Embracing Diversity in College Setting by Agnes Ramos

Rooted in tradition · Exploring the future

Vol. 44 · Issue #8 Thursday, February 10, 2011 Loyalist College · Belleville, ON · Canada

Embracing diversity in college setting By Agnes Ramos

February is the shortest month of the year. It features Groundhog Day, Chinese New Year, Valentine’s Day and Heart and Stroke Month. How- ever, many Loyalist College students may not know this: February is also Black History Month. The first celebration of Black His- tory Month in Canada was in Toron- to in 1950 and in 1995, the House of Commons nationally declared the month of February as Black History Month. Across the metropolitan areas of Canada, elementary schools, high schools, and post-secondary insti- tutions will be commemorating the achievements of black Americans and Canadians. From extravagant presentations and assemblies to simple tidbits of facts and quota- tions, students will be learning about the contributions of the Afri- can diaspora to the history of North America. But some schools, such as Loyal- ist, do not formally mark Black His- tory Month. “The college is an educational fa- cility with a large responsibility to the community…It doesn’t matter if we had just one person of colour here, we should still be educating ourselves. Black history is our history,” said Shawn Doyle of the aboriginal resource centre at Loyalist College. Ghanaian-Canadian Victoria Odzenma, 26, a student in Loyalist’s customs and border services pro- Agnes Ramos gram, said the school not acknowl- Ghanaian-Canadian Victoria Odzenma, 26, from Loyalist’s customs and border services program, belongs to the small, but growing population of minority stu- edging the month doesn’t disap- dents. Odzenma understands the circumstances as to why there is a lack of awareness of Black History Month but also wishes the school celebrated diversity. point her. ...See Diversity, page 2 Communication issue for student government “It’s something that’s incredibly three years long so students are not election for next year’s student gov- Information provided hard to market,” says Scott. “Stu- “It’s something that is here for long enough to develop a ernment is coming up at the end of through various dents are generally only interested relationship with their student gov- this month. in what we do when they have an incredibly hard to ernment. Just 10 per cent of the Loyalist media venues issue with it. People often show up Mandy Burgess, a practical nurs- population participated in voting to events just for the free meal and market.” ing student, disagrees this is a valid last year. The government hopes By Natelie Herault then leave.” Student Government president Ryan excuse. that incentives, such as the fact that Ian Beaton, a television and new “I’ve been at this school for two students who vote have the chance Loyalist College’s student govern- media student, disagrees that stu- Scott years, and I have never once heard to win up to $500, will help encour- ment says it is doing a good job of dents should have to search for in- the student government come up in age voting. communicating and connecting with formation. conversation.” Nominations closed Tuesday at students. Another student, Jarin Fischl, in “The student government doesn’t Scott says this has been a very noon and information on candidates However, not everyone agrees. the recreation and leisure program, make it apparent how to communi- successful year for the student gov- will soon be made available on the gov- Student Government president feels that students don’t get a prop- cate with them, and there is no way ernment. The school has seen its ernment’s website, LoyalistStudents. Ryan Scott says he feels while a lot er say. to give feedback.” best survey results ever with nearly com. of information is being well distrib- “I don’t even know who the gov- The student government com- 60 per cent of students taking part. At least one person is running for uted, it is the responsibility of indi- ernment is. I think that they municates with students through As well as, the Shark Tank pub has each position, which is an improve- vidual students to seek it out. should be more open and verbal, e-mail, posters, websites and word- seen its best attendance records this ment over last year. Recently, the student group held that they should come around of-mouth, Scott says. They have also year. This year, voting will be open on an event for students to meet their and introduce themselves to set up a Facebook page, but say that Last year, only two students ran LoyalistStudents.com between 10 student government leaders. Fewer classes.” people have to be open and willing for the position of president and all a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 22 and 4 than 10 students attended. Scott says one issue is that pro- to accept these new platforms. grams at Loyalist are only two to other positions were acclaimed. The p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 24. Clean water focus of provincially-funded initiative

tic tanks, decommission six wells, said Belch. portunities for people to address tance of the initiative. Landowners fund five agricultural projects and Belch also explained that she and these problems so they don’t pose “It’s important because people are will make use of five projects related to the safety of her neighbours noticed an increase a threat to our drinking water sys- drawing water to drink. People like our chemical storage. in the number of minnows and frogs tems…We really have to communi- children, grandchildren or loved ones second phase “Treating the water is important, in the lake. cate it to people,” said Taylor. play in the water in the summer… but so is tackling the problem before For Taylor, this is a very impor- “You have to get the landowner People are happy to know the lake is of program it starts. It’s easier to protect our tant project but minor problems involved and want to participate. It getting taken care of and to know that water if it started out cleaner,” said lie in trying to convey this mes- could be very expensive, but 80 per our water’s clean,” said Belch. By Mariza Dunham Gaspar Taylor. sage. cent funding is, in my mind, very For applications or more informa- The past three years of the pro- “We’ve spent the money well and good incentive.” tion about the project, visit www. Old or leaky wells and septics will gram resulted in $221,600 funding we want to continue to provide op- Belch said she knows the impor- quintesourcewater.ca. soon be replaced or upgraded as for the decommissioning of 10 wells part of a provincially-funded initia- and 34 septic repairs or replace- tive to help protect Quinte’s drink- ments, most of which were along Ro- ing water. blin Lake in Prince Edward County. The Ontario Drinking Water Stew- Among the landowners who re- ardship Program, which started in ceived help as part of the $28-mil- 2007, has entered the second phase lion, four-year agreement by the of its four-year plan with a $223,000 ministry was Lois Belch of Amelias- grant from the Ontario Ministry of burgh. the Environment. The program sets Already in the process of upgrad- out to address significant drinking ing her home septic system in 2008, water threats while delivering fi- Belch was glad to hear of the pro- nancial assistance to landowners to gram from a neighbour. eliminate current hazards or prevent “It was quite expensive, so I was potential ones. glad to receive the help…Everyone “It’s the continuation of a really was very helpful and good to deal great project. For the past six years with as well,” said Belch. we’ve been doing the research, but Belch also decided to take advan- this is a tangible project that we can tage of the funding to help upgrade do to physically protect the drink- her seldom-used cottage septic sys- ing water sources for this area,” said tem. The stewardship program pro- project manager Keith Taylor. vided $7,000 funding, leaving $2,300 After the application and inspec- for Belch to pay. tion process, landowners could be “It was expensive and it was a eligible for grants that would cover huge job, but I really appreciated 80 per cent of the costs of upgrad- the help. Now it should be good for ing or replacing septic systems and 10–15 years,” said Belch. wells. Taylor said the water quality in The new phase will focus some the area is already starting to show of its attention toward agricultural positive results. projects with safe management and Residents along Roblin Lake have storage of source materials such as noticed a difference as well. manure. Safe chemical storing will “This past summer, we noticed also be on the agenda. These ‘bigger that there was not as much green Mariza Dunham Gaspar ticket’ projects, Taylor said, could be algae. Since the program started Keith Taylor, project manager for Quinte Conservation, has been working in the industry for 28 years. He is entitled to funding of up to $20,000. three years ago, there are already currently promoting the second phase of the Ontario Drinking Water Stewardship Program, which helps pro- In 2011, Quinte Conservation ex- results with clearer, cleaner water,” tect Quinte’s water sources. pects to repair or replace 13 sep- Page A2 · The Pioneer · February 10, 2011 Diversity… Continued from Page 1

