Ay Lelum:
Remarkable would be the simplest way to describe the last two months for Ay Lelum. Snuneymuxw sisters Aunalee Boyd-Good and Sophia Seward-Good went from figuring out what to do next after a fire destroyed nearly all their clothing stock, to walking down a runway at their own show in New York—all in the span of … Continued
Publishing
I check my inbox outside my English classroom and see a new email from The Malahat Review. They’ve decided not to accept the short story I’d sent for their consideration. They say one of the characters was unrealized. I had cut a significant section building his character at the suggestion of one of my Creative … Continued
Daniel Elliott’s Winds of Change Exhibit
There is a timely new art exhibit on display in VIU’s Malaspina Theatre lobby. Stz’uminus First Nation artist Daniel Elliott’s Winds of Change was unveiled last Wednesday evening, the night before Canada’s first Truth and Reconciliation Day, and runs until October 8, then again from October 12-13. The exhibit turns a deliberate eye to themes … Continued
A Review of the Brontë Sisters’ Work
Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre might be a rite of passage for first-year English students at VIU. I’ve seen the university edition being read on the number 40 bus and in the hallways of building 345 before classes start. There are upwards of five copies sitting on the bookswap shelves in the Student Union building—it’s hard … Continued
Robert Hilles’ Book Launch
VIU Creative Writing and Journalism professor Robert Hilles has a book launch coming up this Sunday, October 3rd. The event will be for not one, but two new books: a novel called Don’t Hang Your Soul on That and From God’s Angle, a poetry collection. The launch will take place virtually, via a Zoom webinar … Continued
Eliot White-Hill:
The Vancouver Island University Library has become a home away from home for generations of students throughout their educational journey. It is the go-to place for researching topics ranging from ancient history to modern medicine, using the library’s printer to shoot out dozens of essays, or to lay on the floor and stare at the … Continued
The Show Must Go On
While all departments suffered from online and distanced learning during the academic year of 2020-21, VIU’s Theatre Department was struck a unique blow when the university was closed in March 2020. Students performing to live audiences from Malaspina Theatre’s stage could not be easily replicated over a Zoom call. Despite the circumstances, the department rose … Continued
What is Self-Care, Anyways?
The other day I opened Instagram on my phone and on a whim searched “selfcare.” I was surprised to see that 44.1 million posts had tagged #selfcare, and 1.4 million posts tagged #selfcaresunday. While scrolling through the vast array of photography associated with these hashtags, I found a post offering virtual healing (20 minutes for … Continued
Juno-Award-Winning Lillian Allen to Deliver Reading and Lecture
As part of VIU’s Global Citizens Week, Juno-award-winning poet Lillian Allen will be delivering this year’s Gustafson lecture, as well as hosting a student-oriented poetry reading. Coined the “godmother of dub,” Allen is VIU’s Gustafson Distinguished Poet for 2020-21. The reading will take place on Wednesday, February 10 at 10 am, followed by a Q&A. … Continued
The City of Nanaimo: Resilience Grant 2021
Nanaimo based artists, collectives, and non-profit organizations can now apply for the City of Nanaimo’s 2021 Resilience Grant. The Resilience Grant will provide the recipient(s) with a one-time award of $1k to $5k to support Nanaimo arts and culture among the changes brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, promoting community resilience. Julie Bevan, Nanaimo’s manager … Continued
Global Citizens Week
From February 8 to February 12 you’ll be able to see the world and learn about many different cultures from the comfort of your own home. VIU will be exploring topics of systemic racism and unconscious bias during this year’s Global Citizens Week, a week devoted to exploring issues of global development. This year’s theme … Continued
Lost and Found in Translation
Language is all too often taken for granted here in Canada. It’s easy to grow up in British Columbia and learn English by immersion—just by living in English-speaking communities and going to school. But learning a new language is difficult, daunting, and requires consistent effort. It’s always impressed me that many of my VIU classmates … Continued
Ratatouille:
When the COVID-19 pandemic forced the world into isolation, everyone had to find new ways to stay connected with the people they care about. For thousands of people around the world, a new way to connect and bond came in the way of making a “TikTok musical” about a rat named Remy. Now, the musical … Continued
Mask and Mingle Art Sale
Shawnda Mouffette of Mouffette Arts is having an original pop-up-shop art sale on November 28 and 29 from 1–4 pm. The Mask and Mingle event will be held at Jonny’s Barber Shop located in downtown Nanaimo at 309B Wesley St. Mouffette is a contemporary mixed-media artist, poet, and writer who attends Vancouver Island University. She … Continued