Environmental Degredation

The year 2020 was recorded as the worst hurricane season on record. Our awareness of rising ocean temperatures leading to greater storms and the steady melting of the polar ice caps has reminded me again of the urgent need of humankind to address climate change. Environment plays an essential role on our planet by providing good climate, good water and good survival conditions for every living organism. Human beings and all life on the planet depend on the environment for survival through ecosystems that provide food, clean water and favourable conditions. The impact of environmental degradation on these ideal factors can be categorized into three types: land degradation, water degradation and air pollution.

Urbanization is one of the factors which has led to land degradation. I grew up in Africa and so much of my knowledge of and concern for the environment arises from my experiences there. The custom was often to simply set the land on fire with the aim to clear it and build homes. Trees were also cut down for easy construction, leaving the land bare. The consequence of this was that when the wind came, it blew away the top layer of soil, leading to soil erosion. As well, much wildlife habitat has been destroyed by these practices. ‘Clear cutting’ in Canadian forests today has much the same negative impact. Both in Africa and in Canada, selective tree planting is one positive way to enhance depleted ecosystems.

Farming can play a role in water degradation, when the use of inorganic fertilizers to boost crop production leads to water pollution. Toxic chemicals which are used during the planting of crops go deep into the soil. When the rain comes it carries away the soil, thereby mixing those chemicals with water and polluting the land.

In addition, some industrial waste materials which are disposed of in bodies of water contribute to the pollution of the water, leaving some water sources unsafe for drinking and also contributing to disease and serious chronic illnesses.

The emissions that go into the sky from different manufacturing companies affect air quality. When the emissions are released, they accumulate and contribute to the destruction of the ozone layer.

As a young person of Generation Z, I am just starting out on the great adventure of life. Like so many of my cohort, I have tremendous concern for the future of the planet we share. Global warming, floods, storms and environmental disease are all negative impacts of environmental degradation. Yet I believe that it is not too late to rescue the planet so long as we – as a global community – commit to best practices for the care and preservation of the earth and its finite resources.

Writing Workshops on Memoir

Awarded author, journalist, and teacher, Majorie Simmins hosted her latest writing workshop “Using the Short Story to Create a Memoir” this past Saturday at the Antigonish town library.

Awarded author, journalist, and teacher, Majorie Simmins

The goal of the event could be understood in terms of Simmins’ recent work: Memoir: Conversations and Craft (2020), an introduction to memoir for writers and fans of the genre alike.

For Simmins, with considerable experience in freelance journalism as well as an MA in literacy education, the memoir holds great value. Since publishing the already-classic Coastal Lives in 2014, she has written a second memoir Year of the Horse (2016) as well as two other books with her most recent being this June’s Somebeachsomewhere (2021). But, in between all sorts of such publications, further including book reviews in The Antigonish Review, feature articles in the Reporter, and essays in the Montreal Gazzette, Simmins consistently finds time to host workshops like the one held here at the town library last Saturday.

The creative spirit which ran through the eight (of the maximum ten) of us seated that day would best be characterized through our host’s guiding statement: “You have the right to your story”.

Simmins, inspiring in her presence and in her sense of candor from the get-go, asked us to name some memoirs we had recently read and enjoyed. Naturally, a thread ran through them. From Canadian classics such as Ondaatje’s Running in the Family, to American maestros including

Steinbeck’s Travels with Charley, all the way to new-school virtuosos like Rebecca Mead (of New Yorker fame) with My Life in Middlemarch – that was just it – they were all virtuosos. The act of writing a memoir therefore appearing to some as dauntingly exclusive.

Opposite this view, Simmins coaches in her workshops across the country that the default setting for anyone writing a memoir should be to tell a story, saying: “It’s for anyone who decides to do it.”

A firm believer in the value of structure in good writing, Simmins also believes that structure has value for developing confidence in new writers. “Achievable goals are wonderful”, she says, recommending 250 words a week to her students as a terrific baseline.

Simmins’ workshops offer students excellent feedback, technical advice, and an affirmative spirit which inspires. “You have to believe in yourself. People and friends who say things like ‘oh, you’re a writer this week’ are not the kind of people you need in your life”. Her statement resonates, with several of us nodding our heads in response and at least as many inquiring of future workshops afterward.

Marjorie Simmins will be hosting another workshop at the town library on the 30th this month. For free admission, register online at: http://www.parl.ns.ca. For more information, visit: https://www.marjoriesimmins.ca to browse future dates, prices, and locations.

OERs at StFX

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, students didn’t spend thousands of dollars on textbooks, for many were freely provided by the institution they attend. But wait, this isn’t a fairy-tale—for many students attending university in British Columbia, it’s reality. Since 2012, students on the West Coast have saved almost $24 million dollars as many of their courses are taught using open textbooks. It’s not just students that benefit from these open textbooks, either—hundreds of faculty members have made the switch and have a variety of free textbooks at their disposal.

What is AtlanticOER and Why Does it Matter?

Open Educational Resources (OERs) are online, freely distributed textbooks, but can also include a variety of resources such as videos and educational materials. To learn more about these OERs, I attended the virtual launch event of AtlanticOER and spoke with its lead organizer, StFX alumna Tiffany MacLennan ’19, ’20.

First, MacLennan explains, “AtlanticOER is a repository of open educational resources that are going to be available to any student in Atlantic Canada. That means that once it gets off the ground and gets building itself a little bit more, it will be a place that any professor in Atlantic Canada can put in either their textbooks, educational materials, or videos. As it grows, the aim is that students get access to free educational materials and we can ween away from the traditional textbook model.” You don’t have to convince any student about the benefits of OERs. Many of us know that textbooks can be expensive, unengaging, and unhelpful to the learning process. Many students choose not to buy textbooks for a class because for them, it is a choice between textbooks and groceries.

There are benefits for professors, too. MacLennan explains that “bringing OERs into your classroom can provide you with a new learning opportunity and can force you to have more exciting and inviting conversations with your students. Through using OER, you get to learn more yourself… and you get to play with it—it’s a fun initiative. We also have librarians who can comfortably find OERs for a classroom to remove some of the burden.”

AtlanticOER was established to eliminate some of the barriers to creating OERs, McLennan shared. First, “it gives educators the platform to start creating and sharing their own OERs,” she said. It also helps overcome the challenges that come with creating textbooks and educational materials by addressing the barriers of limited time and resources. “Creating a textbook isn’t very fast–they take a lot of work. With the AtlanticOER repository, there are grants you can apply for that compensate your time spent on OERs or to hire students to help create OERs.” The organization also places a great deal of emphasis on disseminating knowledge, helping people understand the benefits that come with OERs. For McLennan, “the end goal is that no student makes the choice not to buy a textbook based on affordability. The grad gift this year is

for student food insecurity due to an uptick in food related asks from the financial aid office. That tells us those decisions are being made more and more often.”