“I think the more African-Canadi- ans you have in the community, the more that kind of stuff is appreciated,” said Odzenma. “But aside from Black History Month, I think any school should celebrate all cultures, whether it is Japanese or Jewish or whatever. Knowledge is key, and knowledge is power.” Caribbean-Canadian Alexander Sargeant, 24, in the sports journal- ism program feels the same way. “Belleville is not very ethically diverse, so I’m not surprised. I don’t see any interest in it at all,” Sargeant said. The problem may simply be that students don’t know where to turn for the support needed to start something like Black History Month. Ryan Scott, president of the Loyal- ist College student government, said that they are willing to give this support. “We are here to serve the students,” Scott said. “Black History Month is an important event to remember. If a group of students took initiative to set up and promote Black History Month, they would have the board’s full approval and support. However, to my knowledge, there have been no such groups.” Paul Latchford of the aboriginal resource centre said they are also always willing to give students a platform to celebrate diversity and culture. “It would be a challenge to say that there is no interest. There is a Sara Hart lack of interest based on a lack of There she blows - Crew from Lasher Masonry secure protective sheeting over a partially constructed residence building to protect newly laid bricks from awareness. People aren’t aware that strong gusting winds. there is this opportunity,” Latchford said. “Our door is open. It doesn’t matter where you’re from, your culture, your race, or your ethnicity – you’re Loyalist graduates finding jobs in post-recession climate welcome here. But having said that, it may take the initiative to say By Mihal Zada is early job search,” says Kerik. She also points Steve Bolton, co-ordinator of the radio broad- ‘Here’s what we’re proposing, who out that 80 per cent of available jobs are not ad- casting program commented on the 10 per cent is of interest?’ because we have seen vertised on job boards. “We have lots of resources figure. He says the recession caused a blip in the that around in the college, that’s Post-recession employment is there, but grads to assist students who aren’t necessarily good at system. how things get started.” have to work to find that job. networking.” “2009 was the year of the financial meltdown,” But to minority students, this is College and university students often see the Loyalist has compiled data, available on the says Bolton. “Industry was hit, which meant less easier said than done. end of their programs as the cliff edge of child- college’s website, of graduates in the job market. money to advertise. Radio was hit as well be- “The catch-22 is that there are so hood before their jump into the depths of real life. Not all alumni weighed in. But of those who did, cause of this.” few black students here that it can Graduates must find jobs, reimburse their student recent numbers are not encouraging. Chris Barnim is graduating from radio broad- maybe make them feel shy, embar- loans and pay their way when student subsidies In 28 of the 52 programs with statistics available casting this spring. rassed or spotlighted,” explained and parental support run out. between 2005 and 2009, the number of graduates “It’s definitely a mix in our class,” Barnim ex- Troy DeFour, 22, in the television The pressure to compete has been mounting, working full-time in related fields went down in plains. “There’s people who really want to be in and new media program. “When too. Factors, such as employers’ demands for 2008 and 2009 compared to earlier years. That’s radio but there are some going back to school for the reality is, we don’t want to be more education, soaring unemployment rates and just a reflection of graduates who were ready to a fallback… you can make it in radio, but you have here, because we’re not in our ele- piles of résumés on human resources desks make work. Those who chose to continue their educa- to work really hard.” ment.” finding work in a relevant field difficult. tion or not to seek employment were not factored The outlook is good. In Ontario, unemployment Spearheading a campaign to build Lyndsay Kerik is an employment and career ad- into the statistics. is down from 9.1 per cent in 2010 to 8.1 per cent an agenda for the celebration of visor at the Loyalist College Career Centre. The Among those 28 programs is radio broadcast- last month and full-time employment is up 1.7 per Black History Month is not some- centre offers students help in finding jobs and job ing. In 2009 just 10 per cent of graduates who recent from a year ago. thing DeFour sees in the near future. search resources. sponded to the survey were working full-time in That means more opportunities for grads. They “Unfortunately, because of where “The biggest thing we encourage students to do their field. just need to be realistic about those opportunities. we are, it’s not the most comfortable setting for us,” said DeFour. DeFour says that what bothers him about going to school in a small town is when people call him ‘white Woman seeks to finance controversial treatment washed.’ “Who says that being profes- “I have roughly $10,000 saved and sional, clean, nice, appropriate, By Kristine Benham need $3,000 or $4,000 more,” Nich- well-mannered is ‘white?’ I don’t get olls said about her fundraising goals. it. People have the nerve to say to She raised $1,400 Saturday night at me ‘You know, you’re not like most A Belleville woman is hoping to raise the Banquet Centre. black guys. You’re not the black guy enough money for a controversial “It’s just so close, so close I can I expected. You’re not the black guy treatment for multiple sclerosis. taste it,” Nicholls said. I thought black guys to be,’” said a Denise Nicholls has had MS for 14 This relatively new treatment is frustrated DeFour. years and for the last three she has still undergoing research and is un- He blamed this perception on me- required assistance with walking. available in Canada and not yet sup- dia stereotypes and a lack of expo- “My son was recently married and ported by the Multiple Sclerosis So- sure to other cultures. I pushed to have this treatment so ciety of Canada. “The perception of what black I could dance with him at his wed- “The MS Society shares this opti- people, Asian people, or brown ding. When I was diagnosed, that’s mism and recognizes that this con- people should be bothers me. what I thought of, not being able to cept has already opened up new Sorry I don’t wear baggy clothes. dance with my son on his wedding avenues of research and may lead Sorry that I have appropriate dic- day,” Nicholls said about what the to potential therapies,” says the so- tion and sorry that I don’t slouch procedure would mean for her. ciety on its website about the treat- around looking angry all the time. Nicholls’ goal is to travel to Cali- ment. Sorry for that, because there are chronic cerebro-spinal ve- fornia for Nicholls originally wanted to trav- black people out there who are nous insufficiency CCSVI ( ) therapy. el to Costa Rica for the treatment but professional, well-kept, and appro- This type of treatment is the pro- her doctors were concerned about Niamh Malcolm priate.” cess in which arteries are stretched, international medications. California Denise Nicholls, 47, is independently fundraising for her controversial CCSVI This kind of frustration can be opening a vein inside of the brain, al- uses the same types of medications treatment which she hopes will treat her multiple sclerosis. The treatment is driven out by knowledge, which is lowing better blood flow. that a Canadian doctor would pre- being done in California and will cost her $14,000. where Black History Month steps Nicholls has held several different scribe, they told her. in. fundraisers since last September to The procedure itself is a day- said she is happy to share her expe- to, but what are they going to do? Doyle explained perceptions like raise $14,000 for the entire proce- surgery, which requires a $2,500 rience with the media. Fire me?” Nicholls jokes. these are deeply rooted in rural dure. magnetic resonance venography “I don’t mind, it helps others and Nicholls plans to continue fund- areas and in smaller communities, On Saturday evening, Feb. 5, Nich- test prior to the treatment, to shows people what this is all about.” raising, being just under halfway where people are more unaware. olls hosted a “girls’ night out” at the measure the blood flow. Dr. Mi- She also volunteers for the MS to her final goal. Resources are “From the time people are born, Banquet Centre, featuring makeup, chael Arata is treating Nicholls at Society of Canada, providing phone becoming the only problem for they are infused with whatever massages, hairstyling, nails, a silent his clinic in California. Arata has support for those looking to discuss her. their community believed in,” said auction, a live band (Dr. Strange- been treating CCSVI patients for MS concerns. “I am running out of ideas and Doyle. “You’re taught who to love love), photo booth and belly danc- one year and has treated over 500 “A lot of the time, I just tell peo- don’t want to take the same people’s and who to hate, who to fight and ers (The Firelights). Tickets includ- patients so far. ple things based on my experience money. We have been very fortunate who to love and you don’t neces- ed all of these things, as well as food Nicholls said the treatment will from having MS. I’m not supposed with the crowds we’ve gotten,” Nich- sarily question that until you’re and a gift bag of goodies for $30. only slow the process of MS, but she olls said. older.” This year, Black History Month might go unnoticed. But next year can be a different story. Flowers and chocolate Valentine favourites Doyle said that it could start small. “It could be as simple as a class doing something. It could be a booth in the cafeteria. It could be anything. It’s a start.” In the year 2011 in a country as free as Canada, race is still a sensi- tive subject. Learning is the most important factor for the progress of society, said Latchford. “The students learn about each other. That’s really what life’s about. Everybody has strengths and weaknesses. We’ve adapted. Society has Photos and Story by Tyler Pollard “Valentine’s is the single busiest day of hearts everywhere. survived and it has survived as a and Nathan Rochford the year for our shop,” said Preston . “Chocolate roses are our biggest seller,” group, believe it or not.” Donini Chocolate starts its preparation said Ford. In the words of African-Amer- As Valentine’s Day rapidly approaches, local weeks in advance. “We look ahead for the The hopeless romantics choose jewelry ican politician Barbara Jordan, businesses are ramping up to get ready for season and make the proper preparations to buy their special someone the perfect “Do not call for black power or the big day. to order and stock the right chocolate,” gift. People’s Jewellers offers a wide range green power. Call for brain pow- Since Valentine’s is on a Monday, busi- said Nicole Ford, store manager. of jewelry from simple hearts to elaborate er.” ness owners are expecting to have a busy Valentine’s is not Donini’s busiest time diamond pendants. For information on Black History Sunday. Debbie Preston of Flowers by of year—Easter and Christmas edge it “We get a lot of the younger romantics Month, go to www.blackhistorycana- Dustin is planning to have double the staff out. But Valentine’s is definitely a busy who want to express how they feel about da.ca and www.blackhistorysociety. both Sunday and Monday. time; they have gift baskets and chocolate the one they love,” said Bev Reynolds. ca. The Pioneer · February 10, 2011 · Page A3

