the passivity that many seem so comfortable in. Almost a direct call to action for the armchair commentators, and slacktitivists that their way isn’t working, and now it’s time to “give violence a chance”.

If you’re someone who laments the “death” of punk, then you need to pick this album up as soon as possible. You’ll see that punk is alive and well, and its name is G.L.O.S.S. Trans Day of Revenge is available on the band’s Bandcamp page, at any price you can offer.

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<GLOSSbandcamp.com>

<genius.com>

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ALoNe wiTH YoU: viDeo gAMe Review Brendan Barlow Rarely does a game come around which, --on the surface, is so well-suited to my The Navigator

interests and preferences, that I’ve never heard of. The fact that Alone With You was able to sneak by me until I stumbled upon it randomly in the Playstation Store a couple of days ago came to me as a genuine surprise.

This is particularly so, having been a fan of the developer’s previous game, Home.

While Home was a pixelated, 8-bit horror game, developer Benjamin Rivers has gone in a different direction with Alone With You, a science-fiction-romance-adventure. While it does seem to fall into that very specific category, I found it disappointing and lacking. The game isn’t particularly long—it only takes only a few hours to play through in its entirety—and I found myself asking, “Do I like this game?” until the very end, when I ultimately decided that I really didn’t.

Alone has a texture laid on top of it that gives the appearance of looking through a dirty window, or looking at a smudged monitor. While this may have been the intention, I found it to be entirely distracting, as the texture stays in one place and

the action moves around underneath it. The rest of the game is nicely put together and mechanically functions very well.

This distraction really took away from the overall experience rather than adding an interesting element, which seems to be the intention.

The game itself is simple, and doesn’t seem to have a failure state (which will be a deal breaker for many gamers, but not for me). You move through your daily routine, solve simple puzzles and then have conversations with holographic representations of four deceased experts who are helping you to rebuild your ship. You are guided by an AI who sends you out on missions and also helps you figure out what happened, and what needs to happen next.

Alone attempts to make the relationships you have with these holograms and the AI quite significant, and they are— even where the “romance” elements of the game come in.

For me though, the relationships you build with all of the characters never seemed particularly romantic, and they seemed quite rushed as well. It’s a comment that I make often about short-films, and that is trying to include too much in a

short-film (or in this case, a game) usually does more harm than good in the grand scheme of the story being told.

If one particular element of the game really stood out as being unique or impressive, then it’s possible the game would have worked better as a whole. But with the puzzling elements being incredibly simple, and the relationship building feeling rushed and forced, it’s hard to find a whole lot to cling on to in Alone With You. Add the less-than-desirable look of the game, and the experience overall feels a bit weak.

Then there’s the issue of the ending. While I won’t spoil it entirely, the game leaves you with a choice, that I believe is meant to be a challenging choice, and instead falls flat.

While the game as a whole isn’t incompetent or lowquality, it just failed to grab me at any point. Everything felt simple, and the routine eventually became tedious. That said, Alone With You is scoring 7 or 8 out of 10 on many websites, so clearly I’m in the minority here. I do strongly recommend checking out Home if you haven’t already, but as for Alone With You, it’s not one that I’ll be voraciously recommending any time soon.

<polygon.com>

<polygon.com>

Unapologetically Canadian Jocelyn Dickson On August 20, 11.7 million Canadians --watched the final concert of The Contributor

Tragically Hip. Whether or not you’re a fan of the band, there is something to be said about the nationwide sense of togetherness this final tour seemed to create, especially at a time when it is so easy to put up barriers and cut yourself off from others. Groups of people all across Canada and the world tuned in to see the iconic Canadian band’s last show.

Their first song I had ever heard of was “Bobcaygeon”. I really enjoyed Gord Downie’s unique vocals paired with some solid music and lyrics. To this day, it is by far my favourite Hip song.

A few years ago I was lucky enough to see them perform live at The Squamish Valley Music Festival (previously Live at Squamish). It was a great show, and they were a fitting band next to headliners like The Sheepdogs and City and Colour.

They rocked the stage in front of hundreds of people just as stoked as I was to be seeing them.

