The MelioristS T U D E N T P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E U N I V E R S I T Y O F L E T H B R I D G E

V O L U M E 5 2 I S S U E 0 8 A P R I L 2 0 1 9

Student Publ icat ion of �e Univers i ty of Lethbr idgeVolume 52 Is sue 08 Apri l 2019

The Meliorist

Cover photo by Raj SainiRight photo by Duncan Metcalfe

Editor’s Note 4Blurry Boundaries in House of Commons 6Ancillary Fee Proposal 8Lethbridge Political Candidates 10ULFA - What does it mean for students? 17Why so few women in SAA? 18#IYIL2019 20Poetry by Miles Smith 22Photos by Duncan Metcalfe 24Daughters of Uranium 26Research Spotlight 28�e Plight of Refugees Locally and Beyond 30Study Tips 32�is Month in History 33Bread, Circuses and Roses 34Local Research Spotlight 35Taking Responsibility through Astrology 37Self-Care 38Poetry 39�e Path of �e Black Feather 40Chaplain Erin Philips’ Dedication 42Styled by Nif 43Poetry 46

Editor in Chief Monica LockettDesigner Brandon WynnychukBusiness Manager Michelle RobertsonAssistant Editor Rose-Marie NybergArts Editor Courtney FaulknerContributersSorcha DeHeerNifemi AshaniMaggie O’ByrneOoleepeeka EegeesiakMiles SmithJosh DoRachel NybergJoshua KingCailin BlanchardAvery OlsonShanna Walchuk

month during the academic year by the Meliorist Publishing Society. Printing is done by the University of Lethbridge Printing Services. Submissions from all members of the

reserves the right to withhold publication of submissions deemed racist, sexist, ageist, ableist, homophobic, xenophobic,

Meliorist is printed and distributed on Treaty 7 territory and the traditional territory of the Niitsitapi, Nakoda, and Tsuut'ina.

Info@theMeliorist.ca

SU172-4401 University Dr W Lethbridge ABT1K 3M4

�e sun is shining on my face, and it is warm.

Another winter has come and (hopefully) gone and with that our semester comes to a close. It has been a produc-tive year in my books and I hope your sentiments are similar.

Our team here at the Meliorist has worked hard this year to produce the magazine, and I want to thank each and every one of them for their contributions: Michelle, our Business Manager, who has helped me keep my sanity through the term of this position; Brandon, our Design-er, who was always able to give me a laugh when I needed it; Rose-Marie, our Assistant Editor, who has expanded my political and legal knowledge tenfold; and Courtney, our Arts Editor, who has given me advice this year through astrology columns and tarot card readings.

I also want to thank everyone who has contributed content to the magazine, either through our website or through freelancing. �ese students have created amazing content and have been invaluable to the Melior-ist.

Last month, I came across a website that featured a study from Informed Opinions and Simon Fraser University about female-identi�ed sources in the media. It shows graphs and charts about the amount of times women are used as sources in the media, versus men. Researchers studied data from some of the most in�uential media outlets in Canada, focusing on online articles. By default, it shows data from the past seven days (continu-ally updated to today’s date). Even when I changed the dates to encompass all of the data, the ratios did not change signi�cantly.

Overall, it appears that women are used as media sources only 26% of the time when we look at the aggregate. �e site breaks the data down by news outlet as well. Hu�ngton Post appears to be the most equal, but I’m using most with heavy air quotes. �e ratio at Hu�Po for female sources is 31%, compared to male sources at 68%. But hey! �at’s not as bad as the National Post or the Globe and Mail, who utilize female sources 22% of the time.

�ese numbers are abysmal, and disappointingly unsur-prising. Media is meant to act as a democratic player in society that looks to hold others accountable and be the purveyor of truth and justice for citizens. But, how can they do this when they systematically ignore half of the population?

On a more positive note, this website also features a robust database that allows media to �nd female experts by subject. Start typing a keyword, and the list shows you experts on that topic. �is is the bright side to a pretty dark reality. I feel lucky to have come across this site, as I have found an excellent resource to use now and in the future.

I haven’t taken the time to analyze the sources we use in the Meliorist, but I believe our ratios would be �ipped; I �nd we speak to many female sources in our articles, as there is a wealth of knowledge available right on our campus.

If you’d like to learn more about this, or to check out the database of female knowledge experts, visit gendergap-tracker.informedopinions.org.

�is is the last issue of the academic year - we’ll be back in September! In the meantime, we will be accepting submissions over the summer in preparation for the Fall. Feel free to reach out through our website, themeliorist.-ca, or send us an email at info@themeliorist.ca! We’re also hiring for a number of positions for next year. You can swing by our o�ce at SU172, or send us an email to learn more about these opportunities!

Until then, I hope you have an excellent summer, and thank you for supporting your local independent publication!

Editor’sNoteBy Monica Lockett

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When I �rst read the job description for the 2019 Summer Internship for Rachael Harder, Member of Parliament for Lethbridge, I was surprised to read the skills and requirements for the job application. An excerpt from the job description reads: “�e successful candidate will…learn to do political research and writing and help build the Conservative movement.” Clearly, it is not a proper use of government funds to require sta� to advance partisan interests; this job description also includes the need to “participate in door-knocking.” Politicians do this when they are seeking re-election, especially the part that requires the listed skills stating: “Belief in conservative principles and valid CPC membership.” Political beliefs should not be considered part of an employment practice in any job. �e application requirements will certainly cause one’s analytical skills to run full circle: “In order to apply, you must be a member of the Conservative Party of Canada. Joining the Party will allow you to choose your local candidate, join the Lethbridge Conservative Board of Directors, give you exclusive access to events in your area, and provide you with an opportunity to attend our national convention every two years.”

I subsequently contacted the both the Ottawa and Lethbridge constituency o�ces of the Member of Parliament for Lethbridge, Rachael Harder, and was told by Alandra Corrigan, Constituency Coordinator, that the Intern position is being funded in partnership with Ms. Harder’s o�ce and the Federal Conservative Electoral District Association. I subsequently asked how the successful applicant for this Internship Opportunity will be able to work in this position if she/he is not using the o�ce supplies, building etc. that are paid out of taxpayers’ contributions through the House of Commons. My inquiry seeks an answer to questions deemed relevant as a matter of public interest. It is interesting to note that the actual email that distributed this advertised job description originated from an email connected with parl.gc.ca (rachael.harder@parl.gc.ca) with instructions “to apply for the summer internship, please submit your resume and cover letter to: Rachael.Harder.C1@parl.gc.ca.” �e Internet source appears to be connected with the House of Commons thereby revealing that the search for the candidate was even being used with taxpayers/House of Commons resources.

�e O�ce of the M.P. is not to be used for partisan reasons. I refer to Members' Allowances 2.1 Parliamentary Functions of the House of Commons: subsection 4(3) of the Members By-law de�nes that the following activities, when performed by a Member, are not parliamentary functions: “(b) activities related to the administration, organization and internal communications of a political party, including participation in a party leadership campaign or convention, solicitations of contributions and

solicitations of membership to a political party…(c) activities related to a Member’s re-election; (d) activities designed, in the context of a federal, provincial, or municipal election, or any other local election, to support or oppose a political party or an individual candidate; and (e) activities that are related to a meeting of an electoral district association, as de�ned in the Canada Elections Act, and that are carried out for nomination, electoral or sponsorship purposes or that relate to soliciting contributions or membership."

�e Board of Internal Economy with the House of Commons established four By-laws under the authority of the Parliament of Canada Act: �e Members By-law, which regulates the use of �nancial resources and administrative services provided by the House, serves as the foundation for the Members’ Allowances and Services Manual; their de�nition for parliamentary functions, in relation to a Member, means “the duties and activities that relate to the position of Member, wherever performed and whether or not performed in a partisan manner, namely, participation in activities relating to the proceedings and work of the House of Commons and activities undertaken in representing his or her constituency or constituents.”

�is leads this inquiry to its Principles 2 (1) that read: the following general principles of interpretation apply in this By-law: “(a) the Board has exclusive authority to determine the proper use, by Members, of the funds, goods, services and premises provided by the House of Commons and to establish policies related to that use.” Moreover, the Parliamentary functions listed as 4 (1) specify that “the funds, goods, services and premises provided by the House of Commons to a Member under the Parliament of Canada Act, this By-law or any other by-law made under that Act may be used only for carrying out the Member’s parliamentary functions.”

To add, it is clear that the following activities are not considered parliamentary functions:“(3) For greater certainty, the following activities, when performed by a Member, are not parliamentary functions:(a) activities related to the private interests of a Member or a Member’s immediate family;(b) activities related to the administration, organization and internal communications of a political party, including participation in a party leadership campaign or convention, solicitations of contributions and solicitations of membership to a political party;(c) activities related to a Member’s re-election;(d) activities designed, in the context of a federal, provincial, or municipal election, or any other local election, to support or oppose a political party or an individual candidate; and(e) activities that are related to a meeting of an electoral district association, as de�ned in the Canada Elections

Blurry boundaries in Lethbridge M.P. Rachael Harder's House of Commons OfficesBy Rose-Marie Nyberg

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Act, and that are carried out for nomination, electoral or sponsorship purposes or that relate to soliciting contributions or membership.”

For non-compliance with the By-laws, it is speci�cally stated in section 19, of Measures determined by the Board of Internal Economy, that if a person fails to comply with these By-laws, then:

“(a) the Board or the Clerk of the House of Commons acting under the authority of the Board may give written notice to the Member responsible, requiring the Member to rectify the situation to the satisfaction of the Board or the Clerk; (b) if the situation is not recti�ed to the satisfaction of the Board or the Clerk, the Board may order that any amount of money necessary to rectify the situation be withheld from any budget, allowance or other payment that may be made available to the Member under this By-law or the Governance and Administration By-law; and, (c) the Board may order that any budget, allowance or other payment that may be made available to the Member under this By-law or the Governance and Administration By-law be frozen for such time and on such other conditions as the Board considers necessary: (i) if the non-compliance continues, or, (ii) if the Board considers it necessary to protect House of Commons funds.”

�e next step of this inquiry leads to the de�nition of Parliamentary Internet under section 32 of Members’ By-law as determined by the Board of Internal Economy. Subsection (32) (1) de�nes Parliamentary Internet as “the Internet services that are made available to Members and accessed through the Parliamentary Precinct Network.” Conditions of use have the following rules apply to the use of the Parliamentary Internet: “(a) the Parliamentary Internet is a service for use by Members and their employees for carrying out Members’ parliamentary functions only.”Of note, a Member's By-law exists that determines how internet use is regulated within the HoC. MP's and their employees have access to this network, but can only use it to, "carry out Members' parliamentary functions only," meaning this internet cannot be used for campaigning or other partisan activities."

It is also important to review the use of Member of Parliament resources, outside of an election period, as per the Canada Elections Act (“CEA”) S.C. 2000, c. 9 that may regulate the use, outside of an election period, of the resources provided by a Member of Parliament (“MP resources”). �e CEA deals with various activities related to the electoral process. �e purpose of the CEA is distinct from that of the Parliament of Canada Act and the Members By-law under that Act.

�e House of Commons, through the Board of Internal Economy, regulates and controls the use of resources provided to MPs under the Members By-law, made pursuant to the Parliament of Canada Act. �e By-law contains restrictions on the use of the “funds, goods, services and premises provided by the House of Commons to a Member under the Parliament of Canada Act.” �e By-law states that MP resources provided under the Parliament of Canada Act may be used for parliamentary functions, which are expressly de�ned as including certain activities “performed in a partisan manner”. However, other “partisan” activities are not permitted.

When is an MP’s use of resources considered to be for purposes unrelated to the functions of an MP, but instead for purposes that fall under the Canada Elections Act? In Elections Canada’s interpretation:

“An MP may be making a contribution to a campaign or other regulated entity, assuming there is evidence of the contribution being accepted, where the MP uses or provides parliamentary resources to conduct the following types of activity: (1) �e solicitation of membership in a registered party or association (2) �e solicitation of contributions for an entity regulated under the CEA (3) �e organization of a meeting for the purposes of the entity or campaign (e.g. organization of an association’s executive meeting, a party convention, or a campaign team meeting for an election or a nomination or leadership contest) (4) Get-out-the-vote activities (e.g. in a nomination contest or a by-election in an electoral district di�erent from the one the MP represents) (5) Certain direct promotion conducted using the MP’s budget or the MP’s employees that cannot be linked to MP duties.”

In my role as a responsible journalist, I need to �nd a proper answer to my inquiries. As such, I sent an email dated March 4, 2019, to the O�ce of the Honorable Geo� Regan, P.C., M.P., Speaker of the House of Commons and President of the Board of Internal Economy, with a copy of said Intern job description in which I raised concerns regarding the use of parliamentary resources by the MP o�ces of Ms. Rachael Harder through my investigative journalism into this matter. I asked Minister Regan about the policies and By-laws of the Board of Internal Economy regarding parliamentary expenditures and certain enforcement mechanisms in relation to same. In his letter dated March 12, 2019, Minister Regan replied that “Canadians are right to have high expectations regarding the proper use and oversight of expenditures by their elected representatives. �e Board is committed to increasing public understanding about its role and the expenditures of the House of Commons and its Members.” Consequently, Minister Regan forwarded my concerns to the House Administration for its consideration.

�e Board of Internal Economy with the House of Commons consists of: �e Speaker, who acts as Chair; two members of the Privy Council (appointed to the board by the Government); the Leader of the Opposition or his or her representative, and additional Members appointed in numbers so that there are an equal number of Government and opposition representatives (apart from the Speaker). �e Clerk of the House of Commons, who reports to the Speaker, serves as Secretary to the Board.

I am simply asking questions for matters that I consider to be matters of public interest when it comes to hiring an Intern to work in the o�ce of the M.P. whose partial job responsibilities appear to involve tasks connected with activities associated with re-election and partisan party development. As voters are conscientious and motivated to elect ethical governance, I do appreciate the accountability that will be taken place through this inquiry that is justi�ed with fair comment through responsible journalism.

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In a move that threatens to weaken the quality of campus student services, proposed changes to ancillary student union fees by the Ford government in Ontario re�ect the potential for similar changes within Alberta post-secondary institutions.

In January, Premier Doug Ford announced several sweeping changes a�ecting postsecondary students in Ontario. From cuts to the Ontario Student Assistance Program, to axing free tuition, to introducing opt-out clauses for non-mandatory student union fees, the Ford government maintains they want students to have “freedom of choice” in what they fund.

�e ancillary fee proposal states that fees used to fund major, campus-wide services and facilities or fees which contribute to the health and safety of students will be mandatory. �is includes services such as athletics, recreation support, academic support, and health and counselling services.

