Vancouver Island University • Student Press
Vol 44 • Issue 12 • Mar. 06 – 19
• 05 • • 09 • • 16 • B.C. RESEARCH UNIVERSITIES NOTHING PHONY VIU’S THE RIMERS AND TRADE SCHOOLS FIGHT BEHIND BRONIES OVER FUNDING OF ELDRITCH In 2010, an epic war of good vs. evil was waged. A limited amount of post-secondary fund- You may have missed it. The battle was fought The VIU Theatre department’s spring pro- ing in B.C. has begun to pit the province’s in the land of Equestria, where its denizens, duction promises to ask audiences some large research universities and trade schools ponies, unicorns, and pegasi with names like powerful and thought-provoking questions against one another. “Twilight Sparkle,” “Rainbow Dash,” and about human response to crime and preju- “Pinkie Pie.” dice. ,
THE NAV Vol. 44 Issue 12 •Contents• NEWS SPORTS & FEATURES ARTS ENTERTAINMENT • 03 • Editorials • 09 • • 15 • • 19 • Nothing phony behind bronies Brett Wilderman Canucks alumni coming to Nanaimo • 10 • • 16 • • 05 • Around the Rink Knowledge is power! Frugal VIU’s The Rimers of Eldritch B.C. research universities and fun on a student budget trade schools fight over funding Making poetry cool for youth: • 20 • Photo survey Men advance to v-ball Energy-efficient phones could Youth poet laureate aims to inspire and nationals, women stunned in assist Canada’s aging population Is there anything that you would like to involve Victoria students see in the B.C. budget? semi’s • 17 • • 06 • • 11 • U.S. could surpass Canada as Check it out: hockey superpower Q and A with New Democrat Do we actually want Podcoast advanced education critic more graduates? • 21 • Ivan & Alyosha All the Times We • 07 • Had Outdoor Rec Snowshoe Margaret Atwood comes to TRU • 12 • Adventures to talk about zombies and hope Spirituality on Tap Art bites Protect your noggin from a Reading sacred texts well: • 18 • floggin’ Extraordinary Organics An interview with Ashleigh Elser, PhD student at the University of Virginia’s Thinking inside the box • 08 • Jewish Studies program UBC professor advocates for a • 22 • “better generational deal” • 14 • Odds and Ends Le Temps des Sucres Horoscopes Man charged with sexual assault of VIU student
Roll Call
Gareth Boyce Ashwani Sinha Meagan Dyer Taralyn Cooper Amanda Key Editor-in-Chief Production Manager President Sports Editor Graphic Designer [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
Kaitlyn Till Emily Olesen Lynne Williams Délani Valin Jeremy Unrau Senior Copy Editor Graphic Designer Associate Editor News Editor Bookkeeper [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
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The Navigator welcomes reader contributions Guest Contributors Sara Grover Mathew Snowie All submissions must be original work of the author. Editors reserve the right to refuse submissions, and Jon Schaffer Jennifer Fink to edit for space or clarity. To submit, check our
• 02 • Vol. 44 • Issue 12 • Mar. 06 – Mar. 19 • THE NAVIGATOR THE NAV EDITORIALS
Gareth Boyce Editor-In-Chief Say yes to Alienation the Navigator the dress?
A B.C. provincial election is approaching. If you’ve spent much time in bookstores So, set your alarms for May 14, 2013, and or libraries and any time at all near Young then head to the polls, cast your ballot, Adult fiction during the past few years, you and cross your fingers in hope that the will no doubt have noticed the three recent Honourable Christy Clark doesn’t win. trends in cover art: inanimate objects giv- To be fair, I imagine Clark is crossing en a soft glow, partial faces, and for the point of this editorial, girls in ball gowns. her fingers, too, because, as I see it, she Kaitlyn Till stands no chance. When she took office, Seeing all of these copycat style covers is Associate Editor irritating—they don’t do proper service to Gordon Campbell left her a lovely monster the Navigator the books they’re representing if they look to clean up after: the HST. As soon as it exactly the same as all the other books out was announced it became a disgusting there. In fact, for this purpose I don’t even care whether the content of the book is political nightmare for the Liberal party, and a boondoggle of similar proportions to any good. What bothers me the most about these covers featuring girls in ball gowns the PacifiCat ferries. If the HST didn’t sink the Liberal ship, than perhaps it was the is that these characters don’t seem to be doing…anything. Liberal budget, which was released recently, but I will get to that later. It took me awhile to figure out why these covers are problematic, largely So…why should you vote Liberal? I suppose you would vote Liberal if you were in because it has nothing to do with composition—some of these covers are abso- favour of a multitude of things, such as families, trades…and, well, maybe that’s it. Since lutely beautiful pieces of photography and artwork (and some are terrible). The coming to power, Clark has been pushing for support from families, women, trades, and problem I see is representation. These girl is the fashion that she is wearing: the also natural gas. She toured the province in 2012 holding women-only meetings. She’s dress often takes up far more space than she does, and is the focus of the image. Cov- backed potential expansions in natural gas, which have yet to really pay dividends. She er poses vary: she may have her back to the camera so that her face is hidden, or she succumbed to the wishes of the people of B.C. and will be removing the HST. may have her face cut off at the top of the cover, or her face may be shielded by her A mix of good and bad, right? Maybe. But no matter the mix of good or bad, hair, or her face may be placed in the upper right or left corner with the outfit taking up the central portion of the image. These variations all amount to one thing: the she has managed to alienate an essential component of the electorate: the university girls in these images aren’t shown to be active characters that are going to be doing student and young people in general. anything very easily. With all that fabric, how could they? To be clear here, alienation of the young populace is nothing new for the Liberal When 22-year-old Jennifer Lawrence went to accept her best actress Oscar last Party of B.C. Their reign as ruling party in the legislature has seen constant cuts to week, she tripped over her dress as she walked up the stairs to the stage. I found this the arts, education—both secondary and post-secondary—as well as dealing with rather interesting, given that in her most famous role as Katniss Everdeen in the strikes from several different unions—from teachers, to public workers and nurses. The Hunger Games series, she plays a character who, like the girls on the covers of many effects of these issues are not hard to see as a university student. Since I began my post- trendy YA novels, is dressed up and objectified for an audience. Notably theHunger secondary schooling in Jan. 2007, I have seen course offerings in certain fields cut in half, Games books, which criticize excess and objectification, don’t follow the cover trend axed entirely, or completely shifted. Soon, VIU won’t have a Theatre minor, which, as far of putting the girl in a dress on the cover even though it could be justified in terms as I’m concerned, makes the Theatre department at VIU meaningless. The province’s ad of theme. Of course, at the post-Oscar press conference, a reporter asked Lawrence campaigns, which were designed in such a way as to get the youth interested in finding what happened when she tripped and Lawrence returned the question with a glori- “meaningful” employment, came across as naïve, short-sighted, and, in the case of the ous piece of snark telling the reporter to just look at what she was wearing “I tried to “Hipster is Not a Real Job,” ignorant and offensive. walk up stairs in this dress,” she said, evidently impatient with a line of questioning that focussed more on the fall and the process of getting ready than on her accom- Now, to top all of that alienation off, the Liberal Party of B.C.’s most latest stab plishment. In fact, in videos from that press conference, I couldn’t find a single clip at the youth: the proposed 2013 budget. I say proposed because should Clark and of a reporter asking Lawrence anything about her role in the movie for which she her Liberals fail to win the election, the budget would be scrapped and the winning won the best actress award. party would have to draft a new one. So, what exactly is within this budget? If we take this scenario with Lawrence at the Oscars and translate it to these First off, as part of Clark’s family first plan, there are proposed tax cuts for B.C. book covers that feature heroines in massive dresses just like Lawrence’s, I’m families, especially for those with multiple children. That’s wonderful and I’m sure struck by this further notion that these are characters who likely can’t climb a set of B.C. families will appreciate the break, but what about those without children? stairs without tripping. Myself, for instance, or many of those who attend post-secondary institutions, won’t Why does this matter? see any tax breaks simply because we don’t have children. It seems almost unfair to We’re fed images every day and we’re taught to criticize some more than others. those of us who see the growing population as a problem and choose not to have Magazines regularly come under fire for ads and photo shoots featuring anorexic- children to have to carry the weight of those who have children. thin models, sexism, and racism. We criticize billboards, television shows, and mov- Secondly, Clark is proposing two-year tax hikes of two percent for those who earn ies. Book covers do receive some criticism, but I think not enough. Reading is a more $150 thousand or more. This is actually one of the few pieces of the budget I agree with. intimate experience. Unless the book in question is a top-of-the-charts best-seller, we’re not all looking at the same image and the same story at the same time like we They earn more and can, hopefully, handle paying more. They may see it as unfair, but are with television and movies. And, while this case involves books for teenage girls, for someone who made barely over $10 thousand in 2012, I won’t be complaining. we have to look at how we’re all being represented by this particular media. It should Thirdly, and most importantly for those who attend post-secondary institutions, also be noted that the authors of most books have little to no input on the cover that Clark has proposed sweeping cuts, yet again, to post-secondary education. However, represents their story. they have also proposed higher funding for certain schools that are more focused on An arguement can be made that this is entirely about fantasy—that reading the trades and research. VIU does not fit into either of those categories, and would is an escape and this is what girls want to escape to. However, the proliferation of only see cuts. This would force our school to, once again, look at where they could these covers is so extensive that this moves beyond one version of fictional fantasy make cuts and would put more pressure on other programs that do well to continue for teenage girls (and the many older women who also read these books). These rep- doing well. Not only that, but universities are now fighting with one another to resentations have become the norm, and books with inactive female protagonists get that extra funding for trades and research. I would rather our universities work are expected to, and do, sell. It doesn’t take much brainpower to realize that this is together than fight each other. fallout from the Twilight vision of what it means to be a female protagonist. The Liberal artyP of B.C. and Clark have no idea what the youth want or how to When it’s seen as okay to portray young women as helpless and without agency even connect with them. With that in mind, I feel that she has no chance of winning on the covers of some of the most popular books for teenagers, what does that say about the culture that is producing these images and the values that we place on the next election. I wish her luck, but my vote will be going elsewhere. girls? This is appearance over action, ability, and participation and it’s beauty over personality and character.