Give us a heads-up! E-mail The Pioneer with your game schedules and scores at [email protected] Wrestling a family affair By Aaron Hinks in my corner coaching me. It makes me want to win. I think with all the The Centennial Chargers good senior wrestlers gone away to are looking for another win university, I have a good chance of at Bay of Quinte this year. winning this year.” Bay of Quinte wrestling teams for Rhys and her brother, Jared Bauer, this year’s competition include Cen- 17, both won gold last year. The broth- tennial, Prince Edward Collegiate, er and sister have high expectations of North Hastings, Trenton, Quinte themselves this year. Rhys and Jared (host), and Moira. work hard during the off-season. Work- “I think the team will do well this ing and training together helps them year. We have some strong wrestlers learn their strengths and weaknesses. like Kyle Doschamps, Matt Walker, “ I want to do well so that universi- Lonnie Herrington, and also the ties start to look at me for scholar- Bauer’s,” said Dan Foley, coach for ships,” said Jared. Centennial Secondary. “ I hope we Jared competed in the nationals at can still be undefeated this year.” British Columbia last year and placed The team plans on holding the title top 15. He will be competing in nation- of Bay of Quinte champs again. Cen- als this year in Windsor on April 7. tennial has held the award since The Central Ontario Secondary Bancroft won many years ago. School Association (COSSA) champi- “Our goal this year is to make it to onships are set for next Wednesday OFSAA like my big sister Harper and Feb. 16, at Bancroft Secondary School. Aaron Hinks brother Alec did when they used to The top two wrestlers in each weight wrestle,” said Rhys Bauer, 15, wres- class will then advance to the Ontar- Former champions of the Bay of Quinte wrestling competition, Jared Bauer and sister Rhys sit on wrestling mats in tler of Centennial Chargers. “It re- io Federation of School Athletic As- their basement. Jared, 64 kg, and Rhys, 57.5 kg, compete today at Quinte Secondary in Bay of Quinte for Centennial ally helps having dad and my family sociation’s (OFSAA) championships. Secondary School.

Big weekend Racers love their sled dogs for varsity teams This is a big weekend for Loyalist Mass slaughter Chocpaw is a sled dog tour com- College varsity sports teams. Loy- pany out of South River, Ont. which alist Lancers’ women’s basketball a rarity currently houses approximately 400 team will play Algonquin Thunder in the industry dogs. Many mushers retire their at Loyalist on Saturday, Feb. 12 at dogs to Chocpaw and have complete 1:00 p.m. The men’s basketball team confidence in their program. By Tyler Pollard will follow at 3:00 p.m. also against Kris Sampson of Chocpaw is a Algonquin. competitive racer and a tour opera- The mass slaughter of 100 sled dogs On Friday, Feb. 11, Lancer’s wom- tor for the company. in British Columbia is a rarity in a en’s volleyball team will face-off “Most of my tours are with dog very good industry, said mushers at against Algonquin at 6:00 p.m. on lovers, so as a guide, I take adoption this weekend’s Marmora SnoFest. their own turf in Ottawa. The men’s on as a personal responsibility. I say, Marmora hosted its 33rd annual volleyball team will play Algonquin ‘Hey you fell in love with one of your SnoFest, which has more then 30 at 8:00 p.m. dogs,’ and I let them know that it will teams participate each year. Lancers’ women’s volleyball team be up for adoption in a year or two. The event came about a week af- will play home team La Cité Coyotes “We start at a young age, so we ter news of a massacre of 100 sled on Saturday, Feb. 12 at 1:00 p.m. The have time. We don’t get ourselves in dogs in British Columbia came to men’s volleyball team will follow at a situation like that now, ‘This dog is light. It was reported that the tour 3:00 p.m., against La Cité. in a situation not able to work any company had no use for the dogs longer. We are willing to adopt them after the surge of the Olympics. The off younger if it is a great fit,’” said dogs were killed and buried in April Sampson. 2010. This was discovered after an Martial arts hold Typically, sled dogs have about an employee filed a claim because of eight-year competition lifespan but suffering from post-traumatic stress are still able to do tours and be great disorder. annual event family pets. Typically, sled dog racers such as “You get eight years out of a highly By Pioneer Staff Todd Sullivan, who was at SnoFest, competitive dog, but after that, they retire their dogs to tour operators still have value. You use your older Approximately 115 participants because although the dogs’ racing rd dogs to train your new dogs; they turned out for the 23 annual Bel- lives are over, they are still able to just don’t compete but they are still leville Karate & jiu-jitsu Club open do tours, which is much easier on great training partners,” said Sulli- martial arts tournament last Satur- them. van. day at Centennial Secondary School. “Some dogs will stay with a mush- It was a beautiful weekend for While most participants were er if they have a special bond, a spe- dog sledding and winter events in from the Quinte region some trav- cial leader. Some of them will go to Marmora. The event showcased a elled from as far as four hours away. tours, kind of like what happened, plethora of events from sno-pitch Trevor Wilkes, of Barrie, was one which is extremely unusual. baseball to a 30-mile sled dog race. of those people. He placed second “You have to know what tour op- SnoFest, a two-day event, draws in adult’s grappling at the weekend erators you are sending your dogs crowds of thousands, said Gail Tay- tournament. to. A lot of them retire as pets. A lot lor, one of the volunteer directors. While not always interested in of people speak for your dogs before The event is run completely by martial arts Wilkes began to get they even retire,” said Sullivan. volunteers and they said they do it more involved after watching his The events that took place in Brit- to give back to the community. two daughters practice jiu-jitsu. ish Columbia are an unusual occur- SnoFest also features events such “I have lost 30 pounds and like to rence. Mushers and tour operators as the women woodsman competi- participate in all the classes avail- at SnoFest said they were comfort- tion, skijoring, and dog sledding. able,” said Wilkes. “I help out with able retiring their dogs to tour op- Tyler Pollard Normand Samson took home the youth and teen classes and go erators, which they know and trust. first place with a combined time of Lynn Cheffins participated in Marmora’s 33rd annual Snofest this past week- out to ‘fight night’ which is training That is the way the industry works 3:39:46 in the 30-mile sled dog race. end. Cheffins has been doing tours since 1989 and has been racing for the for tournaments every Friday night and has worked for years, they said. past five years. with my two daughters.” Loyalist Lancers showcase promising new basketball player

