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COVID-19 and the battle of ‘Vaccines’: Are we in the clear yet?

Modeline Longjohn
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COVID-19 and the battle of ‘Vaccines’: Are we in the clear yet?

Since COVID-19 first surfaced in Wuhan China, about one year ago, the world has been plunged into a waiting game. Waiting for what, you might ask? Waiting for real answers, real solutions to this ever-evolving situation.

In a worldwide race against time, thousands of scientists from all over the world plunged into hardwork-mode, working tirelessly, to find a cure and/or a vaccine. To enable them design vaccines, scientists embarked on experiment upon experiment, to unravel the enigma that was SARS-CoV-2. They needed to understand SARS-CoV-2’s viral properties and key aspects of its biology. Furthermore, they needed to uncover the exact mechanism of infection and evasion of the immune system, as well as potential vaccine and drug targets. These targets were to be the starting points of the vaccine design process.

At the moment, there are at least fifty active vaccine research efforts in countries across the globe, with different targets and proposed mechanisms. With these concurrent efforts, different vaccines are at different phases, as shown in the “COVID-19 Vaccine tracker“.

However, there finally seems to be a light in the tunnel of darkness that has trailed the arrival of COVID-19. United States’ based drug-maker Pfizer announced recently that it had developed a vaccine with an over 90% efficacy rate. This vaccine, which was developed in conjunction with German company BioNTech, is based on the use of a synthetic messenger RNA, to activate the immune system. Days later, another pharmaceutical company, Moderna also announced that it has designed a vaccine with over 95.4% efficacy, also based on a synthetic messenger RNA. In coming weeks, results are expected for a vaccine designed via a collaboration between Oxford University and AstraZeneca. For these vaccines, adequate peer reviewed publications, with clear scientific data to back up their success stories are also expected.

However, in reality, this news of vaccines may not be the end of the world’s COVID-19 woes. At least, not yet. Why? Well vaccines are not magic instruments. Between the initial design of vaccines and their rollout for use, there are multiple steps, each of which may take anywhere between weeks to months to complete. The steps include: preclinical trials, phase 1 safety trials, phase 2 expanded trials, phase 3 efficiency trials, early or limited approval, which precedes the approval process by the appropriate administrative bodies. These phases are all important, to ensure that the final vaccine is both effective and safe for use.

Though in some cases, some phases can be combined, in order to speed up the vaccine development process, the process does not progress until specific efficacy and safety criteria are met. So, despite the progress of these vaccines, and the other vaccines that are currently at different phases including Zydus’s DNA based vaccine, CureVac’s mRNA based vaccine, Imperial College, London/Morningside’s self amplifying RNA vaccine, Angese’s DNA based vaccine , we are still a very long way from being free or safe. This is only a promise of sunshine, not sunshine itself.

The success of vaccines, and other news of people who have been infected a second time by SARS-CoV-2, raise questions about how vaccine administration will need to be arranged, if they are to provide the needed protection. Overall, with each new answer that comes, more questions follow. So as far as COVID-19 and vaccines are concerned, scientists and by extension, the world are still several questions away from answers. Therefore, for the time being, the solution to fighting this pandemic, remains sticking to the laid-out guidelines. With the arrival of the second wave in many parts of the world, including here in Canada, using face-masks, hand sanitizers and all the other guidelines remain the only answers we can trust for now.

“We Will Remember Them”: Remembrance Day in Newfoundland

Kaitlyn Woodley
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“We Will Remember Them”: Remembrance Day in Newfoundland

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them.

Excerpt from “For the Fallen”, a poem by British poet Lawrence Binyon (1869-1943). This stanza is often read before the bugler plays “The Last Post” at Remembrance Day ceremonies. You can read “For the Fallen” here.

Remembrance Day is a sombre yet important day for Canadians, and Newfoundlanders in particular. On November 11th at 11:00A.M., people across the country observe a two-minute moment of silence to honour soldiers who have fought and died in service of our country. For Newfoundlanders living in a province so afflicted by World War One, Remembrance Day is extremely notable.

