Part of Something Bigger
When I first came to VIU’s Nanaimo campus, I was told “the science students stay at the top and the trades students keep to the bottom.” I’ve found this detached mindset prevalent at VIU, making it difficult to feel as though I’m part of a broader university community. The Canadian Collegiate Athletics Association (CCAA)’s Women’s … Continued
The Fight for Fairness
The province of BC has opened its doors for international students to access education in the province, with former Premier Christy Clark pushing to increase international student enrollment in BC by 50 percent back in 2011. The quality and expense of that education has recently been in the spotlight, however. The BC Federation of Students … Continued
A Say on Services
March is usually a busy month for VIU students is with assignments, exams, and final years getting ready to graduate. This year, there’s something else important for students to remember—the VIU Students’ Union (VIUSU) referendum and elections being held online March 1–3, 2022. While VIUSU elections are twice a year, the student referendum is something … Continued
The Role of the Preserved Poem
Acclaimed poet A.F. Moritz is the 2021–2022 Ralph Gustafson Distinguished Poet at VIU. Moritz has written over 20 books of poetry, most recently As Far As You Know (2020). He has won many awards including the Griffin Poetry Prize and the Guggenheim Fellowship, and was nominated three times for the Governor General’s Award. He is … Continued
A Rich and Majestic Land
VIU’s Engaged Citizens Speaker series returns on February 8, 2022, with an important human rights issue—climate change. Sheila Watt-Cloutier Siila’s presentation Re-imagining a New Way Forward with Intention examines climate change and meaningful action from an Inuit perspective, drawing upon her own activism and experiences. Born and raised traditionally in Kuujjuaq, Nunavik (northern Quebec), Watt-Cloutier … Continued
Figuratively Speaking
The View Gallery has a new exhibition with a special message. Now through February 12, Figuratively Speaking: A Journey Through Movement is open to the public on the Vancouver Island University campus. The collection is the final project for Visual Arts student Pam Vickars’ curatorial course. Although it ended in December, she chose to have … Continued
Action and Accountability
The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence Campaign returns to VIU this year. The United Nations Campaign, which is marking 30 years, runs from November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, until December 10, World Human Rights Day. It promotes awareness of violence against women, children, and gender-diverse people … Continued
Home for the Holidays
The National Stage Company of Canada’s Home for the Holidays: A Nat King Cole Christmas will be at the nearby Port Theatre in downtown Nanaimo for one night only on December 5—and The Navigator will be giving away two tickets! Touring Vancouver Island December 3–13, Home for the Holidays features New York actor, singer, and … Continued
Reporting and Reconciliation
Connie Walker is the speaker for VIU’s seventh annual Indigenous Speakers Series, in partnership with CBC Radio. She will present her talk “Exposing the Truth: Journalism’s Role in Reconciliation” on Monday, November 22 at 6:30 pm in Malaspina Theatre on VIU’s Nanaimo campus. Over the past decade, Walker’s work has focused on Indigenous voices and … Continued
Emergency Contraception
This article features talk of sexual violence and sexual assault. Information and referral services for victims of crime and immediate crisis support can be accessed by calling or texting 1-800-563-0808. The article also discusses abortions. I have always been told not to believe everything I see on TV, but when it comes to learning … Continued
Angela Traynor
Angela Traynor flips through a sketchbook of paint colour samples and pencil drawings over a live stream on Twitch, the camera trained on her work desk. She banters with her viewers about crochet and cross-stitching as they fill up the comment section. “That’s rad!” she says when someone comments they’re teaching themselves how to knit. … Continued
Rainbows
A nine year old girl whose parents have divorced steps into a room and sits next to another child, an eight year old boy whose mom has just passed away. An older lady walks into the room with coloured jars labelled with different feelings: red for angry, blue for sad, green for scared, yellow for … Continued
