Volume 52 Issue 7

The Independent Student Newspaper of the University of Toronto Mississauga since 1974

Issue 7 Volume 52 October 13, 2025

themedium.ca

UEC LAUNCHES ECON EXPO

FEDERAL ELECTIONS

ROMANTICIZING HEARTACHE

On October 8, the University of Toronto (U of T) Mississauga (UTM)’s Undergraduate Economics Council (UEC) hosted Gateway Economics Expo 2025, a networking and panellist showcase for undergraduate students.

From 2002 to 2022, the total amount of solid waste generated in Canada increased by 19 per cent and reached a whopping 36.5 million tonnes, according to Statistics Canada. When it comes to the topic of sustainability, university might not be the first place that comes to mind.

Picture this: it’s a late September night, you’re driving down dark, rain-soaked streets, twinkling city lights in the distance. The midnight blue sky creeps over the road ahead, and the last of a violet sunset sinks below the skyline.

>> read more on page 03

>> read more on page 06

>> read more on page 11

FEATURES

Reflecting on student success, reconciliation, gratitude, trust, and nature: A conversation with UTM Principal Alexandra Gillespie In line with annual tradition, The Medium sat down with UTM’s principal to give students better insight into the office’s work, and the journey, motivations and goals of its holder.

Samuel Kamalendran

Managing Editor

Photo Credits: Luke Farwell

SPORTS

ARTS

Eagles Can’t Complete the Comeback

Can We Talk about Elijah Woods, The Kid From A Small Town In Canada?

Tyler Medeiros Associate Sports and Health Editor

Diana Varzideh Contribut0r

Recapping the fourth matchday for the men’s tri-campus soccer teams at UTM

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n October 5, 2025, the UTM Men’s Tri-Campus Outdoor Soccer team took on UTSG (University of Toronto St. George) Red in their fourth game of the regular season. Sunday’s match was UTM’s first away game of the season—a big test for our boys in blue. UTM won their second consecutive match on September 28 and were looking to put together a three-game winning streak.

Nothing for the Eagles to celebrate in the first half The first noteworthy moment of the match came around the 10-minute mark when Sami Mohalsen shouted, “Keeper,” to tell his teammates that he was going to claim the incoming corner kick.

>> EAGLES continues on page 12

An overview of the Canadian singer’s upcoming album

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lijah Woods, the pop singer-songwriter from Perth, Ontario, is on the brink of releasing his debut album. Set to release on October 14th, Can We Talk? is a major milestone in his journey under his independent label, and listeners have been given a taste of this new album with four singles.

Ghost on the Radio is the lead single and it encapsulates the album’s themes of romance, relationship struggles, and bittersweet growth.

The song is a staple of his style, featuring

synths, a catchy chorus, and an upbeat rhythm that contrasts the more downcast lyrics. It also uses radio static to set the moods while reminiscent of OneRepublic and a young Justin Bieber, who Woods cites as a big inspiration growing up as a Canadian pop singer. I Miss You, the latest single released, complements Ghost on the Radio, even sporting a matching cover. The theme of a lost love continues as a common thread throughout the song, with matching instrumentals and heartfelt lyrics.

Listeners have been quick to point out that the first letters of the lines come together to create a message: “DO YOU MISS ME CAUSE I MISS YOU I MISS YOU CAN WE TALK”. >> ELIJAH WOODS continues on page 11

02

NEWS

Editor | Aaron Calpito news@themedium.ca

UTM Hosts third annual All-Nations Powwow Sophie Minot Contributor

admission and was open to all.

The event started with a Grand Entry, the traditional opening of a Powwow ceremony. Following the introduction of the flag bearers and powwow participants was a schedule of competitive dances, intertribal dances, and drumming that flowed smoothly. Intertribal dancing was open to everyone in the crowd, including non-Indigenous guests.

Additional events took place throughout the William G. Davis Building, which featured Indigenous-owned businesses selling clothing, jewelry, and other goods, including Illu Kuluapik Creations, Simply Indigenous, Singing Thunder Jewellery, The Red Willow, and many more. There was also a kids’ area that featured colouring pages, a photobooth, a giant floor map of North America that people could walk over, and a visual timeline of events beginning with the first peoples on the continent.

In this year’s powwow schedule, intertribal dancing happened twice, once at 2:30 p.m. and later at 3:30 p.m. Participants were invited to learn basic powwow steps or make up their own. The two special drumming events included Inuit Eastern-Style Drumming at 1:30 p.m. and Water Drumming at 3 p.m. Outside, a firekeeper gave teachings at a sacred fire from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Photo Credits: Aaron Calpito Held on Sisters in Spirit Day, the celebration featured music, dancing, vendors, and prizes.

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n October 4, the University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM) hosted its third annual All-Nations Powwow in the Recreation, Athletics and Wellness Centre (RAWC). The event presented the UTM community with an opportunity to learn about Indigenous cultures through dancing, ceremonies, music, and guided discussions. Organized by UTM’s Office of Indigenous Initiatives (OII), the powwow offered free

The Red Dress Special at 4 p.m. was designed to honour Sisters in Spirit (SIS) Day, which began in 2005.

At the Special, dancers of all genders in red regalia were invited to partake.

The Red Dress Special winner was awarded two Pendleton blankets. Other competitive dances included the Men’s Traditional Dance Special at 1 p.m., where winners could get up to C$600 and a jacket, courtesy of the UTM Indigenous Centre. The Jingle Dress Special at 2 p.m. offered the same award system.

Generally, a powwow is a celebration where community members can gather, socialize, and enjoy traditional dancing and singing. Powwows were conducted in secret from 1879 due to the ban on Indigenous cultural

ceremonies. Since the 1951 amendments to Canada’s Indian Act, there has been a resurgence of powwows.

UTM held its first All-Nations Powwow in the RAWC in March 2023, then its second on North Field in September 2024.

Like last year, this year’s powwow happened in close proximity to the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. This is the first year that UTM has hosted a powwow on SIS Day. Both SIS Day and Red Dress Day, which is on May 5, are annual observances to honour the lives of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit people (MMIWG2S+).

SIS and Red Dress Day were created to raise awareness of the alarming rates of violence faced by Indigenous women and girls. According to Amnesty International, Indigenous women and girls make up less than 5 per cent of the Canadian population but represent approximately 24 per cent of all homicide victims.

They are also 12 times more likely to be murdered, and more than 60 per cent of Indigenous women experience physical or sexual violence in their lifetime.

In 2010, Métis artist Jaime Black created the REDress Project, a public art installation project throughout Canada featuring hanging red dresses. The project’s purpose is to draw attention to the high rates of violence against Indigenous women and girls in Canada.

Black’s project made the colour red the official colour Photo Credits: Melody Zhou of the MMIWG2S+ campaign because it’s held in many Indigenous cultures to be the one colour that spirits can see.

The play on words serves as a call to action. ‘Redress’ Credits: for Melody Zhou means to make amends Photo or compensation a wrong, injury, or injustice, either through the act of setting it right or by providing a remedy.

The project led to the annual Red Dress Day on May 5. Earlier this year, UTM commemorated Red Dress Day by hanging red dresses around campus and hosting a ceremonial fire. The SIS Vigils, along with UTM’s Red Dress Special, eventually adopted Red Dress Day’s powerful red dress symbolism.

Debate Club hosts first debate of the semester on free speech Laila Alkelani Contributor Students at UTM’s Debate Club explore the limits of free speech during the club’s first debate of the semester.

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n October 3, the University of Toronto (U of T) Mississauga’s (UTM) Debate Club hosted a debate about free speech in Maanjiwe nendamowinan. Participants debated the motion, “This house believes cancel culture has done more harm than good for free speech.”

Participants were put in two separate classrooms, one for novices and one for experienced debaters. The Medium attended the debate and observed the novice debate.

In this debate, the “Government” side argued in favour of the motion while the “Opposition” side argued against.

The Government side argued that cancel culture unfairly persecutes those who do not conform to the herd mentality. They also argued that this persecution creates echo chambers, which prevent individuals from learning from their mistakes.

The Opposition side argued that, without cancel culture,

aggressive groups are more likely to form against those who hold different values and opinions. The Opposition also argued that there should be censorship, especially on hate speech, to maintain a safe online environment. The judges deemed the Opposition to be the winner of the novice debate, based on their performance.

Following the event, The Medium spoke with Debate Club President Edwina Ng about the significance of hosting debates at UTM.

opposing views.

Speaking on the October 3 event, Ng said that the topic of free speech is an important one to debate.

She said that the recent death of Charlie Kirk sparked a new interest in discussing the extent to which free speech should be allowed to take place. Kirk was an American political activist who was assassinated on September 10 while speaking at a university in Utah. This incident trig-

“I think it varies per person,” said Ng. “We have a wide range of students coming from different programs and different backgrounds, and I think that’s what makes debate so great.”

According to Ng, the primary reason people attend her club’s events is to enhance their public speaking skills.

Post-debate, participants receive verbal feedback from the judges on their strengths and areas for improvement. This feedback helps participants develop stronger communication skills.

By listening to different perspectives or arguing in favour of opinions other than their own, one can develop critical thinking skills and build empathy towards those who hold

Photo Credits: Edwina Ng

03 gered reactions from many, including U of T Professor Ruth Marshall, whom the university placed on leave after she made remarks that supposedly condoned Kirk’s killing.

Ng expressed that debating about how people responded to the Charlie Kirk assassination is important for critical thinking. “You are not only talking about the ideological view… [but also] the moral feelings behind that.” She said her club wanted to “have students really reflect on that.”

