Dogs, Crafts, Puzzles, and More! The StFX Library Shows That it is More Than Just a Place to Study

With paper season in full swing and exam week looming ahead of us, it can be hard to get a break from the stress that all students are undoubtably feeling. But the library and their wonderful staff have our back, with a collection of de-stressor activities that are designed to put the over-worked mind at ease.

The first of these activities is the library Lunch and Knit Wednesdays, happening every Wednesday from 12pm–1pm on the first floor couches. This event was brought to campus by Samantha Read, a liaison librarian with a knack for crafting. Knitting and crochet have been proven to reduce stress and blood pressure, as well as decrease symptoms of depression, anxiety, and even chronic pain. Sam shared that she started the knitting hour initiative in part to share her love of the craft with others who were interested. Even outside of exam season, university can give students a lot of stress, and having a time where they can relax and chat with like-minded crafters is great for improving mental health. And even outside of all the health benefits that knitting and crochet have, it’s just plain fun. It’s a great opportunity to meet new friends and learn a new skill. Sam shared that she’s already taught one student to knit and is looking forward to sharing her skill to even more!

But if knitting or crochet isn’t your thing, there’s plenty of other de-stressor activities that are being organized by Grace Bourret, another liaison librarian here at StFX. A fan favourite are the Therapy Dogs. This year, a group kind and fun-loving greyhounds will be brought into the first floor of the library to fill your study break with fun. Just a few minutes with a dog can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, and give you the energy you need to make it through exams. They will be in the library during the following dates and times:

-       December 5th 3pm-4pm

-       December 8th 11am-12pm

-       December 11th 11am-12pm

-       December 14th 3pm-4pm

If you’re feeling crafty, try out the StFX Winter Wishes. The library has partnered with the R.K. Macdonald Nursing home and will be setting up tables for students to make holiday cards that will be delivered to the nursing home to spread holiday cheer. Running from December 4th-18th, stations will be set up at the library, the Kiknu Indigenous Student Centre, as well as various pop-up locations around campus where students can participate and give back to the community, allowing them to take their mind off exams.

But we must employ our body alongside our heart, and with that in mind, the StFX library brings us Movement Breaks. These will be 15 minutes sessions of gentle stretching led by Sam Read to work out the tension that comes from being hunched over a table studying all day long. Starting on December 5th, these will take place every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday at 2pm on the main floor of the library in the Special Data Resource Centre (a staff member at the front desk can point you in the right direction if needed).

Now that we are engaging out bodies, we must do so for minds as well—but in a fun way, don’t worry. The library offers students two options who want to take a break while keeping their minds engaged. The first is Relax in the Stacks. In the fourth floor art lounge, students will have the choice of crosswords, sudoku, colouring sheets, or puzzles. This will run from December 4th-22nd. If this doesn’t strike your fancy, there is also the World’s Easiest Book Club. On the first floor of the library, a relatively short book is on display for students to give a quick read through. After, they can use a sticker to rate the book for themselves. Amongst all the academic studies and peer-reviewed articles students are meant to read, this is a great way to remind you that reading doesn’t always have to be a serious affair and that there is still some fun to be found in it!

Of course, we can’t forget the Whiteboard Question that is posted in the entrance foyer of the library. The question is changed every Monday and ranges from “what is your favourite study song” to “what are you looking forward to most about the holidays.” It’s a fun way to connect with other students and see what our community is interested in.

We cannot thank the Angus L. Macdonald library and their amazing staff—particularly Grace Bourett and Samantha Read—enough for setting up all of these wonderful activities for students to enjoy. We hope that you get a chance to go and try them out them before leaving campus for the holidays!

Antigonish Puts Students at Risk of Large Fines with the Introduction of the “Nuisance Party By-law”

On October 11th a special meeting of the Antigonish town council approved the new “Nuisance Party By-law.” This move was inspired by a similar by-law instated in Wolfville in 2019. In simple terms, this new by-law gives enforcement officers a substantial amount of power to act against party hosts and party goers, allowing them to hand out offence tickets and large fines to anyone attending a gathering that is considered a “nuisance.”

The by-law outlines the penalties for any offence or failure to comply as “not less than four hundred dollars ($400.00) for a first offence, not less than six hundred ($600.00) for second offence and no less than nine hundred ($900.00) for a third and any subsequent offences.”

The bill defines a “nuisance party” as “a gathering on property which, by reason of the conduct or any one or more of the person(s) in attendance, is characterized by any one or more of the following elements:

a)     Public intoxication;

b)    The unlawful sale, furnishing, or distribution of alcoholic beverages or other controlled substances;

c)     The unauthorized deposit of litter on public or private property;

d)    Damage to public or private property;

e)     The obstruction of vehicular or pedestrian traffic or interference with the ability to provide emergency services;

f)     Sound that is unusual or excessive, or that is likely to be unwanted by disturbing to persons, as described in the Town of Antigonish Noise Control By-Law;

g)    Unauthorized open burning as described in the Outdoor Fire By-Law;

h)    Public disturbance, including confrontations or violence;

i)      Outdoor public urination or defecation; or

j)      Use of or entry upon a roof not intended for such occupancy.

To be clear, any gathering that meets even one of these elements will fall under this new by-law. Hosting or attending a so-called “nuisance party” is all the riskier, as enforcement officers have significantly more power than in previous years.

For instance, upon receiving an order to discontinue the party, it is expected that every person who is not a resident of the property leave immediately and for the party to cease. This is outlined in section 5.1 and 5.2 of the by-law. Failure to comply may result in a first offence ticket. However, section 5.3 goes on the explain that this order must only be given within a “reasonable amount time” following the violation. This means that a party may be classified as a nuisance without the host being made aware for an unspecified amount of time. Under these conditions, it is possible for a person to receive multiple offences without realizing they have already been issued one, resulting in large fines stacking atop each other.

Further complications emerge in section 7.4. This section makes clear that the offence of a nuisance party is attached to the property, not the residents of the property. This creates cause for concern for students, who switch in and out of rental properties every few years. If the tenants in the previous year had received an order to discontinue a nuisance party, any offences on behalf of the new tenants (within a 2 year timeframe of the original order) would be treated as a subsequent (second, third, etc.) offences, even if it was their first. Thus, they would be “subject to higher fines.”

It is unclear that the by-law has any large restrictions against the power of enforcement officers. The by-law seems to give the right to act to any officer who believes on “reasonable grounds” that an offence has been committed—which could be as simple as attending a party that has a few stray cans lying around. Even in these circumstances, the party could be considered a “nuisance” something that is up to the discretion of a singular individual.

Other offences in which a ticket may be given include but are not limited to: hosting a nuisance party, allowing a nuisance party on their property, failing to leave after having been directed to leave, standing or sitting upon a roof, hanging a poster or banner with “offensive language” in a public place, or “promot[ing] the unsafe consumption of intoxication substances.” The full list can be found in the linked PDF at the bottom of this article.

Whether or not the by-law will be followed in the strictest sense (for example, receiving an offence because there are a few stary cans around the property), remains to be seen. Because the decisions are largely left to the discretion of individual officers, a lack of consistency on what is deemed a nuisance is likely. Rather than a strict guideline outlining how students will be charged for specific acts, the bill acts more like deterrent. Officers may not take all the actions they are permitted through the ambiguous wording of this by-law, but the important part seems to be that they could.

