Volume 51 Issue 10

Our annual Cat Calendar this year features cats up for adoption at the Peterborough Humane Society! Flip to our feature to help some animals out in need of a forever home.

Volume 51 | Issue 10 | December 7, 2016

INside:

Photo by Samantha Moss

George Elliot President GroarkE: Clarke visits trent Is Trent Safe?

Punk GOes to College!

Infrastructure at Trent and fleming

Editors-in-chief Yumna Leghari & Zara Syed editors@trentarthur.ca @TrentArthur /ArthurNews

Photographer Samantha Moss @MossWorks

CONTENTS Volume 51 Issue 10

Opinion

Zafer Izer

Board of Directors

Feature

• Pg 3: Editorial • Pg 3: Obituary: Fidel Castro • Pg 3: Alt-right media • Pg 4: Seasonal affective disorder • Pg 4: Time for basic income • Pg 4: Letter to the editors • Pg 5: The Canadian Federation of Students

Campus • Pg 5: A follow up with the President and community

Copy Editor

December 7 2016

• Pg 5: A green campus • Pg 6: Investing in Trent and Fleming College • Pg 6: OPIRG book launch • Pg 11: Writers Reading • Pg 12: Punk Goes to College

Pg. 8 & 9: Check out our Cat adoption calendar!

Community

• Pg 10: Adoption and Self Love • Pg 13: Hot Dish • Pg 14: UN Days of Orange

Arts

• Pg 15: Trent Film Society Presents • Pg 15: Interview with PUP

Chair: Anthony Moniz Treasurer: Josh Skinner Members at Large: • Jordan Porter • Jeffery Moore • Shannon LeBlanc

Contributors • Yumna Leghari • Shanese Steele • Samantha Moss •Marina Wilke • Zara Syed • Clay Duncalfe • Mauricio Interiano • Jordan Porter • Josh Skinner • Tyler Majer • Scott Maufront • Katie Rosa • Trent Film Society • Lubna Sadek • Daniel Morris Submissions due Thursdays at 12:00 pm Articles should be subitted via email as *.rtf, *.odt, *.odt or *.txt attachment | word limit: 800 words.

Letters to the editor | word limit: 100 words Listings, annoucements | word limit: 100 words Images should be submitted via email, Google Drive, Dropbox or other firesharing site. Images should be sent as attachments in *.jpeg and *.tiff formats with a dpi of no less than 300 pixels Arthur reserves the right to edit for length and clarity.

Opinions expressed in this publication do not reflect those of Arthur staff, volunteers or its Board of Directors.

Advertise with Arthur!

We offer great deals for local businesses!

Contact us for more info at: advertising@trentarthur.ca

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Special thanks to Karyn Farr (right) and Christie Read (left) for volunteering their skills and helping make this photoshoot look spectacular! To contact Karyn, who also did the hair for the zombie photoshoot, make an appointment at: 343-369-9997 For Christie, contact: 705-977-1614 or christieread13@gmail.com Photos on pages 2, 9, 10 and 14 by Samantha Moss.

92.7 FM Trent Radio Keep your ear out for Radio-Free Arthur, every Wednesday at 12:30pm!

s ’ r u h t Ar on the a irwa ves!

OPINION

Editorial: finding truth in a polarized political climate

Reporting on the facts is a never ending struggle. Where did these facts come from, how biased are they, and who is affected by these facts? Who is reporting this news, and do they fully grasp the nuances of their chosen topic? These are some of the many questions behind the journalistic ethic.

They are also indicative of a greater philosophical quandary; what is truth, after all?

Publications will always disappoint certain demographics no matter how hard they try to remain neutral. All news institutions are run by humans with a subjective view of the world, and as much as it is right to demand fair coverage, it must be acknowledged that pure objectivity is unattainable. The well-known stereotype of Arthur Newspaper that has grown over the years is of a “leftist rag”. Regardless, since its inception, Arthur has held dear its role as a voice for the student body, encouraging anyone in the community to contribute.

Truth is subject to revision, and history is malleable, which is why objectivity in journalism is such an elusive yet vital aspect to good reporting, in spite of (and because of) the ability of some events to create such fiery, polarized debates. Arthur’s responsibility lies to its readers. Thus, an onus falls on the editors to ensure that all voices are given a platform, as long as there is no hate

speech inherent to a contributor’s message.

The political climate has been stormy as of late, putting Arthur in a particularly critical position. As women of colour and members of the Trent University community, the recent acts of hate and threats made on campus have been disheartening. Our stance is clear: these actions have no place at our university. This sentiment extends to our attitude towards Arthur and its content as well; hate has as little a place in this student paper as it does in this community.

In Issue 9, we published letters to the editors as well as an article reporting on the Make Trent Safe protest that responded to individuals being made to feel anxious on campus post-election. In the same issue, we published an article describing a situation labelled as an “attack sexual in nature” against the Trent Conservatives.

Both of these articles were reports on facts received and reported on by Trent students.

In no way can we silence either voice, whether or not there is a body of students who believe that one side has inflated the truth or not. That is where censorship begins. In response to the rumours we have heard regarding a “boycott of the paper,” we counter: write to the paper! We are here and we want you to get angry, whether it is at us or at someone else. A newspaper can

not represent an ideology, and a “leftist” takeover of Arthur would be just as inappropriate as an alt-right takeover of Arthur.

There is a general paranoia of the media and the truth they drop, and that is a very valid suspicion to have when politics and money are so closely tied with mass media. This paranoia extends to micro-publications as well, including Arthur. When it comes to the truth in Arthur, there is no winning, and we’re okay with that. On one hand, we have been accused of being too complacent, and on the other, we have been so hard-hitting in our reporting that we have had to confront accusations of libel and harbouring hidden agendas in exposing divisive issues on campus. Ultimately, what is required of us is to allow a dialogue to take place, not as a mediation service, but as a place where individuals and groups of differing opinions can see their voice represented. This is crucial to us, and we will continue to provide this service during our editorship. In the fullness of time, according to Greek tragedian, Sophocles, “what people believe prevails over the truth,” and this is what good journalism must battle against. We saw too much emotion and preconceived notions leak into one of the most important elections of this decade; let it not affect the integrity of

this paper.

The CBC recently revealed that they are the “third worst funded public broadcaster in the world among comparable countries with only New Zealand and the U.S. receiving lower per capita funding.” Consequently, they have made a controversial request for an increase of funding that would enable them to function completely ad-free. Conservative critics like Maxime Bernier and Kellie Leitch have used the opportunity to publicize their views that the CBC should be downsized and demolished, respectively. Ironically, both the views of the CBC and of these politicians reflects essentially the same quest for objectivity.

There will always be contradictory powers vying to present the “best” version of the truth. All we can do as a publication created by readers for other readers, is to actively ensure that no voice is going unheard, that all relevant events and developments in the community are being covered and explored, that individuals are held accountable for their actions, and that the facts that we do receive are credible.

Arthur will continue to resist polarising and hysterical discourse, and will aim to factually report on every facet of campus and community life. This stage is always open, so bring your soliloquies and speeches, and let the drama unfold.

Obituary: the duality of Fidel Castro Scott Maufront To his critics, he was a brutal dictator, opponent of free speech, and a man determined to preserve his monopoly of power whatever the cost. To his sympathizers, the late Fidel Castro was a benevolent absolutist who ushered in an era of social progress in Cuba, fought for sovereignty, and liberated colonial states. Whichever interpretation is more valid, Fidel Castro was irrefutably one of the most influential figures in the last half century.

The death of this larger-than-life character, who passed on Friday, November 25th, has evoked a variety of reactions depending who you ask. While I do not intend to praise or condemn his 50-year-long career, I will attempt to illustrate why a dictator of a tiny Caribbean island nation is being mourned across the globe.

His story begins in 1956, 60 years ago to the very day he died, when he, Raul Castro, Che Guevara, and 80 others in his group of revolutionaries left Mexico and embarked on what would become the Cuban Revolution. Their aim was simple; liberate the people of Cuba from the imperialist American-sponsored Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista. The revolution was successful, with Castro assuming power from 1961 and running the country for 50 years.

American news networks contend that Castro will go down in history as a brutal

dictator, who forcefully took power and constructed a repressive state. In many ways, this is not inaccurate. He did renege on his promises of free elections and executed thousands of opponents during a time of war. He did implement a secret police force. He did imprison many in the queer community. This is uncontested, as his iron rule was illustrated in the mass exodus of Cubans to Miami in the second half of the 20th century. These are indeed horrific atrocities that will never be forgiven or forgotten.

However, to reduce him to this caricature is to omit everything else he had achieved in his career. What right wing pundits forget to mention is that upon attaining power, Castro immediately instituted massive reforms in education and healthcare that would mature into some of the most sophisticated and enviable systems in the western hemisphere (even surpassing the US and Canada at times).

In the face of crippling sanctions, embargos, and isolation, Castro’s Cuba became a hallmark of social engineering in the developing world.

These reconfigurations of social services lead to Cuba becoming a world-renowned exporter of professional medical staff.

During Castro’s reign, he deployed 42,000 medical professionals internationally to collaborate with over 103 different countries. This has included sending 400 doc-

tors on a relief mission during Ebola pandemics in West Africa, offering medical staff to support initiatives in post-Hurricane Katrina New Orleans (which George W. Bush denied), and all over continental Africa and Latin America in the wave of independence (1960-80).

His acrimony towards Yankee imperialism earned him the respect of anti-colonial leaders around the globe, and particularly resonated among Latin American and African states, who at the time had few political allies. His belligerence towards imperialists resonated among those living in the proxy zones of the Cold War. His principles went beyond the ideological standoff between the left and right. His troops were not simply mercenaries for the Soviets. Castro intervened against imperialists largely out of his own convictions, not at Moscow’s bidding.

He became inundated with requests for military and social abutment from leaders of the postcolonial world, many of whom he obliged. He supported emerging African states by sending soldiers, doctors, and teachers at time when post-colonial Africa was most vulnerable.

