Nearly one in five sports participants experience or witness unfair treatment or discrimination, according to new Stats Canada survey

While conversations continue to arise about discrimination in sports, new data from Stats Canada suggests that discrimination in sports, particularly along the lines of race and sexuality, is still a substantial issue. These discriminatory behaviours can take many forms and act as a barrier to participation in sports for racialized people, the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and…

Intergenerational cultural sharing, with a side of gnocchi

In the last century, plenty has changed about cultural attitudes towards Italians in Canada. While they no longer face widespread discrimination, Italian-Canadians once faced intense levels of prejudice. So as Italian culture becomes more accepted in the country over time, what role does an Italian cultural club have in 2024? For Gordon Hotchkiss, co-chair of…

Beating back plastic together Local undergrad spearheads community effort to understand microplastics at Vancouver’s beaches

Helen Wong has found a way to blend community advocacy with greater environmental understanding. The environmental science student at Simon Fraser University (SFU) brought in over 20 volunteers to aid her undergraduate thesis project, which looks to learn more about the impact and extent of microplastics on Vancouver’s coasts. After winning a $1500 Ocean Actions…

Keeping the spirit of Finland alive in the Lower Mainland

For over 50 years, the Vancouver Finlandia Club (VFC) has been an important point of cultural connection for the Finnish community in the Lower Mainland. Based out of the Scandinavian Community Centre in Burnaby, the VFC hosts year-round activities to bring the community together and celebrate Finland and Scandinavian culture. They also offer Finnish language…

The building blocks of a good life

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…

The rich history, isolated present and hopeful future of Vancouver’s Black community

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…

Casey Mecija shares the sonic potential in Filipinx diaspora

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…

Building bridges of empathy and understanding: Theatre Terrific champions inclusivity in performance art

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…