Why November 11th?

On November 11th 1918, more formally “at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month”, an Armistice signed between the Central Powers (Germany, the Ottoman Empire, Austria-Hungary and Bulgaria) and the Entente powers (led by France, Britain, and Russia) vowed to end World War One. Although fighting actually continued past that date, Commonwealth nations observe November 11th as Remembrance Day.

What does the Poppy signify?

Leading up to Remembrance Day, citizens wear Poppies to show their respect for fallen soldiers. Poppies are a wildflower, fields of which were often encountered by soldiers during the First World War. Serving as a symbol of Remembrance Day now, the Poppy is an important feature of ceremonies as citizens can pin their poppies to crosses as a sign of respect.

Many Canadians are familiar with Dr. John McCrae’s (1872-1918) poem, “In Flanders Fields”. McCrae served as a doctor under the Canadian flag in World War One and wrote the poem as he witnessed poppies growing wild amidst the torn battlefields. The poem is linked here, if you desire to read it.

Newfoundland significance

Newfoundland was a feature of World War One, and not as a province. Until 1949, Newfoundland was a Dominion of Britain. In 1949, Newfoundland joined the Confederation of Canada to become a province. During World War One, over 12,000 Newfoundlanders would serve under the British flag alongside other colonies.

The importance of Remembrance Day for Newfoundlanders is tied into July 1st – Memorial Day (better known as Canada Day across the country). On July 1st, 1916, the Battle of Beaumont Hamel took place, beginning the greater Battle of the Somme. Beaumont Hamel ended up decimating Commonwealth soldiers, and Newfoundlanders – known as the Royal Newfoundland Regiment – were no exception: “Of the some 800 Newfoundlanders who went into battle that morning, only 68 were able to answer the roll call the next day”. This devastating loss of young men severely affected Newfoundland’s culture and economy. Most families of Newfoundland descent have a relative who died in World War One.

The Colonies

When discussing Remembrance Day, it is important to address the role colonization played in spreading World War One. European colonization is what turned World War One from a ‘European’ war to a ‘World’ war. Colonies, Newfoundland included, were impacted by the war as they had to fight for their colonizer’s flag. For example, once Britain declared war, Canada, Newfoundland, India, Australia, New Zealand, and all of the other colonies also had to go to war. Here is a resource link from the British Library where you can learn more about the colonies in World War One.

This Remembrance Day…

While this Remembrance Day will not feature parades or gatherings due to COVID-19, citizens should pause at 11:00A.M. for a moment of silence. CBC and local Legion branches outline ways to pay respects here. Take the time on this Remembrance Day to think about the effects war has had, not only on the province of Newfoundland, but the world over, and consider the gravity of the lost human lives war has caused.

$25-a-day childcare: What it means for daycare operators

Kaitlyn Woodley
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Newfoundland Labrador Premier Andrew Furey released a province-wide plan for $25-a-day childcare within the 2020 budget. Starting in January 2021, the province’s already existing Operating Grant Program (OGP) will update, further subsidizing daycares to reduce the cost of childcare for families. During this time of economic insecurity, families are struggling and the high cost of childcare has always been an issue. As of 2017, the average cost for a toddler’s childcare in St. John’s per month was $955, or around $33 a day with OGP in place. This expense increases for parents with multiple-child homes.

As an attempt to make childcare more affordable, the Furey government has released the $25-a-day childcare plan, with $3 million already put forth for 2020 and a commitment of $12 million moving forward, and looks to create 8000 affordable childcare spaces. In other words, families will pay $25 a day for any child and the government will subsidize the rest of the money required by the daycare.

While a move toward affordable childcare is critical and is a recognized need from all, the plan has left some daycare owners wanting more information. Gail Sullivan, the owner and operator of Happy Times pre-school, says that even with the OGP she has been left without pay in order to pay her employees and cover her centre’s costs. While she is happy with the province’s devotion to affordable childcare, she is left to figure out how she will care for children on $25 a day from parents while waiting for subsidies. She also references the lack of accessibility of infant care in the province. Since infant care is extremely costly for both centres and families, most centres, including hers, are unable to accept infants into their care. This leaves a gap between the end of maternity leave and the beginning of daycare eligibility. Paid maternity leave ends after 18 weeks, but children often cannot be taken into care in Newfoundland Labrador until they are 18 months old, leaving parents stuck with no childcare. As an ECE, Sullivan says she loves her career, but struggles to find it financially viable due to her centre’s small size.