“I think when you debate about [the attitudes in which people responded to the Charlie Kirk assassination], you are not only talking about the ideological view…[but] the moral feelings behind that,” and the club wanted “to have students really reflect on that,” said Ng. Ng explained that her club aims to create a space that encourages the amplification of students’ ideas and opin-

ions, regardless of their personal background or level of expertise. “We want to build a community of people who are so different,” she added. “We love everybody from different backgrounds: political, ethnic, everything you could possibly think of.”

“I want to emphasize that we really do welcome everyone,” said Ng. A lot of clubs tend to focus on one specific program or interest, but Ng said that “debate kind of incorporates everything. We want to talk about medicine, we want to talk about AI…technology…sociology…philosophy. There are so many areas we want to cover and invite people to really present something that is their strong suit, and give them an outlet to do that.”

Moving forward, Ng said that there is talk among the executives and associates of the UTM Debate Club of hosting an easy topic, such as “This House believes that cakes are better than pies,” or any other simple topic for those who

are interested in participating but are not as familiar with the formal debate format.

Such easy-to-debate topics help increase engagement from UTM students by familiarizing them with the ideal debate format and etiquette.

The club aims to hold a debate biweekly, said Ng. Some debates will be unprepared, where participants receive the motion upon arrival and will not be allowed to conduct outside research. Others, such as the upcoming collaborative debate with the UTM Regenerative Medicine club, will be prepared. With prepared debates, individuals will have prior knowledge of the motion and have time for outside research.

Students can find out the motion of an upcoming debate via email if they are a general member of the club or by checking the club’s Instagram account @utm.dc.

UEC launches Econ Expo sending the UEC a document showcasing the school and instructions on how to apply. The UEC promised to share this document along with a comprehensive list of graduate programs for economics students after the event.

Aaron Calpito News Editor

Photo Credits: Aaron Calpito

After a 10-minute break, event organizers launched another panel discussion, this time about economics research.

The discussion began with a presentation by members of the masthead for the UEC’s scholarly journal, Pareto, led by Dr. Nicholas Zammit. Zammit went over the process of submitting articles to Pareto, noting that students can submit their coursework to potentially be published in the journal.

He also gave advice on how first- and second-year students can prepare to get into research, stressing the importance of accumulating volunteer research experience that’s recognized by the co-curricular record.

Next, PhD candidate Adrian Schroeder discussed his research in theoretical econometrics and his motivations for pursuing a PhD. “I always liked the courses that get you to actually think about the topics,” he said. “Studying for a PhD gives you the freedom to explore topics that way.”

The economics society’s first-ever Economics Expo featured networking and panels in the Kaneff Centre.

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n October 8, the University of Toronto (U of T) Mississauga (UTM)’s Undergraduate Economics Council (UEC) hosted Gateway Economics Expo 2025, a networking and panellist showcase for undergraduate students. From 5 to 8 p.m., over 100 students flocked to the UEC’s air travel-themed flagship event, which had a split venue in the Kaneff Centre.

Guests lined up at a reception desk where they were signed in, given a name tag, and assigned to one of several tables in the Kaneff Rotunda, which had been decorated with blue and white balloons and streamers. Throughout the evening, the Rotunda served as a space for guests to wander, introduce themselves, and have open discussions at their leisure.

The event also featured tabling by the UTM Department of Economics, the Rotman School of Management, the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy, and the Master of Financial Economics, Master of Urban Innovation, and Master of Science in Sustainable Management programs.

About 30 minutes in, over three dozen attendees crowded into the event’s second location, the adjacent Kaneff Family Presentation Room, for a video conference about graduate schools.

Fielding questions about support available to current and aspiring PhD students, Schroeder assured that the funding situation for researchers has “improved” since U of T narrowly avoided strikes at the start of 2024. He also advised interested students to check out the U of T Hub on Ten Thousand Coffees platform to get advice from alumni professionals.

The expo’s third and final panel comprised nine industry professionals from the public and private sectors. The panellists were experts in fields such as public administration, health start-ups, and venture capital, among others.

Moderated by UEC Externals Director Grace Ahadjie and Externals Associate Maisra Ali, each panellist answered questions about their academic journey and what it’s like to work in their field.

While some gave long-winded stories on how they entered the world of finance, like an Infrastructure Ontario (IO) employee who studied public administration and “slithered” his way into economics, others nearly winded themselves with witty and zippy breakdowns of their mindset for success, like one seasoned lawyer who gave a 90-second talk about how he aims to “maximise impact” in all his career decisions.

The whole panel was veritably approachable, engaging students with thoughtfulness and good humour. The audience got comfortable in turn, with one guest asking another speaker from IO, “When are you guys gonna finish the Gardiner?” The public servant laughed and replied that such questions are important to ask and difficult to answer.

Graduate student David Wechselberger, speaking from Sweden, gave a rundown of studying at the Stockholm School of Economics. He provided insights into the application process, academic planning, and what it’s like to live in Sweden, assuring that Canadians who choose to study there would comfortably find themselves in a “modern and open society.”

The panel’s conclusion signalled the start of a complementary dinner. The remaining attendees promptly filed back into the Rotunda to spend the rest of the evening connecting over sandwiches, spring rolls, and smooth jazz.

Speaking from Toronto, Program Coordinator Josie Valotta discussed the U of T Master of Mathematical Science program. She emphasized the program’s relatively small class sizes, fast-tracked 12-month delivery, and proclivity for undergraduate students from “mathematically rigorous programs.”

With panels completed, dozens of sliders devoured, five balloons popped, and countless LinkedIns exchanged, UEC execs concluded the event and started clearing out the venue. As the final guests made their leave, UEC Academics Director Isabella Contecha and Vice President Academics Ankush Koshal stepped aside for an interview with The Medium to discuss the rationale behind the Expo.

She also stressed the importance of graduate studies. “You can certainly get a job in finance with an undergraduate degree… but our studies show that career advancement requires grad experience.”

A third speaker from the Barcelona School of Economics couldn’t make it, instead

Another happy landing

“This essentially started with us thinking: ‘What are all the options students have with an econ degree after they graduate?’” explained Koshal, who’s in his third year studying finance and economics. He came up with the idea to present the three main pathways for economics undergraduates—research, pursuing a mas-

04 ter’s degree, and industry—as gates in an airport terminal, emphasizing that they can lead anywhere in the world.

“The main idea was to grab all econ students—first, second, third, and even fourthyear—and help settle the uncertainty that comes from an econ degree with all the possibilities you have,” added Contecha, who’s in her third year studying financial economics.

Speaking on how the UEC managed to secure so many panellists, Koshal revealed that it was a massive team effort. They reached out to professors, industry professionals, and graduate students through office hours, LinkedIn messages, and volleys of emails. “It was as much outreach as we could possibly do, the entire team working on it, just a big numbers game.”

Contecha commended her peers and partners in the UEC and academic departments, “a team of over 40 people,” for all their hard work to make the Expo a reality.

Koshal finished by vouching for the field of economics. “You can genuinely get anywhere, and this subject becomes what you want it to be. Our degree, from U of T and UTM, is super powerful, and you’re only limited by how big you can think.”

The UEC’s next event will be Breaking Point: Canada’s Productivity Problem, a case competition that will take place at UTM on November 8 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For this event, the UEC promises guests from the Bank of Canada, Deloitte, and IO, as well as a top prize of C$1000.

UTMSU Hosts commemoration for victims of the ongoing genocide in Palestine Photo Credits: Mashiyat Ahmed

Natalie Ramadan Contributor Hosted by the UTMSU and MSA, the event brought together dozens of students and drew both praise and ire from across Ontario.

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n October 7, the University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM) Students’ Union (UTMSU), in conjunction with the Muslim Students’ Association (MSA), hosted its first Honouring Our Martyrs commemoration for the victims of the ongoing genocide in Gaza, Palestine.

From 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., students, staff, faculty, and guest speakers joined in front of the Student Centre amid a light rain for the commemoration on the two-year mark of genocide. The crowd was a patchwork of black and white as many participants wore kuffiyehs, a traditional Palestinian scarf with embroidery that symbolises perseverance, connection, and the trade routes of Palestine.

The event included land acknowledgments, a moment of silence for Palestine, and speeches covering themes of grieving, reconciliation, privilege, solidarity, and resistance. Speeches came from UTMSU President Andrew Park, UTMSU Vice President University Affairs Manaal Fatima, members of the MSA, a member of the Association of Palestinian Students, Sabrina Dahab from the Canadian Public Affairs Council, a member of Mississauga-Streetsville for Palestine, and Justice for All Canada Executive Director Taha Ghayyur.

Dahab’s speech was momentarily disrupted by a member of the public who shouted “boo” and “blame Hamas.” Attendees nevertheless remained focused on respecting the speaker, who continued unmoved.

Prior to the event, the UTMSU shared a code of conduct which asked participants to respect the rights and opinions of others, not to engage in arguments, and to follow lawful and reasonable instructions from law enforcement officers.

The union also shared an opportunity for a private listening session provided by the Jewish Faculty Network, “for UTM students who wish to share their thoughts and feelings about the UTMSU’s October 7th Honouring our Martyrs ceremony.”

A few hours before the event began, Park shared with The Medium via email that the goal and importance of the event is to “create a safe and respectful space for students, staff, faculty, and community members to mourn the countless lives lost for the past two years in the genocide.”

He added, “we are honouring the people who’ve been killed simply for existing - students, doctors, children, and families - people who never should’ve had to die.”

A moment of recognition October 7, 2025 marks two years since Hamas, a Palestinian resistance group, invaded the southern area of Israel bordering Gaza, taking about 250 individuals hostage and killing about 1200.

The UTMSU acknowledged that the date of the event is deeply painful for both Palestinians and Israelis, especially following an attack on a synagogue in Manchester on October 2. BBC News reported that the attack claimed the lives of two Jewish men and injured others.