A PDF copy of this by-law is linked here.

Ceilidh Series at X

What better way to celebrate Canadian East Coast culture than attending a Ceilidh? On November 25 at 7 pm, Flourish@X and Catholics@X invite you to a Ceilidh at St. Ninian Place consisting of live entertainment from students, square dancing, baked goods, coffee and tea, and a raffle. This can be a great way to de-stress after midterms and have one last hurrah with fellow students before final exams and the Christmas break.

Ceilidh is a Gaelic word for “party” or “social gathering.” They are a popular social event in Cape Breton and can be large fundraisers for the community. Though Ceilidhs frequently involve a square dance, they do not have to. Ceilidhs involve multiple live performers, generally including a local fiddler and pianist.

The Ceilidh series at St. FX is hosted by Flourish@X and Catholics@X who have also partnered with the East Coast Music Society and CFXU 93.9 FM “The Fox” to help run them. Joshua Kroker, a third year student who has been involved in organizing the events, encourages students to come give the Ceilidh a try, regardless of whether or not you have any experience square dancing. The Ceilidh series is an excellent way to get to know and celebrate Gaelic traditions in a fun and inclusive environment.

This is not the first time that St. FX has hosted a Ceilidh event. On March 31, 2023, members of the community gathered at St. FX for a spring Ceilidh to enjoy some Cape Breton music and square dancing. The organizations hosting the Ceilidh wanted to expand it to a series of multiple events leading up to one big one. Furthermore, Celtic traditions are a big part of the identity in this area, and the organizers wanted to provide students with the opportunity to feel the culture of Antigonish. So far this fall, two Ceilidh events have taken place, one on October 21 and another on November 2, both of which gave the opportunity to practice square dancing prior to the Christmas Ceilidh. Each event had a great turn out of around 20-30 people.

When asked why students should participate in the Ceilidh, Kroker said: “it’s a great way to get to know the community and to learn more about where you’re studying. When we come to StFX, we’re a part of a greater community which is Antigonish and these Gaelic and traditional roots that also go a little further than Antigonish.” Kroker recalled his first time attending a Ceilidh as someone who had no square dancing experience. He explained how it was an incredibly welcoming experience because everyone was patient and simply wanted to have a good time.

So, if you would like to expand your knowledge of the Gaelic roots and identity of Antigonish in an inclusive and welcoming environment, you are welcome to come out to the Christmas Ceilidh on November 25th!

StFX Holds Sisters in Spirit Take Back the Night

After a series of delays and an eventual cancellation of the previous year’s rally, many students welcomed the event’s reappearance on October 4th as a part of Consent Awareness week. This year, the event was part of an initiative by the Native Women’s Association of Canada, joint with our own Visable@X team and the Office of Indigenous Student Affairs, bringing StFX the first ever Sisters in Spirit Take Back the Night. It is a protest for the right to take back spaces that have been exclusionary and harmful in the past, particularly to those who have faced some form of gender-based violence or discrimination. The school emphasized the importance of this rally by saying that they take the safety of StFX students and staff very seriously and are prioritizing sexual and gender-based violence prevention on campus.

The event began with poster and button making along with face painting on the fourth floor of the Student Union Building. Those gathered then left for to be joined by others on the football field for the rally and speech of guest speaker Andrea Curry.

The rally began with the introductions of Alyssa, a Visable@X coordinator, Lauren a Visable@X Peer Educator, and Kylie, an Indigenous Peer Mentor, who began the ceremony with a land acknowledgement to her people, the Mi’kmaq, and the recognition of October 4th as the National Sisters in Spirit vigil. She recognized those who stood united to honor the lives of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, two spirit, transgender, and gender diverse individuals.

Lauren took the stage next, and spoke on how the number of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls is close to 4000, emphasizing that some have misconstrued these numbers in the past to “avoid taking action.” Her speech was followed by Alyssa welcoming the guest speaker, Andrea Currie, to take the stage.

Andrea Currie is Saulteaux Metis from the historic Metis homeland in southern Manitoba, and is currently living in Unama’ki (Cape Breton). She is a writer, musician, and psychotherapist who has been working for the past 20 years in the Mi’kmaq community; her teachings focus on the colonial trauma of Indigenous peoples. She began her speech by touching on her experience within the white feminist movement of the 80s, stating that there were “painful moments” and “challenges to overcome” as the movement had to make space for women of colour to “participate on [their] own terms.” White women had to acknowledge their privilege and allow the movement to be changed as women of colour spoke up and took positions of leadership. She continued, saying that women have learned about the connections and differences between them that make working together “richer and stronger” than ever before. She recognized the fact that the joint gathering for Sisters in Spirit and Take Back the Night was evidence to her point.

Though much work has been done, there is still more to do. Currie spoke on the history of violence by the RCMP against Indigenous people during colonization, saying that these actions are the basis on which our law enforcement systems are built today. Racism, homophobia, and transphobia make queer and gender-diverse individuals of colour the most vulnerable of all people today, yet they are unable to trust the police because of the systemic violence that has been wielded against them throughout history. Currie called out those who hold positions of power, saying that they are not willing to give up the violence that they use as a tool against women and gender-non conforming people. Those who live in fear are the most easily controlled, but she identified this as the reason for gathering that night. Showing those who have positions of authority that they are not afraid is the first step to taking back the power that has been used to control them.

Currie ended her speech by speaking on the missing and murdered Indigenous women, saying that the immediate reactions to the COVID-19 pandemic showed that change could come quickly if those in power saw it as a priority. Change can come through ensuring that the call to end violence against all women, as well as queer and trans individuals, is a priority. These communities should not have to live in fear and or be distrustful of the systems that are supposed to protect them. She finished by thanking the male allies who were at the rally and standing with those affected.

Closing the rally was Hannah Dykeman with the performance of two songs—Labour by Paris Paloma, and Mother Mother, and an original she wrote about looking to the generations of women who came before and asking “what’s next.”

A march around campus then began, and a chance to connect with fellow like-minded individuals followed in the Student Union Building. Standing up against fear and having these sorts of conversations are what is needed to move forward in the fight against gender-based violence. Though there is more to be done, StFX is taking a step in the right direction.

StFX Honours Long-Standing Relationship with Mi’kmaq Artist Alan Syliboy on Truth and Reconciliation Day

On Friday, September 29th, StFX commemorated the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation with two events on campus. Starting the night was a ceremony and ribbon-tying in Mulroney Hall’s Joyce Auditorium, followed by a concert from Alan Syliboy and the Thundermakers with special guest Morgan Toney in Bloomfield’s MacKay Room.

The ceremony in the Joyce Atrium was emceed by Elizabeth Yeo, Vice President of Students. Among those who spoke were Michelle Peters, a PhD student from Pictou Landing First Nation; Julia Baniak, a third year Human Kinetics student from Muskeg Lake Cree First Nation in St. Albert, AB and president of the StFX Indigenous Student Society; Shyanna Denny, a third year Political Science student from Pictou Landing First Nation; Dr. Andy Hakin, StFX President & Vice Chancellor; Antigonish Mayor Laurie Boucher; Antigonish County Acting Deputy Warden Bill MacFarlane; Paq’tnkek Chief Cory Julien; and StFX Elder-in-Residence Kerry Prosper.

