The LGBTTQ* Wab Kinew — page 7 Collective — page 2 Miss Q: Distractions U-Passes Across the Ahoy! — page 8 Brandon University’s Student Newspaper: giving up our free time sinceNation 1910 — page 7 Volume 103, Issue 3 — September 18th, 2012

Clockwise from top-left: Down With Webster, My Darkest Days’ Matt Walst, and April Wine. Photo credit Brady Knight.

Arguably the most fun to be had on Rosser Avenue all year Richard Wong T of downtown Brandon

Rock thewere Block once again 2012 shaken to the core as Rock The Web Editor Blockhe foundationswent off to rousing success. The 2012

edition of Brandon University’s annual fun-fest

transformed the streets into a musical haven and

gave students a chance to lose their minds be-

fore school makes them really lose their minds. April Wine filled the air with nostalgia, send- to reach critical mass midway through the set and a particularly nerdtastic drum solo. The boys from ing iconic sounds off into the sky as the sun be- eventually everyone was doing a little “Porn Star were so good that they managed to steal gan to set. The legendary Canadian act surely Dancing”. the show at a concert which they were already brought back fond memories for anyone who has Down With Webster was greeted by hordes of headlining. ever listened to the radio. eager fans and immediately whipped the Rock The Block was once more an incredibly My Darkest Days wasted no time in throw- masses into a frenzy, injecting the crowd with fun and successful event and The Quill will see ing down with their unique brand of sleazy a new level of energy. The adrenaline high you there again next year! § party rock. The flood of concert goers began lasted the entire set which was highlighted by

Afghanistan and Myths about One Year Later and Multiplayer: It’s : A Q&A Student Finances Still no Answers Socializing, for with Jim Forsythe — page 6 — page 3 Gamers — page 4 — page 5 Volume 103, Issue 3 — September 18th, 2012 — 1 2 – On Campus