Students’ Union Advocacy

I also sat down with Siobhan Lacey, current Vice President Academic (VPA) of the StFX Students’ Union to find out what they’re currently doing to advocate for OER adoption. Provincially, they’re working with StudentsNS, the province’s non-profit advocacy group that represents post-secondary students, to advocate to the provincial government for OER funding, such as providing financial incentives and grants to professors. Close to home, the Students’ Union is facilitating conversations with key stakeholders such as faculty and students.

Prior to the launch of AtlanticOER, StFX did not have the on-campus resources to push for OERs; but now, Students’ Unions across the Atlantic region are undergoing training to advocate for OERs at their University Senates. Moving forward, it is important for our Students’ Union to make a bigger push on OERs, but this change can only happen if students want it. It will require students talking to their professors about OERs to create an Open Education culture on our campus.

When asked about the barriers to implementing OERs, Lacey said that “there are a couple big ones. The biggest one is obviously funding. It’s always going to be funding. But to first develop an online infrastructure that can host a variety of OERs… is going to be very expensive, maintaining that even more so. The funding [barrier] is why I think we’re seeing such communal effort around OERs, and why no separate university is developing them. It would take a big budget that I don’t think one university would be able to sustain. Another barrier we’re seeing is incentivizing faculty to develop their own OERs. Obviously, developing a textbook is time consuming and can be a lot of work for faculty. But, ultimately, we know that it’s so much more beneficial for students. So, it’s about incentivizing those folks and showing them the benefit it has to student academic success.” The final barrier Lacey identified was awareness: “trying to encourage faculty to develop OERs because students want them while the majority don’t know what they are is a little difficult to do!” Earlier this year, StudentsNS ran an awareness campaign focusing on this final barrier, and is currently putting a lot of emphasis on knowledge translation to provide students with the skills to engage in conversations with faculty about OERs.

Offering advice to future VPAs or students interested in OERs, McLennan says “not be discouraged by the slow uptake at first, because all good things take time. Starting conversations isn’t easy, especially when faculty have been teaching with these books for [several] years. Use the time it takes to build things to build things right. We need more students to know about OERs to get more students to talk about them… with our faculty, administrations, and librarians to actually push this forward.”

University Administration

The university administration can play a big role in implementing OERs. On March 5, 2021, University Academic Vice President and Provost Dr. Kevin Wamsley agreed to sit down with me for an interview. “I’m a fan of educational resources being distributed to as many people as possible,” he said. “Education is difficult, it’s hierarchical, it can favour those with more resources, and textbooks have, for the past twenty-to-twenty-five years, become very expensive. Textbook companies have become unfair in their pricing. While education has been brought onto the open market readily, the burden of this falls to the student… providing free or low-cost educational resources makes education more accessible.”

When asked about benefits for faculty, Wamsley emphasized that the role of the professor is to disseminate knowledge. “I think it’s important that professors are actively involved in producing materials for class. Professors creating and modifying OERs is an important part of the process… professors are excited to talk about their work and that’s the way it should be. Once you begin to contribute, and you see how it can be dynamic in your classroom, I think people are going to be all in,” he said.

Coming back to one barrier identified by the Students’ Union in implementing OERs, I asked Wamsley about incentivizing professors to adopt and create them. He said there are no current plans to incentivize professors to take this project on, but went on to explain that the school does have a plan: “we have a fabulous teaching and learning centre over in Mulroney Hall operated by Dr. Angie Kolen, and this presents a marvellous vessel to get the word out and provide workshops about OERs and how to get involved.” Further, he says, “professors are not getting rich selling textbooks. They’re not, they never will,” so there’s nothing standing in the way of making future publications accessible.

Representatives Elected

The results of the 2021 Representative Council elections for the StFX Students’ Union were announced March 10, 2021. 

Polling took place over two days, March 9 and 10, and included elections for the Science, Arts, Business, Equity, International, Students of African-Descent, and Education constituencies. 

A rare phenomenon at StFX, this election saw no incumbents reoffering for their positions. There were also few candidates, with the only contested race being that for Students of African-Descent Representative. 

Meredith Cudmore-Keating, StFX Students’  Union Chair of Council thanked all voters saying “this was a great election to finish the year off .and we look forward to seeing you vote next year.”

The results ended with the following candidates being elected.

Arts Representative - Margaret-Ann Gillis

Business Representative - Hunter Park

Education Representative - Tianna Williams

Equity Representative - Tiffany Bondoc

International Representative - Derin Derici

Students of African-Descent Representative - Atik Gilao

Science Representative - Mackenzie LeVernois

The Graduate Student Representative has not been elected for the 2021-2022 year. 

It Goes Beyond Brendan Boucher

In the February 9th edition of the Xaverian Weekly, former Student Union Presidential Candidate Brendan Boucher released a statement relating to the controversy surrounding his campaign. This statement primarily addressed his anti- “Black Lives Matter” rhetoric which was exposed through a number ofsocial media posts within the StFX community. In all honesty, I would love to use my position on this platform to entertain Boucher’s statement to the fullest, but I will not squander the words I have in this article just to entertain a henchman when the real villain is the system that allows people like Boucher to have a voice. Nevertheless, here are my brief two cents on Boucher’s statement: he is obviously and categorically wrong about everything he suggests in his piece. Citing Frederick Douglass after attacking Black Lives Matter as “Marxist” is absurd and laughable. His inability to do basic research on what racism really is just indicates how much of a joke Boucher’s so-called “statement” is. No more words need to be spent on him—he is as irrelevant and unimportant as his attitudes are to any meaningful effort to create social justice. [Although, I suppose I must wish him, a jazz major, a very happy Black History Month.]

What is worth delving into is the context that allows for people like Boucher to thrive—to be given a platform and to be allowed to repeatedly harm other students. StFX is a community that confuses censorship with morality, or silence with equity. This community upholds whiteness as a norm, and consciously or unconsciously pushes those of us who are outside that norm into isolation. If we take the University at its word and assume that we attend a university that is “as it is meant to be,” there is no room for policies that allow blatant racism, misogyny and homophobia to slip through the cracks. What is “meant to be,” it appears, is a community where white men are able to attack Black students, women, and LGBTQ+ students, and be given an opportunity to broadcast those attacks as much as possible in pursuit of the highest student office. I suggest that this type of student, and what he stands for, is institutionally enabled through the University’s policies.

