The Inside Scoop: What Sophia Fabiano and Ben MacKay Have to Say About the Upcoming Referendum

On April 2nd, a referendum will take place, asking students: “Are you in favour of increasing Student Union fees by 10% per year, every year for the next 5 years?” Sophia Fabiano, the current Student Union president, is the advocate for the “yes” vote, while Ben MacKay represents students who will choose vote “no.” Each representative has an Instagram account (@voteyes24 and @stfxfightthehike, respectively) where students can find more information about their positions. I was able to ask both Sophia Fabiano and Ben MacKay a series of questions to better understand their positions and beliefs about the upcoming vote.

Fabiano began by mentioning that the plan to raise Student Union fees has been in the works for the past three years. StFX currently has the lowest student union fees in Nova Scotia, and with the growing expenses associated with the services and events they provide, Fabiano mentioned that the raise is needed “to ensure that we are creating an equitable pay structure within the Union while maintaining the current quality of services.” The quality of such services does indeed seem to be at risk, as when I asked Fabiano about the specific allocation of the new funds should the referendum be successful, she mentioned that the Union would move to pay its employees on an hourly rate rather than by honorarium. She stated that the Union would move towards this regardless of the outcome of the referendum, meaning that should the vote end in a “no”, the existing budget towards events (resulting in cheaper tickets, number of events able to be hosted, and orientation activities) would be partially re-allocated to account for employee wages.

Fabiano wanted to stress that though they may seem high, the increase of the fees is minimal for individual students. The Union already raises their fees 3% annually, so the difference at the end of the five years would only be $86.31.

In opposition to her, Ben MacKay is an honorarium student employed by the Union. He stated that he knew of the plan to move employees to an hourly wage, but took issue with the phrasing of the question and how it would harm students. He points in particular to the current cost of living crisis, and claims that a jump of nearly $100 in Union fees is unacceptable. When asked about his motivations to represent the initiative to “vote no” in the referendum, MacKay pointed to the lack of engagement between the students and StFX and the Union, which he claims has been a “long standing concern for many.” Though the Student Union makes efforts, many students are too busy to keep up with everything going on, but MacKay claims that this referendum has the “potential to be different.” He hopes that it will encourage students to engage, and to “stand up and respectively say ‘No.’” Even if the referendum is accepted, MacKay stated that getting students to care about the issue is already an achievement he is proud of. Indeed, his Instagram account has gained over 160 followers, and he claims to be greatly encouraged by the support this support.

MacKay pointed to three main issues he has with the referendum. Firstly, he points to the loose wording of the question. Though the Union has stated the increased fees will go towards paying honorarium students better, MacKay claims that the broadly phrased question does not tie them to this at all. Currently, the Union has yet to release a cost plan, and MacKay believes students deserve more information about where their money is going. Secondly, he has issue with the referendum being framed as a fight for honorarium students. He states that it is a matter of the whole student body, and as an honorarium student himself, wants to emphasize that the referendum does not speak for him or “many others” on the issue. Lastly, MacKay claims that he does not believe it to be fair to make these changes “on the back of students” while they are already struggling with high tuition, rent, and grocery prices. He asks: “Why can students not have one thing that is not excessively expensive?” The Student Union is meant to fight for student interest, and MacKay argues that this potential change will not benefit many people outside the walls of the Student Union building.

To end each interview, I asked both Fabiano and MacKay what they would say to a student opposing their position. Fabiano focused on what the Union does and how increased fees will help them in their projects which will in turn benefit students. She stated that:

“The Student Union benefits every Student. We advocate to the government to increase student affordability. We've seen wins from our advocacy efforts, such as funding for Open Educational Resources to reduce textbook costs and the elimination of interest on Canada student loans. We've also been a part of advocating for increased international student working hours and Student Financial Aid Grants like the one-time grant seen this fall in NS.”

She emphasized that the Student Union allows for students to have a democratic input, which is the reason they put the increase in fees to a vote.

MacKay reaffirmed his belief that this increase would not be a help to students who are already trying their best to “keep their head above water.” He also emphasized the importance of knowing where the funds would go, stating:

“Why don’t we know more about how much each of these things are going to cost? Students should know what their money will be spent on, and not just the broad strokes goals. They deserve to know, right down to the dollars and cents. I think the burden of that information belongs to the U and I find it to be—quite frankly—a failure of the organization’s mandate that it’s not been more readily available to the people.”