The Academic Skills Centre is offering workshops all through the fall How to survive in university semester for any students interested. These workshops cover both Katie Driedger a university student can be Studentlearning skills and math Services skills. Workshops Study Tipsa rough of transition the for thoseWeek coming out of The workshops scheduled for this week are: Bhighecoming school, or mature students who are Conquering the First University Essay coming back to school after years in the editorialstaff Tuesday, September 25th, 12:40 pm–1:30 pm work force. Developing the habits to make Editor in Chief | Emily Diehl and 1:40 pm–2:30 pm, in McKenzie 005 you a successful student can be difficult, [email protected] Trigonometry especially when you do not know where to Assistant Editor in Chief | Tuesday, September 18th, 12:40 pm–1:30 pm, start. Although each student learns differ- Brady Knight in Brodie Building 1-35 ently and develops their own techniques, [email protected] Curve sketching Acting Business Manager | there are many universal tips that can help Tuesday, September 25th, 12:40 pm–1:30 pm, Elinor Murray nearly every student. [email protected] in Brodie Building 1-35 It is vital that you attend all classes, Web Editor | if possible. Unless there is a family emer- Richard Wong gency, an illness, or other extenuating cir- Miss Q | A safe, rainbow-covered space cumstances you should be in class. Late [email protected] Classifieds | Taylor Coppicus T LGBTTQ* (Lesbian, Gay, says Cassie McMillan, the chair nights of partying or cramming for a big [email protected] Club Feature:Bisexual, Transgender, LGBTTQ* Trans- Collectiveof the commission. The other exam might cause you to be absent or late, Advertising | sexual,he Queer, and friends and executive members of the group but do not let it become a habit. Frequent [email protected] supporters) Collective is a group include Tamara Irvine, the cam- absences can lead to missed notes or as- Bookkeeping | of students who strive to create paign coordinator, and Kris My- signments, so make sure that if you did [email protected] a comfortable atmosphere at ers, the treasurer. miss anything that you contact either a contributingstaff Brandon University for all LGBT- They are planning many classmate or the professor. TQ* students. The group works events for the year, including When you do show up to class, do not Matt Berry, Taylor Coppicus, Tye Dan- towards a heightened aware- a Bisexuality Awareness Day be late. Classroom doors are most often dridge-Evancio, Katie Driedger, Graham ness of LGBTTQ* issues around sometime this month. Other fu- shut and can be locked, forcing either a Janz, Sarah Usick, Elizabeth Mackay (The campus and in the community, ture events include Coming Out classmate or a professor to disrupt what Concordian), Andrew McNeill (The Con- Day, a zombie movie marathon, they were doing to let you in. This is disre- cordian), Ali Schwabe (The Fulcrum) by way of various campaigns on campus which help educate and Trans Day of Remembrance, spectful for those who were there on time, The Quill is published weekly by The promote different issues in the Positive Space Day, and the Day particularly if you are repeatedly tardy. Quill, Inc., and is printed by The LGBTTQ* community. They also of Silence. The group is also col- Whenever possible, it is best to attempt to Killarney Guide in Killarney, MB. provide social opportunities and laborating with Brandon Pride be to be a few minutes early. This allows gatherings for students. and the Brandon University you to hand in any assignments due for that NOTE: Editorials, letters, and viewpoint Women’s Collective to plan an class, pick a seat, and become prepared to articles do not necessarily reflect the The group meets every Tues- opinion of The Quill staff, The Quill Inc., day in the Mingling Area of the event for later this year. participate and take notes. Try to sit close or the faculty, staff, or administration of Knowles-Douglas Building. In- Any interested students are to the front. Studies have shown that your Brandon University. terested students can find the invited to come to the meetings. grade point average decreases as you sit rainbow card on the table which If students are looking for more further towards the back of the classroom. The Quill is a member of Canadian Uni- identifies the group. information, or have questions, Be sure to turn your cell phones onto silent versity Press (CUP), one of the world’s Cassie McMillan can be reached or entirely off, since nothing is worse than largest student organizations, with a “The group is a safe place membership of over 70 student news- where students can come and by email at lgbttq_bu@hotmail. hearing your Backstreet Boys ringtone dur- papers in Canada. discuss LGBTTQ* issues, and com, or via the Facebook group, ing an exam. § Advertisers wishing to buy space in find healthy ways to deal with B.U. LGBTTQ*. § both this newspaper and other CUP- things that are bothering them,” affiliated newspapers should contact our multi-market ad representative: Campus Plus 920 Yonge Street, Suite 508 Toronto, ON M4W 3C7 Phone: 416-966-3699 Fax: 416-966-8811

Advertisers can also contact us directly at the address below: The Quill 270 18th Street, Brandon University Brandon, MB R7A 6A9 Office: 204-727-9667 Fax: 204-571-0029