THE NAVIGATOR • Mar. 06 – Mar. 19 • Vol. 44 • Issue 12 • 03 •
THE NAV NEWS
Energy-efficient B.C. research universities and phones could trade schools fight over funding
assist Canada’s adversarial stance. He argued he continues, giving a more Laura Rodgers that a trade-school education, optimistic spin on the “people aging population CUP B.C. Bureau Chief while helpful for employment, without jobs, jobs without doesn't help students become people” refrain that’s long been VANCOUVER (CUP)—A versatile and agile leaders. used across the country to limited amount of post- While the overall cut in describe the frustrations faced secondary funding in B.C. has operating grants has shrunk the by students who don’t pick begun to pit the province’s large number of funded spaces available programs that prepare them for research universities and trade at many schools in the province, high-demand areas of the job schools against one another. targeted capital spending has market. As technical and skills-based allowed some schools to expand. As for the NDP’s take on programs at schools were given Emily Carr University of Art all of this, advanced education sizeable sums in recent weeks and Design was given over $100 critic Michelle Mungall said the as part of the B.C. Liberals’ million to expand into a new party, if elected, would focus Jobs Plan funding rollout, a campus in late Jan. on increasing aid going directly group representing research And Thompson Rivers to students across the board, Photo by: Mark Burham universities’ interests across the University—a midsize rather than prioritizing either province fired back. institution that is part of universities or trade schools. smartphones are expending Amara Janssens The esearchR Universities the Research Universities’ Their plan is to introduce a their power and energy. Council of B.C., representing Council, but also houses a good $100 million program of non- The Peak “Themain culprits right now University of B.C., Simon number of trade certification refundable grants for students. are radio, wi-fi, or cellular radio, Fraser University, University programs—was just given “It’s true that universities do BURNABY (CUP)— and cpu and screen,” Fedorova of Victoria, University of $1.39 million specifically for get the bulk of post-secondary Alexandra Fedorova, an says. “We want to understand Northern B.C., Royal Roads heavy equipment used by trades funding, but they also have associate professor in how to manage these components University, and Thompson Computing Science at Simon better so they don’t use as much Rivers University, recently Fraser University, along with energy as they are using now.” re-released a report they’d her team, have been awarded Fedorova further explained originally publicized back in $442 thousand over the next that the algorithms that decide Oct. 2012. The report shows, three years from the Natural when an application can “go based on the government’s own Sciences and Engineering in a low power state” are not data, that job-market demand Research Council of Canada very well tuned. It proves for university graduates in B.C. (NSERC) to help lead the way challenging for her team to will outstrip supply by 2016. in smartphone development. finely tune these algorithms, as But the Liberals are According to Fedorova’s certain applications need to stay still committed to staying proposal, smart phones are on longer than others. the course on their plan to becoming increasingly available to According to Fedorova, the bulk up trade and technical the world, “with over one billion algorithms would need to be programs at key schools, while users projected by 2013.” She has “very dynamic,” and must allow giving post-secondary grants Graphic by: Kim Pringle observed that mobile technology for the “cooperation between across the province an overall and technology students. the bulk of students,” Mungall is becoming very powerful and the system and the application.” $41 million cut by 2014. The This shows the shift in says. “The skilled labour could have larger societal benefits. Another area of development NDP opposes this cut, but the priorities as laid out by B.C. shortage, while being felt in Fedorova’s team has recognized her team will research with party has yet to reveal whether Liberal Minister of Advanced the trades most acutely right that the use of smartphones in the the grant is how to allow for it will prioritize research-based Education John Yap when he now, especially up north, is health care sector could reduce “fall detection algorithms” into universities or skills-based took over the cabinet post actually across the board. costs, as the phones could be used to smartphones. This would help trade certification programs in in Sept. 2012 from Naomi Every single occupation is automate certain tasks that employees Canada’s aging population who its post-secondary platform. Yamamoto. going to feel that shortage.” would otherwise conduct. are most likely to fall. University of Victoria “Taxpayers invest $5 Turpin argues that a “The advantage of this These fall detection president David H. Turpin million each and every single significant uptick in funding device is it can do a lot of things, algorithms would use the says the province needs a day to support the [B.C. post- should be given to schools’ like measure your heart rate, or phone’s accelerometer to variety of education options secondary] system. The four operating budgets, rather than detect if you’re falling, if you’re perceive if the user has or is so young people can choose major research universities— just focussing on affordability unstable, if you’re off balance, falling. The phone could then what path they’ll take to try to UBC, SFU, UVic, UNBC— for needy students. it can help you navigate,” automatically call for emergency obtain employment. receive more than half of the “The quality of our Fedorova says, “and it’s with or medical services to assist. “Trades are valuable, operating grants provided to the programs is going to erode. And you all the time.” However, this would require college diplomas are valuable, 25 institutions,” Yap says. that is a long-term problem Having smartphones with reworking the current systems university degrees are valuable. “We need to make sure for the province of British highly sensitive applications for used in smartphones, to detect What’s important is that there that we’re training people Columbia. Our view is that health care providers could help slight accelerometer variations. be space in the system for every for the jobs that need to be the investments we’re calling navigate patient’s homes and Through the redesigning of qualified student,” Turpin says. filled,” Yap adds. for are truly investments. By automatically take records. the system, a myriad of potential “I’m a firm believer in this being “We want to ensure that we generating talented people for In order for these health care applications could driven by demand.” have a situation where people society, they’re going to be able applications to work in this be developed. And when given a chance are looking for jobs, and jobs to give back through the tax capacity, smartphones need to be “We are not designing the to speak at a recent invitation- are looking for people. To try system,” he says. operational for 24 hours a day, applications, we are more interested only event promoting student and do better at matching the not the nine hours at best they last in redesigning the system to work involvement, UBC president skills training that is happening today. To combat this challenge, well for those applications.” Stephen Toope took a more to what jobs need to be filled,” her team will study where
THE NAVIGATOR • Mar. 6 – Mar. 19 • Vol. 44 • Issue 12 • 05 • THE NAV NEWS
Q and A with Michelle Mungal
being of our society. For the NDP’s plan is, assum- Emily Olesen example, 80 percent of jobs ing that we didn’t have one, the Navigator in the next few years will in 2008 the large banks said require some level of post- that they wanted the corpo- On Feb. 22, New Democrat secondary training. B.C. rate capital gains tax to be advanced education critic will have a massive skilled limited down to zero so that Michelle Mungall toured labour shortage coming on they could create more jobs. VIU’s Nanaimo campus. line, it’s already happening However, since 2008 those Mungall sat down with the in the north, and it’s going companies have cut jobs, so Nav. to candidly discuss the to be visible provincially in they didn’t honour their end opposition’s take on issues the next three years. Clark’s of the social contract, so we’re concerning post secondary own government is project- going to bring that tax back students ahead of the up- ing this with their figures at that 2008 level, which is coming provincial election. and they’ve known this still a very small level, which She also shared her thoughts since 2010 at least. I’m cer- keeps us competitive among on the B.C. Liberals 2013 tain that every single econ- everybody else in North budget and addressed Adri- omist and every single busi- America, and we’re going to an Dix’s proposed $100 ness leader would say this is take that money, which will million in needs-based stu- the biggest crisis B.C. has generate about $150 million dent grants program. to face for its economical on average, so we know that Q: What was your reaction well-being. That’s why we we can anticipate a good 100 to the B.C. Liberals budget need to invest in post-sec- million coming from that for 2013? ondary education—it’s an year to two years. And we’re economic issue. gonna put that into financial A: The statement they needs base grants. made with this budget was Q: Can you tell me more that they have no plans to about the proposed 100 mil- invest in what is one of the lion post-secondary grant most critical components in plan that Adrian Dix and the NDP are proposing? our economy, which to me Photo by: Emily Olesen is really upsetting, and it’s A: In 2004, the liberals cut the wrong direction. the financial needs base grant Q: How so? program, a program which allowed for students who A: Basically, the overall bud- came from the lowest income get, while the liberals call brackets to receive a non- it ‘balanced,’ is totally bo- repayable loan so that they gus. Here we are on Bill and wouldn’t be forced into such Ted’s bogus journey and that exceptional debt. The NDP budget is being propped up recognizes that this was an by increased tuition, which equalizing measure to allow is cutting to the most im- for all prospective students portant part of our econo- to access post-secondary ed- my right now, according to ucation rather than just the economists, which is post- wealthy ones who can afford secondary education, so that to pay up-front. Student debt budget is not what British has become a major issue in Columbians are looking for. the province with an aver- Q: Do you think that the age of $27 thousand in B.C. division of spending could and we currently have the strategically reflect the low highest amount of student youth voter turnout in B.C.? dept west of the Maritimes. A: It’s true that young people This is causing students to do not come out to vote as complete university, college, much as older people and and their trades training pro- it’s true that your voice is grams with such a debt-load communicated through your that they can’t go and do the vote. Christy Clark’s govern- other things we need them ment doesn’t see [youth is- to do in an economy such sues] as a place, [and] that, as buying houses, cars, and especially in an election year, making investments. This is going to keep them in a is why you don’t see people position of power. So why buying homes in their twen- invest in that particular area? ties anymore. Q: Why has the NDP cho- Q: Where will the fund- sen to focus on this par- ing come from for the ticular issue? proposed plan? A: Well, there’s a reason A: As I told John Yap, the why we invest in that par- Minister of Advanced Educa- ticular area that isn’t politi- tion, yesterday in the legisla- cal and it’s about the well- ture when he asked me what
• 06 • Vol. 44 • Issue 12 • Mar. 6 – Mar. 19 • THE NAVIGATOR THE NAV NEWS
Margaret Atwood comes to TRU to talk about zombies and hope
KAMLOOPS (CUP)—Zombies bies in a talk she titled, “An the future fit the tone of her in particular Grendl, Fran- Brendan Kergin are reflective of the concerns of Evolution of Zombies: Their talk, often humourous with kenstein’s monster, and vam- The Omega (TRU) today’s mass society, so says 2013 Past and Future.” dark overtones. However, pires (though not the sparkly Part of the more seri- she often drifted into the bi- Twilight variety). Common Voices lecturer Marga- ous premise she touched zarre as well to keep things Despite the darker ret Atwood. The 73-year-old Ca- on early was the fact that lively, such as babies’ onesie tones of the talk at times, nadian author was brought in by the future has become pajamas, tin coffins, and po- she finished with a posi- Thompson Rivers University Stu- more concerning. tatomancy. In fact she spent tive, hopeful message. dents Union (TRUSU) to speak to “The future was once, some time on vegetable divi- “Is there hope? There’s the students of TRU and commu- maybe in the 1930s, very nation and the apocalypse. always hope, it’s built in. It’s nity of Kamloops on Feb. 15. beckoning and bright and “Select a new potato. also catching. Where there “I am a mere scribbler, filled with the promise of all Move your knife around is hope, there will be more that means I’m a general- things streamlined,” she says. until the point of insertion hope, because with hope, ist. I’m an omnivore. Sort of “But we’re finding it a little feels right,” she says. “Cut people make an effort, which like a bear. Read anything, ominous these days, what the potato in two. Gaze into is what, in the future, we will eat anything, not averse to with hurricanes and climate the potato slice until you see all have to make,” Atwood garbage,” Atwood says. “I change and biosphere deple- a pattern. Dip in dye if this says. “So maybe that is the thought that what you would tion and those folks that think helps. Interpret the pattern true meaning of zombies; really like to hear about to- it would be a good idea to get according to inspiration.” they are ourselves but with- night, was zombies.” your brain changed into data Tangents like this often out the hope. And with that Atwood and put on a server and shot elicited laughs from the full “I wish you hope.” spent more than an hour into outer space where you house. The talk continued meandering through a series will dwell forever in civilized this way until she finally fin- of thought processes, often realm, minus your body.” ished off with a comparison Photo by Julia Marks connecting them to zom- Atwood’s description of of zombies to past monsters, Extraordinary Organics
Extraordinary Organics currently orders its ingredients from Sysco Food Services, but Huang is determined to switch focus to local produce. “Right now organic is our top priority,” says Huang, “but we’re still trying to outsource and talk to local farmers. The people who support us are locals, so I feel that we should be supporting locals too—it’s a give and take relationship.” The building on kinnerS St. has gone through several owners Photo by: Drew McLachlan in the past decade, and formerly housed Manzavino’s Pizzeria, upon seeing it while on a tour of Soulvaki Place, Drift, and most Drew McLachlan Nanaimo, after noticing the city’s Contributor recently The Cliff. The rest of lack of organic eateries. While downtown Nanaimo is not exempt other establishments in Nanaimo from closures either, Driftwood “Organic dining is huge now,” serve organic dishes, like the Bistro, formerly located on says Victor Huang, 29. “In Thirsty Camel Café, Rawmbas, Victoria Crescent, closed its doors California, organic restaurants and Power House, Huang says in Feb., and Modern Café, located are everywhere, Vancouver Extraordinary Organics is the first on Commercial St., briefly shut is catching up now, but in “dinner-focussed” restaurant in down last summer. Nanaimo it’s just starting.” the city. All ingredients used in the “In my few months Huang is the general manager kitchen, with the exception of salad here, I’ve found that of Extraordinary Organics, an roll wraps, are Canada Organic. the [dining] industry in Asian-fusion restaurant with a “We first got into organic Nanaimo is really tough,” priority for organic ingredients. food through my stepfather,” says says Huang. “Restaurants Huang’s mother serves as the Huang, “who was a big proponent seem to come and go all the executive chef and owner of the of it before it was a ‘hip thing’… time. I’m really hoping we restaurant. She previously owned My mother wants to share the can beat the stigma.” several similar restaurants in concept with other people, so she Vancouver before retiring, bought came out of retirement to open the building on 77 Skinner St. Extraordinary Organics.”