Unfortunately, I didn’t listen to them as much anymore after that festival, but since they remained such a regular sound

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on the radio, they weren’t completely out of my life. They’ve been described as the soundtrack to Canadian life—something that rang true for me in a subtle way. About three years after that concert, their new tour was announced due to Downie’s cancer diagnosis, and immediately sadness intermingled with nostalgia. It was a bittersweet thing. In one sense, there was a re-introduction, so to speak, with the band’s music, but in another it came with such heartbreaking news. Out of that sadness came strength from Downie and The Hip. It took a lot of courage for them to decide to push through it and go on one last great tour, and to put on one last show in their hometown of Kingston, Ontario.

I figured this was going to be a great show. Everyone expected it would be. For weeks before and leading up to it, Facebook feeds were covered with posts and news articles about The Hip. A lot of hype was built from the announcement of their final tour, and they did not disappoint. Downie was magnificently dressed in flashy clothes and a big hat, and there was no stopping him as he belted out some great tunes.

Their songs reference an assortment of Canadian locales from Golden to Isle aux Morts. It’s very hard not to respect

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a band so entwined in it’s Canadian heritage. For myself, it was especially inspiring to hear Downie’s words about First Nations communities across Canada, some of whom are in desperate need of help. It’s examples like this that prove The Hip represents a sort of all-embracing nationalism that every Canadian should live by; conscious of our mistakes, focused on improvement, and being unapologetically Canadian.

<rogersarena.com>

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THe LiviNg FiNgeR: A coMic Book Review Brendan Barlow ---

Originally published in April, but collected in a trade paperback released The Navigator in July, The Living Finger is a horror comic written by Nanaimo local Garth Matthams, with art

by Armin Ozdic. Finger tells the story of Jason, a university student who stumbles upon a finger that appears to be alive.

After being told by the finger that it would like a body of its own, Jason does his best to oblige, only to find out that the finger has some murderous intentions of its own.

The book is darkly funny, reminded me quite a bit of selfaware, cheesy horror films like Evil Dead or even the lesser known Idle Hands. It effectively sets and maintains this tone, without spending a lot of time winking at the reader, which is nice, because it allows the story to unfold in a satisfying and engaging way.

Perhaps the biggest complaint I have about The Living Finger is that itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s so short, and sets up a world that I canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t wait to learn more about. I purchased a collection of three issues of the comic, which closes on a cliffhanger that I wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t spoil for you here. Length is definitely one of the things that I always had a hard time with when it came to comic books: you are able to consume them so quickly. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s possible, of course,

that this is what the appeal of comic books is, but for me itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s always been one of the downsides.

Matthamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s writing is great, showing a love for horror and a dark sense of humour. Ozdicâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s artwork does a great job of creating visceral and interesting scenes from start to finish.

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s clear that there is an interesting and engaging world being built here that extends far beyond just a finger, and the ending really create some exciting possibilities.

There does seem to be a disconnect between the title of the comic, and the world itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s setting up, but perhaps that works in the favour of the story. It certainly stepped outside where I expected it to go, and actually offered a surprising gut-punch in its final moments, like when a season of your favourite show ends with a genuine surprise and then takes off for months (or worse, gets cancelled). I havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t been able to find anything regarding the next issue, but I have reached out to Garth to join me on The Masthead in the coming weeks, so stay tuned for that.

If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re into dark comedy and horror, then you need to get your fingers on this delightful comic book; you can do so, and find out more about Garth Matthams, at <releasingtheserpents.com>.

<darbypop.com> Shanon Fenske

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St. Andrew's United Church Cole Schisler ---

Built in 1893, St. Andrew’s United Church is Nanaimo’s oldest house of worship.

The Navigator St. Andrew’s provides united worship service, which is a combination of three Protestant denominations: Congregational Methodist, and Presbyterian.

Services are held on Sundays from 10:30 – 11:30 am, led by Minister Debbie Marshall.

“We are a very inclusive church,” Marshall said. “The United church has always been seen as progressive, sort of out there if you like. We are trying to be as inclusive as we can to people of different orientations, different cultures, and different socioeconomic situations.”

The church building itself is inviting and inclusive. Various groups of faith have used the church to hold services, and it has been used to host concerts due to the excellent acoustics.

Every Wednesday at 10 am St. Andrew’s opens its doors to the community, providing coffee, tea, juice sandwiches, and live music performances by local artists.

