The Cascade, Volume 33, Issue 08

APRIL 30, 2025

VOL. 33 // ISSUE 08

Lying face down in moss since 1993

11

B.C. CAMPING GUIDE

06

NEWS

JAYDEN HOVEY’S EXIT

14

SPORTS

GET TO KNOW UNIVERSITY MASCOTS

19

CULTURE

STUDENT ART AT INTERPRET

VOL. 33 // ISSUE 08

Editor-in-Chief

Managing Editor

Business Manager

Creative Director

Kiara Okonkwo kiara@ufvcascade.ca Marie-Ange Routier marie-ange@ufvcascade.ca

Production Manager Sherryl Agingu sherryl@ufvcascade.ca

Catherine Campbell cat@ufvcascade.ca

Gabriela Gonzalez gabriela@ufvcascade.ca

Production Assistant Alex Ubieta alex@ufvcascade.ca

Features Editor

News Editor

Culture Editor

Jr. News

Sports Editor

Copy Editor

Arts Editor

Opinion Editor

Darien Johnsen darien@ufvcascade.ca Elyssa English elyssa@ufvcascade.ca Jeffrey Kennett jeffrey@ufvcascade.ca

Anna McCausland anna@ufvcascade.ca

Feature & Cover Illustrator

Rebeca Marquez Lopez rebeca@ufvcascade.ca

Digital Media Assistant Sophie Ofeimu

Snapshot Illustrator

Iryna Presley

Rachel Tait rachel@ufvcascade.ca Sky Terrones sky@ufvcascade.ca Cassie Williams cassie@ufvcascade.ca Natalia Toscano Murua natalia@ufvcascade.ca

Digital Design Manager Mehak Narang mehak@ufvcascade.ca

Illustrator May Beeney

Staff Writer Caitlyn Carr

Photographer

Columnist

Staff Writer

Columnist

Staff Writer

Staff Writer

Josh Sulpico

Prati Kapoor Gauri Sethi

Sean Horn

Editorial //

NEWS 3.............News Briefs 3.............April Senate recap 4 ������������Insight into 2025/26 budget 4-5 ���������Carbon tax is gone — now what?

5 ������������Alum builds local company 6.............Spotlight on trade war 6-7 ���������Exit interview with Jayden Hovey

OPINION 7,8,9,10 ��Snapshots 7 ������������The Environmentalist: intersectionality 8 ������������Falling for potential 9 ������������Dealing with crush sickness 9-10 �������Lonely or alone?

10 ����������Loss of the third place

Faby Cruz Alderete Veronica Powell

Distributor

Kirat Dhami

FEATURE 11-13 ������A guide to camping in B.C.

CONTRIBUTORS Harpreet Singh Jasleen Sandhu Kara Dunbar Abby Hansen Hannah Bricknell Eseniia Bondar Kimberley Perkins Jasper Fleming Aaron Levy

SPORTS 15 �����������University mascot guide 16 �����������Athletic award winners

WWW.UFVCASCADE.CA INSTAGRAM.COM THECASCADEUFV TIKTOK CASCADE_FY Volume 33 · Issue 08 Room S2111-33844 King Road Abbotsford, BC,V2S 7M8 604.854.4529

The Cascade is UFV’s autonomous student newspaper and alternative press for the Fraser Valley. It originated under its current name in 1993, and achieved autonomy from the university and the Student Union Society in 2002. The Cascade is funded with UFV student funds, is a forum for UFV students to have their journalism published in an entirely student-run setting and is overseen by The Cascade Journalism Society Board, a body run by a student majority.The Cascade is published every other Wednesday with a print circulation of 800 and is distributed at Abbotsford, Chilliwack (CEP), Clearbrook, and Mission UFV campuses and throughout the surrounding communities.

In order to be published in the newspaper, all work must first be approved

by The Cascade’s editor-in-chief and the corresponding section editor. The Cascade reserves the right to edit submissions for clarity and length and will not print any articles or be a platform for any contributor or contractor who has shared racist, sexist, homophobic, or libellous content online in any form. Letters to the editor, while held to the same standard, are unedited, and should be under 200 words. Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect that of UFV, The Cascade’s staff and collective, or associated members.

The Cascade is published on the traditional, unceded territory of the Stó:lō peoples. We are grateful to be able to work and learn on this beautiful land.

2

CULTURE 16 �����������Study Break 17 �����������Campus Fashion: ‘90s trends return 17 �����������Cascade Kitchen: Biscoff tres leches 19 �����������Epilepsy in full colour 19-20 �����Skincare secrets 20 ����������Student art showcased at Interpret 21 �����������A celebration for UFV’s literary magazine

ARTS 21............The return of gothic metal 21-22......A Minecraft mess 22 ����������Synthpop meets classic rock with The Crux 23 ����������Creative Corner: “Sea Wall” 23...........CIVL Charts & Shuffle

General elections, graduations, and other endings Monday night’s snap election had several newsworthy outcomes: Mark Carney is officially the 24th Prime Minster; Pierre Poilievre lost his incumbent seat to the Liberals; Jagmeet Singh resigned as the leader of the NDP… and while the right-wing populist rhetoric of Poilievre will not be leading the country, the Conservatives will remain as the second largest opposition party — with 144 seats in the House to the Liberals 168 seats, at the time of writing.