MUN’s childcare centre accepts subsidy and primarily accepts children of students, faculty and staff of the university. A representative from the centre was unable to be contacted to discuss how the $25-a-day plan will affect them, but since the centre is a non-profit, perhaps their financial situation is unique from other centres.

Interview with Newfoundland Filmmaker Melanie Oates

Timothy Parsons
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Interview with Newfoundland Filmmaker Melanie Oates

The first-time feature film written and directed by Newfoundlander Melanie Oates, Body and Bones, has arrived on iTunes Canada and On Demand. Filmed in Witless Bay and St. John’s, NL, Body & Bones is an emotional coming of age journey that follows Tess (Kelly Van der Burg), a young woman stuck in her small town in the care of her mother’s boyfriend after her mother’s passing. Withdrawn from her life, the one thing that comforts Tess is the music of Danny Sharpe (Joel Thomas Hynes), a local musician who left town twenty years ago.

The film has been screened in several film festivals, including the St. John’s International Women’s Film Festival, Phoenix Film Festival, Victoria Film Festival, Whistler Film Festival, and Cinefest Sudbury International Film Festival. It was also shown at the FIN Atlantic International Film Festival, in which Joel Thomas Hynes won the David Renton Award for Outstanding Performance by an Actor.

I had the opportunity to talk to Melanie about the making of the film and her filmmaking career.

Who are some of your cinematic inspirations?

Andrea Arnold, Lynne Ramsay, and Sofia Coppola are all big influences of mine. When gearing up to make Body & Bones, Fish Tank by Andrea Arnold was a visual reference for me and my cinematographer, Jordan Kennington. We really admired the way the camera moved in that film and how it allowed the viewer to remain in the lead character’s perspective. I’m in awe of the mastery of Lynne Ramsay’s visual style, the subdued nature of the dialogue and characters, and how she allows subtext to speak volumes. Though her style is quite different from Arnold’s and Ramsay’s, what I love about Sofia Coppola is how she infuses her films with whimsical elements and the way she explores femininity. Those were all things we, humbly, aspired to in making this film.

How did you get your start in filmmaking?

I guess there’s a couple of answers to that question. I first discovered my interest in filmmaking when I decided to take Film Studies as my minor when I was going to MUN. I found studying films as a text, like the way we analyzed novels in English classes, to be very exciting and gave me a better appreciation of film as a real, complex art form. Though I didn’t aspire to make films until a few years later. My first job on a set was in the costume department of the TV series Republic of Doyle. I spent a lot of time watching directors work and watching what goes into getting something made. The experience of being on set gave me an idea, at least, of the process, the skills required, and the confidence to give it a go.

Are there any particular challenges to filming in Newfoundland?

There are some practical challenges, like access to crew, equipment, cast etc. It’s especially difficult if there are multiple shows shooting at once because the people and the gear just won’t be available. But otherwise, it’s more or less the same. If anything, a nice advantage to shooting here is that people are so supportive. If you’re looking for a location, to rent someone’s house, for background actors, people are very enthusiastic to be involved. In some other places I’ve worked there’s not that same kind of community support.

Where did the idea for this film come from?

It’s hard to say where exactly an idea comes from. It starts as a little flicker in your mind and then becomes a bit of a compulsion and it’s not like you’re intellectualizing the why while you’re doing it. That happens after. But I suppose for me, I was reflecting on relationships. Relationships in my youth. Negotiating power dynamics in those relationships. How I compromised myself. How I could lose my head or become obsessive. And there’s this strange drive to share the most shameful parts of myself. I’m not sure why. Maybe to have it validated through people relating or something.