In 1988, for instance, Castro extended 36,000 Cuban troops to stave off aggression from the American-backed South African apartheid regime. This earned him the praise of the Nobel Peace Prize winner Nelson Mandela upon his release from

prison.

Castro’s soldiers also played a decisive role in beating back Portuguese imperialists in Angola, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique and Cape Verde, on top of helping other nations like Algeria and Namibia solidify their independence.

Castro would later claim that almost 400,000 Cuban troops served in Africa, “side-by-side with their African brothers for national independence or against foreign aggression.” For these reasons, upon the news of his death, many of the loudest and most unequivocal tributes to him have been voiced by African leaders.

Fidel Castro’s legacy will stay ambiguous. He undoubtedly violated human rights within his own borders. Yet many Cubans appreciate the social security he provided and still mourn his loss today.

His foreign policy will be significantly less contested by the bulk of the world. Castro has arguably fought harder than any other leader for the sovereign rights of the most vulnerable states of the global south.

We learn about the black, we learn about the white, and as scholars we begin to understand the grey. One cannot fully understand the Castro legacy without first recognizing the duality of his character. As Barack Obama has gracefully put it, “History will record and judge the enormous impact of this singular figure on the people and world around him.”

The snake that ate its tail: thoughts on the alt-right Josh Skinner The alt-right media’s incredibly shortsighted support for a candidate who wants to persecute journalists amounts to playing Russian roulette with two bullets. Assuming that Donald Trump loosens libel laws and enforces a new standard for the mainstream media, the alt-right will become more emboldened than ever. This would create a more dangerous environment for journalism in all its forms, including the alt-right media.

Let’s call them the alt-right. No, this isn’t normalizing them. Generalizing a whole group of people based on that group’s radical fringe is not something to be taken lightly. It forces people into shadows, isolates them, and allows the majority to be further radicalized by the minority.

That being said, the alt-right media need to take a moment of self-reflection to ponder what they are bringing upon themselves through their open vitriol of mainstream journalism and by supporting a candidate that seeks to lock up many

professionals in the field. To be clear, the mainstream media elected Donald Trump just as much as the alt-right did; both sides agree on this. For those against Trump, it was the billions of dollars of free air time given to covering him. Those for Trump see his success stemming from mainstream media ignoring and incensing millions of working class white people who felt left behind by globalization.

Donald Trump has expressed interest in softening libel laws in the past and despite a mollified tone in an interview with The

New York Times, he has not ruled out loosening libel laws. If he manages to do this, which according to The Washington Post is unlikely, it will be a crippling blow to those wishing to hold Donald Trump accountable for the rest of his term. It is going to be an extremely hard four years if every time a journalist brings up the Donald Trump rape allegations, they are served with a suit. However, this is what happens when laws become politicized in favor of one set of beliefs over the other.

Changing laws based on a president’s

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OPINION political affiliation or lack of a thick skin is insanity. Laws have the potential to outlive us all, and when a ruling establishes precedent, it paves the road for future decisions to be made along the same lines.

The decision on Roe v. Wade established precedent to make abortion legally available to women in the United States.

If President Trump is able to win a libel case against journalists, the precedent for future presidents to do the same is established.

To think that future presidents would not pursue this avenue to suppress criticism if it becomes common practice under a Trump presidency is naive

and foolish. Guantanamo Bay, The Patriot Act, and Extraordinary Rendition all continued under the Obama presidency.

When the president is given tools to enforce their rule, they are loath to relinquish them.

We are looking down the barrel of a system where, when a new sheriff arrives in

town, the criminals become the police, and the police become the criminals. Those who would report libel to Trump are now the ones being reported for it. Laws must serve everyone, and if Trump has his way, libel will become a noose around the neck of all journalists based on the whims of the electorate of the day.

The clockwork mind: on Seasonal Affective Disorder

Daniel Morris

While humans are immeasurably more complex than the robots and computers we build, we do essentially function with a biological “clock” or “computer”. We call it our circadian rhythm. The human body would seem to run on a set series of events occurring within us during different times of the day. Certain chemicals in us build up to cause reactions that induce tiredness, joy, anxiety, and even influence how we dream. Even more interesting is how our bodies change not only during a 24-hour period, but also how we change over seasons. This article won’t describe all the chemical events that are happening but rather try to explain in simpler terms how we change over the summer and winter months and how this might have a significant negative affect on some people’s mental health.

Some people can suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), which is also commonly called Seasonal Depression.

This is when the onset of a new season (more commonly winter) causes a significant negative change in a person’s mental health. Only during that time will these individuals feel depressive symptoms which then disappear in accordance to the summer returning. It is also important to acknowledge that this article is only one

Brad Daniels

perspective and aims to help those who might be experiencing depressive symptoms during their study period at Trent as winter approaches.

Firstly, there are two important neurotransmitters that we need to understand when talking about SAD: melatonin and serotonin. Melatonin is the neurotransmitter that makes you feel sleepy and is produced in the absence of light, like when we go to bed. As well, serotonin is the main neurotransmitter that is believed to regulate mood and help invoke happiness. These two neurotransmitters have a complicated relationship with each other. During the winter, the days become shorter and people with SAD have trouble adjusting their circadian rhythm to the shorter days of winter. The shorter days mean less light is available for them to absorb, and melatonin levels become imbalanced, resulting usually in decreased wakefulness and energy. Furthermore, serotonin can become melatonin, however not vice versa. Therefore, as melatonin levels are increasing for longer periods (due to less light during the days), and serotonin is being converted into melatonin, there is less serotonin for the brain. This imbalance is believed to be responsible for the lack of energy and happiness in SAD. Usually, people can adjust to this change in the length of day and not experience any

inhibition. However, those that have SAD have a genetic predisposition making it harder for them to adjust and it can cause a variety of negative feelings, loss of interest with activities or school, appetite changes and sleep changes. It’s as if our clocks have been messed up, and that can mess with our minds.

A Trent student named Kristen spoke about her experience with having SAD. She explained how looking out upon a grey, dead landscape only worsened the feelings that SAD was already causing her. She described it as “feeling like a different person”. Based on the physical changes that were described above, it is easier to see how feelings of sadness and a loss of interest are common in SAD. However, Kristen also shared some positive notes that she uses to help boost her mental health. Things like exchanging small gifts like tea or coffee with some friends. Also, spending time with some companions who enjoy the winter, or even speaking with people feeling the same way were found to help. Kristen also expressed the importance of keeping your mental health a top priority. Things such as volunteering and helping others are a good way to stay connected, or even taking up a hobby such as knitting or painting can help to focus energy to be more positive. There is also evidence that

bright-light exposure can help to re-balance melatonin, which can be obtained artificially or by going on walk on a bright day. Sometimes the winter can bring about many negative feelings, but eating properly, staying active doing things you like, maintaining a consistent sleep schedule and exposing yourself to the outdoors can all help to mediate those feelings.

However, sometimes your mental health needs some professional boosts too.

Trent University has a counselling center, that I have personally used, which can be accessed at https://www.trentu.ca/wellness/counselling.

As well, speaking with your doctor about your symptoms may lead them to suggest a pharmaceutical treatment for you. There are also help lines which you can call for yourself or for a friend such as Good2Talk (1-866-925-5454) that are available 24/7, 365 days of the year.

Trent University also has a strong mental health group on campus called Active Minds, which encourages the student body to actively participate in advocating their mental health experiences. As a community, it is important that we at Trent share our knowledge and experience to help each other. Everyone is experiencing changes every day. It is ok to not be ok.

Moving forward: time for a basic income

The simple idea behind a “basic income” is that no citizen should be allowed to fall below a certain standard of living which allows for a dignified existence. This is often proposed as a monthly government paycheque given to all individuals whose income falls below that standard, regardless of whether or not they work. Proponents of a basic income argue that such a policy would reduce inequality (and its well-studied harmful effects), boost the economy, and eradicate poverty. It is an idea that has spanned two centuries of political debate, starting with seminal advocate Thomas Paine in the 18th century, and currently part of the Canadian Liberal Party’s political platform. The concept has enjoyed support from the far left, such as civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., all the way to the far right, such as the staunch conservative economist Milton Friedman.

Why then, is such a policy not already in place? This article addresses the two main counter-arguments which supposedly discredit the idea of a basic income and have been relied upon in political and social dis-

course for far too long.

If you give people money, they won’t go to work.

This statement ignores the fact that a basic income provides, as the name suggests, a basic standard of living, i.e. not a luxurious one. Moreover, there is virtually no empirical evidence to support it. Dozens of large-scale basic income experiments have been conducted world-wide, five notably in North America, with one of the largest occurring in Dauphin, Manitoba in the 1970s. None of these experiments found that people stopped working when given money, and specifically in the Canadian study, it was found that an economically insignificant reduction in working hours among teenagers and new mothers was associated with an increase in high school graduation rates and healthier babies.

Moreover, poorer people tend to spend more money within their local economies, stimulating growth—a stark contrast to richer people who have been observed to save their money or invest it in foreign equities. This is in addition to the greater

likelihood that more people will take the risk of starting a small business or pursue other creative endeavours which contribute to the economy and society in a multitude of ways.

Well, even if it is a good idea, it’s not affordable.

Beyond the fact that eradicating poverty would save tens of billions of dollars in healthcare, judicial, and social welfare costs, there is an abundance of research suggesting that a basic income is economically feasible. University of Manitoba Economics professor Wayne Simpson, senior economist for the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives David Macdonald, and Queen’s University economist Robin Broadway are just a few supporters of basic income being implemented at the federal level in Canada. Dr. Boadway’s plan, arguably the most generous and cost effective, suggests a supplemental income of approximately $1,200/month to any individual whose own annual earnings fall below that number, with additional payments for seniors and those with disabilities. This

plan is virtually revenue-neutral, that is, it doesn’t cost any more than the current welfare system, with some scenarios actually costing less. Accordingly, discourse is now shifting away from the economic feasibility of a basic income and towards the specific kind of basic income that would be best for the Canadian people.