The outcome of the vote and its consequences are yet to be seen, but as both Fabiano and MacKay mention, it is important for students to have a say. Students can vote online on April 2nd for whichever position they feel most aligns with their needs and values.

Dogs, Crafts, Puzzles, and More! The StFX Library Shows That it is More Than Just a Place to Study

With paper season in full swing and exam week looming ahead of us, it can be hard to get a break from the stress that all students are undoubtably feeling. But the library and their wonderful staff have our back, with a collection of de-stressor activities that are designed to put the over-worked mind at ease.

The first of these activities is the library Lunch and Knit Wednesdays, happening every Wednesday from 12pm–1pm on the first floor couches. This event was brought to campus by Samantha Read, a liaison librarian with a knack for crafting. Knitting and crochet have been proven to reduce stress and blood pressure, as well as decrease symptoms of depression, anxiety, and even chronic pain. Sam shared that she started the knitting hour initiative in part to share her love of the craft with others who were interested. Even outside of exam season, university can give students a lot of stress, and having a time where they can relax and chat with like-minded crafters is great for improving mental health. And even outside of all the health benefits that knitting and crochet have, it’s just plain fun. It’s a great opportunity to meet new friends and learn a new skill. Sam shared that she’s already taught one student to knit and is looking forward to sharing her skill to even more!

But if knitting or crochet isn’t your thing, there’s plenty of other de-stressor activities that are being organized by Grace Bourret, another liaison librarian here at StFX. A fan favourite are the Therapy Dogs. This year, a group kind and fun-loving greyhounds will be brought into the first floor of the library to fill your study break with fun. Just a few minutes with a dog can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, and give you the energy you need to make it through exams. They will be in the library during the following dates and times:

-       December 5th 3pm-4pm

-       December 8th 11am-12pm

-       December 11th 11am-12pm

-       December 14th 3pm-4pm

If you’re feeling crafty, try out the StFX Winter Wishes. The library has partnered with the R.K. Macdonald Nursing home and will be setting up tables for students to make holiday cards that will be delivered to the nursing home to spread holiday cheer. Running from December 4th-18th, stations will be set up at the library, the Kiknu Indigenous Student Centre, as well as various pop-up locations around campus where students can participate and give back to the community, allowing them to take their mind off exams.

But we must employ our body alongside our heart, and with that in mind, the StFX library brings us Movement Breaks. These will be 15 minutes sessions of gentle stretching led by Sam Read to work out the tension that comes from being hunched over a table studying all day long. Starting on December 5th, these will take place every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday at 2pm on the main floor of the library in the Special Data Resource Centre (a staff member at the front desk can point you in the right direction if needed).

Now that we are engaging out bodies, we must do so for minds as well—but in a fun way, don’t worry. The library offers students two options who want to take a break while keeping their minds engaged. The first is Relax in the Stacks. In the fourth floor art lounge, students will have the choice of crosswords, sudoku, colouring sheets, or puzzles. This will run from December 4th-22nd. If this doesn’t strike your fancy, there is also the World’s Easiest Book Club. On the first floor of the library, a relatively short book is on display for students to give a quick read through. After, they can use a sticker to rate the book for themselves. Amongst all the academic studies and peer-reviewed articles students are meant to read, this is a great way to remind you that reading doesn’t always have to be a serious affair and that there is still some fun to be found in it!

Of course, we can’t forget the Whiteboard Question that is posted in the entrance foyer of the library. The question is changed every Monday and ranges from “what is your favourite study song” to “what are you looking forward to most about the holidays.” It’s a fun way to connect with other students and see what our community is interested in.

We cannot thank the Angus L. Macdonald library and their amazing staff—particularly Grace Bourett and Samantha Read—enough for setting up all of these wonderful activities for students to enjoy. We hope that you get a chance to go and try them out them before leaving campus for the holidays!

Antigonish Puts Students at Risk of Large Fines with the Introduction of the “Nuisance Party By-law”

On October 11th a special meeting of the Antigonish town council approved the new “Nuisance Party By-law.” This move was inspired by a similar by-law instated in Wolfville in 2019. In simple terms, this new by-law gives enforcement officers a substantial amount of power to act against party hosts and party goers, allowing them to hand out offence tickets and large fines to anyone attending a gathering that is considered a “nuisance.”