If you could work with anyone in the entertainment industry, who would it be and why?

That’s a tough one. If we’re talking blue sky here, it’d be a dream to work with Pacific Standard, which is the production company of Reese Witherspoon and Bruna Papandrea. They’re doing incredible work with projects like Big Little Lies, Gone Girl, Little Fires Everywhere. Having the backing of a company like that would be completely incredible. I’d also love to work with Elisabeth Moss. I imagine collaborating with an actor of her caliber would be such a creative and fulfilling experience.

How is the St. John’s International Film Festival different from other film festivals Body and Bones has been featured in?

The SJIWFF is such a special festival. Every year they bring in the most amazing filmmakers from around the world and put everyone in this intimate environment where you have access to each other in a way that I haven’t seen at other festivals. The panels and workshops are so valuable. I’ve learned so much from their events every year and am grateful for all their support of me and my work. Plus it’s so unpretentious and fun, and they create a warm environment that feels really good and inclusive.

What do you think is your proudest filmmaking moment?

That’s another tough one. A moment that comes to mind is after we premiered that film, we had a little celebration party and throughout the evening I had people come up to me and tell me how much the film meant to them. I was especially moved by a couple of women who told me that through seeing Tess’s experience they were able to reflect on their own youth and see themselves with more compassion. To sort of be able to recognize and articulate experiences they’d had but hadn’t really dealt with. That was so powerful and important to me.

Can we expect any new works in the near future?

Yes! I’m working on two feature film projects that I’m writing and will be directing. Hopefully we’ll be shooting the first of those in 2021. Other than that, I’ve been working on some fiction and have a novel that’s been sitting in my desk for while that I need to give some attention to and hopefully find a home for. This year, with covid, I’ve been lucky to be able to spend time writing but I’m eager to get back to directing.

You can find Body and Bones to buy or rent through iTunes Canada and most On Demand services.

20/10/2020: Nigeria’s black Tuesday

Modeline Longjohn
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20/10/2020: Nigeria’s black Tuesday

Sitting down to have dinner sometime around 7:00pm NLT, I would never have imagined that some of my opinions were about to change forever. How did that happen?

Well, follow this story slowly and see where it leads.

It wasn’t a fascinating dinner, as I ate as fast as I could, so I could return to the pile of Bioinformatics analyses waiting for me on my computer. I don’t remember the exact thing I ate, so it was pretty uneventful. Everything changed when I went on Instagram for my usual update on the state of affairs in my home country, Nigeria.

As of 20th October 2020, Nigerian youths had been protesting peacefully in several cities across the country for at least 10 days. Those who, like me, could not be there to protest, made solidarity posts on social media and read up on the protest updates.

Hence, the hashtag #EndSars was trending on Twitter and Facebook. In solidarity, Nigerians in diaspora and non-Nigerians alike were retweeting #EndSars. Celebrities like Rihanna, Idris Elba, Alicia Keys and Cardi B were amongst those who tweeted. Even Jack Dorsey, CEO of Twitter, had tweeted several times and even created an icon for the movement. In many cities across the globe, Nigerians, including here in St. John’s, held peaceful protests in solidarity. Many others supported the movement by donating money to help the movement.

Donations were made to an organization called the feminist coalition, which disbursed money for many purposes, including providing food and drinks for protesters. In some cases, government-owned security forces came to disrupt some protest venues and ended in bodily harm and some cases, death of protesters. The feminist coalition catered for the hospital bills of the injured and donated to the deceased’s families. In other locations, hoodlums and thugs tried to disrupt the protests, resulting in injury to protesters and destruction of properties. Again, the feminist coalition came to the rescue. Within a few days, #EndSars went from a group of disgruntled youths who wanted the Government to listen to a full-on #occupy type protest.

But why were they protesting? Why were men and women between ages 18 and 35 years, which should be busy at work or school spending their days out on the streets protesting? And what was SARS? 