Minister of training, colleges, and universities, Merrilee Fullerton, has stated in interviews that it will be up to institutions to determine which additional fees are deemed essential, and which can be optional.

"�ese fees often get allocated to services students do not use or to support organizations they do not support," she said in an interview with CBC News. "In most cases, students do not have a clear understanding of what these fees are paying for or any choice about paying them. �is must change."

However, student groups in the province have claimed the ancillary fee proposal will make institutions less transparent, as the move appears to be targeting certain campus organizations.

Noor Alideeb, chairperson of the Canadian Federation of Students - Ontario, says it feels like a “direct attack on the groups that actually try to hold the government accountable when it comes to student issues”.

“A lot of these fees go towards funding groups that support student life, and they provide opportunities for students to have a holistic postsecondary education,” Alideeb says.

For example, fees that support campus radio stations, campus publications, public interest research groups, and other student clubs would likely not be supported under the new framework.

Emma McPhee, vice-president of Canadian University Press (CUP), says campus newspapers rely heavily on student levees and may not be able to function if students opt out en masse.In a news release on the decision, CUP says these

publications are essential to the well-being of post-secondary students, as they work to hold governing bodies to account and act as a platform to amplify marginalized voices on campuses.

“�is decision is a direct hit to institutional transparency, healthy democratic dialogue on campuses, freedom of the press and the free speech that the Ford government claims so strongly to defend,” reads the release.

Campus radio stations across Ontario have also been vocal in their opposition and have asked the Ford government to make their fees mandatory under the structure. �e National Campus and Community Radio Association (NCRA) has started circling a petition that asks to make campus radio fees essential.

With the conversation surrounding the proposed fee changes in Ontario growing past provincial borders, Alberta institutions could potentially face this issue in the future.

�e United Conservative Party has a strikingly similar policy in their inaugural Policy Declaration handbook, which was adopted at the party’s �rst AGM last year.

“�e United Conservative Party believes that the Government of Alberta should…protect and guarantee the freedom of association of students by allowing individuals to choose, for themselves, whether to become a member of their students’ association,” reads the policy.

If the UCP were to one day form government, this document could guide the type of legislation they introduce, meaning that some membership fees students pay into their student unions will become voluntary.

Under the Post-Secondary Learning Act, all post-secondary campuses in Alberta have the right to collect mandatory fees. For full-time students at the U of L, the ULSU operation fee is $31.54 per semester as of Spring 2019.

Outgoing ULSU President Laura Bryan says the onus is placed on student unions across the country to show an emphasize their value to both students and governments alike.

"Student Unions provide innumerable valuable services for students including food banks, health plans, academic supports, and internal and external advocacy. �erefore, it is always disheartening when policies are enacted that place a dollar amount on services on which countless students rely.”

Neither the UCP Advanced Education critic Wayne

Ontario Post-Secondary Ancillary Fee Proposal Holds Risk for Alberta InstitutionsBy Monica Lockett

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Anderson, nor a representative from the United Conservatives club at the U of L, responded to requests for comment. However, political candidates in the Lethbridge area were asked about this policy during separate interviews. �eir answers can be found in the “Lethbridge Political Candidates” story.

At the time of the policy adoption, Minister of Advanced Education Marlin Schmidt said he was concerned about the UCP’s decision to support making student union fees optional, as students’ associations provide important services to students on campus.

“Students stand to su�er great loss if [students’] association fees are optional,” he said. “We don’t need that kind of policy here.”

At the time, Jason Kenney, leader of the UCP, assured members of the party that not all parts of the policy will become part of the o�cial election platform. But, with this type of policy and thought embedded into the fabric of the UCP, it’s not hard to believe that the next step would be legislation similar to what the Ford government introduced in Ontario.

At least one local student group is feeling this type of fear, as they watch their neighbours in Ontario grapple with the proposed ancillary legislation.

Aaron Trozzo, station manager at CKXU 88.3 FM, says there’s some dread associated with the changes in Ontario.

“You'll have to understand what it means to an organization who relies on a levy that’s essential. Most of the radio formats are the same where a levy means human resources. [�e Ford government] is calling it a bene�t to students, but who is it actually bene�ting?” he says.

Trozzo added that he has been watching the situation unfold and has been thinking about how other governments could take a page out of Ontario’s book.

“It's a very stressful world for the not-for-pro�t sector right now. �ere de�nitely feels like there's retaliation in the works and it's going to attempt to defund organizations that have bene�ted from streams designed to bolster things like a not-for-pro�t sector. And it feels really kind of sick, as someone who's worked in the nonpro�t sector my whole life, it feels like an attack on me.“

“It's hard to not get really angry. My heart is going out to all of the organizations in Ontario right now who are just shitting themselves,” adds Trozzo.

Full details of the Ford government’s plan have not been revealed, but it is expected that these changes will take e�ect in September.

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By law, the 2019 Alberta provincial election must be held between March 1 and May 31, 2019. At the time that this article is being �nalized for the April 2019 edition of �e Meliorist, the writ has not yet been dropped. When the writ has been dropped by the Premier of Alberta, then the election period begins.

For this article, I have had the pleasure of interviewing all the political candidates seeking election in this 2019 provincial election. �e interview as listed below, in alphabetical order, �rst Lethbridge West and then Lethbridge East. I wish to add that all the candidates and, when applicable, their campaign team members were friendly, cooperative and helpful. Lethbridge-West�e Alberta Party: Zac Rhodenizer Alberta Liberal Party: Patricia Chizek Alberta New Democratic Party: Shannon PhillipsUnited Conservative Party: Karri Flatla

Lethbridge-EastAlberta Independence Party: John McCannaAlberta Liberal Party: Devon HargreavesAlberta New Democratic Party: Maria FitzpatrickUnited Conservative Party: Nathan Neudorf

Zac Rhodenizer, Candidate for Lethbridge West, �e Alberta Party

What would you say your slogan is?My slogan is: not right, not left, but forward.

What drew you to the Alberta Party?It happened four years ago (in 2015) during the last provincial election. I was doing some homework on the political parties and was intrigued by the idea of free votes as I think that MLAs should represent their constituencies more than their political parties. I was fed up with the idea of towing the party line. As I noticed that nobody ran as one of their party candidates in 2015, the Alberta Party suggested that I run in the next provincial election and encouraged me to help build the party up in Lethbridge. I was seeking a party with divergent and creative thinking and I found that in the Alberta Party. I was in�uenced by the book �e Righteous Mind: Why Good People Are Divided by Politics and Religion by Jonathan Haidt and determined that I wanted to join a political party that was more centrist in its approach.

What has been the most challenging for you so far, as a politician?I would say door-knocking. I would get nervous. However, once you start talking to people, you realize that it's fun to door-knock. Most people I meet are moderate so it's not hard to show them that the Alberta Party re�ects the broadest spectrum of most people's values.

What do you think is important for students?�e Alberta Party values education on the political spectrum. Education is no.1 on its priorities. It is very important to get graduates working and �lling the holes in the economy.

What is your position on the UCP's platform for students' opting-out for students' union's fees?I do not support it. If you allow people to opt out, it will weaken the Students' Union.

What about mental health support for students?Mental health needs funding. �e culture of polarization is what is causing problems and plays a role in causing social isolation. We need to support a vision that unites people, not just 'the left or right'.

Pat Chizek, Candidate for Lethbridge West, Alberta Liberal Party

Why have you chosen to run as the Liberal candidate in LW in the upcoming 2019 Provincial election?Our current political climate is becoming more divisive and polarizing than ever and I want to change this climate My centrist politics is what is needed now. We don’t need anymore “authoritarian/elitist parties or politicians. We need to do the ‘right thing’ not the ‘Party Policy thing’ What motivates you to a career in public service, as an MLA?We still have politicians who do not listen and as a result, many voters become apathetic. It seems no matter what party is in power, they all act the same(the Party �rst and people second). I want to begin a conversation into changing our current system. What are your concerns for post-secondary students? Do you realize that they are not only 18-21years old?LOAN DEBT – I would like to see a system where a portion of student loan is forgiven(remission) for those who graduate with their degree/diploma on time.Tuition costs have to be a�ordable and loans must be �exible for those who have families and are going to university or college. What do you think about the UCP's idea for students to be able to opt-out of the fees for the Students' Union?I am opposed to the opt – in students fees. Student fees should be mandatory. Being a student is more than classes and labs. It’s also about making connections with new people some who may view the world di�erently. �is is done through services and clubs o�ered through the SU fees. Also, without these fees, many students would NOT have dental and health care. What makes you the most quali�ed candidate to serve as the MLA for LW?

Lethbridge Political Candidates Elections Alberta 2019By Rose-Marie Nyberg

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My background as a teacher and Principal have given me experience working people with opposing views, working with limited budgets, and developing long term plans AND following through with them in a timely fashion. What are your priorities for LW as MLA if elected?Education is a priority. For the young student, this means investing in the ‘front line worker’. �ese are the teachers and classroom assistants. Bring in smaller class sizes is another step. (For the postsecondary student, see my answer in #3) Another priority is health care. I am opposed to privatization. What we need to do is reduce waiting times for the MAJOR procedures and the �rst step is to �nd the best way to do this. Another MUST is getting the oil and gas to market, so building the pipe lines necessary is paramount. How do you think Lethbridge could become more diverse in their hiring decisions?Hiring people from diverse backgrounds adds a new perspective and will lead to a more inclusive community. �is makes Lethbridge an attractive destination for new business. What are some of your most memorable times during door-knocking so far?I am getting a lot of smiles and many are saying they are glad there are options to choose from. Do you have anything that you would like to say to the student, or university community, at large?To the student, enjoy your chosen education path. Enjoy the social atmosphere at you chosen institution. Enjoy the diversity. And QUESTION, QUESTION, QUESTION you instructors – do not just accept. Feed you curiosities now for they may lead to another �eld of interest and maybe an employment opportunity that you have yet envisioned.

Shannon Phillips, Candidate for Lethbridge West, Alberta New Democratic Party

Why have you chosen to run as the NDP candidate in LW in the upcoming 2019 Provincial election?Because I’m proud of the work of Rachel Notley and our government. Albertans face a choice between two fundamentally di�erent visions for Alberta families in this election. Jason Kenney wants tax cuts for corporations and millionaires, and brutal cuts to health care and education. Rachel Notley wants to keep our healthcare public and strong, invest in schools, universities and skills training, and create an economy that works for everyone. �is election will determine what Alberta looks like for generations. Whether or not we have a government for the few, or the many. I’m �ghting for the many.

What motivates you to a career in public service, as an MLA?Doing the right thing for our communities and our future motivates me. We need to keep investing in people and our province. We need to keep putting jobs and economic diversi�cation �rst – with an emphasis on tomorrow’s economy. We need to protect public health care and education. We need to protect everyone’s rights – women’s, minorities, and LGTBQ people. We need to protect what matters and plan for our future. All of these things matter. And that’s why this election is so important because all of these things are at stake.

What are your concerns for post-secondary students? Do you realize that they are not only 18-21 years old?I worry about accessible, a�ordable post-secondary education for all people. And of course I know we are not just talking about 18-21 year olds. I believe post-secondary should be a�ordable for all kinds of families, and accessible to everyone, regardless of where they live or how old they are. I believe people looking to get started in life or upgrade their skills shouldn’t be saddled with massive debt when they �nish school. �is is why we placed a freeze on tuition for students, saving families and students hundreds of dollars a year. �is is why we made it easier and more a�ordable for apprentices to get the education they need. �is is why we invested in student mental health supports, to ensure that our young people have the supports they need to succeed in their studies. And it’s why we have provided more stable funding and new investments so that colleges have been upgraded to universities and more colleges and universities have been able to improve programs.

What do you think about the UCP's idea for students to be able to opt-out of the fees for the Students' Union?Funny how that’s their advanced education platform, eh? �e best they can come up with is an attack on student services and a promise to de-fund these services. I do not support such a policy, neither does the Premier, neither does our party. It’s an attack on student services. �at’s all it is.

What makes you the most quali�ed candidate to serve as the MLA for LW?I could rattle o� a list of accomplishments like say implementing the most progressive climate leadership plan on the continent, or any of the various things that I’m proud of but I’ll just say this. I’m the most quali�ed candidate to serve Lethbridge West because I’m actually �ghting for the people of Lethbridge West. I’m �ghting for our health care. Our education. Diversi�cation. Jobs. Our future. Jason Kenney and the UCP are �ghting for millionaires and corporations. �eir policies won’t help people in Lethbridge. �ey’ll hurt folks here. I’ll �ght for them.

What are your priorities for LW as MLA if re-elected?I have lots. Generally, I want to keep �ghting to protect what matters and to plan for a better future. We need to invest in our people and our province. We need to keep putting jobs and economic diversi�cation �rst – with that emphasis on tomorrow’s economy. We need to protect public health care and education. We need to protect everyone’s rights.

How do you think Lethbridge could become more diverse in their hiring decisions?One of Alberta’s greatest strengths is its diversity. All Albertans deserve to be treated with respect and have opportunities to build successful lives for themselves and their families. Alberta is a welcoming place, but we know we have more work to do to combat racism.One of the things we’ve recently announced is an Alberta Anti-Racism Advisory Council. Establishing the council is an important part of our government’s e�orts in �ghting racism in this province. Each council member brings with them a wealth of knowledge and lived experience that is valuable to our government’s anti-racism work. We all have to work together towards a common goal of ending racism in our province. I think what we should do to improve – not just hiring practices – but all sorts of aspects of life in Alberta is to listen to

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the voices and experiences of racialized groups through things like the Anti-Racism Council.What are some of your most memorable times during door-knocking so far?Every moment on the door for me is a good one. I’m happy people are engaged and I think people in Lethbridge are very critical of Jason Kenney’s tax cuts for millionaires and corporations and resulting cutbacks to healthcare, education, and postsecondary education.

Do you have anything that you would like to say to the student, or university community, at large?Remember to get out and vote. If you want to protect student services and funding for universities – go vote. If you want to protect women’s reproductive rights – go vote. If you want to protect LGBTQ kids from being outed before they’re ready to come out – go vote. If you want to protect health care and education – go vote. If you want a government for the many, not the few. Go vote Rachel Notley and Shannon Phillips. Karri Flatla, Candidate for Lethbridge West, United Conservative Party

Why have you chosen to run as the United Conservative candidate in Lethbridge-West in the upcoming 2019 Provincial Election?When I was a little girl, my parents and sister and I packed everything we owned into a trailer, hooked it onto our little red pickup truck, and moved from Penticton, BC to Lloydminister, Alberta. Our family came to Alberta for economic opportunity. My young parents embraced the Alberta spirit and took a risk. �ey left behind everything that was familiar so they could pursue a great life for themselves and for their two young daughters. When the NDP came to power in 2015, I watched over the years as they systematically dismantled the hope and prosperity that once de�ned Alberta. �at is what motivated me to run. It is to give a voice to Alberta families and job creators who need us to renew the Alberta Advantage. I want to ensure we have a province where my own two sons can thrive and create a great life for themselves and their future families someday.