In an October 7 statement about the attack, the students’ union reaffirmed their “commitments to supporting all students and community members affected by violence, trauma, and oppression, regardless of faith, identity, or background.”

Since October 7, 2023, over 186,000 Palestinians in Gaza have been killed by the Israeli Defence Force (IDF), according to a report published in The Lancet. Palestinians have suffered forced starvation, carpet bombing, white phosphorus attacks, and countless forced displacements, according to international news outlets.

Other news outlets and non-governmental organisations reported that in Gaza more than 100 mosques and 195 heritage sites have been destroyed or damaged, as well as 97 per cent of schools and 92 per cent of housing units destroyed or damaged. With no safe place to return, an estimated 1.5 million people in Gaza are forced to live in tents and makeshift shelters.

Public response Throughout the week of the commemoration, provincial Minister of Energy and Mines Stephen Lecce, Hillel Ontario, and members of the public criticised the event and its organisers.

Minister Lecce remarked on X that the event was “twisted, offensive, and unCanadian.” He also called the event organisers a “hateful, antisemitic, and anti-democratic mob” which “should be banned from any campus.”

The MSA condemned Lecce’s remarks via Instagram post the following day. “We want to be clear to Minister Lecce: we are in consultation with legal counsel on this matter and will take necessary steps to defend ourselves against the defamatory allegations,” the statement read. The statement concluded with demands for Lecce to “publicly retract and apologize for his post.”

On October 6, Hillel Ontario also spoke out against Honouring Our Martyrs, posting on Instagram, “this initiative is a clear celebration of the terrorists” and that “the university must have a voice in condemning this shameful program.” They also indicated in the post that Hillel representatives would be present at the commemoration to “ensure that any violations of university policy are documented and reported.”

Hillel Ontario later posted a video of a separate commemoration in the William G. Davis Building which was hosted

by Jewish students around the same time as the gathering at the Student Centre. The video showed a line of special

constables standing between the mourners and a crowd of students, which the video’s caption described as “an angry mob.”

Some students expressed safety concerns about attending Honouring Our Martyrs. The UTMSU’s posts continued to gain negative attention, with claims of “students praising terrorist attacks” and remarks like “embarrassing” and “disgusting” flooding comment sections.

Conversely, Professor Kate Maddalena of the Institute of Communication, Culture, Information and Technology expressed in an interview with The Medium that, after attending the event, “I am very glad that students found their voices and feel able to gather, grieve, and speak.” She said it was an improvement from two years ago, when “it felt like students couldn’t even ask questions or have conversations about what was happening in Palestine.”

One student, who chose to remain anonymous, saw the event as “an opportunity to express your emotions, ideals, and what you think is right and also try to educate other people about what you know to be true. I think that’s always going to be a good thing.” By joining together, they said, “students get to experience being involved in something bigger than just yourself.”

Yusuf Ksaibati, a second-year digital enterprise management specialist and owner of SoftSpot 4VIP, joined the event with his own custom handmade Handala hanging rug filled in with the colours of the Palestinian flag featuring a kuffiyeh and engraved olive branches. The Handala cartoon is a symbol of Palestinian identity and defiance, created by Naji al-Ali in 1969.

“This isn’t a cultural, race or religious thing. Right now it’s Palestinians, when the Palestinians are gone, who’s next?” Ksaibati commented. “This is a human thing, humans need to show up for humans.”

After the event, the UTMSU posted a statement about their commemoration, insisting their “stance is rooted in principles of anti-war, anti-apartheid, anti-capitalism, anti-imperialism, and anti-racism,” standing firm on their “collective duty to speak out against injustice and stand with those who are oppressed.”

05 OPINION

Editor | Yasmine Benabderrahmane opinion@themedium.ca

Genocide is an environmentalist issue As people moved to refugee camps, deforestation accelerated to make the new camps, and underground aquifers were drained in the already water-poor state. The conflict led to the loss of at least 6126 hectares of natural vegetation alone.

We can see this same pattern of resource scarcity leading to war in the Rwandan genocide, where the majority ethnic group Hutus hunted down the minority Tutsu group.

Madhav Ajayamohan Contributor

While there are multiple sociopolitical, economic and cultural factors for the genocide, the environment also played a big part. Rwanda suffered from having “too many” people on “too little” land. As people had less land to feed and support themselves, unrest grew.

Eventually, it erupted into a genocide, which worsened the problem.

Similar to Darfur, an increased number of refugees and displaced persons from the conflict led to increased rates of deforestation. Natural forest used to cover 36% of Rwanda, but 78% of those forests were destroyed between 1994 and 2005.

“It has gone back to dessert now” Since the start of the large-scale conflict on October 7, 2023, Israel has dropped more than 25,000 tons of explosives on the Gaza strip. In comparison, the nuclear bombs the US dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945 were about 15,000 tonnes.

These bombs have a devastating impact upon Gaza’s ability to feed itself. More than half of Gaza’s vegetation land has been destroyed by the bombings. Gaza’s once vibrant strawberry fields, date trees, olive trees, and orange trees have been stripped to nothing.

In February, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) found significant damage to 626 wells, 307 home barns, 235 chicken farms, 203 sheep farms and 119 animal shelters.

Illustrated by Adanna Scott For every drop of blood spilt, we hit back Mother Earth for twice the damage

A member of the Abu Suffiyeh family, who used to run a farm in east Jabalia, close to Gaza’s north-east border, was reported saying: “it is now the same as it was before: desert…There is no single tree there. No traces of prior life. If I was to go there, I wouldn’t be able to recognize it.”

e like to think that conflict stems from ideals—that humans generate war on each W other because of our beliefs and values. However, when you boil most conflicts The bombings have also permanently damaged Gaza’s soil for years. The materials from down to its root causes, it comes down to land and resources. It is ironic when the con- explosives such as phosphorous bombs will seep into the land, contaminating the soil flicts fought for these resources are the same ones that end up destroying them.

and groundwater for years to come.

The First Climate Change Conflict

The Irony of Destroying Resources

Britannica describes the 2003 genocide that happened in Darfur, Sudan, as a conflict between the Arab government and non-Arab parts of the continent. While the conflict fits into the unfortunate mold of wars and terrorism we are accustomed to, this isn’t the whole story.

All genocides mentioned have been about acquiring natural resources. In Darfur and Rwanda, major factors for the genocide was the competition for scarce resources. In Gaza, it was a competition for who owns which land.

Sudan is one of the most climate-vulnerable countries in the world. It is among the hottest countries on the planet, with fluctuating rainfall patterns. As droughts occur more frequently and last longer, Sudan’s desert expands. For a country that depends on agriculture and livestock, it is a catastrophe.

Sudan has two primary agricultural groups: settled farmers and nomadic herders. The latter is predominantly Arab, culturally, while the former is of ethno-African descent.

When there were plenty of resources, both groups could co-exist peacefully.

But as resources grew scarce from the worsening climate, tensions started to flare. The government drew lines, prioritising the Arab community. All of these factors erupted in the genocide that worsened the situation.

Those same conflicts that are fought over resources end up destroying more resources, and worsening the problem. We tend to think of rescuing the environment as a fundamentally different problem from other social issues. However, the reality is that whether we notice it or not, everything humans do is tied to the environment. Even when we kill ourselves, we can’t help but also hurt the environment, and take away resources from an already starving world.

As an Indian, one of my favorite stories is the Mahabharata, which ends with a large war that ends millions of lives. So much blood is lost, it dyes the battlefield red. This is supposed to be our penance to Mother Earth, whom we took so much from without giving anything back.

Today, I can’t help but look at that message differently. Because now, for every drop of blood spilt, we hit back Mother Earth for twice the damage.

Lost in Translation: Phrases Yukta Matai Contributor

Jia Bawa Podcast Manager

Maryam Raheel Mariana Domiguez Rodriguez Contributor Contributor.

In Hindi, Jugaad (जुगाड़) refers to a non-conventional, innovative quick-fix. That’s the closest this sentiment can be translated into English, but it’s so much deeper.

Back home in India, jugaad is the unspoken art of finding a creative solution when resources are limited. It’s not about perfection; it’s about problem solving. Think using tape to hold your charger together, turning a cardboard box into a laptop stand, or propping up a wobbly desk leg with a stack of textbooks.

Maryam Raheel: Takalluf, a gentle depth English can’t carry

Jugaad is creation borne out of necessity.

Takalluf reflects respect demonstrated through gentle restraint for the sake of others. It describes moments of conscious politeness where people hold back, not to be dishonest, but to maintain grace.

People who embody this spirit have a resourceful mentality. At its core, the phenomenon is improvisation. To believe that there’s always a way, no matter the odds.

Illustrated by Ola Suschenko When it’s simply awkward to an English tongue Things do not always sit right in a second language. Expressions feel clunky, words feel misplaced. Sometimes, it is better said in our mother tongues. Here are four phrases that are simply awkward to an English tongue.

Yukta Matai: Juagaad, the art of making things work

The word is used ubiquitously across Northern India.

Didn’t have a speaker? I placed my phone in a bowl to amplify the sound. That’s technological jugaad.

Can’t afford therapy? Talk to your plants. That’s emotional jugaad.

Whether you’re a student trying to stretch your last $5 till pay day, or someone fixing your adapter to the wall with duct tape and determination, jugaad captures the universal urge to make things work…somehow.

So, innovate, adapt—and just wing it.

Like many Urdu words and expressions, emotional depth is often lost when translated to English. The Urdu word takalluf commonly translates to formality or pretension, describing an act of excessive politeness that may feel forced or artificial. However, in its native tongue, the word carries a more delicate meaning.

This etiquette appears in everyday interactions.