the key midway through the first half of the game. Team fails to get it together His final points – he had four – were added by free throws with only three minutes left in the game. in close game against “I felt that he was confident and aggressive with the ball. I gave him as many minutes as I could, Knights losing 76-62 probably a few more than I would normally give a player who just stepped in like that. I was pretty impressed with his play,” said McGrath. By Mariza Dunham Gaspar Team captain Trevor Mayer, who watched from the sidelines with major knee injuries, agreed Stoker performed well. Despite a strong showing in the first half of the “He really stepped in well. He came in and game, the Loyalist Lancers men’s basketball team helped with the rebounding and with the physical failed to close the gap in scores resulting in a 76 presence of the team,” he said. – 62 win for the Flemming Knights on Tuesday “I’m a bit rusty, but I did what the team wanted night. me to: create screens for point guards and get the “We came out kind of sluggish in the first half on rebounds,” said Stoker the defensive end. Offensively we played pretty Being a bit ‘rusty’ seemed reasonable as Stoker good; we took care of the ball in terms of the turn- hadn’t played college basketball in four years and overs,” said Coach Darrell McGrath. was only able to attend one practice with his new “The second half we stepped the defense up team before Tuesday’s game. but struggled on rebounds. They out-rebounded “It’s a high intensity game out there and he’s us two to one almost,” McGrath said. “In the end a little out of game shape and form, but that’s to that’s really what killed us.” be expected. I thought he played hard,” said Mc- Damone Donaldson, No. 34, was the Lancers’ Grath. lead scorer of the game with 19 points, while Cal- Stoker hopes to improve his play by getting vin Chevannes, No. 4, was second with 13 points. more familiar with the offence goal and spending Although the game didn’t go as planned, the more time in the gym to get back in shape. performance of one new teammate was signifi- “I also want to create good chemistry with the cant. team,” added Stoker The six-foot-seven Kurtis Stoker, No. 55, was The team hopes to win a spot in the playoffs, Michelle Berg added to the roster just days ago and made his one game at a time. The next game will be against Six-foot, seven-inch Kurtis Stoker, the newest teammate of Loyalist Lancers debut as a centre on court with only four games the undefeated Algonquin Thunder at Loyalist basketball team, had an impressive performance in his debut game Tuesday. He left in the season. College, Saturday, Feb. 12. made four points, controlled rebounds and added a much needed physical pres- Stoker sunk his first basket from just outside ence to the team. The Pioneer · February 8, 2011 · Page A4

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Graphic novel Band growing as fast as crowds questioned

Down With Webster as literature plays to sold-out crowd By Mihal Zada at Shark Tank Pub When CBC’s 10th annual Canada Reads debates ended Wednesday, By Michelle Berg a political satire took top spot. But another book may deserve more attention. It may seem impossible to imagine Essex County by Jeff LeMire is Ca- living on a bus with six other guys nadian literature in its essence – it is for months at a time, but for Down about family history, loneliness and With Webster, this is their life. hockey. It follows several genera- “Seven people on a bus isn’t that tions in Essex County in southwest- bad,” said Pat Gillett, the band’s gui- ern Ontario and in Toronto and the tarist, before playing to a sold-out things that tie them together. show at the Shark Tank Pub, Feb. 3. LeMire calls his novel “a love sto- After working on Down With Web- ry to Essex County.” ster’s second album, Time to Win, There was, however, a lot of ex- Vol. 2 in the studio, the band’s mem- ception taken to Essex County being bers packed into a bus and started included in Canada Reads’ top five their 2011 tour with Loyalist College books. The novel, with its haunting being one of their first stops. characters and unmistakable Ca- “It’s way worse when you do nadian themes, is the first graphic the van and hotel room thing and novel to be included in the event. you’re sharing a bed every night Five celebrity panelists each with a dude who’s your same size,” chose a book to defend. The books explained Cam Hunter, Down With were eliminated one by one until a Webster’s MC. winner was decided. When the band first started tour- Essex County was the first book ing, they’d have half the crowd in voted off. The book was championed by Ca- the bus for an after-party. Tyler Pollard “We’d wake up in the morning nadian rocker Sara Quin of Tegan and be like, ‘Oh my God,’” said Gil- Juno-nominated Down With Webster played to a sold-out crowd at the Shark Tank Pub at Loyalist last week. Martin and Sara. lett. “It’s like a college house with six “Bucky” Seja and Cameron “Cam” Hunter led the group to finish the night with “Whoa is me,” their number one hit. “I think that the graphic novel ush- or seven people living there and it’s up, anticipation. Next thing you of day by a label before the Internet. I’m just happy we’re nominated and ers in a new way to view caricatures just trashed.” know, the songs are done and you’re “The only reason our label finally we get to perform.” that we’ve grown used to reading Every morning, for weeks at a going on the Internet trying to figure paid attention to us was because Down With Webster does a lot about in Canadian literature and it time, the band would be stepping out if it went well,” said Hunter. they’re like ‘Wait, you guys are draw- more performing than recording in re-frames the lives of Canadians in over pizza boxes and passed-out “The Internet – that’s our genera- ing that many people in T.O. and you the studio. a contemporary form,” Quin argued people. That is the life of a rock star. tion,” Hunter said. “I grew up down- did it all yourselves?’” said Hunter. “The only way you make money is during Monday’s debate on CBC. The band mates said their favou- loading music for free. I didn’t buy “Myspace, Facebook and YouTube to stay on the road,” said Hunter. When fellow panelist Debbie Tra- rite city to play is their hometown, albums. I was a little have been so big “Our studio is wherever,” Gillett vis suggested Quin was ahead of Toronto. They started playing in pirate.” for building our said. “We can do it on our laptop on her time, she countered with noted small clubs like The Reverb and The success of “The fans are the audience and the bus.” international examples of highly re- Sound Academy. Their tour ends a band doesn’t de- gaining fans,” he Having seven creative minds try- garded graphic novels. March 12 with a show at Massey Hall pend on the label people in charge of the said. ing to collaborate on a new single is “Twenty years ago, people were giving critical praise and acclaim in Toronto. anymore. People music industry now. The best thing like organized chaos. “Massey Hall is going to feel mas- can listen to what- about the Inter- “Our writing process is very to people like Art Spiegelman and sive,” said Hunter. “The yardstick of ever they want, Quality dictates it.” net is that “You weird,” said Gillett. “A lot of people Chris Ware and the Persepolis se- how well we’re doing is where we thanks to the Inter- can turn some- make their own songs, then we’ll all ries… I think maybe across the bor- can play in Toronto.” net. Down With Webster’s Pat Gillett thing around im- sit and play each other what we’ve der there’s more movement for this Gillett and Hunter agreed that “It makes it fair,” mediately and been doing. If we all like the same type of thing and hopefully Canada both small and large venues have said Gillett. “You stay connected thing then we try it out.” can catch up.” their charms. don’t even need a label. Someone to your fans constantly,” said Hunt- Although nominated for best pop In 1992, Art Spiegelman’s graphic “It’s cool to reach out and touch could be in the basement and make er. It doesn’t have to go through album, their influences and musical novel, Maus, won the Pulitzer Prize someone’s hand,” said Hunter about a song that people like and it be- companies that control the distribu- tastes are far from pop. for literature. the intimate shows. “But you can’t comes number one.” tion. “We’re like, ‘OK, I want to do a Gillett grew up listening to classic In Toronto, Peter Birkemoe, own- beat the feeling of being on a tall “The fans are the people in charge video and I want it up tomorrow.’” rock, alternative ‘90s, and hip hop. er of the well-respected comic book stage with a wave of people moving of the music industry now,” he said. Down With Webster won the 2010 Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith, Soundgar- store Beguiling expressed great dis- in unison.” “Quality dictates it.” Canadian New Media Awards Online den, Beck and Rage Against the Ma- appointment in the reaction to Essex Down With Webster’s biggest con- The labels don’t have control over Artist of the Year, and is nominated chine are among the big influences in County. cert to date was the 2010 Grey Cup what the fans hear on a day-to-day for two Juno Awards for pop album Gillett’s life along with Hunter’s favou- “It looks bad on the CBC. It looks pre-game show in Edmonton. basis. and group of the year in March. rites, Cypress Hill and Wu-Tang Clan. bad on the other members of the “It was so cold. It was over before “At the end of the day, the only Hunter said he is pumped because “No one called it punk rock – the panel, who have been radically be- it happened,” said Hunter. way they’re going to make money is the Junos are in Toronto. media called it punk rock,” said Gil- hind the times, embarrassingly,” “I couldn’t feel my hands,” said to please fans,” said Gillett. “One of our categories has like lett. “They were just having fun.” says Birkemoe. “It just seems more Gillett. A band like Down With Webster Bieber and Drake in it, so we’re And that is exactly what Down With than a little ignorant. It’s not surpris- “It was two songs, a lot of build- wouldn’t have been given the time screwed. I’m not expecting anything. Webster is doing. ing that the people they chose don’t have a critical vocabulary for engag- ing comics and graphic fiction.” Jeff LeMire was not available for an interview but suggested Pioneer readers view his blog at jefflemire. blogspot.com. “I’ll admit that it stings a bit more than I thought it would,” LeMire wrote when his book was voted off. “But in the end, I am really proud of the accomplishment of making it to the final five. It’s a great sign for the future of graphic novels in this country and their continued acceptance of mainstream literary circles on a whole.” Giving the gift of music