@quillbu The Quill

Volume 103, Issue 3 — September 18th, 2012 — 2 On Campus – 3

Is BU counting down to another strike? Brady Knight interesting coming back to Brandon back in class it was a race to cram in work and a work stoppage twice in a three year time span. See no Strike,University campus Hear for the nofirst day Strike, of classes this Speakmidterms. Then no it was Strike Christmas break, a scram- Something clearly needs to change so this does Assistant Editor ble to finish the semester and a flurry of exams, not happen again. Has anything changed behind fall.It was There was the usual excitement of seeing in Chief friends, first-day nerves and the dreaded trip to followed almost immediately by the second se- that scenes that we do not know about? the bookstore. But there was, and there still re- mester. Once the dust settled, the academic year I understand why many people do not want mains, something not one person seems to want was over and we were heading home to begin our to discuss this, but it is something that needs to to discuss: the strike. Not faculty. Not administra- summer jobs. be addressed. Around the world and right here on tion. And certainly not students. It is easier to forget everything and move on. the BU campus, it has been shown that if past Since the day it was announced that an agree- But now that we are back, I have one simple ques- events are ignored, history will repeat itself. ment had been reached, it has been difficult to tion – what has changed? What did we miss 45 Brandon University is a great place, offering talk about the strike in any detail with both the days of classes for? Has BU learned anything many fantastic opportunities for students pursu- faculty and the administration. It seems to be a from this experience? ing a post-secondary education. But it is not fair taboo subject. During those six weeks, we received all sorts to future students to have the threat of a strike From the majority of my conversations with of ‘information’ from many sources. Fingers were in less than three years’ time constantly looming students, most are sick and tired of hearing about pointed and accusations flew back and forth. Try- over their heads. anything strike-related. After all the drama, poli- ing to get reliable information was next to impos- The contract between the Brandon University Fac- tics, bickering and uncertainty we all experienced sible. We never received answers to the many ulty Association and Brandon University expires last fall, they are fed up and want to move on, and questions we asked. March 31, 2015. There is plenty of time for every- understandably so. Those forty-five days seemed So what’s going to change? Obviously something one to discuss and hopefully resolve any issues. to stretch on forever, but once we were finally is wrong – it is not normal for a university to have Why not start now? §

Do you have something to say? Is your voice going unheard? The Quill wants to hear from you! Send your submissions to [email protected]!

3 — Volume 103, Issue 3 — September 18th, 2012 4 – On Campus

Like The Joy of Cooking, but with fewer inedible disasters Richard Wong difficult to make friends in new and That’s right: your answer to making friends Any Sports Game Ever – Diehard sports fans are The Joy ofunfamiliar Gaming situations, so The Quill is here to tell could be video games. Here is a list of some of everywhere, and even those who don’t care that Web Editor youIt can that onebe of the best ways to make friends is the best current multiplayer games for university much for sports tend to get very intense during to sit on your butt and do nothing. Well, you might students, as well as a preview of what is hitting head-to-head competitions. Support your favou- have to move your arms a little bit, but the extent shelves in the near future. rite team by virtually leading them to victory. of your movement will be throwing a controller, if you’re getting annihilated just a bit too badly. You should have these already: You should give serious thought to buying: Halo 3 – The king still reigns supreme even Halo 4 – Just more of the goodness that you al- five years after its initial release. Why? Options! ready love. Master Chief got flung off into deep There’s no end to the shenanigans you and your space and it’s time to see what he’s up to. You friends can get up to online or in custom games. may find that he’s just chilling on the couch and Being able to tweak the rule sets and change the really full from eating too much pizza in the dorms, Trinity Medical Clinic environments means you will never run out of but you should probably bring a battle rifle just in Family Physicians & Walk-In Service things to do. Also, saving the universe is impor- case. #2-335 18th Street, Brandon, MB tant. [The Editor in Chief prefers Halo: Reach for Varsity Square the addition of Firefight mode, and has a feeling Borderlands 2 – Get ready to lose entire days (across from Brandon University) that Mr. Wong may debate this with Ms. Diehl at searching Pandora for new loot with your buddies. Phone: 204-728-4141 the next staff meeting. – Ed.] Didn’t see the sun today? At least you got that new weapon that is just slightly better than your other Clinic Hours Super Smash Bros. – It doesn’t really matter which weapon. With literally tens of millions of weapons Monday – Friday 9:00 am – 6:00 pm one. Making Nintendo’s all star cast of iconic char- available to find, it could be a while until you feel acters kick the crap out of each other is always a your arsenal is satisfactory. Saturday 10:00 am – 2:00 pm spectacularly fun time. World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria – The ad- Dr. N. Nasr, MD CCFP Gears of War 3 – Monsters are bad, okay? And if dictive money making machine that is World of Dr. S. Mikhail, MD CCFP hordes of them start climbing out of the ground, Warcraft is at it once more introducing a brand you should probably shoot them in the face. This new continent to explore, along with the race of is an activity where it is wise to have a partner to kung-fu-knowing pandas that inhabit it. Grab your watch your back. friends, it’s time to go on a quest. §