All this to remind us, that in the talk about “winners” and “losers,” with declarations to either side of the red/ blue binary that we have become so acquainted with, our systems work best through hybridity. It’s not “either/or.”

So, in the spirit of “both and,” I’ll ruminate on another ending that will bring about new beginnings… because that’s a wrap — on my undergrad, my time at The Cascade, my tenure as Editor-in-Chief. And moving on isn’t all that exciting.

Moving on feels a lot like someone has pulled the blinds in my room open while I’m still sleeping. Yes, there’s a bright new day out there waiting for me and the chickadees are chirping… but can’t I get five more minutes?

Nope.

As such, this issue of The Cascade is the first of our reduced summer production schedule. We’ve been gearing up for the executive changeover and have finalized our new cover design, all while (trying) to end our semester strong.

Beginning on page 3, tap into what’s going on at UFV with a Senate recap, budget breakdown, and an exit interview with outgoing SUS President Jayden Hovey.

Then, on page 11, find our feature story, a go-to guide on camping in B.C. This guide offers a robust how-to with some local recommendations and enough nostalgia to encourage you to create your own wilderness memories.

Our Culture section begins on page 16, with a timely breakdown of the School of Creative Arts’ Interpret Festival and the launch of this year’s Louden Singletree. Big congratulations to all graduating students and those whose work was showcased at these events!

Finally, on page 23, find our own little corner of creativity and enjoy “Sea Wall,” a poem by Jasper Fleming.

One thing I am quite sure of is that I am leaving this paper better than when I found it — and I am so much better for it.

Thank you, The Cascade!

Kiara Okonkwo

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 2025

VOL. 33 // ISSUE 08

news@ufvcascade.ca News Editor — Rachel Tait

NEWS

N E W S

B R I E F S

LOCAL //

NATIONAL //

B.C . paves a road to hope with $5,0 0 0 toward racism victims

Post debate scrums cancelled

The Government of B.C. aims to fight racism with a new grant. Abbotsford’s Archway Community Services Society was one of 60 community-based organizations in B.C. to receive support from the provincial government — in the form of a lump sum of $5,000 in funding.

Racism is a prominent issue all over the world, including Canada.

“This is a prevalent issue in not just B.C. but the country as a whole, with Statistics Canada reporting in 2024 that 51 per cent of racialized individuals over the age of 15 had suffered some form of discrimination or unfair treatment in Canada.”

The B.C. government allocated a total of $300,000 across the province and verbalized their intentions behind it.

“This grant program is part of the province’s ongoing efforts to advance multiculturalism and build a more welcoming and equitable B.C. for all.”

Archway plans to use the $5,000 to support affairs meant for anti-racism enhancement.

VERONICA POWELL

INTERNATIONAL //

Thousands in UK fight anti-trans ruling

On Apr. 17, Montréal held the Leaders’ Debate in English prior to advanced polling opening for the upcoming federal election.

Afterward, a scrum — where accredited news and media outlets ask the leaders follow up questions — is typically held. According to NOW Toronto, the Leaders’ Debates Commission Executive Director Michel Cormier called the scrum off just moments before it was set to occur due to ill-fitting circumstances.

“Sorry to announce that there will be no scrum tonight for the news because we don’t feel that we can actually guarantee a proper environment for this activity.”

There is speculation that the cancellation is due to stirring between reporters and several right-winged organizations such as Rebel News, who took the Leaders’ Debates Commission to court in 2019 and 2021 over accreditation for the event.

All of this comes after two other last minute changes from the Commission. One being the French leaders’ debate starting earlier due to the timing of the game that secured the Montréal Canadiens a spot in the Stanley Cup play-offs. The other was that neither of the Green Party’s co-leaders were present at the debate due to a failure to meet the candidate requirements for participation.

ANNA MCCAUSLAND

B.C. //

On Apr. 16, the UK Supreme Court unanimously ruled against transgender rights, stating that the terms “woman” and “sex” in the Equality Act 2010 are defined according to a person’s “biological sex.”

The case involved the Gender Representation on Public Boards (Scotland) Act 2018 bill passed by the Scottish Parliament that mandated equal gender representation on public sector boards. This bill allowed trans women with a gender recognition certificate to be included in the women’s quotas specified by the law. As the state recognized them as women, they were provided access to services and protections designated for all women. However, the antitrans group For Women Scotland disagreed and contested the decision.

The ruling also makes it so that trans men, who by law are now technically women, can be barred from certain spaces if they present masculine features.

“This [exclusion] might be considered proportionate where reasonable objection is taken to their presence, for example, because the gender reassignment process has given them a masculine appearance or attributes to which reasonable objection might be taken in the context of the womenonly service being provided.”

Thousands of protestors took to the streets; in London, approximately 20,000 people marched in objection to the ruling.

Black-capped chickadee is B.C .’s Best Bird On Apr. 24, 2025, the Wildlife Rescue Association’s annual Song-Bird Singoff crowned a winner, bestowing the title for Best Bird in B.C. upon the Black-capped Chickadee.