If all is not ‘as it is meant to be,’ what went wrong? A simple look at the candidate’s social media personality and stance would have alerted university student affairs staff about what this candidate stands for. We all know that they patrol students’ social media accounts. They push back against women who are fighting for the right to simply exist on campus without being assaulted. They will intervene if you criticize the university. They won’t intervene if you are tokenizing Black women on your Instagram page. I find it hard to believe, therefore, that they did not know that this outrage was coming. If they did, and failed to act, then his words were institutionally supported. That, in my book, is a form of institutional racism. 

So I ask you, readers, to evaluate this university from your own perspective. Is it racist or anti-racist? Your friends might share the same ideas as you, but look to the institution. How many of the administrators have you heard say Black Lives Matter? How many administrators did you see at Take Back the Night? Have you EVER seen an administrator at X take an anti-racist, anti-sexist, or anti-oppressive stance that wasn’t performative? Do any of those in power take an anti-racist stance?

If no, it’s easy to see why Brendan and those who espouse the same hateful ideas as him, feel emboldened. Don’t be shocked when a candidate like this puts their name forward again.

Vice President Academic Candidate Interview

On Friday, January 29th, both I and Will Fraser, sat down with Vice President Academic Candidate Meredith Cudmore-Keating and discussed her plans if elected as Vice President. Meredith is a 3rd year Mathematics student and currently the chair of council for the Students Union. She has much experience with the Student’s Union and additionally she leads the elections team. Meredith stated that she loves the StFX community, wants to give back to the community, and hopes to have the ability to make StFX better for all students.

When asked about plans to prevent Sexual Violence on campus, Meredith voiced that she is always in support of the survivors, she wants to make educational training and opportunities more accessible so that students right away can have prevention training. In terms of action, she hopes to make students more aware of resources for survivors on campus.

Meredith talked about these issues in her platform she wants to assure a well-rounded student experience and so when it comes to mental health support, she believes that access to healthy food, a range of societies on campus, sports, etc. all help students be more mentally healthy, and this part of her platform indirectly helps mental health for students on campus.

On a scale of 1-10, Meredith ranked StFX at 7.5 when it comes to the University's performance regarding Covid-19. She thinks it is spectacular that we have the opportunity to have in person classes, but some drawbacks are the university's communication with students and as VP, she would assure there would be lot more communication with students and the University.

One thing Meredith hopes to add is more Open Educational Resources, such as online textbooks that are basically free to students. She hopes to make students and faculty more aware of this option and advocate for this program.

Meredith stated that she does not have a preferred Presidential Candidate, she believes that democracy can do its work and whoever the majority of students choose is the best!

Meredith said that she hopes to target minority groups on campus when she goes to hire her executive team. She says that rather than waiting for them to come to her, she will seek different groups on campus, ensuring a more diverse team! She is looking for people who are looking out for StFX student’s well-being, people who work well in teams and are inclusive.

Meredith concluded by saying “I would really love to serve you all as Vice President Academic, I’m well qualified for the role and I would like to make next year a year where students can come to the Students Union, be heard, advocated for and thank you for your time.”

Long Live The Queen: Priscilla Returns to Campus

Fear no more, fellow Xaverians! Priscilla: Queen of the Highlands lives on. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Chris Frazer has been working diligently with X-Pride to ensure that the beloved Priscilla will grace the StFX stage for its sixteenth consecutive year. Having grown its fan base and interest significantly since the first show back in February 2005, which hosted an audience of only 100 people, the show has been known to sell-out the Mackay Room of the Students’ Union Building, hosting around four-hundred viewers from across the province.

This widespread show of support for the 2SLGBTQ+ community in our small, rural town began as the entertainment portion of a workshop titled “Centering the Periphery: The Experience of Rural Life for LGBTQ Youth,” which was hosted on the StFX campus in 2005. The workshop was organized by Dr. Frazer (History) in tandem with Dr. Nancy Forestell (Women and Gender Studies) and Claire Fawcett (Anthropology). Dr. Frazer had recently been appointed as faculty advocate for 2SLGBTQ+ students following a number of homophobic assaults on the University’s campus. In an effort to support Dr. Frazer’s new role, and following the success of the first-of-many Priscilla shows, X-Pride decided to continue producing the show on an annual basis.

Photo by Addy Strickland

On Friday, February 20, we will all be able to enjoy a socially distanced show featuring many favourite local and regional performers. Dr. Frazer notes that among this year’s performers, we can expect fan favourite Rouge Fatale from Halifax, who will host the show. Other performers will include Elle Noir, more local Kings, and Dr. Frazer’s own Joni Cash and C. Leah Cruise, along with some other Halifax regulars. Viewers can expect dynamic performances which will include a range of queens, kings, genderf*ck, and non-binary performers. The show will be hosted on Zoom, and tickets will be sold online. More information will be released closer to the show.

To stay up to date as more information becomes available, follow @xpridesociety and @xgsdsa on Facebook and Instagram!

The StFX Art Gallery: A Campus Gem

I was lucky to have an interview over email with Andrea Terry, director and curator of the StFX art gallery and professor in the StFX art department. I must admit that during my time at StFX, I’ve never visited the art gallery. However, after asking Dr. Terry some questions about the gallery and receiving some very detailed answers describing the gallery and why students should take advantage of it, I think I’ll find the time in my schedule to give this wonderful place a visit, and I think you should too.

SB: Can you give me a brief history of the art gallery?

AT: The gallery was established in 1976. First, it hosted exhibitions on the fourth floor of Bloomfield Centre, and then it moved down to its current space on the first floor.

The StFX Art Gallery hosted fifty-seven exhibitions in its first decade of operations, featuring local and Nova Scotian artists. It also brought in touring shows from the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia. Moreover, over the past few decades, the gallery has cultivated a sizable permanent collection of approximately 3,500 artworks, acquired largely through donation. The collection features art and objects that represent the cultures and histories of northeastern Nova Scotia. Notably, a sizable portion of the collection is stored in the former CIBC bank vault at the back of the Bloomfield Gallery with a large, heavy door, levers, and two combination locks that take me – on average – 15 minutes … to open!

In September 2020, the StFX Art Gallery opened its newest exhibition space in 2002 Mulroney Hall, complete with 11’ high walls, climate control, and an amazing lighting system to show off the art exhibited to its best advantage, so the gallery continues to grow and expand, which is quite exciting!

SB: What do you enjoy most about being a curator at the STFX art gallery, and can you tell me a bit about previous art galleries you may have worked at?

