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
Holistic Energy Care Workshop
Personal energy levels and how to maintain them can be different for everyone. With the pandemic still in full swing, acknowledging when your energy levels are low, and knowing how to build them back up is more important than ever. Noelle Hanuse, VIU counsellor, is giving a workshop on Wednesday, February 24 to help people … Continued
The New Drug Testing Method That Could Save Lives
The opioid epidemic has worsened all across North America in recent years, mostly due to fentanyl-related deaths. Both medically prescribed and illegal opioids have propelled the crisis. The Public Health Agency of Canada states, “Since the early 1980s, the volume of opioids sold to hospitals and pharmacies for prescriptions in Canada has increased by more … 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
In Plain Sight
“You’re going through withdrawal, it’s from all the alcohol you people drink; you’ll have to wait for your booze.” An Indigenous woman recalls hearing these words yelled at her from across the recovery room after she underwent surgery for a brain aneurysm back in 2018. She was one of many Indigenous people who shared their … Continued
Mount Washington is Now Open
As 2020 draws to a close and the pandemic rages on, many are looking forward to their favourite snow sports as a means of escape from the shadow this year has cast on us. One by one, as ski resorts around the province open up, it’s clear this winter season is going to look a … Continued
The 16 Days of Activism Campaign
VIU is participating in the 16 Days of Activism Campaign that aims to eliminate gender-based violence. The United Nations (UN) campaign to end violence against women begins on November 25 each year (the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women) and runs until December 10 (Human Rights Day). The campaign indicates that violence … Continued
Continuing the Conversation on Mental Health
In this “new normal,” it’s difficult to imagine a time when a desolate VIU Nanaimo campus was anything but standard. Conversely, a November reading break at VIU is still a fairly new concept. For those unaware, on November 5, 2018, Spencer Stone Shutes tragically passed away after falling from the fifth floor of VIU’s Nanaimo campus … Continued
VIU Mariners Suspend All Activities Due to COVID-19
VIU Mariners Athletics and Recreation has cancelled all activities until November 30, including intramurals, Outdoor Recreation, and weight room access. The decision was a precautionary measure due to the surge of COVID-19 cases in BC, Danielle Hyde, the interim director of athletics and recreation, said in a letter emailed to VIU students on November 17. … Continued
Beyond 2020 Job Fair
If you’re a student looking for meaningful employment during a time when it seems scarce, you are in luck. Beyond 2020: Vancouver Island Career and Connections Fair is a virtual job fair co-organized by VIU, Royal Roads University, North Island College and Camosun College. The all-day event takes place on November 19 and registration is … Continued
Together Alone
The fall semester will soon come to a close as VIU students complete their first full semester of online schooling. Although many students have returned to school, they have not returned to the normalcy of what they expected or what they wanted—they have returned to something many are calling a waste of time, a waste … Continued
Turning Setbacks Into Goals
If you’re looking for inspiration on how to not only be an exemplary citizen in your community, but in school and in your personal life, look no further than VIU student Vantaisha (Taish) Tommy. Tommy is being recognized for her community service and commitment to her studies after being awarded the Mike Coleman Award for … Continued
HOECUS POCUS Halloween Drag Show
If you thought that Halloween events were canceled this year, you were wrong! The Queen’s, located in downtown Nanaimo, is hosting two Dark CarniEvil themed drag shows put on by Divine Girl Productions on Friday, October 30. The first show runs from 5:30–7:30 pm and the second from 8:30–10:30 pm. Both shows are hosted by … Continued
BC Overdose Death Number for the Month of September
According to the latest reports published by the BC Coroners Service, this past September, 127 people have died in BC due to suspected illicit drug overdoses. That number equates to 4.2 overdose deaths per day in the month of September alone. This number represents a 112 percent increase from the same month in 2019. However, … Continued