Well, long story short, these youths were tired of the excesses of an arm of the Nigerian police called SARS. SARS, which is short for Special Anti-Robbery Squad, is a Nigerian police unit, which has been terrorizing young Nigerians since its inception. Notorious for not wearing police uniforms or operating between normal Nigerian police parameters, SARS is a thorn in many young Nigerians’ flesh. Most young Nigerians living in Nigeria have stories of their SARS encounter, which usually starts with being arrested – kidnap style, followed by getting manhandled and molested, culminating in money exchanging hands before their eventual release. Some young Nigerians don’t live to tell their SARS stories, either dying after being released or their dead bodies getting dumped somewhere and later found by friends and family.

Even Nigerians who haven’t lived long in Nigeria have SARS stories to tell. Young people with no personal SARS stories had stories from relatives and friends. So what makes a person prone to be picked up by SARS? SARS officials had a quintessential profile of the “SARS offenders.”  The severity of your treatment depended on how non-traditional you looked. For starters, dreadlocks were a bad sign. Laptops, headphones, and even super fancy clothes and cars made you a candidate. And if you are a young Nigerian, you would most definitely fall into one of these categories. So when one such encounter early in October, a meeting with SARS operatives ended in the death of a young man, Nigerian youths decided they had had enough.

Using a few posts on Twitter and Instagram, a group of celebrities planned the first in a series of protests. With the first protest in Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial hub, more protests popped up across Port Harcourt and Abuja, slowly gaining momentum with each new day. Led by everyone and no-one, in particular, the youths came up with a five-point plan, dubbed ‘5 for 5’, which they wanted the Government to address.

The longer the protests lasted, the more momentum it gained. The deliberate and stubborn silence of the Nigerian Government meant that the protests kept dragging on. Eventually, the Government resorted to attempting to disrupt the protests. The police, including “SARS operatives’ tried to disrupt the peaceful protests, firing teargas and hot water, but the youths stayed resolute. They kept asking for a leader, which is true ‘Nigerian politician fashion’ would have been jailed, bribed, killed or blackmailed into submission. The youths’ insistence that there were no leaders incensed the ‘Powers-that be,’ and they changed tactics. Thugs and handlooms were brought in to cause more chaos, which ended badly, but still didn’t stop the youths. 

Eventually, the police came out to announce that ‘SARS’ had been disbanded. The youths got what they want. But no. SARS had previously been disbanded, five years in a row. They got separated after an outcry, and they resumed once everything had died down. But not this time, the youths didn’t have it. They wanted all or nothing.

So the protests continued, as did the threats, and SARS operatives (who have been disbanded) were still harassing people. So on the 20th of October, state governments, including in Lagos announced a curfew, another tactic to get the youths to stop protesting. According to the Governor of Lagos state, there was to be no moment after 7:00 pm. 

The thing with Lagos is that Lagos is a big city. The closest comparison I can make to Lagos is London, only with more chaos, disorder and noise. Traffic is crazy, with congestions that last for hours. At this point, many of the protesters, who were stationed at the Lekki tollgate decided their best bet was stay put at the tollgate since making their way home would amount to being stuck on the road after the curfew. They were not flouting the rules since they were not moving. Or so they thought.

Around the time I had my dinner in St. John’s around 10 pm Nigerian time, I saw photos of unknown persons dismantling the CCTV cameras at the tollgate. Nigeria Twitter and Instagram people chatted about that, throwing wild speculations. Next came the turning off of street lights and the billboard lights. 

By the time I finished my dinner and went for one last look at Instagram before going back to my microRNAs and heatmaps, I saw a Nigerian actress’s video. She was crying, claiming she had left Lekki tollgate a few minutes ago and was worried because she could hear the sound of shots fired. Sporadically.

I refreshed and saw posts of different accounts of shots fired in the Lekki area. At this point, I became apprehensive and called my sister in Nigeria. She told me to check out a live video, currently streaming on Instagram. The live stream was by a known female DJ, whose career I have followed for the past decade. Unsure of what was going on, I joined the live session and saw the worst scene I could ever imagine.

There were screams from people running and crying that they had been shot and were afraid of dying. This DJ, DJ Switch, seemed to be in pitch black, helping people extract bullets or try to stem bleedings. She turned the camera to a few people on the floor, not moving, and a few who were bleeding. And she started running again, with a few others, claiming they were being shot at as well.