The competition was tough, with 31 songbirds in the running, the Black-capped Chickadee won with a narrow 51 per cent of votes against notable vocalist, the Song Sparrow.

Though the Black-capped Chickadee joins the ranks of the 2024 Best Bird winner, Anna’s Hummingbird, this Chickadee has been wracking up accolades nationwide since 1983 — named the official bird of New Brunswick. Since then, the passerine bird has been recognized as the unofficial bird of Ottawa in 2015, the official bird of the city of Calgary in 2022 and of the city of Regina in 2024.

It’s not just their song that attracts so much acclaim. The Black-capped Chickadee is revered for their plucky spirit, sociability, and adaptability. As a non-migratory bird, they are resourceful and able to withstand diverse climates year-round.

That classic song is a staple in the memories of many Canadians — is it about time we officially declare our national bird?

SKY S. TERRONES

UFV //

April 2025 Senate recap RACHEL TAIT Senate is the academic governing body of UFV, responsible for making decisions that impact the daily lives of both students and faculty. The Board of Governors, which looks at the business side of the university, is advised by Senate on matters of mutual interest. All at the university are welcome to attend Senate’s public meetings, which are held once a month.

Senate makes decisions. This article will recap the main agenda items of the hybrid Senate meeting which occurred on Friday, Apr. 11, 2025.

Dr. Alisa Webb, vice president, students, gave a presentation on students’ success at UFV. Webb mentioned that one thing she and her team observed is the increasing number of students who are at risk of being forced to drop out.

“We’ve been engaged in ongoing discussion and conversation about rethinking how we do academic support focused on student academic success, and there’s a few observations that have been made along the way; one of them is we have a high number of students who are at academic risk. So we’re identifying these as students who are sitting with a cumulative GPA below 2.0.”

Webb also explained some of the steps that are being taken to help students stay in university. One strategy was offering those students a grace semester in the summer of 2024 in which they were not required to withdraw from their classes.

Webb also explained that a team was put together to help support students in those challenging circumstances.

“They created a multidisciplinary team that included an academic advisor, one of the learning strategists from the Academic Success Centre, and the assistant registrar. The goal was that the team would meet with each student to identify and coordinate needed supports to help them get back to a place of academic success.”

She described the process of how the multidisciplinary team was able to help the students by meeting with them over the course of three semesters. The team also worked alongside the student affairs team, the student support centre, financial aid, and counselling to help better support the students in need. Webb said that the results were successful.

“65 per cent of the pilot group improved their academic standing. 51 per cent of them moved from RTW [required to withdraw] to continued academic probation, so they still have some work to do, but 14 per cent of them moved to good academic standing. That’s a success.”

During the president’s report, Dr. Joanne MacLean, president and vice-chancellor, congratulated Dr. James Mandigo, provost and vice president academic, on being selected as the new university president and vice-chancellor.

Mandigo will be taking over for MacLean once her term concludes in June 2025.

According to the Provost Report, Mandigo wrote about his most recent trip to India, where he attended the yearly Fraser Valley India (FVI) Awards night.

He commented on the awards event in a positive light.

“This annual event celebrates the many accomplishments of the FVI students alongside their family and friends before they make the long journey to join us at UFV, typically in the fall semester.

This was my third time attending the Awards night and each time I am so very impressed with the level of engagement of FVI students and how excited the parents are of what the future holds for their children.”

Illustration by Eseniia Bondar / The Cascade

KIARA OKONKWO

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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 2025

VOL. 33 // ISSUE 08

NEWS UFV //

An insight into 2025/26 budget UFV’s CFO shares her experience and expectations for the new fiscal year SKY S. TERRONES Nicole Adams has a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) designation and is the chief financial officer (CFO) at UFV. The 2025/2026 Consolidated Budget Plan is out, amid concerns of student fee increases and potential lay-offs in light of the international student cap imposed by the Canadian government. The Cascade approached CFO Nicole Adams to ask about the challenges and future planning regarding the new budget.

This fiscal year, UFV is looking at around a $5 million increase on both the revenue and expense sides, with most of it related to the new student housing.

However, with the ongoing complications from the government reducing international student enrollment, Adams explained that UFV also considered the current environment.

This year’s evaluation includes the changes imposed by the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) regarding the 10 per cent decrease from the limit set for 2024 — a situation that has created concern and difficulties throughout Canada — as well as the U.S. tariff threats.

“When we do our budgeting, we take those current situations into effect, then we plan accordingly. So, yes, there are concerns across Canada … There are several institutions that are, even this current fiscal year, struggling to meet a balanced position at the end of Mar. 31, 2025.”

Despite these struggles, UFV has maintained the previous year’s number of

900 new international students enrolled.

Adams shared that program reviews and building contingencies into the budget to mitigate risk helped keep them afloat.

She praised the collaborative work from the UFV community, which not only helped them through these challenges but also got them through the COVID-19 pandemic without a deficit.

“UFV has made very good strategic decisions in the past, and those decisions have helped us build a position of financial sustainability.”

On Mar. 10, 2025, the Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU) handed out termination notices to around 70 faculty members due to the decline in international registration. When asked about the possibility of this happening at UFV, Adams reassured that there are no budgeted lay-offs of permanent employees in the current consolidated budget and that taking that measure would require many steps before considering it.

