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As a B.C. and Lower Mainland-based organization that has been providing Canadian newcomer-immigrants with settlement services for 45+ years, MOSAIC has had a long and storied history. Yet, the organization is still venturing to shuffle government priorities for improved support regarding immigrant welfare. On Nov. 17 2023, MOSAIC CEO Olga Stachova spoke to the House of Commons…
What started with two musicians looking to find a way back into music after suffering sports-related injuries, has become a foundation through which artists of all abilities are encouraged to create music. The Vancouver Adapted Music Society is a space where adaptive technology is used to give those living with disabilities the opportunity to learn,…
It’s important to clarify the real purpose of SOGI is to protect children, says Travers, a professor of Sociology at Simon Fraser University. SOGI (sexual orientation and gender identity) resources provide information with the intention of teaching children inclusivity. “Our goal is to keep children safe from sexual violence and sexual harm, and not talking…
Every February, people across Canada and the U.S. celebrate Black History Month to honour and uplift the legacies of Black communities. This year, advocacy groups, like Hogan’s Alley Society (HAS) and University of British Columbia’s Black Student Union (BSU), are not only highlighting Black voices, but also Vancouver’s history of anti-Black racism. Hogan’s Alley, from…
Sounds are all around us, from conversation to music to the noises of everyday life. Critically thinking about sounds and going beyond our conventional perceptions could help us better understand experiences different from our own and spark healing and creativity within and between communities. One such community is the Filipinx diaspora, whom the media, academia…
Part 1 in a series highlighting the intersection between disability and arts in Metro Vancouver. For almost four decades, Theatre Terrific has been pioneering inclusivity through performance art. Through classes, workshops and productions, the Vancouver-based theatre group leads an inclusive approach to theatre performance, not just for its audiences, but for performers with a range…
As the world considers what role mineral extraction will play in climate adaptations and a decarbonized future, deep sea mining (DSM) has caught the attention of private companies and many low-income countries as a source of critical resources and potential profit. However, ocean scientists, including Rashid Sumaila, a UBC-based lead author of a new report,…
SFU scholar Nawal Musleh-Motut wants to “will the impossible,” and she’s hoping her recently published academic book, Connecting the Holocaust and Nakba Through Photograph-based Storytelling can help make it a reality. The SFU fellow in Social Justice and Decolonization borrows the phrase from late Palestinian-American scholar Edward Said, referring to the bridging what often feels…
With approximately 10 per cent of Tamil Canadians living in B.C., this month (Jan. 27) recognizes the presence of Tamil culture – with a celebration at Genesis Theatre, Delta – and its contribution to the multicultural fabric of B.C. and Canada. “We need to keep the tradition going because it is important. We shouldn’t forget…
Chinese Canadians make up a significant part of Canada’s history, but this fact is often forgotten when people talk about Canadian heritage. To remedy that oversight, the Chinatown Storytelling Centre exists to inform the public about this important part of our past and its contemporary legacies. Situated in the middle of Chinatown, the Storytelling Centre…
Unhoused individuals have continuously been at risk of losing their belongings and, as the colder weather continues, many look for solutions. A report released last month by UBC, SFU and the University of Ottawa examines the issue and suggests potential remedies. According to the report, approximately 10 per cent of people in Canada can be…
Non-binary youth in Canada avoid participating in team sports due to significant obstacles and discrimination, according to a new Simon Fraser University study. Only 11 per cent of non-binary youth in Canada currently participate in an organized team sport, according to the 2023 Canadian Non-Binary Youth in Sport Report authored by Martha Gumprich, Master’s student…
There still remains a continued need to better understand the struggles of those with disabilities, and to build inclusive societies that dignify their experiences. On Dec. 3, the UN’s annual International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) returns with the theme of sustainable development. “You can learn a lot about what other people need by…