Volume 103, Issue 3 — September 18th, 2012 — 4 On Campus – 5

In conversation with James Forsythe Tye Dandridge- Forsythe is the resident drama professor for women, so when I interviewed the women who would sit down and say, “Okay Joe, you’re going EvancioAfghanistan,at Brandon Canada, University. For nearly and two decades, the he Evansimmigrated toTheatre Canada and they would talk about to do x, y, and z on x, y, and z dates,” and you will the life they came from: almost without excep- of course do that. So it’s very independent, right? hasJames presented a play to the community, as part of the Theatre Performance course. This year he will tion they were so glad to be here, [because] they [You could be] gathering costumes or […] props, be directing a dramatic and hard-hitting produc- were very worried about what went on so, great or building sets, or learning the lights. tion of his own, over four years in the making. emotion about the escape from Afghanistan, the refugee situation, and the arrival to Canada. The TQ: Can you tell me about the schedule? The Quill: What can you say about this year’s pro- transition from that culture to this culture, trying JF: The 24th and 25th of September are the audi- duction? to learn two languages, get work, settle down, get tion days. We usually start rehearsals mid-Octo- James Forsythe: For the past three years or lon- your kids in school. ber. It would be about eight hours a week spread ger, I’ve been working on a piece of my own. In over three evenings, and the evenings selected 2008, I gathered interviews [from] Canadian sol- TQ: What do you think white people playing the usually depend on some communal […] schedul- diers that served in Afghanistan and […] I edited roles of the Afghans will do for the roles? Do you ing. When I get most people in the theatre at the those interviews [into a play]. It was successful, think it [could] be slightly offensive? same time, that’s the night we’ll rehearse. but I thought it only offered one side of the story. JF: Well, I hope not. […] You can’t act a race; you When my sabbatical came up in 2010-11, I got can’t act a nationality – you have to act a person. TQ: So if you have a busy schedule it’s still pos- invited to Montréal to teach a course. While I was But yes, I think it will be an interesting challenge. sible to obtain the credit. there, I decided to […] interview members of the So you have to say, “Okay, I’m the same age, I’m JF: It’s possible, and I find most of the people that Afghan community. I […] then combined the sol- the same gender, but I grew up in Glenboro and usually work on this play are usually the busiest diers’ stories with the Afghans’ stories. this person grew up in Kandahar. “ So you have people. But they find a way to slot it in. So what I have is people from Canada that to say, okay, what’s the difference? But there is trained, went to Afghanistan and fought, then a community here that will be able to talk to us TQ: What should those hoping to audition know? came back. Then I had people who were born about it. JF: They should come down to my office at 008 there, grew up there, who got involved in all the Also the stories kind of speak for themselves Mackenzie and sign up. They’ll come in, and I’ll awfulness that happened, and then came to Can- in a way. You can kind of get inside someone’s ask them to read a bit, and I’ll just get a sense ada. So you have people that go and come back, head because they are speaking from their of who they are and how well they speak. I’ll cer- then you have people that run and come back hearts. Women who feel oppressed, and women tainly ask them to tell me a story about them- […] all done in the sense that we all know, that who feel angry –no one country has a monopoly selves, because if you can tell a story about your- in 2014, whether you like it or not, Canada will on that. Guys who are scared because there’s self, then the more likely you are to be able to tell leave Afghanistan except for a very tiny group of people shooting at them, or their fathers getting somebody else’s. Music is very important: there trainers or whatever. That was one of the ques- shot; that’s not culturally specific. People going are stringed instruments in a lot of these cultures tions, “What do you think about that?” I named into a new culture, that’s something you can re- as well as percussion. If we had actors that had the play “Safer Ground?”. I put a question mark late to. The way the soldiers felt about how they some affinity towards that, that would be tremen- on the end of it because I don’t know whether trained, what they went through, and the reaction dous. I’m looking for a tech, [a] computer geek, I it is or not. Is Afghanistan safer ground? That’s when they came back, I think people can relate to really am. I want to put visuals into this; we have what we went over there to do, right? that even if they’ve never done it. The thing is, we to get Afghanistan into the Evans Theatre. I need people to be Canadian soldiers, don’t actually talk that much about the battle, it’s spouses of both genders of Canadian soldiers. usually the before and after that we talk about. You hear that, students? Your skills are needed! And then Afghan males and females. And really, Auditions take place on September 24th and I’m not looking for South Asian actors (though TQ: Is this course for credit? 25th. You can sign up now in the basement of the that would be nice) but the idea would be that JF: Okay, yes, the course—[it] is not a typical Mackenzie building. The play will run from Febru- someone would have to be open to researching course for university. The way to get the univer- ary 28th until March 3rd. The Quill will keep you the culture, the religion. sity credit [is] either onstage or backstage. So posted! § [My goal is to] entertain people, educate people, it’s called “Theatre Performance I and II”; make people think, and introduce them to a sig- you can take it twice, three credits each nificant portion of Brandon’s population, which is time [These credits can count towards a the military. And then ask the people who are the drama minor or as an elective. – Ed.]. It most interested, which is the Afghan community, is a second term course even though we We w a n t what they think about that. Because you and I as actually start working on the play in Oc- Canadians have an opinion, but to Afghans, you tober and conclude in March. So it kind t o h e a r just have a more [vested] interest; your blood is of spans both terms, but you register for there, your kin are there. We don’t know anything second term. f r o m y o u ! about it, and they think, “What’s gonna go on, what’s happening, I still have sisters and cousins TQ: What would a student be required to there. You guys are going to leave!” and I don’t do in this course in order to complete the think people have necessarily heard that story. credit? e i c . JF: [You have the] backstage group and TQ: So it will be emotional from both points. […] the onstage group. The onstage t h e q u i l l JF: Yes. The story of what really happened before group is probably what everybody is fa- the Taliban came to Afghanistan, [was that] there miliar with: you rehearse the play, you g m a i l was a civil war between various factions of Mu- learn your lines, you get your costume, @ . jahedeen and it was fairly awful. I mean, I inter- you perform it. Backstage people would viewed people that grew up with bombs, shells, have individually assigned tasks and c o m and killing. And you can imagine what it was like it works on the basis of a contract. We

