Mar. 05 - Mar. 18 VANCOUVER ISLAND UNIVERSITY STUDENT PRESS Volume 45 – Issue 12
15 08 19
IN THE STUDIO WITH SALMON IN FOUR THOUGHTS LEFT BEHIND RIO TRENAMAN THE STRAIT BY OLYMPIC HOCKEY
Do not ask Rio Trennaman to paint a The waters surrounding Vancouver Is- The winter Olympics have come and pretty picture. The artist and graph- land mean different things to our plan- gone, and it was once again a proud ic design student at VIU met with The et. Billions of organisms depend on the time to be Canadian. Navigator over a big cup of bad coffee. Pacific Ocean and the Georgia Straight
A Trip to the Red Planet
NEWS FEATURES ARTS SPORTS
03 08 14 19
Editorials Salmon in the strait Presence in absence: Four thoughts left behind by Takeo Tanabe in Nanaimo Olympic hockey 04 09 Art Gallery Mariners men comeback Letters On the Radar: Gordon Fuller 15 falls short and the 7-10 Club 05 In the studio with 20 10 Rio Trenaman Nanaimo: future home of Mariners woman science centre? The ultimate Scandinavian 17 provincial champions adventure for an aspiring Film and speaker series marine scientist Blue is the Warmest Colour: Mariners women’s basketball offered during Brant Wildlife Oscar’s most infamous snub capture bronze Festival 11 of 2014 Nanaimo Clippers set to 06 Greek life in Canada 18 begin play off run
VIU grad wins big at 12 Inside the Vault 21 Chemistry symposium Perfect Strangers Storm finally sinks 07 the Buccaneers
Things aren’t looking much Mariners men fall short in better for the University of gold medal game Ottawa’s journalism program 22 VIU graduate headed to Dragons’ Den Odds and Ends
Student Showcase
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NAV STAFF Blake Deal Drew McLachlan Gareth Boyce Glenn Mathieson Amanda Key News Editor Associate Editor President Web Editor Art Director
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02 Mar. 05 – Mar. 18 / Issue 12 / Vol. 45 /THE NAVIGATOR Leah Myers Editor-In-Chief What you Extended The Navigator need to foster know about the Fair care in Drew McLachlan Elections Associate Editor BC The Navigator Act
The Vancouver Sun is in the midst of publishing a six-part story series titled “From care to Last month saw the introduction of a controversial amendment to the Canada Elections where? Aging out of the foster system.” The story examines BC’s policy of abruptly ending Act. The Conservative bill, titled the Fair Elections Act, has already seen much criticism on care for foster children on their 19th birthdays. The series thus far is a wonderfully informa- Parliament Hill, with the NDP and some Liberal MPs even equating it with “voter suppres- tive research piece that laces the personal journeys of kids in goverment care with the startling sion.” Green Party Leader Elizabeth May spoke out in the House of Commons, stating that hard facts and stats of poor graduation percentages and high social assistance rates amongst “the crisis in Canadian democracy is not that Canadians are voting more than once but that former foster care children. The stats are startling, but make sense at the same time. For they are voting less than once. And this bill will…increase cynicism.” The 247-page bill may example, according to the article, BC’s overall high school graduation rate is better than 80 be too large a commitment, especially during midterms, so I’ve collected a few key ways in per cent, however foster children are “stark exceptions” and only 32 per cent have graduated which the Fair Elections Act will apparently fix democracy. high school by their 19th birthdays. High school is hard enough as it is, so I imagine it’s even It will soon be illegal for Elections Canada to encourage people to vote. While voter turnout tougher amidst transitions from different foster homes and then needing to become a fully sits at a frightening 61 per cent (as of the 2011 federal elections), Poilievre has placed the independent adult in your grade 12 year. blame on Elections Canada, telling Postmedia that the organization “fails to drive turnout In the beginning of Part One, the Sun reporter, Tracy Sherlock, explains the birthday up because it does not address the practical obstacles that prevent many from voting.” Voter present care children receive when their time runs out: “For many, it means losing the $1,000 turnout, of course, is lowest among young people, with only 37 per cent of voters aged a month provided by the ministry to pay their rent and support themselves. In both scenar- 18-24 showing up to the ballots in 2008. I don’t think I’m going out on a limb assuming ios, the youths also abruptly lose contact with any government social workers or transition that most young people tend to skew left or centre on the political spectrum. The Conser- workers who give advice, free food vouchers, and bus tickets until age 19.” vatives managed to gain a majority government last election, with under 40 per cent of the When I was 19, I had a boyfriend who was living in a group home when he “aged out.” popular vote. That means that around 24 per cent of eligible voters actually supported the Having a close relationship with a care child, and feeling the turbulence of his struggles from current government. the sidelines was both heartbreaking yet also an invaluable insight into how the system oper- For the Conservatives, the mobilization of young voters, which seems to be a real goal for ates. I remember him talking about a staff member, who he was especially close with, giving Elections Canada, would only challenge the current balance of power. In a reply to Poilievre’s him his phone number in a very under-the-table sort of way. And though he was sent off reasoning for limiting Elections Canada’s reach, Jon Pammett, political science professor at with other support-line contacts, he was told not to reach out to any of the group home staff Carleton University, told Huffington Post that “you simply don’t know from simple observa- members, or keep in contact with any of the other kids living there. Of course, like all per- tion of two things. It’s quite possible that the decline would have been even greater if the sonal experiences, mine can do little other than offer an isolated view of a vast subject. How- campaigns weren’t working.” ever, I can’t help but attest for how seriously flawed this system seems to me. At the group Many of you may remember Elections Canada coming to your elementary or high home, my then-boyfriend had a strict schedule and strict rules. When I visited the home, the school to hold “mock elections,” where you learn about all the parties, how parliament func- sterility of the environment was striking. The garbage, recycling, cupboards, and shelves were tions, and how to cast a ballot. By the time elections roll around next year, these presentations all labeled and it sort of reminded me of being in a school or summer camp environment. will be illegal, along with anything Elections Canada does other than telling you when and No cellphones were allowed in the home. We went out for a walk and were a few minutes where to vote. Voting will become a foreign concept to anybody under the age of 30, and the later than agreed, and a social worker drove around town until he found us. My purpose in Conservatives will enjoy a healthy majority until their voters expire and turnout settles in at telling this story is to point out how non-sensical it is for care children to be coddled until a reasonable ten per cent. It will be a victory for democracy. age 19, only to be dropped on their heads with no support system thereafter. Is there really a Say goodbye to vouching and voter information cards. If you move around a lot, as many wonder why former care children struggle to secure self-sufficiency after leaving their group/ young people are forced to do in order to find work, proving your address at the ballot is as foster home? Even teens who live with foster parents face a huge transition they may not be easy as vouching. If you bring a friend or neighbour, that person can make a sworn state- ready for. According to the Sun article, the government stops paying foster parents once a ment that you live in the same riding as them. Mississauga MP Brad Butt, one of the defend- teen turns 19, and “even in cases where foster parents are willing to keep a foster child beyond ers of the Fair Elections Act, has had first hand-experience of how vouching is destroying that age, the rules often prohibit the young person from staying.” democracy, sort of. I understand that the staff of group homes (and foster parents to an extent) are legally Butt stated that “one of the things that I have seen is when the voter cards are delivered to bound to protect the children they house, and this may entail strict rules, tight curfews, and community mailboxes in an apartment building, we often find that many of them are actu- close monitoring. What I don’t understand is how we can kick kids to the curb on their 19th ally just discarded. They’re in the garbage can or in the blue box. I have actually witnessed birthday and expect no consequence, when such a dramatic transition at such a young age is other people coming in, picking up voter cards, going back to, I guess, whatever campaign of obviously going to be detrimental. the candidate they support, and actually handing out those voter cards to other individuals, Across the US, foster care is now available up to age 21 in 19 states. Ontario has recently who then walk into a voting station with a friend of theirs that vouches for them with no ID.” followed suit, however BC is so far trailing behind in that progression. A week later, Butt made a slight amendment to his statement through Twitter, clarifying According to the Sun, Minister for Children and Families Stephanie Cadieux said she that he has “not personally witnessed that activity and [wants] the record to properly show “is aware of what is happening in other jurisdictions, but believes the BC government pro- that,” and the idea of vouching being used for widespread voter fraud was only something vides sufficient services for youth who have aged out of care.” Although Cadieux acknowl- he had heard of “anecdotally.” According to The Globe and Mail, 120,000 Canadians used edges that the disturbing stats of drop-out, homelessness, and addictions amongst former vouching last election, and 900,000 used voter identification cards. This includes 36-73 per care children indicates an issue, she believes the government needs to do more to connect cent of all 36-73 youth, aboriginal, and senior voters in 2011. Is the second-hand, anec- the youth to existing programs. Cadieux is quoted in the Sun article as saying “we don’t need dotal evidence of one MP enough to make voting more difficult or impossible for over one to extend foster care to do that. What we need to do is work collectively across the govern- million Canadians? ment to ensure that kids aging out of foster care are accessing all of the services in the adult While the opposition on Parliament Hill is unlikely to run out of criticism for the system that they need.” bill, I feel the most eloquent explanation comes from a recent rant by Rick Mercer: “If Personally, I can’t help but wonder if working towards better connecting kids to avail- you ask the government, they will tell you voter engagement in Canada is at an historic able services sounds like a concrete plan or a crock of crap that will never actually amount to low, and therefore that’s proof that encouraging people to vote does not work. Not true. anything. At least by extending foster care to 21, care children will have the chance to have People do not vote because they look at the way politics is being performed in Canada a parent for a little longer and an opportunity to finish high school, or get a head start on and they feel like they’ve been given a feed of bad oysters. After that, they just avoid post-secondary. What is painstakingly obvious, though, is that our current system of pushing the buffet altogether. Canadians, we love to brag that we are one of the world’s greatest teens out of the nest before their wings have had the chance to develop (or in many cases, democracies. If we abandon the principle that voting is important and must be encour- heal) isn’t working. aged, we forfeit the title.”
THE NAVIGATOR / Vol. 45 / Issue 12 / Mar. 05 – Mar. 18 03 CALL FOR RESUMES Now accepting resumes for the Sept 2014 - April 2015 school year. Deadline: Wednesday, March 19, 11:59pm
Please submit resumes to the Navigator office bldg 193, rm 217 The Nav offers unparalleled work experience for students, with a casual yet profes- sional office environment, only two scheduled shifts per month, good times, and regular salary paycheques. For more information email
Managing Editor [position closed] Spelling as a guide, the production manager prepares editorial style sheets that outline house preferences regarding numbering, punctuation, spelling, and other • Supervises and organizes the overall production of the text elements. newspaper from start to finish. • Works with copy editor to edit contributors’ work during • Approves final pages before they go to print. production week. • Meets with the business manager to keep informed of the financial situation of the paper and participate in financial planning. • Accepts responsibility, in consultation with the business Copy Editor [Work-Op Position] [position open] manager, for any administrative duties that may come up in the general running of the Navigator office (letters, • Assists the Production Manager during production week. responses to phone calls, etc.). • Edits contributors’ work for spelling, grammar, house • Reports to the Board of Directors on production and style, content, and format. Also does fact checking personnel issues, and assists in the development of poli- as necessary. cies and procedures. • Enters changes to text and saves the edited versions to • Participates in the hiring committee. the network. • Proofs copy on production weekend. Checks copy.