Both StFX students delivered extremely powerful speeches. Ms. Baniak began with some words on how to be an ally, expressing the importance of learning about the land you live on and those who lived there before you. She also noted that students should try to broaden their knowledge and learn about the difference between learning and appropriating. Finishing her speech, Ms. Baniak spoke about the TRC Calls to Action (if you haven’t heard about these, check out this link). Ms. Denny was up next, and delivered a speech about what reconciliation truly looks like and what it means to be the granddaughter of a residential school survivor. Both students stressed the importance of and need for continuous, year-round reconciliation, with Ms. Baniak in particular noting the necessity of continuing the conversation beyond just this one day.

The concert, organized by the German Department and society, celebrates a long-standing relationship between StFX and Mi’kmaq artist Alan Syliboy. Dr. Marlis Lade, a professor in the German Department, organized the concert with the help of her students Gianluca Abrignani, Laurianne Riffault, and Ben James. Dr. Lade explains that the department has known Alan Syliboy since 2017, when German classes first worked on a project with him. Since then, Dr. Lade’s classes have translated three of Mr. Syliboy’s children’s books into German, a project that is greatly enjoyed by students “not particularly because of the translation work, but because of the pleasure of meeting with Alan Syliboy and listening to him.”

In October of 2022, her class decided to write something about Mr. Syliboy himself. “He graciously gave us one afternoon,” Dr. Lade recalls, and “it was one of our most memorable classes. Lively conversation, questions, and responses flew back and forth, pausing to reflect shared laughter–it was inspiring and joyful, food for thought and shared ideas.” Dr. Lade expresses her immense gratitude for her relationship with Mr. Syliboy, stating that “We are so grateful to have had this valuable opportunity to learn more about Alan Syliboy’s upbringing, passion for painting, and deep love for his Mi’kmaq culture and people.”

Late in the summer of 2023, the German classes and society were excited when the opportunity arose to bring Mr. Syliboy back to campus for a concert with his band, The Thundermakers, and their special guest, Morgan Toney, on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. “To share that with the wider StFX community,” says Dr. Lade, “was our way to do something towards reconciliation”.

Alan Syliboy and The Thundermakers consists of members Alan Syliboy (Percussion & Spoken Word), Evan Syliboy (Lead Electric Guitar), Hubert Francis (‘Drum’ from Elsipogtog First Nation), Lukas Pearse (Bassist), Joanne Hatfield (Vocal/Guitar/Keyboard), Aaron Prosper (Vocal/Percussion), and Matt Gallant (Drum Kit) (“Alan Syliboy & The Thundermakers – Alan Syliboy”). The group is very well-known around the East Coast and were nominated for Indigenous Artist of the Year at the 2019, 2021, and 2022 East Coast Music Awards (source: “Morgan Toney, Chloé Breault, Hillsburn and More Win at 2022 East Coast Music Awards" | CBC Music"; Blanch). Their 2019 album, Signal Fire, is available on Apple Music and Spotify.

Morgan Toney, who joined the group as a special guest, is a Mi’kmaq fiddler and singer from We’koqma’q First Nation and Wagmatcook First Nation on Cape Breton Island. His music blends together Mi’kmaq and Celtic traditions, which he dubs “Mi’kmaltic”. Although he is relatively new to the music scene, Toney has been very successful so far, being nominated for Rising Star Recording of the Year and winning Indigenous Artist of the Year and Inspirational Recording of the Year at the East Coast Canadian Music Awards in 2022 (source: “Morgan Toney, Chloé Breault, Hillsburn and More Win at 2022 East Coast Music Awards | CBC Music”). Toney’s music is also available on Apple Music and Spotify.

The concert in the Mackay Room was greatly enjoyed by all who attended and was an important step towards enriching our campus and community further with Mi’kmaq art and culture. It was a great honour to have Alan Syliboy and The Thundermakers, along with Morgan Toney, performing on campus; hopefully it is not the last time they’ll be at StFX! It is safe to say that all of StFX’s events on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation were a success. However, we must remember the words of Ms. Baniak and Ms. Denny and continue to work towards reconciliation every other day of the year, not just on September 30th.

We acknowledge that StFX is located in Mi’kma’ki, the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq people.

Works Cited 

“Alan Syliboy & The Thundermakers – Alan Syliboy.” Alan Syliboy, https://alansyliboy.ca/band/. Accessed 1 Oct. 2023.

Blanch, Vanessa. “Elsipogtog Rocker Hubert Francis Receives Lifetime Achievement ECMA.” CBC, 5 May 2019, https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/hubert-francis-elsipogtog-ecma-lifetime-achievement-1.5119681.

“Morgan Toney.” Morgan Toney Music, https://www.morgantoneymusic.com. Accessed 1 Oct. 2023.

“Morgan Toney, Chloé Breault, Hillsburn and More Win at 2022 East Coast Music Awards | CBC Music.” CBC, 5 May 2019, https://www.cbc.ca/music/morgan-toney-chlo%C3%A9-breault-hillsburn-and-more-win-at-2022-east-coast-music-awards-1.6442154.

“1, 2, 3, 4 Climate Change is At Our Door”: #EndFossilFuels Climate Action March at StFX

On Friday, September 15, 2023, the StFX campus and Antigonish community members marched for the global #EndFossilFuels movement. The event was organized by the “Antigonish League of People Advocating for Climate Action” (ALPACA), which is also a student society at X (ALPACA StFX). For context, the #EndFossilFuels movement is a “historical mobilization” that “renews and reinforces the globally coordinated efforts focused on ending the era of fossil fuels”, said in a statement on the official website (fightfossilfuels.net).

“The scale of this mobilization and the urgency of the moment underscore the devastating impacts of recent record-breaking heat, deadly floods, and increased extreme weather events”, the statement continues. Cities across Canada as well as cities in the U.S., South America, Europe, Asia, and parts of Africa, participated. Some of those cities had a large and active student population, such as Antigonish.

The event began with students, faculty and community members assembling on the concrete outside of Mulroney Hall, on the side closest to Notre Dame Avenue. At 12 p.m. on the day of the strike, some students left their lectures early, and certain professors assigned attendance of the event to their students for a grade. Students from Dr. Matthew Anderson’s class “Religion and the Environmental Crisis” (RELS 221) were asked to attend, as were students from an unspecified Climate and Environment course.

I spoke to a few students who had spent their summer on the western side of Canada, including Ontario. “At least fifty percent of our planting days were done in full smoke,” said Charlotte Watson, a third-year Biology student who spent her summer tree planting in BC amidst the ongoing wildfires. When I asked a StFX faculty member from the Sociology department why she decided to attend the event, she stated that “it was always important. But with kids, it puts everything into perspective”. She was referring to the fact that much of the environment that we enjoy now might not be enjoyable for future generations given the rapidly changing climate and henceforth long-term environmental destruction, as I gathered from our conversation afterwards. She had also brought her two young children, 3 and 5 years of age respectively, along with her to the event. They were found creating their own protest posters only a few feet away and later attended the march. Following the initial assembly, two speeches were given. 

