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Wealin’ since 1926
Showing solidarity p.0 p.044
COPING WITH LOSS p.08
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Spring Nguyen
Photo Editor
Hello SAIT students,
Jesse Boily
Hello SAIT students, News Editor
Mark Wiseman
Sport Editor
Carter Bews
Lifestyle Editor
Jesse Heinrichs
My name is Emilie Charette, and I am Saitsa’s new Publications Coordinator, taking over from Sheldon. As a SAIT alumna and former Wealie, I’m thrilled to be back on campus, and looking forward to continuing the Weal’s new direction, as well as its tradition of excellent journalism, photography, and design. I’m also glad to be working with the current group of Wealies. They work hard to bring you the news and content you’re looking for. This month’s theme is Kindness and Remembrance. As we draw toward the close
Opinions Editor
Amanda McColl
A&E Editor
Nokwethemba Moyo
of the year, it’s easy for people to feel isolated and cut off. It’s also easy for people who are away from home, at school for the first time, to feel lonely and homesick. With that in mind, perhaps the stories in this issue will serve as an inspiration for acts of kindness in your own lives. If you’d like to see your byline and your work, whether written, photographic, or
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Terry Fru
designed, in print, please come to our weekly pitch meetings, every Monday at noon in V129 of the Campus Centre. We’re located near the hockey rink and always looking for fresh voices and perspectives.
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Kendra Marshall
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FEATURES 06
Political experts say ....
04
08
Loss doesn’t mean the end
Orange Shirt Day at SAIT
CONTENT NOVEMBER 2019 NEWS 03 Why Should Students Care About Student
Politics? 04 Orange Shirt Day at SAIT 06 Political experts say you can’t take political parties’ message at face value OPINION 08 Loss doesn’t mean the end 10 The Legion: History And Future Up In The Air? 12 Worth Remembering
LIFESTYLE 13 Four Ceremonies To Attend On Remembrance
Day SPORTS 16 SAIT Intramurals Team Struggles To Find Last-Minute Replacements 18 Esports Spectators Building Community 19 November - Kindness Word Search 20 WTF is this?
Why Should Students Care About Student Politics? Increasing voter turnout for Saitsa Board of Directors Election By Mark Wiseman
S
AIT students elected the new 2019/2020 Saitsa Board of Directors (BOD) on Oct. 2-3, with a voter turnout of 18.7 per cent. While this year’s election numbers showed over 80 per cent of SAIT students failed to vote, this year’s turnout was a large improvement over last year’s, which was 11.5 per cent. Many students see the posters and are aware of the vote, but may not actually understand why this election is important. According to Rio Valencerina, Coordinator, Governance Administration at Saitsa, there are a number of important reasons to vote and participate in student politics at SAIT. “The BOD sets the strategic direction of the Students’ Association,” said Valencerina, adding these elections give students a voice to influence the way Saitsa operates and the initiatives they choose.
sued spots on the Executive Council (EC). “At that position, you have more of an opportunity to oversee the work of the executive and then learn a lot more about what they’re doing,” said Valencerina. A good example of this is Saitsa President Ryan Morstad, who served on the BOD before running for president of the EC. “I’ve had a chance to see a lot behind the curtain, and I love everything that’s going on, and ways that we can bring students together,” said Jesse Wicks, while campaigning in the Senator Burns Building. Wicks works as an clubs admin assistant for Saitsa, and was eventually elected to the Board in this past election. There are many reasons why it’s been hard to engage students at SAIT in student government.
For example, students can direct the Board to focus on mental health initiatives or influence budgetary priorities. This means money students pay into Saitsa will be better directed towards the needs of students.
Most students only attend SAIT for two years or less, and this leads to a lack of personal investment in the community. Saitsa is working to grow engagement and encourage a greater sense of community at the school.
The BOD can also direct the Saitsa VP External to lobby various levels of government for the needs of SAIT students, thereby directing student’s concerns to government officials.
One of the things that Valencerina believes is starting to help foster a sense of community is the Saitsa rebrand this year.