What motivates you to a career in public service, as an MLA?I've spent the last many years as a real estate agent in Lethbridge and found it very rewarding to represent families during the biggest �nancial transaction of their lives, and the biggest changes. And so I look at running for o�ce in a very similar fashion. Albertans deserve a strong, principled voice in Edmonton.

What are your concerns for post-secondary students? Do you realize that they are not only 18-21 years old?I myself returned to school in my mid twenties to complete a Management degree at the U of L (B.Mgt., Great Distinction). I supported myself through student loans, scholarships, and part time jobs. A key concern today is that our post-secondary students and graduates be able to secure economic opportunities, both in Lethbridge and across the province.

What do you think about the UCP's idea for students to be able to opt-out of the fees for the Students' Union?We will have to see where the conversation lands in regards to the students here at the University and what they feel is the most viable solution to that question, and it's a fair question to be asked. �e United Conservatives respect freedom of association. If I am elected, I will take

our local students' concerns to the legislature. My approach with these kinds of issues is not partisan but rather to be as pragmatic as possible.

What makes you the most quali�ed candidate to serve as the MLA for LW?A couple of things. First, I have extensive professional experience here in Alberta, across multiple industries such as transportation, oil and gas, marketing and real estate. �ose experiences have helped me become a keen negotiator with a focus to always put the client's needs �rst. Second, I've personally knocked on thousands and thousands of doors here in Lethbridge-West. I talk to students at those doors too. Door-knocking is such a powerful way to consult with voters and �nd out what is keeping them up at night.

What are your priorities for LW as MLA if elected?�e priority right now for everyone is jobs and economy. �is is by far the biggest concern we are hearing at the doors from families and business owners alike in Lethbridge. Job creators are not being supported by an NDP government who is burdening them with taxes and red tape. Lethbridge voters are generally very well informed on economic issues, so even if they don't personally own a business - even if they work for public sector for example - they intuitively understand that we need a robust, growing economy in order to properly support and serve all Albertans.

How do you think Lethbridge could become more diverse in their hiring decisions?A United Conservative government would work to enhance opportunities for newcomers and immigrants. �e Provincial Nominee Program is currently under-utilized; we should be working harder to attract talent to Alberta. We also recognize a gap in harnessing the skills of immigrants who hold foreign credentials. Many of these folks are left underemployed for far too long, while they wait for answers and advice on how to line up their credentials with our local economy. So, immigrants currently face far too many many economic barriers in Alberta. �is is a loss for their families, for employers, and for all Albertans. We can change that.

What are some of your most memorable times during door-knocking so far?�ere have been so many really positive experiences. I've actually had folks come down the street to �nd me and talk to me about their concerns. I'm always so moved by this, and it's happened many times. It's the highest form of democracy and voter engagement. It also shows me that we have a lot of conservatives in Lethbridge-West who are deeply concerned and passionate for change in the coming Election.

Do you have anything that you would like to say to the student, or university community, at large?Make the most of your time here. It goes so quickly! As a student, you get to decide what you take away from this incredible educational opportunity. Your time here will help you so much in the working world. Also, as the UCP candidate, I am interested in hearing about what our students have to say, both about their experience in school and then as it relates to economic and employment challenges. Today in Alberta, youth unemployment is the highest it has been in decades. �e policies of this NDP government will impact a generation who are now very concerned about the future. �ere is a call to post-secondary institutions to keep on the pulse of this. My liberal arts education at the

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U of L prepared me extremely well for my professional life and I commend our professors. �ey can o�er students a variety of perspectives in an open and respectful manner. In turn, this creates an ever evolving society equipped to o�er ideas, solutions and leadership for Alberta.

John McCanna, Candidate for Lethbridge East, Alberta Independence Party

Why have you chosen to run as the Alberta Independence Party Candidate in Lethbridge East in the upcoming 2019 Provincial Election?I was a card-carrying member of the Conservative Party (now UCP) for more than 40 years. During that time, I took it for granted that the “Professional Politicians” in the Conservative Party had the best interests of the people of Alberta and the Province of Alberta, at the heart of all their decisions. Boy was I wrong! After four decades of Conservative rule I would have thought Alberta would be in a great position to weather any storm, economic or otherwise, that presented itself. When in reality, the province had been gutted, our Heritage Fund depleted, and a crisis was brewing on the horizon. �at brought us up to the last election. At this time the Conservatives parachuted in an individual to take the helm and steer Alberta in a new direction. To paraphrase, when asked very tough questions on corruption and disappearing heritage money, the response was, don’t blame us we are just politicians. If you want to lay blame “look in the mirror”. At �rst, I was o�ended, because I thought he was blaming the people for these misadventures of political guidance by the Conservatives. �en I looked at it from a di�erent perspective and found that he was indeed right. �e cause of everything wrong in the Province was because of you, me, and everyone else of voting age, because we voted for the Conservatives. So, I guess many others arrived at the same realization and we had a “protest vote”, in which the NDP were elected. Unfortunately, the situation went from bad to worst. �is was only because the NDP could not make any decision unless it was �rst passed through their lens of their radical ideology. As a result, 100,000 plus friends neighbours, business associates, and students, suddenly found themselves unemployed with no hope of recovery until a new government was elected. �e big elephant in the room is the Political Party System in Alberta. All decisions made by these traditional parties must �rst bene�t “the party” above all else, then satisfy the lobbyists, then the party ideology, then the province and �nally the people. �is is just plane wrong! So, I looked around until I found a Party who wants to end political corruption, take the power back from the politicians and give it back to the people. �e only party that met these requirements was the “Alberta Independence Party”.

What motivates you to a career in Public Service, as an MLA?Historically, most of the problems in Alberta can be traced back to professional politicians and the corrupt political party system. �e regular taxpayers have had enough of these charlatan politicians, so us regular citizens, decided to stand up and put an end to this insanity. When I say insanity, the de�nition I am using is “voting for the same political parties and expecting di�erent results. We have all been there and have all been disappointed. Our philosophy is such that we want to give the power back to the constituents, because they are the ones who really know what is best for their communities.

What are your concerns for Post-Secondary students? Do you realize that they are not only 18-21 years old?I am the President & CEO of a successful multi million-dollar Alberta business. I hire students in the 18-21 year old range as well as senior students who have gone back to College or University, in an attempt to prepare themselves for a �rst, second, or third career. I have a valid concern with the education available to students over the past 10-15 years. In some cases, students are placed in areas of study that are completely saturated with little of no hope of employment in that �eld. Other students come out of College or University with the misconception that the world owes them a living. For these students they �nd it very di�cult to adapt to reality and function in society. We are fortunate to have the University of Lethbridge who really strives to make a di�erence and to give their students an opportunity to succeed.

What do you think about the UCP’s idea for students to be able to opt-out of the fees for Student’s Union?From a personal and business point of view, I have worked many years within the con�nes of a Union environment and many more on the outside, independent of Unions. It is my belief that students should have a “freedom of choice” and not forced to participate in a student union. �ere has been a concerted e�ort by politicians and some facility to take away your rights, and this must stop.

What makes you the most quali�ed Candidate to serve as MLA for Lethbridge East?I am a real every day Albertan who is directly impacted by the decisions of the professional politicians. Everyday I see the impact to my community and the people within it, from the horrible decisions made by these so-called professional politicians. �ere was a movie made years ago where one line stuck in my mind, “I’m as mad as hell and I’m not going to take it any more”! �e majority of Albertans have been stung by these treasonous politicians (Federally and Provincially) and they are almost ready to revolt. But for one reason or another are not yet ready to challenge the system. So, I am prepared to step up and change it for them.

What are your priorities for Lethbridge East as MLA if elected?My priorities as MLA is �rst to really listen to the people to see where they are hurting, listen to the community to see what is impacting business, listen to the University, Colleges and High Schools, to see where we can support them. �en make it happen. It should be law that Politicians have a �duciary duty to the people of Alberta and to the Province of Alberta. How do you think Lethbridge could become more diverse in their hiring decisions?Quota systems are not the answer. We need our citizens to have a broad background of education. Not everyone needs to have a University degree in Philosophy or Social Science. We need to have a balance between education that channels students towards the professional arena (Doctors, Lawyers, Engineers, etc.), not everyone �ts this discipline. We also need trades people with specialized skills. Also, we need hospitality workers and others in the service industry to support growth. Income level used to be the domain of higher education, but not any more. I have a CFO (who is an economist and lawyer) that earns $150,000 per year, and some technicians that earn $250,000 to $350,000 per year. It all boils down to demand and what skills are required

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now and in the future.

What are some of your most memorable times during door-knocking so far?I was talking to an elderly retired woman at the mall who was trying to support her grandson while he was going to school. She asked, what made our platform di�erent from the other politicians and how would it directly bene�t her? So, I told her that if we were elected as the governing party, people that earned $45,000 or less annually, would pay no income tax, people earning over $45,000 would only pay a �at tax of 20%. Seniors and those with disabilities could earn up to $3750 per month. �ere would be no GST, PST, or Carbon Tax, ever. �ere would be no cuts to services and most services would be enhanced and would be superior to what we are receiving today. I didn’t even get �nished telling her about our platform, when she told me, I’ve heard enough and told me to get o� my ass and get the message out to everyone.

Do you have anything that you would like to say to the Student, or University Community, at large?Don’t live in the past. �e future is changing rapidly, be ready to adapt and change with it. Don’t give up your freedom of speech just to �t in. Learn critical thinking skills. Don’t follow the herd, there are enough “Sheeple” in society as it is. Be di�erent and stand out in whatever you do. Lastly, if you are not having fun and have a passion for your chosen vocation, ask yourself, do I want to do this for the next 40 years. If the answer is no, �nd something else. It’s much harder to change later in life. Devon Hargraves, Candidate for Lethbridge East, Alberta Liberal Party

Why have you chosen to run as the Liberal candidate in LE in the upcoming 2019 Provincial election? I chose to run as the Alberta Liberal Party candidate for Lethbridge-East, as I saw a need in the community. We need someone who is willing to stand up and be a voice for our riding, while being �scally responsible and socially progressive. Lethbridge residents are telling me that they are tired of two parties dominating the Legislature, pointing �ngers, and not fully addressing issues. We need to stand up for healthcare, decrease class sizes, and re-examine AISH payments. Albertans should receive value for their tax dollars. What motivates you to a career in public service, as an MLA? I've always been a strong believer that if you see something that needs to be done, it's best to step up and do it. I'm incredibly community oriented. From serving on Lethbridge College Students’ Association, being Chair of Lethbridge Pride Fest, to co-founding the YQueerL Society for Change, I like to take on a challenge and represent Lethbridge to the best of my abilities. What are your concerns for post-secondary students? Do you realize that they are not only 18-21 years old? One of our biggest concerns is making sure post-secondary education serves the economic needs of students. We want to create a world class workforce in Alberta. �at means making sure our programs are meeting the demands of the job market. We also want to make sure accessing post-secondary later in life is as easy as possible. As the global economy changes it's imperative our education is welcoming to adults who are looking to retrain and learn new skills and professions.

What do you think about the UCP's idea for students to be able to opt-out of the fees for the Students' Union? �e Alberta Liberal Party and I oppose an “opt in” student fee model. We understand how vital these services are to not only creating a vibrant campus, but a safe and healthy one. We also oppose an opt out model but do believe it is preferable to an “opt in” model. If such a policy was introduced, I would speak out against its implementation and co-ordinate with student leaders and other political allies to create a public pressure campaign opposing the change. What makes you the most quali�ed candidate to serve as the MLA for LE? My track record of tenaciously standing up for our community and advocating for its residents, combined with solid Alberta Liberal values, make me the best candidate for Lethbridge East. I will stand up for the economy as well as the environment, support universal and sustainable healthcare without privatization, and protect and improve our education system. Lethbridge-East needs representation that will stand up and be heard instead of living in the shadows. I would be honoured to be that voice. What are your priorities for LE as MLA if elected? Lethbridge is facing a large number of serious healthcare issues. Access to healthcare for seniors is often limited by accessibility. Many seniors are unable to access or can’t a�ord the transportation to seek out the services they need. I will make it a priority to ensure every senior can access our healthcare services. We are also struggling with an opioid epidemic here in Lethbridge. Our supervised consumption site is doing incredible harm prevention work, but we need to focus on treatment as well. Alberta Liberals are �ghting to see a greater percentage of the health budget spent on addressing addiction. �is includes more addictions counseling and treatment. Lethbridge is also lacking in access to abortion. I’d �ght for surgical abortion procedures to become more accessible in Lethbridge. I also want to see changes to how information on abortion services is presented online. Information should be easy to �nd and understand. �e Alberta Liberals are also making education a top priority. We plan on introducing class size caps while hiring a large number of new teachers to reduce class sizes to optimal levels. �e increase in individual attention will help teachers keep students in the system and boost the overall quality of education. We also want to provide more support for trades training and other specialized professional education in our high schools to improve our workforce and create an education system that works for all. What would you do to support diversity in the workforce? �e Alberta Liberals are supporting diversity by starting with ourselves. We are encouraging women to participate in politics and have a dedicated fund and mentorship program to support women political candidates. 35% of our candidates are women and that number is rising. Our candidates also represent a wide variety of backgrounds pertaining to race, religion, and sexuality. By bringing more diversity to the Legislative Assembly we will participate in creating more inclusive legislation, policies, and programs, including for workers across Alberta. We have already committed to a number of inclusive policies including implementing needed Pay Equity Legislation and funding necessary medical procedures for transgender Albertans.

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What are some of your most memorable times during door-knocking so far? I think the most memorable moments door-knocking is with the team itself. We have a wonderful group of dedicated volunteers, and it's a privilege to be out representing what we believe in, and explaining our stance. Many of the people we talk to have become discouraged with the current political climate, and are ready for change. Lethbridge East was Liberal when I moved here and we believe we’re ready for another Alberta Liberal MLA. Do you have anything that you would like to say to the student, or university community, at large? Do your research, and get out and vote! Don't think that your one vote is insigni�cant; many elections have been won or lost by a mere handful of ballots. Look to the future; what do YOU want to see for Alberta? Who do YOU want to represent you for the next four years? When this election is called, I would be honoured to have your support, and happy to answer any questions you may have.