The by-law outlines the penalties for any offence or failure to comply as “not less than four hundred dollars ($400.00) for a first offence, not less than six hundred ($600.00) for second offence and no less than nine hundred ($900.00) for a third and any subsequent offences.”

The bill defines a “nuisance party” as “a gathering on property which, by reason of the conduct or any one or more of the person(s) in attendance, is characterized by any one or more of the following elements:

a)     Public intoxication;

b)    The unlawful sale, furnishing, or distribution of alcoholic beverages or other controlled substances;

c)     The unauthorized deposit of litter on public or private property;

d)    Damage to public or private property;

e)     The obstruction of vehicular or pedestrian traffic or interference with the ability to provide emergency services;

f)     Sound that is unusual or excessive, or that is likely to be unwanted by disturbing to persons, as described in the Town of Antigonish Noise Control By-Law;

g)    Unauthorized open burning as described in the Outdoor Fire By-Law;

h)    Public disturbance, including confrontations or violence;

i)      Outdoor public urination or defecation; or

j)      Use of or entry upon a roof not intended for such occupancy.

To be clear, any gathering that meets even one of these elements will fall under this new by-law. Hosting or attending a so-called “nuisance party” is all the riskier, as enforcement officers have significantly more power than in previous years.

For instance, upon receiving an order to discontinue the party, it is expected that every person who is not a resident of the property leave immediately and for the party to cease. This is outlined in section 5.1 and 5.2 of the by-law. Failure to comply may result in a first offence ticket. However, section 5.3 goes on the explain that this order must only be given within a “reasonable amount time” following the violation. This means that a party may be classified as a nuisance without the host being made aware for an unspecified amount of time. Under these conditions, it is possible for a person to receive multiple offences without realizing they have already been issued one, resulting in large fines stacking atop each other.

Further complications emerge in section 7.4. This section makes clear that the offence of a nuisance party is attached to the property, not the residents of the property. This creates cause for concern for students, who switch in and out of rental properties every few years. If the tenants in the previous year had received an order to discontinue a nuisance party, any offences on behalf of the new tenants (within a 2 year timeframe of the original order) would be treated as a subsequent (second, third, etc.) offences, even if it was their first. Thus, they would be “subject to higher fines.”

It is unclear that the by-law has any large restrictions against the power of enforcement officers. The by-law seems to give the right to act to any officer who believes on “reasonable grounds” that an offence has been committed—which could be as simple as attending a party that has a few stray cans lying around. Even in these circumstances, the party could be considered a “nuisance” something that is up to the discretion of a singular individual.

Other offences in which a ticket may be given include but are not limited to: hosting a nuisance party, allowing a nuisance party on their property, failing to leave after having been directed to leave, standing or sitting upon a roof, hanging a poster or banner with “offensive language” in a public place, or “promot[ing] the unsafe consumption of intoxication substances.” The full list can be found in the linked PDF at the bottom of this article.

Whether or not the by-law will be followed in the strictest sense (for example, receiving an offence because there are a few stary cans around the property), remains to be seen. Because the decisions are largely left to the discretion of individual officers, a lack of consistency on what is deemed a nuisance is likely. Rather than a strict guideline outlining how students will be charged for specific acts, the bill acts more like deterrent. Officers may not take all the actions they are permitted through the ambiguous wording of this by-law, but the important part seems to be that they could.

A PDF copy of this by-law is linked here.

StFX Holds Sisters in Spirit Take Back the Night

After a series of delays and an eventual cancellation of the previous year’s rally, many students welcomed the event’s reappearance on October 4th as a part of Consent Awareness week. This year, the event was part of an initiative by the Native Women’s Association of Canada, joint with our own Visable@X team and the Office of Indigenous Student Affairs, bringing StFX the first ever Sisters in Spirit Take Back the Night. It is a protest for the right to take back spaces that have been exclusionary and harmful in the past, particularly to those who have faced some form of gender-based violence or discrimination. The school emphasized the importance of this rally by saying that they take the safety of StFX students and staff very seriously and are prioritizing sexual and gender-based violence prevention on campus.