Volume 103, Issue 3 — September 18th, 2012 — 4 5 — Volume 103, Issue 3 — September 18th, 2012 6 – External

Sassy advice from one of Canada’s top financial experts Ali Schwabe O Between helping feud- “I have a rule of thumb … Don’t graduate with Penny foring couplesher tackle Thoughts their money issues on the tele- more than your first year’s net income in student Myth #3: As long as I make the default payment The Fulcrum visionTTAWA series (CUP)Til Debt Do— Us Part and taking divas debt. Reasonably you [shouldn’t take on what on my student loan, I’m fine. (University of down a notch on her other hit show Princess, au- you] can’t afford to pay back … unless you have “Part of the problem is that the whole [Cana- Ottawa) thor and television personality Gail Vaz-Oxlade is special circumstances — you’re living at home, dian student loan] system is set up to make your one busy woman. nobody’s charging you rent, [etc.] But for most payments as low as possible. So for instance, un- Still, eager to help one of the most in-debt people who want to get on with their lives, gradu- der the default payment system under the [On- groups in Canada, Vaz-Oxlade found time to im- ating with more than one year’s net income in tario] student loan system, it takes you almost part some of her financial wisdom on Canadian student debt [is a problem]. And that’s net in- 10 … years [to pay off]. students, debunking myths about personal debt come, not gross. “And the problem with that is that it’s de- and living within your means. “You do not make your gross income — you signed to lower your payments so you think more and the government make your gross income. debt is good. But who wants to put their whole Myth #1: Student debt is good debt. So it’s one year’s net income that should be the freaking life on hold for 10 years until your stu- Vaz-Oxlade: “Student debt has been considered maximum [loan] that you aim [to take on]. dent debt is gone? good debt, and within certain parameters it is “If you’re going to graduate from school “People [mis]use the default … what you re- good debt. What student debt is allowing you to and you expect your career choice to pay you ally have to do is figure out how much you want do is potentially earn a better income than you $45,000 net a year then you can have $45,000 your education to actually cost you. Because if would be able to if you didn’t have a degree. The worth of student loans. Now the only exception you use the default system, your education will problem comes when you take on more student to this is that in some professional careers you actually cost you more than twice as much as debt than you can reasonably manage once you have to take on more student debt to get there, [the original loan] you graduated with [because graduate. The reason being is that you just can’t [for example] if you’re getting your PhD. But the of the extra interest it accumulates].” § freaking get it paid off.” likelihood is that you’re [going to] be earning sig- Myth #2: It is reasonable to take on as much nificantly more anyway. So I still hold with the This article is the first part of a three-part series. debt as required to pay for an education. rule.” The next part will be published on Sept. 25th.