The Board is also required to be accessible to SAIT students who have concerns. Anyone can look up board members and students are encouraged to get in touch with directors should they wish to voice their opinion. The BOD can also influence future policy for Saitsa; those who have served on the Board have also traditionally pur-
According to Valencerina, the traffic to Saitsa’s website has increased by four times since the rebrand took place. “It’s very important that students vote, and it’s not just because they pay a student fee,” said Valencerina. “You’re also voting for people that will be making decisions that could affect not only you, but other students as well.” What’s happening in your community | News
3
ORANGE SHIRT DAY AT SAIT Phyllis Webstad visits SAIT for Orange Shirt Day 4
theWeal.com | November 2019
By Mark Wiseman - Photo by Rorie Stannard
O
range Shirt Day is an event to recognize the survivors of Canada’s residential school system and the traumas they experienced, where supporters wear orange shirts to show solidarity. This year, SAIT recognized Orange Shirt Day by hosting a presentation by Phyllis Webstad, the focal point of the Orange Shirt Day movement, on Oct. 2 in Macdonald Hall. Webstad is a survivor of the St. Joseph’s Mission Residential School near Williams Lake B.C. She attended the school from 1973 to 1974. The story of the orange shirt is linked to an experience of Webstad’s on her first day at St. Joseph’s Mission. She bought a new outfit to wear to school, which included an orange shirt. The nuns at the school took her clothes away as the children were required to wear uniforms, and she never got the shirt back. Webstad spoke about her personal experience at the school, the experiences of members of her extended family, and how attending St. Joseph’s Mission affected her life afterwards. “We don’t need anyone to feel sorry for us for what we went through, we just need you to listen and to have empathy for what happened,” said Webstad. “It left a mark from day one,” said Blair Cunningham, Career Advisor at SAIT. Residential schools were mandated by the federal government and run by Christian churches from 1876 to 1996. Children were taken away from their parents, and
placed in schools far away from their communities. Parents were not permitted to stop the forced attendance of their children at these schools, and were even threatened with legal action if they tried to visit. “Within the schools themselves, a lot of the kids that attended had really bad experiences,” said Cunningham. Many children were subjected to abuse of all kinds, including mental, emotional, physical, and sexual abuse. Some children died while living at the residential schools and were buried on school sites. Parents weren’t notified. “It’s a day to recognize and raise awareness of the impact that residential schools have on survivors,” said Cunningham. The last residential school closed in 1996, and plenty of damage that has been passed down from generation to generation; children were taken from their parents, and grew up having never learned how to be parents themselves. “We want you to realize that this did happen, but walk with us amongst the healing that we’re doing,” said Cunningham. Webstad agrees that, for truth and reconciliation to be effective, Orange Shirt Day is just the starting point. “Any time of year is a good time to have the conversation,” said Webstad.
What’s happening in your community | News
5
POLITICAL EXPERTS SAY YOU CAN’T TAKE POLITICAL PARTIES’ MESSAGE AT FACE VALUE Careful research is needed to cut through the spin By Mark Wiseman Photo by Jesse Boily
E
xperts are cautioning students to do their research when evaluating each party’s campaign slogans and messages this election. Many students at SAIT will be voting in the federal election for the very first time, and are facing a barrage of information and campaign slogans specifically crafted by each of the parties. It is difficult for anyone trying to evaluate campaign slogans of any political party because so much work goes into presentation of the message, which can be misleading. “They’re all trying to spin things in favour of themselves and against other parties,” said Lori Williams, a political scientist at MRU. One example of an intentionally misleading campaign message, according to Williams, is the Conservative Party’s message that the carbon tax doesn’t work. “Andrew Scheer is saying carbon taxes don’t work, despite really overwhelming evidence that they do,” said Williams.
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theWeal.com | November 2019
According to Williams, they point to the fact that B.C.’s emissions have risen since the province implemented a carbon tax in 2008. However, studies have shown while B.C.’s emissions have risen, they did so at a much slower rate than if a carbon tax hadn’t been implemented. “He’s picking something and trying to draw a conclusion associated with that to his advantage,” said Williams. Sometimes these messages are even different from region to region across the country. In Alberta, the Liberals constantly highlight the fact they purchased the Trans-Mountain Pipeline, but this is rarely mentioned on the campaign outside of Alberta, as most Canadians are more concerned about climate change than oil production and transportation. Another confusing aspect is that political scandals viewed negatively in one part of the country may be viewed positively in another. The best example of this is how the Conservatives handled the SNC-Lavalin scandal in the French-Language debate on Sept. 2.