AT: I received my PhD in Art History (2010) and taught art history courses at universities across Canada. In 2014, while teaching at Lakehead University, I started doing some independent curatorial projects with artists based in Thunder Bay, Ontario, and eventually I became the Acting Curator of the Thunder Bay Art Gallery. Being the Director / Curator of the StFX Art Gallery lets me do two of my favourite things: working with artists and working with students. I recognized early on in life that I had some artistic abilities, but I keenly appreciated and wanted to support those who had more skills than myself, so being able to support, promote, and celebrate artists and their practices is extremely important to me. I also appreciate working with students, both in the classroom and in the gallery. I’ve been fortunate to have excellent student staff workers at the gallery who have designed exhibition posters, edited artist interview videos, and managed the gallery’s social media. Basically, my approach when working with student staffers is to tell them what I’d like – in terms of an exhibition poster – and let

them run with the project. It’s amazing to see what they produce, as my graphic design skills are somewhat/extremely limited.

SB: Do you have a favourite piece or exhibition?

AT: Right now, I’m extremely grateful to be able to host the national touring exhibition COLOUR WITH A “U” featuring 33 art quilts by artists from across Canada. It’s a beautiful and captivating exhibition—there’s a wealth of colours, textures, and sights to be experienced, and it’s on in 103 Bloomfield until February 27, 2020. Visitors can make 30-minute appointments to visit on the gallery’s website.

In 2002 Mulroney Hall, I’ve organized a New Acquisitions exhibition, showcasing the latest additions to the gallery’s permanent collection. A number of works are by accomplished Indigenous artists, such as Cree painter and printmaker Allan Sapp (1928 - 2015) and Tsimshian carver, painter and printmaker Roy Henry Vickers (b. 1946), to name a few. I’m looking forward to having people see these new works and learn how and why the permanent collection continues to grow.

SB: Why should students visit the art gallery?

AT: That’s a great question, one I’ve given a great deal of thought. It’s a great place to take a break, to go and see, learn, and experience new things. It offers a space for people to take a breath, to escape their daily routines, to do something different. An art gallery visit can offer similar benefits – in my opinion – to a yoga or meditation class in that encountering art on exhibition typically encourages one to be fully present, to flex mental muscles, to appreciate that which is around you.

For me, it’s such a pleasure to walk through the gallery from time to time and see people, students, visitors captivated by different pieces. The gallery landscape constantly shifts and evolves; each visitor notices something different – oftentimes people ask me such thoughtful, insightful questions that I have to mull over my answer, or they’ll point out things about an artwork that I would have never noticed myself. These exchanges are extremely rewarding, and I am incredibly grateful take part in them.

SB: Can you tell me more about upcoming exhibitions?

AT: From May to August 2021, the StFX Art Gallery is pleased to host, in partnership with the Nova Scotia Sports Hall of Fame, the exhibition Sports Illustrated: The Nova Scotia Edition. This exhibition features the original artworks of Chronicle Herald editorial cartoonist Bruce MacKinnon, more specifically his sports cartoons. I understand that Bruce grew up here in Antigonish and that his cartoons have garnered international attention, so it promises to be an excellent exhibition.

SB: Finally, do you have a favourite piece of artwork in general? I personally really like Judith Slaying Holofernes by Artemisia Gentileschi and Portrait of Madame X by John Singer Sargent.

AT: That’s a tough question for someone in my position to answer because there are so many that come to mind right away.

One artwork that I find particularly captivating is on display at the gallery now as part of Colour with a “U” – Linda Finley’s 36 Million Stories: The Fabric of US. This art quilt is a small patchwork quilt framed within a ship’s wheel, embellished with sculptural fabric elements, more specifically meticulously crafted heads of various individuals that make up the array people living in the land now known as Canada. The detail of the various figures is astonishing. One of my favourites is a woman with pink curled hair and a nose ring, because I had a nose ring when I was an undergrad, so that particular form resonates with me. Once I point that head out to visitors and explain why I first noticed it, visitors point to other figures that strike a chord or evoke a memory for them.

It’s a truly remarkable work, and I’m going to be doing an artist video interview with Linda this week and posting the interview to the gallery’s website and social media pages in 1-2 weeks’ time, so everyone can learn more about her practice.

To view the work, go to https://www.instagram.com/p/CHi_LiXHRzP/

Board of Governors Candidate Interview

On Friday, January 29, both I and Will Fraser, had the honour to talk to the four Board of Governors' candidates -- Anna Hancin, Dhruv Patel, Duncan McIntyre, and Emma Valardo. I got the opportunity to get to know the candidates and have a better understanding of their platforms.

Firstly, I asked the candidates to introduce themselves and talk about why they are running for the Board of Governors. Anna is a first year in the Public Policy and Governance program and she is also on Cameron Hall’s student council; Duncan is a third year, also in the Public Policy and Governance program; Emma is a third year in the Forensic Psychology program; and Dhruv is the current International Students Representative and is a second year. Collectively the candidates agreed that they want to create change and be a voice for the students, Anna stated “I would be a voice for the students, my job is to be your voice for the change that you want to see.”

When asked what makes them stand out from each other Emma explained that she is vocal, in touch with the student body, very educated on current issues, and she doesn’t give up! Dhruv on the other hand said he doesn’t consider himself better than other people but believes his role as International Students Rep gives him more of an edge. Anna believes that her collaboration skills set her apart from the others and her involvement with many different things throughout campus. Duncan believes that his experience of being a student for what will be 4 years and his open mindedness are his strengths.

On a scale of 1-10 each candidate named how they thought the University did with the Covid-19 response. Duncan said 4 or 5, Emma 3, Dhruv 8, and Anna 6. Duncan and Emma had similar thoughts, agreeing that what was good about StFX’s response is that we still could be on campus but agreed that the contract sent out in the summer was wrong and not all students were taken into consideration. Dhruv agreed that the contract was not the best, but said that being in Nova Scotia is such a privilege and gives credit to the University and town of Antigonish for their work. Similarly, Anna agreed it was amazing we are allowed to be on campus but believes it is unfair that the majority of classes are in person, some students are not being taken into consideration and would like to implement things that allow for students that are not able to be at campus currently, to feel included.

Collectively the candidates agree that more efforts on Sexual Violence Prevention needs to be undertaken at StFX. They believe in the importance of anti-Sexual Violence programs, education, removal of "predators," and the importance of communication with survivors. Dhruv said he believes we need to focus on "toxic masculinity" and states that this would be one of his

priorities. Emma agreed that this was a problem but wanted to add that it is very important to note that males on campus are also being sexually assaulted.

Overall, the four candidates voiced that mental health support is an important issue on campus and agree that the programs on the campus are very beneficial for students but could be improved by being more accessible.

Individually Anna was asked if as a first-year student, she enough experience has to be on the Board of Governors. She argued that this was not the case and that she is very engaged and active on campus. Anna knows about and is involved with many organizations, has contacts, and is always willing to learn if need be.