Maria Fitzpatrick, Candidate for Lethbridge East, Alberta New Democratic Party Why have you chosen to run as the NDP candidate in LE in the upcoming 2019 Provincial election?I believe that we have a lot more work to do. When I ran in 2015, I committed to represent the people of Lethbridge East for 2 terms. What motivates you to a career in public service, as an MLA?At the dinner table, when I was growing up, politics was something we discussed at the kitchen table. I realized a long time ago that I was treated di�erently because I was a girl compared with the guys. And I have a long history of employment in unionized environments and know how devastating it can be for sta� who feel powerless after decisions that impact them have been made. What are your concerns for post-secondary students? Do you realize that they are not only 18-21 years old?I think we have listened to student and increased money for mental health and put a freeze on tuition. We put money into the new science centre. We want every single person to have access to education. Yes, I do realize that the ages of post-secondary students are now more diverse than ever. What do you think about the UCP's idea for students to be able to opt-out of the fees for the Students' Union?I don’t agree with it. I come from years and years of experience that show groups show solidarity for more support when they work together. Mental health support for students is very important too. Students’ Union represents these needs for students. It is hard to process this need on our own.

What makes you the most quali�ed candidate to continue to serve as the MLA for LE?I use my voice to represent and advocate for Lethbridge East and I have done so every single day since being elected.

What are your priorities for LE as MLA if re-elected?Education, health care, and more work to prevent domestic and sexual violence.

How do you think Lethbridge could become more diverse in their hiring decisions?I think that every business serves its entire community and should re�ect that diversity in its hiring decisions. What are some of your most memorable times during door-knocking so far?People have invited me in for a cup of tea and I’ve had conversations with people saying they’re not voting NDP but that they don’t even know the background for saying so. So, door-knocking is an opportunity to inform. And not everyone listens but they pay way more attention. Do you have anything that you would like to say to the student, or university community, at large?When I retire in 4 years, my plan is to take courses at the University of Lethbridge until I die! Nathan Neudorf, Candidate for Lethbridge East, United Conservative Party

Why have you chosen to run as the UCP candidate in LE in the upcoming 2019 Provincial election?�ere are a number of reasons that I have chosen to run in the upcoming election. First, it has been a dream of mine since high school to run and represent people at a governmental level. Second, I want to be a voice for a large cross section of working class people and see that their views, concerns and common sense priorities are brought to government. �ird, I want to run for my family and other families so that they can have a bright future with as many opportunities for success as possible.

What motivates you to a career in public service, as an MLA?My motivation comes from the many, many people that I live and work with in Lethbridge. �ey deserve to have a voice in legislature. I want to serve and represent them.

What are your concerns for post-secondary students? Do you realize that they are not only 18-21 years old?My concerns for post-secondary students (of all ages) is that they won’t be able to �nd a job or start a career related to their �eld of study when they graduate. Post secondary education and training should provide them with an opportunity to start a career and experience the many bene�ts in their professional and personal lives. Highly skilled individuals integrated into their local economy will lead to the diversi�cation, innovation and technological advancement for a growing career. We want all post-secondary students to experience this in our province.

What do you think about the UCP's idea for students to be able to opt-out of the fees for the Students' Union?I would like to see more discussion on this issue and understand what students think is the most practical solution to this question. �e University, its students, as well as the College and its students, are a large portion of our population and I want to make sure they are represented.

What makes you the most quali�ed candidate to serve as the MLA for LE?I believe I have a unique experience and background which allows me to directly relate with, and represent the vast majority of the residents in Lethbridge East. I have

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lived and worked in Lethbridge for nearly 25 years. I owned and operated businesses, and until last October, worked as a manager for a well known local construction company. I have served on several Boards, coached sports teams, and worked with clients from the University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge College, the City of Lethbridge, Lethbridge School District #51, the Holy Spirit School Division, AHS and numerous private businesses. My experiences with them, was not simply on a surface level, rather I was able to gain a unique understanding of their operations to properly ful�ll their needs. My passion to represent Lethbridge East in government was developed as I built these strong and trusted relationships. �ese experiences are the foundation to be a true, grassroots representative. What are your priorities for LE as MLA if elected?My priorities are to serve ALL residents of Lethbridge East. We hear at the doors all the time there is a strong concern that people have for their job's and how social issues are being handled. We need to empower all people, and create a thriving local economy to re-establish con�dence in the marketplace. When this happens, we will see a transcendent recovery which bene�ts both the private and public sectors. How do you think Lethbridge could become more diverse in their hiring decisions?I feel Lethbridge is identi�ed as already being diverse in their hiring practices. But, this will improve as we reduce the burden on businesses with the red tape reduction, the elimination of the carbon tax, the job creation tax cut, and the United Conservatives initiative to recognize foreign credentials. �ese policies, along with more to be announced in the near future, will go a long way in strengthening our workforce and the diversity within it.

What are some of your most memorable times during door-knocking so far?I love living in Lethbridge. �e positive, polite responses at the door, even if there happens to be a di�erence of viewpoint, makes me proud to live here. Being invited in to talk, have a cup of co�ee and discuss the positive changes we need; these have consistently been the most memorable. It is amazing to meet people I know in every area of the city, to hear their stories and receive their encouragement to keep going to every door possible. It is truly energizing.

Do you have anything that you would like to say to the student, or university community, at large?Be positive, look for opportunities, see the possibilities and don’t be afraid of starting small and building something great.

End of interviews

On a closing note, the time that I spent working on this article led me to a place of continuous gratitude that I live in Canada, am able to vote, and be involved in the democratic process. It is my hope that the answers provided by the candidates resonate with voters and assist in their decision-making process. I always vote and take this democratic opportunity seriously. Your vote is your voice so, however you choose to vote, please make sure that you exercise your right to do so!

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University of Lethbridge Faculty Association - What does it all mean for U of L Students?By Rose-Marie Nyberg

As I write this article, I must admit that I am one of those students who sits at the front of the classroom and remains keen to absorb knowledge and expertise as it is delivered from the professor who is often a professional mentor and accomplished member of the academic community. I admire professors and the ways that they inspire students and open doors to the magical world of discovering truth and seeking wisdom through research, writing and discussion.

�e University of Lethbridge’s Faculty Association (ULFA) consists of approximately 500 faculty, professional librarians, instructors, academic assistants and 120 sessional lecturers. On Friday, March 15, 2018, I had the opportunity to interview Dr. Dan O’Donnell, the Chief Bargaining Spokesperson, and Dr. Joy Morris, the Handbooks Committee Chair, of ULFA, in order to gain an understanding of what the Association is, and how it operates.

During the interview I asked the following questions:

What is happening with the current negotiations of ULFA?Our current contract expired on June 30, 2018. �e Government of Alberta determined that ULFA is now a Union and had placed our Association under the Labour Relations Code. As such, all previous contracts under the Post-Secondary Learning Act are now void; this creates the need for the duty for fair representation and the duty to bargain in good faith.

Why are these issues important?�ese issues are important because there have been massive changes. In this new framework, every Article now needs to be adjusted to �t it; this results in a lot more work for everyone involved.

Where are the potential impacts on members of ULFA to be experienced?It has become a real human-interest story. �e Board of Governors (the management side) and the Professors (the labor side) have each hired a consultant. At the U of L, we are fortunate because things are progressing in a positive manner towards a new contract for members of ULFA. �ere is anticipation for a successful conclusion.

How can students support the e�orts of the ULFA?�e biggest thing that we hear is that faculty members are not always sure that students understand that ULFA members worry about academic freedom. �e best thing that students can do to support the interests of the university is understanding the need for professors and their teams to be able to do what they need to do in order to pursue the academic life.

End of interview

On a �nal note, if you are a student reading this article, you may want to take the time to thank faculty, professional librarians, instructors, academic assistants, lecturers, administrators (if you haven’t already done so) for choosing a professional life that creates opportunities for you to learn the subject matter and perhaps helps you on your way in this world. To all those who are employed in post-secondary education and really care about students, you should know that we students do appreciate and value your hard work and dedication to our success.

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Dr. Jane O’Dea’s Research and Analysis: Why Are There So Few Women in Senior Academic Administration?By Rachel Nyberg

I am a third year student working on a second undergraduate degree with plans to begin a Master of Arts program in the near future. When I was deciding on a major for my second undergraduate degree and in preparation for graduate studies, I began an informal evaluation of departments I was interested in completing higher level research. Even though I try not to let the proportion of women to men in a given discipline be the deciding factor in my decision, I did notice an imbalance in some departments. One department I had considered had only male professors. I was not certain if this was due to random chance or some underlying, traditionally male �eld phenomena.

I examined another discipline that shared my research interests and noticed an almost even proportion of women to men professors. Needless to say, I did feel more comfortable committing to a discipline that had some female professors. But my sociology undergraduate background made me wonder why it matters at all who will eventually act as my supervisor for graduate studies. And the reason that it mattered was materialized in a poster I saw on campus.

�e poster immediately caught my attention and I knew I had to research the presenters and submit a story for the Meliorist readers. �e poster read, “Women Academic Leaders: Some Challenges on Being Female in Senior Academic Administration”. �is event will take place on April 5, 2019 from 12 PM to 1:30 PM in MH 1090.

I had the great opportunity to have a telephone interview with the keynote speaker of the event, Dr. Jane O’Dea, Professor and Dean Emerita of Education, University of Lethbridge. Dr. O’Dea currently resides in Nanaimo, B.C. She had also just returned from Ireland in recent days. I was truly appreciative of Dr. O’Dea taking the time to speak to me about this timely event.

Dr. O’Dea con�rmed some of my earlier observations about women in leadership, or lack thereof, with �gures from 2016. Dr. O’Dea noted that in Canadian universities, 25% of Vice-Presidents Research are female, 37% of Vice-Presidents Academic are female, and only 20% of Presidents are female. Dr. O’Dea pointed out that the number of female Presidents peaked in the 1990’s but has since stagnated.

Dr. O’Dea explained the lack of female leadership is not limited to universities. She emphasized it is a “general phenomenon in all sorts of areas.” �e lack of female representation exists in the business world and on a global level. In fact, Dr. O’Dea explained, based on 2017 numbers from the European University Association, only 12% of universities in EU countries have women presidents.

�e question for Dr. O’Dea became, “Why were there

so few women in academic leadership?” During her time as Dean of Education, she noted that female academics frequently remarked, “I could never do a job like yours. I couldn’t handle the intense arguments and personal criticism.”

�ese comments form the basis for the paper she will be presenting at the event.

Focusing speci�cally on academic argument, her presentation will explore two diverse and often con�icting philosophical perspectives embedded in university culture that she believes have created a peculiarly challenging environment for female academic leaders. She will explore these two philosophies and their potential impact on women’s decisions to enter senior administration.

When advising women on careers in academic administration, Dr. O’Dea stated, “ultimately you have to come forward, and it is worth it.” She hopes the event will be inspiring and encouraging, and convince women that they should enter senior administration because it is wonderful, exciting work they are more than capable of doing. While not whitewashing the challenges, she believes that overcoming them is well worth the e�ort. She anticipates an informative, honest and provocative discussion.

�e most important item to take away from my interview with Dr. O’Dea is that students and faculty must engage. We must be part of the discussion to bring about positive change. With that in mind, save the date and be sure to attend “Women Academic Leaders: Some Challenges on Being Female in Senior Academic Administration” on April 5, 2019 from 12 PM to 1:30 PM in MH 1090.

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#IYIL2019By Ooleepeeka Eegeesiak

�e United Nations declared 2019 the International Year of Indigenous Languages (IYIL). According to the IYIL2019 website, 2,850 of 7,000 languages worldwide are at-risk and many of the threatened languages are Indigenous. �ese languages are encoded with complex knowledge systems and embedded with stories, their importance extending beyond communication alone. With over 370 million Indigenous people from 5,000 distinct cultures, there is a lot at stake. For these reasons and more, many individuals and organizations are committing to celebrating, promoting, and revitalizing Indigenous languages this year and into the future.

�e growth, continuity, and revival of Indigenous languages are enduringly relevant and crucial today, especially considering the legacy of residential schools, the 60s Scoop and while facing ongoing colonialism. �e foundational principles underlying residential schools in Canada were genocide, language eradication, and assimilation. Children were punished and abused for speaking their Indigenous language and forced to use English or French. �e targeting of Indigenous languages has been intergenerational, in�icting shame and damaging the processes of transmission from one generation to the next.

Back in 2015, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission released its 94 Calls to Action, which addresses the impacts of residential schools. Calls to Action numbers 13 to 17 speci�cally involve language and culture, illustrating the inseparability of these two concerns. �ey call upon the federal government to acknowledge Aboriginal language rights, enact legislation that follows speci�c guiding principles, appoint an Aboriginal Languages Commissioner, create education programs for Aboriginal languages, and waive name-change costs for individuals.

Just recently on February 5th, the Trudeau federal government tabled the �rst reading of Bill C-91, the Indigenous Languages Act, that is now moving quickly through the legislative process to meet the June parliamentary deadline. �e current version of the legislation ful�lls some of the TRC Calls to Action, including recognition that Section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982 includes language rights and the creation of an Indigenous Languages Commissioner position. It also allows for various levels of government and organizations to arrange agreements to support Indigenous languages.

While there have been positive reactions to Bill C-91, there are also serious concerns. Nunavut MP Hunter Tootoo voted against the second reading of the bill. Tootoo supported the concept of language legislation but opposed it in its current form. Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK) President Natan Obed pointed out that the current draft appears vague, symbolic, and does not contain any of the requirements outlined by Inuit organizations during the co-development phase. �e unful�lled proposals include: a separate part of the legislation addressing Inuktut, a statement recognizing the o�cial language status of Inuktut in Inuit Nunangat, and Inuktut-speci�c resource allocation policy for programs and services. ITK expressed that the costly new

role of Indigenous Languages Commissioner is not an adequate solution and that there needs to be clearer, direct commitments like in the O�cial Languages Act that deals with French and English in Canada. With calls for amendments and further consultation at the time of writing this publication, Bill C-91 may receive Royal Assent before the uncertainty of the federal election in October.