The SNC-Lavalin affair alleges that the Trudeau government improperly interfered in an ongoing criminal investigation involving the large Quebec-based construction company. “Scheer did not attack Trudeau on SNC-Lavalin, because Trudeau’s position is popular in the province of Quebec,” said Duane Bratt, political science professor and Chair of the Department of Economics, Justice, and Policy Studies at MRU. Political messages can be crafted to tug on people’s emotions about specific issues, even though facts and data might draw different conclusions. One example in the current campaign is the difference between Liberal and Conservative messaging regarding the state of the economy in Canada. The Liberals have a very positive message, while the Conservatives paint a picture of struggle and difficulty for families. According to Bratt, part of this phenomenon is because economic conditions are much different in Alberta than in the rest of the country.
“We have suffered through a recession since 2014, but the rest of the country is humming along,” said Bratt. Bratt added that he believes GDP growth and unemployment data are important, but all too often people vote on what they perceive, and political parties know this. “What it does show is that we rarely use economic indicators to determine the economic situation, we tend to use feelings and what we see around us,” said Bratt. “That is what they’re playing on: emotions, not data.” Ultimately, it’s up to voters to research political claims carefully to avoid being misled. Going to reputable news outlets, with accurate and verified reporting, can help navigate these waters. Each political statement made by leaders this election will need to be evaluated for context and accuracy. “You have got to put in the time, you can’t look at it in isolation, and you have to look at it in context,” said Bratt.
Federal Election signs along the C-Train tracks in Calgary on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019. Many signs have been vandalized.
What’s happening in your community | News
7
LOSS
doesn’t mean the end
Grief can interrupt life, but things will change By Amanda McColl Photo by Jesse Boily
8
theWeal.com | November 2019
I
don’t remember the week my dad died.
“There shouldn’t be a time limit on how someone
I got up. I worked. I did all the things I needed to feels,” said Grey.
keep things running. But I have no clear memories of that time. It flew by in a blur. Sometimes it still feels like that.
“But things keep happening and there’s school.” The world may feel like it’s stopped, but it doesn’t always work like that. Provincial labor regulations allow for employees to take three bereavement days,
Grief can affect everything around a person, and which, when you’re in the eye of this storm, doesn’t when you suffer a loss while in school, it can be hard always feel like enough to really process the change to find a way to keep going. I was lucky. I had family and friends around me for
in your life. Help is out there though, and it can come in many
support, and we had a lot of time to come to terms forms. with the loss of my dad, but not everyone has that. And not everyone deals with grief the same way.
“It isn’t always counselling,” said Grey. She pointed toward academic coaching, the SAIT
Not everyone wants to talk about the feelings
Interfaith Centre, and peer support as other options
they have when dealing with the loss of a friend or
that may help someone deal with grief. She also
family member. Not everyone reacts the same way,
recommends finding healthy coping mechanisms
and when you are trying to support someone going
during those hard times.
through a loss, it’s important to keep that in mind. “It’s okay to accept our own reactions and not judge
It can be hard to see how things will get better, but it’s important to remember that grief isn’t a linear
them, which is easier said than done,” Melissa Grey, experience. a psychologist with SAIT’s student development and
I still miss my dad. I still reach for the phone when
counselling services, said. She added it’s important to
something exciting happens, and I want to share it
acknowledge the feelings that come with grief, even if with him. Then the realization comes that I can’t do they aren’t what are expected.
that, and that can bring it home, all over again. But the
“Just because we’re not doing it all the same, doesn’t good days and the good memories do eventually start mean that it doesn’t impact people.”
outnumbering the bad ones.
Alyssa Hopper, a first year graphic design and
“It is a process, and if you allow other people to
print technologies student, who recently lost her
join in that, you will hear that it doesn’t stay the same
grandmother, said there was a lot of pressure to just forever,” said Grey. keep doing normal things, regardless of how she felt
“It changes over time, and that’s hopeful.”
about it. “I found myself apologizing for bringing it up,” she said.