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• Assumes editorial responsibility for the features section. • Moves all articles from the print edition to the web- • Takes on the role of the editor-in-chief when required. site between the time paper is finalized and the time • Participates in copy editing for all sections, and helps to it is printed. enter editorial changes on production weekend. • Demonstrates above-average computing and commu- • Calculates and presents an expense report to the busi- nication skills. ness manager or bookkeeper detailing contributor pay- ments for each issue. Social Media Specialist [position open] News Editor [position closed] •Proficient in Wordpress administration, Google Ana- lytics, and other tracking mechanisms to calculate ROI of advertisement budget. • Assumes editorial responsibility for the news section. • Uses technical skills to handle website maintenance. • Arranges for contributors, seeks out stories on campus • Must have good content development skills and know that are timely and relevant to the student population of how to work the audio, video, and desktop publishing VIU and edits submissions. softwares to present this information. • Monitors the editorial process of the news section and • Has sharp attention to detail skills. approves pages. Gives approved pages to the editor- • Works effectively in group, and when unsupervised. in-chief. • Participates in copy editing for all sections, and helps to enter editorial changes on production weekend. Ad Sales Representative [position open] Arts Editor [position closed] •Sells ads and meets sales goals under direction of busi- ness manager. • Assumes editorial responsibility for the arts section. •Seeks new clients. • Arranges for contributors, writes reviews and features, •Makes sure each client is on the master ad list for edits arts submissions. each paper requested with the correct size and price • Monitors the editorial process of the arts section and from invoice approves pages. Gives approved pages to the editor-in- •Processes excellent time management skills and is chief. self-motivated. The sales rep must contact clients far • Participates in copy editing for all sections, and helps to enough in advance so that deadlines can be met, and enter editorial changes on production weekend. be able to pace themselves in order to provide quality client service. •Passes on information and materials from clients con- cerning ads to graphics staff and sends proofs of the Sports Editor [position closed] ads to the advertisers for confirmation. • Assumes editorial responsibility for the sports section. Ar- ranges for contributors, writes content for sports section, Art Director [position closed] edits sports submissions. • Participates in copy editing for all sections, and helps to • Produces and supervises the production of all graphics, enter editorial changes on production weekend. photos, and illustration that appear in the paper. • Monitors the editorial process of the sports section • Designs, in consultation with the editor-in-chief, the and approves pages. Gives approved pages to the graphic elements of the newspaper and any signage or editor-in-cheif promotional materials for the newspaper. • Supervises the layout of all articles in the paper. • Trains and supervises the graphic assistants. Production Manager [position closed] Graphic Design Assistant • Oversees the process of organizing the paper for pro- duction. In case of illness of either the editor-in-chief or [work-op position] [position open] the associate editor, the production manager fills in as associate editor • Works with business manager on the production of ads • Schedules, co-ordinates, and tracks copy through the for clients. editorial and proofing process. • Assists art director when required. • Using the Chicago Manual of Style, and CP Caps and
04 Mar. 05 – Mar. 18 / Issue 12 / Vol. 45 / THE NAVIGATOR NEWS Nanaimo: future home of science centre?
recognized a lack of opportunity, and Oceans have been behind partnership with VIU to offer reveled in her sixth grade teacher’s Janeane MacGillivary especially in science, for people the project from the beginning. summer science camps to kids. “greatest, dirtiest classroom. When Contributor in the mid-Island. That, coupled Employees at engineering firm In September, the Applied I went to college, I knew I was with the fact there are no Vehicle Mounted Air Compressors Science Technologists and going to study science, and then Nanaimo might have a science centre specialized science teachers in (VMAC) in South Wellington Technicians of BC donated $2K I did a master’s in environmental one day thanks to Liz DeMattia, co- the provincial K-7 school system, are the centre’s biggest sponsors, as part of the funds required to management, and then a Ph.D in founder and executive director of brought the idea into focus. donating money and time as match $20K from the Vancouver ecology. I just love it.” NS3, the Nanaimo Sustainability “I’m a conservationist, so there’s volunteers committed to getting Foundation for a mobile science DeMattia and her husband and Science Society. no way we’re going to conserve others excited about science. van. Woodgrove Chrysler, share a passion for the natural Since proposing the idea to what we don’t know,” she says. NS3 has successfully applied for Nanaimo Insurance Brokers, and world with their young kids, the City of Nanaimo in 2010, Although she finds research grant after grant, including a recent VMAC sponsored the vehicle that who participate in NS3 programs DeMattia and society president satisfying, as a self-declared extrovert, one to visit other science centres to now delivers after-school programs whenever possible. Sue Durnin have never doubted she also enjoys the challenge of getting see what makes them work. The almost daily to local schools. “We’re always out hiking in it will happen. something like a science centre group has completed a public Vancouver’s Scienceworld, nature, in the tidal pools. That’s The two mothers met shortly started. The systematic way in which survey, a Strength/Weaknesses/ one of NS3’s collaborators, has what we do for fun,” she says. after DeMattia came to Nanaimo NS3 has approached the project reads Opportunities/Threat (SWOT)consulted with NS3 since the DeMattia is a mother, university six years ago from Boston. like the Science Centre Planning analysis, a feasibility study, financial beginning. NS3’s permanent centre instructor, and executive director She’s an ecologist with more page on the Association of Science— projections, a business plan, and won’t be 136,000 square feet, but of this long-term project. “There than 15 years experience in Technology Centre’s website. a draft capital campaign—all this according to DeMattia, it will are always challenges,” she says, environmental research, education, Step one is to “Build a Strong while running several well-attended follow a similar model encouraging “but it’s not just me doing this. and community outreach, and Relationship with your Community.” programs in the community. These “hands-on fun, good energy, and There’s a co-founder; we have a currently works as a biologist The board of directors and advisors include spring break Science on the active thinking.” NS3’s Science board of directors and a bunch at VIU. Durnin has been an assembled by the organization March programming at Country Studio, an interim science centre, of volunteers; we have staff to environmental consultant for just includes science educators and Club Centre; Trash to Treasure in the is now in the works with support run the programs. Any time as long. She had recently visited outreach specialists, a lawyer, planner, schools; and Science in the Park, free from Tourism Nanaimo. you’re working on projects that the Arizona’s Children’s Museum chartered accountant, organizational drop-in summertime science fun for Activities like this were what are meaningful, there’s always a and saw the potential for a science developer, fundraiser, and builder. kids in School District 68 and 69. DeMattia treasured as a child. reason to do it. centre in Nanaimo. The biology department at VIU Last May, NS3 was in the news Unlike her sister, who thought it For more information, see DeMattia says they both and the Department of Fisheries with DeMattia announcing its was “the grossest room ever,” she
Beard’s presentation, “Fossils: Blake Deal Keys to the Past,” is a slide and The Navigator lecture presentation with a question and discussion period VIU’s Deep Bay Marine Field to follow. Many fossils from the Station is inviting the public to Vancouver Island area and other learn about fossils of Vancouver parts of the world will be on Island, owls of BC, and penguins display at the Field Station during of the Antarctic. his presentation. These are just a few of the On March 14, the second topics covered during a new spring event in the series features a film and speaker series at VIU’s presentation by Russell Cannings Deep Bay Marine Field Station. on the owls of British Columbia. The series is being held According to Cannings, out in conjunction with the Brant of Canada’s 16 breeding species Wildlife Festival, which takes of owls, 14 occur annually in BC. place from March 1-April They range from the insectivorous 22, and will also continue Flammulated Owl to the dog- throughout the spring. nabbing Great Horned Owl. The series starts on March 6 The lecture aims to highlight PhotoPhoto courtesy courtesy of BrendanVIU Kergin Canadian University Press with a presentation on Vancouver some of the distinctive features Island fossils by biologist Graham of each species, including Beard, who has been collecting habitat concerns, and even a few VIU’s spring film and speaker penguins of the Arctic (March Market in Bowser, Courtyard Café fossils for more than 40 years. sound-effects. series take place from 7-9 pm at 20), Dick Beamish on the Strait of in Qualicum Beach, the Welcome Beard is a former high Cannings is currently enrolled the Deep Bay Marine Field Georgia and its fishes (March 27), Centre at VIU’s Nanaimo campus, school teacher, the author of a at VIU where he hopes to obtain Station in Bowser: 370 Crome Paula Wild on cougars (April 3), or by calling 250-740-6611. book on paleontology, and is the a high school teaching degree. He Point Road. Doors open at 6pm Wiley Evans on ocean acidification For more details and driving president of the Vancouver Island is also a regular birding-guide for and snacks prepared by VIU’s (April 10) and Tessa Danelesko on directions, visit
THE NAVIGATOR / Vol. 45 / Issue 12 / Mar. 05 – Mar. 18 05 NEWS VIU grad wins big at chemistry symposium
where she had some problems, Blake Deal but eventually earned herself a The Navigator degree at VIU. Richards took part in a VIU Bachelor of Science graduate directed studies research project Larissa Richards placed first in the analyzing wood smoke data. Chemical Institute of Canada’s Richards is now preparing student presentation contest held to present her own research at a at the University of Victoria. national conference in June. Richards’ presentation on Besides doing research, detoxification of chemical warfare Richards also worked as a tutor agents led her to win the $150 in the Math Learning Centre and prize and the recognition of some still serves as coordinator of the experienced researchers. student-led Awareness of Climate The symposium asked students change through Education and to use their knowledge to explain the Research (ACER) group, which chemistry behind a real world issue. delivers presentations to high “It was great to learn about and school students and on campus. be inspired by emerging topics, and “My VIU professors have to network with other scientists,” inspired me,” she says. “They says Richards. “It was an excellent care about students and believe opportunity, although nerve- in student success. I never wracking, to present to peers and would have considered graduate researchers at other institutions.” school on my own. When they Richards said she never see potential in someone, they VIU grad Larissa Richards (right) is shown here with thought of herself as an serve as mentors and show what’s ACER members Connie Graham and Andrew Mostad academic. After growing up in possible. That’s exactly the kind Photo courtesy of VIU Port Alberni, she went to UBC, of professor I want to become.”
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06 Mar. 05 – Mar. 18 / Issue 12 / Vol. 45 / THE NAVIGATOR NEWS Things aren’t looking much better for the University of Ottawa’s journalism program
Photo by Adam Feibel/The Fulcrum
2014–15 school year. Potter. “They are also meeting He said then that an eight- into a joint program with either Adam Feibel But it’s not quite there yet. regularly to discuss the future month freeze on the program would Algonquin College or La Cité The Fulcrum The university won’t be accepting directions for the program.” give the department “a breathing Collégiale. Students spend two any new students to the program The university will submit space to make those course years at university and two years Ottawa (CUP) — Admission next year, either. In an email to a proposal to the senate once a modifications” and have it back up at college and come out with a to the program was frozen The Fulcrum, program coordinator decision has been made. and running in September 2014. bachelor of arts in journalism. for the current academic Evan Potter said the university In August, Potter said it’s a Potter said the university However, the ongoing year after a 2012 report needed more time to review the “solid program” and disagreed and the department will not program suspension will have no to the university senate program, and that the faculty with the report’s allegation comment or speculate on any effect on those who are already called the program “deeply and department are in discussion that the existing courses are internal documents concerning enrolled in the journalism troubled” and suggested its about where to go from here. flawed. However, he said the the program that are made public, program. Students who were elimination. In August, it was “The university and college department did agree with its but will provide a public statement already admitted to the joint revealed the program would administrators have been working suggestion to introduce more once the review of the program is program, whether they started be suspended in order to closely together to ensure that any journalism-specific courses that completed later this year. at the U of O, Algonquin or La undergo improvements and duplication of courses is eliminated would focus learning and also The program normallyCité, will still be able to complete would be reopened for the from the joint program,” said increase group cohesion. admits up to 35 students per year their studies as planned.