“We can get up to 50 people in our hall here on Wednesdays,” Marshall said.

Marshall, an award-winning author, has a strong focus on the arts.

“We do a three-part series for women, for which we’ve invited local artists. This year we’ll have a weaver, a filmmaker, and a musician to be speaking to women about creativity and spirituality.”

These sessions will be held on Tuesdays throughout October, November, and January.

In her twenties, Marshall attended divinity school, had finished her Masters, and was all set to go into ministry, but she felt she was not ready to preach to people with more life experience than herself, so she set off to explore her faith.

“I did doctoral work in the United States at Garret Seminary and North Western,” Marshall said. “I came back to Canada and worked in the church. I did social justice work through a group called Ten Days for World Development, I was a resource coordinator for them, so I did a lot of writing. I wrote for the National Church, and I edited adult and children’s educational materials.”

Two years ago, Marshall came to Gabriola to house-sit for a friend. She was enveloped in work as a full-time author, and was in the midst of finishing a book when she went to church on Gabriola and felt a strong calling.

“God was saying to me, ‘Debbie, it’s time to come back, you

Mariners soccer success at douglas Cole Schisler ---

The VIU Mariners traveled to New Westminster on Saturday to take on the Douglas College Royals in the The Navigator PACWEST soccer game of the week.

The men’s match ended in a 2-0 victory for the Mariners with a pair of goals from midfielder Victor Blasco. Blasco’s first goal came from a wellplaced free kick in the first half, his second came from a stunning shot which he took from 25 yards out; the ball pinged off the underside of the crossbar to cross the line behind the Royals’ goalkeeper, highlighting the second half.

“Both teams came out strong looking for the win,” Mariners’ Head Coach Bill Merriman said. “David Turkstra was called on early to make a big save for the Mariners and help give them that energy they fed off.”

The effort was aided by a strong performance from Mateo Kostering on the back line and Shun Takano in the midfield.

The women’s match ended in a high scoring 5-5 draw. Douglas set the tone early, scoring within the first 10 minutes. Mariners’ forward Carli Rey answered back in kind at the 12-minute mark, tying the game at 1-1. At the 20-minute mark, Mariners’ forward Moira Brown tacked on another goal, giving the Mariners a 2-1 lead at the half.

Chloe Gummer came out strong for the Mariners in the second half, scoring quickly and repeatedly, ending the match with a hat trick, of which all three goals were scored in the second half. Despite Gummer’s explosive performance, Douglas managed to catch up and ended the game 5-5.

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need to be doing this other work.’ So I decided to come back.”

She felt a strong pull to come to the Island, where a job at St. Andrew’s opened up. She was accepted and ordained in July.

“I’m still writing,” Marshall said. “This job is part-time so I also still write. I don’t think I’ll ever give up writing, it’s part of who I am.”

Marshall finished her most recent book, Firing Lines: Three Canadian Women Write the First World War, and it comes out February 2017 with Dundurn and Press.

Apart from her writing, Marshall is hard at work cultivating connections in the community. She hopes to open up the church to more groups and hold more events in the future, and would like to attract more young people to the church.

“It’s my goal to establish a group for young adults sometime this year,” Marshall said.

St. Andrew’s is located in the Old City Quarter at 311 Fitzwilliam St. “Check us out in October,” Marshall said, “then we’ll be at our full strength.”

Mariners tied up at Langara After a strong performance at Douglas, the Mariners took on the Langara Falcons.

The men’s match ended in a 1-1 tie. The Falcons got The Navigator on the board first due to a miscue between a Mariners’ defender and goalkeeper David Turkstra. The Mariners trailed 0-1 at the end of the first half. After a halftime adjustment, the Mariners came out strong, creating a number of chances on the field which culminated in a goal by midfielder Shun Takano, with Victor Blasco on the assist.

“Sunday was a totally different game against Langara Collage,” said Mariners’ Head Coach Bill Merriman. “The Falcons were a very physical team and the game was definitely not as entertaining soccer as Saturday.”

The women’s match ended in a 2-2 tie. The Mariners were up 1-0 at the half with a goal by midfielder Rachel Jones. In the second half, the Mariners extended their lead to 2-0 with a goal from midfielder Maddy Dawson. The Falcons were able to claw their way back with a penalty kick goal, followed by another at the 86-minute mark to tie the game.