What’s happening in your community | Opinions
9
THE LEGION HISTORY AND FUTURE UP IN THE AIR? Membership drops put programs at risk By Amanda McColl
T
he Royal Canadian Legion, which was originally created to advocate for and support veterans, has been struggling to attract new members for decades. Not only does that limit the amount of income in a specific branch, but it limits the amount of volunteer work done by that branch. The poppy drive in particular is getting harder and harder to manage. Legion members are required to put in volunteer service with their branch, and most work happens during the poppy drive in November. Membership has dropped in the last three decades by almost two-thirds, from over 800,000 10
theWeal.com | November 2019
members to 270,000 this year. Over half of those members are 65 years of age or older, according to the legion’s national headquarters in Ottawa. This drop in membership, and an aging active membership, means there are fewer volunteers, not just for the poppy drive, but for work with military families and youth education programs. The struggle is, many younger people don’t see the legion as something for them. “It’s kind of the place my grandparents go to drink and socialize,” said Rebecca Morran. “I feel out of place and really young,” she added, pointing out, at 35 years old, being seen as the youngster is not something she’s used to
anymore. “I can’t imagine how intimidated an 18-year-old would feel going in there.” Despite that, some younger people see the appeal and importance of the legion, and the work its volunteers do. Adrian Fernando, a second year journalism student at SAIT, pointed out the importance of the history the legion represents. “If I can contribute to the stories and history of this country, and make the vets’ lives easier, that’s a nobrainer,” he said. Others though, said the cost of membership doesn’t line up with what they get out of it. “$50 up front doesn’t really make it worth it,” said John Butler. “I’m really only in it for the cheap beer, though.” This might be where the disconnect is. For many older members, who served in the military before there were programs to deal with the mental health issues that can come with service, the legion was the place to get support. “You knew the other guys here would get it like nobody else would,” said Michael Bouchard, a Navy veteran who served in the Korean War. “People serving now have better options than just coming down for beers every weekend.” With this in mind, if the legion wants to continue its work in the community for veterans, their families, and other communities in need, a rebranding might be in order, but that could alienate their current membership. “Nobody wants anything to change,” said Bouchard. “It’s been done this way forever, and it’ll be that way until we all die. That’s how a lot of folks think, but if nothing changes, things will just peter out.” Bouchard admitted, he doesn’t know what the solution is, but he thinks the legion needs to find people who do. “We need some new blood, even just to come for a beer.”
“If I can contribute to the stories and history of this country, and make the vets’ lives easier, that’s a no-brainer,”
What’s happening in your community | Opinions
11
Worth Remembering How Remembrance Day is important even long after the war
By Amanda McColl - Illustration by Brandon Wong
W
hen talking about Remembrance Day to
While the holiday is supposed to honor all those who
people who have never faced a war, it’s a very
served, not just in wartime but in peacekeeping and
different conversation than it used to be.
other conflicts, the majority of the focus falls on World
For many of us, we think of long dead relatives or
War II veterans. But with the loss of those veterans, it
friends of relatives, and it feels far-removed from day
can help to remember other conflicts and the effects
to day life. It’s important, but it’s a far-off concept,
they have had on servicemen and women.
unless you have family currently serving. According to StatsCan, there were almost 70,000 armed forces veterans living in Alberta as of March 2018. 4,200 of them served in Second World War, with the average age of World War II vets sitting at 92. But, if you don’t know any of these veterans, or have no tangible connection to the conflicts, what does Remembrance Day really mean? While many of the issues that were at the forefront of those conflicts are still relevant today— like violent anti-Semitism—it can be hard to draw a connection from that to the veterans of those conflicts. “It
just
Even then, it can be hard to find a personal reason to connect to this holiday outside of having a day off school. For me, I remember that so many people would not be here today if it wasn’t for these vets. During peacekeeping missions and conflicts, lives that are saved are a direct connection to the future. The service these people have done in helping to rebuild communities is worth remembering. It’s worth taking the time, on that day off school, to sit down and think about what our lives would be like were it not for their sacrifice and bravery. Regardless of the conflict,
seems
the war, or the peacekeeping
so far away from
mission they served in, keep
anything
deal
those people who have
with now,” said Dana
saved lives around the world
we
Parkes, a parent of a
in your thoughts.
SAIT student.
Remember.
“The things that are shown really have so little to do with me and my family.” 12
theWeal.com | November 2019
We owe them that much.
g FOUR CEREMONIES TO ATTEND ON
Remembrance
Day
By Jesse Heinrichs - Illustration by Spring Nguyen
It’s been over 100 years since the Armistice ended the bloody battles of World War I, but Calgarians have hardly forgotten the sacrifices made by the soldiers in that war, and the ones that followed. Remembrance Day is a day with an overhanging somberness, but it’s also one of important reflection. It is important to remember the sacrifices Canadian soldiers made to ensure our quality of life remains
intact. It’s a day to appreciate the opportunity we’ve been given as Canadian citizens, as much as it is a day to remember Canada’s fallen soldiers. Calgary has a plethora of events where people can pay their respects and reflect on the lives they live. Here is a list of four events you can attend on Nov. 11, with all events starting at 10:30 a.m.