“It would not be something that would be taken lightly … A lot of consultation and discussions would have to, or would happen, before we would move forward with that, and we do have processes. I mean, obviously, we have a union and a collective bargaining agreement. So, there is language and processes in there that as a university we do have to follow … We have to take that into consideration as well whenever any of those decisions [are] even discussed.”

Regarding the tariffs, Adams said that their procurement team has been diligently staying up to date with how the tariffs may impact UFV. When someone needs to order items, the team explores

Photo courtesy of University of the Fraser Valley © Canadian options first. She emphasizes that buying Canadian isn’t always viable, but their proactive attitude shows collaboration and a collective effort to support each other, not only in the economic aspect.

“If there’s any way for us to decrease the effect or reduce, whether financial or other[wise] … then that’s what I think everybody is very much on board [of] trying to do as well.”

Adams also commented that every time a surplus is achieved, it goes to the debt and is reinvested to fund things that will improve the university. Many decisions are rooted in UFV’s Budget Planning Principles, and one of them is transparency, which is why anyone can access the budget documents via the UFV website.

However, when The Cascade approached UFV International to ask about tuition fees, they had no comments on the matter. Instead, they were redirected

to the Director of Communications, Jeboah M. Godron, who did not get back to the paper.

While the budget does not explicitly state a specific percentage increase for tuition fees, Adams’ optimistic view and carefully balanced budget crafted by the financial team leave little room for adjustment. Moving forward, preparations for the 2026/27 years have already begun.

Adams has just marked 20 years of working at UFV and reminisced about what motivates her when facing the trials of the job.

“I’ve been here for a while. So, I guess that says a lot about how much I enjoy working here and the people … and there are always interesting things that are occurring, some more challenging than others, but I like a challenge, and I care about UFV, and so that is what motivates me.”

Canada //

Temporary fixes, permanent problems: rethinking climate policy Despite the removal of carbon pricing, Canada still continues to struggle GAURI SETHI Dr. Michael Batu is an economist and associate professor of Economics at the University of the Fraser Valley.

On his first day, Prime Minister Mark Carney signed an order to remove the federal carbon tax, which came into effect on Apr. 1. Since 2008, the carbon tax has increased what British Columbians paid on natural gas and gasoline. Professor Michael Batu spoke to The Cascade about the carbon tax removal and the economic 4

and environmental effects this has on Canada.

Batu said that with the removal of the carbon tax, there will be consumers who will profit greatly from the reduced prices.

“The consumers will benefit because right away, they will see a decrease in the price of petroleum products. So, that will immediately affect consumers, especially those who commute [and] drive long distances.”

Originally, the carbon tax was projected to rise annually. In 2019, the cost for a

tonne of carbon was $20; by 2030, this price was expected to rise to $170 per tonne. According to CBC News, after the carbon tax was lifted, the price of gas and gasoline also increased: “As of March 31, when it ended, it added 17.6 cents a litre to gasoline and 15.25 cents per cubic metre to natural gas.”

However, Batu also underlined that removing the rebate associated with the carbon tax — a tax-free payment to residents intended to offset the costs of carbon pricing — could be a problem for

low-income households.

“If you’re in the upper income brackets, you don’t receive the rebates at all.

Rebates usually go to the individuals who are the lower income. So if you’re lower income, you would be hit hard by the elimination of the carbon tax, because you don’t get the rebate.”

He explained that the idea behind implementing the carbon tax was to encourage people to use less emissions.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 05

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 2025

VOL. 33 // ISSUE 08

NEWS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 04 “One feature of the carbon tax is that the government collects taxes from certain groups of people, and then it transfers some of it to folks who are in the lower part of the income [bracket] … it’s a form of income transfer, but also part of it is to change behaviour, because the idea is that if the price of oil is expensive, we will drive less.”

Batu mentioned that the government’s hope was to reduce pollution for future generations by taxing fuel and other carbon-emitting products so that people would adopt more eco-friendly lifestyles.

However, the impact grew less evident with time.

Furthermore, Batu explained how the long-term data in British Columbia did not show any drastic reduction in carbon emissions over the years — but it did show an increase. “[From] the latest data that we had, the

greenhouse gas emissions were more than what we had in 2008.”

He said that the ultimate objective is to lower our carbon footprint while balancing affordability and accountability. Batu believes that future-oriented policies strike a better balance than completely removing carbon pricing.

Additionally, Batu stressed that shortterm savings should not come at the expense of environmental responsibility, especially when future generations will feel the impact.

“We have to be responsible stewards of the environment because it’s not we who are going to suffer. It’s going to be the future generation. So, we need to come up with an equitable and fair mechanism so that it’s not as hurtful to us at the present as well as to the future.”

Batu explained that even if people want to go green, they do not always have the means or resources to do so, making the entire process slower than expected. The

cost is just one of the multiple challenges; infrastructure is another major issue. Gas stations far outnumber charging stations, and bike lanes are limited and unsafe in

most cities. The shift to a greener economy will remain difficult if there are no easily accessible alternatives to gas-powered vehicles, particularly for lower-income Canadians.

“These carbon taxes are just temporary. You need to have another track here, where you have the permanent solutions.