In a recent Angus Reid poll, a majority of Canadians supported the idea of some form of basic income (at least twice as many as those who oppose it), and indeed the government of Ontario will be releasing details of another large-scale basic income pilot project early next year. It seems as though basic income is an idea whose time has come, and if implemented, may very well be one of the most significant policy initiatives undertaken in Canada in our time, potentially setting a new social and economic standard for the rest of the world.

If you would like to get involved, please contact your local Basic Income Peterborough Network (BIPN) representatives, Susan Hubay (hubay@sympatico.ca) and Jason Hartwick (jason_hartwick@yahoo. ca).

Re: “Campus sees deplorable acts post-election,” Nov. 21 In the last issue of Arthur Newspaper, published on November 21st, 2016, I reported on events that took place off campus, and have received criticism centering on campus safety for the way I reported on it. The first being reporting unconfirmed information that was later debunked.

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The second being contributing to an environment where women do not feel comfortable on campus.

To begin with, the event I reported on involved a student flashing a group of Trent Conservatives shortly after the election. When I received this information

from a member of the group, I was able to confirm it with police in a relatively short period of time. Also included in the article were the reports of men running across Faryon bridge in ski masks. The story of ski masks was at the time unconfirmed. In retrospect, I should have shown restraint

on reporting on the ski masks event before tangible confirmation was made available, and for that, I apologize.

About two weeks ago, a letter was issued by President Groarke, debunking the ski mask story. What this does not debunk is the feeling of a general lack of

CAMPUS safety among students, which received five articles of coverage, including an editorial, reporting of the Make Trent Safe protest, and a letter of solidarity signed by 26 faculty members. The solidarity shown amongst students to fight this feeling is more than commendable, it’s inspiring.

It showed that Trent students care for the vulnerable, and are willing to create a

movement based on empathy for how the vulnerable feel. These feelings are also supported by appalling events such as the attack on Elizabeth Jenkins, in which racial slurs were shouted at her and a cup of urine was thrown at her.

So for those who feel that I am contributing to this lack of safety, I apologize that I have contributed to your anxiety. I gave

unequal coverage because I chose not to report on the feelings of students on campus, which are the substance of the issue at hand. I elected to do this because I knew there were many both inside and outside of Arthur who wanted to cover the story.

I believed that the multitude of stories regarding these feelings would serve to balance against my article outlining the flash-

ing event against the Trent Conservatives.

My perception of balance was clearly not what others felt, and I regret any feelings of anxiety that my actions have caused. I will take this into my writing process for the future. If you feel personally affected by my article, I encourage you to get into contact with me directly via email. You can reach me at joshuaskinner@trentu.ca.

The Canadian Federation of Students (CFS)

Shanese Steele The Trent Central Student Association is Member Local 71 of the Canadian Federation of Students/Fédération Canadienne des étudiantes et étudiants (CFS).

Many university students go through their academic careers without ever hearing about the organizations their student unions are a part of. The Canadian Federation of Students is the largest student organization in Canada, consisting of 80 member locals in 9 of the 10 provinces, with Quebec being the only exception.

CFS formed in 1981 after the merger of two previous organizations, the Association of Student Councils and the National Union of Students Canada. Their goal is to provide adequate and accessible education to Canadian students as well as to be a voice that politically advocates for students and their rights. On their website, under “constitution,” CFS/FCEE has listed seven main aims of their organization: 1. To organize students on a democratic, cooperative basis in advancing our own interests, and in advancing the interests of our community; 2. To provide a common framework within which students can communicate, exchange information, and share

experience, skills and ideas; 3. To ensure the effective use and distribution of the resources of the student movement, while maintaining a balanced growth and development of student organisations that respond to students needs and desires; 4. To bring students together to discuss and cooperatively achieve necessary educational administrative, or legislative change wherever decisionmaking affects students; 5. To facilitate cooperation among students in organising services which supplement our academic experience, provide for our human needs, and which develop a sense of community with our peers and other members of society; 6. To articulate the real desire of students to fulfil the duties, and be accorded the rights of citizens in our society and in the international community; 7. To achieve our ultimate goal—a system of postsecondary education which is accessible to all, which is of high quality, which is nationally planned, which recognizes the legitimacy of student representation and the validity of student rights, and whose role in society is clearly recognized and appreciated.

Currently the federation has thirteen key

issues that they have created campaigns around to advocate for students as well as human rights. From consent culture to ending the blood ban for gay and bisexual men as well as trans folks, CFS has a wide range of issues for students to be vocal about. Their biggest campaign, the national “Fight the Fees!” movement against rising tuition, took place across Canada—even on campuses not a part of the federation. Trent itself has participated in the “National Day of Action” as well as other campaigns such as “Not Your Stereotype” which discusses cultural appropriation of Indigenous cultures for Halloween costumes.

While CFS has been credited for providing opportunities for students it has been marred in controversy for various reasons.

What appears to be at the center of the criticism concerning the federation is member locals feeling that there is an inability to leave the federation on their own terms. Sixteen student unions or associations have made the decision to leave the federation over the last several years, including all of the associations located in the province of Quebec.

Concordia and McGill University have been the most well known cases in the most recent years with court proceedings dragging on into 2015.

Concordia is accused of owing the Canadian Federation of students $1.8M in unpaid students fees while McGill has already spent $400,000 in legal fees. Most recently at the 2016 Semi-Annual National General Meeting on November 17, motions were put forward by member locals calling for a change in the CFS bylaws mostly focusing on the logistics of locals being able to de-federate.

Fourteen of the motions in fact were put forward by one of the federation’s largest ember locals, Local 98 which is the University of Toronto. One motion asked that be it resolved that member locals should be entitled to a membership fees refund if the local does not feel that the federation provided them with accurate and sufficient financial statements. Emotions ran high and the most recent NGM, with some locals feeling as though many of these motions were tearing the federation apart.

The Canadian Federation of Students/ Fédération Canadienne des étudiantes et étudiants can be many things; it can be a champion of student voices and accessible education, and it can also be an organization that member locals feel does not meet their needs. Whatever they are, Trent students will be able to participate and have a say in what their relationship is with CFS.

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CAMPUS

Is Trent Safe? A follow-up with President Groarke and the community Jordan Porter

To say that there has been a bit of tension at Trent in the weeks following the November 8th election of Donald Trump would be an understatement. During this period there have been protests on campus that have garnered national attention, rumours of late-night alt-right revelry, student assemblies, administrative rhetoric, a statement issued by the university President, and a faction of faculty and staff coming together to express support for student interests.

Amongst the chaos, Arthur has done its best to stay on top of the fast-moving politics at our school. We have had the opportunity to meet with members of both sides of various ongoing debates, and have attended a number of events that have added to the November tension. Arthur spoke to a first year student out of Gzowski college, Kari Boyd, who was the first person to witness and report the mystery of the hooded men running around campus yelling some of the… less family-friendly slogans from Donald Trump’s wild campaign in the early a.m. of November 9th.

“As someone who’s been assaulted before a few weeks prior to this, it shook me.

I thought, what’s going to happen on campus? With Trump being elected, do people think that they can just get away with anything now? Seeing Trump get away with the things he did, I’m afraid that people are going to think they can do it too.”

Boyd went on to describe what she had seen and heard that night, and then went over what sounded like a long and arduous journey with campus security.

“We checked all the cameras and we didn’t see anything.” This is the answer that security gave Boyd the day after her initial report.

Boyd’s incident was the first flake in an issue that has now snowballed. A week after Boyd posted on her Facebook about the incident, it was off of security’s agenda.

That same week, the protest group Make Trent Safe materialized on the Bata podium before marching around the campus chanting things such as “not my campus”. This movement garnered national attention as students and community members came together to fight adversity and violence against minorities of every variety.

This event, and the subsequent call for action that is the foundation of Make Trent Safe, is what prompted university President Dr. Leo Groarke to draft a statement directed at all students.

When prompted to comment on Presi-

dent Groarke’s statement following the protest, Boyd said she was “shaken up” after reading it: “In the paragraph where he specifically talks about how people are going around trying to spread fear, I felt personally attacked, in that people knew it was me who reported this and I thought everyone was going to think I lied, and started a rumour, because the president said so.”

While Dr. Groarke did not single out any one student or group, the President says it is important in this delicate situation to understand the difference between this specific usage of “rumour” and “fact”, stating that it was never his intention to discredit any of these incidents reported, or those involved.

After speaking with Boyd, Arthur met with Dr. Groarke to gain a better understanding of his perspective as expressed in the official statement that making waves in the Trent community.

“I think it’s important to put the statement into context first. I just hope it’s clear; I welcome the discussion of these issues.

There are different groups with different opinions, and I welcome the discussion, and whatever action follows from that.”

Arthur took this opportunity to point out that a considerable number of Trent community members, including Boyd and those affiliated with the Make Trent Safe movement, have expressed concern and even distaste at the statement, which has been criticized as “dismissive”.

“I don’t see how anybody could be coming to these conclusions from my statement. The statement makes it very clear that the university does not tolerate any sort of hate speech. There is no tolerance for that at Trent University, and I think that was clear.”

When asked to respond to those who believe that these issues are being brushed off by administration with no action being taken, President Groarke expressed surprise.

“I would just have to disagree. Every incident that has been reported has been investigated thoroughly, and it does have to be investigated. There are different groups that are complaining to me, and the administration, and I should say, that there are accusations regarding both groups on either side. Not just one group.”

As far as action being taken by administration as a whole, Groarke points out that there has been a huge effort to make sure there are comfortable ways for people to report incidents to campus security such as going through the TCSA.

With hopes to cut to the core of the issue, Arthur asked the President to comment on difference between free speech and hate speech, especially regarding dissenting political arguments, and other similarly sensitive issues.

“There are established rules and regulations in Canada, both in law and in policy at many institutions. I do think it’s important to say that you’re not committing hate speech just because you say something that someone else doesn’t like, or offends them.