What’s happening in your community | Lifestyle
13
1
Calgary Highlanders Memorial Day Ceremony at Central Memorial Park.
T
he Calgary Highlanders are an infantry regiment based out of the Maweta Armory in Calgary. Originating in 1910, the Calgary Highlanders have deep roots in Canadian military history. They are hosting a Remembrance Day ceremony on Nov. 11th at Central Memorial Park. The ceremony will be followed by a moment of silence, then the laying of wreaths. Located: 1221 2 Street Southwest, Calgary, AB
The Field of Crosses
T
he Field of Crosses is right along Memorial Drive, and is a great place to visit any time in November leading up to Remembrance Day. It’s made up of over 3400 crosses, each commemorating a southern Albertan who gave their life serving the Canadian Armed Forces. If you’re unable to attend any of the Remembrance Day ceremonies, The Field of Crosses has daily ceremonies from Nov. 1 to Nov. 11. There is a flag raising each morning at sunrise, and a flag lowering each evening at sunset. There will also be a ceremony at 10:30 a.m., on the day of Nov. 11.
14
Located: 200 Memorial Dr NW, Calgary, AB
theWeal.com | November 2019
2
3
The Calgary Military Museums
T
he Calgary Military Museums will be commemorating the Armistice and the end of the First World War this year on Remembrance Day. There will be the honouring of distinguished guests, a moment of silence, and the laying of wreaths. The museums are fantastic resources for learning about Canada’s past military efforts, and, more specifically, learning about the Calgary’s history in those efforts. Admission is normally $15 for adults, but admission will be by donation on Remembrance Day. The museums will also be running extended hours from Oct. 21 to Nov. 11.
Located: 4520 Crowchild Trail SW, Calgary, AB
The Hanger Flight Museum
4
T
he hanger in which the Hanger Flight Museum is situated was built in 1941 to provide commonwealth pilots with proper training before being deployed during World War II. The hanger has now been converted into a museum dedicated not just to military flight, but the evolution of flight in general. They hold a Remembrance Day ceremony every year at the hanger, also starting at 10:30. The museum will remain open after the ceremony until 4 p.m., with admission by donation. Admission for adults is normally $15.
Located: 4629 McCall Way NE, Calgary, AB
Let we forget. What’s happening in your community | Lifestyle
15
SAIT
INTRAMURALS TEAM Struggles to find last-minute replacements By Carter Bews
16
theWeal.com | November 2019
s
Source photo: from sait.ca
A
nother season of intramural athletics is underway at SAIT and, unfortunately, there have been many complaints from players. Teams have been forced to forfeit due to a lack of communication. Players are currently unable to quickly contact a replacement and get them out to the rink. Aron Shelstad, captain of an intramural hockey team, believes that the intramural directors can be more open in terms of allowing teams play. “Obviously, I was angry we had to forfeit our first game,” he said. “Since our goalie didn’t show up, we had to take a mandatory loss, but the fact that we weren’t even allowed to scrimmage during our ice-time was frustrating.” Shelstad’s team was scheduled for a game which they had to forfeit automatically because their goalie was not present. Referees are not required to stay after a forfeit is announced, but Shelstad believes that the teams deserve to get what they paid for – at the very least a three on three scrimmage. “Basically, the refs are getting paid to be there and we [the teams] are paying for the ice time,” he explained.
“There needs to be revisions made that allow the players to continue skating, mainly due to the fact that we’re all adults and for the most part have been surrounded by hockey our entire lives. “We know what we’re doing.” While Shelstad had some criticism to offer, he also believes that the institution can make intramurals less stressful by creating an emergency player hotline of sorts, “just in case situations like these arise again or frequently.” Shelstad understands that he is responsible for getting the team organized and ready to play, but that doesn’t mean SAIT has to be strict in their governing of intramurals. “Having this emergency player system would be beneficial to many teams and can act as a failsafe for teams without a set goalie.”