THE NAVIGATOR • Mar. 6 – Mar. 19 • Vol. 44 • Issue 12 • 07 • THE NAV NEWS
UBC professor advocates for a “better generational deal”
of the government prioritiz- tions. ernments to narrow the gen- for young people in the coun- ing public spending to suit the “I meet too many young erational spending gap slightly try,” Kershaw says. “The prov- needs of retirees over that of people who think somehow by increasing expenditures on ince has become unaffordable, their grandchildren. we’re failing because we haven’t younger generations by $1000 because B.C. young people “Our budgets pit the health patched together the financial per young person. However, he suffer the largest reduction in of our grandparents and retiring foundation we’d hoped to, notes that the recent B.C. bud- household incomes of any prov- parents against the well-being of nor the financial foundation get did the exact opposite by ince since the mid-1970s, along their kids and grandchildren,” many see our parents estab- adding about $1000 per retiree. with the greatest increase in Kershaw says. lished by about the same age a “By widening the genera- housing prices.” “The enerationG Squeeze generation ago—often having tional spending gap, the budget For more information visit campaign is replacing anxiety already bought a home,” Ker- fails to address how B.C. is now
Man charged with sexual assault of VIU student
University campus. “She went looking into whether the incident Emily Olesen to the exam initially but realized may be related to a series of the Navigator that she couldn’t focus,” O’Brien sexual assaults that were reported says. She reported the assault in the last few years with no A 38-year old man has been to campus security, who then arrests made. “We are certainly charged in connection with the contacted the RCMP. looking at that but it’s too early sexual assault of a woman near the Based on the description in the investigation to make VIU campus in Nanaimo. provided by the victim, the any determination whether this Const. Gary O’Brien, RCMP were able to locate and incident is related to those or not.” Nanaimo RCMP spokesman, arrest the suspect within an hour Egan adds that the student says that the incident occurred near Jingle Pot Road. was offered counselling on Feb. 21 at around 11 a.m. as “If it was not for the quick Services from both VIU and a 23-year-old female student was thinking of the student and her from Victim Services. walking along a foot path near detailed statement, an arrest The sexual assault occurred the Rotary Bowl running track. may not have occurred,” Mark one week after VIU students held He adds that the student was Egan, VIU health and safety a rally on campus to try and put on her way to write a mid term services co-ordinator says. “It is an end to violence against women. exam when the assault occurred. extremely important to report As she walked along the incidents immediately.” path she noticed a man leaning Daniel Raymond Sasseville over a bicycle. “He struck up was charged with one count of a short conversation with her sexual assault on Feb. 22 and was and proceeded to walk with her remanded into custody. O’Brien towards [VIU]. At one point, adds that Sasseville, who is well he reached over and grabbed her known to police, will remain in buttocks and tried to grab at her custody until a further evaluation breast area,” O’Brien says. can be preformed. The victim fled wardsto the O’Brien adds that RCMP is
• 08 • Vol. 44 • Issue 12 • Mar. 6 – Mar. 19 • THE NAVIGATOR THE NAV FEATURES
Drew McLachlan Contributor
In 2010, an epic war of good vs. Nothing phony behind bronies evil was waged. You may have missed it. The battle was fought in the land of Equestria, where its denizens, ponies, unicorns, and pegasi with names like “Twilight Sparkle,” “Rainbow Dash,” and “Pinkie Pie” man- aged to stop the evil allicorn Nightmare Moon from cast- ing their homeland into ever- lasting night. Their weapon: friendship. Though the loom- ing threat of eternal darkness has come and gone and been forgotten, the young unicorn and war hero Twilight Sparkle remains on special assignment from Equestria’s reigning mon- arch, Princess Celestia. Twilight Sparkle has been ordered to remain in the nation’s capital, Ponyville, to continue studying Photo by: web the magic of friendship. Yeah, it’s a television show quickly and it suddenly hit me In its mere three years of vese says, “guys just aren’t “I think that the show, and for little girls. But despite what ‘Oh my God, I like ponies!’” existence, the brony commu- supposed to like cute things. bronies, are helping to break you may have already assumed, Bush found herself drawn nity developed into a sort of Some people definitely frown gender stereotyping,” Geno- My Little Pony: Friendship to the show’s relatable charac- “mini-industry.” While the offi- upon it, and have the miscon- vese says. “I know I’m not part is Magic has transcended its ters and surprisingly mature cial Hasbro line of toys remains ception that you’re gay just for of the demographic for a show demographic and cultivated humour and, as an artist, the popular, a plethora of fan-made watching a girls’ show.” about ponies, but good quali- a fanbase of grown-ups, both quality of the animation reso- content—everything from cos- “It’s easier for me to explain ty doesn’t have a demographic. male and female, with a die nated with her. It was clear to tumes to cookie cutters—has to people [that I’m a brony] I don’t see myself as a fan of hard passion for the cartoon her that this wasn’t the “half- popped up online. Brony musi- since I’m a girl,” Bush adds. a girls’ show, I see myself as a ponies and their whimsical hour toy commercial” she had cians are not only numerous, “The only question people have fan of a good show.” misadventures. These particu- watched as a child. Bush’s con- but some have even been able to is ‘how old are you?’ For guys All television shows, no lar fans, called “bronies” (an fused appeal for the show soon sell their work online. Fan-made it’s a bigger deal, it’s like they matter how good, must come amalgamation of “bro” and turned into an unfiltered pas- “plushies” are also popular, and have to ‘come out’ as a brony. I to an end. But will bronies trot “pony”), don’t just watch the sion, and naturally she wanted Bush says that they can sell for know one guy who was kicked on after the finale, like trekkies show, they bleed it. There are to share this with others. She up to $600. “If you make art out of his parent’s house because have, and continue to add to dozens of online forums dedi- wanted to find her herd. just for bronies, those bronies he came out as a brony. A lot of the community? Or will they cated to bronies in addition Bush did some research and will bid the shit out of it,” she people just don’t understand it, move on to other interests? to several annual conventions connected with BronyCAN, an explains. Bush herself has done they link it to pedophilia which “When it ends, I won’t really across North America, two online community of Canadi- several illustration commissions isn’t true. [Bronies] are normal be heartbroken,” Bush admits, news websites, and countless an bronies. “I got in touch with for other bronies, though she people who just share a com- “I will always love those ponies.” works of fan fiction, artwork, [BronyCAN] and told them that isn’t looking to make a fortune. mon interest.” and music based on the show. I wanted to do stuff,” Bush says Tony Genovese, a Creative Tens of thousands of adults “so they were like ‘here’s some Writing student at VIU and fel- around the globe have been stuff to do!’ I did some artwork low member of the V.I. Brony drawn into the land of Eques- and organizational work and Club, has been working on his tria—into bronyism. when they announced that they fan fiction novel for over a year. “It’s not really an -ism,” were planning a convention, I got Genovese posts each chapter Kristie Bush, 19, tells me. “I bumped up to a head member.” online, and has currently added like to use the term ‘herd.’” Bush is currently working over 150 thousand words to his Bush is a Visual Arts stu- as Head of Guest Relations tale (by way of comparison, The dent at VIU. She says she was for BronyCAN’s upcoming Fellowship of the Ring has just first turned onto the show by convention, which will take over 170 thousand words). her boyfriend, Jacob, who was place in Vancouver, B.C. on “My Little Pony has hosting a few friends at his an undisclosed date in sum- attracted a lot of artists,” house to watch the show. mer 2013. The convention is Genovese explains, “the sim- “I thought it was a little entirely crowd-funded, having ple characters lend them- weird at first,” Bush recalls. raised $12,440 in donations, selves to fan fiction, and the “I was like ‘why are you guys more than double the initial art style is easy to emulate.” watching this?’ But he con- goal of $5000. Pony fandom isn’t all sun- vinced me to watch a couple During this time Bush also shine and rainbows. Bronies episodes. I watched the first one took the reins of the Vancou- have become a punchline for and didn’t really click, after the ver Island Brony Club. The some people (Howard Stern did second I was like ‘okay, I still club holds meetings in Nanai- a bit on them in 2012) due to don’t get it,’ by the third episode mo regularly, where they dis- their odd hobby. I started enjoying it more. I fin- cuss the latest episode or edit “It has a lot to do with ished [the] first season pretty each other’s fan fiction. gender stereotyping,” Geno- Photo by: web
THE NAVIGATOR • Mar. 06 – Mar. 19 • Vol. 44 • Issue 12 • 09 • THE NAV FEATURES
Knowledge is power! Frugal fun on a student budget
costly activities earlier in the ville Lanes), but allows you to ter, it’s probably not surprising manage to get your work done Ginny Rayner week, allowing you to snag spend more time socializing to find yourself exhausted after over the weekend, have fun, and Contributor great deals and become a more with friends (strengthening that hiking between your physical have new things to look forward efficient student. all-important social solidarity education and resource man- to during the week. Just when everyone seems to Here’s where a bit of that can get you through tough agement classes. This is where Overall, doing a bit of have gotten over the madness thoughtful planning comes in times. Ah, Sociology). planning to meet up with research on what’s avail- of Christmas and the piggy- handy. Most people don’t realize Secondly, planning your friends for a swim at the pool able in the community on bank busting disaster that is that you can have fun without movie nights in advance can ($3 swim an hour before clos- a weekly and by-event basis Valentine’s Day, spring rolls breaking the bank, and you can save you big bucks in your ing at the Nanaimo Aquatic can save you from the danger around the corner. With it, a do it so that your homework entertainment budget. TheCentre), or attending a hot of boredom and save your host of new problems come to doesn’t get overlooked. The idea Galaxy Cinema off Rutherford yoga karma class (by dona- wallet. Planning ahead not mind: “will I fit into my swim- of spending Monday nights Road offers cheap Tuesday night tion) later on in the evenings only forces you to keep bet- suit from last year?” “How out clubbing is usually the fur- movies for about $8, and if can reap you big benefits, both ter tabs on your assignments, long can I put off working on thest thing from most people’s you’re smart and snag a SCENE physically and mentally. but it also gives you a killer my year-end essays?” Or, “Can thoughts, but it is exactly this card, you get even more of a dis- Sometimes, however, the advantage when it comes to I stand living off ramen noo- unusual way of conceptualizing count and can rack up points to best things are free: knowing proposing great date ideas dles for a month?” your free time that can reap you see free movies. At the Avalon where the best hikes can be or parties. Check out Things Theproblem is, many peo- the most benefits. theatre they have a combo deal found means you’ve got a great Nanaimo
Jennifer Fink Contributor
“I would like to see more invest- “I’d like to see more promotion “I’m only 18 and I don’t fol- “I would like to see more of a ment in our youth, both in of domestic ship-building. Right low politics. I don’t really know tuition subsidy for low-income school and out of it.” now we outsource a lot of work. much about economic issues.” students and an increased tax It’d be nice to see the work stay in break for low-income families and B.C.” individuals. I think it’s a great idea Lelaina Jules Brandon Jong that the Liberal government will Ian Greenough be giving funds for families with small children, but $55 a month is not enough. We all know it costs a fortune to raise kids, and yes every little bit helps, but in reality $55 just won’t cut it.”