Despite the ties, both Head Coaches Bill Merriman and Anup Kang were impressed with the effort of their teams and see strong potential for success this season.

Cole Schisler ---

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Mariners home opener action 1 Cole Schisler ---

The Mariners took on the Capilano Blues on Saturday in their first home game of the season.

The Navigator The women kicked off a damp day at Merle Logan Field.

Capilano took an early lead, up by a goal going into the half.

As the teams made their halftime adjustments, the sun broke and the Mariners came out looking like a different team. Chloe Gummer was able to capitalize on one of the many scoring opportunities and tied the game late in the second half.

“I thought our energy was really good,” said Mariners’ Head Coach Anup Kang. “We got down, but we didn’t let that get to us. We stayed the course. Overall I thought it was a very good performance.”

The men took the field amid the afternoon sun, hoping to replicate last week’s success against Douglas.

After a scoreless first half, Capilano scored early in the second half.

The Mariners were able to battle back, midfielder Bill Bagiopoulos tied up the match mid-way through the second, but Capilano answered back on the next possession, extending their lead to 2-1.

“We created some scoring chances that we didn’t finish,” said Mariners’ Head Coach Bill Merriman. “It’s still early in the season, and I’m still quite excited about this team and the way they play.”

The Mariners face Douglas and Langara at home next week on Saturday and Sunday respectively. Saturday’s game starts at 1 pm and Sunday’s begins at noon.

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4 — Defender Darby Cronan catches a header.

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BBQ Cauliflower Bites Catherine Charlebois Ever get an --overwhelming

The Navigator urge for wings?

That savoury, crunchy, melt in your mouth flavour? Here’s a healthy alternative to satisfy those late night munchies. Simple, versatile, and with made with basic ingredients, there’s no reason not to try. Meat-eaters, not to worry, these are so packed with flavour, you might not even be able to tell the difference.

Use hot sauce to spice things up or BBQ to tone things down. All ingredients can be changed to make this a vegan or gluten free recipe.

Ingredients head cauliflower chopped into florets cup all purpose flour to cup water or almond mil tsp salt tsp arlic powder cup hot sauce or cup BBQ auce tbsp butter melted

Instructions 1. reheat the o en to and place cauliflower florets in a bowl and set aside 2. n a small bowl mi flour water arlic powder and salt the batter is too thic or your taste add more water 3. ip florets into the batter and place on a lined ba in tray he ey to crunchiness is to e enly and thinly co er the cauliflower with batter ma e sure the batter isn t too thic 4. Ba e cauliflower or minutes hile waitin melt the butter and mi with hot sauce a a homemade Bu alo sauce or use BBQ sauce instead 5. emo e cauliflower and coat with Bu alo sauce and or BBQ sauce and ba e or another minutes

Exercisers connect with new fitness app Cole Schisler ---

5F is a free sports networking app that allows users to find The Navigator friends who want to stay active in a variety of ways.

Users can create an account displaying which activities they are interested in and what their level of expertise in a given activity is, ranging from wanting to try an activity to being an expert.

Users can also set their preference in friends based on the sport, age, gender, and location.

5F was founded by Urs Camenisch, a former air ambulance pilot who believes too many people are lacking in basic fitness.

“I transported too many patients with non-life-threatening illnesses that could have been prevented with some regular exercise,” Camenisch said, “I am hoping to make a small difference with this app.”

With over 100 possible activities to choose from, 5F appeals to all athletes. Users can choose from activities like biking, curling, ping pong, hiking, swimming, and various other activities.

The app is currently available on iOS, and an Android version is being developed.

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sports

LIFESTYLE

Courtesy of <catchingseeds.com>

6. er e with ranch dippin sauce and en oy

VIU golf team wins tournament in Abbotsford

Courtesy of Kevin Oates

Courtesy of Urs Camenisch

theNAVIGATOR

Cole Schisler ---

The Mariner’s Golf team won the PACWEST Golf tournament in The Navigator Abbotsford with the lowest score of 589, a mere stroke under the Camosun Chargers.

Mariners’ golfer Dallas Jones was the individual low gross winner, shooting 68-71 to start the season in a performance that earned him PACWEST athlete of the week.