What’s happening in your community | Sports
17
ESPORTS SPECTATORS
By Matthew Siu
Building Community
T
he 2019 League of Legends world championships are upon us, and there is an aspect fans of Esports would like to shed some light on. A seldom talked-about aspect of Esports: spectating. The debate of whether Esports can be considered “real sports” or not has largely been beaten to death. If you want to argue the nature of the sport and its inherent level of athleticism (or lack thereof), your mind is unlikely to be changed on that front. However, one aspect that has largely been untouched in this discussion has been the one I think most closely resembles that of traditional sports – the spectator experience. If you look closely at Esports, you can find all the hallmarks that make up great sports narratives. Esports has Cinderella stories and underdog moments, regional pride and bitter rivalries. As the sport matures and grows, the legacies of dominant teams begin to form. Viewership statistics back this up as well, since last year’s League of Legends grand finals hit viewership numbers that rival the Super Bowl, according to the Esports Charts website.Detractors are quick to doubt the legitimacy of the sport, but it’s not just a flash in the pan. The industry is here. Countries like Korea and China have largely accepted the phenomenon, while here in the West, we have been
18
theWeal.com | November 2019
slower to adopt, and even slower to accept. Events have no issues selling out stadiums and arenas, much the same way a traditional sporting event might. Larger sponsors are entering the space and supporting a myriad of games that carry a professional scene. Spectators we have teams, people, and narratives that we can get behind. Fans get a sense of pride when their team wins, and the excitement that comes with an underdog story, winning against insurmountable odds. Following a player through their career, watching them grow and succeed. Esports has all of that. Our local Esports scene has been, more or less, a failure. A lack of interest, a small talent pool, and a lack of coordination has crippled fledging tournaments and organizers. Instead, local businesses have shifted gears to the spectator experience. Ramcross Esports bar opened this past summer, and it’s the first in Alberta. It provides an establishment, not only for patrons to play games, but also to come together and watch the games they play at the highest level. This sense of community is important. Getting together with your friends to watch the big game, whatever game it might be, is a universal experience.
NO VEM BER KINDNESS WORD SEARCH E P H Q X Q J E T N S Q V C F
U C U J W K D L O O S U F K S
Y O N R U I I I I I E A F B Q
A T M A G G T J S R N F O L I
A O I N R C E R U S D R P W T
S Z I R E B V N Y O N I I S C
L T I F A O M Y E N I E E Q R
Y U F D O H Z E M R K N F P U
W A O V R O C O M T O D F W Y
S S B V I R S O S X R X E L R G N W N I T X X D L D C O X Z U A E E W X F R P Q M Z P I S R Y X L T E H C A E Y R P R E H R D Q B N S H I P P S U I W B A Y L L T L X V A T N Y G E
AFFECTION - CHARITY - DIGNITY - FRIENDSHIP - GENEROSITY - HELPFULNESS - KINDNESS - REMEMBRANCE - RESPECT Find out the answer at theWeal .com
What’s happening in your community | Word Search 19
WTF IS THIS? Find out the answer at theWeal .com
Deanna Burgart
Chemical Engineering Technology ’00
Trevor Lamb
Gursh Bal
Pre-Employment Electrician ’12, Electrician ’16
Petroleum Engineering Technology ’97
Kai Fahrion Electrician ’15
Celebrating Alumni Excellence Every year SAIT recognizes graduates who are accomplishing great things in our community, on the national stage and around the world. Congratulations to the 2019 recipients of SAIT’s Distinguished Alumni and Outstanding Young Alumni Awards. Visit sait.ca/alumni to read more.
2019 Distinguished Alumna President and COO, Indigenous Engineering Inclusion Inc.
2019 Distinguished Alumnus Vice President Operations (Retired), Three Streams Engineering Ltd.
After several years in the pipeline industry, Deanna launched a unique engineering consulting firm, Indigenous Engineering Inclusion Inc., with a commitment to bridging the gaps between the energy industry, government and Indigenous communities. Deanna is a speaker with the International Indigenous Speakers Bureau and also partners with SAIT to develop curriculum designed to increase awareness of the oil, gas and pipeline industry.
With more than 40 years of experience in the oil and gas industry, Trevor has a wealth of industry expertise and his insights as a member of the Dean’s Advisory Council help strengthen programs in SAIT’s MacPhail School of Energy. In 2015 Trevor and his wife Gail established the Lamb Learner Success Centre at SAIT, providing accessibility and testing services for students with learning challenges.
2019 Outstanding Young Alumni Director, Business Development, Virtuoso Energy (GB) Director of Operations, Virtuoso Energy (KF) With a passion for green energy, sustainability and the environment, Gursh and Kai have grown their solar and energy-saving company, Virtuoso Energy, into a leader in Calgary’s renewable energy market. With the goal of making sustainability the core of everyday life, they provide solutions to both residential and commercial clients and are making outstanding contributions to the communities of today and tomorrow.
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