Emily Sager
• 10 • Vol. 44 • Issue 12 • Mar. 06 – Mar. 19 • THE NAVIGATOR THE NAV FEATURES
Do we actually want more graduates?
preparing people for jobs of the young people.” that money on learning. skills and knowledge. Mike Davies past,” according to Thomas Frey, Then there are the lofty The question emains,r how- Lauren Friese, owner of Tal- The Omega (TRU) who spoke to the filmmakers, expectations of the current crop ever, if there aren’t decent jobs in ent Egg, one of the ever-increas- analyzes trends, and authored of graduates themselves. your chosen field available when ing job-placement businesses in KAMLOOPS (CUP)—Over the book, Communicating with Many graduates climb you graduate and you shouldn’t Canada, agrees with me. the break, I was perusing my the Future: How Re-Engineering those stairs wearing their fancy take jobs outside your field and “We need to stop funnelling twitter feed and I happened Intentions Will Alter the Master robe and hat, walk across that risk losing the skills you’ve devel- so many students through this across a statement from one Jus- Code of Our Future. stage and pick up their expen- oped, what do you do? program that then leaves them tin Trudeau, prospective (and It’s no surprise that univer- sive, rolled up piece of paper I have no idea. with debt and unemployment on some think inevitable) leader of sities are supplying the wrong from another person in a fancy I knew there was a reason the other side,” she says. “I don’t the Liberal Party of Canada. kind of graduates from what the robe and hat and expect to walk I responded to Mr. Trudeau’s understand why we’re pushing “I believe we should raise market has demand for, though. down the stairs on the other side tweet the way I did. I can’t see more people into university and our post-secondary education Public institutions receive fund- straight into a high-paying job why we would be professing the college so they can graduate with rate to 70 percent. Help us ing based on the numbers in their chosen field. need for more post-secondary debt and not be able to find a job.” get there. Contribute to our enrolled, so there is little incen- But what if their chosen graduates, when we have no It turns out these edu- campaign,” he says. tive for them to tailor their offer- field doesn’t want to meet their way to support the numbers we cations we’re pursuing are For some reason, my first ings to specific programs, even demands of being paid more already have. becoming more expensive and thought was, “I don’t want more if there was communication and have some benefits in their “Some think churning less valuable and we need to graduates!” and I was some- between the institutions and remuneration package because out more graduates just make change that ever-increasing what taken aback by this ini- industries—a level of communi- of their education? What if degrees worth less to those who gap before it’s too late. tial instinct. Why wouldn’t we cation that seems to be lacking. you really didn’t need that earn them. Thoughts?” I asked We need to solve the prob- want more graduates, Davies? Even if post-secondary insti- expensive degree and the fact the possible future leader of a lem of the underemployment Shouldn’t we be striving to have tutions provided degrees that are that you have it actually makes federal political party. After all, of the graduates we’re getting the highest number so that our in demand, the pure greed of the you less desirable to employ- social media allows for these dis- before we proclaim that we future workforce will be a well- industries themselves may pre- ers? After all, why would they cussions. I received no answer. need more of them. educated and productive one? vent many from garnering good hire you, when they can hire a We need to be focussing The way things look right As I said, it was just a first positions in their chosen fields. part-timer with real on-the-job on how to produce graduates now, we either need fewer— instinct, so I set out to examine Employers are taking the oppor- experience and less financial that will further our society— and the ones we have need the question. I thought maybe I tunity of an aging workforce and impact on their businesses? as well as figure out ways to to be more suited to the cur- was just being selfish and not rel- constant increases in productiv- Are you willing to accept a change the work landscape so rent state of the market—or ishing in having a greater num- ity—both human and automat- minimum wage, part-time tem- they are actually able to use we need to change the state of ber of people competing with me ed—to increase their profits at the porary position in your field their expansive (and expensive) the market itself. for jobs after I finish my educa- expense of those who are generat- once you graduate? tion (if an education can ever be ing those profits for them. There are those who are, you considered “finished,” which is “We haven’t seen anything know, and you’ll be compet- a topic for another time). After like this in almost 100 years,” ing with them for the positions further review, it seems my initial according to Armine Yalnizyan, available. They also might have response might be the right one, senior economist for the Cana- years of experience in that field whether for selfish reasons or not. dian Centre for Policy Alterna- while you have none. Generation Jobless, a docu- tives. “Bosses are asking people So while you may not be mentary produced by CBC, aired to take less money when they’re willing to work in your field earlier this year, opens with the already profitable.” for less than you presume you statistic and question, “This year, Now, I don’t want to make it are worth (possibly rightfully 254 thousand young men and sound like it’s just industry and so, considering how much time women will graduate from Cana- educational institutions’ fault and money you’ve just spent to dian universities, ready to conquer that society finds itself in this gain that piece of paper), there the world…but are they ready for situation—though they have are studies that suggest that a rude awakening?” had (and continue to have) a taking jobs outside your exper- The documentary explores large impact on our seemingly tise once you graduate in order the issue of the underemploy- dim employment future—but to make ends meet might be a ment epidemic that has taken the situation has been encour- terrible idea. Canadian graduates by sur- aged by previous generations of According to a recent paper prise upon their entry into workers, as well. published by the Certified Gen- the workforce. For the first time in history, eral Accountants Association of Youth unemployment is according to Generation Jobless, Canada, this rampant under- currently double that of the people entering the workforce employment leads to erosion of general population. Over the are competing directly with the skills and knowledge that past four years, the number their parents’ generation for individuals have gained through of young people without jobs the same jobs—and losing. education. has increased to the tune of “Back in the ’70s and the ’80s In short if you don’t use 250 thousand, according to you would never have expected them, you lose them, which the research done by the film- to compete with someone who makes it all the more impor- makers. No, that’s not the new was 68 for the same job,” accord- tant for us to figure out a way total—that’s the increase. ing to Francis Fong, economist to get graduates into positions One of the major problems with TD Bank, one of the experts for which they have attained the is that universities and colleges who spoke in the documentary. skills and knowledge through are not keeping up with the cur- “These people have 40 years of their education. Otherwise, their rent state of the global economy work experience on you…and education was not only expen- and industry. They’re merely they’re competing for the same sive and less valuable than sim- churning out degrees that don’t jobs. That’s very unique. We did ilar ones in the past, but while have the relevance they used to. not see that competitive pressure they make do with other jobs, “Higher education is actually being faced by any other cohort of they lose what they’ve spent all
THE NAVIGATOR • Mar. 06 – Mar. 19 • Vol. 44 • Issue 12 • 11 • vv
Le Temps des Sucres Tourtiere What is Canadian food? Nearly every country or region boasts a recognizable dish—the best bobotie, bibimbap, or burritos. However, it can be Tourtière is often called pâté à la viande in some areas of Québec. It is difficult to pinpoint an iconic Canadian dish because of the country’s geographical span, and also because its confederacy is relatively recent. essentially a meat pie, usually made with a mixture of veal and pork, The province of Québec, over 400 years old, offers a few contenders for what could qualify as a national dish. Traditional Québecois food spices such as nutmeg, cloves, and black pepper, and incorporates combines First Nations and European input. For instance, the Algonquian showed European immigrants how to collect sap from maple trees, and potatoes and breadcrumbs. Tourtière is eaten with pickled beets, or, then how to boil it into syrup. Europeans then incorporated the syrup into their dishes. as often is the case today, ketchup or hot sauce. The pie crust recipe Québec’s traditional food is usually heavy and higher in calories to sustain life without vehicles, heated homes, or desk jobs. It is therefore usually is basic and can also be used for the tarte au sucre recipe; however, served during special occasions such as Christmas, or during le temps des sucres, a time for celebrating the harvest of maple sap, the sugar shacks in it is also fine to use a frozen or pre-made pie shell. Pouding Chaumeur which syrup is produced, and the advent of spring. Many Québecois still boast about having the best tourtière recipe, and there is an abundance of restaurants that claim to serve the best tarte au sucre, or sugar pie. Below, you will find the recipes for both of these traditional dishes, as well as a recipe for smoked ham and split pea soup, and a budget-friendly Ingredients Pouding chômeur, or poor-man’s pudding, gets its name from being recipe for a dish I’ve grown up with: pouding chômeur, or poor-man’s pudding. By: Délani Valin an inexpensive dish to make. Most of the ingredients used in the Filling: recipe were found in almost all homes at all times. Often, this is 1 chopped onion still true, apart from the maple syrup, which can be considered 2 chopped cloves of garlic as an investment on the West Coast, instead of the common 2 tbsp – olive oil Crust: th condiment it once was in 19 -century Québec. Pouding chômeur is 450 grams (1 lb) – ground pork 2 ¼ cups – all-purpose flour a white cake drowned in a maple and brown sugar sauce that makes 225 grams (0.5 lb) – ground 1/4 tsp. – salt the cake rich and moist. The sauce is poured onto the cake before veal 3/4 cup – diced cold, unsalted baking, and it may seem abundant at the time, but the cake will 1 peeled and diced large potato butter rise and soak up much of the sauce during baking. It is best served 1/2 cup – chicken broth 6 tbsp – ice water hot with vanilla ice cream. 1/4 cup – breadcrumbs 1/4 tsp. – nutmeg Ingredients 1/4 tsp. – ground cloves Salt and pepper to taste
Cake: Sauce: Method 1/2 cup – soft butter 1 1/2 cups – maple syrup Soupe au jambon Tarte au sucre 1 cup – white sugar 1 cup – brown sugar 2 eggs 1 cup – water fume et pois jaunes Tarte au sucres, or sugar pies, can be found in grocery stores in Crust: 1 tsp. – vanilla 1/3 cup – butter Québec as often as apple or blueberry pies. The filling can range • Combine flour and salt in a large bowl. Blend butter into 2 cups – flour from a gold colour to a darker brown due to the large amount of mixture by using a pastry blender or two knives to slice Smoked ham and yellow split pea soup requires some planning 1 tbsp – baking powder brown sugar and maple syrup. It’s sweet, rich, and surprisingly easy the butter into pea-sized pieces. ahead, due to the use of split peas. Yellow split peas are dried and 1 1/3 cups – milk to put together. Many Québecois eat this and other desserts with • Add the water one tablespoon at a time, mixing it in so can be found in bags in the soup aisle of most grocery stores. teaspoons instead of forks. This works particularly well to scoop up all of the dough is equally moist. Because they are dry, they need to be soaked, preferably overnight, the filling of tarte au sucres, which can be served hot or cold, but are • After 6 tablespoons of water, the crust should hold Method in order to be soft enough to eat. To do this, simply place the most commonly eaten at room temperature. together. If not, continue adding a few more spoonfuls split peas into a bowl of water, cover them, and place them in the until it does. fridge. When you’re ready to cook, drain the water and give them Cake: • Roll the dough into a ball and cover with plastic wrap. a rinse in a colander. For the smoked ham, I prefer using a piece Ingredients • Preheat oven to 325° F. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or until the filling is ready. • In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar together. Mix in of naturally smoked ham, like a pork chop, instead of blocks of eggs and vanilla. processed ham, such as black forest ham. While it is a bit more Note: Use the pie crust from the tourtière recipe or use a pre-made • In another bowl, mix flour and baking powder together. expensive, I find it is more flavourful. crust. • Incorporate into the butter mixture bit by bit, alternating 1 cup – brown sugar Filling: with the milk. Stir everything together until well Ingredients 1/4 cup – flour • In a large pot or saucepan on medium heat, soften the blended. Pour into a casserole dish. 2 tbsp – cornstarch garlic and onions in the olive oil. A pinch of salt • Add the meat and cook for about 15 minutes while 1/2 cup – pre-soaked yellow split peas 1 1/2 cups – whipping cream (30% or more) stirring. Sauce: 1 diced onion 1/2 cup – maple syrup • Add the chicken stock, breadcrumbs, and diced potato. • In a medium pot, pour maple syrup, brown sugar, water, 1 tbsp – butter Stir frequently for approximately 45 minutes, until the and butter together. 5 cups – chicken broth potato is thoroughly cooked and begins to fall apart. • Stir while bringing to a boil. Let boil for 1 to 2 minutes. 