But overall, if you have some unpopular views on any subject, at what point do you no longer have the right to to express those views? That’s a complicated question, but if you start to become too stereotypical or aggressive towards a certain group, that’s when you begin to cross the line. However, the first thing you teach people when teaching about freedom of expression is, it is not absolute. People think it means you can say anything anywhere. It does not mean that, and it has never meant that.”

Dr. Groarke also expressed that it should be taken into consideration that there is something to be said about those who have expressed unpopular views around campus and are now being bullied for their expression.

“As President, I’m trying to be fair to everyone.”

This past Sunday, a Stay Safe PTBO assembly was organized at Sadleir House by Trent students and alum hosting close to forty supporters from Trent, Fleming, Peterborough residents, OPIRG members, and a representative from the Black Lives Matter movement. The ultimate goal for this assembly was to address the statement issued by President Groarke and make Peterborough a safe community for all types of people..

“We’re not asking for these people to be

charged, we just want a statement issued that says ‘we care about the safety of these people’,” said one distressed community member.

“Taking zero stance on discrimination is really not okay” lamented another attendee while commenting on the President’s statements.

During opening introductions, one member expressed their wish to “push back against the nightmare” and to “challenge institutions”. May this finally be something that we can all agree is healthy in one way or another? Is it so different from the revolutionary Canada of the 1960s, built on challenging, and pushing back against injustice?

An organizer of the event spoke to their feelings that the President’s statement amounted to “gas-lighting”, and that it carried an undertone to the effect of “this doesn’t happen, we do not believe you.”

While some were in attendance to declare their allegiances in the debate, it is worth noting that some came to the event simply to learn more. There was a palpable curiosity among some about what it means to be a minority in Peterborough, about the challenges that come with various labels, and about how they can live more responsibly in light of this knowledge.

Tensions remain high at Trent, with no sign of things cooling down anytime soon. In this debate about the grey area between hate speech and free speech, there is a rising sense that opposing factions are only digging their heels in deeper. Can a consensus, or at least a truce, be reached anytime soon? Is there any arena in which a reasonable and respectable debate might be held? This was the way matters were decided not so long ago, before this American election that seems to have changed everything.

The future of Trent’s campus is green Katie Rosa How many times have you found yourself walking across campus and thinking that something is not quite right about your surroundings?

You’d just come from class, learning about the effect of chemical run-off on soils and waterways, and you start to think about the salt under your feet that gets spread every winter. Or, you were almost hit by a car, twice, on your way to the bike rack nearest your first class of the day, and you wished that certain pathways were designed better for cyclists. Or perhaps you’d been scarfing down your lunch before a class, and paused to wonder how much of your cafeteria meal had been grown locally.

I bet that you’ve all thought about some aspect of sustainability on our campus, and that you’ve got an idea or two about how we can do things differently. I know that I do. Thankfully, the Green Team is here to make it happen.

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The “Green Your Campus” competition was created by the Trent Green Team, a group of dedicated students who care deeply about the environmental, social and economic sustainability of Trent University. These folks know that, in order to make real change in our world, we have to turn our talk into action. They designed a competition that would encourage Trent students to think critically about how to improve the campus that they spend so much of their time in, and then support the implementation of the winning projects through funding, resources, and a shared passion for change.

Just take last year’s winner Dan Shaw as an example. Shaw was walking to class, just like any other day, and was disappointed to see a big group of trees being cut down for a new construction project.

He’d been studying the benefits of natural spaces in an Environmental Psychology class, such as improving the memory and attention capabilities of the people who

live, work and study near them. He knew that for these reasons, in addition to the importance of trees for producing oxygen, storing carbon, and providing habitat for wildlife, those trees needed to be replaced.

And that’s where “Green Your Campus” fit in.

Shaw submitted a proposal for his idea to plant a new group of trees in a different part of campus to offset the ones that were being lost due to the new development. He explained how his idea fit into the Green Team’s criteria, and most importantly, that it was actually feasible. On the day of the competition, Shaw’s project was assessed by a team of judges and, after long deliberation, was announced as the winner.

The Green Team provided $5,000 in implementation money and, with generous contributions from the Facilities Management Department, today Shaw’s trees are alive and well in their new homes outside of Otonabee College and at the new walkway at the front of Symons Campus. An

upcoming article from Shaw will discuss which types were planted and where, as well as more about the benefits of trees.

An idea turns into reality. With a little help from your friendly neighbourhood Green Team, of course.

Sound interesting? This year’s competition will be happening on March 11th, 2017. Members of the Green Team will be traveling around to classrooms in the New Year to tell students about it, putting up posters around campus with all the details, and, of course, sharing more sustainability success stories in Arthur.

In the meantime, you can find more information on the Trent Green Your Campus Competition Facebook page or send us an email with questions or comments at trentgreenteam@gmail.com.

We’re always happy to have new team members, so if you’d like to get involved in the Green Team we would love to hear from you! Until next time, Trent, stay green.

CAMPUS

Canada and Ontario invest in infrastructure at Trent University and Fleming College

Mauricio Interiano The Honourable Maryam Monsef, Minister of Democratic Institutions, on behalf of the Hon. Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, and the Hon. Jeff Leal, Ontario’s Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced infrastructure funding at Trent University and Fleming College.

Arthur was present in both announcements to provide you the details about funding for Peterborough’s post-secondary institutions.

Sir Sandford Fleming College On November 7th the announcement was made at Fleming College. Both the Sutherland Campus in Peterborough and the Frost Campus in Lindsay will receive a total federal-provincial investment of $9.9 million.

The project at the Sutherland Campus will update the Nursing, Biotechnology, Physiotherapy and Paramedic Training facilities. Funding includes $6.2M from the

Government of Canada and $1.4M from the Province of Ontario. Fleming College will contribute an additional $4.9M, for a total investment of $12.5M from all parties.

At the Frost Campus, the college will receive an investment of $2.3M from the Government of Canada to modernize the existing earth resource sciences and environmental science facilities and to create a new Geocentre. This will provide a stateof-the-art learning space for programs such as Earth Resources, Environmental Technologies, Aquaculture, and Advanced Water Systems Operation and Management. Fleming College will provide an additional $2.3M for the project, for a total project value of $4.6M. With these developments Fleming College will be able to improve its environmental sustainability.

MP Maryam Monsef said at the address, “Fleming College is an important institution in the Peterborough area. This investment is exciting news for the college and for our region. It will enable the college to modernize these two campuses so that students are able to thrive, learn and

Trent University The announcement occurred at Bata Library on October 12th. The investment at Trent University is of $8.7M, the Government of Canada will provide $7M and the Province of Ontario will provide $1.7M. Trent University and other partners will provide additional funding of nearly $6M. The funding provided to Trent will benefit Bata Library. A new Bata Research and Innovation Cluster will be created and two floors of the Symons Campus library will be renovated. The facility will include research and innovation space designed to enhance and foster student entrepreneurship, new businesses, research on aging and the environment, and collaboration with Indigenous peoples and communities.

Dr. Leo Groarke: “This significant invest-

ment in the infrastructure of our Symons Campus will build on Trent’s renowned interactive learning and research model through state-of-the-art infrastructure and environmentally sound design. The funding received from the federal and provincial governments, combined with the generosity of our donors, will revolutionize the research and collaborations that take place at the Bata Library as it becomes a third millennium research, innovation and entrepreneurship hub.”

In total, universities and colleges throughout Ontario will be working with more than $1.9B from their own coffers, the Government of Canada, the provincial government, and private donors.

Federal funding will be allocated by the Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund, which will enhance and modernize research facilities on Canadian campuses and improve the environmental sustainability of these facilities.

To learn more about infrastructure projects in your community, go to Ontario. ca/BuildON.

of Canadian foreign policy. Of publications like Huffington Post, he remarked that the more boring and uncontroversial you make your piece, the more likely it is to get published.

Coverage of Canadian military efforts abroad by the media are subject to not only corporate constraints, but ones at the state level as well. Engler noted that The Canadian Press receives major subsidies from the Canadian government and works closely with the Canadian military. This in turn, he argues, leads to coverage that is void of substantive criticism of the country’s military actions overseas.

Canadians’ perceptions of the nation’s foreign policy efforts are shaped by not only the media, but scholarship as well.

Yves asserts that academia is also subject

to these corporate and state limitations on political discourse.

To demonstrate this claim, he points to the Munk School of Global Affairs at University of Toronto, named after billionaire investor and founder of Barrick Gold, Peter Monk, who donated heavily to the building of the school. Engler notes that Munk has blatant, major financial interests in the future of Canadian foreign policy, and that the curriculum at MSGA undoubtedly reflects this fact.

As to what inspired Engler’s research into the role Canada’s corporate class and military industrial complex plays in shaping public consciousness, the author cites the major role Canada played in a 2004 coup d’état in Haiti, which overthrew democratically elected President Jean-Bertrand Aristide, and the lack of media coverage that followed. In 2003, the Canadian government hosted the Ottawa Initiative of Haiti, where leaders met to discuss and strategize the coup. However, not a single major media outlet within the country covered or even mentioned this event in the ten years since the conflict took place.

Engler also took time to announce plans to launch the Canadian Foreign Policy Institute, which will serve as an online hub for writers to post stories critical of Canadian foreign policy.

To view more of Yves Engler’s writing, or to purchase a copy of his latest book for yourself, you can check out his website at yvesengler.com.

grow in stateoftheart facilities. Through the Strategic Investment Fund, we are providing Canada’s students with the education and training they need to join a strong, healthy middle class.”

OPIRG Hosts book launch of Yves Engler’s A Propaganda System Clay Duncalfe

OPIRG Peterborough kicked off their first annual Anti-Consumer Week on November 21st with an official book launch of Yves Engler’s new book A Propaganda System in Gzowski College. This book sets out to provide answers as to why Canadians remain misinformed about Canada’s historical and contemporary role as a supporter of empire, racism and exploitation on the global stage.