t h e n e w t h e q u i l l .c a – l a u n c h i n g Fa l l 2012!

Canadian music at its best Elizabeth Mackay M The Polaris Prize Gala The -based punk/ duo made in contemporary Canadian . andThe Polarisis only aShortlist short time away, but it’s never too early a second record remarkably similar to their first, Trial track: “Hector” Andrew McNeill to ontrealtune in to the (CUP) nominees. — Highlighting the abso- 2009’s Post-Nothing, in the best way possible. lute best of Canadian music, this year’s Polaris This leaves a bigger crater than the first. Kathleen Edwards – Voyageur (2012; MapleMu- The Concordian Prize shortlist promises variety and incredible tal- Trial track: “For the Love of Ivy” sic Recordings) ent. Kathleen Edward’s fourth album, Voyageur, Yamantaka/Sonic Titan – YT/ST (2011; Psychic is her second to make the shortlist. The single Feist – Metals (2011; Arts and Crafts) Handshake) “Change the Sheets” was co-produced by her If you were expecting a continuation of The Re- This is the debut album from Toronto/ current Grammy-award-winning boyfriend, Justin minder, think again. Subdued, stripped down, yet based genre-defying duo. Performance art? Mu- Vernon, of fame. still sophisticated, this record is completely worth sic? What you need to know: they’ve teamed up Trial track: “Change the Sheets” the four year wait. with fellow shortlister Fucked Up for a 7” avail- Trial track: “Comfort Me” able soon, and they have a new album available Fucked Up – David Comes to Life (2011; Mata- digitally now. dor) Grimes – Visions (2012; Arbutus) Trial track: “Queens” Fucked Up already have one Polaris Prize up on Grimes sounds confident and assured on her their mantelpiece; the hard rockers won in 2009 third album, recorded entirely in her bedroom in Cadence Weapon – Hope In Dirt City (2012; Up- for The Chemistry of Common Life. The band Montreal. per Class Recordings) calls their most recent release a ‘rock opera’ and Trial track: “Genesis” Rollie Pemberton, dubbed ‘Canada’s most cre- love story set in the 1970s and 1980s. ative rapper’ by The National Post, is on a roll. Trial track: “The Other Shoe” Drake – Take Care (2011; Young Money) Hope In Dirt City is his third album to claim a Po- On his second album, Drake slowed down the laris Prize nod, his second to make the shortlist, Handsome Furs – Sound Kapital (2011; Sub production — and it paid off. The L.A. Times and and his most commercial effort. Pop) both named it the best al- Trial track: “Conditioning” Montreal’s resident indie rock husband-wife duo bum of 2011, while included Handsome Furs announced their breakup as a it on their top ten list. This is a strong contender Cold Specks – I Predict a Graceful Expulsion band just one year after the release of their third for the prize. (2012; Mute/EMI Records) album, Sound Kapital. Dan Boeckner and Alexei Trial track: “Take Care” At 23 years old, Aly Spx (better known by her Perry wrote the album solely on piano, inspired stage name Cold Specks) is the youngest artist by 1980s Eastern European electronica. – Celebration Rock (2012; Polyvinyl to make this year’s shortlist. Her debut album, I Trial track: “Serve the People” § Record Co.) Predict a Graceful Expulsion, fills the gothic void