VIU graduate headed to Dragons’ Den
and made one. They are made and it should be fun.” Blake Deal from polystyrene and stuffed with If lucky, Falck said he hopes The Navigator Styrofoam micro beads. he could get a deal and some They are now made in Vancouver, financial and manufacturing help VIU graduate Evan Falck’s invention and Falck is selling them to friends, from the show. has given him the opportunity to family, and by word-of-mouth. “Hopefully I will get to see go to Toronto for a shot at getting “The website should be up soon Kevin O’Leary with the Hillow on CBC’s Dragon’s Den. and hopefully I can sell more.” on.” Falk, a graduate of VIU’s BBA Falck, who now lives in Victoria, Falck is currently in talks with program with a focus in Management, went to the Dragon’s Den auditions VIU to outfit the Mariners sports said he had the idea for his invention, in Nanaimo and was asked to bring teams with the Hillow as well as “the Hillow,” in 2008. his product to Toronto. have them sold in the bookstore. “It’s a modified neck pillow Falck heads to Toronto on April “They are great for sleeping in that you can wear like a helmet,” 3 and films on April 4. “There’s cars, the library, or anywhere it’s said Falck. “It allows you to sleep no guarantee that I will get aired, usually hard to get a decent spot for anywhere.” but hopefully I do.” your head to rest.” Falck decided to put his idea into “I just hope I can get some More information on the motion during an entrepreneurship air time and exposure for the Hillow can be found on Facebook Photo courtesy of
THE NAVIGATOR / Vol. 45 / Issue 12 / Mar. 05 – Mar. 18 07 Salmon in the Strait
$300k in 1984 to $214 million in in these areas, as well as the fry studies to cause cancer and Endo- including the Raincoast Conserva- Chantelle Spicer 2005 and continues to grow. returning to sea, must move past sulfan, a systemic insecticide used tion Society’s Alexandra Morton, Contributor However, what was once seen these open-net pens. The fry, in on fish infested with sea lice. concluded that climate change and as a way to save the industry of particular, have the gravest danger The main source of these con- its changes to water temperatures, The waters surrounding Vancou- salmon fishing is now being seen in this situation, as most are less cerns is not actually the fish farms increased ocean acidity, and open- ver Island mean different things by many scientists and environ- than 50mm in size with immune themselves, but the practices and net fish farming were major factors to our planet. They are beautiful, mental groups as the end of wild systems that have not developed by-products of them. One of the in the record-low returns on salm- awe-inspiring, a source of recre- salmon populations. There are to the diseases present in the adult largest by-products of the farms is on to our waters. Based on these ation and employment, a habitat, many concerns being raised not stock present in the fish farms. As disease, and the most concerning results, Justice Cohen called for a a food source, a driver of climate only in the practices of these the future of salmon stocks for of these is Piscene Reovirus (PRV) “freeze on all fish farm expansion and weather, and the background salmon farms, but also of the the next five years, these juvenile or the Norwegian Virus (HSMI). along important salmon migration of our lives. Billions of organisms effects these practices have on salmon are of great importance to It was identified as the cause of routes…[and] removal of farms depend on the Pacific Ocean and larger populations and, there- scientists studying our waters. This the crash of stocks to the Fraser if impacts are not addressed by the Georgia Strait, from micro- fore, the future of our ecosystem. generation of salmon also has rest- River wild salmon populations in 2020.” This report offered a blue- bacteria to whales and humans, These concerns include: ing on it the populations of bears, 2009 and has also been spreading print to the Canadian government, to support their lives and genera- • the use of growth hormones, antibi- wolves, birds, insects who will rapidly through Norway’s farmed the Department of Fisheries and tions to come. Among these organ- otics, and pesticides on captive fish feed on them when they return to salmon populations. Marine Har- Oceans who regulate fish farms, isms are the wild Pacific Salmon, • sea lice and disease spawn, and our forests which gain vest, which grows one-fifth of the and the operators of farms on how which serve as a figurehead of • algae blooms created by imbal- nutrients from the abundance of world’s salmon in pens, lists it as to alter their practices to those many things as well. They are an anced waters within pens carcasses on the forest floor. Our the second largest cause of death which are more sustainable. icon of local First Nations culture, • escaped farmed fish, which can be entire ecosystem rests on wild in their stock in 2012. This virus One aspect of salmon farm- a tourist attraction, the heartbeat alien species within our waters salmon returns and spawning. is currently being identified in not ing that came under scrutiny dur- of our ecosystem, ambassadors of • marine mammal deaths due to Not only are there grave envi- only fish farms in BC, but also in ing the inquiry was ownership of environmental health in the ocean, being ensnared in nets or risk of ronmental impacts, but there are our wild salmon returns this year. farms operating in our waters. In not to mention a keystone spe- predation on salmon stocks also numerous concerns regard- To address some of these con- British Columbia, 92 per cent of cies of many different food chains, Many fish farms around the ing the effects that farmed salm- cerns, the government called a the farms are foreign-owned by including that of humans. Island are located around major on have on human health. These federal judicial inquiry in 2012, companies in Norway, whose own For centuries, First Nations inlets in the Georgia Strait, as well include the consumption of anti- presided over by Justice Bruce salmon populations were deci- bands have maintained a sustain- as off the West Coast of the Island biotics used on diseased fish, Poly- Cohen. Dubbed the Cohen Com- mated by PRV and HSMI in 1999. able balance and respect for the around Clayoquot. This means chlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) and mission, the report, which includ- Moreover, these farms seem to be environment within their culture, that all salmon returning to spawn dioxins, which have been shown in ed research from many scientists, operating outside of the Canadian including their fishing practices. Constitution. As stated by scien- Salmon have played a huge role in tist Alexandra Morton, when these their food source, and through this, organizations first approached have become a figure of abundance, the Canadian government in the resilience, and cycles of life. With- 1980s, they were first denied as out the spawning migration of the Constitution declared that is salmon, many communities would unlawful to privatize ocean waters not have been sustainable, mak- regulated by the federal govern- ing the fish integral to their dietary ment, as well as to own fish within and cultural needs. them. At that time, the issue was When the Island was first passed along to individual prov- colonized by the British gov- inces (Nova Scotia and BC) and ernment in 1848, the govern- the hatcheries would be declared ment and citizens recognized “farms” under provincial law, where the important role that salm- this is not deemed unlawful, and on played in surviving in this a memorandum was passed, allow- region and began to commer- ing salmon farms to be established. cially fish the waters alongside Morton and Ecojustice are cur- First Nations. With a growing rently campaigning against the population came increased fish- federal government to take back ing, along with the creation of a their control of the farms. global market for salmon in the The Harper government seems early 1900s. Currently, salmon to be doing just that, but not in is one of the major contributors the way environmental groups of BC’s GDP and employment. would like. In January 2014, Ste- One of the major factors in this phen Harper began secretly review- increased global market of salm- ing proposed expansion of existing on is not only tradition fishing, fish farms in our waters against urg- but also salmon “farming.” ing from the Cohen Commission, After a period of decline in which had placed a moratorium on salmon return numbers in the early expansion in 2011. There are nine 1980s, the government launched applications for expansion, and the the idea of “farming” the salmon addition of two new farms would to maintain employment for com- see an increase of 16,640 tonnes munities around the province. This of capacity. This tonnage refers to method involves not fishing at all, the peak weight of fish a farm is but rather the raising of salmon allowed to have in the water. This species within open-net pens with- comes at a time of increased First in our Coastal waters. The fish Nations power in government deci- are released as hatchery-raised fry sions after the 2012 Idle No More into these pens where they can be protests. In response to the release monitored for disease, weight and of information of possible expan- density of the population, and are sion, Chief Bob Chamberlin of the then harvested when they reach a Kwicksutaineuk-ah-kwaw-ah-mish particular size. This practice now of BC’s Broughton Archipelago dominates the market. As reported rallied First Nations bands across by Statistics BC, this industry has Art by Autumn Morrison. risen from an annual income of Story continued on page 9
08 Mar. 05 – Mar. 18 / Issue 12 / Vol. 45 / THE NAVIGATOR FEATURES the province, stating “it’s time consideration. Our environment against a recent Canadian study has come from. Know that farmed we live is the most important for us to hold this government to as we know it relies entirely on which reviewed international stock salmon have often been dyed pink thing in our lives. Without it we account. This is an urgent message the abundance of salmon returns sizes in countries that have salmon to give the appearance of wild have no air, water, food, or any of to all the people who rely upon to our coastal inlets. It is not only aquaculture industries and con- salmon. These are usually marked the beauty we encounter every day wild salmon in BC. They are now protests which make changes to cluded that “salmon farming oper- as “Atlantic Salmon” as that is the as Vancouver Island residents. We facing a threat which is in com- salmon farming. We, as consum- ations have reduced wild salmon species most used in fish farms. As also need to recognize that salmon plete defiance of Cohen, and it is ers of fish products, hold power populations by up to 70 per cent residents of the province, we can are not just a measure of econo- yet another example of the Stephen we are not often aware of. In our in several areas around the world help save salmon by petitioning my for the province, but also an Harper Government laying waste daily lives, we can make decisions and are threatening the future of our provincial and federal gov- integral part of this ecosystem to democracy—and in doing so, that help save our wild salmon. the endangered stocks.” ernments to make changes or end and culture. Ecosystems thrive putting at risk aboriginal rights for Advertising has been used as a tool As consumers, we can cre- salmon farms in our waters or by on creating balances and working First Nations people on the coast of against the wild salmon move- ate a knowledge base and make donating to causes which support systems within them. There need BC and right up to the headwaters ment, even going so far as Skuna informed decisions when mak- more sustainable fisheries. to be great strides made toward of the Fraser and other rivers.” Bay Fish Farms, which state that ing purchases. When eating out As humans, we need to recog- replicating this balance within our This is a cry we as residents of by eating farm-raised fish, you and shopping for salmon prod- nize the roles we play in our eco- coastal waters to protect the wild the province all need to take into are saving a wild salmon. This is ucts, be aware of where the fish system. The landscape on which salmon populations.
On the Radar: Gordon Fuller and the 7-10 Club
Photo by Brennan Hinchsliff.