The event began with poster and button making along with face painting on the fourth floor of the Student Union Building. Those gathered then left for to be joined by others on the football field for the rally and speech of guest speaker Andrea Curry.

The rally began with the introductions of Alyssa, a Visable@X coordinator, Lauren a Visable@X Peer Educator, and Kylie, an Indigenous Peer Mentor, who began the ceremony with a land acknowledgement to her people, the Mi’kmaq, and the recognition of October 4th as the National Sisters in Spirit vigil. She recognized those who stood united to honor the lives of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, two spirit, transgender, and gender diverse individuals.

Lauren took the stage next, and spoke on how the number of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls is close to 4000, emphasizing that some have misconstrued these numbers in the past to “avoid taking action.” Her speech was followed by Alyssa welcoming the guest speaker, Andrea Currie, to take the stage.

Andrea Currie is Saulteaux Metis from the historic Metis homeland in southern Manitoba, and is currently living in Unama’ki (Cape Breton). She is a writer, musician, and psychotherapist who has been working for the past 20 years in the Mi’kmaq community; her teachings focus on the colonial trauma of Indigenous peoples. She began her speech by touching on her experience within the white feminist movement of the 80s, stating that there were “painful moments” and “challenges to overcome” as the movement had to make space for women of colour to “participate on [their] own terms.” White women had to acknowledge their privilege and allow the movement to be changed as women of colour spoke up and took positions of leadership. She continued, saying that women have learned about the connections and differences between them that make working together “richer and stronger” than ever before. She recognized the fact that the joint gathering for Sisters in Spirit and Take Back the Night was evidence to her point.

Though much work has been done, there is still more to do. Currie spoke on the history of violence by the RCMP against Indigenous people during colonization, saying that these actions are the basis on which our law enforcement systems are built today. Racism, homophobia, and transphobia make queer and gender-diverse individuals of colour the most vulnerable of all people today, yet they are unable to trust the police because of the systemic violence that has been wielded against them throughout history. Currie called out those who hold positions of power, saying that they are not willing to give up the violence that they use as a tool against women and gender-non conforming people. Those who live in fear are the most easily controlled, but she identified this as the reason for gathering that night. Showing those who have positions of authority that they are not afraid is the first step to taking back the power that has been used to control them.

Currie ended her speech by speaking on the missing and murdered Indigenous women, saying that the immediate reactions to the COVID-19 pandemic showed that change could come quickly if those in power saw it as a priority. Change can come through ensuring that the call to end violence against all women, as well as queer and trans individuals, is a priority. These communities should not have to live in fear and or be distrustful of the systems that are supposed to protect them. She finished by thanking the male allies who were at the rally and standing with those affected.

Closing the rally was Hannah Dykeman with the performance of two songs—Labour by Paris Paloma, and Mother Mother, and an original she wrote about looking to the generations of women who came before and asking “what’s next.”

A march around campus then began, and a chance to connect with fellow like-minded individuals followed in the Student Union Building. Standing up against fear and having these sorts of conversations are what is needed to move forward in the fight against gender-based violence. Though there is more to be done, StFX is taking a step in the right direction.

StFX Cheerleaders Win in Competition for the First Time in Eleven Years

When hearing the words ‘StFX cheerleaders’ the first group that comes to mind is likely the team that cheers on StFX’s athletes. This is the ‘blue team,’ and what many students may not know is that StFX has a second cheerleading team, named the ‘white team.’ Instead of performing at sports games, the white team competes around the province against other university cheerleading teams. On March 4-5, they took on their first competition of the season in Truro, NS, winning the first-place medal for the first time since 2012.

Cheerleading competitions run over the course of two days, with a performance of a pre-existing routine on each day. For this competition—named Maritime Meltdown—each performance constituted 50% of the team’s final score. A university cheerleading routine normally consists of a school cheer, multiple stunt sequences, a pyramid, a jump section, both running and standing tumbling, as well as a dance portion near the end—though this is optional as it no longer contributes to the final score.

On March 4th, the cheerleaders met in the Keating Centre before heading off to Truro. Once there, the athletes had time to finish getting ready, explore the convention centre, and watch other’s performances. Cheer competitions feature teams of various ages competing at all levels and provide an opportunity not just to compete and show all the hard work put in throughout to year, but to connect with others in their shared community.