Legislation is one mechanism to protect Indigenous languages. �eir resurgences and health depend on people learning, having access to, and using them. Despite the barriers to reclaiming and maintaining Indigenous languages, there are many Indigenous people being drawn to their linguistic inheritances today. According to the following 2016 Canadian Census data:

-there are approximately 70 di�erent Aboriginal languages belonging to 12 di�erent language families spoken across the country-260,550 Aboriginal reported being able to speak an Aboriginal language enough to have a conversation, compared to 1,673,785 Aboriginal people overall-64% of Inuit, 21.3% of First Nations, and 1.7% of Métis reported the ability to conduct a conversation in an Aboriginal language-�ere was a high number of Aboriginal language speakers who did not learn it as their �rst or mother tongue, showing that more people are learning Indigenous languages as a second language -�e Algonquian, Inuit, and Athabaskan language families make up the most speakers

Despite enduring contemporary challenges, one thing that is for certain are the many successes driven by people committed to creating the conditions for thriving Indigenous languages. I had the opportunity to experience this important work �rst hand while volunteering at the Stabilizing Indigenous Languages Symposium (SILS), held here at the University of Lethbridge nearly a year ago in June of 2018 during its 25th anniversary. �e symposium was organized in collaboration between the Peigan Board of Education, the Piikani Nation, the Department of Indigenous Studies, and the Department of Modern Languages. SILS included elders, community members, presenters and researchers from many places, becoming an embodiment of international Indigenous resistance to the loss of languages.

�e presence of Indigenous languages in the systems and institutions Indigenous people interact with is signi�cant. �ere are also grassroots examples of Indigenous language revitalization. Wolastoqiyik Lintuwakonawa, an album created by Wolastoqiyik and Tobique First Nation member Jeremy Dutcher, won the 2018 Polaris Music Prize and more recently a Juno Award. �e compositions are based on and include samples from archival wax cylinder recordings of traditional songs made by anthropologist William Mechling from 1907. �e songs contained within the cylinders were located away from the people, in the

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Canadian Museum of History and had not been heard by anyone until recently. Jeremy Dutcher revived the language and songs by recording the phenomenal album, bringing them back into the community and for the listening enjoyment of others.

Artist Joi Arcand from Muskeg Lake Cree Nation envisions ideal, alternative worlds where her ancestral language is normalized, visible, and a part of everyday life. Last year, Arcand was one of twenty-nine artists in the Winnipeg Art Gallery exhibition Insurgence/Resurgence curated by Jaimie Isaac and Julie Nagam. Her photographs, installations, and signs prominently feature the writing system syllabics, creating a utopic neon futurism that asserts a Cree presence in public and centers the use of the language. In this emerging reality, the syllabics and language aren’t con�ned to reserve stop signs and northern communities but are part of life and the land. Sometimes leaving the signs untranslated, Arcand disrupts and comments upon the process of understanding and encourages language revitalization.

Resurgences of Indigenous languages are increasingly visible in art, literature and storytelling, institutions, legislation, the media, in homes, and on the land. �ey remain vital for Indigenous nations, communities, families, and individuals. I encourage readers to connect or continue connecting with their ancestral languages; take notice support the presence of the Blackfoot languages here on campus and throughout their homelands in general; and become aware of the purposes behind the International Year of Indigenous Languages.

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Photos by Duncan Metcalfe

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Daughters of Uraniumart exhibition by Mary KavanaghBy Courtney Faulkner

A chorus of frogs sings in the darkness of the desert. Rain has transformed the landscape, inviting an array of creatures out of hiding to rejoice. It is July 16, 1945 at 5:29 am, only moments before the detonation of the �rst atomic bomb at the Trinity test site in New Mexico; an event of incomprehensible destruction that drastically molds the world we live in today.

Mary Kavanagh's exhibition Daughters of Uranium is at the Southern Alberta Art Gallery until April 28, and as stated in the write up for the show, "explores the legacy of the atomic age from the perspective of the sentient body and intergenerational trauma... [and] has emerged from a longstanding interest in the body as a site of memory, erasure, violence, and inscription." Kavanagh's research-based conceptual art practice generates a body of work that is rich with historical document and balanced with individual narrative. "�e personal is always related to the research," says Kavanagh. "�ere's a totalizing that's been going on with my work and my life that comes up. When I do research, I go really deep into it and I internalize it." Kavanagh uses a collection of personal objects, graphite drawings, watercolour paintings, archival photographs, uranium glass cast sculptures, and video to convey complexities in a way that is both political and personal. By rooting a devastating and overwhelming history in

the intimate body the subject matter becomes relatable. �e toxicity of our environment is embodied, and through careful attention to ourselves we are able to translate our personal traumas to the collective pains of society.

�e piece Rosa the Beautiful, a pair of graceful legs amputated just above the knee, is particularly stunning, as this representation of the vulnerable body is a metaphor for the overarching narrative of the exhibition. �e legs are cast in uranium glass, which makes the �uorescent yellow forms glow neon green under UV light. �is material was important for Kavanagh to work with because it communicates the responsibility Canada has in the construction of atomic weaponry, as the uranium to build the bomb was mined at Great Bear Lake in the Northwest Territories. Christina Cuthbertson, co-curator of the exhibition with Lindsey Sharman, speaks to the power of this piece within the diverse display of artworks. "�ere is an underlying feeling or threat of exposure or contamination that runs throughout many of the works, but particularly with Rosa the Beautiful. �ey are nuclear radioactive, that's why they glow. It's not enough to be damaging to us, but it does indicate a sense of danger, that we are just always exposed... the human body becomes this unwilling �lter, and not just the human body, all sentient bodies."

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�e luminous legs lay horizontally on metal armatures upon a rectangular black wooden and steel table, with space above the limbs for viewers to imagine the missing body. �e display appears medical, like an operating table or a morgue, and is tucked away in a darkened room with a low, bunker-like ceiling. �e delicately resting legs have an ominous, yet alluring aura to them. Kavanagh explains that the work is a stand in for the mortal body, using the beauty of the object to express an unsettling reality.

"�ey are amputated as much as they are alive, operating on some sort of threshold of life and death," says Kavanagh. "I chose to represent the female, youthful body speci�cally because it's a metaphor for life, sexuality, and also death." �e title of the exhibition, Daughters of Uranium, holds multiple meanings; citing the radioactive decay chain of Uranium 235 - widely known for its use in the �rst atomic bomb - with the elements in Uranium's family tree referred to as "daughters", as well as the successive generations born into an uncertain future. "�e exhibition invites you to contemplate generational relationships to catastrophic events like Trinity and the dropping of the bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki," says Cuthbertson. "It is more than the magnitude of the event, not necessarily the blast so much as its implications. It's an inherited trauma that's broader than that, it's the traumas of our ancestors." �e bomb acts as a concept that extends metaphorically to represent the shadow aspect of humanity; the most horrifying actions that we are capable of. �e detonation at the Trinity testing site was both destructive and creative at the same instant, in the damage that it caused to the environment and surrounding bodies, and the political climate it created that we are still navigating the consequences of today.

Since the detonation of the �rst atomic bomb in 1945 over 2,000 nuclear tests have been launched, with over 1,100 of those by the United States - often within their own nation, generating radioactive waste that remains hazardous for thousands of years. With current renewed global interest in nuclear armament and accelerated environmental degradation, Kavanagh has recognized a collective cultural anxiety that �lters through the Trinity site, which has become a location of nuclear tourism.

Trinity resides on the White Sands Missile Range, an active military base, that opens to the public twice annually. Kavanagh has visited multiple times to conduct interviews with visitors, uncovering a vast range of attractions, from an interest in physics and history to honourings of reverence and mourning. �e interviews are played in the exhibition on a large dual-screen video, Trinity, interspersed with archival footage of workers setting up the atomic bomb, and the vast, mesmerizing open landscape of New Mexico.

�e video concludes with a sombre image of poetic injustice, the falling of radioactive molten glass over the Trinity site, like rain from the sky, as a result of the incredible heat of the detonation sucking sand up from the desert �oor into the �reball and transforming it into a new mineral: trinitite. �e green glassy residue holds within it the history of the happening, through its chemical composition, and a grid of trinitite from the

test site is placed in the exhibition beside rocks from Hiroshima Castle to further reinforce the relationship of the event to the ruin in Japan.

Kavanagh, in recognizing a psychological element that needed to be conveyed, not just a literal physical one, continually brings the work back to the body through metaphor, abstraction and ephemera. �is is apparent in Breath Drawings: In�nity Series, a collection of large scale graphite drawings of repetitive horizontal lines. Evidence of the hand is present in the slight di�erentiation between the precise duplications. �e drawings, while not �gurative, act as self portraits.

Rain of Ruin: concept studies, a series of exquisite watercolour paintings provide a collage of abstract imagery that are open to interpretation: repeating black boxes stimulating notions of the void, meditative dots of green and red in di�ering saturations contained within a circle or a square, reminiscent of trinitite or scars; paired with meticulous life-like renderings of animals that have been subject to nuclear testing, reminding us that it is not only human bodies who have been subject to the damaging e�ects of radiation. "I am deliberately foregrounding the body and the personal, and the idea that this is more at home than we realize,” says Kavanagh. “�is is a local reality. It's in our own bodies. �at's where we're battling it."

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Research Spotlight: Dr. Lorraine NicolBy Rachel Nyberg

How can precision irrigation agriculture reduce inputs, increase production, and enhance sustainability? How would this apply beyond the con�nes of Southern Alberta? U of L Economics Research Associate Dr. Lorraine Nicol seeks to answer this and more in her work.

Firstly, I would like to thank Dr. Nicol for taking the time to meet with me for an interview about her important research and the role it plays in irrigation agriculture. Dr. Nicol sat down with me to discuss her current research, future research goals and how her education led her to the role she now has as a Research Associate at the University of Lethbridge.

Dr. Nicol is a well-known researcher at the University of Lethbridge and has had her research �ndings featured in the U of L UNews. I �rst met Dr. Nicol through a family member and always enjoy speaking with her whenever we meet on campus. I wanted to get to know her better and understand what drives her research and her passion for education.

Dr. Nicol completed her Ph.D. (Biosystems and Biodiversity, Water Resources Policy and Management) from University of Lethbridge in 2013. She also completed a Master of Arts (Agricultural Studies) from University of Lethbridge and a Master of Arts (Economics) from Queen’s University. Additionally, Dr. Nicol holds a Bachelor of Arts, Honours (Economics and Political Science) from the University of Saskatchewan. Dr. Nicol also holds a Certi�cate, Public Relations from Mount Royal College, now known as Mount Royal University.

In order to understand Dr. Nicol’s research interest in irrigation agriculture, I sought to understand her upbringing, education background and career pathing. Dr. Nicol explained that she grew up on a dry land farm in Saskatchewan. Her family farmed cattle and grain. She stated that she greatly enjoyed growing up on a farm and valued the experience of being part of a farming family. Although Dr. Nicol did not pursue farming for her own career, her childhood growing up on a farm certainly in�uenced her chosen career path.

Upon completion of her �rst Master’s degree in Economics, Dr. Nicol worked as a public servant for the Federal Government in Ottawa, and the Government of Saskatchewan in Regina. In addition, she held management and senior research positions in the areas of �nance, labour market, education, and employment. In 2001, Dr. Nicol moved with her husband and three children to Lethbridge. She stated the family moved to Lethbridge upon the appointment of her husband, Dr. Chris Nicol, to the position of Dean, Arts and Science. Upon arriving, Dr. Nicol noticed vast di�erences between her new, smaller city of Lethbridge and the large, capital city of Regina. She stated the economic landscape in Lethbridge was very di�erent when they moved here in 2001. At that time, Lethbridge had a population of approximately 65,000 people, which was about a third of the population of Regina. Dr. Nicol

noted because of the smaller center and smaller government o�ces, her previous work as a public servant in the areas of �nance, labour markets, education, and employment were limited. Further, even though her children were just 8, 10 and 11 years of age, they were already extensively involved in competitive swimming. Dr. Nicol was therefore searching for �exible, part-time employment to accommodate her children’s busy competitive training and travel schedules.

During the �rst two years in Lethbridge, Dr. Nicol taught as a sessional instructor in Economics at the University of Lethbridge. Once again, she took the changes in the economic landscape of Lethbridge as an opportunity to return to school and adapt her studies to the climate in which she lived. In 2003, Dr. Nicol began a second Master of Arts degree at the University of Lethbridge. Initially, Dr. Nicol was interested in pursuing a Master of Arts in Political Science. However, upon discussion of her research interests with fellow faculty member Dr. Kurt Klein, Dr. Nicol chose to pursue a Master of Arts in Agricultural Studies. She stated this degree did not exist at the University of Lethbridge and Dr. Klein not only helped set up the program for her, but also became her mentor. �ereafter, Dr. Nicol directed her research primarily towards irrigation agriculture.

Dr. Nicol stated in irrigation districts, water allocations can be traded on a temporary basis between farmers. In other words, water resources can be re-allocated amongst farmers to ensure they move to their highest value. In fact, this practice formed the basis of Dr. Nicol’s Master’s degree thesis, studying the temporary trading of water

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allocations within the St. Mary River Irrigation District during the 2001 drought.

Around the time of her graduation, the Alberta Government launched a major long-term water strategy called Water For Life. �is strategy emphasized improved e�ciency and productivity of water in all major economic sectors, including irrigation. Dr. Nicol noted that research arising from the Water for Life Strategy and its bearing or irrigation resulted in several papers being published by her and her colleagues.

�e major turning point for Dr. Nicol came when the opportunity to pursue a Ph.D. was presented to her. In 2009, Dr. Nicol stated Drs. Henning Bjornlund and Kurt Klein had received a large research grant from the Alberta Water Research Institute (AWRI). �is grant provided the opportunity for Drs. Bjornlund and Klein to take on graduate students. Dr. Nicol took this opportunity to begin her Ph.D. She stated she also sought out her own funding and received a Bombardier scholarship valued at $105,000 over a three-year period. Seizing an opportunity to expand her research horizons, her dissertation research focused on the challenges of reallocating water resources within the Calgary region under an ambitious regional initiative called the Calgary Regional Partnership. In 2013, Dr. Nicol’s Ph.D. in Biosystems and Biodiversity represented the �rst doctorate conferred in social sciences at the University of Lethbridge.

Dr. Nicol has since been involved in several research projects and studies involving water pricing and water management, including publishing research on the importance of water pricing for households. She stated municipalities need to be aware of water consumption and have it re�ected in prices households pay. As Dr. Nicol emphasized, “Canadians in general use too much water because we pay too little for it.”

For example, water not used for necessities like cooking, cleaning and consumption, should carry a higher price. Dr. Nicol notes this will reduce water waste and help ensure su�cient water for all members of a municipality. Another recent research initiate of Dr. Nicol’s has been a hitherto unexplored area: the adoption of precision agriculture by southern Alberta farmers and its e�ect on resource use, including irrigation water.

