Portal 2022
VIU’s student-run and full-colour annual literary magazine is going to be celebrated in-person for the first time in three years thanks to the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions. The launch of the new issue will celebrate the accomplishments of the nearly 90 VIU student contributors since 2020. Portal 2022, on newsstands across the country in May, … 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
A Ghostly Walk by Lantern Light
What’s the best way to celebrate Halloween? Dressing up? Watching a scary movie? How about a ghost tour? I went on my first Haunted Nanaimo Lantern Tour several weeks ago. The tour is put on by the Nanaimo Museum and snakes through downtown Nanaimo, stopping at some of the city’s oldest and most haunted buildings. … Continued
Off to the Polls:
The polls are open again! For VIU Students’ Union (VIUSU) elections, that is. From Tuesday, October 19, to Thursday, October 21, students can choose who they want to represent them at VIUSU. The voting will take place electronically via a unique link emailed to every VIU student. Votes can be cast at all hours until … Continued
VIU Webinar to Address Housing Crisis
VIU’s October 14 Engaged Citizens Speaker Series will address a crucial topic: housing. Housing was already an issue before the pandemic, but with job losses and economic uncertainty due to COVID-19, it’s become a struggle for many Canadians. The Engaged Citizens Speaker for the webinar, Leilani Farha, believes access to safe and affordable housing is … 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
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