I don’t cry often, but when I do, I could cry you a river. And I wasn’t expecting to cry at all. But then, more videos surfaced. Of young people with Nigerian flags, with the green, white green waving, army officials charged at them, shooting into the crowd. With each new video I saw and each new update, I cried more. I never knew watching youths of my birth country, who just wanted to ‘not be killed’ by policemen who were maintained by taxpayer money, would hurt so bad.

Different sets of emotions washed over me. Fear, panic, anger…never have I felt so helpless in my life. Weak to the plight of my people who could have been my friends, relatives, etc.

I had many questions. For the leaders, the Government, the army claimed the video’s people were not army employees. The Government claimed there was no massacre. The president gave a speech almost three days later, without acknowledging the lives lost.

Between the nightmares and the uncertainty, I wonder, would the truth about what happened that night ever indeed come out? Would there be justice for those young people whose country and government failed them? Would their deaths be in vain, or would more need to die before the required reforms happen?

Hats off 2020: A virtual celebration of graduation at Memorial University

Modeline Longjohn
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Hats off 2020: A virtual celebration of graduation at Memorial University

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, most activities including graduation ceremonies have switched from in-person to virtual events. Globally, virtual events are slowly becoming the new normal as most organisations are ideating and implementting innovating alternatives to one-one-on and social interactions.

In keeping with the times, Memorial University got together alumni, graduating students and lecturers to toast to the success of the Class of 2020. This event which was titled ‘Hats Off’ was held via Facebook Live from 7-8pm on 29 October. The event was MC’eed by Sheila Williams with a special address by the Vice Chancellor Dr. Vianne Timmons, with special music appearance by ‘The Once’ and ‘Sherman Downey.’

To commemorate with the Class 0f 2020, names of all graduates are published in a special issue of St. John’s Telegram of 2nd November, 2020.

The list of Fall 2020 graduates, with recipients of special awards and medals, can be found here: https://www.mun.ca/convocation/celebration/GradList_Fall2020_FINAL.pdf

The live video is available via Memorial University of Newfoundland facebook page.

The Muse editorial wishes the MUN class of 2020 lots of success in their future.

Labrador MHA Perry Trimper and his history of anti-Indigenous racism

Kaitlyn Woodley
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Labrador MHA Perry Trimper and his history of anti-Indigenous racism

Calls for the resignation of Perry Trimper, the Liberal MHA for the district of Lake Melville, Labrador, have come about once again in the past few weeks. The demands are emerging after he claimed “[i]n an interview with CBC News on Tuesday,” that “people who are homeless are “choosing” a risky lifestyle, and putting themselves and the community at risk.” This comment took place after a disturbing video surfaced of a Happy Valley-Goose Bay police officer slamming a handcuffed Innu man on the ground.

Trimper is unwilling to resign and claims his constituents have been supportive of him. He has backed out of his bid for re-election. Newfoundland Labrador Premier Andrew Furey stated, prior to Trimper’s announcement of ballot removal, that Trimper “is likely reconsidering his role as Liberal MHA”.

However, the Innu Nation believes he should “quit politics altogether” right now.

This is not the first time Perry Trimper has been under fire for acts of anti-Indigenous racism. In September of 2019, Trimper left a voicemail to the Innu nation discussing DMV translation services for Indigenous peoples, but did not hang up the phone before having a conversation with a female colleague. The two discuss the previous voicemail. They are both overheard laughing. Trimper says that “even if we did translate it from English, they wouldn’t read it anyways”. Later, after the unidentified female says “they [the Innu community] certainly don’t think the way we do… they have a sense of entitlement”, Trimper replies “the race card comes up all the time”. In 2019, former Premier Dwight Ball made an apology to Innu Nation’s Grand Chief Gregory Rich. A recording of that voicemail is posted here.

In just over a year, two serious incidences of anti-Indigenous racism from Trimper have occurred.