At gatherings, a guest might politely refuse a second serving of food, even if they’re still hungry, not to burden the host. A host might go to great lengths to accommodate visitors, even if inconvenient. This display of manners can seem performative on the surface, but it’s part of a well-established ritual of hospitality.

Commonly heard as part of the phrase “takalluf mat karein,” spoken amongst friends or guests; the literal translation would be “don’t be formal.” In English, this one-dimensional meaning seems superficial or even a

06 little harsh. On the contrary, it’s an invitation to let go of social performances and be at ease. The phrase signals an emotional connection between people; a type of reassurance that the person is not a stranger and formalities can be set aside.

Despite the English translation’s inability to capture the depth of takalluf, its meaning is understood in practice as a quiet expression of care and respect.

Mariana Dominguez Rodriguez: Échale ganas!, words that remind me to keep going Born in Mexico city, I hold onto the phrase échale ganas! dearly despite being away from home. It doesn’t quite have an equivalent here. Though people say it suggests “give it your all,” it feels like so much more. It embodies a heritage, brimming with the tenacity, spirit, likewise optimism ingrained with Mexico.

In Mexico, you hear it everywhere—right before tests, while kicking a ball into the net, or when someone down the street is having a rough time.

A little boost, yes, yet also understanding. It admits that things are hard and doesn’t overlook when they are weighing you down. It acknowledges hardship yet urges continued effort. This blend, seeing difficulties alongside a push to carry on, fuels the saying’s impact.

Mexico’s story of colonization, revolt, hard times alongside close families and neighbors, birthed the phrase échale ganas.

It doesn’t mean “just stay positive.” Instead it’s a shared understanding: trying matters, regardless of outcome; continuing shows worth. Échale ganas was said by my mother when I was learning how to ride a bike, by my father when I was writing entry essays for university, by close friends when I complain about mundane things.

I realize now that English lacks a similar phrase. Simply wishing someone “good luck” doesn’t capture the spirit, nor does telling them “you got this.”

Because échale ganas comes from a tradition where

strength isn’t solitary, but communal, valuing the act of trying itself. Success isn’t the point; acknowledging the effort is.

Jia Bawa: Sabh moh maya hai, a quiet acceptance that beauty and suffering coexist Sabh moh maya hai, a phrase that floats through Indian households like the chirp of sparrows in the spring.

Literally, the term encourages detachment, taking on a tone that’s almost cold. “Moh” means attachment, or desire, whereas “maya” signifies magic, mystery, illusion.

Taken together, this phrase refers to the glimmering unreality of the material world; all attachment is an illusion.

No matter how dazzling or enticing something may be, in the end, everything is fleeting and nothing stays.

Over time, however, the phrase has softened. It has taken on a more humorous, affectionate tone; a kind of cultural balm, a way of saying: “don’t stress yourself out, this too shall pass.” With time, everything falls into place.

Growing up, it was used for almost every situation: got a horrendous grade on an exam you studied really hard for?

Sabh moh maya hai. Going through the worst breakup ever? Sabh moh maya hai.

It’s both a spiritual truth and a coping mechanism; a reminder in a culture where detachment isn’t denial but perspective; that nothing, not even heartbreak, is permanent.

There is something achingly human about this contradiction. We toil day after day. We chase our dreams, love deeply, feel endlessly; and then laugh it all off with a line that admits how powerless we really are in the grand scheme of things. Yet, even with that knowledge, keep trying. We love, without knowing how long it will last, only that it will certainly end.

Sabh moh maya hai is a quiet acceptance that beauty and suffering coexist. All the things we desperately hold on to—be it love, beauty, success, or control—are as transient as the dark, monsoon clouds.

2025 Federal Elections Liberals realized on election night. But, had you taken a nap on January 1 and woken up at the end of April, you would have been dumbfounded by this outcome.

Cyrus Gazdar Contributor Illustrated by Fabiha Ruthmila

At the beginning of the year, the CPC were projected to win at minimum; a decisive majority, if not a supermajority, giving the CPC the ability to unilaterally pass legislation. The LPC was practically on life support, and the CPC were guaranteed to form government for the first time since 2015.

I would like to start with a short discussion about the fascinating timeline that preceded the election.

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According to polling data, the LPC and CPC had fluctuated by the same margins from the time Justin Trudeau had formed his third government in 2021 until the summer of 2023, when the CPC soared. This gap continued to widen through the start of 2025. The LPC was on its electoral deathbed, and the CPC were virtually guaranteed to form the government for the first time since 2015. However, midway through February the lead for the CPC began to shrink.

A breakdown of the 2025 Canadian Federal Election

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n the 28th of April 2025, Canadians across the country watched one of the most shocking election outcomes since perhaps the collapse of Mulroney’s conservative party. The Liberal Party of Canada (LPC), led by Mark Carney, had defeated Pierre Poilievre’s Canadian Conservative Party (CPC).

The outcome of the election, however, was not necessarily the most shocking part, but rather how the LPC got there. The outcome of this election cycle was so extraordinary that we will likely never see an election cycle like this ever again.

Polling, prior in the weeks leading up to the election, had the LPC decisively winning the election by a wider margin than the

By the start of March, their odds of majority were gone, and just a few weeks later, so were their chances of winning a plurality of seats. In contrast, the Liberals soared to well above the majority marker, one which they would ultimately fall short of on election night.

These rapid fluctuations in polls are what have led me—as well as other observers—to discuss what has shaped this outcome.

One of the most important reasons is leadership.

By late December, Trudeau’s Cabinet was in complete shambles. Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland resigned, citing that she and the Prime Minister “found [themselves] at odds about the best path forward for Canada.” Then Housing Minister Sean Fraser also announced he would not run for reelection—a decision he later retracted on, when it became clear the LPC was making an electoral comeback. On January 6, 2025, the

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Prime Minister packed his bags and announced his resignation in front of the Governor General’s house at Rideau Hall.

The resignation of Trudeau gave way to an election within the LPC to choose their next leader, which gave candidates such as Carney the ability to present a new Liberal front through policies such as military investment and the revocation of unpopular policies such as the Carbon Tax, while also being able to capitalize on the fears of Canadians regarding US aggression. Additionally, it put the CPC on the back foot for the first time, forcing them to change their political strategy and messaging.

Another important factor in the LPC win was the outcome of the US Elections.

On February 1st, Donald Trump placed his first set of tariffs on Canada, an unprecedented move given the strategic relationship shared by both countries, which was then followed up by a flurry of territorial threats. Canadians were, rightfully, concerned for our political and economic sovereignty. Issues like Canadian sovereignty, Trump’s rhetoric, and American tariffs were among the reasons for voting LPC, according to over a dozen anonymous students and faculty I had reached out to for comment.

Canadian leaders were quick to capitalize on Trump. In

January, Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario, debated the American talk-show host, Jesse Watters, to assert Canadian independence. Carney and Poiliever were quick to shape their respective campaigns around the American threat, which undoubtedly shifted the ballot issues just two months before the election.

Rising cost of living and flaming economic anxiety after the COVID-19 pandemic gave the CPC an anti-incumbent advantage. However, in the face of rising costs due to tariffs, the national Canadian identity has become intertwined with the cost of living crises we are facing.

Additionally, isolationist rhetoric likely pushed people away from the Conservative ballots. This rhetoric was further made apparent as campaign messages by the CPC became less relevant to Canadian issues as election dates approached.

One faculty member noted that Canadian sovereignty and the search for new allies had contributed to why they voted Liberal in April.

As is the case for most Conservative parties in the Western world, much of their rhetoric is based on isolationism. Poilievre—while not entirely Trumpist in his rhetoric towards allies and international organizations—echoed ideas on “Canada First” and raised fears regarding our

immigration system.

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Based on my discussions with students, many claimed that xenophobia was one of the reasons they turned out for the LPC. In an effort to bolster the ‘Canadian national identity’ and contrast it from the American identity, students want to look for outward solidarity through internationalism rather than internal galvanization through isolationism, as the Americans did in their 2024 Presidential Elections.

In doing so, many Canadians saw it as worthy to back a ‘moderate and rational’ Liberal rather than what many of them perceived as a populist bulwark, similar in suit if not kind to the man in Washington DC. That said, even though they won the election, the Liberals did not come out on top with the majority they were projected to have in the polls. They will need to find new allies in Ottawa while combating many of the same issues that put the CPC so far ahead in the first place.

In mid-August, Poilievre also made his return to the House of Commons, and we are guaranteed to see plenty of political gamesmanship return to the fore. Nonetheless, I doubt we will ever see an election outcome as jarring or unpredictable as this one again in our lifetimes.

Three’s a Crowd those love triangles.

This trope continued to thrive in classical literature. Works like Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice and Persuasion, as well as Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina, used love triangles to create tension and explore the pressures, norms, and values of contemporary society.

Now, love triangles permeate modern fiction, from iconic YA work, such as The Hunger Games and The Vampire Diaries to newer iterations of this trope, like Materialists and The Summer I Turned Pretty.

What draws us to it?

It’s clear that our society as a whole is captivated by love triangle tropes. We even look past the screen to find them. Just look at the way tabloids erupted over Prince Charles, Princess Diana, and Camilla Parker-Bowles.

However, despite its widespread popularity, the love triangle trope is not without its faults. In fact, its appearances in so many narratives can make it overused and predictable. Often, improperly written love triangles lead to complete character assassination, whether it is a one-dimensioned main character or a love interest who just can’t seem to decide if they’re nice or abusive.

Illustrated by April Roy Emilia Madala Contributor At its core, the love triangle trope is not about who wins, but about our innate, human desire to matter

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t’s time to ask the oldest question in the book, one that has ruined friendship and started online wars: are you Team Jacob or Team Edward?