have a problem with not getting club as a community meal pro- community. I don’t imagine that do the mundane stuff—writing Drew McLachlan paid for my work. gram, serving anybody in the com- this is the only organization that it grants, writing proposals—but The Navigator N: Is the 7-10 Club affiliated munity, and anybody else who affects, but the economy certainly I also know a large number of with any other organization or wants to come in and have a bowl plays a huge part. people who come in and use the The 7-10 Club, which operates religious group? of soup or some porridge or take N: Why do you think it’s impor- 7-10 Club. I’ve worked with the out of downtown Nanaimo, pro- GF: No, it’s totally secular. When it a bag lunch to work, or just get to tant for a charity to be organized? homeless community for about vides clothing, bag lunches, and first started in 1985, it was found- know people in the community. GF: I kind of laugh at that ques- 15 years now, so I’ve gotten to over 80,000 cooked meals every ed by members of different faith- N: I was taking a look at your web- tion, because we’re somewhat hap- know the people. There are year. Founded in 1985, the orga- based groups, and over the years site, and it says that between 2010 hazard when it comes to being some extremely intelligent peo- nization was aptly named after its we’ve had volunteers from various and 2012, the number of meals organized. There’s a lot of stuff we ple, and some people hit hard own morning hours of operation. faith-based groups, but we don’t served per year changed from want to do, but a lot of stuff we times—you can’t judge people, Gordon Fuller has served the 7-10 espouse any one particular faith. 60,000 to 80,000… can’t do, and in part that’s ham- and that’s what I love about what Club as a chairperson since 2004. N: How many people use the GF: Yeah, but the website hasn’t pered by not having an executive I do. I’ve been there, I’ve done The Navigator: When did you first services? been updated and we’re closer to director. We’ve chosen to keep our that. For a quarter of a century, get involved with the 7-10 Club? GF: It varies depending on the 85 or 90,000 meals served now. staffing levels to a minimum so that I used and abused, and avoided Gordon Fuller: I first got involved time of month. A large amount Our numbers haven’t been declin- most of the donations go towards people, essentially wanting to with the club around 2000 while I of our clients are on income assis- ing—they creep higher and high- feeding people in the community be a social outcast. For the past was running an emergency shel- tance. We also have some students er over the years and never seem and keeping a roof over our heads. 20 years, I’ve totally flipped that ter in Nanaimo. I gave a lot of from VIU come in, families, and to drop. We could be far more organized to where I’m now taking those the donations I got at the shelter a minority of homeless. After N: Why do you think that is? if we wanted to hire an executive experiences and hoping they’ll to the 7-10 Club. Around 2004, income assistance day, numbers GF: The economy. It’s a big fac- director, but most executive direc- benefit those I’m working for by I was approached and asked to sit tend to drop to around 80-100, tor in a place like the 7-10 Club, tors are paid fairly well, and they building better communities. on the board. and gradually they will build up in not just in the number of people would have to raise the money, do N: How can students get involved? N: What do you do at the 7-10 the next week or so up to 200 and we see, but in the number of dona- the proposals, and write the grants, GF: Right now, we actually have Club? sometimes more coming through tions we receive as well. In the which I currently do for nothing, four nursing students who are GF: Most non-profit organizations in a three hour period. last few years, our donations from and a lot of that would go towards doing a kind-of practicum and have executive directors, which N: Do you think there’s a stigma individuals, which usually account paying themselves, so that hampers helping out at the 7-10 Club. Our can cost a fair chunk of change. for non-homeless people using for 37 per cent of our revenue, our organization to a degree. services are 7-10am, five days a The 7-10 Club has a working food assistance? have dropped significantly. Over- N: For you, what is the most week. If anybody wants to volun- board, so it’s up to the chair to take GF: There can be a stigma. A lot all, our donations have dropped by rewarding part of working for the teer, all they need to do is contact on the same responsibilities. It’s an of people refer to the 7-10 Club about 25 per cent. The people who 7-10 Club? us and we will make it work for unpaid position, but the organi- as a soup kitchen, and when you would donate to us are finding it GF: I like taking a hands-on them as well as us. zation is one I love. It does great say soup kitchen, it definitely has harder to make their own ends approach that allows me to work good in the community, so I don’t a stigma to it. I like to refer to the meet, so they donate less to the with people. So not only do I
THE NAVIGATOR / Vol. 45 / Issue 12 / Mar. 05 – Mar. 18 09 FEATURES The ultimate Scandinavian adventure for an aspiring marine scientist
the marine environment. Another logue entries, Heike came into the interesting practice we learned was room and announced “Okay girls, that in Norway it is illegal to dis- the sea is good to go. Let’s head out!” card undesirable fish from your ves- We high-tailed it to the Zodiac and sel, otherwise known as “by-catch.” set off into the Blue. We observed So, nearly all by-catch in Norway sea eagles, puffins, mackerel, our is used in fish feed production; friends the harbour porpoises, but nothing goes to waste. This prac- still no large marine mammals. We tice is revolutionary. Furthermore, had hoped to see a Minke whale, for those that oppose GMO prod- the seven metre-long Baleen whales ucts, the fish feed industry in Nor- that are part of Norway’s commer- way has a self-imposed ban on the cial fishery (didn’t anyone tell them use of GMO ingredients. They are we were coming?) I had heard sonar not only guaranteeing a GMO- blasting for gas exploration the last free product to their customers, time I was in Lofoten; had it scared but Skretting is playing a role in them away? Heike assured us there reducing GMO products world- are normally many large marine wide since they refuse to buy GMO mammals in Vestfjord. Our hopes ingredients themselves. We were were dwindling, but patience is impressed with Skretting’s commit- priceless. We were heading back to ment to sustainability, and if you Henningsvær harbour when there are interested, I encourage you to was a Minke whale. It was truly a check out their 2011 Sustainability profound experience. We stayed Report on their webpage at
10 Mar. 05 – Mar. 18 / Issue 12 / Vol. 45 / THE NAVIGATOR FEATURES
Egil Krane were probably the first that evening, we conducted an ral beds of Ascophyllum nodosum surfers in Norway. At that time in intertidal study at the Eggum and Laminaria hyperborea, but L. Lofoten, they had to make their Natural Reserve, with an empha- hyperborean accounts for about own boards from a surfboard out- sis on marine invertebrates and 90 per cent of the national harvest. line they saw on the cover of the algal species. There was abundant However, overall seaweed aquacul- Beach Boys’ album Surfin’ Safari Fucus (rockweed) everywhere ture is small in Norway. from 1962. The boards are still in next to turquoise blue water. We On the ferry back to Bodø, all Unstad, but we didn’t just come also found many shells belonging of us were silent, contemplating the here to see surfboards; we wanted to three different phyla: Echino- amazing things we encountered. It to catch our own waves. dermata, Bivalvia, and Gastro- really was the trip of a lifetime. For That morning, we strapped podia. There was a magnificent us, this trip wasn’t the end, only the boards to our bicycles in the cold white sand beach, which tricked beginning: one of us has gone on and rainy Arctic. It would have us into thinking we had landed to her MSc in Animal Behaviour, been difficult for anyone to surf on a Caribbean island despite another her PhD in Phycology. more than we did that day. It was the crisp air. I learned from my One is doing her internship in Aus- cold, but worth it. Plus, one of us Marine Biology professor at UiN tralia, another is working as a Phy- was on hot water duty: cycling to that white sand was the result of cologist, and the others, filled with the cabin to bring a kettle of hot erosion of carbonate frameworks, passion from the trip, are finishing water back to fill our suits with. or reefs, built by coralline red their BSc and push on through to Exhausted, we made our way algae (Rodophyta). I can’t stress the next adventure. I hope that back to the cabins for a sauna. my excitement enough. We also future students will take our lead Our Finnish student insisted on got into an interesting discussion and pursue such adventures during having a proper sauna: naked and on the feasibility of algalculture their time at university. I strongly On the beach of the northern coast of Andøy, the with Vodka. in Lofoten. Apparently, Norway feel that exposure in any field is northernmost island in the Lofoten archipelago, the The last day of our journey does have somewhat of an algal- vital for student success. I know it students fall in love with Lofoten. Photo by Tamara Russell. finally arrived. Before our ferry culture industry, relying on natu- has been for us. Greek life in
Last fall, Pi Lambda Phi ran the Tear Down the Hate event. Canada Photo by Lindsay Sheppard/The Lance.
how they’re portrayed in America, Internationally, Sigma Chi ing a sense of brotherly or sisterly pus hosting fundraising events for Lindsay Sheppard which is just partying.” fraternity is the oldest and largest community to students of all eth- local or national charities. The Lance “Before joining Phi Sigma Sig- organization, founded in 1855 with nicities and genders. “Each fraternity has [its] own ma. I thought sororities were full of more than 300,000 alumni. There Nick Lambier was offered culture. As a fraternity…our phi- Windsor (CUP) — Anyone who catty women and fraternities were are pros and cons of belonging to an membership to Pi Lambda Phi lanthropy events actually apply to has ever seen the movies Soror- full of men who only drank. My international organization. fraternity during the rush peri- the student body,” says Brock War- ity Boys, Legally Blonde, or Old assumptions couldn’t have been “We have some famous alumni od in 2010 and said that other ren, president of UWindsor’s Pi School has an idea in their minds of more wrong,” says Kayla Goodi- like Luke Bryan, David Letterman, members were accepting of his Lambda Phi fraternity. what it is like to be part of a frater- son, outgoing president of Wind- Brad Pitt, and Tom Selleck,” says sexual orientation. Warren’s organization host- nity or sorority. Most people asso- sor’s Phi Sigma Sigma sorority. “I Josh Harendorf, president of Sigma “The guys always made me feel ed last year’s Tear Down the Hate ciate these groups with excessive realized that members of [Phi Sig- Chi at UWindsor. comfortable. They were actually event, which raised awareness about alcohol consumption, elitist social ma Sigma], as well as Delta Zeta Michael McDonnell, president some of the most accepting people discrimination by asking people to groups, and lots of hazing. and Delta Alpha Theta, were actu- of Delta Chi’s Windsor chapter, is in my life at the time. [Pi Lambda share their personal experiences on Sororities and fraternities are ally lovely women who just wanted proud of his organization’s ties to Phi fraternity] was a place where a a wall they built. known collectively as “Greek orga- to make friends and a difference in its international headquarters. lot of fun was had, a lot of memo- Sororities and fraternities on nizations.” What most people know the community. “We’re very academically inclined. ries were made, and I met a lot of campus come together annually for about the Greek life is limited to the “The same goes for the frater- Our international requires us to great people,” says Lambier. Greek Week, five days of activities media’s often negative depictions. nities. The men in Greek Organiza- have a certain GPA, otherwise we’re Harendorf said that his fra- and friendly competition designed There are plenty of news stories tions on our campus are such gen- not able to function as a regular ternity embraces students who are to enhance solidarity between the about the evils of Greek member- tlemen and are really grounded in chapter,” says McDonnell. interested in joining, no matter six groups. Activities differ each ship, and while no type of organiza- their philanthropic work.” Delta Chi has been at their lifestyle or background. year, as each organization is expect- tion is perfect, these stories all have The University of Windsor has UWindsor longer than any other “We look for men of good ed to spearhead at least one project. one commonality: they are reports three fraternities and three sorori- Greek organization, having started character, and if you are some- “I love Greek Week. It’s all about of American organizations. Being ties. The frats are Delta Chi, Pi in 1973. body that we feel exemplifies what fun and friendly competition. It’s a Greek in Canada is often a differ- Lambda Phi, and Sigma Chi; the A local Greek organization has it means to be Sigma Chi, then nice way to spend time with other ent experience altogether. sororities are Delta Alpha Theta, fewer opportunities for network- you have every right to be a mem- members of the Greek communi- Mohammed Almoayad, a Uni- Delta Zeta, and Phi Sigma Sigma. ing, but much more freedom in ber of our organization. We do ty,” says Goodison. versity of Windsor political science Collectively there are over two hun- terms of rules and traditions. have many members throughout Members of Greek organiza- and philosophy student, said that dred active members on campus “As a whole, we’re set apart our organization who are homo- tions on campus join for a mul- his perception of Greek life in Can- and thousands of alumni. purely because when our founders sexual [or] who are ethnic minori- titude of reasons. Whether it’s to ada is not at all like what is depict- Five of the six organizations started the sorority, they wanted it ties, and we truly embrace them as develop leadership skills, gain vol- ed on television. are known as “international” with to be really inclusive…by making our brothers,” adds Harendorf. unteer experience, make friends, “[Sororities and fraterni- chapters in more than one country. everyone feel welcome,” says Sarah Local Greek organizations or network with a large commu- ties] do seem different here,” says Delta Alpha Theta is the exception, Logan, president of Windsor’s Del- take immense pride in philan- nity of like-minded people, sorori- Almoayad. “They do a lot of activ- as it was founded in Windsor in ta Alpha Theta sorority. thropic involvement in the com- ties and fraternities at the Uni- ism and promotion of charities, so 2005 and has only one other chap- Inclusivity is at the centre of all munity. Each fraternity and versity of Windsor offer a very they seem a lot better here than ter in British Columbia. fraternities and sororities, provid- sorority can be seen around cam- enriching experience.
THE NAVIGATOR / Vol. 45 / Issue 12 / Mar. 05 – Mar. 18 11 Perfect Strangers Drew McLachlan
The impression that Vancouver leaves on visitors is a Colin Easton, 51, however, feels his city’s image is blunt disparity to its reputation with the locals. Many just that. “All I ever hear about is that it has a reputation” tourists leave the rainy city with an image of a West says Easton. “I don’t often hear people say that it actually Coast haven made entirely of glass condos and Expo 86 is an unfriendly city, unless it’s in the context of talking relics, with an attitude and energy not too foreign from about the reputation itself. I don’t think an entire city can any other city its size. But many who call the city home be populated with completely unfriendly people, I think have half-jokingly dubbed Vancouver a “polite but un- some are just guarded.” friendly city.” The idea of a “Vancouver freeze” has been around for years with bloggers spending the past half- Since New Year’s Day, Easton has been working on decade discussing whether or not Vancouver truly is a what he calls The Stranger Project. The premise is pretty city full of introverts, completely apathetic to your at- simple: Easton ventures out every day to meet a stranger. tempts of starting a conversation on the Skytrain. The He asks them some questions: where are you from? What Vancouver Sun even ran a (rather good) five-part series brought you to Vancouver? What do you do for work? on the premise. What do you do for fun? He builds a quasi-life-story out of it, usually 300 to 500 words, takes a picture of them, and puts them both online.