By Audra Kent

What gift could be more romantic this Valentine’s Day than the gift of live orchestral music featuring the ancient and romantic instrument, Natelie Herault the harp? The Bellissima Ringers, a handbell quartet, performed at Bridge Street United Church Saturday night. The group is made up of (from left) Adam Guthrie, Kath- This Sunday’s Quinte Symphony leen Cann, Cathie Banks and Susan Carscadden-Misfud. Formed in 1997, the group collectively represents more than 75 years of handbell-ringing experience. Masterworks concert, Affairs of the Harp, will feature just such an instrument with guest soloist Sharlene Wallace, one of Canada’s most influ- ential and prolific harpists. Music rings true for concert goers Under the direction of Maestro Gor- don Craig, the concert will open with Felix Mendelssohn’s uplifting and Handbell quartet Bell-ringing separates each note into its own says the first thing she did was form the Bellis- tumultuous Hebrides Overture (also bell, ranging in size and pitch. The bells are laid sima Ringers. commonly known as Fingal’s Cave). shares its sound out like a piano keyboard, from smallest to larg- Since then, Carscadden-Misfud has made it to The mood will then switch to ro- at Bridge Street United est. The Bellissimas handbell set consists of 49 the top of her trade. She often competes as a solo- mance with Wallace performing the bells, ranging in notes from G3 to G7. Handbells ist handbell ringer, and this May, she will be ap- hauntingly beautiful Danses Sacree By Natelie Herault can weigh as little as seven ounces or as much as pointed president of the Ontario Guild of English et Profane by Claude Debussy, im- 18 pounds. Handbell Ringers. mediately followed by Ottorino Handbell quartets usually have each member “My goal at this point is to try and get handbells Respighi’s lilting and delightful An- The Bellissima Ringers handbell quartet is a small stay in one place with a particular group of bells. in schools,” said Carscadden-Misfud of what she cient Airs and Dances Suite. Wallace group with big sound. But the Bellissimas are an exception. hopes to do once in charge. will then perform a selection of her The London-based quartet performed at Bridge “We shift around because it’s too boring oth- “It teaches a great sense of camaraderie and own compositions, including Winter Street United Church Saturday night to a crowd erwise, and we never thought of doing anything patience.” Frieze, the Celtic harp solo set and of 22 music-lovers dedicated enough to brave a else,” said Carscadden-Misfud, the group’s direc- The Bellissima Ringers released a CD in 2008 Acacia Street. snowstorm. And they were not disappointed. tor. which is a first for any Canadian handbell quar- The Sunday afternoon concert will “It was fantastic. Amazing,” said 27-year-old “But sometimes it’s hard to keep the smooth tet. But handbell-ringing is no longer a staple in begin 2:30 p.m. in the home of the Jen Gibson, who is both the newest and youngest feel of the piece while we’re scrambling around churches. Many churches nowadays will instead Quinte Symphony, the acoustically and member of Bridge Street United’s own handbell up [there], passing bells to each other.” play recordings over a loudspeaker, an idea that visually beautiful sanctuary of Bridge choir. Carscadden-Misfud said that the biggest chal- Carscadden-Misfud finds disconcerting. Street United Church in Belleville. The concert marked Bridge Street United lenge of bell-ringing is having a sense of ensemble “I think the opportunity to make live music to- Advance tickets for the concert Church’s first performance of the year. Harvey throughout the group and working together as a gether is a gift. You get to meet people and build are available at the Quinte Arts Tremeer, the church’s chairman of music, said the cohesive unit. connections. And the sound of bells in a church Council in Belleville, Bruinix Jewel- group tries to have a few programs of this nature She got her start in bell-ringing at 15 when is a really unique sound. People tell me how they lers in Trenton and Books & Com- throughout the year in an attempt to reach out to her grandmother was inspired by a bell choir find it peaceful and relaxing.” pany in Picton. Tickets will also be the community. and bought a set of bells for the entire family. The group will be performing among nearly 400 available at the door – $30 for adults, The Bellissima Ringers formed in 1997 and is Carscadden-Misfud took up the instrument al- other handbell-ringers at the Ontario guild’s an- $5 youth (six-24 years). made up of members Susan Carscadden-Misfud, most immediately and has been playing ever nual Good Vibrations handbell festival which this For additional information, visit Cathie Banks, Adam Guthrie and Kathleen ‘KC’ since. In 1997, she bought her own set of bells year will take place at McMaster University in the Quinte Symphony website at Cann. They are considered one of the top hand- (an investment that cost upwards of $2,000) and Hamilton on May 26-28. www.quintesymphony.com. bell quartets in Canada. Page A5 · The Pioneer · February 10, 2011 On the street

We asked people at Loyalist College the following question: If the Internet ceased to exist, what would you do?