Twilight is one in a sea of many media forms featuring this type of setup. Turn on almost any show or movie or open almost any book, and you will come face-to-face with one of, if not the most, popular romance tropes: the love triangle.

The Cambridge Dictionary defines it as “a situation in which two people both love a third person.” While this is the version we see most often in the media, it fails to cover the variations that this trope can have. The love triangle trope involves—as the name suggests—three people, love, and a whole lot of conflict. At its core, it’s all about the drama.

History of the trope One of the earliest—and most dramatic—examples of this trope is the epic tale of the Trojan War in Greek mythology. In it, Paris and Menelaus both fall for Helen of Troy and are willing to go to war for her, literally.

Another famous love triangle can be found in The Legend of King Arthur, wherein Arthur’s wife, Guinevere, is involved in a love affair with one of the knights of the round table, Sir Lancelot.

The love triangle trope also found its place on stage in operas like Carmen and Tosca.

This trope practically carried Shakespeare’s plays—befitting, considering his affinity for drama. From mistaken identities in Twelfth Night, to tragedy-causing rivalry in Othello, Shakespeare kept audiences on the edge of their seats for the resolution of

By its nature, love triangles are a breeding ground for toxic relationship dynamics and their romanticization.

Yet, despite all of this, despite having seen this trope play out over and over again, we keep coming back. There must be something about it that intrinsically draws us in.

Maybe it’s the magic number three. In having a triad instead of a duo, authors are able to explore a greater variety of relationship dynamics and create more tension.

This tension is what makes the trope so appealing. It captivates the audience by making them connect with a love interest and become emotionally invested in seeing that character “win.”

When there is someone to root for, there is not only competition within the story, but among those engaging with it, too. It’s the perfect marketing strategy: the polarizing nature of the trope gives rise to “teams”, which in turn participate in online debate and thus promote the piece of media further. Even when the “winner” may be obvious, love triangles still have a sense of suspense that you just can’t get with a two-person love story. This trope keeps the audience guessing, makes them read into every action and line of dialogue for clues.

The trope also holds up a mirror to our psyche; it makes us reflect on how we see love.

We seem to believe that love gains more meaning when it is contested. Perhaps, we are more confident in love that has been “fought for” and “won.” There is comfort and security in the idea that someone can put in so much effort and risk loss for us, which reassures our relationships. Someone who has “won” your heart wouldn’t dare break it.

On the flip side, when someone acts possessive or jealous in regards to you, it can bring on a strange satisfaction. It can feel like proof of just how much matter to them.

But, the love triangle is a fantasy.

We want to feel desired. We want to be chosen. We want to be fought for. There is a reason this trope has stood the test of time even with all its flaws. It touches something deep within us all—our need for validation and our hope that love can guide us to the correct choice. And perhaps that is why it endures.

Because at its core, the love triangle trope is not about who wins, but about our innate, human desire to matter.

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Reflecting on student success, reconciliation, gratitude, trust, and nature: A conversation with UTM Principal Alexandra Gillespie Samuel Kamalendran Managing Editor

ince and nation. “Like, what’s more important than a nurse? Not much,” Gillespie said, stressing that these placements would fill this dire gap with skilled graduates right out of the Peel Region.

with annual tradition, The Medium sat down Gillespie’s passion for student success was evident, as Iintonwithline UTM’s principal to give students better insight the conversation ultimately ended where we started, the office’s work, and the journey, motivations and goals of its holder.

As the new school year at the University of Toronto (U of T) Mississauga (UTM) begins to unfold, it is common for students and faculty to take time to reflect on their academic and professional trajectories and identify their priorities for the year ahead.

At our campus, nowhere is such a practice more critical than in the offices of the highest echelons of UTM and U of T leadership, upon whom is the burden of steering the titanic that is our university — an institution with over 100,000 students, over 16,000 faculty, and an operating budget of $3.62 billion.

At UTM, such leadership is represented by the individual with the responsibility and privilege of leading our campus: UTM Principal and U of T Vice-President Alexandra Gillespie. This year, faithful to tradition, The Medium sat down with Gillespie, just two months after the announcement of the extension of her seat as principal.

Through our conversation, The Medium aimed to provide readers an understanding of the inner workings of both UTM’s highest office and its holder by gaining insight into the achievements, ambitions and challenges facing the university, as well as getting to know Gillespie, her journey to the principal’s rank, her motivations and drive, and the philosophies that guide her leadership.

Accomplishments and milestones Regarding what she is most proud of over her now five-year tenure as principal, Gillespie placed student success at the helm of UTM’s progress by pointing to the campus’s increases in graduation and student retention rates. While noting that such a detail may seem minor, Gillespie highlighted how such a trajectory represents “more students coming here and finding a place where they can thrive.”

As to what makes UTM an environment conducive to student achievement, Gillespie referred to the university’s investments in student financial and wellness support over the last few years. These investments manifest through programs like activities in the Wellness Den, events like the Health and Counselling Centre’s Be Well Fair, which over 6,000 students attend each year, and the Recreation, Athletics and Wellness Centre’s (RAWC) extra-curricular support services.

with her underscoring what she considered the biggest source of joy. “I do want to stress — the thing I’m proud of is when I stand up on that stage during convocation, and students walk across and get their degree, and I see their parents’ faces in the audience and we’re all trying not to cry with joy. That’s what makes me proud.”

A conversation on truth, reconciliation, and renewal In September 2023, The Medium’s then Editor-inChief, Juliana Stacey, and Managing Editor, River Knott, sat down with the principal, to discuss the concept of “diagrammatic representation” — a model of organization Gillespie used to depict the “heart of campus.” In 2023, the “heart” in question referred to the university’s aspirations around Truth and Reconciliation and environmentalism.

This focus on the “heart” was a guiding principle to this interview, as ultimately, statistics and figures can be found online at the click of a button; however, it is more difficult to lay flat the schematics of the heart — to articulate what makes someone or something tick.

Regarding UTM’s current core list of priorities, Gillespie revisited the idea of Truth and Reconciliation and took it a step further. Gillespie first emphasized the importance of placing reconciliation “at the heart of our strategic framework,” especially by how it speaks to the commitment of Canadians to reconcile and “doing things in a better way than we have in the past with Indigenous Peoples.”

Running with this idea, Gillespie elaborated with an emphasis that Truth and Reconciliation reinforces “telling the truth about the past and indeed the present, and using that truth as a foundation from which to springboard into a more honest, more just, [and] more beautiful future. I believe in that really, really deeply.”

Gillespie continued by offering this truth-telling lens as a new perspective to adopt in every area of the university, from administration to class, to ensure that students are armed to take on a world “full of all kinds of complicated misinformation.”

Gillespie also emphasized how such growth inspires substantial pride, specifically because of its emergence during the last five years, which “have not been easy years for anybody.”

Besides the various global and societal challenges that scarred this time period, the university also faced multiple fiscal obstacles, including frozen tuition fees, inflation that has eroded government funding, and challenges around international student enrollment.

Despite these roadblocks, Gillespie proudly noted how the university was able to successfully manage the budget and drive resources into what matters, namely, student success.

Gillespie also recalled the raising of the Indigenous Tipi in 2023, calling it a moment of “joy and pride.”

The tipi, which sits on the end of Principal’s Road, serves as a space for UTM’s Indigenous community to connect and for the campus community as a whole to practically engage in the work of reconciliation.

Moreover, Gillespie spotlighted the university’s announcement that the government would be funding 30 new nursing placement spots at UTM in collaboration with the Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing at U of T. This venture will provide new pathways for undergraduates and respond to the lack of healthcare in our prov-

Photo Credits: Luke Farwell

Such a focus might be easy to overlook, especially among the various other tasks that the Principal engages with, such as reducing the campus’s carbon emissions as a part of Project SHIFT to renovating, and reopening Spiegel Hall to increase space for student activities and multi-faith religious observation and prayer. However, Gillespie emphasized that even with the weight of tangible goals and duties, there is a need to base our relationships on mutual respect, honesty, good faith, kindness and grace, which she believes compose the foundation of a bright and flourishing future.

On the topic of motivation One can imagine Gillespie’s burdens as the principal of UTM and one of the nine vice presidents of U of T. With a role that involves making decisions that impact tens of thousands of students, her responsibilities are no easy job to handle. Having thought about this, it was natural to ask Gillespie what motivates her day after day.

Gillespie reiterated the inspiration that originates from the hope that the students she impacts will walk the graduation stage, facing the “possibility of a future that’s better than the past” — a future that “they will help to create.”

On a more personal level, Gillespie named gratitude as her foremost inspiration, and noted the outlook she’s adopted to funnel tire into power to create positivity.

To articulate her point, Gillespie referred to a quote from the British actor Alec Guinness (who portrayed Obi-Wan Kenobi in the original Star Wars trilogy).

Summarizing the quote, Gillespie stated that “we have our moments of sorrow and solitude, and that’s [when] we worry about ourselves and the people we love.” However, in this pain, “we become aware of others’ suffering” — a truth also encapsulated in Shakespeare’s play, The Tempest, where he wrote “I have suffered / With those that I saw suffer!” (Act 1, Scene 2). Gillespie, drawing on Guiness, affirmed that despite these trials, you can “acknowledge your losses, acknowledge those feelings, and then get right back up … get out there, and extend a hand to those who need help.”

Zooming out, Gillespie underlined the crux of the matter: “giving, giving, giving” — an optimized offering of the gifts, privilege and blessedness we experience to

09 out who we are and what makes us special, and then unapologetically doubling down to ultimately possess a skill that can be used to help the people around us.

ly made a decision. “And I was like, you know what, I’m just going to go with the arts thing, I’m going to go with books [and] literature.”