Colin Easton Vicki Shalom Patrick The Stranger Project 2014 Day 59 Day 30 Day 01 (second person I approached) (first person I approached) (first person I approached)
I’ll be going out to meet a complete stranger, Vicki has been following The Stranger Project Shalom comes from Nigeria, and has been in An ex-con from Reno, Nevada. Youngest of four, every day and connect with that person, to 2014 for a while now. She told me immediately Vancouver for four months. He wanted to at- only one brother still alive. Patrick has been in find out who they are, and try to discover “I have been hoping I’d get to meet you some- tend school, and in his research determined Vancouver for 14 months. His wife is still in Reno. more of their story... day!” And then she offered to buy me coffee. that Canada would be a better fit for him than Patrick was an illegal alien in the States. Collects We went to a coffee shop and talked for over an the UK or the United States. I asked how he bottles and was heading to the bottle depot hour. Vicki is third generation, born and raised in choose Vancouver, and laughed when he said “I to cash them in to buy a six pack. A roofer by Vancouver. She went to one elementary school, googled ‘warmest place in Canada’ and Vancou- trade. “You’ve heard of the three strikes, you’re and one high school... ver came up the best...” out? They got me on strike four.” #nostrangers #nostrangers #nostrangers
Easton’s original plan was to publish grown as well—though his worst get out most of my spiel. Sometimes have no intention of stopping, nine sage from a woman in Ontario saying want people to focus on my story and the strangers-no-longer on his own days all involved six refusals, he I don’t have to ask many questions— times out of ten they’ll smile back.” that every morning she gets up, pours get the wrong impression—that I’m Facebook wall. He had done a “pho- says that on average he only has to they just give me the information. As The Stranger Project con- herself a cup of coffee, reads the post, only doing this because of my back- to a day” challenge several years ago, ask two people before one will talk Other times, I have to dig pretty deep tinues to grow, Easton has been able and considers that she’s met that per- ground or whatever. I want people to and saw The Stranger Project as a par- to him. He says that when he first with my questions.” to find new meaning in it. While son. That’s a really cool feeling, that I be able to read the story and feel like allel endeavour—though this time he started, he tried talking to people at Easton has seen himself he continues to refer to the proj- can convey this story of that stranger they’re the person who could be hav- was stretching a social muscle rather bus stops, under the impression that change along with the project. He ect as a personal one, he admits to into her feeling, several thousand ing that conversation.” than a creative one. Ten days into the since they couldn’t leave, they might catches himself judging people less hoping that others will be able to miles away, that she’s met this person.” Colin was born in the interi- project, one of his friends sent him be more open to talking to him. He often, and, almost involuntarily, he take what he’s doing to heart. As a I ask Easton if he has ever or of British Columbia, but has been a message encouraging him to make explains that this is why his first tries to present himself as friendlier, matter of fact, some already have. thought of what his own life would living in Vancouver since he was two. his endeavours public. So Easton set few posts were so short. “The bus as the kind of guy who spends his “People have sent me mes- look like condensed into a couple He’s an avid photographer and takes up a page for his pet project, only to would eventually come,” he laughs. day looking for strangers to meet. sages, telling me that they’re usually paragraphs, and what he would around 100 photos a week, though he receive a message, from a different “There’s a number of differ- “I’m smiling whether or not pretty shy but have been reading my think if somebody approached swears it’s just a hobby. He’s also a self- friend this time, asking him to con- ent approaches. It really depends on they smile back—I don’t really care posts and striking up conversations him with the same set of questions. proclaimed social media buff and has sider those without a Facebook page. my read of the person,” says Easton. anymore,” says Easton. “I find that with people sitting next to them on “Would I stop and talk to been watching Coronation Street for So he set up a Twitter, Tumblr, and “If I’m approaching an older per- when I lived in Victoria, more peo- the bus and actually having a great me?” ponders Easton. “Yeah, I think 40 years. Colin started The Stranger Instagram to go along with it as well. son, for example, I try to be more ple would say hello or wave as you time,” says Easton. “People tell me I would. It’s an interesting notion. Project on January 1, 2014, and plans As of March 1, barely two months gentle, more polite, have them un- pass them on the street, but not so that they’ve been inspired to do things I’ve never thought of it before. I very on continuing until December 31. #nostrangers old, The Stranger Project 2014 has derstand that I’m not here to ask much in Vancouver. When you catch for people—smile at their neighbours, specifically don’t give much informa- For more information on 2,770 followers on Facebook alone. for money. I’ve learned not to give someone’s eye on the street here, say hello. I think it’s definitely having tion about myself in any of the media The Stranger Project, visit
Although there are several styles Denisa Kraus and modes of work featured in the The Navigator exhibition, all offer different ways of approaching the landscape. In Nanaimo Art Gallery (NAG) pres- his early works, Tanabe sees the ents Chronicles of Form and Place, a landscape as a subject to be stud- touring exhibition of the acclaimed ied and captured, but as one moves Canadian artist Takeo Tanabe. Or- into his later art, we can feel a ganized by Burnaby Art Gallery, stronger connection and the physi- the exhibition encompasses six de- cality of being in a space. cades of Tanabe’s work in different In the group of works inspired styles such as drawing, print, and by Japanese Sumi paintings, watercolor painting. While paper Tanabe directly engages in the is the exclusive medium featured question of identity. He studied in the exhibition, genres vary from the traditional Sumi painting in design to abstraction, but the most Japan, while exploring his own prominent by far are drawings and Japanese roots. This process re- paintings of Canadian landscape. flects in the caligraphic elements It is also a unique opportunity for and dominant colors. NAG to feature an artist of a na- “They’re not Sumi per se, be- tional caliber. cause he’s using paint as opposed “Takeo Tanabe is the most im- to ink, but they are incredibly portant artist we have posted since strong,” McGrail says. Darrin Martens gives a curational talk on January 25. I’ve been at VIU,” NAG’s curator “The experience and the time Photo by Denisa Kraus Dr. Justin McGrail says. spent learning the Japanese brush Darrin Martens, curator of painting influenced his style and Michael Morris. Loosely figura- The collection of graphite draw- through different shades of dark- Chronicles of Form and Place, says the approach to both large canvases tive watercolours, on the other ings of the prairies at night portends ness with darker and lighter patch- goal of the retrospective was “to cre- and smaller format watercolors,” hand, portray the typical BC late one of the most prominent parts of es of graphite layers. ate a conversation about one’s work, Martens adds. “These works look winter landscape, subdued and the exhibition. In these drawings, “Darkness is not uniform. and signify and embody the career very spontaneous but are in fact soaked with rainwater. He brings Tanabe is capturing the moment of There’s no black, just degrees of that spans over six decades.” the opposite—controlled, consid- so much physical reality to these disappearing light and form where the absence of light,” McGrail says. The gallery intentionallyered, thoughtful, and with a strong paintings that we can almost feel the horizon diminishes and the sky “They are quiet and contemplative, grouped the works according to sense of composition and space.” they are still wet. and the land become one. but there’s something grand in the their visual qualities instead of fol- Sense of space seems to be one None of the works, needless to “If you’ve ever been in the prai- image.” He says the simplicity of lowing the established chronologi- of the elements that transcend the say, are preparatory sketches— ries, you know that sunset takes the style only amplifies the majes- cal order. For McGrail, it was a way gap between not only Tanabe’s art they are finished pieces, as Ta- hours to go down and the sky turns tic. There’s so little there.” to refresh the idea of the show with and the layout of the exhibition, nabe does not believe in making brilliant colours,” Martens says. Like all other works featured in the gallery’s own creative input. but the individual works in rela- sketches and transforming them “After the sun sets, all you see is the exhibition, the graphite land- “Chronological sequencing con- tion with one another. “Yellow with another medium. blackness. You know you’re in the scapes are devoid of human figure. veys importance,” he says, “but Sky,” for example, is one of the Watercolour paintings of presence of something, but there is McGrail explains that Tanabe does what we wanted to challenge is the acrylic paintings that, according to mountains bring naturalistic style also this absence in the blackness. not paint people, and prefers the viewer’s experience.” McGrail, is the only work to match to the collection. The composition, In that particular space of light dis- landscape without figures. The selection of works inChron - the Sumi pieces in boldness of co- cropping, and the almost natural- appearing, all you have left is the “I like to think that the human icles of Form and Place reveals an lour and employment of empty istic approach to the subject, the horizon line.” in the picture is the viewer,” Mc- artist influenced by the places he space as part of the work. purposeful subtlety and attention To McGrail, these are the most Grail says. “We are the figure. We visits and people he works with. “The white space is just as to detail, show the influence of impressive works in terms of tech- are supposed to be in that space. “Tanabe is a West Coast painter, articulate and important as the photography which was among Ta- nical skill and originality. You are there, and if the frame were but a world artist,” Martens says. yellow; it becomes part of the nabe’s interests at the time. “There is something minimal more reflected, we would see our- “He is well traveled, interested in scene,” he says. “No other works Graphite drawings of forest about these works, and I find that’s selves reflected in the picture.” and absorbing different art modes. would resonate next to each other scenes continue Tanabe’s true-to- what makes Tanabe very 20th cen- Chronicles of Form and Place will He is curious. He is mining the like these two.” nature approach. McGrail says the tury, very modernist,” he says. He run until April 12 in the campus depths of places and experiences. Other groupings include bright forest drawings are likely to appeal is interested in maximum impact branch of Nanaimo Art Gallery. There is not one single trajectory in colored felt-pen drawings from the to most viewers, partly because with minimum effort.” his work where he does only one late 1960s carrying the style the they are highly naturalistic, but They are heavily worked over, thing very well. He is interested in Vancouver school Tanabe belonged also because they allow the visitors layered and erased, but the visual exploring different ways of art.” to along with Gary Lee Nova or to picture themselves in the forest. effect is very subtle, evoking a look
14 Mar. 05 – Mar. 18 / Issue 12 / Vol. 45 / THE NAVIGATOR ARTS IN THE STUDIO WITH Rio Trenaman
for a client. There is a lot of rules angst into your work? There is more extreme art that does and things you have to know. So RT: Angst is just one way to put it. that. I’m just trying to bring some- I decided to spend money on edu- It’s not like I’m sitting in a sphere thing different and see how far I cation where I can still be creative of angst all the time. It’s just how can go beyond what people expect. and—ideally—make money, and I express the uncertainty of life. N: There is obviously a lot of do my fine arts aside. Life is dirty and messy, the world thought behind what you do in- N: What inspires the artist in you? is fucking chaos, and when I try to stead of trying to create visually RT: I draw a lot of inspiration from represent it visually, I don’t paint appealing stuff or pretty pictures… music. Often, I listen to a song pastoral scenes. That’s why I’m at- RT: I like what Nietzsche said: and want to translate the feeling tracted to the horror imagery. I like “Of all that is written, I love only into artwork. In terms of artists, I the gore in movies, weird slime what a person hath written with his wish I knew more. I appreciate the textures… I’m experimenting with blood. Write with blood, and thou expertise in the paintings of Jan recreating art of Bruce Spalding wilt find that blood is spirit.” I feel Van Eyck, his intense and detailed Fuller. He was a comic artist for that’s what I do in my work. I’m perfection, but I’m most drawn to Horror Street Gore, which was a trying to write with my own blood darker art, like Goya or Gericault. 