Volume 103, Issue 3 — September 18th, 2012 — 6 7 — Volume 103, Issue 3 — September 18th, 2012 On Campus – 7

Addressing aboriginal stereotypes in Canada Graham Janz W Kinew visited BU last week to discuss and successful aboriginals from all across Canada. nal entrepreneurs are popping up more quickly Orientationdispel existing Week racial stereotypes, 2012: speaking Wab specif Kinew- Last Tuesday, Wab illustrated the difficulties than non-aboriginals, and, on average, aboriginal icallyab to the prejudices regarding aboriginals here facing aboriginals by telling of growing up on his women are earning more than aboriginal men. in Canada and elsewhere. Even here in Brandon, reserve in Ontario, remembering his community Perhaps one could argue that aboriginals are you have likely heard many stereotypes reinforced as hard-working and culturally rich. He then con- more progressive than non-aboriginals. (intentionally or otherwise) by the media: you may trasted his own home community with the poorest Wab stressed the importance of education hear a large amount of criminal suspects being community in America, the Pine Ridge Reserve. and knowledge of one’s own culture. It has been described as aboriginal in appearance, aborigi- There, the Lakota inhabitants traditionally view shown statistically that aboriginals who know nals may be portrayed as drunks, or you may read the nearby Black Hills as the sacred lands of cre- their culture and feel comfortable in their iden- about aboriginals wanting more money from the ation. These hills were promised to the Lakota in tity do far better in school than those who do not. government. You rarely hear the positive stories, their treaty agreement, but they were able to pos- Education itself empowers aboriginals to support some of which Wab shared last Tuesday night. sess this land only until the discovery of gold. The themselves. And once aboriginals have complet- Wab Kinew earned a Bachelor of Arts in Eco- government then built the Pine Ridge Reserve ed their schooling and are working in high paying nomics from the University of Manitoba. He is a and relocated the entire community. The Lakota jobs, they pay back whatever grants they may or journalist for the CBC, a hip-hop artist, and the have asked the government to return their sacred may not have received many times over in taxes; host of CBC’s 8th Fire. The title of this docu- lands, but the government offered several million just as non-aboriginals do. mentary series is derived from the “Seven Fires” dollars instead. That money has since sat in a In between his discussion and questions from Anishinaabe prophecy, which says there will be reserved bank account where, with interest, it is the audience, Wab performed one of his songs, seven generations of turmoil and unrest in ab- now worth over one billion dollars. The people of a mixture of traditional drumming, singing, and original–non-aboriginal relations, but the eighth Pine Ridge Reserve still refuse the money on the modern hip hop. And for those punk rockers out generation will bring peace, listening, and under- principle that they should have the land that they there, Wab makes a guest appearance on the new standing. Taking each generation to be roughly have been promised. album Failed States. Wab Kinew’s twenty years, and taking into account that the These are aboriginals, proud of their history, message seems to be that there is not so much “Seven Fires” prophecy was spoken one hundred who make decisions on principle, but there are of a difference between aboriginals and non-ab- and fifty years ago, we are currently living in the also aboriginals, equally as proud, who want to originals as one might think: each of us has our eight generation. 8th Fire shows examples of the live a modern life. Statistically speaking, more culture and each of us has our challenges. § prophecy coming to fruition, showcasing stories of aboriginals than ever are well-educated, aborigi-