Dr. Nicol has taken her �ndings on water management to a global level. In fact, Dr. Nicol stated she has presented her �ndings in Ancona & Sienna, Italy; Adelaide, Australia; and Bonn, Germany. Although Dr. Nicol’s research has been speci�c to Southern Alberta, the applicability of it can be appreciated on a global scale. For example, irrigation farming in similar climates to Southern Alberta can bene�t from the research Dr. Nicol and her colleagues have produced to better manage water usage and allocation.

When asked about her vision for the future of her research, Dr. Nicol con�rmed she would like to continue concentrating on irrigation agriculture and water management. She noted, “irrigation agriculture is a foundation of this economy.” She also emphasized there is still much research to do in this area as there is still much to learn.

In addition to her research, Dr. Nicol serves as a volunteer with the University of Lethbridge Support our Students Committee. She also applies her expertise in water management by serving as a board member on watershed planning and advisory councils. For many years she was extensively involved in managing the Lethbridge Amateur Swim Club, serving as a board member for six years, of which four of those years she was president. Dr. Nicol also sat on the Board of Directors of the YWCA Lethbridge and District when she �rst arrived in Lethbridge, eventually serving as Vice-President of Finance.

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Understanding the Plight of RefugeesLocally and Beyond

By Rose-Marie Nyberg

Imagine, one day, you �nd yourself forced to evacuate your home as you gather a few of your belongings while attempting to �ee an unexpected, irreversible, life-threatening disaster…

Unfortunately, many individuals do experience unforgettable trauma and instability when they are forced to become refugees. �e Oxford Dictionary de�nes a refugee as “a person who has been forced to leave their country in order to escape war, persecution, or natural disaster.” Upon re�ection over international news stories, within the last four to �ve years, it seems that there are many opinions over what should happen with displaced members of our world who have no choice but to �ee their homes in an attempt to survive and escape dire situations over which they have no control. �e captivating images of families, portrayed in pictures and videos, leave memorable impressions as these refugees seek asylum in countries they perceive as portals to a safer, more peaceful existence.

At the University of Lethbridge, we in the Lethbridge student body may be in the range of 7,500+ this academic year of 2018-2019; we may have met refugees who have established their homes in the city we call home. It is certainly hopeful that our community continues to gain a reputation as being warm and welcoming to refugees.

�ere is even a Refugee Rights Day that is celebrated each year in Canada on April 4th. It is an opportunity to bring attention to the advances made in the protection of refugee rights in Canada, as a result of the Singh court decision. April 4th is the anniversary of the Supreme Court’s decision: Singh v. Minister of Employment and Immigration, [1985] 1 SCR 177; it was on this day of April 4, 1985 that the Supreme Court of Canada ruled that the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms protects the rights of refugee claimants in Canada to life, liberty and security of the person, and that claimants are therefore entitled to an oral hearing, in accordance with the principles of fundamental justice and international law.

In Lethbridge, World Refugee Day is an annual celebration that takes place on June 20th and is hosted by Lethbridge & Area Local Immigration Partnership. Chaplain Erin Phillips, who serves as the Chaplain for Ecumenical Campus Ministry at both the U of L and Lethbridge College, celebrates World Refugee Day with her church where she is employed as the priest at the St. �eodore’s in Taber. In addition, Lethbridge Family Services o�ers the Resettlement Assistance Program (RAP) for Refugees. �e Government of Alberta o�ers a Refugee Resettlement Program that provides opportunities for people to sponsor refugees. �e criterion for the program requires that refugees must be

able to eventually establish themselves in Canada and must also pass medical, security and criminal screenings.

On February 14, 2019, I attended a presentation held in the UCA Atrium at the University of Lethbridge. �e speakers included Dr. Julie Young, Canada Research Chair in Critical Border Studies, and Chaplain Erin Phillips. Dr. Young is a human geographer with expertise in refugee and border issues. Dr. Young explains that “Canada is involved in refugee e�orts locally, nationally and globally. �ere are now 400 people who were refugees from Syria that have been resettled to Lethbridge, which is a signi�cant contribution. �at said, the scale and scope of displacement globally is massive. Canada is in a sense ‘protected’ by our geography. In other words, we have the luxury of being able to pick and choose who is resettled as a refugee because it is very di�cult to get here. At the same time, Canada has been an example to the world through its Private Sponsorship of Refugees program - but we have a lot of resources and Canada could do more.” She is part of the Uof L Refugee Action Committee, a group of sta� and faculty who have partnered with other sponsorship organizations to support refugee families, and together with their community partners have sponsored 5 related family groups. All are UNHCR recognized refugees, now safely thriving in Lethbridge. �e presentation marked the launch of the group’s last fundraising drive to reunite one more branch of the family. �e goal is to raise $15,000.00 from the University community. If you are interested in donating, please contact Dr. Anne Dymond at anne.dymond@uleth.ca.

Students are also actively involved in helping with the refugee process. Christine Suominen is part of the student club World University Service of Canada (WUSC) which runs a Student Refugee Program (SRP). WUSC is a Canadian international development non-pro�t organization dedicated to improving education, employment and empowerment opportunities for youth, women and refugees in more than 25 countries around the world. In the �rst year of its project, the Student Refugee Program (associated with the WUSC program) raised $30,000.00 in its combined fundraising e�orts. In the following year, the University of Lethbridge installed a student levy that resulted in a total of $30,000.00 being collected from students through a small donation from each student. In future years, the levy should allow us to help one quali�ed refugee student resettle here each year. Christine has been actively involved in bringing two refugee students to Lethbridge, and watching them �ourish here has been a very rewarding experience for her. As Dr. Dymond, an Associate Professor of Art History, points out, it is amazing that every student at the university contributes to solving this global crisis. She adds “while the refugee situation may seem overwhelming, when we all give a little, we can change someone's life. Being selected for this scholarship brings a refugee out of di�cult circumstances and allows them to get an education, establish themselves in Canada, and start giving back both to the communities they come from and to this one.”

During the time that this article is being written, there is a President in the United States who wants to build a wall that will solidify his ambition to prevent migrants from entering the United States of America to the extent that his directive has forced their Government to shut down for many weeks. �e world should create more bridges, not walls.

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Study Tips: Three Easy Steps to Get You Through Final Exams!By Rachel Nyberg

Whether you are a �rst-year student away from home for the �rst time or a senior student approaching graduation, we have all felt the pressures of �nal exams. By the time the �nal month of the semester approaches, we are re�ecting on our work thus far: the term paper we just �nished, the mid-term we struggled with at the beginning, and the fast-approaching �nal exam. �e way we handle the �nal stretch can be largely attributed to how we handle the �rst stretch.

If you are an organized student, with folders containing all the lectures notes since day 1 stored on the Cloud or your paper notes neatly hole-punched, stapled and in a designated binder, you will �nd the prospect of a �nal exam less daunting. You may approach the �nal exam as a culmination of all the knowledge you have stored in your organized mind as an opportunity to demonstrate your hard-working e�orts.

If, however, you are a student with less-than-stellar organizational skills, the prospect of �nal exams �lls you with fear, anxiety and a desire to escape your pending reality. But do not fret! You can still turn this semester around and achieve a respectable grade in your courses!

Firstly, if you have not done so since the �rst day of class, begin reviewing the course syllabus. If you have missed classes or have poor notes, reach out to your fellow classmates for help! I have found students to be very helpful when I was ill and missed a couple of classes. I reached out through the class email list, based on the professor’s advice, and received at least four o�ers of help with class notes.

Secondly, after you have made some friends that o�ered to share class notes with you, ask if some of them would like to form a study group. If students are willing to share their notes, they may also welcome the chance to study together and improve everyone’s chance of getting a scholarship worthy grade. Getting through university is easier and more fun with friends who share the same academic goals as you do!

�irdly, reach out for professional assistance with study tips. �e University of Lethbridge Student Success Centre o�ers free services for undergraduate and graduate students in the areas of learning strategies and study skills, tutoring services and education in wellness. �ey also o�er workshops in numerous topics geared towards the needs of students! �eir o�ce is located in Anderson Hall, AH148.

Once you have completed the �rst three steps, stay the course on your renewed study habits! Stay focused so you reach your goals! If you begin to feel overwhelmed by the prospect of �nals worth 30% of your �nal grade, slow down, review your newly organized study system and remember you are not alone. Your fellow students, professors and support system within the University of Lethbridge want to see you succeed! And �nally, remember the valuable tips you have learned from your generous classmates and support from centres like the U of L Student Success Centre!

Who knows? Perhaps next semester you will be the student with the folders containing all the lectures notes since day 1 stored on the Cloud or your paper notes neatly hole-punched, stapled and in a designated binder. And when that struggling, learning-to-organize their life student reaches out for help, you will know exactly how to help!

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This Month inHistoryBy Sorcha DeHeer

�e LGBTQ community celebrated a momentous victory on April 2, 1998. After years of legal struggles, the Supreme Court of Canada announced its decision that the Alberta government had to give homosexual individuals equal protection under the Alberta Human Rights Commission.

�e announcement was a result of the actions of Delwin Vriend, a lab technician at the Christian King’s College in Edmonton, who was �red due to his sexual orientation. �e college had adopted a new policy banning homosexual individuals from employment on January 11, 1991; shortly before Vriend’s dismissal. �e policy was exceedingly clear in its intentions, stating “…�e Bible also prohibits homosexual activity in both the Old and New Testament and describes it as a distortion of the creative order…�us homosexual practice (i.e. sexual activity with a person of the same sex), and the promotion of homosexual practice as an acceptable alternative to a normative heterosexual relationship are considered to be contrary to the College's Statement of Faith and inconsistent with its mission…”

With the help of Edmonton-based civil rights organization Gay and Lesbian Awareness (GALA), Vriend �led a complaint with the Alberta Human Rights Commission. Vriend was turned down because sexual orientation was not protected under the Individual Human Rights Act. �e �nancial support of the LGBTQ+ community, GALA and the Calgary Lesbian and Gay Political Action Guild made it possible for Vriend to take his case to the Court of Queen’s Bench. Vriend was represented pro-bono by activist and labor lawyer Sheila Greckol with Doug Stollery as co-counsel. On April 13, 1994, Judge Anne Russel ruled that the Alberta Human Rights Commission’s omission of sexual orientation was inconsistent with the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Barely a month later the Government of Alberta sought to appeal Russel’s decision. On February 23, 1996, the Alberta court of appeal ruled 2:1 against Vriend.

Justice John McClung, who led the panel, gained attention for his sensationalist comments. He declared that, “I am unable to conclude that it was a forbidden, let alone a reversible, legislative response for the province of Alberta to step back from the validation of homosexual relations, including sodomy, as a protected and fundamental right, thereby, ‘rebutting a millennia of moral teaching’.”

�e decision spurred the LGBTQ+ community to band together like never before. Fundraising e�orts and support encouraged Vriend to take his case to the Supreme Court of Canada on March 6, 1996; the hearings began on November 4, 1977. �e case took the nation by storm, provoking support and dissension throughout the country. Newspaper and radio stations were alive with the controversy long after the �nal decision was announced.

On April 2, 1998, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Vriend, meaning that sexual orientation had to be read into the province’s human rights commission. Alberta premier Ralph Klein threatened to invoke the notwithstanding clause, Section 33 of the Charter that allows provinces to override sections of the Charter for up to �ve years. While Klein decided not to invoke Section 33, his stance on the issue was irreparable in the eyes of many Albertans. �e initial mirth enjoyed by the LGBTQ+ community and its supporters were dampened by a barrage of hate mail and death threats.

�e case came at a pivotal time in Alberta’s history with many professionals �nally feeling safe enough to express their identity publicly. Doug Stollery himself identi�ed as gay, as well as Julie Lloyd, an openly lesbian judge who represented the Canadian Bar Association. �e immense amount of support from the LGBTQ+ communities and their supporters were a crucial part of Vriend’s success and illustrates the power of community activism. Vriend v. Alberta would in�uence similar changes in law relating to marriage, labor rights, adoption rights and pension rights. It would also spur the protection of sexual orientation in Prince Edward Island and the Northwest Territories not long after.

Further reading

A Family Outing by Ruby Remenda Swanson

Prairie Fairies: A History of Queer Communities and People in Western Canada 1930-1985 by Valerie J. Korinek

You’re not the kind of human we were talking about by Scott Rollans

An oral history of Vriend versus Alberta by Scott Rollans

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Bread, Circuses and Roses: Women’s grassroots movements and their effects on social changeBy Sorcha DeHeer

Give them bread and circuses; the satirical phrase that has come to represent the appeasement of the masses through food and entertainment. While it may seem more relevant than ever with the invention of soap operas and Facebook, the tenacity of grassroots women’s marches would beg to di�er. Harking back to the storming of the Bastille, the bread and roses marches show that women will not stand idle in the face of social inequality. Female immigrant textile workers in Lawrence, Massachusetts went on strike in 1912 to protest wage cuts at the Everett and Washington Mills. Over half of the workforce in the mills was made up of women and children, spurring new laws that limited their working hours to 54 hours a week. �e wage cuts amounted to the loss of about two weeks’ worth of bread per family. �e protest came to be known as the ‘bread and roses’ march after the 1912 poem by James Oppenheim. �e impelling and poignant poem alludes to wanting not only the bread one rightly deserves but the desire to share in the good life as well; to enjoy some of the pleasures of life reserved for the privileged elite. Composers such as John Denver, Helene Pedneault, Marie-Claire Seguin and Mimi Farina have immortalized the poem through songs that have become staples of the union and labor movements. Covers have been sung by artists such as Judy Collins and Ani DiFranco. �e poem itself was based on a speech by Helen Todd on the bene�ts of giving women the right to vote.

�e 1912 protest would go on to inspire a similar march in Quebec on May 26, 1995. �e recent economic recession left 20 percent of Quebec households below the poverty line, inspiring the Federation des Femmes du Quebec to form a coalition with near twenty other women’s groups to organize a march on the Quebec National Assembly. Over 800 people marches to Quebec City from as far away as Montreal. On June 4, 15,000 people stood outside the National Assembly to hear Premier Jacques Parizeau announce the government’s response. �e size of the movement coupled with a favorable political climate lent to the movement’s success. Only a few months before the referendum, the Premier needed the votes of women to achieve sovereignty and recent polls had suggested that women were less likely to support the move. In the end, minimum wage rose by 45 cents, tuition fees were frozen, 1200 social housing units were created and $225 million was invested in creating jobs for women.

Like so many women’s movements, there was room for improvement. Women of colour, Indigenous women, and women with disabilities were often left out of the conversation and under-represented in media coverage, highlighting the need for an intersectional approach to social movements. Looking at the initial Lawrence strike, we are reminded that industrial progress came at the expense of the most vulnerable in society. �e more recent labor marches show that progress is ongoing and hasn’t come without its faults.

