As you might have heard back in late July, our university has received a record-breaking amount of funding from the federal government in order to establish a groundbreaking centre for regenerative medicine. Now that it’s time again to begin school, a lot of students are asking, what exactly is this all about? Continue reading “RECAP: U of T Receives $114 Million Grant for Regenerative Medicine”
Advance Screening of HE NAMED ME MALALA
CINSSU Presents an advance screening of HE NAMED ME MALALA on October 1st at Innis Town Hall, 8pm!
For a chance to receive tickets, email [email protected] with the subject code MALALA.
Synopsis: HE NAMED ME MALALA is an intimate portrait of Malala Yousafzai, who was wounded when Taliban gunmen opened fire on her and her friends’ school bus in Pakistan’s Swat Valley.
The then 15-year-old teenager, who had been targeted for speaking out on behalf of girls’ education in her region of Swat Valley in Pakistan, was shot in the head, sparking international media outrage. An educational activist in Pakistan, Yousafzai has since emerged as a leading campaigner for the rights of children worldwide and in December 2014, became the youngest-ever Nobel Peace Prize Laureate.
First-Year Anxieties
As a first year student, I’ve been experiencing a lot of anxieties from my transition from high school to university. Some things have been especially tough since I’m a commuter and I don’t seem to blend into the social aspects of university life as easily as residence students do. Therefore, I want to write this article as a way to document my experience and see if I can come up with solutions to my own problems. Continue reading “First-Year Anxieties”
UC Follies’ AGAMEMNON Review
The UC Follies’ adaptation of Agamemnon held onto the core values of the original play. To quote the artistic producer, Agamemnon “explores gender and power”, and incorporated the devotion to Greek gods and the seduction and destruction of war.
There is a clear disregard of a woman’s value throughout the play, especially between the chorus and the Queen, Clytemenstra. They honour her, but only in the King’s absence (a 10 year absence, and still they resent a woman in power). They say she’s “like wax, too easily softened”. Even the king, upon his return, says “A woman who fears nothing, is she a woman?” Well, to answer your question Agamemnon: hell yes.We think all women can relate to Clytemenstra with her sassy sarcastic adoration of her husband, and powerful defence of herself and her lost daughter (killed by her husband!). Continue reading “UC Follies’ AGAMEMNON Review”
Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Policy Recommendations to Repair Relations between Aboriginals and Canadian Government
Below is a summary of key policy recommendations made recently by the truth and Reconciliation Commission:
- HEALTH: An acknowledgement that the current state of aboriginal health is a direct result of previous government policies and the implementation of health-care rights for aboriginal people.
- EDUCATION: The creation and funding for new aboriginal education legislation, which protects languages and cultures and closes the education gap for aboriginal people.
- JUSTICE: A commitment to eliminate the overrepresentation of aboriginal people in custody and in trouble with the law, along with the collection and publication of data on criminal victimization of aboriginal people.
- PUBLIC INQUIRY: The creation of a public inquiry into missing and murdered aboriginal women and girls.
- MONITORING: The creation of a national council for reconciliation, which would monitor and report on reconciliation progress, as well as the introduction of an annual State of Aboriginal Peoples report delivered by the prime minister.
- LANGUAGE: The government is asked to implement an Aboriginal Languages Act and appoint a language commissioner in order to preserve and promote it.
- FUNDING: The report calls for $10 million over seven years from the federal government for the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation
- COMMEMORATION: The creation of a statutory holiday to honour survivors, their families and communities – and to ensure “public commemoration of the history and legacy of residential schools remains a vital component of the reconciliation process.”
- MEMORIALS: The report asks for funding for memorials, community events and museums, including a museum reconciliation commemoration program, to be launched in time for Canada’s 150th anniversary in 2017.
With files from the CBC.
Concert Review: Stromae
A crowd of two thousand gathered at TD Echo Beach last night to see the impeccably-dressed, French-singing Belgian electropop superstar Stromae. Until recently, I hadn’t heard of him either.
This changed when I lived with a French exchange student who introduced me to the “bête de scène” (their term for charismatic showman) and his infectious hip-hop sound. As the New York Times succinctly put it, “his music mingles electronic dance beats with hints of African, Latin and cabaret styles. He sings and dances with long-limbed aplomb; he’s a striking video presence with a flashy and sometimes androgynous fashion sense.”
Listening closely to (or Google translating) his lyrics reveals the deep and often sombre subject matter of his songs, with topics ranging from absent fathers, breakups, unemployment, gender stereotypes, social media’s impact on our relationships and, most recently, cancer. However, this does little to stop his fans from dancing like crazy. Stromae’s live vocals and spectacular audio-visual displays are legendary.
The tracks chosen for the concert strayed little from his biggest hits, Stromae likely aware that his Toronto audience would not be familiar with the lesser-known songs in his repertoire. He closed the show with a trippy extended drum solo and an a capella version of “Tous Les Mêmes”, showcasing his sheer talent and artistry on full display.
Aware of his Kanye-like, million-selling status in Europe, is was exhilarating to be fewer than twenty feet away from Stromae in this intimate concert venue. As the performance concluded and the crowds dispersed towards the streetcar, all anyone could say was that the concert had been “formidable”.
Mindfest 2015: Participate. Educate. Celebrate.
As the signature U of T Department of Psychiatry anti-stigma initiative, Mindfest is an annual event that promotes awareness and understanding about mental health and illness, as well as increase awareness of available community resources and services.
But does it offer what you’re looking for?
As a third year student with a keen interest in mental health and awareness, I would like to share my personal experience and understanding of Mindfest, along with other school initiatives to promote awareness about mental health and illness.
Mindfest is a full-day event that will be held at Hart House, in collaboration with U of T Student Health and Wellness, Hart House, and Workman Arts. It is a pan-university event in partnership with Ryerson and OCAD (with the inaugural Mindfest Walk leading from Hart House to the finale celebration at the Ryerson Quad!)
Present at the event will be several guest speakers including Emily Wright, Mark Kingwell, and representatives from the Kids Help Phone. Workshops and booth exhibits will be spread out throughout Hart House. This amazing line-up of speakers, presenters, workshops, and exhibits will have something for everyone. As a student, I am personally looking forward to listening to the success stories of the many, talented guest speakers that will be present. And of course, the yoga workshops and Student Showcase Discussion has me riled up and eager for October 7th!
Mindfest is open to the public, although the focus is primarily on educating students about mental health issues and concerns, while working to erase the stigma that those who live with mental illness face. The various exhibits at Mindfest will have plenty of information about resources available to students—both on and off campus.
So, do I think that Mindfest offers what you’re looking for? Absolutely! With the amazing line-up of speakers, exhibits, and workshops, I believe that Mindfest will offer something for everyone. Note the date in your calendars: Wednesday, October 7th, 2015. Come out and join us at Hart House for a day of fun, food and mindfulness.