“That is what inspires me — that I’ve got lots that I’m so lucky to be able to give … so there you are, that’s what’s in my heart.”

Gillespie contentedly observed that her decision was not the absolute end, as her options ultimately intertwined, not just through her hikes through UTM’s trails but also through the intriguing study of fungal growth in books. “I just managed to combine them,” she said.

Words of wisdom As one might expect, Gillespie is not new to the academic grind. After finishing her undergraduate degree at Te Herenga Waka, Victoria University of Wellington, Gillespie made her way to Oxford University, where she completed her master’s and doctorate as a Rhodes Scholar.

After fellowships at the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, she proceeded to UTM, where she served as a professor (and received UTM’s highest teaching award in 2010) until 2020, when she became principal. Given both her experience and success in academics, a point was made to ask Gillespie for the advice she would give to students of all levels of experience.

Gillespie started by preaching an open-mindedness that takes advantage of the many opportunities offered

by U of T to expand one’s horizons as a student and person. “The advice I would give is don’t be afraid of letting your education and your experiences change you. It almost sounds like the opposite of the advice I just gave, when I said figure out who you are and then double down on that,” she said. “Don’t be ashamed of who you are — and yet I’m also saying, allow yourself to be transformed by what is happening around you. I think it’s possible to think of two contradictory things and hold space for both.”

Gillespie also stressed the potency of pursuing one’s interests and curiosity. “Follow your curiosity … when something sparks inside of you, just go that direction.

Don’t worry too much about what’s going to happen at the end.”

To articulate her point, Gillespie rendered her own experience in undergrad, when her school counsellors advised her to pursue law, while her parents encouraged her to identify what she truly wanted. Torn over her passion for nature and the arts, Gillespie ultimate-

On that note, Gillespie mentioned that the power of curiosity and its consequent self-discovery is best applied with a special ingredient: trust in oneself. “I followed my curiosity. I trusted myself. If you’re good enough to be at this university and if you’re going to get the lift that this university is going to give you, you can afford to follow the things that really excite you.”

Drawing on her own experience, Gillespie pointed to the adjustment in her trajectory when she was introduced to Geoffrey Chaucer in a class that would change the rest of her a c a demic career. “I haven’t stopped b e i n g interested in him …

I [still] care about his ideas about the world and the beautiful art he made.”

With the evidence submitted and her arguments laid out, Gillespie rested her case with the essence of the matter, “So, follow your curiosity … I think that remains the case. Back yourself. Trust the transformation that education wreaks.”

A campus shaped by nature Besides her work studying fungal growth in books, Gillespie is an avid naturalist and forager — a hobby that is well served by the natural splendour of UTM’s landscape, one filled with various types of flora and fauna.

Given her knowledge of UTM’s terrain, Gillespie was the perfect person to seek advice from regarding where students should go to best experience our campus’s

Decolonizing Pedagogy: UTM’s Committee to Indigenous Justice and Collaboration takes big step in its first event Natalie Ramadan Contribut0r Photo Credits: Andrew Park

beauty.

In our conversation, Gillespie provided readers with specific directions to one of her favourite spots: start at Lislehurst, the principal’s residence, which can be accessed through Principal’s Road on the North of the Maanjiwe nendamowinan building. From there, access the nature trail that goes off the turning circle by the house towards the Missinnihe, also known as the Credit River. “At this time of year, you can look down and you can see people casting and catching actual salmon that are swimming upstream to spawn.”

Reflecting on the “immemorial” cycle of the salmon run, Gillespie also highlights the river’s importance to the Mississaugas of the Credit to identify a key takeaway from the discussion: “you’re both seeing something beautiful in nature, but also something that [speaks to us] about the history of our relationship with the land and our relationship with one another.”

Moreover, the forest, especially right now in the fall, is “extremely pretty,” prompting Gillespie to suggest that “every student should walk that path before they graduate.” “Within the next two weeks, the leaves will seriously start to turn, and there are parts of it where you’re going through maples and beech where it’s like you’re in an elven forest.”

To further illustrate this beauty, Gillespie crosses realms to compare the spot to the “goldengrove unleaving” noted in the English poet Gerald Manley Hopkins’ poem, “Spring and Fall.”

Reflecting on the last line of the poem, which reads, “It is the blight man was born for / it is Margaret you mourn for,” Gillespie pointed out a common experience for many during the fall. She simultaneously highlighted the valuable lesson it contains, a takeaway not just relevant for the onset of fall, but perhaps any nostalgic experience or entrance into a time a bit more daunting.

“It’s talking about why we feel sadness in the fall, and you can feel sad,” Gillespie said. “You feel yourself slowly getting ready for winter … but for me, the beauty of fall tells us that we shouldn’t grieve — that this too is part of what is, and is right.”

shared perspectives on U of T’s current progress in Indigenous culture, decolonizing pedagogy, and student assumptions of knowledge. Insights on what UTM can learn from Indigenous knowledge systems and how to implement those systems for future students were also discussed. The event also served Indigenous cuisines and distributed free orange t-shirts by Nish Tee’s, an Indigenous-operated business.

About the CIJC The CIJC was established at the 2024 Annual General Meeting of the UTM Student Union (UTMSU). The motion called for the creation of an open, student-led committee dedicated to advancing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s 94 Calls to Action, particularly Call to Action #80, which seeks the recognition of September 30 as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and a statutory holiday.

The committee will collaborate across the tri-campus community with U of T’s St. George and Scarborough campuses and may continue beyond the 2025–2026 academic year if it successfully builds partnerships or receives an official response from university governance.

The CIJC acknowledges the help of UTMSU President Andrew Park, Vice President of Equity Miatah McCallum, and former UTMSU President Joelle Salsa. Park and McCallum demonstrated great leadership when starting the committee by actively advocating for the rights of all students.

About the event In an interview with The Medium, the founders of the CIJC, Cordelia Macdonald from the Haudenosaunee (Oneida and Mohawk) of the Six Nations of the Grand River and Dakoda Kelm from the Michif Red River Métis, discussed the purpose of the event.

The panel focused on discussions about land sovereignty, the complexities surrounding the Land Acknowledgement, and the actions U of T should take to better recognize the struggles and underrepresentation of Indigenous students through improved support services.

The importance of the event lies in creating a safe space for all students to come forward with questions and listen to a mixed panel of Indigenous experts and professors who are passionate about bringing Truth and Reconciliation into academic spaces. The Panel featured UTM Professor Helene Wagner, McMaster Indigenous Workshop Instructor Stephanie George, and other members of the Indigenous community.

UTM’s new Indigenous committee opens up space for critical dialogue on Truth and Reconciliation Day with panels and cultural activities.

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n September 30, the student-led Committee for Indigenous Justice and Collaboration (CIJC) hosted its first event at the University of Toronto (U of T) Mississauga (UTM) Student Centre presentation room in recognition of the National Day for Truth and Rconciliation, also known as Orange Shirt Day. The event, titled “Decolonizing Pedagogy,” aimed to foster reflection, reimagination, and dialogue on topics of decolonization and indigeneity.

The event featured a discussion panel of Indigenous community members. Panellists

Macdonald expressed, “Students don’t know where to start and feel stuck. That’s okay, this event is meant to show you it’s okay to learn. The first step of decolonizing is getting people to be aware of the issues and helping them get support for that.”

CIJC member, MJ Singleton from the Ojibwe Migisi Sahgaigan First Nations, added that there needs to be less “armchair activism,” or performative activism, on campus.

Instead of just sharing posts on social media, it is more important to take action, connect with the community, and reflect on the issues.

Organizers of the event even considered the seating arrangement, ensuring the panel was held in a circle formation so that everyone was able to see one another. There was also no head of the circle, which expressed that no one is superior.

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The first part of the event began with a personalized land acknowledgement from McCallum, followed by the burning of dried medicinal white sage, also known as a smudging stick. Sage burning, also known as smudging, is an Indigenous practice that’s meant to invite positive energy and spiritual cleansing into the space by creating purifying smoke.

The smudging process was then offered to participants individually, beginning at the entry of the circle. Participants got to spread the purifying smoke over their bodies with their hands or using a feather guide, and the smudging bowl moved down the circle in the direction of the sun (counterclockwise).

Following the smudging ceremony, attendees were treated to a performance by Indigenous women’s hand drum and singing group, SpiritWind. Formed in 1999, the group performed three sets of songs throughout the event, which created an intimate and powerful atmosphere by connecting attendees through a shared cultural experience.

Afterwards, Macdonald led the event by allowing participants to introduce themselves and share their reasons for participating, encouraging people to mingle with one another later during the social hour.

The event concluded with conversations of land acknowledgment and sharings of students’ experiences on campus. Indigenous cuisines were also served, along with the social hour for one-on-one dialogues.

ARTS

Decolonizing pedagogies Towards the final discussion of the event, issues regarding land acknowledgements were brought up. For nonIndigenous students, the land acknowledgement may seem like a way to address Canada’s historical oppression of Indigenous people, but the discussion brought forth a crucial question: what’s recognition without action?

The panellists expressed that these acknowledgements are mere middle grounds, false compromises, and a set of performative words that offer no actions, making it easier for colonizers and settlers to swallow their guilt. For Indigenous students and staff, it felt more like a check box when saying the land acknowledgement, especially when it was played after the national anthem of Canada in some settings.

Instead, the CIJC promotes personalized land acknowledgments, which help the speaker in creating a mindset that balances reason and passion, and allows one to reconnect with the land more sincerely.

The event had a great turnout, with the main goal being to ensure students were not tiptoeing around the topic of inequality among Indigenous peoples and students.

“Passiveness is not sustainable,” stated Macdonald. “We are more similar than different at the end of the day.”