Before the author spoke, OPIRG Coordinator Kay Ma provided information regarding Anti-Consumer Week, which ran from the 21st to the 28th and featured events such as a talk regarding the contradictions between capitalism and religion, as well as a “Buy Nothing Day” on Black Friday, which challenged students to curtail their consumption on this day usually reserved for doing just the opposite. This was followed by professor Marc Nuefeld, who provided a brief introduction for Engler.

Engler began his presentation by noting that if you were to ask the average Canadian citizen whether or not Canada is a force for good in the world, 9 out of 10 times the answer will be a resounding “yes”.

He seeks to challenge this common perception among Canadians, claiming that the nation’s foreign policy role in the past century and today has served as a means to support American empire and Canadian corporate interests, rather than the fulfill-

Photo by Joshua Low ment of moralistic pursuits.

As to why overwhelming public opinion up to now and Engler’s research regarding Canada’s role in the world is in such stark contrast, the author cites a corporate-owned mass media that adheres to a strict set of structural filters, which function to limit the scope of acceptable political discourse within the press. These filters include, but are not limited to, advertisements as the media’s prime source of revenue, social pressures from powerful institutions, as well as a dependence on U.S. news sources, which generally espouse a narrative that favors the needs of U.S. corporate interests.

Engler noted that in his own writing, it is rare for mass media institutions to publish his op-eds which are generally critical

Volume 51 | Issue 10 | December 7| 2016

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To adopt from LAWS call: 705- 652- 0588

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FELINE FEATURE

Yumna Leghari & Zara Syed The December Cat Calendar has been an annual tradition at Arthur for years now.

Every December, Arthur staff and the Trent community send off photos of their lovely felines, leaving the editors with the very difficult job of choosing only twelve.

Cats are great! All right-minded folks can agree with that. Yet, despite this universal love for cats (weird non-cat people aside), our furry feline friends still suffer from overpopulation, resulting in strays, sparse adoption (especially for older cats), and a general lack of public awareness or sympathy regarding their wellbeing.

So, this year, Arthur decided to do something different, collaborating with the Peterborough Humane Society. In doing so, we were able to shed light on the struggle older cats face in getting adopted, and have featured cats still open for adoption.

Every cat you see in this calendar needs a loving home!

The Humane Society is a welcoming atmosphere, with staff who are grateful and extremely caring. They go by the official mandate of advocating for the welfare of animals by improving their lives, alleviating suffering, rescuing, providing shelter, healing, facilitating adoption and reducing pet overpopulation.”

It was a heartbreaking reminder to see that many of the cats who had not been adopted were older. This is why we chose not to put any kittens in the calendar, as the kittens at the shelter were already looking forward to their own adoption.

Arriving at the Humane Society with a car-load of models was a sight to behold, as the models, freshly coiffed and decorated with makeup, took to their hands and knees to herd the cats and get them ready for a photo.

Wait, this is a cat calendar right? What’s with the models? Another twist to the typical Arthur Cat Calendar issue was combining it with our Self Love theme. We extend the love we wish to receive to those around

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us, and this should not stop at human beings. Animals are creatures that deserve an undertaking of care and love, who have always provided humans with solace, comfort and practical care in times of need.

From guide dogs to therapy cats, pets play a very important role in our lives, and a love for animals and the world around us is intertwined with the love we aim to find within ourselves.

It was very hard to leave the Humane Society once the shoot was done, having become quite close with those amazing cats after only a brief time with them. The love from these creatures is unconditional. When working with cats, all stressful, frivolous, political thoughts go out the window. Seeing them confined to such small spaces also made parting difficult.

This is no one’s fault, as the cats are very well cared for, but at the end of the day, you yearn to see these cats being brought into a loving home and family. Leaving was heartwrenching, and if we hadn’t been on a tight deadline, we would have brought all of them to live with us to become the official cats of Sadleir House.

Everyone involved with hair and makeup was very patient and kind. The über-talented Christie Read has been a registered makeup artist in the city of Peterborough for over six years, operating out of her beautiful home that she graciously offered to Arthur this week. The preparation and shoot was a time for us to reflect on why we do the things we do. The models volunteered their time because they cared deeply for the message we were expressing.

Or they just wanted to be photographed.

Each model had a chance to pose with Carbon (December), the star of the photo shoot and Read’s own Humane Society kitty. He was a calm, sweet cat, a little overwhelmed by all the attention.

Of course, to strip down and cuddle with a kitten in front of a camera takes some courage. Arthur chatted with the models to ask what self-love meant to them.

Osas Odigie spoke about his experience in high school. “As a skinny kid, I strug-

gled with how I saw myself. In first year I started going to the gym and working out, but realized it wasn’t worth worrying about all the time. It’s more important to find beauty internally.”

Burlesque performer, plus-sized pinup, stand-up comedian, and Peterborough “size-inclusivity advocate” Honey Davidson gave insight into her experience with self love at the start of her career posing for life drawing classes: “Seeing my body be a source of inspiration for an artist, having my curves captured and fawned over in that way, I saw my body transform.

It helped with the dysmorphia.” Davidson suffered from bulimia between the ages of 12 and 21, and modeling helped her overcome the disorder.

“One thing that is really important,” she continued, “is that I want people to take away that to love myself, it’s a choice I make every day. There are days when I am not able to make that choice, to honour and love my body. It is important to lift up models with underrepresented bodies, but it’s important not to feed into the normalization or narrative that a woman with a body like mine is ‘brave’ for showing it. It devalues the fact that I’m a talented model because I’m fat, it fuels the idea that modeling is a heroic act, but it’s not. No other person outside of yourself can give you permission to love yourself.”

Self love is a very private exploration of one’s relationship with one’s self.

Self-perception is influenced by external experiences that can often be out of our control. Model Stelios Pappas delved into his relationship with self-love: “When I was younger, I never thought I was good enough. My parents’ divorce always made me feel like I was part of the issue, and I had problems loving myself for that reason. Once I stepped back I understood that anything can be better with good company; you have to be willing to accept good energy.”

Ross Horsley explored how gendernormative stereotypes can be damaging to a person’s self worth. “The societal

pressure of being a ‘man’ has always been overwhelming for me, and I have never felt like I fit these standards. As a result, in high school, I was often the target of extreme bullying. This caused me to suffer from depression, and I often questioned whether or not I would ever be ‘man’ enough to fit in. No one would accept me for who I was, and for a very long time, I refused to accept myself, too. It wasn’t until I came to Trent this year that I changed this mindset.

I have never felt more welcome, and it is the diverse and accepting community of students at this school that have made me finally able to love myself for who I am.”

Hayley Emmanuel, who preferred to stay quiet on the matter, also happily participated in the shoot. We are so thankful to every single model who volunteered their time, Christie Read for her hospitality and cosmetic expertise, Karyn Farr for skillful hairstyling, and Samantha Moss for dashing back and forth from the Humane Society and the set to make this possible. Thanks are also due to Matt Douglas, who volunteered to drive for us.

To love yourself, each other, and the creatures around us is a great responsibility. It can be easy to fall into a cycle of disappointing ourselves if we don’t do ‘well enough’. This is a trap that we can actively try to avoid by being communicative with our loved ones, with ourselves, and by acknowledging the various ways in which life can make the practice of selflove difficult sometimes. In the meantime, remember: kittens won’t stay small forever, and older cats were once little kittens who needed nurturing, and still do! When times get tough and life gets too real, the company of a furry friend can do wonders for the soul. If you are interested in adopting a cat from the Humane Society, please contact 705-745-7676. The Peterborough Humane Society is located at 385 Lansdowne Street East. To adopt from the Lakefield Animal Welfare Society, another local non-profit option, call 705652-0588.

CAMPUS Photos by Jenny Fisher

Writers Reading welcomes poet George Elliot Clarke

Mauricio Interiano & Yumna Leghari The Trent Writers Reading Series wrapped up another great season at Traill College last Wednesday with a Bagnani Hall fully packed to welcome parliamentary poet laurieate George Elliott Clarke.

The evening started with words from the English Department Chair, Dr. Hugh Hodges, thanking Dr. Lewis MacLeod for his work on this 28th season of Writers Reading Series. Dr. MacLeod then took the podium to celebrate a long list of Clarke’s work and accomplishments.

Clarke has published fourteen poetry texts, four verse-plays, three opera libretti, two novels, two scholarly essay collections, and two edited anthologies. His honours include The Governor-General’s Literary Award for Poetry (2001), The National Magazine Gold Award for Poetry (2001), The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Achievement Award (2004), The Pierre Elliott Trudeau Fellowship Prize (2005), The Eric Hoffer Book Award for Poetry (2009). Appointed to the Order of Nova Scotia in 2006 and the Order of Canada in 2008, Clarke has also received eight honorary doctorates. His newest release is the novel The Motorcyclist (HarperCollins Canada), but immediately forthcoming are Extra Illicit Sonnets (Exile), and Gold (Gaspereau), a miscellaneous collection.

Clarke hails from Windsor, Nova Scotia, and his writing chronicles the black Canadian experience particularly in such

maritime provinces as New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, a cultural sphere that he calls “Africadia.” Clarke is descended from American refugees fleeing the War of 1812 who settled in Nova Scotia. Clarke’s work is consequently rich in diasporic elements and entrenched in key parts of history that carved much of the Canadian narrative.

When asked when he first began writing, Clarke replied, “When I was fifteen. I shared my songs and poems with friends and family. I also wrote poems for my brother’s girlfriend… he asked me to write for him, so I did. That was my first professional gig. When I was in high school, my teacher, who was very supportive, thought I had some talent. She took me to meet a professor at Dalhousie University, who showed me a rejection slip. He said, “get used to these.” It was actually some great advice.”

Clarke’s poetic style is reminiscent of Alan Ginsberg’s stream of consciousness, evoking the raw energy of Charles Bukowski and the rich, romantic diction of Pablo Neruda. Clarke performed with power, his words coming to life as he hammered down each syllable so musically that one could imagine a frenzied jazz orchestra behind him.