Those, like I mentioned, infrastructure for green technologies you subsidize, especially for poor people … That’s what these policies are right now. They’re not lowering gas emissions because we’re so focused on the temporary solutions, we’re barely scraping the surface of the permanent solution.”

Batu concluded by emphasizing the importance for people to take care of the environment and the earth.

“We have to do our share to be sustainable, you know, because this is the only home that we have.”

Interviews have been edited for length and clarity.

UFV //

Alumnus built local company, Longhouse Branding & Marketing Avid entrepreneur turns his vision into reality GAURI SETHI In today’s fast-paced digital world, it is challenging for businesses to become successful. UFV alumnus Keenan Beavis, founder of Longhouse Branding & Marketing, is helping businesses do just that. His company offers customized marketing strategies for businesses, so

Photo by Alessio Zaccaria

that they can concentrate on their main focus. Thus far, over 800 businesses have benefited from what Longhouse Branding & Marketing has to offer.

“We dedicate time to the branding and marketing projects that are on their to-do list, so that they can win their time back, and then these busy leaders can focus on what actually needs them the most in their business.”

Several years before Longhouse Branding & Marketing, Beavis was merely a teenager creating video content on YouTube, such as parodies of Katy Perry songs. However, what began as a means to increase viewership evolved into a deeper understanding of digital marketing. This helped struggling and small businesses double their consumer base and achieve success, earning Beavis the 2025 Young Indigenous Entrepreneur award.

Beavis recalled that when he was around 12 or 13, he learned how to utilize Search Engine Optimization (SEO), which ranks internet search results using algorithms. He highlighted his goal of attracting a large audience to his video content on YouTube, using this strategy to help market himself.

“I dedicated a lot of time to learning how to do that very early on, and I got to the 27th most viewed [channel] in Canada.”

While the competition grew on YouTube, Beavis had the opportunity to visit the 2013 FAN EXPO in Vancouver.

However, his social anxiety kept him from fully participating. This led him to launch an online fan T-shirt merch business called Pokéshop, which taught him how to advertise efficiently.

When asked about his journey to becoming an entrepreneur, he reflected on how his business taught him the true value of every dollar spent on advertising.

“What marketing does is it gets the word out about really great products that add value to their lives.”

Beavis further emphasized how using SEO and creating content on YouTube helped him realize his talent. His entrepreneurial journey took a significant turn when he helped his jiu-jitsu instructor, Marcus Soares, revive his business — Marcus Soares Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu — with his marketing knowledge.

He explained that after doing some advertising, SEO, and redoing their website, there was a progressive increase in the number of jiu-jitsu students enrolling in his programs.

“The size of the school doubled in six months and that showed me that there are talented business owners who just don’t have the time, or they don’t have the time to learn this new skill of digital marketing.”

Beavis also highlighted how jiu-jitsu had a significant impact on him, which is constantly reflected in how he runs Longhouse Branding & Marketing.

“One of our core principles at Longhouse is to be a teacher that extends

to our team, to our partners, which is our term for our clients, and it’s for anyone that we interact with … You want your training partners to get better and better because then they’re going to be harder, and when you have a tougher training partner, that makes your jiu-jitsu stronger.”

Another lesson Beavis took from jiu-jitsu is that there is always room for improvement.

“You hit these plateaus in life, in business or Brazilian jiu jitsu, and the only way to climb that wall, to scale that wall and overcome that problem, is consistency.”

To someone who’s starting fresh, Beavis advised that what really makes a business stand out is being authentic. He mentioned how he brings up his interests in jiu jitsu and video games, like World of Warcraft, in his client meetings — an authenticity he believes sets him apart and makes him different from competitors.

While talking about how monotonous entrepreneurship can get, he stated that it is necessary for a person to figure out what is the purpose of their business.

Their passion is what leads their businesses to success.

“There’s the Georges St-Pierre quote…

‘You don’t get better on the days when you feel like going. You get better on the days when you don’t want to go, but you go anyway.’”

Interviews have been edited for length and clarity.

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VOL. 33 // ISSUE 08

NEWS Canada //

Spotlight on the trade war Economics professor shares insight on Canada’s response to U.S. tariffs SKY S. TERRONES Dr. Michael Batu is an associate professor in the Economics department at UFV and a former economist for the Government of Ontario.

Amid the snap elections, the U.S. boycott, and world economic conflicts, people have wondered about Canada’s future in this trade war with the U.S. The Cascade interviewed Dr. Michael Batu to better understand Canada’s challenges against the U.S. and explore potential solutions.

On Apr. 2, U.S. President Donald Trump revealed a list of tariffs imposed on imports from enemy and allied countries alike. He also raised some pre-existing tariffs, especially in places like the European Union and China, that hold a high trade deficit with the U.S. This trade war escalation was referred to as “Liberation Day.” Batu explained what a tariff is, its protectionist nature, and appeal in political and economic contexts.

“A tariff is a consumption tax on everything that a country imports, which is meant to protect their local industries, [and] can be used as a political tool and a way for a government to collect revenue.”

This revenue would theoretically be used to invest in the country’s local industries and economic development.