U-Passes across the country Matt Berry 2011 BUSU referendum, 68% of the voting student population Institution U-Pass Fee Notes U-Pass, I Pass,chose to instate We the AllU-Pass program, Pass wherein all students are levied a fee University of Victoria $81/semester Provided by the prov- Ieachn a year for unlimited use of public transportation in Brandon. This year, ince. Off-campus grad the U-Pass levy stands at $15.51. For comparison’s sake, students who students can opt in. bought bus passes before the U-Pass referendum were paying upwards of Camosun College (Victoria) $21.25/month All students are $340 over the course of the year. For them, the amount they save thanks charged for a four- to the U-Pass is palpable. month (one-semester) pass University of British Colum- $30/month Issued by the city, But that is not the only point for comparison. There have been claims bia, Simon Fraser Univer- $120/semester includes bus, sea-bus, that BU’s U-Pass is the least expensive in the country. In order to verify sity, Capilano University, and SkyTrain. this, and to gain a greater understanding of how this program has been Langara College implemented elsewhere, we looked into the costs of other U-Pass pro- (Vancouver) grams, or their equivalents, at institutions across the country. The reader Thompson Rivers Univver- $51.04/semester should bear in mind the different situations that would lead to these sity (Kamloops) costs (especially the sometimes vast differences in city size and student University of Alberta (Ed- $116.67 Actual cost $140; populations), but here are the numbers: monton) subsidized by the university University of Calgary, Mount $117 Full-time students only Ar e y o u a b l o g g e r ? A v l o g g e r ? Royal University (Calgary) Do y o u f i x y o u r f r i e n d s ’ c o m p u t e r s ? University of Saskatchewan $73.51/semester Residence students Ar e y o u a c h i l d o f t h e In t e r n e t a g e ? (Saskatoon) can opt-out BU and ACC $15.51 Do y o u k n o w t h e b e s t s p o t s o n t h e ‘Ne t ? University of Western On- $190.96 Full-time students only Th e Qu i l l w a n t s t o a dd y o u r k e e n In t e r n e t i n t e l l e c t tario (London) t o o u r n e w w e b s i t e ! Queen’s University (Kings- $46/semester Full-time students only ton) University of Ottawa, Carle- $180/semester Full-time students only Jo i n o u r w e b t e a m t o d a y b y emailing ton University Saint Mary’s $146 (full-time, University (Halifax) both semesters) e i c .t h e q u i l l @g m a i l .c o m $72.50 (full-time, single semester) Dalhousie University $137 Full-time students only f o r m o r e information ! (Halifax)

Volume 103, Issue 3 — September 18th, 2012 — 6 7 — Volume 103, Issue 3 — September 18th, 2012 8 – Diversions Quill Classifieds Yo u r a d h e r e . Advertise with the Quill: We buy and sell quality new and used furniture for students. [email protected] People’s Marketplace, 32 13th Street, 204-727-4708.

Ask Miss Q Q:

Dear Miss Q,

I’m really stressed out. I’m trying to keep up with all my classes, and budget my time wisely, but I’m finding myself putting things off until the last minute because I don’t feel like I have the en- ergy to do my assignments. How can I keep the distractions at bay?

Sincerely, Procrastinator Extraordinaire

A:

Dear Procrastinator,

You’ve budgeted your time according to your course load and homework load, as you say – but did you remember to schedule time to breathe? Often uni- versity students (and indeed, adults in the workforce, or your professors – we all do this!) forget that we really do need a break once in a while.

Instead of giving yourself a five-minute Facebook break before, or in the middle of, an assignment (which altogether too often turns into ten minutes, then fifteen, then... you get the picture), ac- tually schedule your free time in. Do you like going out with friends on Friday night, but you always find yourself stuck at home trying to work? Give yourself Friday night to relax and recharge, and then tackle your assignments in the morning. If you’re getting distracted while working, give yourself fifteen min- utes of distractions after every hour of work. Find a system that works for you!

My best, Miss Q

Do you have a question for Miss Q? Email it to us at [email protected].

Volume 103, Issue 3 — September 18th, 2012 — 8