1980s underground comic. He was and express how I feel about the I like minimal and contemporary really good at drawing guts and world. I think that a lot of people stuff like Raymond Pettibon. He’s stuff like that. can empathize with feelings of anx- cynical, post modern, and emo- N: In some works, you seem to re- iety and absurdity, or the desire to tional. And I’m definitely inspired spond to advertising and the com- be confrontational and weird and by horror movies as well. mercial aspect of our culture. do the unexpected, which sounds N: What is the most traumatizing RT: Advertising is an extension of kind of pretentious, but I don’t horror movie you can think of? our current paradigm which essen- mean it that way. I want art to be Photo by Denisa Kraus Art by Rio Trenaman RT: I would say the opposite—I en- tially commodifies everything and able to communicate something to joy watching ridiculous horror mov- is based completely on material- everybody, not just people who are RT: On Mudge, the island off Gab- ies, or the classics, like Thing and its ism and giving you the ability to interested in art. That’s the aspect Denisa Kraus riola where I lived, there were only awesome technical effects—movies buy anything if you have enough of the overtly confrontational im- The Navigator gravel roads, so I couldn’t. I got that are not so much about the psy- money. And everything is so cyni- ages: they’re engaging to everybody a pair of roller blades for some chological terror, but rather the over- cal, too. Everybody’s trying to sell with or without the understanding Do not ask Rio Trennaman to paint reason and tried to use those, so the-top effects, guts, and gore. you something. of art. a pretty picture. The artist and roller blades on gravel roads was N: Your work doesn’t seem to come N: Come on, man, you’re in N: Do you think powerful art can graphic design student at VIU met as close as I got to skating until from random thoughts and ideas, graphic design, exchanging art for be made without being confronta- with The Navigator over a big cup grade 10 two years after when we but rather respond to something... money. tional or conveying anxiety? of bad coffee and spoke about his moved to Nanaimo.” RT: I feel a lot of my art comes RT: Absolutely. The primary rea- RT: Absolutely. Look at gothic ar- visceral art, down-to-earth career N: Why did you choose to study from my angsty, frustrated mental- son why I’m in it is money. But chitecture, the Sainte-Chapelle ca- reasoning, and childhood spent in- graphic design and not fine arts? ity, and I’m trying to be confron- it’s also a cool, challenging field thedral. It is a massive, super elabo- line skating on gravel roads. RT: I actually did a year in fine tational with the stuff I do. It is that presents problems that require rate masterpiece. When you stand Navigator: When did you realize arts, but if I’m going to spend a lot not so much angst about everyday creative solutions, and in terms of in there, it’s profound and power- you wanted to be an artist? of money to get a degree, I want things, like having my coffee in a career, it’s something I want to do. ful—the isolation of human effort Rio Trenaman: My mom encour- something that will be commer- soup cup [sips from the soup cup], It’s different than art, but I think and aspiration, like a testament of aged me to do art from a very early cially viable. Putting money on fine but a greater angst of things we are it’s equally valuable. Yes, it is used the transcendence of God. That’s age. Not like “oh, you should do arts is a risky bet. Plus, graphic de- all subject to. One of our sole pur- for commercial purposes, but it heavy… art!,” but she’d always buy me sup- sign is a lot harder to learn on your poses of being is to find a purpose would be cool to have a chance to N: …but then again, it can make plies and stuff. I’ve been doing art own than when you have experts or meaning, and the universe does use it non-commercially, like social you feel a little anxious, because for quite a while now, but I didn’t to teach and train you. Fine art is not have an answer ever. It’s a cause or political commentary. you are just a small figure inside start taking it seriously until grade more free and there are fewer rules. of this great existential angst. I’m N: What is the desired reaction you this huge cathedral. Isn’t that con- 11 or 12. In graphic design, there’s a purpose trying to express that sort of emo- want from people who see your art? frontational? N: I know you’re a skater. Did you to it, you’re trying to communi- tion in my work. RT: I enjoy pushing boundaries, RT: I guess so. But if we’re thinking do any sports as a kid? cate something, you’re working N: How do you transcribe this but this isn’t pushing boundaries. about art up until the most recent movement, post-modernism, every movement has been confrontation- al to its predecessor. Impressionism started; that was so controversial. When people started painting re- ligious iconography, that was con- frontational. Then you have Dada or Futurism that are still contro- versial. Futurists were like “fuck the past, we’re embracing the future 100 per cent, let’s make it all about speed and progress.” Everything is controversial in some respect at a certain time only because it’s new. Sainte Chapelle is far from low brow- inspired horror pop art, but they both still have similar qualities in this sense. Jan Van Eyck’s work is not overtly confrontational, but still is very powerful. His paintings weren’t necessarily controversial in his day; they were just really good and powerful because of the style and technique. N: Do you want to share any proj- ect you are planning to do in the near future? RT: As an experoment, I am cre- ating a special Facebook page for those who will read this article. If Art by Rio Trenaman they add themselves, I’ll send them a small quick drawing. You can view Trenaman’s work in art and design at
THE NAVIGATOR / Vol. 45 / Issue 12 / Mar. 05 – Mar. 18 15 ARTS
Comic by Mike Bauche
16 Mar. 05 – Mar. 18 / Issue 12 / Vol. 45 / THE NAVIGATOR ARTS Blue is the Warmest Colour: Oscar’s most infamous snub of 2014
Spencer Wilson idea even carries over into their set with the rejection and tells the their heads as they trying to strike a statement, as all of the homo- thoughts on tattoos, with Didier head of the kindergarten later that the Israeli army. Omar is captured phobic characters either behave Contributor not wanting one because of it be- night that Lucas showed her his and tricked into confessing, so now in generally nasty and disgusting ing permanent, and Elise, who has erect penis (a biological function he has to work with the army as an manners like Adèle’s friends or are The Oscars have come and gone, several of her lovers’ names tat- she learns from her older brother informant or else he’ll be killed. formal and uncultured simpletons and now we can all hum and ha tooed on her, but then transforms flashing pornography in her face). Things get more complicated as like Adèle’s parents. The accept- over what did and didn’t win until them into something else so they The film is definitely hard to watch the army figures out about his ing characters seem to lead lives of next year. Regardless of the winners can take on a different life. Out of with the amount of brutality that girlfriend, Nadja (Leem Lubany), artistic fulfillment where the goal or losers, what can be most frustrat- all the nominations, it’s definitely Lucas has to go through. Mik- whom he climbs over the Israeli in life is to be happy and not be ing about the Oscars is the choice one of the better films, especially kelsen’s acting is top notch, and West Bank barrier to see. Soon, working all the time at a job, which of what gets nominated for each with the great performances, but it his portrayal of the emotions that his city spreads rumours that he plays an interesting role in Adèle’s category. This year was no excep- is hampered by a script that feels someone like him would be going is a traitor, and Omar has to make later life when she is stuck working tion, with snubs such as the medi- convoluted near the end along with through was outstanding. Overall, some very rash decisions to clear as a teacher and not dedicating any ocre Philomena getting nominated the dizzying editing technique. it’s a solid film, but it fails to be his name. time to writing like Emma tries to for Best Picture instead of Inside Despite how interesting the anything but a very sad story with This film relies on prior knowl- get her to do. Llewyn, Davis David O. Russell Cambodian filmThe Missing Pic- good acting. edge about the conflict between The story runs parallel to a fa- (American Hustle) getting nomi- ture looks, I’m not sure how it got If you’ve watched any Italian the Israelis and the Palestinians, so mous, unfinished French novel by nated for Best Directing instead of nominated. The film has had a very cinema, you’ve likely seen films just it may be impenetrable to some. Pierre de Marivaux called The Life Spike Jonze (Her), American Hustle minimal release and won’t even be like The Great Beauty by Paolo Sor- Regardless, the film uses the wall of Marianne, which they are seen getting nominated for Best Editing screening at regular theatres until rentino. It’s another film that wants to its advantage as a metaphor for covering in class at the beginning instead of Inside Llewyn Davis, and after the Oscars, so it’s been impos- to be just like Frederico Fellini’s La overcoming oppression and Omar’s of the film. Many other tales and The Lone Ranger getting a Best Vi- sible to view beforehand. The only Dolce Vita by making a statement will to fight. There are also some themes are exchanged in that class, sual Effects nomination instead of explanation is that they must have on the various upper class societies great chase sequences through the including predestination, regret, Pacific Rim. released it in a strategic manner so in Rome, but as one of the charac- narrow alleyways of Omar’s neigh- and tragedy, which all work their However, what remains as the that it meets the odd deadlines for ters insists, “reheated rice is always bourhood, which are not accompa- way into Adèle’s life brilliantly. grossest snub this year is the lack of the Oscars. In the film, director tastier than fresh.” Jep Gambardel- nied by any music (nor is there mu- You won’t be surprised to hear that any nominations for last year’s Palm Rithy Plath uses clay figures and la (Toni Servillo) is a very popular sic in any other parts of the film) so there is a big emphasis on the co- d’Or winner, Blue is the Warmest Co- archived footage to recreate the journalist living in Rome who has as to help immerse you in the panic lour blue throughout the film. Its lour. Despite how much it deserves atrocities committed by Cambo- just turned 65. After the death of of the chase. The film’s weak script meaning changes throughout the nominations in other categories, it dia’s Khmer Rouge between 1975 his first lover and another friend holds it back a bit with an ending film in a very coherent way, but should have at least been nominat- and 1979. It looks absolutely fasci- soon after, the idea of mortality that is a bit cheesy, but it’s certainly it begins as a romantic and entic- ed for Best Foreign Language Film, nating, but as of right now it is not hangs heavily on him as he recon- not a bad film. Abu-Assad makes ing colour (obviously associated to which saw a slew of mediocre and available to the general public. siders his lavish party life and starts great use of barrier imagery, and Emma’s hair) but later in the story good-but-not-great films getting To contrast the mysterious film to see some of the more beautiful the story will keep you on edge as takes on a much sadder tone as the nominated instead. The Missing Picture getting nomi- parts of Rome. Omar tries to set his life straight. colour leaves and returns in various From Belgian director Felix Van nated, we have the 2012 Danish All of Jep’s friends are rich arts This leaves us with our snubbed ways. There’s even some fun and Groeningen, we have the bluegrass film, The Hunt, which was likely enthusiasts who seem to be fairly film, Blue is the Warmest Colour. subtle uses of it, such as Adèle’s fa- romantic drama, The Broken Circle the victim of the Oscars deadlines miserable about their lives and Directed by Abdellatif Kechiche, vourite artist being Pablo Picasso, Breakdown. The story revolves for foreign films last year. Directed Rome. When he’s not with them, it follows the journey of a young who had a period of art called “the around Didier Bontinck (Johan by Thomas Vinterberg and star- he’s interviewing pretentious art- woman, Adèle (Adèle Exarcho- blue period.” Heldenbergh), a banjo player and ring Casino Royale villain Mads ists who do and say things even poulos), as she discovers her own The one thing that’s probably singer who plays in a bluegrass Mikkelsen, The Hunt is an endur- though they can’t explain them sexuality and grows as a woman going to polarise people over this band and is obsessed with Amer- ance test for the empathetic. Lucas (like running headfirst into a wall thanks to the blue-haired woman, film is the very gratuitous sex ica, and Elise Vandevelde (Veerle (Mikkelsen) is a lonely divorcee and shouting “I don’t love you” Emma (Léa Seydoux), whom she scenes. If you didn’t know that the Baetens), a tattoo artist who ends struggling to get custody of his as part of a play) as well as a self- falls deeply in love with. actresses were wearing prosthetic up joining the bluegrass band as son while having to take on a new righteous nun who has committed Adèle is going through her last vaginas, you’d swear that they were a singer after she marries Didier. teaching job at a kindergarten. to a life of poverty. It is no wonder year of high school when we are actually having sex with each other. Elise becomes pregnant accident- One of the kids attending the kin- that Jep tells his friends that “Rome first introduced to her. As it is with It’s the most convincing piece of ly, but and they have a daughter dergarten is Klara (Annika Wed- is distracting,” but this doesn’t just many peer groups, she’s always be- sensual filmmaking I’ve ever seen. named Maybelle (Nell Cattrysse) derkopp), his best friend’s daugh- apply to the people. Sorrentino’s ing pressured by her friends to have By the end of the film, the detail in who ends up having terminal can- ter. Lucas is seen walking Klara to camera work is also very distract- sex with a certain guy even though these scenes starts to feel justified cer later in childhood. The film school many times, since her par- ing. It almost never stands still for she had recently walked by Emma because the audience begins to un- showcases all of these events by ents fight very often, and overall the whole movie and it can sud- on the street and had been fantasis- derstand the passion between the cleverly editing back and forth the kids at the kindergarten really denly be sliding in a different di- ing about her. When she goes on characters and how that plays into between Maybelle having her che- enjoy being around Lucas. rection from shot to shot, which a date with him, she discovers his the scenes later in the film. motherapy to Didier and Elise first Things start to work out better makes you feel like you’re being startling lack of reading capabilities Whether by ludicrously archaic meeting to what Maybelle was like for Lucas as the film progresses. He jerked around. For a film poking and his love for heavy metal which deadline schedules or by an eas- before the treatments, and so on. forms a relationship with one of fun at pretentious artists, The Great she hates. She goes ahead with the ily offendable academy of prunes, The jumping around works coher- the young women working at the Beauty does a great job of not lis- sex anyway, but it is clear that she Blue is the Warmest Colour did not ently for most of the film, but it kindergarten, he has lots of friends tening to its own advice. What you does not enjoy it. It isn’t long be- get nominated and it will forever can get a bit disorienting near the to go hunting and drinking with, basically get is a more pretentious fore she meets Emma in a lesbian be one of the worst snubs commit- end when it’s trying to tie all of the and his son is planning to move in version of La Dolce Vita without bar and begins hanging out with ted by the Oscars. No matter who events together. with him soon. One day, Klara de- the good cinematography. her, which causes her friends to wins Best Foreign Language Film, Their relationship gets more cides to kiss Lucas on the mouth The final nominee is a Palestin- alienate her and accuse her of les- it will be a loss. Blue is the Warmest strained as death approaches their and slip a heart made out of beads ian film by Hany Abu-Assad called bianism in a malicious manner. Colour is a daring, beautiful, and daughter, and Didier’s thoughts and glue into his pocket. When Omar. Omar (Adam Bakri), Am- The way in which different -so masterful piece of cinema and the on the permanence of death begin confronted and told kissing is “for jad (Samer Bisharat), and Tarek cial classes perceive homosexual- best foreign film of 2013 by far. to clash with Elise’s wanting for your mum and dad” and shown (Iyad Hoorani) are Palestinian ity is featured heavily in the film. spiritual ideas to comfort her. This the heart, Klara becomes very up- freedom fighters who get in over Kechiche is clearly out to make
THE NAVIGATOR / Vol. 45 / Issue 12 / Mar. 05 – Mar. 18 17 ARTS Inside the Vault
Photos by Denisa Kraus
Since the reopening in mid-January, the Vault Cafe has become the new staple of the Nanaimo’s downtown scene. Located on the corner of Wallace and Albert street, it is a frequented yet quiet place to spend the day, and a highly popular music and art venue at night.