Britany Terry, 19, Kyle McMillan, 19, Richard Powell, 22, Sarah Woodcock, 19, Matt Turner, 21, Xavier Nelson, 19, child and youth animation, “I would custom and border spa management practical nursing, “I television and new worker, “I’d just use live in a forest forever. services, “I would and aesthetics, “I’d would have a heart media, “I would sit snail mail. The Internet I’d have no reason to be a happy person. probably go out and attack because that’s there and do nothing has a huge impact, be out in the modern It would force me to see people more in how I communicate because there’s no helping with research world because reconnect friendships person. Get more with people.” point. You can’t do papers, keeping in without the Internet, that I’ve probably human interaction, I anything without the contact with people, my job would be lost and have guess. Or go insane. Internet.” but you can always useless.” substituted for online Either one.” just send letters to communication.” Editorial people.” CRTC set on gouging consumers The villainous Internet service providers have done it again. The major Canadian ISPs requested that the CRTC imple- ment a tweak in the regulations that allow the major Internet service providers to charge per gigabyte of Internet used. If approved by the Harper government, the major companies will start charging per gigabyte. This will affect the smaller ISPs as well, as they lease bandwidth from the major ones. The major ISPs in Canada include Rogers Telecommunica- tions – a company that owns the Toronto Blue Jays baseball team. I suppose we’re paying for their bad investment. In defense of the allegations of bilking, the CRTC said that the reason for the extra charges is to help the lighter Internet users. Every gigabyte of bandwidth taken up by consumers costs the ISPs about five cents. When heavy Internet users take up a large amount of bandwidth, the people who use it less have to pay for it. Makes sense, right? The charge for each additional gigabyte is set to be between $1 and $2.50. Much more than it costs to produce the bandwidth. Doesn’t make sense anymore. The CRTC and the ISPs are taking advantage of an economi- cally inelastic product. Like oil, food and addictive substances such as alcohol and tobacco, Internet access is something that Opinion Canadians need in order to survive in the modern world. This is clearly the ISPs trying to make more money by gouging people who use it the most. It’s that ever-important bottom line. Students are undoubtedly affected the most by the possible extra charge. As students, we download a lot. A lot. Whether it’s homework, social networking or watching movies, it’s an important part of our lives. Dear Facebook: It’s not me, it’s you Many students agree the Internet and television should be a standard payment and shouldn’t be based on how much you By Mihal Zada think people were actually interested in me. I was obsessed, use it. Soon enough, we’ll be pumping quarters in our cars to checking in a few times a day just to see what news you had to be able to drive them. I didn’t like you very much, to tell the truth, when we were first feed me. I just couldn’t quit you. The Harper government must tread lightly here. The Cana- introduced. There was that last straw. One thing to remind me just how dian government is in the midst of a pre-campaign campaign But all my friends kept telling me how wonderful you were awful you were. and must realize that students will be affected greatly by this and that I should give you a chance, so I did. Remember when I found out, in public, that you weren’t – students who have the ability to vote. The great thing about It was great at the beginning. You were hypnotic. You gave even into me? You were just using me to get my information a democratic government is that if the government screws up, me attention I never got before, made sure my whole friends’ and sell it to the highest bidder. It made me feel cheap, de- we have the ability to change it. list remembered my birthday and that made sure I got invites ceived. The Internet is something that citizens of the modern world to all their parties. I know it’s just business but I really fell for you! You said you need to have in order to communicate in the most efficient Then you started getting a bit pushy. You started trying to were sorry, you’d change. You offered me a way to make sure it way. Take a look at Egypt: Twitter and social networking have get me to play games I didn’t want to play and buy things I never happened again. Offered more privacy. helped millions fight against their current oppressive regime. If wasn’t interested in buying. There was that incident when you I never really got over that betrayal. these changes are made, it will put this very important tool out got my mother involved in our life. There are some things a girl I guess I wanted it to be OK, so I accepted your apology and of reach for some people in Canada. does not need her mother to know. went on spending time with you. But it wasn’t OK. This could also affect Canadian jobs as well. If companies Not that it’s all your fault. Being with you meant I could show Let’s be honest: the magic is gone. have higher overhead costs, they will be less inclined to create off. The voyeur in me wanted to know all your hot gossip. How You’re just not the same anymore, Facebook. You’re not a jobs in Canada. that girl from high school (the girl everyone thought was so social network, you’re a social black hole and I was getting The CRTC is delaying its decision pending a public review, hot) got really fat after she had her baby. It’s awful but you sucked in. asking Canadians about what they want. made me feel really good when you showed me how bad she It’s over, Facebook. I’m hiding your statuses from the wall looked in her profile picture. of my life. I’m deactivating my profile for the last time. And But you were taking up so much of my time. You were an ad- don’t even bother sending me an e-mail because I’m not going diction and it didn’t help that you were so good at making me to answer. Good food equals Time to open up the discussion on depression smarter kids By Clover Raftis to curb the side effects and help you move on with your daily The UK Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health pub- activities. lished a study this week measuring the impact of a child’s diet It affects everyone, so why is it being ignored? However, there are many side effects of prescription medica- upon their IQ. The study concluded that children with high in- There’s a lot of literature regarding it. The Internet has thou- tions, and for some, the side effect from antidepressants can takes of nutrient-rich foods increased IQs in later childhood. sands of advertisements to treat it. On the radio we hear it, and worsen the person’s disorder. Those with high fat, sugar and processed food content demon- more recently Bell Canada has set up Olympic multi-medalist Look at the warning labels and you’ll see for yourself that strated reductions. Clara Hughes to help “spark the conversation” about it. most of the common prescription medications such as Zoloft, ‘Sure,’ you say. ‘That I can swallow.’ We’re talking about depression, and it affects more than you Prozac and Celexa have the risk of increased anxiety and ner- But let’s apply this to the epicenter of nourishing the minds know. vousness, a complete burden to an individual suffering from a of Loyalist College students and faculty. According to the Canadian Mental Health Association, one in mood disorder such as clinical depression. There’s an undercurrent of bitterness to those seeking a nu- five Canadians will inevitably suffer from a mental disorder at We need to see more push for talk therapy rather than drug- trient-rich diet on a student’s budget. Burgers, pizza, deep fried some point in their lives. induced happiness as many people suffering from the disorder fish, cookies, pop. Beyond these belt bursting options, you find It is predicted by the CMHA that by the year 2020, depression may not have the tell-tale chemical imbalance. this: one chicken wrap, bottled water and an apple. $9 pre-tax. will be the second-leading cause of disability in the world, next We all come from different backgrounds; we all view our Your line of credit just burst another button. But what’s the to heart disease. world uniquely. That is both the beauty and the destructive alternative at this rural college setting? Tim Hortons down- The CMHA said suicide is now the most common cause of nature of depression. In fact, many famous artists and musi- stairs? Vending machines scattered between? violent death in the world. cians throughout the ages have had depression. For example, First and second-year students of the culinary and culinary In a nutshell, depression can be a killer. Depression is some- Vincent Van Gogh and Kurt Cobain were able to use their art as management programs operate Cafe 213, with lunch and din- thing that must be discussed, especially with the prevalence of an outlet for their depression. ner seatings Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. A $9 entrée and the “Respect: Pass It On” campaign being promoted through- With the advent of the Loyalist respect campaign, we must $11.50 buffet are out of reach for the average student. out Loyalist College. respect one another, for we are all each a unique piece of the Loyalist College and the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Living with depression is like being held underwater, even puzzle of life. Universities entrust the nourishment of Canada’s future minds though you truly do feel absolutely terrible; it’s in your head – And whether you are aware of it or not, right now, you are in to Chartwells, the operator of the cafeteria. As an outside cor- your own personal prison. the presence of depression. poration, whose existence is based solely on meeting overhead There are many types of medication that doctors prescribe Instead of running away from it, let’s talk about it. with sustainable profit margins, they can rightfully charge what the market will bare. However, there’s no sense in locking horns with Compass The Pioneer is currently produced by print and photojournalism students for Canada, corporate head of Chartwells. It’s a corporation de- Loyalist College and the surrounding area. In the spirit of the pioneers who signed to feed on those who feed, earning revenues of $1.25 settled our community and who were rooted in tradition, these pioneers billion in 2009 according to its website. always had an eye on the future. Our students strive to serve the public But perhaps the college should be looking to the example set interest, seek the truth and uphold the highest standards of our profession. by top tier corporations on the eye of its graduates. The Financial Post, in a recent study of top Canadian compa- Editor, Janek Lowe The Pioneer welcomes your letters and comments. Please send nies to work for in 2011, said one of the key award factors was Photo editor, Adam Jackson material to the editor at the address below before Wednesday. employee benefits. The cafeterias at Toyota Canada and Cam- In Focus editor, Clover Raftis We reserve the right to edit submissions for content and length. eco, two of these top 10 companies offer employees subsidized All letters must be signed and include a daytime phone number. Ontario Faculty advisers: Patti Gower, Luke Hendry, meals comparable to Loyalist for $4 and $6 respectively. For advertising information, rates and placement, please Community There is an opportunity in the example set by these corpo- Frank O’Connor, Scott Whalen, Theresa Suart contact Sandi Hibbard-Ramsay, at the college, 613-969-1913, Newspapers rations. Using the in house resource of the college culinary Managing editor, Mike Beaudin ext. 2591; by cell at 613-848-5665; or at home, 613-965-6222. Association school would provide additional training and income to those Publisher, Jane Harrison Pioneer newsroom, 1N9, Loyalist College, Box 4200, Belleville, students while mitigating the burden of profit margins passed ON K8N 5B9 · 613-969-1913, ext. 2852 or 2108 down to diners. The aspiration within the walls should be su- FAX 613-969-1036; e-mail: [email protected] per-sizing IQs opposed to super-sizing corporate margins. Supplement to The Pioneer · February 10, 2011 · Page B1 INFOCUS