After a quick warm-up and run-through of their routine, the StFX cheerleaders ran out to take their places on the competition mat. They were cheered on by family, friends, members of blue team, and even next year’s Student Union President Sophia Fabiano, a former cheerleader herself. During their performance, the athletes hit one of their best routines of the season, a success that was closely followed the next day. Though confident in their routine, the team would not know their final scoring until the awards ceremony Sunday afternoon.

Because of Covid-19, there has not been an in-person competition since 2020, right before the pandemic hit. This meant that the competition setting was new to a lot of first-time cheerleaders who had only started the sport in university. Amber Thibodeau, a third-year student, and second-year athlete, mentioned that “it was super great to have finally cheered in person after competing online last year.” The new environment was exciting, but combined with the knowledge that StFX hadn’t won a competition since 2012, pressure was at an all-time high. However, the hard work of the athletes pulled through and they heard their names called as the champions of their level, walking away with first-place medals in what one athlete, Hailie Sock, called an “exciting moment.”

The StFX cheerleaders surprised many judges and coaches in the crowd with their high-level skills, and Emily Hubbard, one of the team’s captains, called the experience “amazing…especially knowing that no one was expecting us to show up the way we did.” Hailie Sock echoed this, saying that their performance was “reflexive of all the hard work we put in over the year.” The team practices three times a week, and many members balance a job and a full-time course load on top of this. Their dedication proves the love they have for their sport and their team. Ashley Howe, a second-year athlete, expressed her excitement about “making history for StFX cheerleading.” She continued, saying that cheer “pushes me to keep going for the future of the sport and for the university.” The team was indeed making history as the last win had been eleven years ago. As Howe put it, they are “breaking boundaries and proving to everybody that we aren’t just a student-run club, and we can do big things.” This win could be the start of a new future for StFX cheerleading, so keep an eye out and continue to cheer on your cheerleaders, both in games and at competition!

The team’s coaches, Claire Schofer, Wynona Farrell, and Kaitlyn Anderson, all expressed how proud they were of the team, with Schofer making this closing statement:

“I am incredibly proud of my wonderful athletes and their performances at Maritime Meltdown! We dealt with various adversities this school year, but the team had a continuous desire to work for something we thought was just a dream. The coaching staff has been working a lot behind the scenes for this to happen, but at the end of the day, our athletes won this for themselves and for each other. Many people complimented our performances and our athletes’ conduct at the event which was incredibly rewarding. Several young girls approached us, expressing their admiration for us as university cheerleaders. I sincerely hope our program can continue to grow and succeed for years to come. This win breaks a long streak of losses and I hope it sets a standard for our program.”

The Role and Importance of the Black Student Peer Mentors at StFX

StFX’s Black Student Advising Peer Mentors are a dynamic group of four Black Students from both African Nova Scotian and International communities. As a division of the Black Student Advising Office, these peer mentors are on the ground with the students, giving information and support wherever it is needed. This includes academic help, assistance with scholarship applications, planning events and community building, providing support for Black students, as well as just being there if a student needs someone to talk to. The mentors hold office hours—both in person and virtual—where any student is free to visit and get the support they need.

I had the opportunity to interview one of the Black Student Advisory Mentors, a fourth-year honours psychology student named Akua Amankwah-Poku, who further shared about her experience in the role.

Amankwah-Poku is an international student from Ghana and mentioned that when she first came to StFX, she knew she wanted to be involved with the school and in the community. In her first year, she joined the BLACC Student society and attended many of their events. Through this, she was able to meet many other students and play a role in the community. In the summer of 2023, a posting was put out for the role of the Black Student Mentor, and Amankwah-Poku said this “gave [her] the opportunity to be involved in the school and do something for students.”

She voiced the impact of the student mentors, speaking on the importance of “knowing the service is available.” The role is new to StFX’s community, and Amankwah-Poku mentioned that in her earlier years at the school, she felt that she did not always get the support that she needed. With the existence of the Black Student Advisory Mentors, StFX is taking a step to establish more supports for Black students. Amankwah-Poku further spoke on the importance of knowing that this resource is in place, and how being able to be a part of it and help the students who will come after her is very impactful. The Black Student Advisory Office and Black Peer Mentors are always looking for ways to “improve and make it better for the next generation of Black students.”