Trimper, again, has withdrawn his candidacy for next election. But the Innu nation has been vocal with their concerns that Trimper and the Liberal Party of Newfoundland and Labrador are symbols of systemic racism in Canada. Coupled with the lack of action on Prime Minister Trudeau’s behalf to end the clash between Mi’kmaq and settler fisherman in Nova Scotia, the news about Trimper has sparked conversations about the role played by the Government of Canada, and more specifically the Liberal Party, in upholding systemic racism and white supremacy.

A Pandemic Friendly Halloween

Ely Pittman
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With an ongoing pandemic around every corner, and a requirement to wear masks every time we leave the house, it can be pretty hard to get into the holiday spirit.

Here are a few ways to spend this Halloween!

Carve a pumpkin.

Head to Walmart, or Sobeys, or your closest pumpkin-containing store, and pick yourself up a nice pumpkin to carve… or paint! You can do this alone while you listen to some Halloween-themed music, watch movies, or you can invite a friend or two over for a pumpkin carving contest. Alternatively, you can video chat with your friends, and all carve pumpkins at the same time.

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Photo by David Menidrey on Unsplash

Marathon your favourite Halloween movies, alone or with friends!

Through Teleparty, a chrome extension, you can sync your video with friends and host long-distance movie sessions. Load up on your favourite treats, make sure you have your internet connection stable, and invite your friends to an all-nighter of classic Halloween movies.

You can find most childhood favourites like Hocus Pocus, the Halloweentown series, the Nightmare Before Christmas, and Twitches on Disney Plus, and Netflix has a pretty nice selection of spooky films – old and new!

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Photo by Andrea Davis on Unsplash

Have a get together – within your bubble!

Since we have relatively low cases in Newfoundland, our alert level allows small gatherings, if you pursue it with caution! Getting together with your bubble, whether it be family, roommates, or friends, and spending some spooky time together is a great way to spend this year’s Halloween.

A treat potluck!

Arrange a small group of friends, each make a different Halloween-themed treat, and then share during an online hang-out session or a safe get together. If hanging out online and have some free time on your hands, you could even drop off your baked goods at each friend’s house.

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Photo by Cayla on Unsplash

Have a photoshoot.

Dress up in a costume, grab some props, and go take cool pictures! Use the pumpkin you carved as a helmet. Become a Pumpkin King. Seek out an eerie spot in the forest, use an abandoned building as a background, or find an empty parking lot! Create your own haunted photoset!

Prepare a full day of self-care.

Grab your favourite Lush products and take a nice, long bath. Finally get to the book you’ve been meaning to start for the last few months. Watch as many movies as you’d like, pretend schoolwork doesn’t exist, put on a full face of makeup just because, or order your favourite dish for supper. Spend an entire day to yourself!

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Photo by Alex Geerts on Unsplash

Sipekne’katik Mi’kmaq Fisheries Teach-In

Ely Pittman
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Thursday afternoon, I joined Memorial University’s Arn Keeling and Dean Bavington for an online Teach-In about the Sipekne’katik Mi’kmaq Fisheries.

Mid-September, the Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw Chiefs declared a State of Emergency as a response to the violence occurring over Mi’kmaq fisheries across the province.

The presentation started with a tweet by Jarvis Googoo, describing the meaning of the Mi’kmaw flag.

In an informative slideshow, Bavington explained the history of the Peace and Friendship treaty which states that the Mi’kmaq “shall not be hindered from, but have free liberty of Hunting & Fishing as usual”.

Dalhousie’s Shelley Denny highlights the flaws with the treaty right to fish for a moderate livelihood by explaining how it can be used as a way to manage fisheries, “infringing on the rights of Aboriginal Peoples, including the Mi’kmaq”.

In reality, it is not hard to make room for the Mi’kmaq fishery. As shown by this infographic, the M’ikmaq fishery “will not adversely impact lobster populations”.

Disappointed by the government’s response to these attacks, the public is looking for answers.