Arthur asked Clarke what advice he had for young writers who don’t feel confident about sharing their work. “Share your work with your friends,” was the simple response. “Start a writing club. If you want to start sending your work to magazines

or journals for potential publications, you can always use a pseudonym.” It wouldn’t technically be the writer getting rejected, joked Clarke, “but if you ever do get published, you can always add later, ‘here’s my real name, so you know who to make the check out to’.”

The parliamentary officer recited with eyes closed, sending the room into a liminal space of reality and storytelling, where Clarke’s voice was the guide and the images he painted were stark brush strokes subjective to each listener’s perspective.

There is a spark of ferocity and defiance in Clarke’s poems. In light of this, Arthur asked Clarke what he thinks the role and identity of the poet in our current era.

This question inspired some political and philosophical tangents that provided insight into Clarke’s perspective of a postTrump North America. “[Poets are] hopefully the people who will tell the truth about what we see in going on right now. I mean, you can go back to Plato, to The Republic. Book 9, if I remember correctly. Socrates argues that society’s decline goes from monarchy down to tyranny. Awful tyranny. Along the way, after you go through democracy, he argues, you get plutocracy, which is the rule of the rich... in the recent election of the United States, this is that exactly that. It’s the victory of the wealthy. The fact that this president elect, I like to call him Delirium Tremens, the fact that Mr. Delirium Tremens has appointed a billionaire as one of his

economic advisors is proof that the United States has degenerated into a plutocracy from a democracy.

“I hope that they can get back to being democratic as opposed to being controlled by the rich, who also control the media, thereby propagandizing against fact. They’re the ones running around saying it’s ‘post truth.’ It can only be post tuth if the people are not given the proper information. It can only be post truth if the people are able to hide the truth. Abraham Lincoln said it, ‘you can fool some of the people all of the time, you can fool all the people some of the time, but you can’t fool all the people all the time.’ It’s up to poets in part to take up the failure of journalists, the abject failure of journalists, to actually do research, check the history, look up facts and challenge untruth. That is our job, that’s what we have to do.”

These words rang through Bagnani as the audience trickled out into a reception at The Trend, where Clarke, professors, and students partook in drinks and food laid out by BE Catering. Clarke laid down one last poem in the warm comfort of The Trend, with an ode to Leonard Cohen.

George Elliot Clarke is an accomplished Canadian poet as well as the current parliamentary poet laureate whose work is a powerful exploration of Canadian identity from a black Canadian lens, stemming from the Maritimes and evoking a traditional poetic style mingled with prose and crafty storytelling.

Writers Reading presents: Kris Bertin Lubna Sadek This year has marked the 28th season of the annual Writers Reading Series at Traill College.

Throughout the semester, the English Department creates a space in which students, faculty and members of the community can enjoy hearing an author read excerpts of their work, followed by an intimate question-and-answerbased conversation. The most recent event was held on Tuesday November 22nd at Scott House in Traill College.

Professor Lewis MacLeod from the English Department welcomed attendees and thanked the sponsors of the event (The Barbara Rooke Lecture Series and Catherine Parr Traill College) and others who have offered support (Frost Centre for Canadian Studies, the Departments of Cultural Studies and Canadian Studies, Public Texts, Nind Fund and Department of English Literature).

Professor MacLeod then introduced the guest of the evening, writer Kris Bertin from Halifax, Nova Scotia. A two-time winner of the Jack Hodgins’ Founders’ Award for Fiction, Bertin has had his work featured in The Walrus, The Malahat Review, The New Quarterly, PRISM Inter-

national and many others. His first collection of short stories, Bad Things Happen, was published

by Biblioasis this year, and provided the material for Bertin to read for the audience at Scott House that Tuesday evening.

The highlight of the event was the cinematic effect that he was able to convey through his reading. The first story concerned a single mother struggling with her witty, adult son. After capturing the audience’s attention with a few short passages from the mother’s perspective, he continued with some passages of another story from the son’s viewpoint. Bertin’s sophistication in employing different perspectives to link seemingly unrelated events paralleled the absurdity and intricacy of real life. The persona he creates for the young adult, presented through a first person narrative, was relatable for many readers his age who may be tackling the similar problems.

The varying narratives in his stories create vivid, realistic scenarios that clearly reach a many people at a personal level. His captivating presentation, with a clear, dramatic voice, and vivid descriptions of the characters and events created a theatrical ambience overall.

Literature fans were given the opportunity to ask questions and converse with Bertin about

Bad Things Happen and his other work. One member of the audience commented on his notable efforts to depict his thoughts in writing and the immersive effect he was able to create through his reading. Bertin acknowledged that he imagines his scenarios quite vividly as he writes them. A graduate of English Literature and Creative Writing at St. Mary’s University in Halifax, Bertin was asked for advice as a writer.

His main suggestion was to “just keep writing, treat it like your job, and take it seriously”. He also spoke about time management and prioritizing tasks on a daily basis, which has contributed to his success.

Bad Things Happen was also sold at the event by the Trent University Bookstore, and needless to say, there was a long line-up. For those interested in attending such events in the future, the Trent University English Department page has listings of all the dates for the coming year—and for the young writers out there, take Bertin’s advice and keep writing!

“Kris Bertin’s stories are a revelation, a triumph—each stamped with the mark of a new and rising genius.”

– David Adams Richards

Volume 51 | Issue 10 | December 7 | 2016

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CAMPUS

Punk Goes to College!

Tyler Majer A throwback to Peter Robinson College’s (PRC) glory days, Punk Goes to College was held at Sadleir House on Thursday, November 24th. The idea comes from a past event that was held annually throughout the 80s. This event, rebooted last year, was entitled “Jazz Goes (back) to College”. This year’s incarnation took this theme of a lecture/concert series while tackling a grittier subject: punk music.

The night started with a series of four short lectures, the first of which was by the chair of both the English and Cultural Studies Departments, Dr. Hugh Hodges.

He spoke on the origins of punk from the mid-70s forward and the ethos of DIY. His focus centred on how punk grew out of DIY practices due to the presence of technological innovation (cheaper access to studios), political complacency (the welfare state’s influence on the young), and sociological boredom (the sluggish nature of growth).

His two most interesting arguments were that Johnny Rotten and Margaret Thatcher have some things in common (they both disliked the welfare state!), and that the raw emotion and energy of first-wave punk came moreso from queer and female populations rather than the stereotypical Sid Vicious types.

The second speaker of the night was Eric Lehman, a grad student in the Canadian Studies stream, who talked about his life growing up in the Ottawa punk scene circa 1995. He spoke on this oft-forgot scene articulating the fact that although some scenes are remembered more than others, the scene lives on, in his words, “at least for those who remember it.”

Katie Green spoke next on Vancouver and its issues with maintaining cultural spaces. Katie is a PhD student writing her thesis on spaces and venues in the punk scene. Her short lecture was just a snippet of what she has been working on for the past few years. She spoke on venues as housing cultural identity, and when these spaces are demolished, a lot of communal identity is lost with it. Katie criticized the loss of these spaces, arguing that reorganizing music venues dismisses the necessity for marginalized groups to have shared spaces.

Lastly, Janette Platana read from her upcoming novel Some Of This Is True. Her novel is influenced heavily by her teenage years, and her feelings towards growing up as a punk in Saskatchewan. Her novel

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also had to do with spaces, but tackled the subject in a humorous way. The three spaces she presented were a high-school gymnasium, a venue in Saskatchewan called the Schnitzel House, and a student union hall. Each of these represented a home for punk culture, and in turn, helped to define her coming-of-age.

After the lectures, three bands played their own individual brand of the punk sound. Peterborough band Crazy Bomber played in a classically hardcore style. With lashing guitars, a vicious rhythm section, and the murderous scream of the lead singer, Crazy Bomber provided some much-needed energy after the mellowness of academia.

Next, Lucy and The Chain Gang from Oshawa played a blend of Riot Grrrl fury with hardcore technicality. Their Facebook page describes them as “no bras, no balls, just a whole lotta badass rock n’ roll”.

Finally, Death Sticks performed. Their sound leans towards the modern DIY sound with a lo-fi production and hi-fi malaise. Their Facebook page describes them as “power slop”, with an interest in “anxiety”.

All three bands can be easily found on Facebook, Bandcamp, or SoundCloud.

The space itself is almost an extension of the punk ethos. Sadleir House was bought upon the closing of PRC. It has been student-owned and run ever since. Sadleir house is a DIY space. It is community-based and run by those within the community that it represents. With little bureaucracy to struggle with, the space itself is almost representative of punk values, and was therefore a great venue to host this event.

Not only was Punk Goes to College an informational and fun event, it was also an important one for the vibrant arts community at Trent and Peterborough. It is very peculiar to academically discourse about a genre such as punk, which seemingly rejects classical academia, while also presenting punk in its raw, live form.

However, in Peterborough, music is performed mostly through a hub of students and academics. Therefore, critical discourse of punk is important in establishing a narrative for why the genre is necessary, and who and what it is working for, especially in the wake of creation. This event provided insight into the basis for, creation of, and performance of punk, and was therefore important to students, musicians, and academics alike.

Hot Dish: Rita’s Nuts n’ Bolts

COMMUNITY

on a budget. Simply fill a mason jar with this heavenly mixture, strap on a ribbon and get ready to receive eternal gratitude and recipe requests! If you plan on giving it as gifts I recommend doubling the recipe so there is plenty left over for you.

Marina Wilke I debated with myself whether I should make this recipe public, but in the end my love for you dear Arthur readers won out. Merry Christmas from Hot Dish, and you’re welcome!