The first speech was given by Victoria Tweedie-Pitre, a fourth-year honours Biology and Chemistry student from the North-West Territories. Victoria is an active member of the StFX community and cares a lot about her community in the NWT. She gave an opening speech highlighting the devastating wildfires, which occurred in the spring and summer near her hometown. The speech was compelling and forthright.

For today’s record (September 27, 2023), the fires are still burning and continuing to devastate communities. In rural areas such as the NWT, and parts of BC and Alberta, the impacts are felt to an even greater extent given very limited exit points and diminishing nearby safety havens.

The second speech was given by Angus Kennedy, a fourth-year honours Biology student from Antigonish County. Angus is currently working on his honours thesis, is the captain of the StFX Men’s Rowing team, and is the president and founder of ALPACA. He gave a speech highlighting the urgency of the #EndFossilFuels movement and gave a run-down of some of ALPACA’s goals as well as the itinerary for the march. An exclusive interview with Angus will be featured in another edition of the Xaverian.

When the start of the march was announced, participants began shuffling along Notre Dame Avenue. We made our way down to St. Ninian’s street, and eventually made it to Main Street. We made our first official stop in front of the building containing Michelle Thompson’s office. Michelle Thompson is the Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Antigonish, elected in 2021, and is a member of the Progressive Conservative Association of Nova Scotia. After continuing to chant words of protest prepared by student organizers, an official letter was delivered then and there to her office, addressed by ALPACA. The office of the Honourable Sean Fraser, member of parliament, and Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities, was visited next. Again, a similar process occurred, and another letter addressed by ALPACA was delivered. Finally, we marched to the Antigonish Town Hall, and delivered the final letter from ALPACA to Mayor Laurie Boucher and Town Council. The letters highlight Antigonish as being especially vulnerable and urges for Antigonish to “move swiftly and boldly toward the goal of net zero”, to build resiliency, and to work with neighboring municipalities. 

Our march concluded when we returned to campus, after passing through Church Street and turning on to St. Ninian’s. I found the event to be inspiring, eye-opening, and felt a strong sense of community with other StFX students and Antigonish community members. In a heartfelt moment during the march, I spoke to a recognized Antigonish community member, Dr. John Graham-Pole, about his vegetable and flower garden. When we reached the topic of whether climate change had an impact on his crops, he told me that “each year, they grow better and better, and wider, because we love them more each year”.

The event was very well organized, and participation was strong from all who attended. Health and safety measures were taken seriously. StFX Safety and Security services were contacted in advance, marchers stayed on the sidewalks and followed traffic guidelines, and those with First-Aid training wore distinguishable bright pink caps. Students and community member marchers were respectful, conscientious, and well aware of their surroundings.

Students wishing to attend future marches and other events organized by ALPACA should join their student society, which can be found via Instagram: @alpaca.climateaction . A discord page is available as well, where most of the ALPACA society’s communication takes place. A link for the discord page can be found in their Instagram bio.

10 Students Travel to Israel and Palestine as part of Dr. Levin’s ‘Fault Lines in Israel and Palestine’ Course

On April 25th, ten students, including myself, went to Israel and Palestine for a 10-day trip to learn about the ongoing conflict in the region. The trip was part of a political science class taught by Dr. Jamie Levin. The course aimed to foster empathy, curiosity, and a more nuanced and comprehensive understanding of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Students in the program had to write an essay to earn their spot in the program and then attend pre-departure lectures to prepare. The hope is for the program to continue bi-yearly, so those interested should contact this year's participants with any questions about their experience!

Some participants in the course had prior knowledge of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, whereas others had little. Before departure, students had to finish several readings and lectures. Regardless of pre-departure ability, all students can now agree they have a much deeper, personal connection and understanding to Israelis and Palestinians. Kyra Campbell, a now StFX graduate, says that when she heard about the course, she knew she wanted to learn more through Dr. Levin's Fault Lines Israel-Palestine course.

Mejdi Tours was the company that led the students across the region. This type of tour was particularly unique because it had a dual narrative approach, meaning we didn't just hear from Israelis or Palestinians. We heard from both sides, thus understanding both viewpoints rather than just one. Katherine Starr, a fourth-year PGOV student, expands on this, "The goal of the trip was to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the conflict and the fault lines that separate Israelis and Palestinians. This was achieved through a dual-narrative approach, conducted by our tour guides (one Israeli and another Palestinian) and by the different people we met along the way." Ms. Campbell continues, "The importance of narratives was central to our studies on the ground, as we got to hear perspectives from illegal settlers, activists, businesspeople, and more, who we could tell each cared for the region immensely. The ability to be in Jerusalem allowed us to see the divide between right and left firsthand, as many of us got a once-in-a-lifetime experience to observe pro and anti-judicial overhaul protests, with both sides protesting in the name of democracy."

The trip consisted of ten jam-packed days. Students began in Jerusalem, stayed in the Sea of Galilee, and ended in Tel Aviv. There were many more stops along the way, from visiting the Jordan River to the Masada desert, and students saw a bit of everything. Although the trip was educational and for course credits, this class differed from a regular, boring class in Mulroney Hall. From visiting and floating in the unsinkable Dead Sea to going out in the markets and bars, class dinners, walks on the beach, meeting unforgettable people, and even getting tattoos for some, the trip was something students will never forget. Ms. Starr says, "Some of my favorite moments on this trip included speaking with locals from various backgrounds, religious and political affiliations about their views, hopes, and opinions on life in Israel, the conflict, and prospects for peace more broadly. Each day was jam-packed with visits to holy sites, renowned markets, political institutions, and neighborhoods where we met with locals, community leaders, peace activists, and journalists, each with their own stories to share." Katherine added that the food deserved an honorable mention, saying, "it was some of the most delicious food I have ever had. From homemade hummus and baba ghanoush to kebabs and shawarma to baklava and halva, the food in Israel was unmatched."

By the end of the trip, many students could agree their outlook and perspective had changed. Many of us can relate what we learned in Israel and Palestine to here in Canada. We look down on Israelis for occupying lands and committing human rights violations, yet, we do and have done the same here. Kyra expands on this when discussing one of the speakers we listened to, a Jewish woman who lived in the West Bank, saying, "a settler in the West Bank believed it was her right to live there based on religious and historical grounds and hoped for a one-state solution where Israelis and Palestinians would live together but that Palestinians would not have equal rights such as voting. Coming from Canada, a settler-colonial nation, and as a settler trying to work towards reconciliation, it was heart-wrenching to see Palestinians living and dying in refugee camps still with the hope of returning to their family's homes."

This article could be pages and pages long if every thought, experience, and lesson was listed from this trip. I am thankful, as well as the rest of the class, for the opportunity to go on this trip, the lessons learned, and our changed outlook. The lessons from this trip will follow us wherever we go, whatever path we take, thanks to the Mulroney Institute and the Tanenbaum Foundation, who heavily subsidized this learning opportunity and once-in-a-lifetime trip for all ten of us.

3 Members of the Xaverian Weekly take on NMUN in New York City

This past week the Model UN society headed to New York City for the annual NMUN (National Model United Nations) conference. The conference took place at the New York Hilton in Midtown. The team arrived Saturday, April 1st and got back to Antigonish on the 7th.