Emma and Duncan were asked if it would be a problem if only one of them were elected as the pair are dating. Both candidates assured that this was not an issue and agreed that they will always keep each other accountable if it is needed, they are not afraid to disagree on different subjects, and their relationship is not the priority of this campaign.

Dhruv was asked if students were looking for change on campus why should they elect someone who is already a part of the system. He didn’t like the question but stated he believes that he has done very good things in his position as the International Representative and will continue to do good things.

When asked who the candidates would prefer as the new President, Duncan stated he believed all candidates are good, Emma said Jack would be the best choice, Dhruv said he would not pick one, and Anna also stated that all the candidates are all very qualified and would look forward to working with any one of them.

Overall, my conversation with the Board of Governors' candidates was insightful and I learned much about their platforms, views and goals if elected!

Varsity Athlete Charged with Human Trafficking

In an email to students on December 29th, 2020, Elizabeth Yeo, VP Students, revealed that a first-year StFX student had been charged by the York Regional Police in relation to a human trafficking investigation.

Justin Barrett, 20, of Brampton was charged by the York Regional Police with a number of offences, including Trafficking in Persons Under the Age of 18, Material Benefit from Trafficking in Persons Under the Age of 18, and Material Benefit from Sexual Services of a Person Under 18 Years. A media release by the York Regional Police stated that “the accused spent time in West Virginia, United States, and currently has ties to Nova Scotia.”

Barrett, a first-year Bachelor of Arts student was in his first year of eligibility as a goalkeeper on the StFX Men’s Varsity Soccer team. Barrett’s name no longer appears on the team roster, and his player bio has been removed from the StFX Athletics website.

In her email to students, Yeo stated “the university will be monitoring and reviewing the situation closely to ensure the safety of our community, which is always our priority. This includes attempting to gain more information from the York Regional Police about the file. Under the Sexual Violence Policy, StFX will implement immediate measures in cases of elevated risk to the StFXand/or broader Antigonish community.” 

The immediate measures described by Yeo, range from no contact orders to university suspension. The Xaverian Weekly was unable toconfirm if interim measures had been implemented against the accused. 

Representatives from the soccer team were unavailable to commentprior to publication.

The charges against Justin Barrett have not been tested in a court of law.

Two COVID-19 Cases on Campus

On Tuesday January 5th Dr. Andrew Hakin, President and Vice-Chancellor of Saint Francis Xavier University sent out an email to the StFX community to announce that there is now a positive covid-19 case on campus. The student arrived on January 3rd and had been isolating in residence.

A second email was sent out on January 9th to notify the StFX community of a second positive case. This student arrived to campus on January 5th had been isolating in residence since their arrival. Dr. Hakin wrote that the two cases appear to be unrelated. The Public Health Centre is working on contact tracing and the university has made the decision to even reach out to those considered a low-risk contact. 

Both cases are said to now be following the COVID-19 protocol in place by the university. Inside the Protocols for Isolation Handbook provided by the university to ensure a safe arrival back to campus explains that if a positive test result occurs that Public Health will take the appropriate steps to contact the student and start contact tracing, then the student will remain in the same location they are isolating in unless they share a campus apartment or bathroom. The university has set aside rooms in AC, Governor’s Hall, and International House.Individuals who test positive will have regular phone or email support from Public Health or a Health and Counselling Nurse to assess the student’s condition. 

Students are being asked to monitor their symptoms, and to get a COVID-19 test on day 6,7, or 8 of their isolation as they return from New Brunswick and outside of Atlantic Canada. Dr. Hakin in his emails to the StFX community reminds students that if they think they have symptoms you are to do a COVID-19 self-assessment or call 811 and those students who are sent for testing are to email Isolate@stfx.ca.

Music Student Returning to StFX After Years-Long Court Battle

***Content Warning: The following article contains details which may be triggering to some. There is a list of resources at the end of the article. Please do not hesitate to contact any of these resources if you find yourself struggling. 

Luke Letourneau will be returning to classes this semester after being acquitted of sexual assault in October 2020. Letourneau, who enrolled in the Department of Music at StFX in 2017, was suspended by the university’s Judicial Board in April 2018. He subsequently appealed the suspension, which was set aside and he was allowed to return to campus in September 2018 while the case was pending criminal proceedings. 

The complainant was not informed of Letourneau’s return to campus, and left StFX upon hearing that he was back. Her experience was part of a series of events inspiring student protests that made national news, and eventually led to the review of StFX’s Sexual Violence Policy. Letourneau withdrew from campus shortly after, and StFX Vice-President Finance and Administration Andrew Beckett issued a statement apologizing for how the situation was handled. Letourneau was acquitted of sexual assault on October 16, 2020 and will return to classes at the start of the Winter semester to continue his degree.

“I am looking forward to resuming my education at StFX and am pleased that the university has welcomed me back,” Letourneau said in a written statement provided exclusively to the Xaverian Weekly. “The past three years have been very difficult for me. It was a great relief to me to be completely vindicated by the judge last fall, and I would encourage anyone doubting the outcome of the case to read [Justice Denise Boudreau’s] verdict.” 

 In that decision, Justice Boudreau found him not guilty due to Crown attorney Jonathan Gavel having “not proven one of the essential elements of sexual assault beyond reasonable doubt, i.e. the lack of consent.” Most of the trial revolved around the complainant's “memory gap,” which spanned the “most crucial period of the evening.” Justice Boudreau said that the memory gap was “entirely unexplained” and concluded “that the complainant, in fact, has not forgotten. She remembers the entire evening. She has chosen, in her testimony, to say she has forgotten.” That conclusion left the Justice with “serious doubts as to the complainant’s credibility regarding the events of that evening, including her testimony that she did not consent.”

Student Outrage

Despite the Court’s findings and Letourneau’s acquittal, many students are upset that Letourneau is coming back to StFX.

The case’s complainant has expressed her disappointment with StFX’s decision to allow Letourneau to return to campus. In a written statement provided to the Xaverian Weekly, she expressed the opinion “that StFX has once again chosen their image over student safety…. {Letourneau} was supposed to be my friend. He took what he wanted then continued on with his life while I was left to live in fear. I stopped eating so I didn’t chance seeing him at meal hall. I couldn’t walk anywhere without a key between my knuckles. My chest still tightens up when I hear certain songs. I still clench my fists if I see someone drinking a PBR. I never know what seemingly normal thing will send me into a downward spiral or panic attack.” She concluded her statement with a plea to the university to “do better, please.”

Talking to students on campus and observing social media, the complainant’s disappointment is echoed. Gabe Mink, a fourth-year Music student “acknowledges the rarity of false sexual violence reports as well as the even rarer occasion of the accused to be found guilty”  and feels that the university’s current actions seem to disregard that information. “I feel for all the survivors and allies who are once again being let down by StFX,” he said. 