The Mariners are now the top ranked team in the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association.

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SPORTS & LIFESTYLE

INTRAMURAL SPORTS

hoto o

eam ine in the

Cole Schisler ---

es

ourtesy o

lympics

Registration for VIU intramural sports is now open. Participants must have a full team in order to register. Sign-up is at the gymnasium.

The Navigator Intramural sports are a great way to make friends during the school year. Ernest Dushime, a second-year student studying social work, was involved in many intramural sports leagues last year and is looking forward to competing again this year.

“It was fun competing against good friends and other passionate players,” said Dushime. “I liked it because I was able to clear my mind for an hour. Spending all my time in books and worrying about homework was bad for me, so having that hour to be free was great.”

Registration ends soon, so gather up your friends and head down to the gym for a great season of intramural sports.

rnest

ushime

Intramural sports leagues running this fall are: olleyball on ondays pm to pm be innin eptember and endin o ember i e on fi e Bas etball on uesdays rom pm to pm be innin eptember and endin o ember ndoor occer on ednesdays rom pm to pm be innin on eptember and endin o ember urlin which is held at the anaimo urlin entre on hursdays rom pm to pm be innin ctober and endin o ember here are also intramural sports tournaments includin low itch on ctober fi e a side utdoor occer on ctober od eball on o ember and Ball oc ey on o ember

VIU Athletes win PACWEST Athletes of the Week Cole Schisler ---

VIU athletes Chloe Gummer and Dallas Jones were named the The Navigator PACWEST Athletes of the Week for their performances in soccer and golf respectively.

Gummer scored a hat trick in her PACWEST debut against Douglas College. “I knew our team was capable of winning that game,” she said, “which was motivation in itself to keep playing hard. I also hadn’t scored in awhile, so I was taking a lot of shots and hoping for the best.”

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theNAVIGATOR

Gummer and the Mariners are hoping to build on their strong start in Saturday’s home opener against the Capilano Blues. “We’ve been continuing to train hard and focus on defending and set plays,” Gummer said, “I think everyone’s really excited and ready to win.”

Jones was the individual low gross title winner for the PACWEST golf tournament in Abbotsford, shooting 68-71. He led the Mariners with eight birdies and 31 greens in regulation.

SPORTS

LIFESTYLE

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Brandon Kornelson is a Sociology and History student. He hopes to become a journalist.

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SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

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Lauren Mann Live

Summer Park Market Maffeo Sutton Park 100 Comox Rd.

Island Sleuth Mystery Competition

Fall Plant Sale

White Sails Brewing 125 Comox Rd. Starts 7 pm

4 – 9 pm

By Donation

FREE

Eagle Mountain Church 1 Terminal Ave.

Milner Gardens & Woodland 1279 Island Hwy.

7 – 10 pm

10 am – 4 pm

$20 per person, space limited

FREE to VIU Students

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TheatreOne’s Fringe Flicks

Voices from the Engraver Exhibition

Open Mic Night

Sustainability Fair

Swap-o-rama-rama Clothing Swap

Nanaimo Museum 100 Museum Way

Library Quad Nanaimo Campus

A&H Colloquium: The Alchemists’ Council

Avalon Cinema 6631 North Island Hwy.

The Corner Lounge 121 Bastion St.

Worldbridger Film Series

10 am – 5 pm

11 am – 2pm

Malaspina Theatre VIU Campus

1 – 7 pm

Starts 9:45 pm

VIU Campus Bldg. 356 rm. 109

10 – 11:30 am

Students: $1.75

FREE

2 – 10 pm

$13 per Film

FREE

St. Andrew’s United Church 311 Fitzwilliam St

By Donation

FREE

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Out of Sight Photography Exhibit

McNab’s Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch

Nanaimo Art Gallery 150 Commercial St.

McNab’s Corn Maze 4613 Yellowpoint Rd. Ladysmith

On The Dock with Diana Pearson, Alex Wickett, and Carla Haywood

10 am – 5 pm FREE

10 am FREE

Starts at 11 am FREE

Dinghy Dock Pub Protection Island 7 pm $20 includes ferry

JOIN THE NAVIGATOR ONLINE

THENAV.CA /THENAVIGATORNEWSPAPER @THENAV_VIU

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theNAVIGATOR

CALENDAR

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