In recognition and celebration of Black History Month, the Black Student Advising Office planned a calendar of events to celebrate African Heritage. Amankwah-Poku spoke on the events and said that her favourite was the Black Cabaret at The Bauer Theatre. The event took place on February 4th and featured performances ranging from live music to spoken work and poetry. The aim was to provide a safe space for students to engage in self-expression and to see what Black StFX students and community members have to offer. Amankwah-Poku had the chance to share some of her poetry and express herself through her work and mentioned that the experience was very “empowering,” both for herself and for others. She said that hearing poems from others and seeing their perspective was “impactful and powerful,” and that the experience was a “very cool and vulnerable moment.”

To close off the interview, Amankwah-Poku stated she would love to host more information sessions, including some about the research grants, bursaries, and the different opportunities that are available to Black students. Bringing more awareness and letting Black students know about these opportunities is something she feels is very important. Amankwah-Poku is passionate about her role as a Black Student Peer Mentor as well as the opportunity to build and support the community for both current and incoming Black students. She and the other Black Student Peer Mentors are always available to help any students in need.

Flourishing at the Art Gallery: The Strengthening Resilience Exhibition

Earlier in January, the StFX Art Gallery, in collaboration with Flourish@X, put out an open call for art to be displayed in their upcoming “Strengthening Resilience” exhibition. In a message sent out to the student body, the groups spoke on how mental health experiences, though personal and unique, are “rarely solitary.” Connections with people, places, and shared experiences can help students focus on their surroundings, brighten their outlooks, and feel less alone. The Strengthening Resilience display aims at helping students form these connections and at presenting the experiences fellow students have had with their mental health.

Flourish@X is a health promotion program run through the StFX Health and Counselling Centre. The program supports mental health and promotes well-being on campus through Positive Psychology. It consists of a mix of workshops, events, and activities available on campus that aim to build students’ personal development. Many students may know the organisation through the monthly programming that takes place in the Bloomfield Centre.

With the assistance of Amelia Smith, the StFX Art Gallery curatorial intern, Flourish@X invited students to submit digital photographs of their artwork and/or physical objects that reflected their experiences with mental health in relation to the self, the natural world around us, and the communities with which we surround ourselves. The goal was to create an exhibition that celebrates the connections that continue to influence and strengthen our health journeys.

The dates for submission were January 17-18, with the exhibition running from January 23-27 in the gallery in Mulroney Hall, where the art submissions will be projected on a large-screen format. The event will be a part of StFX’s Mental Health Awareness Week. Visitors will have free admission, and though masking is encouraged, it is not mandatory.

The art displayed in the gallery will also be accessible in the Angus L. MacDonald Library lounge room via an iMac monitor and on the Flourish@X and StFX Art Gallery’s social networking sites, including Instagram and Facebook. The artwork presented in all locations will be featured in a digital format. One aspect that makes this art exhibit even more unique is the featuring of artistic videos, all of which will be two minutes or less.

Students every year face hardships in their individual and academic lives that can impact mental health. It is important to recognize this, and with this new art exhibition, StFX is taking another step in acknowledging and supporting the struggles students experience. If you have a spare 30 minutes, the exhibition is definitely worth checking out to support and connect with fellow students on campus!

Innovation in Achieving Healthy Equity in Rural Nova Scotia: A Conference by the StFX Health Society

Achieving health equity has been an ongoing process throughout Nova Scotia, and at StFX, the Health Society has been leading the conversation. In efforts to spread information and increase these types of discussions, the student-run society will be hosting a conference on January 27 from 7:00 to 9:00 pm in the Schwartz Auditorium. Titled “Innovation in Achieving Healthy Equity in Rural Nova Scotia,” the conference will feature six changemakers of various expertise. Each will give a short presentation about their work related to current gaps in medicine and health in rural Nova Scotia, as well as share some of their innovative solutions aimed at achieving health equity. A panel discussion will follow the presentation period, focusing on how rural communities can make meaningful change in achieving health equity. The conference will feature a Q&A period with the audience members.