The trip had highs and lows, from an expired passport to an appendicitis diagnosis; it definitely was a trip that will not be forgotten. Despite not winning any awards, StFX received an honorable mention, the team learned about global issues, brainstormed solutions, experienced city life, and made new friends from all across the globe.

Zoey Phillips, the Arts and Community Editor, represented Italy in the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) committee along with her partner Rory. The girls worked to develop resolutions for the safe handling and disposal of nuclear waste. Zoey says “it was so excellent to talk to the other delegates and everyone brought so much creativity and research into the sessions.”

Naomi Robinson, one of two News Writers, represented Italy in the Third General Assembly, which worked on resolutions for people displaced by climate change. Naomi worked with other member states to reform funding of UN organizations and NGOs (non-govermental organizations) to go towards safeguarding those displaced by climate change. Naomi says “I really loved learning the perspectives of different countries on the topic. I also really loved being in a general assembly as I got to meet people from all over the world.”

I was also at the conference representing Italy in the CCPCJ (Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice) committee. My partner Tori Cook and I worked on resolutions for decriminalizing drugs. New York was super fun and I loved getting to meet people from all around the world.

For those wanting to go to NMUN next year, consider joining either the society or joining the Model United Nations Political Science class that will also be offered next year. I know that the Model UN society can’t wait to see all the new faces and we can’t wait to get another shot at competing in NMUN in 2024.

Elizabeth May Comes to StFX

Elizabeth May, Leader of the Green party, and perhaps the face of Climate Politics in Canada, came to campus last week for her fellowship lecture. It was titled, “The Planet Is on Fire: Can the Canadian Federation Respond or Do Our Provincial-Federal Squabbles Threaten Our Future?” It was presented by the The Brian Mulroney Institute of Government’s Distinguished Speakers Series. Her speech included several harsh critiques of Canada's environmental record, which May calls “the worst in the G7.”

May, as evidenced by the title of the speech, believes intergovernmental disputes between the provinces amongst themselves, and then with the federal government, are problematic. May points to the Atlantic Loop, a proposed project that would allow Quebec to provide the Atlantic provinces with energy as evidence. The province's publicly-owned energy utility, Hydro Quebec, sells the vast majority of its surplus energy to the United States. Some Nova Scotia politicians claim the Atlantic Loop would allow the province to shut down a majority, if not all, of their fossil fuel plants. May also talked about how the European Union, with dozens of different countries and official languages, has done a much better job at climate action and policy than Canada.

Elizabeth May strongly condemned the government of Stephen Harper for pulling out of the Kyoto Agreement, but there was another Conservative Prime Minister who received her favour. Unsurprisingly, the policies that Brian Muroney used to combat acid rain during his term received much support from May, “Objectively speaking, what [Mulroney] did worked.” She also touted his political work, “When was federalism working in this country? It was working when Brian Mulroney was Prime minister.” Evidently, what Brian Mulroney did worked.

During a Q&A with the audience, May was warm and welcoming to the diversity of questions asked. She criticized Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, as well as encouraged students to stand up for their future. A low point came when a student asked May if she would ever consider running for office, seemingly unaware that Elizabeth May is the leader of the Green Party and has been a sitting member of parliament for almost two decades. Nonetheless, May took the question in stride, did not make the student feel small, and gave an eloquent elaboration on her role in politics. The overarching message of her speech seemed summed up in her quote, ‘“We have to figure out how to think like a country.”

The day before the speech, Elizabeth May sat down for a luncheon on the fourth floor of Mulroney Hall with a selection of Political Science students. Next year's Vice President Academic, Jack Harding, told May about the work he and the Antigonish League of People for Climate Action (ALPACA) have been doing to get StFX to move towards renewable energy and away from highly polluting Bunker-C Oil , as is currently used on campus.

I was lucky enough to snag an interview with May after the luncheon. It was scheduled for 15 minutes but lasted closer to an hour.

May explained a couple of the bills she is currently sponsoring and  jointly seconding in parliament;  C-210 would lower the voting age to 16, and

C-226 would “Confront environmental racism by bringing in a program for environmental justice.”

How to Help Student Stress and Mental Health

With final exams and assignments getting close, the amount of stress being placed on students is increasing. Severe stress is one of the leading causes of mental health issues, so it is important that students take the time to care for themselves and find the right balance between their schoolwork and personal life. With Nicole Chevrier of the Mental Health Commission of Canada reporting that around “three out of four mental health problems start by age 24,” the necessity for students to take care of their mental health becomes even more clear.

For students who may be struggling, the university offers a variety of options that can help, including the Health and Counselling Centre and the Peer Support Program (PSP). The PSP offers help to those seeking it through their student volunteers, such as Julia Baniak, who shared some information on the program and gave tips to students about taking care of themselves during the most trying time of the term.

For any students who have limited knowledge on the PSP, they may first be interested to know that all volunteers have the necessary qualifications, having what Baniak estimates to be at least 20 hours of training, including running through various scenarios. They also recognize that some students may just be looking for someone to talk to, “especially someone you might not know that can lend an ear to listen.” Baniak says that the main reason they are there is to listen to whatever issues one may have and to help in anyway possible, even if all a student wants is a small piece of advice. Their willingness to help ranges from “advice on a paper to relationship issues”—they are there for anything a student may need. As such, students should not hesitate to take advantage of the program and to use it to its full capacity.

The PSP is located on the top floor of the Bloomfield Center in room 147. Any students searching for it just need to follow the sign for TheU and search for the office with the PSP label. Other than the volunteers, Baniak shares that the office also includes “sensory tools you can use” for any students who may be in need.

Baniak also offers advice for what students can do outside of the PSP in order to take care of their mental and physical health. She highly encourages students to participate in physical activity, citing the science that states that activities, such as going for a walk, helps serotonin levels. Similarly, she shares that getting outside also assists in improving one’s mental state. While it may seem difficult with an increased amount of papers or the pressure to study, Baniak expresses that students should take time out of their day to do some sort of activity. She also shares that she finds it beneficial to slow down at the end of her day and have a set routine for the night, as it “helps to take the stress away” and “having something that you practice every day” provides stability.

Though it can be challenging, Baniak affirms that “in order to do better, you need to take time for yourself too.” Balancing life between school and personal time is greatly beneficial, and having what she refers to as “buffer room” can allow for less stress and a more reasonable pace to one’s day. She strongly encourages planning ahead, if possible, to allow students to have set expectations for their upcoming day or week. The PSP recognizes that exam season leads to greater stress levels and will be available all throughout this time for anyone in need of its services.  As the end of the academic year approaches, students are encouraged to care for themselves, and to make use of the programs provided to them. In doing so, students have the best foundation to maintain good mental health throughout one of the most stressful times of their year.

StFX Launches New Strategic Plan: “Building Our University the Way it’s Meant to Be”

On February 28, StFX released its new 2023-2028 strategic plan “Building Our University the Way it’s Meant to Be.” The plan’s mission is to endow engaged citizens empowered by purpose and connection.

StFX has a rich history of social justice, and so this invites students to use the plan to further their roles as leaders of social justice, social responsibility, and engaged citizenship. In 1897, StFX became the first-coeducational Catholic university in North America to grant degrees to women. In the 1970s, students drove societal change. And in 1996, StFX implemented Canada’s first Service-Learning program. Drawing upon this history, students are invited to think strategically, creatively, and ambitiously about how they aim to shape the future.