Events like this will continue to provide safe spaces for all students to learn about land acknowledgments and

advocate for increased representation of Indigenous students.

Indigenous awareness in academia Currently, Kelm and Professor Wagner are working side by side on developing an Indigenous biology course focused on the intersection of Truth and Reconciliation in biology. The course will discuss how to treat Indigenous knowledge appropriately, in terms of ownership, control, access and possession (OCAP), as well as Indigenous data governance and addressing Western biases in biology. This course will allow for a deeper understanding of Indigenous pedagogy and its value in academia.

Singleton also shared her Indigenous learning experience with The Medium. She participated in the summer course SOC437 taught by Professor Paul Pritchard, which was held at the Mnidoo Mnising Indigenous Field School.

“We learned more in that one week than in our entire university experience,” said Singleton. Her experience shows that incorporating methods of Indigenous learning into courses and curriculum for Indigenous students is one of the most effective ways to pass down Indigenous knowledge and history.

Those looking to get involved in the CIJC are welcome to submit their information to the CIJC Google form, which can be found at linktr.ee/myutmsu.

Editor | Yusuf Larizza-Ali arts@themedium.ca

Eradicate All Men: The Bold and Provocative Production of Revolt. She Said. Revolt Again.

Aqeel Shahid Ullah Contribut0r A review of Theater Erindale’s incredibly produced and wildly creative performance of an award-winning experimental play

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s someone who has long been fascinated with theatre but never delved too deep into it, I was ecstatic to check out Theater Erindale’s production of Revolt. She Said. Revolt Again. Written by Alice Birch in 2014, the play takes inspiration from a number of feminist writers and the radical SCUM Manifesto by Valeri Solanas. These influences are shown through the multiple premises presented by the play, all of which revolve around themes of gender and power, and serve to dissect the societal expectations of women.

The play is split into six vignettes, starting with a man (Adam Stein) and a woman (Jazmine Palmer) discussing the act of sex. The next scene consists of another couple (Sofia ‘Stevie’ Garcia and Vanessa Whyte) who discuss the

idea of marriage after a proposal goes wrong.

Afterwards, we see a woman (Ola Olupinyo) argue with her male employer as she wishes to be free from work on Mondays. The 4th scene consists of a woman stripping in the middle of a supermarket after being sexually assaulted, followed by a woman confronting her mother for ignoring her own daughter. The final part consists of multiple abstract scenes that all blend into each other before culminating in the characters pledging to topple the current system and annihilate all men.

Over the course of the show, I was blown away by the production and stage design, which was unlike any I had experienced before. Rather than being presented like a typical play, with the show taking place on a stage before a seated audience, Theater Erindale’s production opted for a more immersive experience, with the play taking place at the center of a large room. The audience is encouraged to move around to gain different viewing angles of the play, an aspect that resulted in a much more immersive experience. I shuffled around the room during each of the vignettes and discovered aspects that I would otherwise have missed had I remained seated at a single spot, such as the projector displaying information about the current scene.

Although numerous characters are present in the play, there were only five actors present in the production, with each of them playing multiple roles. Despite this limitation, the actors gave a phenomenal performance , as I never felt like I was watching the same characters. Adam Stein is convincing as both a sex obsessed man and a zealous boss, while Ola Olupinyo pulls off both a tired worker and an emotionally distant matriarch. Vanessa Whyte does an incredible job at playing a dissatisfied girlfriend and an agitating clerk alongside Sofia ‘Stevie’ Garcia, who perfectly complements their co-star in each of the scenes they share. Lastly, Jazmine Palmer gives a wonderful performance as a desperate mother and a woman who manages to wrestle back control from her male partner. A show like this can rest heavily on how well the performers do and in this case , they all nailed it.

During the last act of the play, each actor portrays a character that is part of their own vignette. Occasionally they cross paths and interact with each other, creating a sense

Photo Credits Sheridan, Faculty of Animation, Arts and Design

of two worlds colliding. As it built towards its climax, the lights flickered constantly and eventually turned crimson, leading to its finale with most of the actors standing on a prop in the center of the room, pledging to eradicate all men before bowing down to the audience to signal the end of the show. All in all, I was amazed at how they did so much with so little, and communicated much to the audience through creative set pieces and witty dialogue. If you have even a passing interest in experimental theater, I would highly recommend checking out a performance of Revolt. She Said. Revolt Again. from October 7th to 11th.

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Romanticizing Heartache: The Music of sombr Olivia Maddaloni Contributor

Illustrated by Rojin Hajiabbasali

A few of sombr’s tracks feature cover art that showcase him in monochrome (black and white), reflective of the grey, clouded emotions affiliated with his aesthetic. The monochromatic feel comes through in his lyrics, too, evoking melancholy imagery. In his song called “we never dated,” sombr sings, “How come we never even dated / But I still find myself thinking of you daily? / Why do you always leave me aching / When you were never mine for the taking?” His sense of longing is also heard in “undressed” in a favourite verse of mine: “I don’t want the children of another man / To have the eyes of the girl I won’t forget.”

How sombr’s musical style helps resonate with students more than anyone else

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icture this: it’s a late September night, you’re driving down dark, rain-soaked streets, twinkling city lights in the distance. The midnight blue sky creeps over the road ahead, and the last of a violet sunset sinks below the skyline. Raindrops hit the windows, streaming down like tears. Your heart aches as you grapple with heartbreak, confusion, melancholy…and sombr echoes your feelings as “back to friends” plays on the radio.

Shane Michael Boose, who most people recognize as sombr (all lowercase), is a 20-year-old singer, record producer, and songwriter. He catapulted into the music mainstream after his songs “undressed” and “back to friends,” which he wrote and co-produced, went viral on TikTok. Since this happened, sombr has become increasingly popular. You may have seen him performing on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, or owning the stage in his black sequin vest at the MTV Video Music Awards.

My friends first introduced me to sombr this summer. When I searched him up and discovered that he had around 59 million Spotify listeners, my curiosity peaked. It wasn’t until this past August, upon the release of sombr’s debut studio album, I Barely Know Her, that I became enamoured by his music and his image.

Anyone who loves alternative or indie rock is bound to like sombr. His vibe parallels the sad music of Lana Del Rey or Billie Eilish, but I find him more melodic. When I listen to him, I’m reminded of the melancholia of The Smiths, or that of the song “What Once Was” by Her’s.

Yet, sombr’s style sets him apart from his contemporaries. I quickly noticed the uniqueness in writing his name and song titles in all lowercase; sombr’s music has

mysterious glamour.

been grouped with genres of indie rock, pop rock, and alternative rock, with a range of influences like David Bowie, Jeff Buckley, Radiohead, Phoebe Bridgers, and The Velvet Underground. He also has a retro, discoesque feel evident in one of my favourite songs of his, “12 to 12.”

We live in a time where the youth are very invested in aesthetics and romanticizing their lives. sombr appears to know just how to accomplish this through music, bringing on a vintage, rock’n’roll alternative flair. He’s moody, grey, heartfelt, and poetic, in both his songs and music videos. The piano riffs and somber guitar chords aren’t always slow, but even upbeat, and still transport you to a setting of solemnity and heartache. His desolate lyrics express heartbreak, young love, and being a hopeless romantic. Even more, his fashion exudes a casual,

Youth, specifically young adults, aren’t foreign to what sombr sings about. He’s also in his early 20s, making him more relatable. Heartbreak and heartache are the center of our lives. This applies to people who’ve had or gone through tough relationships, a breakup, a crush; those who’ve dreaded seeing someone they once loved, wondering if they’ll move on from them, make amends, or have to fill that void. We try to focus on our university studies, while managing the qualms of our personal lives…coping with grief and emotion. I find that sombr romanticizes heartache, and his lyrics are a bandage for those wounds. He emphasizes the dramatic beauty of this pain. Maybe there’s peace in melancholy, like feeling comfort in rainy days; music that matches our mood can be comforting.

You play sombr when your heart is yearning, when your eyes sting with tears of heartbreak, when you’re lost in love, or at a loss for it. I could listen to sombr on Spotify or the radio, over and over. I always retreat into some daydream, embrace the melancholiness of his music as he echoes what I feel. I take ownership of those emotions—enveloped in heartache but also comforted because of his relatable words. sombr voices our feelings, brings about themes underlying our young adult lives, and confronts them the way we’d want to, but perhaps never had the words for.

“Can We Talk” about Elijah POETRY CORNER Woods, The Kid From A Small Shades of October Town In Canada? (contd. from page 01)

by Vaishnavi Jagadeeswaran

Diana Varzideh Contributor

The Morning Woods, his Instagram broadcast channel, explains the story behind the song’s lyrics: “[Slick Back Hair] is me dressing extremely poorly, then meeting my now wife, Hannah, and her telling me that maybe I shouldn’t wear skinny jeans, and slick back hair [...] and how she effectively changed my life.” Quick drum rhythms and synths convey this message well, and listeners can expect a similar style for the rest of the album.

His interview with Esquire revealed that Can We Talk? will have big atmospherics, reverb inspired by Kacey Musgraves, and a generally dreamy sound profile. The ability to create his own records, with full control over the production is important to Woods. When asked to describe the album in three words, he told Vogue that it was, “vulnerable, honest, perfect”.

Illustrated by Aria Zheng

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owever, this pining turns resentful in the next single, Could You Love Me? While the song’s title may initially suggest themes of insecurity in a relationship, Woods makes it clear that the issue is the other person in the relationship: “Could you love me like you love yourself?” The song has an overall slower pace, signifying his acceptance that the relationship won’t work out.