2 naturally smoked ham pork chops, cubed (found in the butcher Method • Season with nutmeg, cloves, salt, and pepper. • Gently pour sauce mixture over cake mix in casserole section of most grocery stores) • Allow cooling in refrigerator for 1 hour before putting it dish, making sure to get all of the edges. 1 tsp. – dried basil • Optional: prepare the pie crust if making from scratch in the pie crust. • Place dish into pre-heated oven and cook for 35 minutes. 1 tsp. – dried thyme and refrigerate. • Preheat oven to 375° F. Cake should rise above sauce. 1 tsp. – dried rosemary • Preheat the oven to 400° F. • After mixture has cooled, prepare the pie crust by rolling • Serve warm with or without ice cream. Salt and pepper to taste • In a large pot, mix brown sugar, flour, and salt. out half of the dough into a circle and placing it into a • Turn heat on to medium-high and stir in whipping pie plate. Scoop meat mixture into the pie shell and Method cream and maple syrup using a whisk to avoid clumps. spread evenly. • Bring to a boil, whisking constantly. • Roll out the other half of dough and place on top of • Let mixture thicken until it coats the back of a metal the mixture. Seal the edges of the crusts by flattening • Melt the butter in a large pot. Put chopped onions in spoon. Mixture should be thick—slightly thicker than them together with a fork. Make a few slits in the top and let them brown for 15 to 20 minutes on low heat. caramel. of the crust with a knife to allow steam to escape during • Stir in chicken stock, cubed ham, and split peas. Cook on • Let the mixture sit while preparing the pie crust. Only a cooking. low heat for 2 hours. single pie crust on the bottom is necessary, and extra • Place pie on the lowest rack in the oven and bake • Stir in basil, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Cook for dough can be used to make decorative shapes with cookie for about 50 minutes, or until crust is golden brown. another 30 minutes. cutters. • Serve warm with ketchup and other favourite condiments. • Serve hot. • Place mixture into pie shell and place optional decorative shapes on the top. • Bake for 35 to 40 minutes until mixture is bubbling and piecrust is golden. • Serve at room temperature or cold. Design by: Jeremy Unrau THE NAV FEATURES
Spirituality on Tap Reading sacred texts well: An interview with Ashleigh Elser, PhD student at the University of Virginia’s Jewish Studies program
binic commentary on Jewish My only exposure to any kind to? Who are you thinking of rest or responsibility?” For BJ Bruder texts] and other writers such of Jewish learning is through when you think about these one, reading others sacred texts Contributor as Kierkegaard opened my eyes My Name is Asher Lev. ideas being put into practice? trains our attention as read- to other ways of reading the A: Midrash is essentially rab- A: I’m thinking of the broader ers. We’re reading for reading’s During reading break I texts and were a corrective to binical commentary and usu- Protestant community because sake. Secondly, it teaches us to flew across the continent my reductive understanding of ally starts with an issue in the that’s the tradition I find myself act outside of what the moral to Charlottesville, Virginia what scripture is. text that doesn’t make sense, in. An apparent issue in this tra- value is, for example, what does to spend time with an old Kierkegaard pointed me something we call a “textual dition is that people can’t read this text actually say? It brings friend from college. Since to the fact that the sacred texts irritant.” Midrash begins with the Hebrew Bible, or don’t have out an interesting relationship our time at college togeth- shouldn’t be read only for moral questioning the text, and can the tools to. Thinkers that have with texts when a Muslim read- er, she’s gone on to study meaning. You wouldn’t sum up mean anything from analyz- better tools to approach Bible er offers a better reading of a at Yale, and is now in her Charles Dickens’s Hard Times ing a certain word in the text, should be encouraging the larg- Christian text than my own. second year of doctoral with a one sentence impera- to asking about the reasoning er faith community to gather B: What are some things that coursework in the Universi- tive, and the bible is the same. behind an individual’s action those tools. How does the aver- have been important for you in ty of Virginia’s Jewish Stud- I wanted to look at periods of in the narrative. age person make sense of a God learning to read better? ies Program. I got to ask history where people were offer- B: You’ve used “reading well” as that presents judgement and A: Learning Hebrew and her some questions about ing other ways of looking at prescribes the death penalty, for what she’s studying, and texts. At Yale, I looked to his- a good way to approach a text, Greek. Christianity is the but what does that mean? Is example? It’s usually dismissed only of the Abrahamic reli- the questions that drove her torical criticism for answers, under the idea that “Jesus makes to a program that revolves but I was dissatisfied with their there a certain qualitative stan- gions that doesn’t have its dard you can apply to a method all things new.” It makes Jesus followers read the text in its around sacred texts. assumptions as well; their con- look like a peace loving hippy clusions tended toward the or way of reading? original languages. Why not? BJ: How exactly did you get to and God a dictatorial tyrant, I think that Christianity val- naivety of people for looking A: I think that is something I’m and that can’t be right. Are we be studying sacred texts? Why to sacred texts for any kind of still working to define. Some- ues immediate relevance in its Jewish Studies? reading in error? Are our struc- message and text, which could answers. But the historical crit- thing that doesn’t work is when tures for reading fundamentally Ashleigh: When I was at Prai- ics weren’t interested in [the] a writer who’s writing to a com- be at the expense of reading flawed? These are questions I’m well. This kind of relevance- rie [Bible College, where we same questions I was. Kierkeg- munity of readers gives an inter- trying to answer. both did our BAs] I loved read- aard and the historical-critical pretation of the text that doesn’t chasing apprentices people to B: ing books, loved literature, but movement coincided, so I went encourage readers to go back How can this apply to peo- the assumption that anything I didn’t read the Bible. I think back to him to see where he dis- to the text itself; for example, ple from other traditions? in Christianity can be gained this was or is true for a lot of connected from the movement. pastors or writers not pressing A: A great example is our Scrip- immediately, which intrinsi- people, who loved narrative and I looked to history to find peo- readers go back and do the work tural Reasoning seminar that cally is not true of the text I stories and grand metaphors ple who were reading well— themselves I’d say is not read- has Jews, Christians, and Mus- read in Judaism. Christians but had no interest in the nar- not just minimizing impor- ing well. Midrash, Kierkegaard, lims reading each other’s sacred are not being taught to wres- ratives or stories or grand met- tance between reader and text Herman Melville: their work texts. The course draws out the tle with texts. Who takes their aphors of the Bible. Why was or taking single kernels out of provokes people to go back to challenge to read texts well: we churches through Numbers [a this? For myself, it seemed like text. Look at writers who have the text and read well. So, I’m pick a text that doesn’t have an book in the Pentateuch]? If I was given this understanding a thicker meaning of the text, interested in interpreters who immediate pay off, like a read- these texts are all sacred, we of the Bible as simply a self-help way that [the] Bible apprentic- provoke people to a more ear- ing on how one should plough should spend more time with story or children’s book, and es readers, what it means to be nest reading of their texts. a field, and then we ask the them and try to understand past their immediate payoff. once I came to those conclu- human, fear God. B: Your project and ideas in text questions. “Is this a prin- sions, I moved on from it. B: What exactly is a Midrash? general regard reading sacred ciple grounded in crops actu- Reading Midrashim [rab- texts, who do these ideas apply ally work, or is this text about
• 14 • Vol. 44 • Issue 12 • Mar. 06 – Mar. 19 • THE NAVIGATOR THE NAV ARTS
Because of his adventur- Mady Ritzker ous spirit, Wildeman wasn’t the Navigator able to tour immediately after releasing Portraits—he was on Brett Wildeman combines a bike tour in Utah. Howev- his passion for nature with er, he recently paired up with his constant desire for new B.C. musician Chelsea-Lyne experiences to create music for two shows on the Island in that reflects upon adventure support of Portraits, including and exploration. a slot at the Corner Lounge in “I love mountain bikes, Nanaimo on Mar. 3. I love cycling two wheeled Wildeman will play in things of all sorts that are self- Victoria again, with Victoria- propelled,” Wildeman says based indie-folk band West in an interview on Feb. 22. Brett Wilderman My Friend, on Mar. 9, fol- “I love spending time out- lowed by four more dates doors—lots of time when with the group on the main- I’m not working on music or land. “The exciting and ter- doing promo for music things. rifying thing about the tour I love being outdoors hiking, is you never really know how camping, exploring the back it’s going to go until the gig is country, building trails.” over, and you can do as much Wildeman, who grew up promo and you might per- on the Sunshine Coast and Photos By: Brett Wilderman ment has allowed him to cut form really well but you don’t attended the University of down his lyrics and focus on always know how the audience Victoria, has been playing the messages he is trying to is going to take it. But then, the guitar since he was in the convey. “I’ve been less wordy at the same time, that’s also fourth grade. He began collab- with my song-writing, more the most exciting part;...play- orating with other musicians concise…I think the songs ing for new sets of ears that as he got older, and played in come from the same place, may have never been previ- bands throughout high school lots of songs about what I see ously exposed to your music,” and university. “I have played on a daily basis, mother | earth Wildeman says. in multiple groups, I played in is written about family, which After his next set of shows, a bunch of awful cover bands is the ‘mother’ part, and then Widleman plans on returning in high school, I’ve been in a our planet, which is the ‘earth’ to the Island in the summer, for Celtic group with about 20 part,” Wildeman says. This a bike tour in support of moth- other youth, I was in high sharpening of focus allowed er | earth, and he is working on school at the time, and then him to put his best music and booking dates for a B.C.–A.B. I played in a couple other lyrics together to create mother tour in Sept. “My goal is just parents B&B, and Wilde- there’s a lot more guitar tones, smaller Celtic-y folk bands | earth. “I am really excited to to put out the album and do man worked with other musi- a lot crunchier guitar tones on in Victoria and on the Sun- share these songs [from mother the best with it that I can. I cians, including Tegan Ceschi- some songs…everything was shine Coast.” Widleman says. | earth] and [while] Portraits mean I feel like I’ve achieved Smith, Graeme McGillivray, done very organically.” However, it wasn’t until an was quite-diverse sounding… a lot this year in terms of and Chelsea Sleep, to add oth- In recording mother | injury prevented him from I think mother | earth is even growth artistically, so I guess er instruments and voices to earth, Wildeman has faced being able to bike and play more diverse-sounding than just playing to audiences that the album and was produced and overcome song-writing sports that he took the time Portraits was in terms of [how] are appreciative of the music and engineered by Wilde- obstacles. He says, “I think to focus on recording music. each song really stands as a and to spread the word of my man’s friend, and local musi- the challenging part is making His first EP,One Man One unit...They all flow together music, those are my goals,” cian, James Law. The result is each song sound unique, but Voice Two Hands, was record- with that ‘mother earth’ kind Wildeman says. He said his a strong-sounding EP, com- still making them sound cohe- ed in 2010 on a cheap micro- of theme that links them all focus is mainly on what the plete in both instrumental and sive as a record. I think that phone Wildeman bought for together,” Wildeman says. next couple of months entail, vocal exploration. can be challenging because that purpose. “That was when Wildeman says the inspira- but that he might record and Wildeman’s next album, you don’t want every chorus to I really first started kind of tion for his songs comes from release another EP next year. mother | earth, which is sched- sound the same, in regards to exploring the voice, and that a variety of places, and that “I kind of have this idea about uled for release in Aug., is a dynamics, whether its drums recording project was more of he enjoys seeing them devel- putting out as much music as nine-track, full-length record or strings or percussion or a spoken word over guitar… op from a fleeting idea into an possible. I find I never really that Wildeman considers the backing vocals but you want than an actual folk album, but instrumentally supported track. have a shortage of songs that most polished and advanced them to sound cohesive as a that was kind of the begin- “They start with me, sitting on I’m working on at one time,” album he has worked on. unit.” However, Wildeman ning of it all. That’s when I my couch or a chair with an Wildeman says. “One Man One Voice Two said that in the last few years, started recording music, cause idea, or an idea that pops into For more information on Hands was really just a trial since the release of One Man I kept hurting myself doing my head at a random moment, upcoming tours, and to listen and error project of a cou- One Voice Two Hands, he has sports,” Wildeman said. The whether it’s walking along the to Wildeman’s albums, visit ple months with some real- developed as a musician, spe- EP is a six-track album that is beach or on the bus or talk-