“If the United States [were to] impose a tariff of 25 per cent on cars that they import from Canada, imported cars are gonna cost more if you’re an American buyer. So, I pay that extra 25 per cent that goes to the government. What the government will do in turn is, once they have this pool of money, they’re gonna use it to subsidize their local auto manufacturing

to make them more competitive. In theory, it’s actually a good thing.”

Batu stated that it is essential to look at the historical context to understand why the U.S. has been imposing these tariffs. China’s entry into the World Trade Organization and the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) in the ‘90s contributed to the displacement of the U.S. in terms of manufacturing and exports.

“The United States has lost pretty much [all of] its manufacturing base … instead of a net exporter, they became a net importer.”

He explained how manufacturing has moved to places like Mexico, Canada, and China. When exports and imports are equal, they create a trade balance, which isn’t the case in the U.S., as they’ve had a trade deficit for a long time. Batu noted

that correlating the allegedly unfair trade deals to the loss of jobs is the mindset that helped Trump win the 2016 elections.

Back then, Trump imposed tariffs on Canada in specific sectors. But the situation has escalated monumentally, as he is now imposing tariffs all over the world.

The tensions continue as many countries have taken retaliatory measures — this includes Canada, who established a tit for tat rebuttal: a dollar-per-dollar counter tariff.

But Batu explained that imposing the same number of tariffs is not viable due to the size of the Canadian economy.

“Our GDP (gross domestic product) per capita is comparable to some of the poorest states in the United States. We are 10 times smaller than the United States … It’s like fighting a giant with sticks and stones. If you do a dollar-per-dollar tariff,

Photo courtesy of Province of British Columbia CC BY-NC-ND 2

it won’t have much of an effect on them.”

Batu thinks the tariffs should be targeted at specific states instead, especially those crucial for a Republican victory. However, he understands why Prime Minister Mark Carney needs to consider the political side.

“He wants to show us that Canada is strong, that Canada will be able to respond to these threats … But the question becomes, given the size of our country, how long can we last?”

Compared to the U.S., the Canadian composition of trade regarding exports isn’t diversified. According to the Observatory of Economic Complexity (OEC), as of 2023, the U.S. exports 14.5 per cent of their goods to Canada, whereas Canada exports 71.4 per cent to the United States.

Trump announced a pause on the tariffs for 90 days — only a few hours after imposing them — but this instability has pushed investors to look for alternative partners. Batu thinks Canada should also look elsewhere; he heavily criticized the government decisions over the past 100 years that have taken Canada to a point of dependency.

“They’ve become too reliant in the United States … It’s all of the leaders that we’ve had for the last century. That’s why we’re here.”

Batu believes there’s a sense of hypocrisy in how many citizens and politicians are showing their patriotic stance against the U.S. and urges people to remember that the elite have been the ones benefitting throughout the years.

“To me, if there’s any fight, it’s not between left and right, my friend. It’s between up versus down.”

SUS //

SUS president’s exit interview Updates on FVX 66, U-Pass opt-in/out, and hot meals on campus JEFFREY KENNETT After one term as Vice President External followed by another as President, Jayden Hovey’s journey at SUS is coming to an end. On Apr. 16, Hovey spoke with The Cascade about the challenges of his presidential term in office, his accomplishments over the past academic year, and where his executive goals currently stand.

Chief among Hovey’s 2024-25 executive goal plan was to add the 66 Fraser 6

Valley Express (FVX 66) to the U-Pass as an optional opt-in and expand opt-in/ opt-out eligibility during the summer semester. FVX 66’s absence has been voiced as a major barrier to education for commuting UFV students.

SUS made their requests for the U-Pass known prior to BC Transit’s contract renewal with UFV last August. According to Hovey, BC Transit would have an updated contract addressing the university’s needs by the end of September 2024. However, SUS did not receive the

updated contract until March 2025, which is currently under legal review and has yet to be signed.

Hovey admits that progress with the U-Pass and FVX 66 has taken longer than he would like.

“We feel it’s unfair how slow [BC Transit] have been. We think that we’ve really been fighting and pushing for them to make these changes, but we rely on them just as much to be putting in that work, right?”

With the contract yet to be signed,

Hovey said it will be 2026 before FVX 66 is officially included with the U-Pass.

In terms of a bargaining chip, Hovey suggested that if BC Transit is unwilling to meet UFV students’ needs, that SUS has the option to kill the U-Pass program.

This “nuclear” option is one he hopes to avoid for students who benefit from the U-Pass as a whole despite its current shortcomings.

However, Hovey doesn’t see many CONTINUED ON PAGE 07

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OPINION

opinion@ufvcascade.ca Opinion Editor - Natalia Toscano Murua

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 06

SNAPSHOT Curse you, drywall

additional avenues should BC Transit continue dragging its feet.

“That’s an extreme way to go about it, but we want to work collaboratively with them. But if they’re not going to work collaboratively with us, what options are we left with?”

FVX 66 currently has a discounted concession pass of $85/month for youth under 18 and seniors over 65 as opposed to the regular-priced pass of $100/month.

As a compromise to the contract delay, Hovey has motioned to include UFV students in this concession pass until FVX 66 is permanently included with the U-Pass.

Hovey added that BC Transit responded favourably to the suggestion and took the idea to their council. It will be up to BC Transit’s discretion to include

and implement the discounted price for university students.