This week INFOCUS...

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Against the Odds

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A town disappears

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The Hands That Feed

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For those in need

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Up or down

A late summer surprise. Photo by Michelle Berg Page B2 · The Pioneer ·February 10, 2011≠≠ INFOCUS

First Generation Farming

Photography and story by Tyler Pollard

Haan is one of six pork producers left in the Quinte region. Twenty-one years ago, there were 2,200. rom the year 1989 to 1990, over 2,000 pork producers in Ontario went bankrupt or retired from farming. That was also the year Oliver Haan built his first barn on his first pork-producing farm. During those years, Haan says he got tired of his government day-to-day job and it Fwas time to retire from the bureaucrat’s life at the tender age of 27. Haan bought his first farm in Blessington County on his 18th birthday. It was a small farm only a few kilometres from his parents and just 60 acres. Haan lived and worked that farm until he was ready to expand the number of pigs he had. He is currently situated on a farm just down the road that has 275 acres, which he says is plenty of space for what he needs. Haan is among the just six pork producers left in the Quinte region. When he started 21 years ago, there were 2,200 in Quinte. “Determination, ingenuity and forward thinking are the reasons why I am still here,” re- marks Haan. Many farmers are afraid of change. Usually farming is passed down through generations and their systems are set in stone. Haan thinks differently. He welcomes change and is always looking for new ways to expand his business and client base. As a first generation farmer, he has had to teach himself everything that there is about farming which has been a rough ride. At the same time, he says he doesn’t have the same approach most farmers do. “How many farmers do you know use social media to promote themselves?” says Haan. Social media is using Internet sites life Facebook and Twitter to advertise to the masses and it is just one of the many ways that Haan sells his product. Currently he has 85 female pigs and 14 cattle on his farm. Next year he would like those numbers to grow in the hopes of becoming fully sustainable by the farms income. The winter months are the hardest in the farming industry. For the past 20 years, Haan has been working as a road supervisor during the winter months to keep his farm going. Turning his farm into a very diverse and niche market business is going to be his key to success. Instead of living by the old saying that if you grow it they will come, he lives by the saying, if they come, I will grow it. He feels this is the best way to tailor exactly what he has on his farm. Top: Oliver Haan checks out a piglet to ensure it is healthy and sound. Middle left: Haan relys on grain production to get his farm through the winters. This winter is yeilding amazing returns. Middle right: Haan uses his childern to help him in the selection process. Both of is chil- deren love working on the farm. Lower left: Haan’s oldest child sends the pigs that don’t weigh enough back to the pen to retreive more. Bottom right: They mark the pigs with a large marking to ensure they can identify them in the morning when the truck comes to transport them. Page A3 · The Pioneer · February 10, 2011 The Pioneer ·February 10, 2011 · Page A4 INFOCUS

Facing Extinction

Between 2001 and 2006, the population dropped an astonishing nine per cent.

he existence of one Island village hangs in the balance, said a recently released report calling for immediate intervention to halt Tthe sea of young people leaving the western Prince Edward Island community. Tignish, population 755, was targeted as a community in crisis in the report titled Transformation Tignish, Bridging the Gap. The 18 page report was carried out for Tignish Initiatives and details the plight of the small fishing village and how, due to a drop in the number of young people staying and living in the community, the village could disappear within the next decade. Between 2001 and 2006, the population dropped to an astonishing nine per cent, six per cent higher than other rural communities in western P.E.I., including Alberton and O’Leary. Photos and story by Nathan Rochford “Some 210 years after inception, the community is faced with a serious threat to its very stability if not existence,” said the report. “While the economy of Prince Edward Island has developed, Tignish has been isolated from emerging industries and distant from the political centre.” It’s a story many Tignish residents are all too aware of. “This area has been kept down so long people had to work together to survive,” said retired farmer Leo Handrahan. “It gets harder to live here every day.” Others, like Talbot LeClair, caretaker for St. Simon and St. Jude Catholic Church, have witnessed the effects of population decline first hand. LeClair said in the past five years the collection money in the church as dropped significantly with less young families staying in the community. The church, he said, always relied on the support of young families in Tignish for the majority of their envelope donations but that is rapidly changing. With a decline in the lobster fishing industry incomes throughout the community have suffered in the last five years forcing many families to up- root and move to Alberta for work. Likewise, with fishing the driving force behind the village economy either through fishing or working at the Royal Star fish processing plant, concerns that the industry could take another hit this spring has many residents on their toes. “If the fishing goes Tignish will be soon to follow,” said Lawreen Hanrahan. Nigel Buote is one fisherman who, like many in the community, has been unable to make payments on his boat lately due to low lobster prices. Currently his wife works in Alberta as a teacher and while fishing has been his life since he graduated high school Buote said if things don’t pick up this spring he may be forced to sell his license and join his wife. “We would like to see a focus on developing a more diversified private sector here in the community,” Top left - Talbot LeClair, caretaker for St. Simon and St. Jude Catholic Church in Tignish, P.E.I., is uncertain about the future his village holds for his son. Population decline as well as a lack of permanent employment said Anne Arsenault of Tignish Initiatives. has left the western Prince Edward Island. fishing community at risk of disappearing within the next decade. The report calls on the federal and provincial gov- Middle left - While faith plays a major role in the village, the local Catholic church is struggling to make ends meet. With less young families staying and living in Tignish, the weekly collection is not bringing in near enough money to pay the bills. ernments to work with the village to create 110 new Bottom left - Noreen Handrahan watches mass on TV inside the sitting room. At 95, Noreen doesn’t get around as much as she used to, spending most of her day either on the sofa watching mass or sleeping. She only jobs over the next fiveyears as well as new invest- leaves the room now to use the washroom or to eat her meals with the family. ments in housing throughout the Top right - A man loads wood into the back of his horse drawn wagon. With electricity prices under scrutiny from the public many rural Islanders still prefer to heat their homes by woodstove. Middle right - Made up of mostly Irish and Scottish settlers, Tignsih is defined by its history. Likewise, family history is very important. Photographs of fathers, mothers, aunts, uncles and various family emblems clutter community. the walls of homes, either left or passed down through generations. Bottom right - Joe Harper yells to his captain while fighting for his balance during a stormy opening day of the spring lobster fishing season. Page A5 · The Pioneer · February 10, 2011 The Pioneer ·February 10, 2011 · Page A6 INFOCUS Thai Pickers The hands that pick your fruit

Jittari Phatthaphon protects his head from the sun on one of the last summer days picking tomatoes at Campbell’s Orchard on September 14, 2010.