University is Taking Measures

 To avoid a repeat of the unrest of 2018, StFX has been reaching out to any students involved in the initial case through Zoom to inform them that Letourneau will be returning. Elizabeth Yeo, Vice President Students, shared in a statement to the Xaverian Weekly that “the specific matter involving Mr. Letourneau is one that the university has carefully reviewed, and in accordance with its policies and procedures, including the Sexual Violence Response Policy, Mr. Letourneau is eligible to return to the university to pursue his degree if he so chooses … the University has no basis for disallowing his admittance.” She also stressed that “StFX does not tolerate sexualized violence and has made considerable advances in education and prevention and its policies in recent years.”

StFX Students’ Union President Sarah Elliott told the Xaverian Weekly that “The StFX Students’ Union believes and supports survivors. Students deserve to feel safe on campus, and survivors deserve to feel heard,” she wrote.

It’s apparent that the perception of Letourneau’s return varies greatly. Many students and on-campus activists feel outraged, whereas StFX has no tenable reason to hold any odium towards Letourneau or exclude him from campus. It remains unclear how this news will affect the campus community or Letourneau himself as he continues his education. 

The following resources are available to StFX students looking for support dealing with this information:

StFX Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Advocate

902-867-5601 | Bloomfield Centre 313D 

The Antigonish Women’s Resource Centre 

902-863-6221 | 204 Kirk Place, 219 Main Street, Antigonish | Monday to Friday, 9:00 to 4:30

StFX Health and Counselling 

902-867-2263 | Bloomfield Centre 305

StFX Peer Support Program

Bloomfield 417 | Monday to Friday, 12:00 to 5:00 (Reopening January 25)

NS Mental Health Crisis Line

1-888-429-8167

Good2TalkNS

1-833-292-3698 | Text “GOOD2TALKNS” to 686868

A New Class of Xaverians, and What Their X-Rings Say

On December 3, 2020, as per Xaverian tradition, the class of 2021 received their coveted X-Rings. Deciding what to engrave on the inside of one’s ring can be a big decision, and we were curious about what this year’s class had in mind — so we asked them to tell us about what they chose! To learn more about each ring, click on a photo and mouse over it to read the wearer’s explanation.

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The Xaverian Weekly’s Local Gift Guide 2020

COVID-19 has taken a toll on small businesses. This holiday season, shopping local will help your favourite neighbourhood shops keep their doors open! In Antigonish, there is no shortage of local businesses to choose from. Below, we have included some gift ideas from some of our personal favorites as inspiration. Happy shopping, and Happy Holidays!

1. Give the Gift of a New Tattoo

New ink can be expensive, so help out a loved one this year with a gift certificate to one of our local tattoo shops! Dane Hiltz at Freedom Electric Tattoo offers a range of tattoo styles, and also sells prints of some of his designs for a moderate price, which lend character to any room. A great gift for any tattoo enthusiast! 

At Folklore Tattoo, Emily Kane and Colleen Murray offer specialized, strictly Blackwork tattoos. While they aren’t offering gift certificates this year, Emily also sells screen-printed totes and apparel with unique designs on her Instagram page!

2. ...or of a Great Hair Day 

Vivid Hair and Body is well known for their magnificent hair coloring and modern cuts. Not only do they have gift certificates available for purchase, but they also stock scrunchies and various other hair products. There’s also Vivid Sidekick, a permanent popup featured by the salon, which sells homeware, clothing, and other accessories. 

3. Deck the Halls with a Locally Grown Christmas Tree (and the table with a chicken!)

Loch Abar Chicken Farm is the perfect place to support local. If you’re in the market for a tree, look no further! These farmers are also well known for their chickens, so if you’re not in the mood for a traditional Christmas turkey, a local chicken is the perfect way to celebrate!

4. Anyone for Five Golden Rings?

Cameron’s Jewelry is a great local option for all your jewelry needs. The kind and knowledgeable staff would be happy to help you find anything you may be in the market for – golden rings, necklaces, watches, and all sorts of other giftware. 

5. Treat Your Favourite Foodie

A favourite among the Antigonish community, Peace by Chocolate recently released new items in time for the holidays. Whether your loved ones are fans of milk, dark, caramel, nuts, or fruit—they’re sure to have something delicious in stock! Pair the chocolate with a t-shirt or the Hadhad’s new book, and you can check any chocolate-lover off your list. 

For the chef in your life, you might consider gifting some fun new seasonings. Big Cove Foods offers a variety of unique and delicious spice blends that make dinners shockingly easy! You can find all their products (including some fun jellies) online, or a smaller selection at Happenstance in downtown Antigonish. 

Just across the street at the Five to a Dollar, you might also pick up some fun flavours of Tidal Salt, harvested straight from the Nova Scotian sea! The company’s goal is to relocalize sea salt, and they sell their product in individual jars or sample-sets.

Not sure the actual food gifts would make it to Christmas? Why not pick up a giftcard to your loved one’s favourite restaurant! The Tall & Small Cafe, The Waffle Bus, Gabrieau’s Bistro, Justamere Cafe & Bistro, Little Christo’s, Townhouse, Snow Queen, Love Eat Asian, Myer’s Tea Room, and the Brownstone all offer gift certificates in any amount. At The Waffle bus, you can also pick up packaged coffee and their logo tee-shirts—perfect for the waffle lover in your life!

6. …or Your Favourite Fashionista 

Trendy’s Clothing and Shoe Shop is your stop for a slightly higher price range gift. Trendy’s offers a great selection of footwear, and some very nice clothing. If you’re searching for Burks or Blundstones this season, this is the perfect place to go. Sheepskin wool insoles from Lismore Farm, another local business, are a great compliment to a new pair of shoes! 

Wallace Leathers is your one stop shop for all things leather, they carry a variety of items including beautiful leather gloves which are perfect to keep you warm all winter, shoes, and handcrafted leather journals. Check out their facebook page!

Photo by Sarah Laffin

7. Give the Gift of Relaxation

Antigonish Nail Boutique is skilled at full sets of nails. They also do manicures and fills, making a gift certificate to the shop a great gift for any nail lover. Along with nailcare, they also sell Hempz Lotion, which is perfect for a stocking stuffer, or a homemade spa kit! 

If you aren’t a fan of the at-home spa experience, a day at Baile Mor Salonspa might be more up your ally. The spa offers a number of different relaxing experiences, including massages and facials!

For a Gold Dust Tanning is a great place to get a tan, and pretend you got to go somewhere warm over the holidays instead of being stuck in the cold. Pick up a gift card here and help your loved one pretend they aren’t stuck in the snow. 