Also known as Christmas Crack, my mother Rita’s Nuts n’ Bolts recipe is legendary. Adapted from a recipe which was passed on by another family member (see the pic of the well-used original copy), this snack is without a doubt my family’s favourite Christmas treat. I don’t say this lightly. In fact, it is widely acknowledged that the year my brother accidentally spilled the entire stash in the muddy doorway was the year that Christmas was ruined. We salvaged what we could, but he was shunned, and rightfully so. This recipe does require a little bit of patience and a timer (set your phone!), but I guarantee you it is worthwhile. It also passes as a great gift for friends or family if you are

Ingredients: ½ cup melted butter 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce ½ tsp garlic powder ½ tsp onion powder ½ tsp seasoning salt 1-3 garlic cloves crushed or minced finely (to taste) Juice of half a lemon A few dashes of tabasco sauce (to taste) 3 cups cheerios 3 cups Shreddies or Crispex 1 cup pretzels 1 cup unsalted peanuts 1 cup unsalted mixed nuts Optional: ½ a bag crunchy Cheetos 1 cup Cheese Bits or Goldfish crackers Directions: 1. Melt the butter and mix through the spices, lemon, garlic and tabasco.

2. Line a large sheet or roasting pan with parchment paper (this is optional but it helps to stop scorching).

3. Preheat the oven to 270C. Toss all the nuts n’ bolts together except for the Cheetos and Cheese Bits and drizzle the butter mixture over. It is best to do this by the spoonful, tossing as you go, so the flavouring gets distributed evenly.

4. Bake for 40 minutes to an hour. Set a timer and toss every 15 minutes during the baking time to ensure an even coating and prevent scorching. You will know they are done when they feel dry.

Hint: if you don’t want to buy full boxes of cereal and bags of nuts and spice you can always get the majority of ingredients from a bulk store to save money!

Volume 51 | Issue 10 | December 7 | 2016

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COMMUNITY

UN Days of Orange: UNite to end violence against women

Marina Wilke Friday November 25th marked International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on our annual calendar.

This United Nations initiative is the official opening to the UN Orange the World campaign which has been run annually from November 25th to December 10th since 1999. According to the UN website, “Orange Day calls upon activists, governments, and UN partners to mobilise people and highlight issues relevant to preventing and ending violence against women and girls, not only once a year on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on 25 November, but every month.”

The Peterborough community did their part to begin the mobilisation on Tuesday, when an interactive panel discussion was held at the Peterborough Lions Center. The discussion included panelists from three organizations, the Grandmothers Advocacy Network (GRAN), Kawartha World Issues Center (KWIC) and Canadian Federation of University Women. The discussion focused mainly on the advocacy of each group, their current projects and recent triumphs in the struggle to end worldwide violence against women.

GRAN spends much of its time advocating for the grandmothers of sub-Saharan Africa. They advocate for those grandmothers whose lives are devoted to caring for the millions of AIDS orphans in a region where 80% of all women suffering with HIV/AIDS live. They believe that the experience passion and expertise of older

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women can be a powerful catalyst in effecting change. GRAN’s representative Janet Siddall, a retired Canadian diplomat who spent much of her career working in Asia and Africa, explained their three core priorities as, “access to medications, education for all, specifically for girls who are frequently denied it and seeking an end to violence against women.” As a small group GRAN partners with credible organizations with those goals in mind. Siddall explains “What we really do well is we meet, we march and we engage with the cabinet ministers to raise awareness and support of our goals within Parliament.” GRAN has had recent success doing just that and meeting with key cabinet ministers and parliamentary secretaries, “It’s nice when your Prime Minister calls himself a feminist and you come knocking on his door as a feminist, to see that door open.”

Maddie Webb the Advocacy Coordinator for the Canadian Federation for University Women came from Ottawa to discuss the work that CFUW is doing across the country. The organization is made up of volunteer members from universities across the country. CFUW has worked extensively on homegrown issues of violence against women and gender equality. They were one of the groups who lead the call for an inquiry into the deaths and disappearances of missing and murdered Indigenous women, a call which has been answered by our current government. CFUW is currently working on a survey which its members will conduct on universities in Canada. The survey, rather than focusing on the student experience, will ask questions of

the administrations to determine what, if any, actionable policies Universities are using to combat sexual assault on campuses.

The survey is set to take place in 2017 and CFUW is hopeful its results will help shape the policies of university administrations across the country for the prevention and proper handling of cases of sexually assault on campus.

Mari Phkhakadze, a Trent international student and representative of KWIC rounded off the panel and discussed not only the advocacy work KWIC focuses on, but her own personal experiences of gender based violence. In her introduction Phkhakadze distanced herself from the imposed ideas of gender by stating, “I am who I believe myself to be.” A native of Georgia, Phkhakadze witnessed the entrenched culture of gendered violence. One of her friends, the victim of a violent marriage was killed by her spouse in a domestic violence incident. It was this, among other reasons that lead Phkhakadze to start an educational camp for girls, with the goals to educate and empower young women and change the mindset that a woman’s only role was as a wife. Here in Canada, Phkhakadze works with KWIC to put on events and support initiatives of social justice in the community. You can hear her KWIC podcast by checking out their website and listening in to learn more about how KWIC is advocating for women on campus and in the Peterborough community.

These three engaging panelists and the issues each of their associations are advocating for, created a lively discussion on the issues of gender-based violence both

locally and internationally. One of the key concerns discussed was the issue of disproportionate violence against Indigenous women in Canada and what we can do as allies to stand as witness and supporters of victimized Indigenous women.

The City of Peterborough is doing its part to recognize issues of violence against women in our community. On Friday Nov 25th, Mayor Darryl Bennett announced that for the duration of the UN Days of Orange campaign, City Hall will be lit with orange flood lights. If you happen to be passing City Hall at night and witness the building lit up, take a moment to reflect on issues of violence against women at home and abroad. We can each do our part individually to reject the social norms that allow this violence to continue. It is as simple as following UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon’s advice when he says, “Break the silence. When you witness violence against women and girls, do not sit back. Act.”

ARTS

TFS holiday party and screening of Strangers on a Train

Trent Film Society As the term wraps up and the holidays rapidly approach, we here at the Trent Film Society are preparing for our final screening of the semester! In the spirit of the season, we are teaming up with Artspace to bring you a holiday party and film screening.

On Wednesday, December 7th at 8pm, we will be decking the halls of Artspace and bringing you a festive shindig to take your mind off of exams and get you in the holiday mood. Artspace will be selling beer for $5 and we will be serving up some tasty, festive treats for free. We will also host a Classic Hollywood trivia game and hand out prizes to our most knowledgeable attendees! Then, we will settle in for a screening of Alfred Hitchcock’s Strangers on a Train (1951).

We were eager to screen a Hitchcock film this year, but we wanted to select a film that some of you may not have seen before. As much as we love Psycho, Rope and Vertigo, we opted for something a little less popular, but a classic nonetheless. Therefore, we chose Strangers on a Train. Have you ever

wanted someone out of your life? Ever felt like someone was holding you back? Well, Guy Haines and Bruno Anthony have!

Two strangers board a train and strike up a seemingly innocent conversation. They discover that they both wish to eliminate someone from their lives; but would likely fall under suspicion if that person were to disappear. Then, they devise the most wicked and devious plan; they will switch murders. Guy will kill Bruno’s intended victim and vice versa. Thereby, allowing them both to concoct alibis. It’s the perfect crime… or is it?

Hitchcock is indisputably one of the most influential filmmakers of all time.

Dubbed the “master of suspense”, Hitchcock rose to fame with his chilling stories of murder, crime and corruption. He got his start in early British cinema; his film The Lodger: A Story of the London Fog (1927) is a beautifully made film inspired by reallife serial killer Jack the Ripper. The film is reminiscent of the German Expressionist films which so inspired Hitchcock and has been considered the first of his films to truly showcase his “Hitchcockian style”.

After gaining success in Britain with silent and sound films, Hitchcock moved to the United States to begin working in Hollywood. He became famous for his mingling of dark humour with suspense and directed a slew of popular features. French film theorists regard Hitchcock’s body of work as being an exemplified representative of auteurship; his style was recognizable and he repeatedly utilized specific themes and motifs. Hitchcock’s incorporation of a MacGuffin or “red herring” into his narratives (a person and plot device meant to distract from the issue at hand) has inspired many generations of filmmakers and sparked countless imitations. Hitchcock’s interest in psychoanalysis is made evident throughout his body of work. Many of his films feature icy blondes, the wrongly accused, convoluted criminal plots, charismatic killers and twist endings.

Hitchcock loved to divert audience expectations with plot twists and unexpected surprises; such as killing off a popular celebrity early on in the film. This convention has been adopted by many modern day filmmakers; in fact, people often sug-

gest that Psycho (1960) was the first slasher horror movie which inspired an entire subgenre of film. Hitchcock’s films are truly film lovers’ films, with references, in-jokes, parodies and stylistic tributes cleverly twisted into their production.

We hope that you will join us for this final screening of the term to help celebrate another successful semester at Trent Film Society.

We are so grateful for all of your participation and support for this film club. Our screenings are so frequently met with such excitement and enthusiasm; it fills us with joy to know that you all have made a special place for cinema in our community. We have some exciting events planned for the Spring, including our second annual Snowdance Film Festival; a short film festival showcasing the work of local filmmakers.

And always, starting back up in January, we will be hosting a free screening every Wednesday evening.

Join us on Wednesday, December 7th at 8pm at Artspace for our holiday party and free screening of Alfred Hitchcock’s Strangers on a Train.

PUP is coming to The Historic Red Dog with Cross Dog Tyler Majer Be excited. PUP is coming! PUP will be playing the Red Dog on December 8th.

Opening for them will be local Peterborough band Cross Dog (see the theme?).

PUP brings a blend of melodic punk with indie-ish vibes and a sound reminiscent of an early Billy Talent. Cross Dog rocks a similar style evocative of early hardcore, and is very riff-driven. Luckily, I had the chance to speak with PUP guitarist Steve Sladkowski prior to their performance.

Instead of rambling on about the band myself, let one of the members tell you all you need to know.

Do you designate yourselves as a certain brand of punk? (Alternative, pop-punk, etc.)

Only when we’re crossing the border and the border guards ask us what our band sounds like.

Some punk fans and critics have been dismissive of pop-punk since it emerged in the late 90s. Since PUP is a pretty melodic punk band, do you have any opinions on the debate?