The plan is built on three operational plans: The first is The Academic Plan, the second is The Research and Creative Works Plan, and the third is The Student Experiences and Opportunities Plan. All students are called upon to embrace the plan and to bring their ideas, intellect, creativity, and commitment.

The plan’s success will be measured using the following sets of metrics:

a) Academically Driven

• Student retention (1st to 2nd-year retention rate) and academic averages

• Admissions profile (undergraduate & graduate)

• Total program enrolment (by faculty)

• Number of new academic credentials introduced and associated enrolment

• Satisfaction with quality of education and teaching

b) Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility

• International student enrolment/retention—visa students, full-time, part-time

• Indigenous student enrolment/retention—full-time, part-time

• African Nova Scotian student enrolment/retention—full-time, part-time

• Student Satisfaction (e.g. Incoming Student Survey, focus groups)

c) Community • Total enrolment • Proportion of graduate enrolment

• Total number of alumni and geographic distribution

• Proportion of first-year/senior students participating in High Impact Practices

• Number of Employees and Employee Satisfaction

d) Responsive

• Annual number of graduates

• Value of research grants received (federal, provincial & other)

• Local and provincial economic impact

• Investments in student services, including investment in services that support intellectual, cultural, social, and spiritual growth of students

• Total value of scholarships, bursaries, and prizes

e) Sustainability

• University long-term debt

• Total annual ($) giving to the University

• Proportion of funds from annual giving allocated to institutional areas (ex. history and culture, anti-racism, accessibility, wellness, and well-being, etc.)

• Endowment fund balance

• Total carbon emissions

• Campus energy use and costs

The Modern Languages Department Presents Multilingual Day

On March 30, 2023, the Modern Languages Department is hosting the first-ever Multilingual Day. The event was organized to highlight the different language courses offered at the university as well as to demonstrate the advantages of knowing multiple languages. Multilingual Day was organized by Dr. Paz-MacKay, the current Chair of the Modern Languages Department.

The event is scheduled to begin at 12:45 and will take place in Coady 120. A lunch will first be served, consisting of pizza and other refreshments. At 1:15, students will then engage in games and other activities relating to language. The games will be followed by a coffee break at 2:00. There will then be a discussion from 2:15 to 3:00. Student presentations will follow, concluding the day. With such fantastic programming, the day is sure to be a fun one!

This event is a great way to showcase the different languages students can learn at the university and is sure to bring awareness to the language programs offered at the school. All students are invited, and especially students interested in languages should make the effort to attend. The event is a great way for those interested in language courses to learn more about those offered by the department.

Interview with Cole Kennedy and Evelyn Griffin: Candidates for the Next Pair of Senior Class Presidents

Both Cole Kennedy and Evelyn Griffin are running to be your next Senior Class Presidents for the 2023-2024 school year. Voting will take place starting this Wednesday at 8am, and all third-year students, first- and second-year engineering students, and first-year education students are eligible to vote.

Cole Kennedy is a third-year Bachelor of Science in Human Kinetics student minoring in Health Sciences. Mr. Kennedy is from Woodstock, New Brunswick. He says he chose StFX because he had a teacher in high school who loved talking about StFX, specifying the awesome community and experiences that come with being a student here. In grade 12, he came for a tour and immediately felt at home in Antigonish. During his time at StFX, he has been working as a campus tour guide, as a member of the X-Medical Response Team, as a member of the Human Kinetics Society, volunteers at X-Sledge Hockey, has experience as a Lab TA in the Anatomy and Physiology Lab, has worked as a tutor with the Student Success Center, and was previously the House President of MacIsaac Hall. After graduation, Cole plans to pursue a career in healthcare.

Evelyn Griffin is a third-year Bachelor of Science in Biology student. She is from Collingwood, Ontario. Ms. Griffin says she had not heard of StFX until hours before applying. Her friend was moving to Nova Scotia and found StFX, so they both decided to apply. Once Covid hit and StFX decided to open the campus regardless, Evelyn made the decision to attend. Ms. Griffin spent the last summer in Antigonish doing biology research in an ecology lab and says she is going to stay again this summer. Evelyn, like Cole, has had experience as a Lab TA in the Organic Chemistry lab. She says that “If you have been in a class with her, you know she loves to participate and isn’t afraid to speak her mind.”  After graduation, Evelyn would like to continue doing biology research concentrating on anthropogenic-driven climate change.

The pair both lived in MacIsaac Hall in their first year, and they instantly became friends.  The partners said “many of our peers describe us as extremely outgoing, fun, and easy to get along with. This drew us together when hearing about the role of Co-Presidents. Due to our personalities, we easily collaborate ideas and regularly have the same goals. We make a great team because we both want to provide a fun, friendly final year for all.”

When asked about their favorite StFX, memory they said “it is hard to pick a single favorite memory here at StFX. We have experienced many of them together including several traditions, fun within our friend group, and being good Xaverian community members. We hope to make many more with the graduates of 2024.”

The pair's platform has four main ideas: firstly, new and old traditions, secondly, inclusivity, respect, and communication, thirdly, memorable, and lastly their slogan is “a year for you, by you.” Overall, they say “these all go hand-in-hand with our ultimate goal of creating an exciting year, with a wide variety of memorable events that are appealing to all members of our graduating class!”

The partners agree that they stand out because of the wide array of connections they have across all corners of the campus, and they feel they are extremely approachable. They continued, saying that their “degrees have created organized, time efficient, intelligent candidates that are ready to lead you into your final year. We also love to have a good time and want to see everyone do the same with us.”

The two concluded by reminding students to vote and stating that “there is no one better for the role than Evy and Cole!”  For more information about their platform, visit them on Instagram @evyandcole4classpresidents

Interview with Taylor Gorman and Abbey Mombourquette: Candidates for the Next Pair of Senior Class Presidents

This Wednesday at 8am, students can start voting for the next Senior Class Presidents. Taylor Gorman and Abbey Mombourquette are one of the pairs running! All third-year students, first-year education students, and first- and second-year engineering students can cast a vote.

Taylor Gorman is a proud third generation Xaverian and is a Public Policy and Governance student with a minor in Women and Gender studies. Ms. Gorman is a research assistant for the Brian Mulroney Institute of Government and works as one of the managers for the X-Women Basketball team. In addition, she co-heads the Our House Too society, participates in the Women in Business society, and loves getting involved with intramurals. She says she “loves how StFX is like its own little town inside of Antigonish and how close everyone is.” When asked what Ms. Gorman’s favorite memory was so far, she said there are too many to choose from but that the BurMac hockey finals were one of her favorites as this was one of the first opportunities for residences to come together and have fun! After Ms. Gorman graduates, she hopes to attend law school.

Abbey is taking a BBA in Accounting with a minor in Public Policy and Governance. She is from Sydney, NS, and has wanted to come to StFX since she attended the open house in 2019. The beautiful campus, the small-town feel like Sydney, the offer of a major scholarship, small classes, and great profs all drew Abbey to StFX. Abbey is an executive member of the Schwartz Women in Business society and as an exec, she helps with planning events, community outreach, sponsorship, and running the largest undergraduate conference in the Atlantic provinces. Abbey also is the treasurer of the Our House Too society. Ms. Mombourquette says her favorite StFX memory so far was the night before she had to move out of residence in first year when a large group of students and her rented out the Furnace (RIP) before summer break. After graduation, Abbey plans on pursuing a CPA designation and is then open to seeing where that takes her. She is specifically interested in working as an accountant for a company, in policy, or a bit of both.

