Outgoing: Jesus is my dad, not just the writing on an alarm clock i found once on my first day as Editor

Warning: Some sentences in this editorial actually mean the opposite of what they read literally.

Last Friday morning, while checking Arthur’s email account from home, I heard a slow rumbling sound. As the sound became louder, I realized that this was no ordinary sound, but rather, the sound of God. Read: the sound of many white people reenacting the stations of the cross to the soundtrack of The Last Samurai.

Addressing Violent Attacks on International Students: a letter from President Franklin

I am writing in response to an opinion piece published on March 29 by Ayesha Asghar regarding the actions taken following a series of assaults in downtown Peterborough in 2009.

On December 1, 2009 I issued a statement from the President’s Office expressing my sadness upon learning of these assaults in the Peterborough community that involved Trent international students and caused concerns about the safety of Trent students. In response to these incidents, I met with victims of the assaults and I assembled a Trent team to address these concerns.  

Arthur content - and student interest - can be improved

I like reading Arthur. However, over the past few years, I have found myself repeatedly frustrated while reading our student newspaper. My problem is not the opinions presented in the paper; my frustration arises from the way Arthur tends to present its articles and opinions. This letter was inspired by the article, “Vancouver’s Tent City Fights Back,” from the March 8, 2010 edition, though I could have chosen from many examples written by several writers.

Re: Cultural Outreach 2010, Whose Cultural Ways?

First of all, we are very happy with Alex’s compliment on our performance. It has been a while since the Vietnamese group last participated in Cultural Outreach. Needless to say, we are pleased that our dance was warmly received by the audience.

Ontario budget: $310 million a year for universities, colleges

A $310 million increase in annual provincial funding for post-secondary education this year will add 20,000 new spaces to Ontario’s universities and colleges.

Antigua ruling invalidates election: Voting delayed by as much as six hours in some locations

A dramatic ruling by High Court Judge Justice Louise Blenman last week has created a political quagmire of sorts in the twin-island Caribbean nation of Antigua and Barbuda. There is now uncertainty as to who constitutionally holds the reigns of power in the government, with both the governing United Progressive Party (UPP) and the Opposition Antigua Labour Party (ALP) staking claim to the right to govern.

Turtle Talk

Listening to my family stories has revealed to me one thing; our People have always been farmers. Like my grandparents before me, I have been keeping my own garden at home.

Lately I have been educating myself on the very real issue of genetically modified foods and the future of the legal battle that farmers are losing over their right to grow their own seeds.

The Pines

I felt his energy shift as soon as we arrived at the bottom of the hill, and he become quiet. We drove up the hill towards the Pines, leaving behind us the small French village. Instantly, I felt the energy of the small Kanienkehaka community.

Kchi’maadwin Naadmaadwin ngii debinaan - Anishinabemowin

Kara Kennedy ndizhnikaaz. Minawaasige Kwe nda Anishinaabe nooswin aawan. Wikwemkong ndoonjibaa, Ngojwaning megwaa ndi daa. Mkwa ndoodem. Anishinaabe Kwe ndaaw. Trent Gchi Kinoomaage Gamig ndonnji kinoomaadiz. Aapijo ngitchi nendam nango.

Ziisbakdoke Giizis

Maple syrup harvesting is a traditional gathering of Anishinaabe peoples. The ninaatig (maple tree) is known as the leader of all trees of the forest, as it provides the first medicine food of the spring; ziisbaakdaaboo (sap).

New photo exhibit by Charlie Gregory

Landscapes, crucifixes, hard working people, road kill, and beautiful sea scapes of the Pacific and the Sea of Cortes.  This exhibit is, in its own small way, a comment on the culture of this part of Mexico. This show is currently on display for one week at Dreams of Beans on Hunter St.

The Cream of the (Last Three Years’) Culinary Crop

Well, dear readers, after four wonderful years at Trent, it appears that I will be graduating at the end of this academic year. Thus, I say with considerable sadness, this will be my final instalment of Culinaria. Over the course of the last three years, I’ve had the amazing task of reviewing and writing about almost three dozen of Peterborough’s best (and worst) restaurants, both emerging and established. It’s truly been a great gig, and one that I couldn’t have done without all of your support and feedback!

Why aren’t my Flex Dollars flexible?

I want to take off my Associate Editor’s hat for a moment and retreat into my role as a first year on-residence international student. I am paying $15,000 for one year’s tuition at Trent, and $7,500 for a room on residence. As part of my on-rez housing fees, I was obligated to select a meal plan. That was non-negotiable; the university had already graciously negotiated on my behalf with the food service provider Aramark. Together with the consultation of students on the Housing and Food Services Commitee, they were able “to select an amount of flex dollars that [would] be reasonable for the majority of students living in residence.” This of course, I suppose, while ensuring that Aramark was able to stay in the green, considering the sterling quality and invaluable service that they provide to us on campus.

Tracing the history of Cultural Outreach at Trent

I would like to thank Maryam for her letter in response to my review of Cultural Outreach 2010. By bringing the readers’ attention to the “hallmarks of this incredible TISA production year after year,” she encouraged me to learn more about the background of Cultural Outreach at Trent. On the TISA website, this event is described as an opportunity for International students “to express and share their views, concerns, issues and opinions about their culture, and life at Trent.”

Listings

Saturday Afternoon Blues Jam April 10, 2-5pm Pigs Ear Tavern, Brock St between George and Water. Fundraiser for Survivors Abreast Dragon Boat Team.  “Suggested” $2 at the door.

RE: Cultural Outreach 2010, Whose Cultural Ways?