I was able to speak with Sophie Bezanson, the Co-Vice President of Conferences and Events of the Health Society and a co-organizer of the conference. She mentioned that the society wanted a conference that would “create a difference in the community”. They recognize that there are “so many wider social factors that impact an individual’s or a population’s health” that are often overlooked, and Bezanson spoke on how she wanted to “spotlight these issues and identify the challenges and barriers to achieving health equity in rural areas.” The conversations taking place during the conference will be a step towards “focus[ing] on the solutions and how we can move forward.”

The panelists speaking at the conference will include the following professionals: Dr. Ajantha Jayabarathan (Dr. AJ), Dr. Amy Grant, Dianne Oickle, Sarah-Marie O’Toole, as well as a representative from both the Nova Scotia Brotherhood and Sisterhood Initiative.

Dr. AJ is a family physician and director of the Coral Shared-Care Health Center. She is also an Assistant professor at Dalhousie University, where she developed a program named GeoView. The program is a virtual mapping tool that uses Geographic Information System technology to standardize health collection data. With this information, primary care providers are able to have a unique visualization of the social determinants of health.

Dr. Amy Grant has a Ph.D. in Social and Developmental Psychology and is the Senior Health Policy Researcher at the Maritime SPOR SUPPORT Unit. Here, she leads and supports mixed-methods research, with her most recent project focused on pharmacist prescribing, collaborative family practice team implementation, transition of care for pediatric patients with chronic disease, and the mental health impacts of COVID-19.

Dianne Oickle is the Knowledge Translation Specialist at the National Collaborating Centre for Determinants of Health. She has extensive experience working in the public health field as a registered dietitian and is a frontline health practitioner. Her work focuses on mental health promotion, community engagement, intersectoral practice, movement building, digital equity, and equity in environmental public health.

Sarah-Marie O’Toole is a Physician Recruitment Consultant with the Nova Scotia Health Authority in the Eastern Zone. In their previous role as a Community Navigator, Sarah supported the arrival, settlement, and integration of new physicians and their family members into the Antigonish community. Their work follows a “people first” philosophy, focusing on the individuals and families coming to Nova Scotia and acknowledging the many factors contributing to a satisfying and fulfilling life.

The two representatives from the Nova Scotia Brotherhood Initiative and the Nova Scotia Sisterhood Initiative, Preston Matthews and Elizabeth Nkrumah, will share information about their work. This includes providing culturally appropriate primary health care services to individuals of African ancestry. The Initiatives provide rotating clinics in various Black communities in the Central Zone. Additionally, they run programs that focus on improving health literacy, social determinants of health, health advocacy, and building capacity for individuals to develop health leadership and stewardship.

Bezanson closed by saying that it is easy to see the state of our medical and healthcare system and be deterred by the challenges present, but that “there are a lot of opportunities to be innovative and create change for the better.” Conversations like those that will take place at the conference are helpful to identify the barriers that do exist and will put “more of a positive spin on it” with the solutions they can provide. Bezanson remarked that coming together and having these discussions goes to show that “change is possible” and that it “needs to happen in order for our population to be as healthy as it can be.” The conference on Innovation in Achieving Health Equity in Rural Nova Scotia is just the first step on the road by StFX Health students and activists—like Bezanson—to solving issues surrounding health equity in rural Nova Scotia.

Black Student Advising and Mentorship Program at StFX

The Black Student Advising Office is an organization that promotes and honours the rich and diversified African cultures here at StFX. They work to organize events to celebrate those cultures, as well as support, advocate for, and guide students of African descent in their journey in university. Students of any race, faith, or culture are welcome to join in on their activities and take advantage of any of their resources, which include—but are not limited to—academic supports, advising services, and financial resources. People of African descent have a long and vibrant past in Nova Scotia, and the Advising Office wants to recognize the communities who have called Nova Scotia their home, as well as those who have been marginalized within it.

Recently, the office has gone through a few changes, and the previous role of the African Descent Student Affairs Coordinator has been remodeled into the new position of the Black Student Advisor. These are students who provide one-one one support for Black and African Nova Scotian students who may be struggling with organizational, study, and/or time-management skills. They work further to assist students with tutoring services and course content. Advisors also celebrate Black culture by hosting on-campus activities for all to enjoy, and work with stakeholders to ensure that these events promote culture and diversity to the highest degree. Additionally, they help connect students with volunteer opportunities and various mentorship programs. The top priority of a Black Student Advisor is to address students’ needs in any way they can to help them thrive in both their post-secondary years and post-university careers. Black Student Advisors provide many services and supports to encourage students to achieve success. StFX affirms that Black lives matter and have spoken about their wishes to address the issues of colonialism, racism, and sexism. Black Student Advisors are here to mediate and advocate for Black and African Nova Scotian students for concerns relating to culturally sensitive and academic issues.