On the other hand, there have been wins in negotiations with BC Transit.

Hovey has successfully added a summer semester U-Pass opt-in/out for students enrolled in hyflex courses outside of the fall and winter semesters. The summer opt-in/out is part of the contract review that is currently ongoing.

Another of Hovey’s main goals was to increase the food options available on campus at Fair Grounds. He explained that the completion of the SUS prep kitchen has enabled fresh meals to be sold at Fair Grounds, prepared by red-seal chef and SUS Facilities Manager Krista Hofer.

The Early Eats program allows UFV students to access a free breakfast in Evered Hall between 9-11 am every other Tuesday, which was enabled by the profits raised through Fair Grounds.

“The proceeds from Fair Grounds

[go] to support things like the Early Eats program, which is a free hot breakfast that we give to students, the food bank, and just supporting food insecurity, because that’s a priority that we heard from students, is that the cost of living is so high. You never want to have to ask the question, ‘Do I pay for groceries, or do I buy my textbooks?’ That’s not something that we want any student to go through.”

Hovey reflected on considering dropping out of university in the fall of 2019, due to the uncertainties COVID-19 introduced to the education system and struggling with his online courseload. In 2023 he ran for vice president external and would consider it a sign he should drop out if he wasn’t elected. As his term as president ends this month, Hovey considers his time in office a success.

“If I could do it over again, I would do it the same way.”

Column //

Illustrations by Iryna Presley I enjoy singing more than I like to admit. I used to sing to my heart’s desire every time I drove alone, worry-free about anyone unintentionally hearing me. Sometimes, I would also sing in my room since the concrete walls helped suppress any noise. Singing without the fear of disturbing others’ peace and quiet is great, but since I moved to Canada, I’ve yet to find a space where I can comfortably do so. As it turns out, drywall isn’t great at absorbing sound, so that leaves me aching to sing, but scared shitless to be heard and become a noisy neighbour.

As the saying goes, necessity is the mother of invention. I’ve thought of plastering my closet with acoustic foam panels and covering my mouth with the thickest pillow I have in the hopes that it’ll dampen the loud decibels, but I still worry the sound will leak out somehow. I’ve even fantasized about getting a soundproof booth, but that is and will forever remain just a wish. Too darn expensive. Alas, I won’t die from singing deprivation; it’s fine. Still, it’d be nice if the walls of my current room were more soundproof.

BY NATALIA TOSCANO MURUA

The Environmentalist: the green movement’s new generation of activists From Flint to the Amazon, young activists are rising with a message: climate justice is social justice FABIOLA CRUZ ALDERETE

Welcome to The Environmentalist, your column for understanding the natural world. Today we will be placing a spotlight on amazing people in the front lines of environmental change and activism.

What if saving the planet also meant confronting racism, colonialism, and inequality? For the new generation of environmental activists, it does. The fight for our planet is complex, and as Yale University experts explain, intersectionality plays an important role in the process. But what does intersectionality even mean? Intersectionality itself describes a framework through which different backgrounds, ethnicities, identities, genders, class, religion, and more relate to oppression and affect the social structures we inhabit.

The term intersectional environmentalism was coined by Leah Thomas, an eco-communicator and activist, to acknowledge the overlap between seeking social justice and advocating for environmentalism. Intersectional environmentalism recognizes the disproportionate effect of climate change on marginalized groups, women, and gender minorities, which broadens the lens adopted by Thomas. Activists such as Vanessa Nakate, who founded the Rise Up Movement to amplify African voices, and Xiye Bastida, a climate justice advocate and storyteller celebrating Indigenous

knowledge, also speak to this particular environmental focus.

More young people are joining the fight against climate change and offering different perspectives that enrich intersectional environmentalism. Autumn Peltier is an Indigenous water-rights activist who has spoken about the issue of contaminated water on Indigenous reserves in Canada. Nemonte Nenquimo led an Indigenous legal action campaign that successfully protected half a million acres of Amazonian rainforests against oil extraction. Mari Copeny is a youth ambassador who has sparked change in her community and prompted former United States President Barack Obama to grant a relief fund for the city of Flint’s water crisis. Ayisha Siddiqa, a talented storyteller, co-founder of Polluters Out, and the executive director of Student Affairs at Fossil Free University, supports marginalized communities and holds polluting companies accountable with her work. Mitzi Jonelle Tan, a young activist from the Philippines, is a strong advocate for intersectional environmentalism and anti-imperialism in the Global South.

Their environmentalist efforts are unique because of their different backgrounds and contexts, which all play a role in intersectional environmentalism.

We should take time to listen to the powerful messages they have to convey,

best expressed by a quote from Leah Thomas: “We can’t save the planet without uplifting the voices of its people, especially those most often unheard.”

We need to approach climate change as the complex problem that it is, not simply treating it as a nature-related problem that exists in a bubble separate from our social contexts.

Sadly, we can’t all be Greta Thunberg.

Still, small brave actions matter too, so I encourage you to talk about the climate crisis, take small actions where you can, and remember what the Lorax once said: “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better.”

So, let’s care.

Illustration by Natasha Zilcosky / The Cascade 7

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OPINION Lifestyle //

Are you in love with the person, or their potential?