Not at once; but women is the mothering element in the world and her vote will go towards helping forward the time when life’s bread, which is home, shelter and security, and the roses of life, music, education, nature and books, shall be the heritage of every child that is born in the country, in the government of which she has a voice

-Helen Todd

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Local Research Spotlight: Parasites and Biodiversity in a Changing ClimateBy Joshua King

Here, at the University of Lethbridge, we have many diligent researchers, who further our knowledge and understanding of the world. One such researcher is Micky Ahn; you may not have seen him around much, as he works in the building out past N lot, the Water and Environmental Sciences Building.

�e area of research he works in is known as parasite ecology. When asked about what this area of research is he de�ned it as, “[the] environmental and evolutionary implications of parasite-host interactions”. �is encompasses a large swathe of the life on earth as he mentioned that parasites make up half of all species on earth.

Currently, his project is focused on what environmental implications a decrease in biodiversity will have on the incident rate of parasites. Biodiversity is de�ned by the Oxford Dictionary as being, “the variety of… life in a particular habitat”. �e prevailing theory is that an increase in biodiversity causes a decrease in the amount of parasitism. �e logic for this theory is that a parasite can only infect a certain range of compatible hosts, so if there is a greater diversity within the host community then it is less likely that a parasite will �nd a suitable host. �is idea is referred to as the dilution e�ect.

�e dilution e�ect has a great deal of signi�cance to us as humans because it has been well reported that the number of species on earth is rapidly in decline. To put a number to this it was estimated in 2004 by a group of researchers that 18%-35% of species on earth will be extinct by 2050. �is loss has many potential consequences for us as humans, of which the increased spread of diseases due to a decrease in the dilution e�ect is just one.

A gap in the research on the dilution e�ect that Micky identi�ed is the lack of experimental studies. When designing research, there is generally two ways to go about gathering data, either through an observational study or an experiment.

An observational study is when one goes into an area and takes a sample of the population, as it naturally appears in the environment. �is has some strengths. For example, it often has a cheaper price and it looks at the object of study as it really appears in nature. However, because potential confounding variables may not be controlled for, and variables are not directly manipulated this makes showing causation impossible. On the other hand, an experiment allows us to prove causation through the direct manipulation of a single variable, while carefully keeping all other variables consistent.

Micky designed his study to look at the e�ect of host biodiversity on parasites, in a top-down fashion. He started with a �eld study of fathead minnows in Southern Alberta, in order to get a look at the host-parasite interaction in a natural setting. He then started an experiment where he had large pools sitting

outside with a simulated natural environment, known as a mesocosm. �is allowed him to control the amount of parasites in each of the pools, so that he could get a better look at what the e�ect biodiversity has on the number of �sh infected and how bad the infections were. Finally, he set up pools of �sh indoors, where he could tightly control any possible variables, like light and temperature. In this way, all of the pools would be exactly the same except for the level of biodiversity.Micky’s results are yet to be published, but he thinks the relationship between biodiversity and infection is a little more complicated than previously thought.

When asked about any surprising �ndings he was quite excited to mention that an undergraduate student, Molly Tilley, doing an Independent Study in the Goater lab found two new species of parasites living right here in Southern Alberta. �e parasites both belong to an order known as Myxozoa. �e class is probably not familiar to most but are distant cousins of an animal you likely know, the jelly�sh. When they started looking for this parasite, they ended up �nding it present in almost 100% of fathead minnows in the area. Micky says this could be a “likely emerging novel parasite”. �e implications this has for wildlife in Alberta are not yet known.

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26

Taking Responsibility through AstrologyBy Courtney Faulkner

I have been meditating on the sense of responsibility one holds in a new way since recently reading an essay by writer Joan Didion, Self Respect: its source, its power, �rst published in Vogue magazine in 1961, which I'd like to apply to astrology.

Didion writes that "the willingness to accept responsibility for one's own life is the source from which self respect springs." Her correlation of self respect to responsibility is permeated with an acceptance of our supposed �aws. "People with self-respect have the courage of their mistakes... [they] exhibit a certain toughness, a kind of moral nerve... a separate peace, a private reconciliation." She encourages us to be aware of our missteps, and to be open in holding them as our own, without shame.

"To have that sense of one's intrinsic worth is potentially to have everything: the ability to discriminate, to love, and remain indi�erent. To lack is to be locked within oneself, paradoxically incapable of either love or indi�erence."

I would like to brie�y summarizes attributes to develop that will help you to uncover hidden talents, excerpted from the book Astrology for the Soul by Jan Spiller, and what to let go of to make life easier.

Aries March 21 - April 19Attributes to develop: independence, self-awareness, trusting one's impulses, courage, constructive self-interest, moderation in giving, and self-nurturance.Let go of: seeing oneself through others' eyes, debilitating sel�essness, obsessive attachment to fairness and justice, co-dependence, and "tit for tat" mentality.

Taurus April 20 - May 20Attributes to develop: loyalty, awareness of boundaries and personal values, patience, gratitude, forgiveness and persistence. Let go of: judgmental tendencies, resistance to cooperating with what others want, overreacting, and over concern with other people's business.

Gemini May 21 - June 20Attributes to develop: healthy curiosity, tact, logic, seeing multiple sides of a situation, a positive approach to life and others, listening, and openness to new ideas and experiences. Let go of: self-righteousness, aloofness, needing to be right, careless spontaneity, taking shortcuts, and prejudging present situations on the basis of past experience.

Cancer June 21 - July 22Attributes to develop: noticing and validating feelings of yourself and others, empathy, nurturing and supporting others, building one's own foundation and security, honest disclosure of feelings and insecurities, humility, and staying centered in oneself. Let go of: needing to control situations and people, ignoring the process by being too focused on the goal, hiding feelings and fears in intimate relationships, neglecting your feelings, and thinking things have be to di�cult in order to be important.

Leo July 23 - August 22Attributes to develop: individuality, following your heart's desires, strengthening your willpower, enthusiasm, self-con�dence, and enjoying life by having fun.

Let go of: yielding to peer pressure in order to "belong", detaching from emotional situations, aloofness, excessive daydreaming, and avoiding confrontation.

Virgo August 23 - September 22Attributes to develop: participation, creating routines, being present in the moment, moderation, gaining self-con�dence through experience, being of service to others, and noticing and valuing details. Let go of: avoidance of planning, escapist tendencies, oversensitivity, self-doubt, withdrawal, vagueness leading to inaction, and giving up.

Libra September 23 - October 22Attributes to develop: cooperation, diplomacy, tact, awareness of others' needs, giving support without expecting reciprocity, sharing, seeing things through another's perspective, and communicating self-identity. Let go of: self-centeredness, sel�shness, resistance to compromise, outbursts of anger, thoughtless self-assertion, and impulsiveness.

Scorpio October 23 - November 21Attributes to develop: self-discipline, choosing constructive change, accepting support from others, awareness of one's psychology, and openness to partnering, supporting and merging power with others. Let go of: possessiveness, questioning past decisions, stubbornness, and resistance to change and others' input.

Sagittarius November 22 - December 21Attributes to develop: reliance on intuition, developing a sense of freedom and adventure, trusting oneself, spending time alone and in nature, patience, and intuitive listening (hearing the meaning behind words).Let go of: indecisiveness, invalidating intuitive knowledge with logic, gossiping, impatience (wanting immediate answers), and valuing others perceptions over your own.

Capricorn December 22 - January 19Attributes to develop: self control, self-respect, staying goal oriented, sensible approaches to problem solving, keeping commitments and promises, letting go of the past, self-care, and accepting responsibility for success. Let go of: dependence, moodiness, insecurity leading to inaction, using the past to avoid the present, isolation, and controlling others through emotional overreactions.

Aquarius January 20 - February 18Attributes to develop: objectivity, desire for friendship, making decisions for the group's best interest, willingness to share unconventional ideas, active participation in groups, and recognizing how others are special.Let go of: insistence on getting one's way, prideful responses based on fear, making changes just to exercise authority, melodramatic tendencies, and attachment to the need for approval.

Pisces February 19 - March 20Attributes to develop: being non-judgmental, compassion, freeing the mind through meditation and self-re�ection, trusting in positive outcomes, and welcoming change. Let go of: obsessive worry, over analysis, staying in unpleasant situations, in�exibility, and excessive anxiety over making mistakes.

In closing, Didion reminds us that there is space and time to continue understanding and feeling con�dent in ourselves. "Self respect is a discipline, a habit of mind that can never be faked, but can be developed, trained, coaxed forth." "Small disciplines are valuable only insofar as they represent larger ones... deeper, stronger disciplines, values instilled long before. It is a kind of ritual, helping us to remember who and what we are. In order to remember it, one must have known it."

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Self-Care - Everything Changes When You Live on Your Own!By Rachel Nyberg

Disclaimer: Please consult your healthcare professional team to ensure you meeting all of your needs. �e information presented below is that of a student and not a professional in any capacity.

Meeting our basics needs like food and shelter are often easier when living at home. It is usually our parents who supply food and shelter for us. Being at home often includes built-in socialization with family members, giving us a sense of belonging and love. �is leaves room for us, as students, to pursue higher goals like academic, creative and athletic achievements.

I was enrolled at a university transfer program at Grande Prairie Regional College before I came to the University of Lethbridge to complete my undergraduate program. I was still living at home, so it was easier to focus on my studies. My basic needs were met through the comfort of a familiar community, access to a �tness centre at the college, bene�ts of groceries “magically” appearing in the fridge and my Mom; a hard-working, full-time nurse, preparing most of the family dinners.

While I was in �rst year of college, I enrolled in Psychology 101. One of the theories I learned about was Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. Maslow theorized human needs are based on a pyramidal structure of basic needs at the base, psychological needs next, and self-ful�llment at the top of the pyramid.

When I lived at home, most of my needs were met without much e�ort on my part. �e main thing I had to focus on was my coursework, �tness goals and social needs. I did not realize how the built-in structure of living at home contributed to my ability to pursue the top level need of self-ful�llment.

But alas, the time came for me to transfer to university to complete my undergraduate degree at the University of Lethbridge. When I arrived in Lethbridge, I was so happy to be living across the street from the university, had adjusted to the orange, shag carpet of my apartment and was happily using my newly-acquired small appliances! I had arrived! I was �nally a “grown-up.” In all my planning and preparation, what I had not anticipated was feeling homesick, not knowing how to cook very well and uncertain about how to make my student loans last until December! It was then that I harkened back to my knowledge of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs.

If any of this resonates with my fellow students reading this article, you have no doubt struggled to make sure you take care of yourself while facing the pressures of university.

�e key to self-care, in my experience, is to use a model like Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs to bring balance and order to your new-found life as an independent person. I suggest taking an inventory, in thought or writing, of the �rst two stages of Maslow’s pyramidal structure.

According to Maslow, the base level of our needs includes physiological and safety needs. Physiological needs include breathing, water, food, sleep and rest.

As you face this �nal stretch of the semester, perhaps do a personal inventory check of your physiological needs. Have you been getting proper sleep, eating a healthy diet, taking time for exercise and remembering to breathe? It is important to make this part of self-care a priority. I often hear other students saying how tired they are from staying up all night and how they feel like they cannot cope with their responsibilities. For example, a student who slept in for their early morning class and who has made breakfast out of the nearest vending machine’s o�erings.

It may seem like an overwhelming task, but just taking a few minutes of your day to plan a decent sleep and prepare some meals for the next day will help you accomplish everything you need to as you �nish the semester. If you have been keeping up with your basic needs, it is likely easier get to the next level, psychological needs.

Let’s take a moment to consider the psychological impacts of being a student. Being a good and focused student generally means spending many hours alone, at your desk or in a quiet corner in the library. For some students, this time alone passes quickly as you accomplish all your academic goals.

However, if you are more on the extroverted side, it might be bene�cial to schedule in some “socializing” moments throughout your study day. For example, make a point of meeting some friends for co�ee outside of the library. �is will give everyone a chance to share about their day and remember that they are attached to a big world. As much as this time alone helps you achieve your goals of good grades and paves the way for your future career plans, I found the importance of balance in all things.

Maslow listed Self-Ful�llment on the top of his pyramid of needs. Students are absorbing huge amounts of new information and turning that information into projects, essays and exams. In the student’s quest for knowledge, some of the lower level needs are neglected. I know many students who will pull an all-nighter to �nish their paper on time, while drinking heavily-ca�einated sodas to keep their eyes open. If you �nd you cannot keep up with deadlines and your ideas are less creative than you would like, revisit the �rst two levels. When was the last time you ate something that did not come in plastic packaging? Have you been staying hydrated? When was the last time you saw your friends?

As we face the �nal weeks of the semester, remember to congratulate yourself on staying the course! Re�ect back on those days when you wanted to walk away and �nd an easy way out of your responsibilities, but you stuck it out. Now take those memories and use them to power the next phase of your life, whether you are graduating this semester or heading home for the summer break.

Have a great summer!

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Wreckage

An ode to the wreckage that torments my shore,�e broken down pieces I no longer ignore.�e fragmentation that keeps me awake,�e symphony of things I wish I could say.

An ode to the wreckage of this beating heart,�ough lost in the ocean of which I am part.�ough engulphed by the seas He calls in the night,�e tides pull me in and I, too weak to �ght.

An ode to the wreckage to my �eeting glow,Damage I cause reaps what I sow.�e devil incarnate or my own demise,�e wreckage I make is the wreckage I �nd.

An ode to the wreckage seen in the light,Points �ngers of blame to one man in sight.�e only voice that fails to speak out,It’s my own wretched cords that fear the sound.

An ode to the wreckage that fairs no remorse,�e man who set out on a dangerous course.�e fear of exposure, at risk in the day.�e demons raise from the �re, aching to play.

An ode to the wreckage that rots my core, Bloody and bruised I come back for more.No trial too brutish for my unvanquished shell,�e wreckage has sunk, and I �ght like hell.

Shanna Walchuk

Breath

instead of �sts you threw wordsthat hit me in the chest and weighed me down until i had no breath to �ght

instead i retreated into the safety net spun over years by the fragile hands of tainted youth

your words got caught where they lingered long after you thought you had kissed them away, butyou don't see me struggle toundo the knots you tiedso i can breathe again

-Maggie O'Byrne

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The Path of the Black FeatherBy Cailin Blanchard

Something I’ve learned is that if there is a choice between two pathways, and you’re unsure which one to take, usually something will present itself to you that lets you know where to go - it’s just a matter of being open to the signals that communicate themselves to you.