THE NAVIGATOR • Mar. 06 – Mar. 19 • Vol. 44 • Issue 12 • 15 • THE NAV ARTS
Making poetry cool for youth: VIU’s The Rimers of Eldritch Youth poet laureate aims to in-
ton says. She says the rehearsal spire and involve Victoria students structure also helped to ease the actors into the intricate arrange- Douglas College in 2010, I ment of the scenes. “When we Jennifer Boychuk decided to take an introduc- start working on scenes we start The Martlet tion to poetry class, and it got with only a few actors, and me writing again. It reinitiated work on only the scenes those VICTORIA (CUP)—Whether everything. So now I’m still try- actors are in. We later bring in or not she expected it, Aysia ing to figure out what I can do everybody and put all the scenes Law is Victoria’s first-ever youth with [poetry] and what my lim- together. So it’s interesting to poet laureate, as well as the first its are within it.” see how the play all fits together. in Canada. Law says she applied for the Also, the more we work on it, “[It’s] terrifying, but it’s youth poet laureate position on the more we discover about our also a pretty big honour,” Law, a whim and didn’t expect to be characters, their motivations, a second-year UVic Creative chosen. “I guess the part of me and what is happening around Writing student, says. that applied was sort of half them, and that really shows on Law, who is already an hoping that it would happen, stage,” Bevington says. active member of Victoria’s but part of me was a lot more Smith says the large cast spoken word community, was comfortable with thinking that will give the audience an selected from 32 applicants to I just wouldn’t get it,” she says. increased opportunity to con- serve as an ambassador for Vic- One of Law’s biggest chal- nect with the story. “There toria’s youth. The criteria Law lenges will be to address and are so many characters that I was judged on included lead- reverse some of the stereotypes think the audience will be able ership, experience, innovative attached to poetry. “I think, at Photo By: www.viu.ca to identify with one character project ideas and, of course, the least when I was in high school, within the story and hopefully quality of her poetry. Her task to youth, poetry was this bor- er actors for the more mature will leave with a new perspec- is to complete projects that will ing, stuffy thing that you did in Mady Ritzker roles. In terms of crew, Smith tive on justice,” Smith says. engage her peers through poet- English class—but you didn’t the Navigator says “we have many of the Bevington agrees that the ry. She will also perform at city want to be there and it just stage craft classes involved in production offers a moral com- council and City of Victoria wasn’t fun. I’m hoping that, by The VIU Theatre department’s the build of the set and cos- ment for viewers to consider. Youth Council meetings. being able to involve youth in spring production promises to tume construction, many of the “This play really shines a light “I’m excited to actually start poetry and spoken word per- ask audiences some powerful upper-year students have taken on how people behave in soci- working on the ideas we have,” formance poetry, maybe I can and thought-provoking ques- on roles of lighting designer, ety versus how they behave at Law says. “There are two big change their minds. Maybe tions about human response to head carp, properties, sound home. I think that audiences ideas that I’d really like see hap- they’ll realize poetry is actually crime and prejudice. Lanford and light operators, and we will leave talking about their pen—I can’t speak too much fun and urban and cool and Wilson’s The Rimers of Eldritch, have a second-year as the stage own life experiences,” she says. about the first, but for the sec- hip—all of these things that first staged in 1966, is the story manager who has two first year Smith says it has been ond project, I’m really hoping they don’t think it is.” of a death in small-town Mis- [assistant stage managers].” gratifying to see the hard work we can work on a diversity slam.” In her own poetry, Law souri and the speculation and While the nature of the of the cast and crew combine Poetry slams are competi- strives to entertain and “get a scandal that emerge on the large cast is enriching for the to strengthen the play. “The tions in which poets perform message out.” She has found it journey to the verdict. A non- story, second-year Theatre stu- rewarding part would be know- their original work. Law hopes particularly rewarding to work typical mystery, the play follows dent Shauna Bevington, 22, ing how your small part does to make the diversity slam a reg- with Carla Funk, a poet and ses- the way the townsfolk react to who decided to audition after actively work for the good of ular event. “I’m hoping it won’t sional instructor in UVic’s Cre- the murder of the town outcast, learning of the play in her act- the production. Everything that be a one-time thing, but that it ative Writing department. and the excuses made to justify ing class, says the ensemble pos- goes into the production [is part can be ongoing. I want to bring “[Funk] is an amazing poet the actions of the woman who es some obstacles. “Everyone is of an intricate] web, for it to in lots of different marginalized and a really great professor. She shot him. on stage the entire time, so it work everyone must be able to voices—and not just youth, but makes poetry fun and interest- “This play is not the usual can become difficult in scenes pull their weight,” Smith says. especially youth to come and ing and everything that I want story, it has many parts and it where everyone is moving. You Bevington also has enjoyed speak about what they see and to make it for high school stu- forces the audience to see how a really have to be aware of what being a part of the development what they think our communi- dents. You can tell she loves small town worked when it came everyone else is doing and make of the story, from script to stage. ty needs,” Law says. [poetry] so much that she just to the judgment of one person’s sure that you’re not in their way. “The most rewarding part of a The word “poetry” has car- wants to share it with everyone, life. How speculation and uncer- The scenes also tend to overlap production is seeing how it trans- ried different meanings for Law. and so seeing that sort of re- tainty in the end had a higher with each other. So there will forms from the words on a page “If you’d asked me five inspired me,” Law says. cost and allowed the guilty to be be two or more conversations at the first read through, into a years ago, I would’ve told you Above all else, Law sees free,” Cassie Smith, 18, first-year at once, and it can be difficult complete show once the set, cos- that poetry was everything to poetry as a vehicle for change. VIU technical diploma student to keep them straight,” Bev- tumes, lights, sound, and actors me. Now, thanks to school, “Youth are the next people in line, and the production’s PR repre- ington says. However, though are all put together,” she says. poetry is a bit more business- you know? And if we can open sentative says. slightly complicated, she says The Rimers of Eldritch runs like. I’m trying to rediscover it, their minds now and teach them A substantial amount of this element of the play has Mar. 7–16 at the Malaspina which is something I am try- how to communicate with each student participation and com- allowed her to develop her act- Theatre (bldg. 310) at the VIU ing to accomplish through this other—and I think poetry is a mitment has gone into The ing through the different tech- Nanaimo Campus. All shows position,” Law says. “In high really good way to do that—then Rimers of Eldritch. The cast of niques she has learned, and to begin at 8 p.m., except for a 4 school, it was pretty much what we’ll have a generation of more the play is large, and in addi- apply them to her character, p.m. showing on Mar. 12, and a kept me alive.” open-minded and open-hearted tion to first- and second-year Martha Truit. “Each play pres- matinee at 12 p.m. on Mar. 13. In 2009, her father passed away. people,” Law says. “If you have students in the VIU Theatre ents different challenges, in Tickets are $10 for students and “I stopped writing, and I a message and an audience who diploma and degree programs, this play there’re several points seniors, $12 for adults, and can don’t really know why, because is willing to listen to you, then Smith says audiences can expect where I’m on stage but not in be purchased through the box often writing is what helps peo- you’re more likely to change to see a first-year student from the scene, so I’ve had to learn office at 250-740-6100. ple in emotional situations— people with your words.” director Ross Desprez’s class for how to keep my focus when I but I just stopped,” Law says. non-actors, as well as two old- don’t have any lines,” Beving- “Then, when I was attending
• 16 • Vol. 44 • Issue 12 • Mar. 06 – Mar. 19 • THE NAVIGATOR THE NAV ARTS
Check it out: Ivan & Alyosha All the Times We Had
Podcoast first album to go platinum. It for All the Times We Had. The Mady Ritzker doesn’t seem unlikely that Dine track is almost reminiscent of the Navigator Alone’s indie-folk up-and-com- an early Killers song, with Tim ers Ivan & Alyosha are headed Wilson’s vocals like a more in the same direction. relaxed Brandon Flowers, and The eattle-basedS group the smooth, undemanding formed in 2007 after found- melody the perfect mixture ing members Tim Wilson and of folk and alt-rock. The same Ryan Carbary met and began expert combination is prevalent experimenting with their breezy in “On My Way,” one of the Photos By: sound. They released their debut more convincing rock numbers wwww.ivanandalyosha.com EP, The Verse, The Chorus in that expertly balances tempo 2009 and secured a spot at the and pacing to keep the energy 2010 SXSW festival in Austin, moving. This same energy is Texas. For their next EP, Fathers captured in a country-infused Be Kind, which was released in manner in “Don’t Wanna Die Feb. 2011, Ivan & Alyosha wel- Anymore,” which, possibly the Photo By: www.podcoast.ca comed two new members— song that most channels the Wilson’s brother Pete, and Tim style of The Lumineers, is a Pearson and Johnny Good. Each Kim. The addition allowed Ivan steady and lively track, despite Mady Ritzker link provides profiles, examples the Navigtor & Alyosha to expand and com- what the title may suggest. of individual works, and con- plete their desired sound, and There is not one weak tact information. Pearson’s The the results are positive in All the spot on All the Times We Had. For a one-stop destination where Barley Show EP is available for Lately we’ve seen a surge in the Times We Had. Throughout the album, Ivan new Canadian art, writing, download from the site. popularity and success of art- Therecord starts off on & Alyosha convey confidence music, comedy, journalism, and The site also features writ- ists thriving in the alt-country an upbeat note with the fast- and an ease that is translated photography are at your finger- ing. Former Nav. writer Brady scene. There is something about paced “Be Your Man.” The to the listener. Each song offers tips, look no further than
THE NAVIGATOR • Mar. 06 – Mar. 19 • Vol. 44 • Issue 12 • 17 • THE NAV REVIEWS
Thinking inside the box
in the same way as many stage cameras lower and closer to the Mathew Snowie plays. Hitchcock understood characters stuck together in the Contributor conflict is stronger when charac- hot jury room. When the claus- ters are unable to avoid it. trophobia reaches unbearable When film studios introduced Most of my examples have heights the film hits its climax, the larger Cinemascope screen, been thrillers, but the power of and then, in the final shot, the artist Jean Cocteau said, “The a confined space to drive peo- audience is treated to the relief next time I write a poem I’ll use ple crazy can be funny as well of the wide open streets outside a big sheet of paper.” Lately it as horrifying. It just depends the courthouse. This was where seems filmmakers have forgot- where the writer takes things. the makers of Buried failed to ten that bigger is not always Consider The Odd Couple, Arse- take advantage of their hard- better, and that Cocteau was nic and Old Lace, Oscar, or earned claustrophobia; instead being sarcastic. Noises Off, which are very fun- of building to an exhilarating Clear and concise stories ny films based on very funny release, they bury the audience told in a limited space have, it plays. Film has the same oppor- along with the main character. seems, gone out of fashion. At tunities for comedy as the stage, Part of the power of a limited least for the big names. I love the and sometimes more because of space comes from contrasting it work that Christopher Nolan is the opportunity to do a second with its opposite. doing, but every film he makes take. Non-play adaptations like Perhaps the best recent exam- is bigger in every way possible. The Breakfast Club, The Termi- ple of limited space is Life of Pi. He uses more characters in more nal, Clue, and The Ref use the The film’s most powerful sequenc- settings, and he even uses IMAX confined spaces of a school, an es involve the isolation of Pi and cameras. It is a perfectly accept- airport, a mansion, and a sub- Richard Parker in the middle of able storytelling form (one that urban home to take conflict to a mirror-smooth ocean. The con- Hollywood will continue using hilarious new levels. trast of the infinite space with the as blockbusters become their Filmmakers have not for- rigid confines of the boat makes main income), but it should gotten this entirely, and many us feel Pi’s isolation, and the tiny not be the only one. Storytellers young filmmakers (workingset allows for an examination of should remember the power of with limited budgets) have detail that would be missed in a the confined setting. taken advantage of this. Kevin larger location. We come to know Die Hard. The Shining. Smith began a very successful the physical world that Pi is con- Jaws. These are classic block- career with Clerks, which spends fined to in far more detail than we busters, and each one includes most of its time in and around will ever know Pandora from Ava- drastically confined settings. a convenience store. Duncan tar, no matter how many sequels An office building. A hotel. Jones made Moon, which focus- James Cameron makes. As a result A three-man boat. To expand es almost exclusively on Sam of our detailed understanding, we beyond these settings would Rockwell in a lunar mining are more connected to the charac- spell doom for the narrative facility. Director Rodrigo Cortés ters and their struggle. impact. In the Die Hard sequels and writer Chris Sparling made In terms of film narratives, the filmmakers face diminish- an impressive debut when they bigger is not always better. As ing quality as the single build- convinced Ryan Reynolds to long as film is limited to the four ing was traded in for an airport, Photo By: Mathew Snowie spend the 95-minute runtime of corners of the frame, no grand a city, and then a state. Buried inside a coffin. worlds can be shown in full. Take for example one of the der also takes place within a sin- John Steinbeck to write the sto- Buried is an interesting But, if focus is brought down to finest directors in history, Alfred gle apartment, and so does Rope, ry for. After a German U-Boat example of how limited space the level of small things in small Hitchcock. In Rear Window he which Hitchcock filmed with sinks an Allied ship in WWII, can be taken too far. They should places, it is possible to see some- confines the main character, a only 11 shots to create the illu- survivors in a lifeboat rescue one have considered the power of 12 thing in its entirety, which can photographer, to a wheel chair sion of a single take. Hitchcock’s of the German crew and must Angry Men, where the limited have powerful results. and points him out his apart- masterpiece of confined setting decide his fate. These confined space builds tension as direc- ment window. Dial M For Mur- is Lifeboat, which he convinced settings build tension and drama tor Sidney Lumet moves the