Table games are the essential part of the With its ability to inspire artistic ideas and host creative sessions, old fashioned coffee shop atmosphere. the café revives the popularity of old school social clubs.
Open Mic Wednesdays bring in both the The antique piano invites for impromptu jams regular crowd and a few new faces every week. or solo performances any time of the day.
18 Mar. 05 – Mar. 18 / Issue 12 / Vol. 45 / THE NAVIGATOR Four thoughts left behind by Olympic hockey
Ben Chessor thought they should have been, compete in the Olympics, there are of the first four rows of seats in an overtime loss, and zero for a The Navigator but that was some of the most also some very real risks that come each stadium (which the league regulation loss. dominating hockey ever played. with letting professionals go over- says it would have eliminated to The time has come for the Canada played great defense, seas to compete. The most obvious expand the ice sheets). But after NHL to adapt so all games use The winter Olympics have come fore-checked hard, kept their one is the risk of injury—any injury watching all the players move the three point system that is and gone, and it was once again a shifts short, and supported the sustained while a player is playing around on bigger ice sheets, it used in the Olympics. Adopting proud time to be Canadian. Can- puck amazingly well. Canada for his country could have a devas- seems apparent that the NHL this system would make it easier ada finished second in the medal may not have run up the score on tating effect on that player’s NHL needs to expand their ice sheets for teams to either separate them- standings with 11 gold medals, any of their opponents, with the team. A number of key players suf- a little bit, even if it isn’t the full selves or make up ground in the three shy of the record break- exception of a 6-0 thrashing of fered injuries playing in the Olym- extra 12 feet; it will certainly give NHL standings. As it is right ing 14 gold medals Canada won Austria, but they were seemingly pics, including Vancouver Canucks players more room to maneuvre now, it’s very hard for teams to in Vancouver. But none-the-less never in any danger defensively. forward Ryan Kesler, who hurt his An expansion of the NHL ice catch up in the standings, because it was a remarkably successful Canada’s 1-0 victory against the hand blocking a shot against Rus- surface is certainly in order; play- whenever a team loses a hock- Olympics for Canada, becoming USA in the semifinals has to go sia. Montreal Canadiens goalten- ers are bigger, faster, and have ey game they normally lose it in the first country to win gold in down as the most one-sided 1-0 der and Team Canada starter Carey longer reaches than ever before. It overtime. If every game was worth both men’s and women’s curling game in hockey history; they were Price suffered a lower body injury might not directly increase scor- three points in the standings there and hockey in the same Olympics. not in trouble defensively in the in the tournament and has yet to ing in the NHL, but it would would be less overtime games. For many Canadians, hock- entire tournament. return to action. New York Island- force teams to be more respon- There would be more teams who ey is the most important event ers forward John Tavares also suf- sible defensively and would give would take chances trying to get at the games, and Canada cer- Enjoy the best hockey while it fered a season-ending injury while teams more room to pass the the extra point instead of teams tainly lived up to expectations lasts. playing for Canada, and I’m sure we puck around, which would be fun playing extremely conservative on the ice. Canadian women Not only do I find it to be a bit would be hearing a lot more about to see in an age where throwing hockey in an attempt to drag the won their fourth straight gold of a letdown watching an NHL the importance of that injury if the the puck to the net with traffic game into overtime and steal a medal in a dramatic fashion. regular season game after watch- Islanders had any chance of making in front has become the standard single point, which is a common Meanwhile, the men defended ing the intense Olympic hockey, the playoffs this season. way to create offense. occurrence in the current NHL. their gold medal from 2010, where every game means some- So take an extra moment to It would be nice to see some while also becoming the first thing to an entire country, but I’m enjoy Canada’s defense of men’s Time to introduce a three point teams take risks to try and win a Canadian men’s hockey team left with the feeling that Sochi hockey gold medal. It might be system. hockey game, unlike now, when to win a medal since the NHL may have been the last time that the last time you see Sidney Cros- The way points are awarded in it’s almost guaranteed that if two began to allow its players in the the NHL stops its season and by play in the Olympic Games. the NHL has been the same since teams are tied in the third period, Olympics in 1998. Canada had releases its players to take part in the introduction of sudden death they’re both just going to play it gone without a medal in the the Olympic Games. Bigger ice is better ice. overtime in the regular season. A safe until overtime. Instead, teams other two games held on Euro- Fans love watching the best While scoring in the Olympics team gets two points for a vic- have a reason to take chances and pean soil. Now with the Olym- players in the world compete may not have been any higher tory, whether it’s in regulation be aggressive. pics in the rear view mirror, and against each other, and players than it is in the NHL, it is still or overtime. A team that loses in the NHL season back in full love playing for their country, apparent that the NHL needs overtime or a shootout is given With so many things to enjoy swing, I want to talk about the but that might not be enough to to expand the width of its rinks. one point, and a team that loses about Olympic hockey, I hope four things that Olympic hock- ensure continued NHL partici- NHL rinks are 200x85 feet wide, in regulation time is awarded no this isn’t the last time the game’s ey left me thinking about. pation in the Olympics. No mat- while international ice sheets are points. This means that if a game best players will grace the biggest ter how much the players want 200x97 feet. This leads to more goes into overtime, a total of three international stage. The NHL We’re the best at our own game. to take part in the Olympics, the room for players to move around points are given away to both allowing its best players to take What stuck with me the most decision ultimately comes down and makes positioning more teams, and in a regulation game, part in the games is a great way to while I watched the Canadian to the NHL’s board of gover- important in the defensive zone. only two points are given away. showcase the talent in the game men dominate Sweden at five nors, who are significantly less Changing the size of NHL Meanwhile, in Olympic today. Hopefully the NHL can in the morning was how well enthused about players partici- rinks has been talked about for hockey rules, every game is worth allow a good thing to keep going, the Canadian team was playing. pating in the games. years. The NHL will probably three points. Teams that win in and maybe copy a few things Canada may not have been the Although there are the obvious never do it due to the potential regulation are given three points: we see in the tournament while offensive powerhouse everyone positives of letting NHL players loss in revenue from elimination two for a win in overtime, one for they’re at it. Mariners men comeback falls short
Ben Chessor the Mariners were only one set final set. Douglas took the early of the Rockies Avalanche, but Mariners. Dillion Collett was COTR was given fifth place The Navigator away from elimination. lead in the fifth and held on to named VIU’s player of the match With their backs against win the set 15-10 and capture because they had a better sets in the quarter final loss. After the wall in the third set, the the match 3-2. won/lost record than the Mari- the game, both Collett and Zach The Mariners’ men’s volleyball Mariners came out hard. The The Mariners finished the ners. The Columbia Bible Col- Grigg were named PacWest sec- team left everything they had Mariners took the lead early, PacWest regular season in sixth lege Bearcats finished as the ond team all stars. The provin- on the court in the quarter finals and despite a late charge by the place with a record of 10-14, top team in the PacWest with a cial championship was won by of the PacWest Provincials on Royals, the Mariners won the giving the Mariners 20 points. record of 16-8. Douglas College; the Mariners Thursday, February 20 against the third set 25-21 and sent the VIU finished with the same The loss marks a heartbreak- provided them with their closest Douglas College Royals. game to a fourth set. amount of points as College ing end to the season for the game in the tournament. The Mariners lost their last Douglas came out strong MP MW ML PTS six games coming into their quar- during fourth quarter and took MEN ter final match against Douglas. the early lead over the Mariners. 16CBC Bearcats 24 16 8 32 The first set went back and forth, Douglas held the lead until late Camosun Chargers 9 with both teams battling hard to in the fourth set, making it 21-18. 24 15 30 take the early lead, but the Mari- But the Mariners refused to quit, Douglas College Royals 24 13 11 26 ners eventually fell short, losing taking the late lead over Douglas the first set 25-23. and forcing a fifth and deciding Capilano Blues 24 12 12 24 Douglas made much quick- set with a 26-24 win. COTR Avalanche 24 10 14 20 er work of the Mariners in the Despite the valiant effort to second set, picking up a con- force a fifth set, the Mariners’ VIU Mariners 24 10 14 20 vincing 25-13 victory, meaning comeback fell just short in the
THE NAVIGATOR / Vol. 45 / Issue 12 / Mar. 05 – Mar. 18 19 SPORTS Mariners women Mariners women’s basketball provincial champions capture bronze
Ben Chessor Mariners would come away with Ben Chessor taking a 39-36 lead in the third completed the comeback, scoring The Navigator the 27-25 win. In the second set The Navigator quarter. With the game tied 41-41 five points in the game’s final two the Mariners managed to open with six minutes to play, the Mari- minutes to force overtime with up a little breathing room, win- ners finally sealed the victory, out- the game tied 43-43. The score The Mariners women’s volleyball ning the second set 25-17. In the The Mariners women’s bas- scoring the chargers 10-2 in the was still tied in the final minute of team continued their hot play at third set VIU made sure there ketball team brought a medal game’s final six minutes. overtime, when Douglas was able the PacWest provincial champi- wouldn’t be any miracle come- back from the PacWest provin- A day earlier in the semi- to make some crucial free throws onship held February 20-22 at back, as the Mariners clinched cials. Unfortunately for the Mari- finals, the Mariners found them- to earn the victory. the Capilano University Sport- the provincial title with a 25-16 ners, it wasn’t the colour they were selves on the losing side of a mas- The loss to Douglas College plex. The Mariners picked up the set win and the 3-0 victory. hoping far. The Mariners knocked sive upset, as VIU was knocked was the second loss in a row for victory over the host Capilano The provincial win continues off the Camosun Chargers 51-43 off by the host Douglas College the Mariners, who dropped their Blues in the finals and will play at what has been a dominant season in the PacWest bronze medal Royals 50-47 in overtime. The final regular season game 70-61 the Canadian Collegate Athletic for the Mariners. The team picked game Saturday, March 1. Mariners had an 11-1 lead early on the road against Camosun. The Association National champion- up a record of 22-2 during the The Mariners battled back in the game, but Douglas refused Mariners finished the PacWest ship in Toronto March 5-8. regular season, which gave them from an early defecate to defeat quit, fighting their way back into regular season with a record of As the first place team in the first place in the PacWest stand- their rivals from Victoria. Camo- the game and not letting the 20-1, which gave them top spot in PacWest the Mariners received a ings. The Mariners have gotten sun held a 17-7 lead after the first Mariners pull away. Then with the the standings, eight points ahead bye in the quarterfinals and took better and better as the season quarter and still led 27-20 at half Mariners leading by five points of the second place Chargers. on their island rivals the Camo- has progressed, having only lost a time. The Mariners completed and only 1:51 to play Douglas sun Chargers in the semifinals. total of four sets since the teams their comeback in the second half, The Mariners got off to a strong only two losses November 8-9 start and took the early lead on against the University of the Fra- WOMEN PL W L PTS the Chargers, and winning the sier Valley. first set 25-14. The Mariners con- The Mariners will be the VIU Mariners 21 20 1 40 tinued their strong play in the second ranked team at the second set and opened up a 2-0 CCAA Nationals in Toronto, lead on the Chargers with a 25-17 which will be held from March Camosun Chargers 21 16 5 32 victory in the second set. The 5-8, the Capilano Blues, who Chargers kept the third set close, lost in the provincial finals, also Quest Kermodes 21 16 5 32 but couldn’t stop the Mariners gets a spot in the nationals. A from picking up the sweep. VIU total of eight teams qualified for Capilano Blues 21 10 11 20 punched their ticket to champi- the CCAA national champion- onship game with a 25-21 win in ship. The Garneau Elans, who the third set, and the 3-0 victory. are making their seventh con- The Mariners continuedsecutive trip to nationals, come their domination of the PacWest in to the tournament as the top in the final against the host Cap- seeded team. For more infor- ilano Blues. The first set was a mation on the CCAA national back and forth nail-biter, but the tournament visit