One windy day, I decided to walk home from school rather than take the bus. I had an injured foot, so knowing I had to go and pick something up from the post o�ce, it took me a moment to decide whether or not to take an alternate route, which would take longer to get home. Walking towards the pathway on the far side of the parking lot outside of Anderson Hall, on the grass slope, my eye caught a black feather in the grass. And that was the signal - the signal that I was on the correct route. I’m a feather collector, by the way.

I walked up to the ridge of the hill and I looked over towards the road. I was truly disgusted and outraged by the amount of garbage I saw up there. Tim Hortons cups, random receipts, Monster six-pack boxes, cigarette butts, beer cans, you name it - there was all kinds of stu� up there. I thought to myself, I wish I could pick this up. I’ll have to come back one day when it’s not as windy and when I have a garbage bag. Just then, I felt sick to my stomach at the thought of being a compliant and lazy bystander who wasn’t doing anything about this horrible issue.

Suddenly, tucked under a grand Spruce, I spotted a black garbage bag dwindling in the wind, caught in the great tree’s grasp. I knew that was my chance to do something, so I picked up the garbage bag, making sure there was no holes and it, and began to pick up the ridiculous amount of trash. Needless to say, I �lled the black garbage bag in about twenty minutes in the space of about a 250-foot perimeter. �at’s a lot of garbage in one little area. �e saddest thing for me was how embedded the plastics and un-biodegradable objects were into the plants and trees - it’s like they were being left to decompose into the soil space of these plants, just as the dead leaves were, but how? It would take much longer than the dead leaves, that’s for sure. Just then, a couple of deer came and watched me pick up the garbage. I wondered what they were thinking as they watched me — were they thankful? Were they curious as to why we humans treat the earth like shit? Were they thinking, hey we used to be friends with you humans, and then you screwed us over?

A funny thing happened as I was in the middle of thinking about how angry I was, that so many people litter, that the City of Lethbridge should be more responsible in their waste control (by picking up the garbage, having better measures of disposal and more awareness about how much waste we actually produce), and that I really didn’t have time to do this because I was so busy with school and life. In that moment, I noticed something shiny and green in the corner of my eye… A $20 bill. It hit me - the Earth was paying me in our god of a currency to do this work. �is teaching rung through me, that what we give, we get back. Maybe you’ll think of that next time you see a bunch of garbage �ying around outside, or when you think about throwing your Tim Hortons cup onto the sentient Earth. She knows it, she feels you, and she sees you. You will

always get back what you give, and usually, when you least expect it.

***

Originally, I wanted to write an article about wild plants in the area, discussing their medicinal and edible values. When I experienced this on that windy day, I decided this will be the subject I begin with. Because, when discussing wild plants, there is a whole ecosystem, a whole community that’s involved. �e water and the elements feed the soil, the plants take up the nutrients in the soil and feed the animals. �e animals excrete what they’ve eaten and re-feed the soil, in turn re-feeding the plants. �is is just one example of a circle of life that exists within a grander circle. However, when we litter, pollute the air and the water, this a�ects the soil and the waters. �e soil does absorb the toxins that in�ltrate it, which alters the growth and nutrient uptake of the plants. Again, this in turn distresses the health of the animals that consume these plants — leaving the ecosystem, well, sick. Due to the fact that we are actually also a part of this circle of life, we too, are governed by this, and it makes us sick, unhealthy and disconnected. Not only does it make us, the animals, and the plants unwell, but litter can also hurt wildlife directly.

Many animals become injured and face death each year due to human carelessness. �ey can swallow the litter, (plastic bags are especially an issue), which may directly kill them through su�ocation or poisoning, or block their digestive pathways, killing them eventually. Entanglement is also a common occurrence, and something that some call ‘plastic paws’. Who wants to walk around with plastic wrapped around their leg? �is can slow down the animal, inhibiting them from escaping predators, an oncoming vehicle or getting food and water — it can even result in a loss of limbs. �e Humane Society of the United States says that plastic beverage rings are commonly stuck around raccoon’s legs, and by trying to remove them, they scratch up their own bodies. In addition, birds get these rings stuck around their bodies or plastic bags around their wings - this is not good for remaining with their �ock, seeking safety, or migrating. Bottles can become death traps for small critters seeking food and water, su�ocating them. �ere is not a whole lot of research on how litter shapes the health of plants and it’s di�cult for us to tell, as they are passive and still beings. However, it can be made clear that they are changed due to how the remainder of the ecosystem is reacting.

Moreover, plastic is a huge, huge problem in terms of our environment. �e largest concerns about it is how much plastic ends up in our seas and oceans, and how plastic can actually never truly biodegrade. It is estimated that out of the 80% of marine garbage which is land-based, 90% of that is estimated to be plastic. Plastic products degrade extremely slowly through a process called photodegradation. �e action of sunlight and air allows for this process - UV rays and infrared radiation bring about the incorporation of oxygen molecules into the plastic, known as oxidation. As more and more oxygen intermingles with the polymer in the plastic, it becomes brittle and easier to break into ever diminishing pieces

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Let go of: yielding to peer pressure in order to "belong", detaching from emotional situations, aloofness, excessive daydreaming, and avoiding confrontation.

Virgo August 23 - September 22Attributes to develop: participation, creating routines, being present in the moment, moderation, gaining self-con�dence through experience, being of service to others, and noticing and valuing details. Let go of: avoidance of planning, escapist tendencies, oversensitivity, self-doubt, withdrawal, vagueness leading to inaction, and giving up.

Libra September 23 - October 22Attributes to develop: cooperation, diplomacy, tact, awareness of others' needs, giving support without expecting reciprocity, sharing, seeing things through another's perspective, and communicating self-identity. Let go of: self-centeredness, sel�shness, resistance to compromise, outbursts of anger, thoughtless self-assertion, and impulsiveness.

Scorpio October 23 - November 21Attributes to develop: self-discipline, choosing constructive change, accepting support from others, awareness of one's psychology, and openness to partnering, supporting and merging power with others. Let go of: possessiveness, questioning past decisions, stubbornness, and resistance to change and others' input.

Sagittarius November 22 - December 21Attributes to develop: reliance on intuition, developing a sense of freedom and adventure, trusting oneself, spending time alone and in nature, patience, and intuitive listening (hearing the meaning behind words).Let go of: indecisiveness, invalidating intuitive knowledge with logic, gossiping, impatience (wanting immediate answers), and valuing others perceptions over your own.

Capricorn December 22 - January 19Attributes to develop: self control, self-respect, staying goal oriented, sensible approaches to problem solving, keeping commitments and promises, letting go of the past, self-care, and accepting responsibility for success. Let go of: dependence, moodiness, insecurity leading to inaction, using the past to avoid the present, isolation, and controlling others through emotional overreactions.

Aquarius January 20 - February 18Attributes to develop: objectivity, desire for friendship, making decisions for the group's best interest, willingness to share unconventional ideas, active participation in groups, and recognizing how others are special.Let go of: insistence on getting one's way, prideful responses based on fear, making changes just to exercise authority, melodramatic tendencies, and attachment to the need for approval.

Pisces February 19 - March 20Attributes to develop: being non-judgmental, compassion, freeing the mind through meditation and self-re�ection, trusting in positive outcomes, and welcoming change. Let go of: obsessive worry, over analysis, staying in unpleasant situations, in�exibility, and excessive anxiety over making mistakes.

In closing, Didion reminds us that there is space and time to continue understanding and feeling con�dent in ourselves. "Self respect is a discipline, a habit of mind that can never be faked, but can be developed, trained, coaxed forth." "Small disciplines are valuable only insofar as they represent larger ones... deeper, stronger disciplines, values instilled long before. It is a kind of ritual, helping us to remember who and what we are. In order to remember it, one must have known it."

— so it never really dissolves, it just becomes smaller and smaller particles. Eventually, the particles can be consumed by microorganisms which are supposedly able to metabolize it and convert it into CO2 or absorb it into their own biomolecules. �is is however, an incredibly lengthy process.

�ere are other reasons as to why plastic is harmful and unsustainable - hot liquids in plastic (like the typical co�ee cups we drink out of, which are not recyclable or compostable I might add), build toxins in our system that are di�cult to �lter out. Plastic is a petroleum-based product - no plant or animal (including humans) needs this in their digestive systems. It a�ects the hormonal system on a grand scale, as plastic products are estrogenic in nature.

To conclude on a positive note moving forward, to invite healing and improvement — whether intentional or unintentional, littering causes big damage to the ecosystems of which we are all a part. �ere are multiple things we can do to protect and respect the environment we live in and the other living beings that live within it as well.

If you smoke cigarettes, carry around a portable butt-disposal container, you can use something as simple as an old pill container. Reduce the amount of plastics you use by voting with your dollar: avoid tiny individually packaged foods and use reusable bags at the grocery store — you can even buy little mesh bags to put your produce in rather than using the plastic that the grocery store provides. Eliminate single-use plastics and opt for reusable products — use cups, mugs, reusable water bottles, a mason jar, and buy reusable cutlery rather than using plastic spoons and forks.

Be mindful in how you dispose of your trash — cut plastic rings to avoid their entanglement of an animal or plant and make sure your curbside garbage bins are well closed. Try making your own cosmetics and personal care products, even shampoo and conditioner, toothpaste and deodorant, use bar soap rather than the plastic tubes of body wash you can buy at the store. Avoid microbeads in exfoliating body and face wash. Do not buy products that are petroleum-based - you’d be surprised at the amount of toxic ingredients found in conventional personal care products.

�ese are just a few things we can do to support the systems that of which WE ARE TOO A PART. I cannot emphasize this more - it’s so important that we re�ect on our disconnection to the earth and the very being that provides so much for us. Practice gratitude and realize how fortunate we are to be here.

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Chaplain Erin Phillips' Dedication to Caring for OthersBy Rose-Marie Nyberg

When you have an opportunity to learn about someone in your community who consistently shows a dedication to improving others’ lives, it is truly a time to celebrate the goodness in humanity! Chaplain Erin Phillips, the 2016 recipient of the University of Lethbridge Volunteer Award, is the Chaplain for Ecumenical Campus Ministry at both the U of L and Lethbridge College. �e Ecumenical Campus Ministry is a ministry of the Anglican, Evangelical Lutheran, Presbyterian and United Churches to the students, sta� and faculty of the University of Lethbridge. Chaplain Phillips provided an in-person interview and we discussed her impressive career. I asked Chaplain Phillips what factors led her to her profession. Chaplain Phillips answered that she was initially asked to apply as the Chaplain for Ecumenical Campus Ministry for both the University of Lethbridge and Lethbridge College, and chose to do so. Chaplain Phillips expressed that working as a Chaplain seemed like interesting work at the time of her application; her work with the University of Lethbridge began as a proposed three year gig and has now lasted 24 years to date. Chaplain Phillips adds that there are a lot of things that remain as most ful�lling part of her work; in particular, she co-led a reading group with Dr. Paul Viminitz, Professor of Philosophy, of the University of Lethbridge, in his home. �e reading group �nished this past year and created many ongoing relationships with its participants. In addition, Chaplain Phillips has been actively involved in the ongoing lecture series hosted at the Lethbridge Public Library called the Cade Community Lectures. I asked Chaplain Phillips where she sees herself in one year’s time. She replied that she would like to see the �nal refugee family settled here in Lethbridge. To add, she shares another goal with other involved community partners to have achieved progress in publishing and disseminating the Poverty Study results. Interestingly, there is also a new program underway that draws people from campus and the public to help new students that was away from home for the �rst time. Chaplain Phillips has also conducted both marriage and funeral ceremonies for many members of the Lethbridge community that extend into many nets of relationships.

I asked Chaplain Phillips why she thinks that people help others. She answered that it feels good to help others for philosophical, religious, or other reasons, and that we are wired to be social and care for each other. It is basic to who we are. Chaplain Phillips also creates and plans social activities, provides spiritual support and hosts opportunities for study and worship. As a Chaplain, she has many duties and responsibilities that range from helping to fundraise for refugees, to performing wedding or funeral ceremonies, to visiting the ill in the hospital, to writing and delivery sermons, to o�ering and providing spiritual support and counselling.

Above and beyond her normal busy days, she also organizes the Campus Care Parcel Project. In fact, the Project is committed to actively distributing 300+ bags of groceries twice a year during the most seemingly crucial times when students appear to be the most needy for these services. �e food is donated by local churches.

Chaplain Phillips completed a Master’s Degree from Wilfrid Laurier University and then �ve years of doctoral work at McMaster University. She can be reached by dropping by the Chaplains' O�ce in Markin Hall (M4054), by calling 403-382-0294, or by emailing her at phillips@uleth.ca.

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Styled By Nif7 Looks to Kick-off Spring/Summer 2019 Fashion Trends�e fashion industry is in constant change, what is trendy today may not be trendy tomorrow, it has two phases according to the seasons. Hence why we have the fall collection and spring collection. From the moment a collection is released, the fashion designers quickly start to think of their next line of collection. Trends are determined by what are released during the major fashion weeks like Paris fashion week, London fashion week, Tokyo fashion week, Milan fashion week and New York fashion week. During the fashion weeks, groundbreaking designs are being showcased and often televised across the world. When a fashion week has come to an end, designers market their brands to clothing and fashion accessories retailers while stores all over the world also decide on which brands they would like to carry. When a particular new design is displayed on a fashion shelf or rack and bought, it becomes a new trend.

Here are 5 Looks to Kick-o� Spring/Summer 2019 Fashion Trends

Fashion Trends information gathered from:

https://www.whowhatwear.com/spring-summer-2019-fashion-trends/slide2

https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/fashion/g23136203/spring-fashion-trends-2019/

https://www.thetrendspotter.net/fashion-trends-spring-summer-2019/

https://wwd.com/fashion-news/shows-reviews/gallery/resort-2019-trends-1202736009/#!1/resort-2019-trends https://www.bartleby.com/essay/�e-Changing-Fashion-Trends-Of-Fashion-F3XGG9LN9BWW

1. Big Hats

2. Suited Up

3. Belt Bags

4. Leather

5. Saturated Colours

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Ouroboros of Nothing

More than a breath of fresh air -that �rst intoxicating inhaleafter years of strangulation,displacing every branchand every rootthat have made their homeswithin my dusty lungs.

We were forgedof the same �res,and we walkthe same dirt paths.

Although she does not,will not,cannot know it,she grants me the youthI was never allowed.

I can pretend thatit will end with our hands held high,delivering meto the world my fantasies have built.

I know this life too well to believe it.the stitches that line my lipswill remain bloody and �rm,tearing away at the skin they bind.I will su�ocate once more,too afraid to reach for my freedom.

She will forget,I will try to follow,and we will have grown no wiser.

And when another arrives,with even darker eyesand even kinder purpose,I will once more play outmy ouroboros of nothing.

-Avery Olson

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