The pair met in their first year living in Bishops and are great as a team because of their close relationship. Since they are so close, they are able to speak openly and critically to one another to come up with the best outcomes. The girls believe that their “unique experiences of employment, event planning, and overall involvement in student life at StFX sets us apart. We both have made plenty of connections around campus and gained practices that will give us an upper hand when planning all of the events next year.”

Taylor and Abbey's platform consists of 4 main ideas: Collaboration, Senior-Frosh Week, Prom Night at the Inn, and the Senior Awards night. They say to them “the most important part is definitely the collaboration with students and groups around campus, to make sure that our Senior year can be something everyone has input on, and everyone can enjoy. That being said, we are also SUPER excited about our senior frosh week, to make up for our missed frosh week in first year!”

They concluded by saying “we just want to remind everyone how important it is to vote! Regardless of who you are voting for, everyone should make sure that they are giving their input and voting on Wednesday. Other than that, thanks to everyone for an awesome campaign week, and we know that regardless of the outcome, our Senior year will be the best one yet!”

To find out more information, check out their Instagram page: @voteabbeyandtaylor

Ministers for the People, Among the People

On February 27th, students shuffled into a Mulroney Hall classroom to hear both Sean Fraser and Seamus O’Regan speak about their lives, experiences, and politics. The event was organized by the Political Science Society.

Sean Fraser is a StFX graduate, the federal Minister of Immigration, and represents the riding of Central Nova (our riding!). Mr. Fraser was a lawyer before he got involved in politics. Mr. Fraser is married and has both a son and a daughter. Seamus O’Regan, who is from Newfoundland, is also a StFX alumnus. He is the federal Minister of Labor and represents St. John's South riding. Before Mr. O’Regan’s career in politics, he was a journalist and worked on CTV National News and Canada A.M.

The speakers began with some advice and reminisced about their time at StFX. Sean started by saying, “this place means a lot to me, and it helped shape me into the person I am.” Seamus recalled the StFX Students’ Union election, by surprise, as the hardest election in which he's ever run.  Maybe more surprisingly, he did not win! Mr. O’Regan also praised the university, saying the “great thing about a small university is that you can meet people from different walks of life and different interests.” Both Sean and Seamus’s roles overlap significantly. Labor and Immigration intertwine, and they both agree that it is great that the two of them get along as you really need to help each other to move things forward.

Students in the classroom asked questions ranging from environmental to immigration issues and even asked how to be successful in politics.  Both politicians agreed that, indeed, Canada needs more people, and that immigration is important to both a healthy economy and labor market in our future. They also said that times are changing. You used to be able to walk down the street and say, “this house is Conservative and this one is Liberal,” but now people don’t vote the same way each election. Mr. Fraser continued by saying that an important part of being a politician is letting the people know you care because you work for them, after all. He says, “nobody cares how much you know till they know how much you care,” and that the “best thing you can do is show up when you can, be present.” On the topic of being a good politician, Mr. O’Regan stressed that these three words are the most important: affability, ability, and accessibility.

To end the conversation, Mr. Fraser gave a few hopeful words, stating that during times of inflation, there is no better country out there to weather the storm. Mr. O’Regan ended the talk by encouraging students to keep up the great work, saying, “you wouldn't be here if you didn’t care, don’t lose that!”

The Creation of Black History Month

Though Black History Month has been celebrated in Canada for many years, many of us today may not know of its origin. Black History Month began as Black History Week in 1926. It was created by an organization that wanted to make the accomplishments of Black people widely known to the public as textbooks tended to erase the contributions of Black people from the historical record. The organization is still active today and goes by the name Association for the Study of African American Life and History.

As per National Geographic, the week chosen for this was the second week of February. Both Frederick Douglass and President Abraham Lincoln had their birthdays during the second week of February. For those who may not know Frederick Douglass, he was an abolitionist during the late 1800s.

President Gerald Ford decided to lengthen the week to the full month of February in 1976 as per National Geographic. From there, it was also officially named Black History Month. Though it started in the United States, Black History Month is celebrated in many countries around the world, including Canada.

For 2023, the theme of Black History Month was Black Resistance. Previous themes include The Black Family: Representation, Identity, and Diversity, A Century of Black Life, History, and Culture, and African Americans and the Vote.

In observing Black History Month, StFX had a calendar of events for the occasion. Some of the events included the raising of the Pan-African flag on campus and an official launch of Black History Month, a discussion on determinants of health and anti-racism on February 1, a brunch and discussion with Kate MacDonald on creative writing on February 8, an African Heritage Month Dinner at Morrison Hall on February 16, and an African Heritage Month Trivia Night at the Inn on February 28.

Though this is but a brief overview of the general history of Black History Month, I would encourage all readers to do research on the topic. We have included some links below, however, there are much more out there to explore.

Sources: https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/black-history-month

https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/frederick-douglass

https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/black-history-month

https://davenport.libguides.com/bhm/themes

https://www.naccacommunity.ca/black-history-month-2023.html

StFX’s Model United Nations Society Takes on the First-Ever SMU East Coast Model UN Conference

On February 4th, StFXs Model United Nations society traveled to Halifax to compete at their first conference of the year. The event took place at Saint Mary’s University, and it was the first ever SMU East Coast Model UN Conference.

Put simply, Model UN conferences consist of students representing member states (which are countries) of the real United Nations and essentially mocking what really happens in UN conferences. Students are to solve problems with fellow delegates on different topics considered global issues. At the start of the conference, each member state gives a speech about what their countries goals are or what is important to them regarding the topic, then informally, member states form groups to work towards finding solutions to the problem at hand. As the day continues and after hours of forming groups, discussions, proposing ideas and working on position papers, member states vote on what resolutions should pass in the end.

Thankfully, at the Saint Mary’s Conference all resolutions StFX members proposed ended up passing. The topic of the conference was “safeguarding those displaced from climate change.” One of our own members of the Xaverian Weekly team, Zoey Phillips, won top delegate award. Ms. Phillips says, “I’m so happy to have joined MUN this year and so far, it's been a really great experience.” Another StFX student, Robbie Hughes won the top delegate award, three were given out in total. Overall, the StFX Model UN society excelled at the conference, serving as an indication of all the hard work they have done so far this year.

The Model UN society will have another shot at winning awards when they head to New York at the beginning of April, the conference, named NMUN, takes place in New York City. StFX will be representing Italy at the conference, they will be working and competing with universities from all around North America and even a few international universities. The society is currently regularly meeting to learn both rules and procedures, holding mock sessions and learning all things Italy to be prepared for the big day.

Those interested in politics, social issues, debate, or wanting to improve their public speaking skills should consider joining the society next year, rumor has it that a political science course may also be offered.

The Women’s Narrative: The Origins and Importance of International Women’s Day

With March fast approaching, International Women’s Day is right around the corner. This day is an opportunity to reflect on the influential women of our past and present and, as the Canadian government’s website puts it, “celebrate women’s and girls’ social, economic, cultural, and political achievements.” Though the day dates back to over 100 years ago, its role in emphasizing the importance of gender equality and acknowledging the accomplishments of women throughout history make it highly relevant in the modern day.