• 18 • Vol. 44 • Issue 12 • Mar. 06 – Mar. 19 • THE NAVIGATOR THE NAV SPORTS
Canucks alumni coming to Nanaimo Around the Rink Orpen after a battle in front of four game sweep in the mind Sara Grover the net. The second period was of the Buccaneers, game four Contributor also unexciting playoff hockey was set to be an emotion- that the fans did not come out al playoff battle. The first to see. Only 15 shots found the period was full of fast-paced net and only Dunlop found playoff hockey, something the back of it. With a two goal that had been missing from lead, the Bucs started the third the first three games. Dunlop period with spunk, controlling opened the scoring for the the play for the majority of the fourth game in a row, but just period and the Islanders proved three minutes later Parkhouse to be undisciplined with six tied the game at one. minor penalties in the frame. The second period was Nanaimo took advantage of all Nanaimo, and a frustrated the extra man and scored two Islanders team found them- power play goals late in the selves in the penalty box for period for a 4–0 victory. undisciplined slashing, trip- Kerry Park hoped host- ping, and high sticking pen- ing game three would bring alties. Once again Nanaimo Photo by: Google Images Photo by: Google Images them some puck luck and took advantage and scored two bounces in their favour for power play goals, first Orpen Each year the Vancouver After clinching the top spot in the first time in the series. and then Dunlop. Meagan Dyer Canucks Alumni takes part in the North Division, the Nanai- Will McNamara opened the Some teams would sit back the Navigator nearly a dozen charity games mo Buccaneers geared up to scoring at 9:01, which shut on a two goal lead so late in the around B.C. The games gen- take on the Kerry Park Islanders down the Islanders’ momen- game, but despite having a 3–1 The Vancouver Canucks Alum- erally include on-ice gags like for the first round of the 2013 tum. Trevor Parkhouse would lead the Bucs started the third ni team is coming to Nanaimo buckets of water and cream pies playoffs. Despite losing to the tie the game during a rough- period to prove they would end on Saturday, Mar. 9 to play a thrown at their opponent and Islanders 4–0 on Feb. 9 Bucca- ing penalty by Dunlop. Just the series in the next 20 min- charity game against Nanaimo bribing the referees. neer fans were certain their team 22 seconds into the second utes. Just 26 seconds into the Clippers alumni in a fundrais- For this game the Canucks was undoubtedly the strongest period the Islanders’ David final period Dunlop scored his ing effort for local healthcare Alumni are working closely with in the series. Bittner took a cross checking hat-trick goal. The next goal organizations. Nurses 4Kids, who organize char- With home ice advantage, penalty to once again put the needed to come from an Island- Organized by the Nurses ity events benefiting local founda- Nanaimo hosted the Island- Nanaimo’s dangerous power er to give them a slight chance 4Kids Nanaimo Society, the tions. The group also organized a ers for game one on Feb. 19 in play to work, and Dunlop of taking the series to game Hockey for Life event benefits game against the Montreal Can- front of over 300 fans. Garrett scored his fourth goal of the five, but their hopes came to the Nanaimo & District Hos- adiens Alumni last year, which Dunlop opened the scoring playoffs for a 2–1 lead. Bla- a crashing hault when Dunlop pital Foundation (NDHF), brought legends like Guy Lafleur for the Bucs on the power play naru was able to increase the once again beat the sprawling and Juvenile Diabetes Research to Nanaimo. and Nanaimo increased their lead to two with a nice pass goaltender for a commanding Foundation (JDRF). Proceeds from the event lead to two when Dan Fogliet- from Foglietta. 5–1 lead. Islanders’ Anthony The Canucks Alumni team will benefit the NDHF, which ta beat Kerry Park goaltender The Islanders came out of Gilbert was to beat Cameron features former NHL players raises funds towards healthcare Jackson Jane. Just a minute the second intermission final- Large, but it was too little too living in the lower mainland, needs on central Vancouver later Dunlop scored his second ly looking like a playoff team. late and the Buccaneers defeated not exclusive to ex-Canucks, Island, and the JDRF, a global of the game with help from They took to the ice with ener- Kerry Park four games straight. and the tentative event roster leader in researching diabetes Noah Russi and Beau Blanaru. gy and emotion, not wanting The Buccaneers advance to includes Mark Lofthouse, Gary cures and therapies. Nanaimo started the third peri- to be down three games to zero the second round against the Nylund, Randy Heath, Lar- This eary also marks the od with the extra man and just in the series. Their hard work Comox Valley Glacier Kings. ry Melnyk, David Bruce, and Nanaimo Clippers’ 40th anni- 41 seconds later Lynden Eddy paid off when Corey Peterson Comox defeated the Oceanside Gary Bromley. versary season in the Brit- scored the Bucs’ fourth goal scored to make the game 3–2, Generals in a four game sweep “Nurses 4Kids Nanaimo has ish Columbia Hockey League after a pretty passing play from bringing his team within one in their first round. Come assembled what is expected to be (BCHL). The organization is Blanaru and Darien Hamilton. goal. With only 52 seconds out and see which of these an event to be remembered,” says celebrating its milestone with Nanaimo went on to win 5–1. left Dunlop scored his second two teams is going to suffer an event press release. “The ‘hock- events like Hockey for Life, and In game two, Kerry Park goal of the night on an emp- their first loss of the playoffs. ey playing’ doctors and nurses at will also host the Western Can- was expected to come out ty Islanders’ net and the Bucs The schedule for the second the hospital have stepped aside ada Cup (WCC) in Apr. with fire after being down a came out with a 4–2 win and a round can be found at
THE NAVIGATOR • Mar. 06 – Mar. 19 • Vol. 44 • Issue 1 • 19 • THE NAV SPORTS
Men advance to v-ball nationals, women stunned in semi’s
West conference at Nationals in medal streak alive at 23 seasons. Meagan Dyer Ontario Mar. 7–9. The women’s team also the Navigator Several Mariners had strong earned a bye to the semi-finals tournaments, including Lee with a second-place finish in For the first time in five years Hamilton who was selected as a the regular season standings, the VIU men’s volleyball team first team All-Star. Adam Tish- meeting CBC after their quar- will compete in the Canadian enko and Tory Zaytsoff were ter-final victory over Douglas Collegiate Athletic Association named to the second team and College in straight sets. The National Championships, while Zach Grigg made the tourna- semi-final was a close affair, the women—reigning champi- ment All-Rookie team. with the Mariners narrowly los- ons—were upset in the semi- Hamilton and Grigg also ing 3–2 (25–16, 23–25, 25–19, final and lost the opportunity to won PacWest Player and Rook- 22–25, 15–17). CBC went on defend their title. ie of the Year, respectively. to lose the final 3–0. The men’s squad punched The arinersM will begin VIU had trouble with CBC their ticket to Nationals with a Nationals ranked fifth of the early in the season, and in Nov. silver medal performance at the eight clubs competing, with the Mariners were handed PacWest Provincial Champion- their first game versus the South- their only loss to a team below ships last month in Cranbrook. ern Alberta Institute of Technol- them in the standings all year. VIU entered the tournament in ogy (SAIT) on Mar. 7. The win- VIU then dominated their sec- second place, giving them a bye ner will automatically advance ond meeting by winning both to the semi-finals where they to the semi-finals with the loser matches 3–0 in Jan. defeated their rivals Camosun playing a quarter-final match. “They’re kind of this Dr. College 3–1 (22–25, 29–27, Meanwhile, the women’s Jekyll team,” says head coach 25–23, 25–18). team suffered a disappointing Shane Hyde earlier in the Photo by: Brent Dunlop VIU earned their posi- semi-final loss at Provincials to season of CBC’s hot-and- tion at Nationals by advancing Despite only competing in is over, the men are seeking their Columbia Bible College (CBC) cold performances. to the finals, but fell to Cap- one match, Leanna Gildersleeve first Nationals medal since 2007. and failed to qualify for the “We came up against a team ilano University 3–1 (24–26, and Dani Smith were named as VIU Nation can follow the action National Championships for that was red hot, we couldn’t 23–25, 25–12, 20–25). Cap- tournament first team All-Stars. online at
oping a dominant future. Regis- work towards an NCAA scholar- Canada has also failed to out and season planner is now Meagan Dyer tration numbers are rising, espe- ship. Potential stars are selected collect a World Junior Cham- available in 12 languages and the Navigator cially the under-six age group to the National Team Develop- pionship gold medal in the includes information on how to that saw an increase of nearly 12 ment Program to prepare them past four events, and didn’t apply for registration funding Hockey may always be Cana- percent from 2010 to 2011. for a high-calibre career. advance past the semi-final in and discounted equipment. da’s game, but we could see our The number of U.S. play- Junior versus college devel- the last two. The U.S. has two As the National Hockey presence as a superpower fade ers cracked 500 thousand for opment is an ongoing dispute, gold medals and a bronze dur- League branches out to new in as soon as a decade. Player the first time and that num- and while junior leagues have ing that time and look to have a markets, ice facilities also registration is declining and ber could soon pass Canada’s, worked well in Canada they promising future. become available to more Canada’s international rivals are which are travelling in the could be in trouble with fewer Women’s and girl’s registra- populations, especially in the growing the sport to new levels. opposite direction. rising stars to draw from. The tion is marginally on the rise in southern U.S. Canada will have Canadian hockey registra- The egistrationr surge isn’t U.S. has succeeded in the past Canada, giving hope for contin- to strategize how to increase its tion peaked in 2009 with nearly due to a generous season, but by fostering their smaller talent ued success on the international registrations and development as 585 thousand players, but plum- a bigger plan to build a hock- pools with the intensive Devel- stage. The 31 Canadian Inter- well, or the half million Ameri- meted to 572,400 by 2011. ey superpower by first getting opment Program, an idea Cana- university Sport teams are not cans will not only surpass Canada There are many possible reasons more kids in skates. U.S. Hock- da should consider regardless of far behind the NCAA’s league in quantity, but quality too. why: the game’s rising costs, ey is focussed on recruiting and registration numbers. of 35, and Canada also has sev- head injuries escalating at the retaining players under eight- Increased American devel- eral of its top players compet- professional level, or fewer new years-old, proven to be a com- opment is already showing at ing in the Canadian Women’s Canadians opting to register Visit mon drop-out age. the elite level as the develop- Hockey League. their children in hockey. There Unlike Canada’s junior ment team has won the past However, boy’s registration are also fewer children entirely, a hockey system, the U.S. develops four World Under-18 Cham- numbers continue to slide and worrisome fact in itself. The Nav players through school leagues. pionships and medalled in the Hockey Canada is attempting to While Canada struggles to The goal is to cultivate talent past nine tournaments, while reach out to new Canadians in recruit future Sidney Crosbys, and passion at a young age in Canada has one bronze in the hopes of attracting more young- U.S. Hockey is gradually devel- online time for high school hockey and previous four. sters to the sport. Their mail-
• 20 • Vol. 44 • Issue 12 • Mar. 06 – Mar. 19 • THE NAVIGATOR THE NAV SPORTS