8. For The People Who Have Everything

The Plum Tree Gift Shoppe is a great place to find the perfect Christmas ornament for your loved one, or pick up a new Christmas-themed print for your wall. They also carry candles, journals, socks, and sweet treats—great for stuffing those stockings!

The Posh Peppermint is another great place to buy something fun or unique for someone who has everything. They carry a huge variety of gifts, including home decor, candles, ornaments, art, and the quintessentially Nova Scotian gurgle jug. 

Briefly mentioned earlier, Happenstance also stocks a wide range of gifts, and specializes in things unique to Nova Scotia. Pewter, tartan, pottery, and a range of books by Nova Scotian authors are just a few of the treasures you might find here. A great place to shop for someone who might not make it home for the holidays this year!

The Antigonish Farmers Market is also home to a lot of great gift options. Now in their new building, the Market offers many vendors and is the often the perfect place to find options within your price range while supporting local. The market is open every Saturday from 8:30am to 1:00pm, and will host a series of special Christmas markets Wednesday evenings in December.

And finally, Red Sky Gallery is the best place to get all of the cards you need this holiday season. Each card is made by a local or provincial artist, and would be a treat to find in the mailbox. 

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We’ve tried to include as many local businesses as possible in this guide, but ultimately only had room for so many. If we’ve missed your favourite, or if you run a local business you think we should know about, please tell us (and our readers) about it in the comments below!

Album Review: Away is Mine by Gord Downie

On October 17, 2017, Gordon Edgar Downie died at the age of 53, after a short battle with glioblastoma, a type of brain cancer. Tragically gone too soon. Gord Downie released both solo albums and was the lead singer of the Canadian rock band the Tragically Hip.

Gord’s brother, Patrick Downie, claimed that Gord worked throughout his entire cancer battle, as his passion for music was what kept him sane. All the songs in Away is Mine were written after his diagnosis. They were the last 10 songs that he both wrote and recorded.

His second, but not final, posthumous album, Away is Mine is two albums in one. First, a regular collection of new songs, and the second half are the same songs, yet entirely acoustic recordings. It was released on October 16, 2020. Marking 3 years after Downie’s death. The album is uplifting and unexpected for a posthumous album. The unedited acoustic version is raw and pure, focusing on his voice rather than the music. His entire album evokes emotion and his voice is a perfect way to reminisce, this album filled with the last songs he sang before his death.

The final song in the album, “Untitled,” is my personal favourite; it is also the one that touches on his disease. All 10 songs were recorded over a period of 4 days in July 2017 just two and a half months before his passing. I recommend listening to the acoustic section before the others if you plan to listen to the whole thing.

Nova Scotia Kitchen Party

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have all been experiencing the fatigue of social distancing, being away from those we enjoy spending time with. Though restrictions have opened to what we now refer to as a ‘bubble,’ large gatherings are still not permitted. This has inevitably caused much-loved events to be postponed or cancelled. Traditions of gathering with large, at-times rowdy groups of friends, family, and strangers, have all been put on pause. The spirit of such traditions, however, has remained alive for many here in Nova Scotia since the very start of quarantine in March 2020.

The Ultimate Online Nova Scotia Kitchen Party COVID-19 Edition Facebook group (UONSKP) has been steadily gaining momentum since it was first created on March 19, 2020. Following the shutdown of many businesses, and a mandate by the government regarding safe distancing, the group served as a space to highlight the resiliency of many Nova Scotians and offered a place to support each other from afar. As an online recreation of the classic East Coast kitchen party, the videos of music shared amongst the group quickly became a hit with those who hold Nova Scotia near and dear to their hearts.

Videos of families playing music, with some playing instruments like guitar, fiddle and even spoons, breathed life and hope into many of our lives once again. Given the uncertainty of the pandemic, many felt it was nice to keep this tradition alive, albeit looking a little different from usual. If anything, the online format has given the traditional gatherings a broader audience, and has allowed more people to enjoy them. Some who have moved away from home have said that seeing so many people become involved has cured their homesickness, and allowed them to connect with their East Coast roots again.

As the description promises, the idea of the Kitchen Party did indeed clear up some of the pandemic fatigue we are all surely experiencing. The Facebook group is poised to clear up some of the “doom and gloom” on all of our Facebook feeds, and wished to flood them with kindhearted music and fun. No matter your musical abilities, the UONSKP offers a space to connect, and enjoy some long overdue party vibes from the comfort of your own home. Grab your bubble, grab some food, and sit down to enjoy – or dance it out – to performances from some friendly faces around Nova Scotia, or abroad.

A Unique Remembrance Day

This year marks the 102nd anniversary of the end of the Great War and Canadians will be gathering in very different ways than past years.

A tradition in Canada, along with most of the worlds western nations is to gather on November 11th, the anniversary of the end of World War 1 to honour and remember those who died fighting for our freedom. This year however, COVID-19 has made this nearly impossible for communities across Canada.

In Antigonish, 2020 started off with a bright future for Legion Branch No. 59 as they moved the Antigonish cenotaph and First World War memorial from Chisholm Park to Columbus Field to accommodate the ever-growing crowds which gather in remembrance. The project was reported across Nova Scotia and represented to many how Canada still deeply cares and is thankful for all the veterans that call Canada home. Unfortunately, the Legion will not be able to host a public service at the cenotaph this year due to concerns over the coronavirus.

This year like many other events, Canadians are asked to stay home for Remembrance Day and use the day as a solum day of thanks and remembrance. The Royal Canadian Legion will continue this year like previous years to sell poppies at local businesses to raise money and give Canadians a chance to show their support for the Armed Forces without endangering public health.

As Canada goes further and further into the 21st century, there remains fewer and fewer veterans of Canada’s participation in the major conflicts of the 20th century. The last veteran of World War One passed away in 2010 at the age of 109, and World War 2 and Korean War veterans are now an average age of 88 and 95 respectively.

This ushers in a generational change that will see Canada lose its elderly veterans and be forced to focus on the veterans of the 21st century war on terror, while not forgetting those who served in peace keeping operations in the 80’s and 90’s. Canada’s approach to caring for her veterans has changed, with advances in medicine there are less people walking with physical battle scars like amputated legs or arms, and more with mental and emotional scars like Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

The wars in the Middle East have created a middle-aged veteran's group that will need all our support for many decades to come and ask us to remember those who’ve died in pursuit of installing freedom to every corner of the world. There are young children still without mothers and fathers, and parents who were forced to bury their children before they had the chance to breed families of their own.

Although some wars fade into the memory of Canadians, Canada must never forget the veterans who still live with those experiences every day and the loved ones of those who never came home. Surely there will be future world conflict that will see Canada send more of its young people to sacrifice their lives to protect their homes and their families. Students and young people must remember that they are only 1 day away from possibility being veterans themselves.