We really just write the music we write. In terms of labelling, you can’t really control what writers or fans say, think, or feel about your music, so it’s best not to get too worked up about it one way or another. I personally wouldn’t consider what we’re doing to be pop-punk—pop-punk follows

some very well-worn stylistic tropes that we almost wholesale avoid—but we do try and mix punk and pop elements, amongst many other things, so I can understand why people would be quick to use the word.

Do you have a good relationship with others within the Canadian punk scene? Who, in particular?

We’ve been very lucky to make some very good friends throughout Canada. Solids, The Flatliners, Cancer Bats, Metz, The Dirty Nil, Gulfer, PKEW PKEW PKEW, and many others. It really feels like punk/ heavy music scenes are really healthy in this country; there’s an audience for it and we’ve been very lucky to play with & meet a great many people working to keep it healthy.

What do you consider your influence on the Canadian punk scene?

I’d like to think that people see that hard work and commitment to craft can lead to success. That’s really our only modus operandi.

In what direction do you see Canadian punk heading?

I think one thing that needs to happen in a lot of Canadian cities is the re-introduction of consistent all-ages venues and shows. It can be very difficult for younger kids to be able to see some of their favourite bands in real clubs—and that is such a fundamen-

tal experience for kids who want to start a band—that we may well see fewer younger kids getting involved in DIY if they can’t be given an example of how to do it.

What about punk in general? Some say that is ‘dead’.

I think punk in general can continue to grow and expand the representation of historically-marginalized voices. We need to hear more from queer voices; people of colour; women and trans people; and generally break up the white boys’ club that punk can often feel like. Punk has always felt like an aesthetic and way of life that allows for multiplicity of expression - but it’s important for that attitude to be visible both onstage and in the crowd.

Band’s origin story?

We started writing songs in a basement because we wanted to drink beer and ignore real life.

If you had to pick three songs for an unknowing listener to understand your sound, what would you be?

Guilt Trip; If This Tour Doesn’t Kill You/ DVP; Familiar Patterns.

Have you played Peterborough before?

How do you feel about it?

Yes! We played the Red Dog once with the Cancer Bats and afterward we went to the

Whistle Stop, I got Big Mac poutine, and then we watched a bunch of drunk assholes get into a fight outside the restaurant.

Can you speak about the new album?

What has changed? What has stayed the same?

In terms of how we actually made the new record, not a whole lot changed other than making it in Toronto instead of Montreal. We still worked with Dave Schiffman because he is the best. I think a big difference is that we had a lot less time to write the record; because of this, we were much more condensed and focused in the writing time of the record and that allows for a more consistent sound song-to-song than the first record.

However, our actual writing process isn’t that different. We workshop things, demo compulsively, deconstruct and rebuild songs/riffs/structures up until almost the last minute, and generally get a little bit crazy and myopic about the whole thing.

Whatever works, right?

Can you cite some influences for your sound?

Someone once described us as a threesome between Modest Mouse, Taking Back Sunday, and The Dillinger Escape Plan. I’ll take that.

PUP will be playing The Red Dog on Thursday, December 8th. Tickets are 12$ in advance, 15$ at the door.

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LISTINGS SADLEIR HOUSE Sadleir House Board Game Night: Located at the Jolly Hangman Pub. Thursday Sep. 8, 9:00pm-12:00am. 751 George Street North at the Dining Hall Room 209. Bring your friends and your favourite games. Or just bring yourself and try something new.

Free cover, coffee and tea provided. Bring snacks to share! Cash bar.

Sadleir House Library: Support the Sadleir House Library! The library consists of literature, popular fiction, non-fiction, textbooks and antiques. All books are by donation ($0.50-$2.00). The book sale will be held at the Lecture Hall Room 106.

Wheelchair Accesible. October 1.

Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), Peterborough Allowed Meeting: Sundays, 11am at the Hobbs Library (room 101, wheelchair accessible) All welcome! With potluck lunch and discussion on the first Sunday of each month. For information, contact: 705-7401015 or visit www.peterboroughquaker.ca Sadleir House Science-Fiction & Fantasy Bookclub: Fortnightly Tuesdays 7pm-8:30pm Room 107, Library (wheelchair accessible).

This club meets monthly on the second Tuesday of the month OPIRG Free Market: Wednesdays 3-5pm, Wednesdays 3-5pm, Thursdays & Friday 1-5pm.

Basement (unfortunately this is not an accessible space). The primary goal of the Free Market is to provide a space for the redistribution of donated clothing and other items to everyone. At the Free Market “store” people can come in and take items they can use for free, without donating anything. This is not a bartering or trading system, but rather a space where items that are no longer needed by one person can be redistributed to those who need (or want) them. Everyone is welcome to stop by during the hours of operation and take items free of charge. The Free Market is always looking for volunteers who could donate 2 hours per week to keep the project going. If you would like to be a part of

this project or would like more information, please contact OPIRG at 705-741-1206 or email opirglistings@gmail.com.

Peterborough Tai Chi Society: The Peterborough Tai Chi Association is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to bringing Tai Chi to every section of the community and to promoting the greater sense of well-being that comes from being able to set and achieve a goal at any age to optimize the functioning of your body.

The Peterborough Tai Chi Association was established in September 1976. Our local group began at Trent University and we held weekly classes in the dining hall of Otonabee College for some years. As interest in Tai Chi spread into the non-university community, we moved our meeting place to beautiful downtown Peterborough in order to make activities more accessible to local residents. Other classes are also held at other locations for the benefit of those unable to come to our George Street location. http://www.peterboroughtaichiassociation.com/index.html

CAMPUS Improv Class with Mike Davidson: Wednedays (until Dec 15th) from 7:30-8:30pm Dining Hall (unfortunately this space is not an accessible space). Want to try improv? Stop by for a drop-in class on Wednesday nights.

Improv is fun! Come on out and join in!

Adults $10, students $5.

Enweying 2017: An Event About Extraordinary Ideas: Ever wonder what your professors are passionate about? What brilliant ideas are bouncing around their minds? If so, we invite you to join us at Enweying 2017: An event about extraordinary ideas. The event will feature presentations and panel discussions from faculty on topics of their choosing. This year’s event will feature presentations and panel discussions from faculty members Asaf Zohar, Liam Mitchell, Nicole Bell, Stephen Hill, Momin Rahman, Paula Anderson, Dr. Jane Mackie, Dr. Paul Shaffer, Ray Dart, Michael Eamon as Emcee, and special guest Stevi Jackson. The event

will also feature free refreshments and lunch for all those in attendance. Come join us on January 28th, 2017 at 9:30 am to 4:00 pm in the Peter Gzowski College (room FPHL 117) as we unearth and discover extraordinary ideas.

Trent Lands Plan Public Information Session: There will be an Open House to view materials and speak with representatives from the University and from architects with BrookMcIlroy at 6:45pm and a presentation at 7:30pm. On Wednesday December 7 at Gzowski College in The Gathering Space. Parking is free!

Salti Yoga Social Night: Come hang out with us for a grown-up night of colouring, tea drinking and socializing. We’ve got lots of colouring books and pencil crayons, but you can also bring your own! December 16 from 7:00pm-9:30pm at Salti Yoga Studio.

LOCAL Nogojiwanong Youth Council: Drop in program Monday’s and Tuesday’s 3:00pm-5:00pm.

Tutor available on Tuesday, and snacks will be available. Youth nights will be held Wednesdays from 5:00pm-7:00pm. These will include workshops, trips, cultural learnings, crafts and games. The Nogojiwanong Youth Council is located at 580 Cameron Rd. It is available to anyone between 13-17. please contact Courtney Taylor at wasanabin@nogofc.com for details.

ARTS Dub Trinity at The Red Dog: come celebrate diversity in our community, help encourage safety for others and dance together all under one roof. Funk/Folk band Dub Trinity will playing at the Red Dog Tavern. The New Canadians Centre (NCC), the End Immigration Detention Network (EIDN) and the Ontatio Public Research Group (OPIRG) Trent will be in attendance with tables providing information of their work in the community focusing on the safety and rights of newcomers to this part of the world, upcoming actions and events and on ways

listings@trentarthur.ca that people can contribute. Dub Trinity deliver message-based music of solidarity that transcends both borders and genres; folk music. Rooted in dub reggae and ska, the band has made a career of incorporating diverse elements into their eclectic sound, from activist funk to revolutionary R&B. Come out to the show to dance hard and meet people doing hard work for our community. The Red Dog Tavern is located at 189 Hunter Street in downtown Peterborough, Nogojiwanong. Saturday December 10.

The Theatre on King presents “Cocaine”: As constant as the elevated train outside their window, life in 1916 New York City presses on as a couple’s struggle with poverty, addiction and each other unfolds within their tiny apartment. Nora, a prostitute who is having no luck, and her lover Joe, an injured former boxer, are running out of options for survival. One way or another, tonight everything will change.

Directed by Eryn Lidster Featuring Lindsay Unterlander and Samantha Mansfield.

“Cocaine” by Pendleton King will run from Thursday, December 8th - Saturday, December 10th @ 8pm. $10 or pwyc Fat Plant Presents PTBO v.3: (Y)our friends will be trying out some new things. Shannon Taylor,B. Root, Scott Cecchin/Robyn Smith and Charlotte Dempsey. December 12 from 8:0pm-11:30pm at The Spill.

NO EXIT by Jean-Paul Sartre: Do you hide from Heidegger? Can’t abide Kierkegaard?

Think philosophy is hell? Featuring Derek Bell, Nikki Weatherdon, Quinn Ferentzy, and Jean-François Tremblay. Presented at The Theatre on King December 15 - 17th at 8:00pm. $10 or Pay What You Can at the door. Funded by Theatre Trent. “No Exit” is presented by special arrangement with SAMUEL FRENCH, INC. Steelburner & Ersatz: Steelburner recorded some tunes and we’re making a CD so you can take us home with you. Our finest neighbours will open the night as Ersatz. 9:00pm door. $5:00 at the doors at The Garnet on December 30.