Outdoor Rec Snowshoe Adventures
cost of a lesson, rentals, accom- Jon Schaffer modation, and après-poutine— Contributor instead, why not consider an alternative winter activity that What is there to love about could change everything you trudging around a mountain think and feel about winter. forest waist-deep in snow? A half-day stomp around Everything, if you’ve got snow- on snowshoes could be what shoes on your feet. The winter you’re looking for. It may open has a way of keeping a lot of your eyes to the natural beauty people indoors, safe and sound, and contrast of forest in winter. free from the discomfort of wet- During your walk, it is likely ness and cold. that you will sweat, your sun- Personally, the rain makes glasses will fog, you’ll take your it hard for me to want to do Photo by: Matt Kellow toque off more than once, and anything outside, but the snow you’ll find yourself laying in Mount Washington. It’s been Snowshoeing is simple and the gear and the spirit, but here at is different—wonderful, even. a childlike snow-angel some- amazing to watch the students’ exhilarating, yet rhythmic and VIU we go from 8 a.m.–3 p.m. Who doesn’t look toward the where along the trail. What’s fully embrace the winter ele- meditative. It’s just you, the with a cozy lunch break, round- mountains and wonder what it’s even more interesting are the ments and take in the sights and snow, the forest, your breath trip transportation and excellent like to be up there in the snow thoughts and feelings that will sounds. There have been many (maybe your heart-beat), and trip leaders to guide the way. surrounded by trees? come naturally from being in repeat students as well, which your thoughts. Even when travel- Mar. 10 is the last trip of There is so much to see and such a calm and relaxing setting tells us that Outdoor Recreation ling with a loud, extremely stoked the season, but the snow stays feel out there during the win- —opposite to what a majority is not only providing quality group of friends, you can find the around long after. Imagine ter, but it can be easy to crush of us live in day to day. outdoor activities for students, time to make it your own. trudging around in your shorts our natural curiosity to explore Outdoor Recreation has but creating ideal opportunities Many people are surprised and a T-shirt with snowshoes a winter wonderland by cough- been sharing this experience for students to form their own at how efficient snow travel is on in Apr. ing up the cash for an expensive with students all winter along connections with winter activ- while wearing their snowshoes. lift ticket. Then you have the trails at Forbidden Plateau and ity and nature. You can go for days if you have Protect your noggin from a floggin’
it damages the tissue, and can the jaw or on the chin can cre- she says. “Immediately after I head injuries depends not only Spencer Van Dyk interfere with the physiology.” ate high angular acceleration, got hit, I forgot the score of the on the circumstances, but on The Fulcrum Athletes, especially those which could knock you out. game. I knew where I was, but the brain itself, and that side who have grown up in the cul- Alternately, falling and hitting mostly forgot important details. effects and consequences of OTTAWA (CUP)—The risk ture of contact sports, are gen- your head, causing it to stop Since then, I’ve been more sus- these types of injuries are diffi- of a concussion is a reality that erally familiar with concussions suddenly, is considered a linear ceptible to them. I received my cult to predict. comes along with many types and the risks of head injuries. dynamic head injury. The con- second one in third-year—I “In some cases, people can of sports. By the time athletes One such group of athletes is the sequences of these two types took a slap shot to the side of the fall down and get right back reach the university sport level, Gee-Gees women’s hockey team. of injuries are comparable, head. In my last year playing for up,” Hoshizaki says. “In oth- many of them will have expe- “These players have been but affect different parts of the the Gee-Gees, I got one at prac- er cases, they can get knocked rienced a concussion or sev- playing for 15 or more years, so brain in different ways. tice. I hit a teammate, and she’s out. That is partly because of eral. Dr. Blaine Hoshizaki, a they’re aware of those dangers,” “What we do primarily is try a lot heavier than me, so I got the parts of the brain that are professor at the University of hockey coach Yanick Evola says. to understand the mechanisms of the worst of it. I don’t remember involved and the effect, so it’s Ottawa, specializes in this type “We just try to talk to them and concussions and relate the event much from it. I was benched for quite unpredictable.” of head injury and is studying give them a couple of exercises to the risk of injury,” Hoshizaki about a month and a half.” There are some aspects of the mechanisms of concussions here and there to help prevent says. “If someone has a concus- According to Delenardo, concussions that remain a mys- and the risk factors associated [concussions]. It happens quite sion, we can then recreate the concussions occur more com- tery to Hoshizaki. with specific sports and inju- a bit. With the girls getting bet- injury to understand how the monly in sports like hockey, “What we’re trying to ries. Concussions may seem like ter and better, hitting harder brain tissue is affected from that football, and boxing. In the case understand is why, in some cas- a common occurrence, espe- shots and skating faster, they’re particular accident. It’s almost of football, hits to the head and es, you can have relatively low cially within the sports realm, at a higher risk, unfortunately. like a forensic [science] in that using the head as a weapon have trauma, but symptoms will per- but the damage they can do to It happened last year, and it we take in the information about become basic parts of the sport. sist and possibly never go away. your brain is more serious than happened this year; it’s a pretty how the event occurred, and In the case of hockey, says You have to be very careful with it might seem. frequent thing.” then we reconstruct it so we can Evola, being at a two-foot dis- when you get back into play. “The brain is elativelyr soft,” Hoshizaki seeks to connect get the dynamic response of the tance from the boards puts ath- Some studies are showing that Hoshizaki explains. “What hap- the circumstances of the injury head. We then take that dynam- letes at a higher risk of being even if you show no symptoms, pens is it actually gets sheared. with their outcome and effects. ic response to the head to create pushed into the boards or fall- the brain can still be compro- It’s like Jell-O. If you try to com- According to Hoshizaki, there a model of the brain and skull, ing on the ice—a risk that play- mised, so you need to be very press it, it won’t compress, but if are two types of injuries that which allows us to calculate the ers are made aware of. conservative with getting back you shear it, that’s what a con- could cause concussions: rota- strain on the brain tissue.” “You don’t really talk into play.” cussion is. That’s what people tional dynamic head injuries Samantha Delenardo, a for- about it until it happens, but “[Concussions are] going don’t realize, is that the brain is and linear dynamic head inju- mer forward for the Gee-Gees just growing up in the culture, to happen,” Delenardo says. “It mostly liquid and jelly-like, so it ries. These types of injuries women’s hockey team, said she you’re aware of what a concus- falls on you and it falls on the resists compression very well, but cause different stresses and has experienced three concus- sion is, and as soon as you have staff to make sure you take care it can’t resist shearing. The brain damage to the brain. A rota- sions that she can remember. one, obviously you know what of it and you can return to the only has to move three to five tional dynamic head injury “My first one was in junior the symptoms are and how to game safely.” millimetres, and that’s the dam- occurs in a situation like being [hockey] before coming to U of treat it a little bit,” she says. age. The brain is very robust, punched in the jaw. Hoshizaki O. That was a pretty bad one; Hoshizaki says the treat- but if you hit it hard enough, explained that getting hit in I was out for about a month,” ment of concussions and other
THE NAVIGATOR • Mar. 06 – Mar. 19 • Vol. 44 • Issue 12 • 21 • THE NAV HOROSCOPE Tamu Miles Contributor
Spring is fast approaching. As spring comes, we also begin patterns of regrowth and rebirth. However, if we are not tuned into these processes, we find that we are drained instead of inspired and full of vitality. Pay attention to the spiritual as well as the physical. Make sure you are properly fed, that you get enough sleep, and help your immune system stay strong. Herbs that can help boost your immune system: dandelion root, licorice root, rose hips, plantain, wormwood, and true unicorn root.
Aries – Mar. 21 to Apr. 19 Taurus – Apr. 20 to May 20 Gemini – May 21 to Jun. 20 Cancer – Jun. 21 to Jul. 22
You don’t realize that the A lot of movement has happened You are entering into an Your stubborn I-can-do-it- goals, objects, and people you and will continue to happen. Now alignment, Gemini. Don’t myself nature will be subdued are reaching for have become is a good time to take care of waste the opportunity; grab for the next while. Truly attached to you in unhealthy your body and help your immune life by the horns and plow embrace this stance and allow ways. These hook lines are system. You don’t want to burn ahead with your dreams. yourself to listen. You are draining you. By releasing them, yourself out. Be especially aware Now is the time to make bold becoming more self-assured you will have more energy to do of your respiratory system. moves, to start new ventures, and less worried. Make way for what your heart desires. or to simply do something you the powerful force that is you. have never done before.
Leo – Jul. 23 to Aug. 22 Virgo – Aug. 23 to Sept. 22 Libra – Sept. 23 to Oct. 22 Scorpio – Oct. 23 to Nov. 21
Much of what you are doing with You are re-creating you. Your You are in for a series of “Aha!” You like the challenge of a puzzle, your life lately is based on what mantra for the next few weeks: moments. These moments will no? Well, I hate to say it, but you think you should do, and this “How Am I Not Myself?” When begin changing your attitude and you’re just going to have to learn means that what you really want you have found an aspect of your outlook, making you feel lighter, to embrace silence and inner to do and who you really are, personality that you know to and less inhibited by things stillness for a while. You may find are being suppressed. Don’t be be more mask than substance, you previously assumed were some inner peace and even gain afraid to make changes. After work toward shedding it. holding you back. energy from the tranquil waters all, even the Cowardly Lion found of your innermost self. his courage.
Sagittarius – Nov. 22 to Dec. 21 Capricorn – Dec. 22 to Jan. 19 Aquarius – Jan. 20 to Feb. 18 Pisces – Feb. 19 to Mar. 20
You are discovering what you Intend for magic in your life, for There is an internal push within If you don’t overthink things, are good at and beginning to peace in your heart, and follow you to get out there and live life you are in for some gifts of see the affect you have on the through by listening to your gut before it’s too late and you are magic and joy in the coming world around you. Trust that and doing what you know is right. pushing too hard. Instead of weeks and months. Follow your what your gut is telling you is Belief puts up walls and limits inviting play and adventure into intuition, stay in the moment, your own inner knowing. This possibility. Shine a light on those your life, you are forcing things and be open to spontaneous isn’t going to be a smooth ride, walls and expose them for what to happen. Don’t worry, the world change. This means: get ready but who said life was supposed they are: fear of the unknown. is not leaving you behind. for some changes where your to be? Believe in yourself. career is concerned.
Visit us online www.thenav.ca THE NAV •Calendar• March
SUN 03 MON 04 TUE 05 WED 06 THURS 07 FRI 08 SAT 09 The Rimers of Eldritch Free DJ Lesson with DJ Tom Green “How Healthy Is Our All Good VIU Theatre department A night of stand up comedy Healthcare System?” Malaspina Theatre (bldg. Register at the Students’ The Nanaimo Entertain- 310), VIU Nanaimo Saturday Speaker Series: Dr. Union in advance ment Centre, 46 Nicol St., Campus Dave Hepburn, MD, Dr. Mar. 6, Mar. 20, Apr. 3 Nanaimo See
SUN 17 MON 18 TUE 19 WED 20 THURS 21 FRI 22 SAT 23 Fringe Flicks: Amour Open Jam Night at The B.C. Regional Cadet Improve Posture and Queens Hotel Avalon Cinema, 6631 Honour Band Free Poise—Any Body Can North Island Hwy., All musicians welcome Concert Learn Nanaimo The Queen’s Hotel, 34 The Port Theatre, 125 Front Nanaimo Harbourfront Sunday 1, 4, 7 p.m., Victoria Cres., Nanaimo St., Nanaimo (Downtown) Library, 90 Monday 7 p.m. Free Free Commercial St., Nanaimo Tickets $12 9 p.m.–2 a.m. 7:30 p.m. Free 6:30–7:30 p.m.
THE NAVIGATOR • Mar. 06 – Mar. 19 • Vol. 44 • Issue 12 • 23 • • 2 • Vol. 44 • Issue 1 • Sept. 7 - Sept. 20 • THE NAVIGATOR Tyler McCulloch Clinical Student
REASON #9: IN 2012, OUR GRADUATES ATTAINED RESIDENCIES IN 17 SPECIALTIES ACROSS THE US AND CANADA.
The prospect of attaining a competitive residency is just one of the many reasons students choose American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine (AUC) to ful ll their dream of becoming a doctor. AUC OFFERS STUDENTS: • Hands-on experience early in the curriculum. • A supportive environment with faculty who are committed to teaching and student success. • Clinical rotations at US and UK teaching hospitals. • Provincial loans are available to those who qualify.
FIND YOUR REASON AT AUCMed.edu.
A FEW SEATS REMAIN FOR OUR MAY ’13 CLASS. ATTEND OUR OPEN HOUSE TO FIND OUT MORE. Saturday, March 9th at 10 am Renaissance Vancouver Harbourside For comprehensive consumer information visit aucmed.edu/consumer-info.html REGISTER BY SCANNING THE © 2013 Global Education International. All rights reserved. QR CODE OR VISIT AUCMed.edu.