Chinatown-based non-profit organization integrates seniors into society

There are often many barriers that prevent seniors from living their best lives. Health complications are one part of the picture, but loneliness, advocating for one’s needs, and a lack of agency are challenges as well. For immigrant seniors who might face a language barrier, that can make all of those things even trickier to…

Langara College, AFOA Canada & BC Celebrate their first cohort of Indigenous graduates in financial management

The graduation of an inaugural Indigenous cohort with a Financial Management certificate paves the way for a new generation of Indigenous financial leaders. Last month, snəw̓eyəɬ leləm̓ Langara College, AFOA Canada and AFOA BC announced the graduation of their first cohort of Indigenous students with an AFOA Indigenous Financial Management Certificate. “The program has always…

A welcoming invitation for Truth and Reconciliation Day

For upcoming Truth and Reconciliation Day on September 30, the Nisga’a Ts’amiks Vancouver Society sends out an open and inclusive invitation to all for hope, healing, celebration of culture, tradition and storytelling. Held at John Hendry Park, Trout Lake from 1 pm, the event will commence with a land acknowledgment and opening remarks with a…

Many people have biased perceptions of EDI leaders: study

For the past decade, companies across North America have paid more attention to supporting equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI). This has prompted many organizations to create a leadership role fully dedicated to advancing EDI – so much so that between 2015 and 2020, the job title “head of diversity” increased 107 percent on LinkedIn. By…

Indigenous Cultural Programming at Britannia – Building a safe, comfortable place, cultivating Identity, belonging and respect for all

As we move forward to a new season, the Fall 2023 Program Guide is out for the Britannia Community Services Centre in the Grandview-Woodland area of Vancouver. The centre is a space aiming to promote values of fostering identity and belonging, diversity, social justice, reconciliation and sustainability for residents of its locale and the larger…

Microplastic pollution: Plants could be the answer

Could plants be the answer to the looming threat of microplastic pollution? Scientists at UBC’s BioProducts Institute found that if you add tannins – natural plant compounds that make your mouth pucker if you bite into an unripe fruit – to a layer of wood dust, you can create a filter that traps virtually all…

Wellstream: Safe strategies for youth and teens

Although population data studies indicate the prevalence of mental health and substance use among youth and teens has been relatively stable over the past years, there has been a worrying increase in the harms related to substance use. In the face of these challenges, Wellstream: The Canadian Centre for Innovation in Child and Youth Mental…

Truth and Reconciliation is not a single outcome but a generations-long journey

Indigenous peoples have experienced a long history of injustice and mistrust because of colonial legislation and policies in Canada. The Canadian state’s relationships with Indigenous Peoples have never been based on recognition of Indigenous Nations as sovereign, equal partners. Legislative and policy agendas enacted by the federal government, and other levels of government, have systematically…

Cognitive challenges tackled – a youth’s perspective

Opportunities for high schoolers to gain experience in university labs are few and far between. However, after reaching out to Simon Fraser University’s (SFU) Institute for Neuroscience and Neurotechnology (INN), Advaith S. Iyer, an eighth-grade student from Alpha Secondary School’s BETA Mini School program, had the chance to conduct his experimental study—testing the cognitive load…

A promising bioplastic made from B.C. coastal seaweed

“Canadian farmers use 62,000 tons of plastic products and packaging annually and the Agrifoods industry accounts for 1,900,000 tons of plastic products,” says Ranah Chavoshi, a Simon Fraser University (SFU) biologist specializing in Phycology (study of seaweed). The 29-year-old British-Columbian with Persian roots is doing something about that problem. Drawing on her phycology expertise she…