I was disappointed but not surprised to hear criticism of Alex Lord’s review of the Cultural Outreach 2010 performance. I do not think that Alex lacks any appreciation of diversity; she is merely expressing concern about the direction in which these representations of “traditional” ways are being taken in regards to the larger issue of making multi-culturalism work in this country, as well as on a global scale. As an arts reporter, Alex has been commissioned to give a critique of a performance based on her impressions.

On-Campus Collection

Hey, that’s a great shirt you have. Have you ever wondered how much work was put into that single article of clothing – like the cutting of the fabric, the stitching, and the embroidery on the designer’s tag? Somewhere in the world, all of this was being done just for you to pay $15 for that shirt. Weird isn’t it, how we never think of these things.

Stop light still needed near bus stop

At the beginning of this semester, I wrote an article in both Arthur and the Peterborough Examiner concerning a situation that was putting Trent students’ lives at risk every day. Just to recap, the article was addressing the decidedly dangerous bus stop along the parkway leading to the university. Since arriving at Trent in 2006, I witnessed one of the two incidents of students being hit by cars in the exact same area. Both of these accidents occurred in front of the Olco gas station near University Heights, just before the Tim Hortons.

CFS-Ontario Releases Final Report on Campus Racism

On March 23, the Ontario branch of the Canadian Federation of Students released the findings of its Task Force on Campus Racism. The report and the recommendations made by the task force are the result of hearings conducted on 17 Ontario campuses from February to October 2009.

End of Year Interview with Trent’s President

This past week, Arthur sat down with President and Vice-Chancellor Steven Franklin to discuss several of the most important issues facing the Trent community today, including the  reductions to the academic calendar, recent attacks on students, the operating deficit, and what further budget cuts will mean for the institution.

FARC Releases Two Hostages in Three Days

On Tuesday, March 30, Corporal Pablo Emilio Moncayo, of the Colombian Armed Forces, received his freedom after being held captive for 12 years by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). After a two hour delay due to bad weather, a commission of Colombian church representatives, members of the International Committee of the Red Cross, and Colombian Senator Piedad Córdoba, mediator between the FARC and the government, took off in Brazilian helicopters to rescue Moncayo after his release into the jungle.

Indigenous Environmental Studies: explores learning inside & outside of the classroom

The Indigenous Environmental Studies program had visitors at Trent University during the week of March 15. Ron Plain, from Aamjiwnaang First Nation, which is near Sarnia, Ontario and Dorothy Goldin-Rosenberg from Toronto, came to share their experiences in working with First Nations and mainstream environmental catastrophes. I’d first met Ron at a First Nations youth symposium on the environment, and that’s when I learned of “Chemical Valley,” which is what locals, and many others, call the Sarnia area because of the 60+ petrochemical plants surrounding the First Nation community. Research within the community has confirmed a skewed birth ratio, which means that for every boy born, there are two girls being born. And there are numerous health-related issues the community deals with everyday, from asthma to cancer. Ron was a helping hand in creating the Environmental Health Committee of Aamjiwnaang, and now works as Project Manager of Turtle Island Environmental Resources at Environmental Defence.  

Basket Making Workshop Held on Campus

On Saturday March 20, and Sunday March 21, there was a basket-making workshop in the Gathering Space taught by Theresa Cook-Dearhouse. The baskets were made from splints of black ash trees, and some with braided sweet grass. Splints are harvested from black ash trees, cleaned, cut to desired widths, and weaved into baskets. Those who participated in the workshop got to make a basket starting with cleaning the splints and ending with beautiful baskets. Theresa is from Akwesasne, and learned how to make baskets from her mother. Today, she and her husband, David Dearhouse, make baskets together. The Mohawk word for basket is “athere.” Athere is a wonderful part of Indigenous culture and those at the workshop were able to experience it.

The Importance of Indigenous Language Revitalization

Indigenous languages are an integral portion of Indigenous identity. There are some who base their whole frame of Indigenous identity on their ability to maintain, revitalize, and learn their Indigenous language. The current situation in Indigenous communities is that there is a greater and greater amount of people who have lost and are losing their language, and this becomes perpetuated as each generation gets older. Fluency rates have dropped to new and unsustainable levels within Indigenous communities. As the television generation matures into the Internet generation, the opportunity to speak Indigenous languages steadily declines.

Interrogating WebCT

Last semester, I hit a bump in one of my Indigenous Studies classes. I handed in an essay in hard copy form only on the date it was due, forgetting to also submit the paper via WebCT. This resulted in my paper losing 50% of its grade. Although the paper was re-marked based solely on its content, the experience raised questions regarding how Indigenous knowledge is viewed within academia.  

Ode’min Giizis Just Over Two Months Away

As I watch Ruby crouch to take a picture of our new neighbour-friend Quinn, the amazing parrot who sings, spreads his wings, and smacks kisses for cheesies (and he’s not alone here), I laugh in spite of the uneasiness that the three-nagging-school-assignments-nugget in the pit of my stomach provides. Yes folks, it’s that time of year.

Sofie Campus

I want to steal a car and drive through every red light in Peterborough singing Joni Mitchell until I lose my voice. I need the music to push me around and keep me here for a few more weeks.

“The wind is in from Africa.”

Trent celebrates the launch of Professor Emeritus John Hillman’s new book

On the evening of March 31, over 25 members of the Trent and Peterborough communities gathered in the Trend café at Traill College to celebrate the launch of Trent Professor Emeritus John Hillman’s book, The International Tin Cartel.

Where your ink cartridges go to die

Have you owned every generation of iPod? If the answer is yes, chances are you haven’t kept them all. North American consumers put a lot of effort into procuring the latest gadget, but not much thought towards disposing of them safely.