The history of the Mi’kmaq fishery and a corporate fishing operation named “Clearwater Lobster” is detailed in Robin Tress’s article “Trapped In Conflict: How the Corporate Megafishery Clearwater Has Set the Stage for Violent Conflict in Mi’kma’ki“.

Tress explains how Clearwater Lobsters has been “fishing on unceded, unsurrendered, stolen lands and waters of the Mi’kmaq Nation”, and avoiding consequences due to the operation being favoured by the government.

The presentation ended with a quote from Hannah Martin of the Yellowhead Institute, asking us all to think about what it means to be a Treaty person, in light of the recent events.

“How do we understand our identities as Treaty people? How do we relate to each other? The land? Our shared history? We have a right and a responsibility to tread a new path as we walk into what can be a new, just, future together”.

Right now, we have an obligation to support the Mi’kmaq community in Nova Scotia, by continuously educating ourselves and helping however we can.

To become more educated on the history of the Mi’kmaw fishery and the importance of protecting it, Bavington provides several links.

Mercedes Peter’s “Settler forgetting in Saulnierville: the Sipekne’katik Mi’kmaw fishery as reminder“.

Pam Palmater’s “Mi’kmaw State of Emergency – Mi’kmaw Fishers Threatened with Violence”.

Alanis Obomsawin’s documentary Is the Crown at War with Us?

Linked below is a document on ways to support this cause, including places to donate, people to contact, voices to amplify, and educational sources.

WAYS TO SUPPORT MI’KMAQ ASSERTING THEIR TREATY RIGHTS IN DIGBY, NOVA SCOTIA (UNCEDED MI’KMA’KI)

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Comes to MUN in Online Town Hall Meeting

Allison Mills
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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Comes to MUN in Online Town Hall Meeting

On Wednesday October 21, Memorial University President Vianne Timmons hosted an online Town Hall meeting welcoming Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and featuring twenty randomly selected members of the Memorial University community. The Honourable Seamus O’Regan introduced the Prime Minister following President Timmons’ acknowledgement of rights and opening statements. 

Over six-hundred members of the community registered for their chance to share screen time with the Prime Minister, but time would only permit for fifteen of the lucky twenty participants to share their concerns. The questions were not vetted beforehand in true town hall style and the topics covered throughout the conversation hour were wide-ranged and timely. Participants’ backgrounds ranged from Memorial undergraduate and international students, faculty, and staff members. 

Many people were faced with concerns that have been growing amongst the post-secondary community in the wake of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Questions were fielded about funding options for international students, the availability of hands-on training in the workforce, increased public health funding and the financial stability of the tourism industry in Canada. Trudeau answered each question with tact, but most notable was when he was asked about what the hardest thing was about being Prime Minister during the pandemic. His answer? Knowing that even though he can try and do everything right, Canadians are still hurting every day. He acknowledged the challenges of families and friends being separated for the need of safety, and the general disconnect many people are feeling from others.

Furthermore, questions were also asked about different social issues that are also currently ongoing on the Canadian and world stages. Questions were asked about the overtness of racism that is seemingly becoming more and more common in this country. Speaking specifically about those of Chinese descent, and further expanding following a separate question on the handling of the lobster fishery crisis currently happening in Nova Scotia, Justin Trudeau replied that there is no fast and easy answer. The government has a role to play, especially regarding the laws surrounding the fisheries, but so does every Canadian. He encouraged those to consider others and how they can also stand against discrimination and create a future Canada for everyone. 

However, there was one question that is near and dear to the Memorial University community’s hearts – is there a way for the Prime Minister to intervene and restart the search for the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science Dean’s son Jordan, who went missing during a hiking expedition in British Columbia on Thanksgiving. This is particularly sensitive to the Prime Minister, whose brother, Michel Trudeau, was killed in an avalanche while traversing Kokanee Glacier Park in 1998. Further reports since the town hall meeting have reported that the search is now on-going due to good weather. 

Overall, the reception of the evening was informative and well-natured. In an event that is the first of its kind at Memorial University, it stands to show how the current pandemic is making people reinvent how we are communicating and connecting with one another. 

To watch the recorded town hall meeting follow the link below: 

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