Despite its significance, many are unaware of how International Women’s Day (IWD) came into existence or why it is celebrated on March 8th. As shared by Alexandra Kollontai in her article that shares a name with the current commemorative date, the first day in honour of women’s rights took place in the United States on March 8th, 1908 and was originally a strike of “garment workers in New York” over their working conditions. The women aimed to raise awareness for women in the working class. The Social Party of America created a day honouring the event the following year. The date officially became an international phenomenon in 1911 when men and women alike attended rallies in Austria, Denmark, Germany, and Switzerland. These rallies supported “women’s right to vote, hold public opinion, improve vocational training, working conditions, and end discrimination,” as shared in a publication through the University of Glasgow, written by C. Johnman, F. Sim, and P. Mackie. The date has only grown from there. The United Nations made 1975 International Women’s Year, and the day began being celebrated throughout affiliated countries from that year on.

Today, IWD has taken on a greater meaning. The Government of Canada refers to it as a day of “unity, celebration, reflection, advocacy, and action,” highlighting the many definitions that it has assumed across the world. It plays a role in honouring the women who fought for political rights, women of colour who have overcome oppression, transgender women whom society has refused to see as who they are, and all other women across the nation and globe. The day shows the necessity of commemorating all women, as stated in the government’s IWD theme of 2023, “Every Woman Counts.” The theme aims to remind Canadians that all women deserve rights and a place in society and should be given as much. Despite the progress made since the early years of the day, there is a continuing need for gender equality worldwide. On IWD, Canadians are encouraged to celebrate the impact that women have had and to support the women and girls of today.

A notable quote that is often associated with IWD is by Gloria Steinem states that “the story of women’s struggle for equality belongs to no single feminist nor to any one organization but to the collective efforts of all who care about human rights.” The women’s narrative is a collective story, with countless perspectives and experiences impacting the whole. This International Women’s Day, take a moment to consider this story and the many people who have contributed to it over the years. By knowing and sharing the history and importance of this commemorative day, more people contribute to this narrative and the effort toward gender equality.

The Role and Importance of the Black Student Peer Mentors at StFX

StFX’s Black Student Advising Peer Mentors are a dynamic group of four Black Students from both African Nova Scotian and International communities. As a division of the Black Student Advising Office, these peer mentors are on the ground with the students, giving information and support wherever it is needed. This includes academic help, assistance with scholarship applications, planning events and community building, providing support for Black students, as well as just being there if a student needs someone to talk to. The mentors hold office hours—both in person and virtual—where any student is free to visit and get the support they need.

I had the opportunity to interview one of the Black Student Advisory Mentors, a fourth-year honours psychology student named Akua Amankwah-Poku, who further shared about her experience in the role.

Amankwah-Poku is an international student from Ghana and mentioned that when she first came to StFX, she knew she wanted to be involved with the school and in the community. In her first year, she joined the BLACC Student society and attended many of their events. Through this, she was able to meet many other students and play a role in the community. In the summer of 2023, a posting was put out for the role of the Black Student Mentor, and Amankwah-Poku said this “gave [her] the opportunity to be involved in the school and do something for students.”

She voiced the impact of the student mentors, speaking on the importance of “knowing the service is available.” The role is new to StFX’s community, and Amankwah-Poku mentioned that in her earlier years at the school, she felt that she did not always get the support that she needed. With the existence of the Black Student Advisory Mentors, StFX is taking a step to establish more supports for Black students. Amankwah-Poku further spoke on the importance of knowing that this resource is in place, and how being able to be a part of it and help the students who will come after her is very impactful. The Black Student Advisory Office and Black Peer Mentors are always looking for ways to “improve and make it better for the next generation of Black students.”

In recognition and celebration of Black History Month, the Black Student Advising Office planned a calendar of events to celebrate African Heritage. Amankwah-Poku spoke on the events and said that her favourite was the Black Cabaret at The Bauer Theatre. The event took place on February 4th and featured performances ranging from live music to spoken work and poetry. The aim was to provide a safe space for students to engage in self-expression and to see what Black StFX students and community members have to offer. Amankwah-Poku had the chance to share some of her poetry and express herself through her work and mentioned that the experience was very “empowering,” both for herself and for others. She said that hearing poems from others and seeing their perspective was “impactful and powerful,” and that the experience was a “very cool and vulnerable moment.”

To close off the interview, Amankwah-Poku stated she would love to host more information sessions, including some about the research grants, bursaries, and the different opportunities that are available to Black students. Bringing more awareness and letting Black students know about these opportunities is something she feels is very important. Amankwah-Poku is passionate about her role as a Black Student Peer Mentor as well as the opportunity to build and support the community for both current and incoming Black students. She and the other Black Student Peer Mentors are always available to help any students in need.

Meet a Make your Mark Fund Recipient: Awele Oye Onwuka

Awele is a third-year business student from Nigeria majoring in Management and Leadership at StFX. She is a CA in Riley Hall, Vice President of Community Outreach at the Schwartz Business Society, and a campus tour guide. She is also involved with the Women in Business (WIB) society as co-Director of Events, sharing that “[she] got involved with the Women in Business Society last year after being a member and observing all the amazing work the society does.”

Awele is among those to have received the “Make your Mark” award in 2022. The “Make your Mark” Fund provides Schwartz Students with the funding and resources they need to bring their creative and innovative ideas for campus or community initiatives and programs to life (schwartzwomeninbusiness.com). Awele is partnering with the daycare centre at StFX and Antigonish Kids First to plan an event for children and parents to promote mental health. She stated that her goal with the event is “to bring awareness to child mental health and promote healthy techniques for parents regarding their children’s mental health.” She continued to discuss her plans, sharing that “since the event had to be rescheduled, there are so many ways I can take this project, and I am excited to keep working on it. I don’t have concrete plans, but once this event is successful, I would love to host more in the future.” She stressed the importance of recognizing that we are children before we are adults, saying that she doesn’t “think people understand how much children grasp as such a young age–they’re picking up on everything, they’re building tools for their future”.  Awele also worked with the Antigonish coalition to end poverty, giving students the opportunity to donate non-perishable items to the Antigonish community fridge.

We concluded our discussion with a note on the business program at StFX, as well as some words of encouragement for women entering the program. “The business program, especially professors—shout out to Mark MacIsaac and Jennifer Alex—as well as WIB have been great at providing tremendous support and resources to help along my journey. This is the great thing about StFX, people care about each other and are ready to provide the encouragement and support needed to succeed–I have been very lucky in that sense.”

Awele encourages others to pursue their goals, addressing all “the women entering, or thinking about applying to, the business program at StFX,” and saying she “wants to let [them] know that [they] will be supported and looked after. Schwartz is more than just a business school; I do feel as though we are a family. I also want to encourage them to get involved–your voice and opinions matter and this is the place to get your thoughts and ideas out there! We are all rooting for each other and want to see everyone succeed.” In Antigonish and at StFX, “there’s always an opportunity for everyone to get together,” and Awele closed by sharing: “I enjoy what I do, especially when I can get the community involved.”