This catharsis gives way to the final single, the upbeat Slicked Back Hair. A voice note Elijah Woods left in

Vulnerable and honest serve well to describe Woods himself since despite having over 5 million listeners, several platinum and gold records, and four JUNO award nominations, he remains accessible and true to his roots, still considering himself “just some kid from a small town in Canada.”

He continues to perform locally; just this past Canada Day, he performed in Richmond Hill, Ontario, where fans and residents were able to see him free of charge, similar to Canada Day 2022 where he performed here in Mississauga.

These performances strengthen his connection to the people and places where he grew up. The coming-ofage album, Can We Talk? serves as the ideal backdrop to the start of Elijah Woods’ venture into independent music, and paves the way for future aspiring Canadian singers and songwriters.

Photo Credits: Lucy Park

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ike kindling, autumn leaves crackle under my shoes, a carpet of fire, fallow, and blackberry bruise, strewn scattered to the horizon without halt, embers glowing warmly against charcoal asphalt.

The wind ruffles blazing leaves, as crisp and cool, as the apples that blush on the boughs; sweet ruby jewels.

The breeze tickles the back of my neck with chilly fingers, and even through my scarf, the feeling lingers.

Shadows of geese peek through the clouds, overcast, silvery shrouds, their trumpeting chorus decrescendos far, far away, to a distant place where night is shorter than day.

The sky herself must be as cold as I, for the sun soon says goodbye, and tumbles from its towering height, as the sky wraps herself in cloak of night.

12 SPORTS & HEALTH

Eagles Can’t Complete the Comeback Tyler Medeiros Associate Sports & Health Editor

Red of possession and ran down the pitch. He found himself one-on-one with the keeper and placed the ball in the bottom right corner to tie the game, sending the Eagles bench into a frenzied celebration. Neither team wanted to settle for a draw. Multiple defensive miscommunications by the UTM defensive line gave UTSG Red numerous opportunities to score. Both Szabi Bozosky and the UTM substitutes were pleading for their players to communicate with each other.

The referee gave out three yellow cards with ten minutes left in the match. He was beginning to lose control as both teams were desperate for the winning goal. UTSG Red had a great opportunity to score with five minutes left in the match. A long ball from the back was passed to the UTSG Red striker. He drove into the box but was fouled before he could have a shot on net. The referee gave himself a second to think and decided to give UTSG the penalty shot.

Photo Credits: UTM Recreation, Athletics & Wellness, Flickr

UTM got a taste of their own medicine as they were forced to watch a UTSG attacker stand over the ball from 12 yards. The shot lacked conviction, but it managed to squeeze under Sami and into the bottom left side of the net. UTM made a late push for an equalizer with encouragement from the bench, but it wasn’t enough.

espite the callout, Sami mishandled the ball, leading D to a goalscoring opportunity for UTSG Red, and causing ead coach ​​Szabi Bozosky to shout out “C’mon, Sami, Catching up with Coach stronger with the crosses.” Sami made up for his early mistakes minutes later with three strong short-range saves after UTM sloppily gave up possession in the midfield.

UTM had the majority of possession in the first half. The UTSG Red bench was desperate to win possession and take the lead. “Put a f*cking foot in,” screamed a UTSG Red player from the bench. UTSG eventually got their opportunity to have possession and made their moment count. UTSG Red’s number 24 ran down the wing, dribbled past two defenders, and slotted his shot just underneath Sami and into the back of the net.

The first goal of the match turned out to be the turning point as UTSG Red found some momentum. They had an opportunity to make the game 2-0, but saw their shot thunder off the crossbar. UTM conceded the first yellow card of the match with the free kick leading to UTSG Red’s second goal. The UTSG Red attacker jogged over to the home fans in celebration. He pulled out the infamous Viktor Gyökeres celebration, interlocking his fingers and covering his mouth.

Eagles come out flying, crash before final whistle A few minutes later, the referee blew his whistle for halftime. UTM needed the time to brainstorm a game plan to make a comeback. The team talk given by the coaching staff seemed to have been effective as they drew a penalty shot five minutes into the second half. Aidan Gideon drew the foul in the box, and Krish Chaven stepped up to tuck the ball into the top right corner of the net to make it a one goal game.

Just seconds after UTSG kicked off, Aidan robbed UTSG

​​ Szabi Bozosky spoke to the media post-match. He said that he felt his team was playing around with the ball too much at the back. He urged his team to move the ball forward faster and press their back line with intensity.

The Eagles return to the pitch on Sunday, October 19, at 1:00 pm to take on UTSC (University of Toronto Scarborough) at Valley Fields. Come support your Eagles on the road as they look to grab all three points.

Other news outlets and non-governmental organisations reported that in Gaza more than 100 mosques and 195 heritage sites have been destroyed or damaged, as well as 97 per cent of schools and 92 per cent of housing units destroyed or damaged. With no safe place to return, an estimated 1.5 million people in Gaza are forced to live in tents and makeshift shelters.

Public response Throughout the week of the commemoration, provincial Minister of Energy and Mines Stephen Lecce, Hillel Ontario, and members of the public criticised the event and its organisers.

Minister Lecce remarked on X that the event was “twisted, offensive, and unCanadian.” He also called the event organisers a “hateful, antisemitic, and anti-democratic mob” which “should be banned from any campus.”

The MSA condemned Lecce’s remarks via Instagram post the following day. “We want to be clear to Minister Lecce: we are in consultation with legal counsel on this matter and will take necessary steps to defend ourselves against

Editor | Joseph Falzata sports@themedium.ca

(contd. from page 01)

the defamatory allegations,” the statement read. The statement concluded with demands for Lecce to “publicly retract and apologize for his post.”

On October 6, Hillel Ontario also spoke out against Honouring Our Martyrs, posting on Instagram, “this initiative is a clear celebration of the terrorists” and that “the university must have a voice in condemning this shameful program.” They also indicated in the post that Hillel representatives would be present at the commemoration to “ensure that any violations of university policy are documented and reported.”

Hillel Ontario later posted a video of a separate commemoration in the William G. Davis Building which was hosted

by Jewish students around the same time as the gathering at the Student Centre. The video showed a line of special constables standing between the mourners and a crowd of students, which the video’s caption described as “an angry mob.”

Some students expressed safety concerns about attending Honouring Our Martyrs. The UTMSU’s posts continued to gain negative attention, with claims of “students praising terrorist attacks” and remarks like “embarrassing” and “disgusting” flooding comment sections.

Conversely, Professor Kate Maddalena of the Institute of Communication, Culture, Information and Technology expressed in an interview with The Medium that, after attending the event, “I am very glad that students found their voices and feel able to gather, grieve, and speak.” She said it was an improvement from two years ago, when “it felt like students couldn’t even ask questions or have conversations about what was happening in Palestine.”

One student, who chose to remain anonymous, saw the event as “an opportunity to express your emotions, ideals, and what you think is right and also try to educate other people about what you know to be true. I think that’s always going to be a good thing.” By joining together, they said, “students get to experience being involved in something bigger than just yourself.”

Yusuf Ksaibati, a second-year digital enterprise management specialist and owner of SoftSpot 4VIP, joined the event with his own custom handmade Handala hanging rug filled in with the colours of the Palestinian flag featuring a kuffiyeh and engraved olive branches. The Handala cartoon is a symbol of Palestinian identity and defiance, created by Naji al-Ali in 1969.

“This isn’t a cultural, race or religious thing. Right now it’s Palestinians, when the Palestinians are gone, who’s next?” Ksaibati commented. “This is a human thing, humans need to show up for humans.”

After the event, the UTMSU posted a statement about their commemoration, insisting their “stance is rooted in principles of anti-war, anti-apartheid, anti-capitalism, anti-imperialism, and anti-racism,” standing firm on their “collective duty to speak out against injustice and stand

Get to know the University of Toronto Mississauga Soccer Club (UTMSC)

Collage by Melody Zhou

Farzaan M. Khan Contributor Learn how one of UTM’s newest clubs is building community through the beautiful game

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he University of Toronto Mississauga Soccer Club (UTMSC) is more than just another sports club on campus – it’s a vibrant community for students who share a passion for soccer, whether through playing, watching, or simply enjoying the spirit of the game. It’s a community built around passion, teamwork, and inclusivity. Whether you’re an experienced player, a casual fan, or simply someone looking to meet new people, the UTMSC offers something for everyone who shares an appreciation for the world’s most beloved sport: soccer.

Our club’s primary objective is to establish a space where students can connect through their love of football. To achieve this, the UTMSC organizes a variety of soccer-related events, including both friendly and competitive matches held outdoors and indoors, FIFA gaming tournaments, and lively watch parties for some of the sport’s biggest events, especially the UEFA Champions League and the upcoming World Cup. These gather-

ings foster friendships, sportsmanship, and school spirit, bringing the UTM community together through shared excitement and teamwork.

Beyond gameplay, the UTMSC aims to introduce students to the deeper characteristics of soccer, from its strategies and styles to its cultural impact around the world. The club welcomes players of all skill levels, offering opportunities to engage in casual matches, structured tournaments, and virtual competitions that make participation accessible to everyone.

As anticipation builds for next year’s World Cup, the UTMSC is planning a major event to celebrate the occasion, one that promises to be both exciting and memorable for soccer fans across campus.

Officially recognized as a UTM-approved, UTMSUapproved, and CRR-approved club, UTMSC is proud to represent the passion and unity that soccer inspires.

Students interested in joining can easily sign up through the club’s membership form (which can be found in the

club’s instagram bio/profile). To stay up to date on upcoming games, tournaments, and social events, follow the club’s Instagram page (@UTMSOCCERCLUB) and join our WhatsApp community (also on the club’s instagram bio/profile). You can also learn more about the club by visiting the UofT Student Organizations Portal.