The Black Student Advising office is located on the fourth floor of the Bloomfield Centre & Students’ Union Building in the Diversity Engagement Centre. This is a space that aims to support traditionally underrepresented and marginalized groups on campus. For more information, students can visit the Black Student Advising Office’s Instagram @stfxblackstudentadvising or visit their web page https://www.mystfx.ca/equity/black-student-advising.

Creating the It’s Okay Campaign with Josh Kroker

StFX is a university known for its partying, even having been named as “Canada’s top party school” in a Macleans article from 2017. Intrinsic to Xaverian culture is “Wing Night” at the Inn or a night out at Piper’s. But how does this impact students? Many people new to the university may feel overwhelmed and pressured to keep up with others. This is especially true in residences for first year students new to the school who may never have been exposed to anything like this before. There are a few alternatives for students who want to spend a night in, but this doesn’t change the pressure they may feel from peers. This is where the It’s Okay Campaign comes in. The Campaign was created by Josh Kroker, and I had the chance to sit down with him to learn more about the future of the project. Kroker is a second-year student in the Public Policy and Governance program. He is heavily involved in the StFX Student’s Union, having been the first-year rep last year, and a representative on the Board of Governors this year. 

The campaign’s goal is to combat toxic culture on campus surrounding drugs, sex, and alcohol. It acknowledges the pressure students feel to engage in activities with which they may not be completely comfortable. Kroker emphasized how, instead of telling students what not to do, the campaign aims to change mindsets and let students know that it’s okay to take a night off. When asked if the campaign provides alternate option for students, Kroker said he “hope[s] to work with the Keep it Social Ambassador and with Res Life to get some activities going and to future grow the movement.” The campaign doesn’t tell students that it is bad to drink or to go out for a night at the Inn, but instead lets students know it’s okay to take part in other activities instead—that “it’s okay to just meet up and go for a walk and call it quits and do your homework.” The inspiration for the creation of the It’s Okay Campaign came from Kroker’s own experiences in his first year. He mentioned how “a lot of the time I felt like I didn’t take a night off, and I didn’t live a sustainable life in order to keep in balance my academics, my social life, my extracurriculars, and I got really tired and really sick part-way through.” He reflects how his experience likely isn’t unique to him. Many students feel as if this partying lifestyle is the only way they can get to know and fit in with others. Having a healthy outlet, and knowing that it’s okay to take that out, is invaluable.

Kroker further mentioned working with the Student Council, Res Life, and the department under Elizabeth Yeo, the head of student services at StFX. He also explained that he reached out to community leaders back in his hometown of Lethbridge, Alberta. He has gotten insight from many people eager to help grow a healthy community and is ready to get it up and running.

Currently, Kroker said he is focused on a poster campaign to further spread word about the program. Over 70 posters will be put up around campus residences, including the Somers and Power Hall apartments. He mentions that the campaign is still “in its infancy,” but he hopes to continue to help it grow. The original plan was to see the launch of the program happen before homecoming. Unfortunately, this timeline did not work out, but Kroker spoke about how he is trying to get it started by X-Ring or the week students return from Christmas break.

When asked about the future of the program, Kroker said they were starting with small goals. Right now, the focus is getting the posters up around campus, as well as getting into different activities with Keep It Social and Flourish at X. He spoke of how this is a long-term process, not a short little “fix”. Eventually Kroker said he hopes “to spread this around to different universities.” He further mentioned that he wanted to get connected with Students Nova Scotia, and from there, launch the program to “Students Alberta, Students Ontario and we can grow this even more.”

This is, of course, the long-term goal. Presently, the focus is the launch at StFX and growing the campaign from the ground up. The hope of the movement is to make students feel less pressure to have sex or consume alcohol and drugs. It has a lot of support from various groups on campus and a passionate creator paving the way. StFX has a strong party culture, and only time will tell of the promising potential of the It’s Okay Campaign.