Suphachok Mahachan and fellow pickers harvest the last bunch of tomatoes at Campbell’s Orchard before the season ends.

Photos and story by Michelle Berg

Jittari Phatthaphon, 38, heads off to the tomato patch to harvest this year’s crop at Campbell’s Orchard. Phatthaphon and four other Thai men work six months a year in Canada, pick at least 2,000 pounds of tomatoes each day and make the same salary as a doctor would in Thailand. Prasart Phakaonoi takes a break from the daily grind and grabs a handful of strawber- ries as an end of summer snack.

ver 20,000 migrant“O workers plant and harvest fruit, vegetables and other crops every year in Ontario for only $10.25 an hour.” - Maureen Brosnahan, CBC News Nikom Prasanphong plucks the feathers from a chicken in preparation for a traditional Thai supper.

Jittari Phatthaphon, 36, packs it in for the day in his cabin at Campbell’s Orchard. It is Phatthaphon’s first year working in Canada and he says that he loves being able to jump in the river after a hot summer day of working in the orchard but is not looking forward to the cold winter months.

uphachok Mahachan, whom everyone Campbell, decided to hire migrant workers All five workers at Campbell’s Orchard have to him but he wants to go home to stay. calls Su, walks out of his clothing-draped when it became impossible to find locals willing family members who depend on money they Su’s body language becomes drained; his face is trailer with jugs of apple cider and empty to work long hours on a farm at minimum wage. send home from Canada. detailed with cracks of dirt, hands dry and worn, Sbeer cans, wearing a black cut-off “I’m a Campbell said he couldn’t ask for better On April 1 of this year, a new rule limiting the his mind and eyes wander. rockstar in Canada” T-shirt. Su smiles and says workers. time temporary foreign workers may work in He slowly walks back to the fly-filled trailer “Sawatdee Kaap” which means ‘hello’ in Thai. Su works 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day, picking Canada will be implemented. where he lays down to rest on one of his few “I come to Canada four years ago with just shirt apples, pears and pumpkins. After a four-year work term, foreign days off. and shoes,” said Su, in broken English. Over 20,000 migrant workers plant and harvest workers must return home and are not Su’s shirt says it all. He is like a rock star on There is no work in Thailand, explains Su. Not fruit, vegetables and other crops every year eligible to work in Canada for another tour in Canada. He’s just hoping the tour will the type of work you can support a family with in Ontario for $10.25 an hour. (Maureen four years. come to an end. anyway. Brosnahan, CBC News) Su said an agent stole $10,000 from him the Over 25 migrant workers from the Quinte area “An agent told me there is money in Canada so Su was doing similar work in Thailand, working first time he tried to work in Canada. He was ended off the picking season by throwing a I pay him $10,000 and he fly me and four other on farms, but was only making $200 each promised a flight but never saw the plane party to pool money for family and friends back Thai people to work at Campbell’s Orchard in month. He is making $1,600 per month here. He ticket. home. Belleville,” explains Su. wasn’t able to support his family in Thailand. This is one of the risks migrant workers must Over $2,000 was raised at the end-of-season Prasart Phakaonoi celebrates the end of picking season at Campbell’s Orchard in Prasart Phakaonoi, 43, finishes off his day of work with a smoke outside of his cluttered Migrant labour has become a necessity for the Every month, Su sends the majority of his face while trying to find work in Canada. party and sent to families in need in Thailand. Rednersville, Ont. with a party where all of the migrant workers in the Quinte region gather trailer. He first came to Canada in April, 2008 to pick fruit at Campbell’s Orchard. agriculture industry in Canada. paycheque back to his friends, girlfriend and “In Thailand people will steal from you,” That is nearly 60,000 Thai baht which will help to eat, drink, play music together and pool money to send back to Thailand for families in The owner of Campbell’s Orchards, Colin mom in Thailand. said Su sadly, Canada is very quiet and good feed, clothe, and house people in Thailand. need. The Pioneer · February 10, 2011 · Page A7 INFOCUS Feeding the Poor and the Stranger By Adam Jackson

In 2010 Gleaners handed out 8,375 hampers, fed 4,438 families and also helped feed 321 Loyalist College students Gleaners Food Bank in Belleville has big plans for 2011 to help serve it’s clients – and the environment – better. In 2010, the organization handed out 8,375 hampers, fed 4,438 families and also helped feed 321 Loyalist College students. They experienced a higher-than-average increase in new clients with 945 new clients signing up to receive donations. Susanne Quinlan, director of operations for the food bank, says the higher-than-average new client number is representative of the number of layoffs in the Quinte region caused by the recession. The Gleaners warehouse not only feeds Belleville residents, but many other organizations such as school breakfast programs, where students are fed breakfast for free before school starts. In total, for 2010, the warehouse shipped out over 275,000-kilograms of food to various food banks and organizations. Gleaners is also setting a trend for other food banks in the area. The organization has recently installed 72 solar panels on the roof of their warehouse, which essentially makes their building – warehouse and office – self-sufficient. Gleaners has also planted an organic garden, which produces a variety of vegetables; including corn, tomatoes, cucumber and herbs. The garden was funded by a variety of local companies, including a large donation by the City of Belleville. Gleaners is the only food bank in Canada to collect and harvest rain to cut costs and reduce water use. “The way we see it is that if you cut down even the smallest costs, that leaves more money for us to purchase food for our clients,” said Quinlan.

Top: Susanne Quinlan and a volunteer organize eggs for donation Second from top: The warehouse for Gleaners in Bel- leville. Third top (left): A volunteer wheels a cart of dairy prod- ucts down the warehouse aisle towards a truck. Third from top (right): Vol- unteers wait for a truck to pull in to the dock. Bottom: Gleaners’ mission statement, displayed at the front door of the donation centre. Page A8 · The Pioneer ·February 10, 2011≠≠ INFOCUS

“I’ve used syringes, [insulin] pens, tons of testers and now the insulin pump.”

Susan Henderson showing her health card, thankful of Canada’s health care plans. Also seen testing her blood sugars above.

W I Dealing T H Diabetes Living with a killer is difficult. Diabetes is one of Canada’s top causes of death, affecting millions of people. Greg Benham has been a Type 1 diabetes since 1972 and says that he’s tried using several different medical treatments over the years. “I’ve used syringes, [insulin] pens, tons of testers and now the insulin pump,” Benham says. Reflecting on the pump he just started last year, he dubs it his favourite treatment thus far as he no longer needs to take individual needles. Fund- ing just became available for the pump for Ontario citizens in 2008. Cost- ing thousands of dollars, the Canadian government will refund individuals roughly $2,000 annually if they remain eligible for the pump, meaning they must maintain good blood sugars, between five and seven. Others control their diabetes with strict diets and pills instead of injections (Type 2 diabetics). Students such as Jessica Dodge must take extra care with their blood sugars to avoid getting sick while projects are due. Stress and general sicknesses such as colds can affect one’s blood sugars a great deal and put them at risk for other health concerns. One thing remains relative for all diabetics – they are grateful for the Canadian health plans which are available. Diabetes is an expensive disease and without a seniors’ health plan, work benefits or other alternatives, paying out of pocket for supplies would be difficult for anyone. “Testing your blood sugars costs $400 at a dollar for each strip,” Susan Henderson says. That works out to be $1,460 a year without the tester, insulin, needles or other supplies which may be used to maintain the disease. Mary Bedard doesn’t worry about the costs as she uses a seniors’ plan to pay for her supplies. “I’m just happy it’s only a couple of dollars here and there,” Bedard says about costs being covered in Canada. With so much for a diabetic to maintain, at least Canadians can worry less about costs. Jessica Dodge prepares an insulin injection with a syringe.

Above and right: Greg Benham shows how he works his new insulin pump.

Mary Bedard sits with the pills she uses to control her diabetes .