WOMEN MP MW ML PTS
VIU Mariners 24 22 2 44
UFV Cascades 24 20 4 40
Capilano Blues 24 15 9 30
Nanaimo Clippers set to begin playoff run
Ben Chessor But it would be easy to blame this Powell River dominated the sixth in the league after being in Capitals net minder Robin Gusse recent slump on a lack of motiva- head to head match up against the bottom third of the league and third in the league in minutes The Navigator tion, with Nanaimo having a firm the Clippers this season, win- for the first half of the season. played. Argue is 20-years-old and hold on third place for the last two ning six of the eight games If the Clippers are going to is in his final season of Jr hockey. months of the season. between the two teams. The have a serious shot at upsetting The series between Nanaimo For the last month of the British The Clippers finished their Kings outscored the Clippers Powell River they’re going to and Powell River gets under- Columbia Hockey League season regular season with a record of 30-23 over those eight games. need a big series from goaltender way Tuesday, March 4 in Powell the Nanaimo Clippers knew they 27-28-1-2, one game below .500 The Kings finished the regular Jayson Argue. Argue, who’s nomi- River, followed by game two the were going to finish in third in the and 21 points behind Powell Riv- season with a record of 36-16- nated for the league goaltender of next night. Games three and four five team island division, and now er. Alberni Valley finished just six 2-4. Powell River sits in the the year award, finished the sea- are scheduled for Friday, March they finally know who they play. points behind Nanaimo in fourth top five in the league in both son with a record of 24-19-1. He 7 and Saturday, March 8 in The Powell River Kings lost 3-0 place, capturing the islands final goals for and against. The Clip- also led the league with a .928 Nanaimo, puck drops at 7pm. For to Port Alberni on the last night playoff spot with the last day win pers do hold a slight advantage save percentage. He also faced more information on the series of the regular season; the loss against Powell River. The Clip- in the special teams depart- 1523 shots last season, second schedule and tickets visit
Island Division GP W L T OL TP
Victoria 58 37 15 3 3 80
Powell River 58 36 16 2 4 78
Nanaimo 58 27 28 1 2 57
Alberni Valley 58 21 28 2 7 51 Nanaimo Clippers prepare for their first round series against Powell River. The Cllippers won 2 of 8 games against the Cowichan Valley 58 22 30 2 4 50 Kings this season. Photo by Ben Chessor
20 Mar. 05 - Mar. 18 / Issue 12 / Vol. 45 / THE NAVIGATOR SPORTS
Campbell River Storm celebrate a powerplay goal in game of reach, as league MVP Brendan lead in the first period. The Bucca- win for the Buccaneers. 5. The Storm scored 12 powerplay goals in the series. DeVries scored his second of the neers were the better team in the The series moved back to Photo by Ben Chessor game to put the Storm up 3-0. game’s final 50 minutes, but they Campbell River for game six on Campbell River added another could only get one more puck past Friday, February 28. With the powerplay goal late in the game to Storm goaltender Jack Surgenor, Buccaneers once again facing win game two 4-0. Jack Surgenor who made 50 saves on 52 shots in elimination, it was the Storm that recorded the shutout for Campbell the victory. Campbell River picked opened the scoring on a goal by River. Final shots in the game were up the 4-2 win and 3-1 lead in the Jordan Rauser midway through 28-27 in favour of Campbell River. best of seven series. the first. With Nanaimo trying On Friday, February 21, the Facing elimination in game desperately to tie the game in the two teams squared off in game five, the Buccaneers continued second period, Campbell River’s three. Campbell River continued their strong play from game four. potent offense struck again, scor- their strong play from game two Jonathan Speer opened the scor- ing two goals 89 seconds apart at and opened the scoring 1:07 into ing 3:32 into the first period to the midway point of the second the game with a goal by DeVries. give Nanaimo their first lead period to give Campbell River the Nanaimo tied the game before since game one. The game stayed 3-0 lead. Campbell River held on the end of the third period on a 1-0 until Garrett Dunlop fired a to win the game 3-0 and take the goal by Mikko Keski-Pukkila. slapshot past Surgenor just past series 4-2. The game remained tied until late the midway point of the second The Buccaneers will look to in the second period when the period. A powerplay goal by Jake rebound from a disappointing end Campbell River powerplay struck Calverley in the last minute of to this season as the team prepares again. Powerplay goals by Michael the second period gave the Buc- for its third season in the VIJHL. Olson and Gage Colpron just a caneers a 3-0 lead heading into Nanaimo has the potential to be Storm finally couple minutes apart gave Camp- the third period. Two quick pow- a veteran team next season, as 18 bell River a 3-1 lead. The Storm erplay goals by Campbell River players are eligible to return to the sinks the Buccaneers added two more goals in the third late in the third period made the team next season, including lead- period to take game three 5-1. game close, but an empty net- ing scorers Garrett Dunlop and Game four was scheduled for ter by Thor Rosbeck sealed a 4-2 Will McNamara. Ben Chessor rett Brandsma responded with a Sunday, February 23 in Nanaimo, powerplay marker of his own to but the game was postponed due The Navigator NORTH TEAMS GP W L T OL TP put the Buccaneers back out in to a snow storm and was made front 2-1. David Osbourne and up on Wednesday, February 26. The Nanaimo Buccaneers put up Jonathan Speer added goals in Unfortunately for the Buccaneers, a valiant effort, but their season the third period to give Nanai- the make-up game was played in Comox Valley 48 31 14 1 2 65 came to a disappointing end on mo the 4-1 victory in game one. Campbell River instead of Nanai- Friday, February 28. The Bucca- Jackson Jane picked up the win mo. Campbell River got off to neers lost their seven game first for the Buccaneers, making 43 another hot start once the puck round series against the Campbell saves as the final shots favoured dropped. Just like in game three, Campbell River 48 30 14 2 2 64 River Storm four games to two. Campbell River 44-27. the Storm opened the scoring The series got underway The teams were back in action early. This time it was Alex Brewer on Wednesday, February 19 at the next night in Nanaimo for opening the scoring a minute into Strathcona Gardens in Camp- game two. The game stayed score- the game. Campbell River added Nanaimo 48 25 19 2 2 54 bell River, and the Buccaneers less until the last five minutes of two more goals, and Jonathan were off to a strong start. Shane the second period, when two pow- Speer added one for Nanaimo, Dial gave the Buccaneers the erplay goals by the Storm less than making the score 3-1 for Camp- lead late in the first period. two minutes apart gave Campbell bell River all before the game was Oceanside 48 8 37 1 2 19 A powerplay goal by Michael River a 2-0 lead heading into the five minutes old. Brayden Taeke- Olson early in the second tied third. Early in the third period, ma’s first goal of the series at 9:46 the game for the Storm, but Gar- Campbell River put the game out of the first gave the Storm a 4-1 Mariners men fall short in gold medal game
Ben Chessor ice cold in the first quarter going the Falcons and taking a 60-54 The Mariners punched player of the game for the Mari- 3-20 from the floor. But they lead heading into the fourth and their ticket to the championship ners, registering 21 points, seven The Navigator found their game in the second final quarter. Early in the fourth game by beating Quest Univer- rebounds and five assists. quarter, cutting the Langara lead quarter, the Falcons got hot from sity in the semifinal. The game The Mariners finished the The PacWest championship game to 37-36 with two minutes left in the field, draining 22 points in was close early, with the Mari- regular season with a record of between the VIU Mariners and the half. The Mariners took the the first two and a half minutes ners holding a 21-18 lead after 16-5, good for a tie for second the Langara Falcons was a clas- lead 40-38 with ten seconds left of the fourth to battle back and the first quarter. The two teams with Quest University, but the sic—both teams played great in the half. Then, with three sec- tie the game 67-67. The Falcons tied the second quarter, and the Mariners were awarded second basketball until the final buzzer. onds left in the half, Liam Horne didn’t stop there as they continued Mariners led 44-41 at halftime. place for winning two of their Unfortunately for the Mariners, took an inbound pass and drilled a their torrid shooting, taking an In the third quarter, the Mari- three games against Quest this they couldn’t hold onto a fourth buzzer beater to put the Mariners eight point lead with four minutes ners started to pull away, outscor- season. Meanwhile, Langara won quarter lead against the top up 43-38 heading into halftime. left to play, 79-71. The Mariners ing Quest 26-10 in the quarter to their second straight provincial ranked Falcons and fell 90-84. Langara, led by point guard Brody tried to battle back in the game’s lead 70-51. Quest was unable to championship; the Falcons fin- The Falcons got off to a hot Greig, battled back to tie the game final minutes, but they couldn’t mount a comeback in the fourth ished the season with a combined start early in the game, taking a early in the third quarter, but the get their shots to fall as Langara quarter, and the Mariners walked record of 23-1. The Mariners fin- 26-14 lead after the first quarter. Mariners refused to quit, captur- defeated the Mariners in the Pac- off the court with a 90-74 vic- ished as PacWest silver medalists Meanwhile, the Mariners were ing the momentum back from West championship game 90-84. tory. Brandon Jones was named for the second straight season.
MEN PL W L PTS
Langara Falcons 21 20 1 40
VIU Mariners 21 16 5 32
Quest Kermodes 21 16 5 32
Capilano Blues 21 10 11 20
THE NAVIGATOR / Vol. 45 / Issue 12 / Mar. 05 - Mar. 18 21 &
Student Showcase Gisèle Merlet is a French Canadian VIU student working towards a minor in CREW and a minor in English. In 2005, she graduated with an undergrad degree in Liberal Arts Stud- ies. As a senior student, she enjoys reading, writing, walking, and being part of the social life on VIU’s Nanaimo Campus.
Hyla the Rainette by: Gisèle Merlet Beside a scrambling emerald ivy Adjacent to a pool of fresh rain water A dome of crimson begonias Enhances the chosen croft where Dwells Hyla the Rainette
Sunny afternoons radiate heat Anticipated twilight bestow victuals Starry nights grant protection Springtime supplies tender promises while Reposes Hyla the Rainette
Green softness painted with golden, russet designs Incandescent, yellow, bulging eyes Lambent tongue rifling preys Sticky web toe-pads under white belly Define Hyla the Rainette
Agility, strength, determination convey In unexpected aloud musicality A minuscule being declares unrelenting love To another verdant analogous entity Hyla the Rainette croons Croak . . . Croak . . . Croak . . .
THE NAVIGATOR / Vol. 45 / Issue 12 / Mar. 05 – Mar. 18 22 March
SUN 2 MON 3 TUE 4 WED 5 THURS 6 FRI 7 SAT 8 Writers on Campus: Beer & Burger Bubble Chirp and PixElle, Lena Tamas Dobozy for VIU Graphic Bloom Art opening Birtwistle, Myles Designers – Iron Oxide Art Dunne Cowichan campus, Supplies main bldg, room 230 Old City Station Pub, 5 Victoria Rd. The Vault Café, FREE 150 Skinner St 499 Wallace St. 12–1:30pm $15 6pm FREE 6 – 9pm $10 9pm
SUN 9 MON 10 TUE 11 WED 12 THURS 13 FRI 14 SAT 15 Fringe Flicks: Clear the Coast Andrew Martindale Cultural Awards Life Drawing Food Triumph Crace Mountain Wadjda (UBC): The Celebration Official Book Presents: Vulnerability of Nanaimo campus, bldg The Queens Hotel, Archaeological Logic Launch Fairyesque Avalon Cinemas, 34 Victoria Cr in Aboriginal Rights & The Port Theatre,125 325, room 213 6631 North Island Hwy Titles Front St Vancouver Island The Cambie, 63 $5 9pm $5 6-9pm Confernece Centre, Victoria Cr $12-1, 4, and 7pm Nanaimo campus, bldg FREE 7-9pm 101 Gordon St 356, room 109 $15/$12
FREE, w/ costume FREE 11:30am – 6:30–7:30pm 12:50pm
SUN 16 MON 17 TUE 18 WED 19 THURS 20 FRI 21 SAT 22 Karma Yoga - St. Patrick’s Day North by Island Optimal Celebration with Northwest LIVE Performance Centre Trinitude! The Port Theatre, 125 1111 Dufferin Cres RCL Branch #10, 129 Front St Harewood Rd $7 suggested 8-9pm FREE 11am FREE ($5 Irish Stew), 5-9pm
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