Part of the Community

I’ve recently been described as having “forgotten what it means to be part of the community,” because of some tweets about Mulroney Hall. To clear things up I want to tell you what it means to me to a member of this community.

To frame this discussion, it’s important to differentiate between StFX, and X. StFX is the institution; it is the structures and decisions put in place by administrators to run this organization. X is the community; it is the body of students that live together, learn together, and become friends during their time at this university.

Being a member of this community means holding the institution accountable and rejecting the decisions that hurt us. Students have a proud history of action. We have rallied against sexualized violence, we’ve marched for racial equality, we’ve fought for our rights in response to the waiver. This is the essence of X. We come together en masse when we need each other, and we aren’t afraid to question authority. When we act, we are capable of making change to this institution.

StFX on the other hand, puts up a veneer of caring. The performative emails and social media posts that exclaim commitments to equality and promises to change amount to nothing. Instead of funding increased supports for the most vulnerable members of our community, we build shrines to alumni. Instead of adequately funding student advisors, we rename a lounge and raise a flag. As students, we know that we have a choice to either fight or accept. Often, we accept, knowing that we’re unlikely to succeed.

To me, being a member of the community means the time I was invited to participate in a Smith House Colloquium on Free Speech. It means that when the senior admin were gathered in that living room trying to justify the idea of bringing Donald Trump to campus because “it would be huge for us,” I had to either speak up or maintain my relationship with the most powerful people at the university.

To me, being a member of the StFX community means the time when I sat in my office listening to a student cry for two hours because they had been made homeless by a residence suspension.

To me, being a member of the StFX community means when the university welcomes police to campus with open arms in the middle of the largest protests against police violence in history.

To me, being a member of the StFX community means the daily promises to change, and the daily failures to follow through.

StFX is not a community.

Being part of the X community means the time my neighbors in MSB all chipped in to buy care packages for each other during exams.

Being part of the X community means the creation of the Peer Support Program, solving a problem the university had failed to address.

Being part of the X community means the time that students organized the largest protest march in Antigonish history in support of Black Lives Matter.

Being part of the X community means the commitment to each other, and our willingness to change.

X is a community.

So, to the people who think I’ve rejected the StFX community, you’re right. I reject your Mulroney worship, your lies, and your failure to act. If you want us back in the fold, take a note from the students. Follow through on your promises, start treating us as partners in education, and listen when we tell you what’s wrong.

I go to StFX, but I belong to X.

Countdown to X-Ring - What to Expect

With November, the countdown to the much anticipated X-Ring Ceremony has started. The Ceremony takes place every year on December 3 and it is a tradition loved by the entire Xaverian community. It is celebrated as a traditional rite of passage for Xaverians that are moving into their next chapter of life. This year's ceremony brings many challenges as the StFX community fights the coronavirus pandemic. I sat down with Shanna Hopkins, Director of Alumni Affairs and Murray Kyte, Vice President of Advancement, to talk about what we can expect from this year's ceremony. The two had to introduce a number of changes this year to ensure everyone's safety, but ultimately these changes allow for us to keep the ceremony in person.

Murray explained that it was agreed that if the ceremony can be done safely it must happen as it is so important to the University and students. The plan for this year's ceremony is very indefinite, and new challenges may result in some changes to the ceremony. Hopkins also said that the plan was not concrete, she explained, “The plan is very fluid, and nothing is finalized.”

Both Murray and Hopkins are Xaverians themselves and understand the importance of the X-Ring and although there will be many changes, both are working very hard to ensure that the event can be the best it can be, while being as safe as possible. Hopkins explained, “It’s something that both Murray and I are very passionate about, as we are both Xaverians. We want to ensure there’s a way that we can safely and successfully host this event.”

Some may wonder why the X-Ring ceremony will be in-person, while the Fall Convocation will be virtual. It is important to understand it has nothing to do with priority, but simply risk management. Many graduates that will be a part of Fall Convocation are not currently located in Antigonish and are outside of the Atlantic bubble, while majority of the students that will be participating in the X-Ring Ceremony are currently residing within Antigonish, making it much more possible to have an in-person X-Ring Ceremony.

There is much thought going into planning the ceremony in order to ensure that everyone stays safe. As of now, the ceremony will have a very similar layout as the Xaverian Welcome but the major difference will be that while during the Xaverian welcome, students were spread out all across campus in different buildings, for the X-Ring Ceremony, they will be spread out within the Keating Centre. Students can expect to be placed in Coach K Court, The Auxiliary Gym, Conference Centre Rooms, and even the Auxiliary Rink.

The ceremony's traditional order will be flipped around, and the last part of the event will be receiving the ring. Within tradition, students will still get to receive their rings in the main Keating Centre, just in groups, at different times. Other changes from the past X-Ring ceremonies include mandatory masks, reduced stage party, and a limited number of guests and faculty. Students will also not be allowed to take group photographs after the ceremony. It is also encouraged that family and friends are not invited to StFX or Antigonish to ensure the community stays safe. Additionally, it will be a requirement to RSVP in order to attend as exact numbers are needed to successfully plan this event.

During the ceremony, students can expect to be socially distanced and to walk single file when going to receive their rings and during the lighting of the candles. It has also been announced that the Honorable Frank McKenna will be addressing the students during the ceremony.

Hopkins and Murray are working closely with Frank McKenna and his team to ensure he can attend the ceremony and are very hopeful he will get to speak in person as he is currently within the Atlantic bubble. Ultimately, it is essential for the StFX community to understand the importance of continuing to follow public health safety guidelines to ensure the community stays safe from the virus. StFX is in a very special position in that we can still have these types of events. Murray stressed, “A message I would give to the students would be to carry on with staying safe, keep wearing a mask, maintain social distance, wash your hands, keep doing all the things everyone’s been doing because it has allowed us to do things that nobody else in the country can do.” It is critical that we as a community continue to do what we have been doing in order for us to have this year’s ceremony.”

Meanwhile, as the organizers continue to think, plan and have many discussions with Public Health authorities, the StFX community continues to work together and follow safe practices to ensure the event can be held smoothly. Despite the many challenges faced when planning this special event, Shanna and Murray have been working very hard and understand the significance the X-Ring holds to students. Murray concluded by saying, “I’ve gotten a ring, Shanna’s gotten a ring, it is a unique, shared bond between all Xaverians around the world. Many try to replicate us, but they can’t, there is only one X Ring!”

Murray’s words hold true, despite the challenges we face as a community, we need to acknowledge how lucky we, as Xaverians, are to be able to still gather as a community and share the unforgettable experience of receiving the famous X-Ring that connects us all forever, symbolizes our hard work, friendships, and our one of a kind StFX experience.