Exploring the risks of loving someone’s potential instead of who they are people, believing everyone has redeeming qualities. I feel every relationship Being in love is one of the best feelings in I’ve ever had has made me realize that I the world — it’s the ultimate rush of adrentend to draft dreamy love stories in my aline and the butterflies in your stomach head and then get disappointed when the you get whenever you think about that person doesn’t meet those expectations. one person. But sometimes those butterEven so, this has also helped me grow as flies can be deceptive. They hypnotize a person and know what I want in a relayou into believing that the person you’re tionship, what is realistic to expect, and with is perfect — that it’s a dream come what I can’t stand. Knowing my boundartrue, when it might not be. You may be ies helps me know what to look for, know falling in love with the dreams you want what I deserve, and remind myself to not to build together, and with their potential, settle for less. rather than the actuality of who they are.

Growing up I learned that it’s excepFor me, when I build a connection tionally important to be happy with based on the hope of what could be, I get yourself and love yourself — so if somestuck in the endless spiral of convincing one offers you love, you can accept it. You myself that what I see is enough. I force can’t pour from an empty cup. I believe myself to believe my partner is perfect you shouldn’t pause your life or wait to be because I can’t let go of the hopes I have happy until you find someone. If someone for that person, and the hopes I have for does come along, ask yourself if you’re okay with the person staying the way they are in the present. Asking this could help you tell whether you are falling for a dream or reality.

Falling for the potential of a dream is beautiful in theory but extremely unrealistic. I think it’s like gambling because you can never be sure if the potential will turn into reality, and by the time you realize it won’t, you are all set up for heartbreak.

I’d encourage you to be more self-aware, cultivate realistic expectations, and establish healthy boundaries. Remind yourself to always match actions with words and know that it’s not your job to fix someone with your love. If we cannot accept someone for who they are currently, I think we should let them go.

It’s important to realize that someone out there will meet all the expectations you have; and if one person won’t, someone else will. Still, I think it’s also important to learn to be happy by yourself. If we can love the potential so deeply, imagine how much more we can love someone who’s Illustration by May Beeney / The Cascade already everything we want them to be.

PRATI KAPOOR

us. As an example, when I was younger, I remember liking someone because of how much I was attracted to him, and ended up overlooking the fact that our values didn’t align. I hoped that with time, things might change. I loved the idea of my partner so much that I failed to see that I was settling for his disrespectful behaviours and emotional unavailability. It wasn’t until I walked away that I realized I was in love with the potential of what he could be — the ideal man I wanted — thinking that if I loved him harder, he’d rise to that potential.

It’s comforting to know that I’m not alone in this and others have similar stories to share. For example, in an article for HuffPost, author Tamara Angela admits to a deeply ingrained habit of falling for a person’s potential — a habit she calls horrible. She tends to see the best in

SNAPSHOT From one side of the election to the other

Illustrations by Iryna Presley As of writing this, the elections are but a couple of days away. It is my second time voting in a federal election, and while I’ve cast my ballot in advanced polls, I don’t think I’ll know what overall outcome I want until the votes are counted. This is a note to my future self in the midst of uncertainty and conflict.

Inward and out.

I decided to follow the three primary party leaders this election cycle, so I see a lot of irritating slander and rhetoric, but I also see a deep connection with their country. They are all looking at the same flag.

I have been told that all couples fight; that the difference between those that make it through and those who don’t are the ones that remember they are fighting together for the relationship rather than fighting each other as adversaries.

I think that applies to a healthy country too. As we argue over taxes, spending, trade, and legislation — let’s remember that we are fighting for each other, not versus each other. Let us fight to understand each other. Let’s fight to learn from each other. Let us fight, but let us fight together.

BY KARA DUNBAR

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OPINION Advice //

Having a crush is simultaneously horrific and fun Are you dealing with a classic case of crushing?

Read on to find out how to manage the symptoms JASLEEN SANDHU

SNAPSHOT Let’s get physical

Illustrations by Iryna Presley What do you do when the Wi-Fi is down? Go for a walk? Read a book?

Laugh maniacally at your failing router while turning on your phone’s data?

While these are all valid options, there’s another one that’s worth considering, as long as you don’t mind rewinding the clock. Grab a deck of cards and a flat surface — we’re playing solitaire.

You might have played solitaire on your desktop before, but nothing compares to shuffling the deck with your own two hands. Trust me, there’s something about winning your first physical game that’s even more satisfying than playing through a screen.

Since you can’t ask for a hint if you get stuck, it’s also a great way to exercise cognitive skills like problem solving and memorization.

Don’t know how to set it up yourself?

No worries, it’s not cheating to look up a quick tutorial. Now you’re ready to pass the time until your router decides to let you back into the 21st century.

BY CAITLYN CARR

Developing a crush can be intimidating; it can even make you feel like you’re getting sick. For me, as soon as I start to feel the symptoms, I fervently deny them until I’m afflicted with a headache — or heartache. Sometimes this “sickness” is fleeting; at other times, it lingers. If you’ve experienced having a crush and deal with long-lasting symptoms, I might have to diagnose you with lovesickness.

I truly feel that having a crush can be so much fun, but it has its downsides too.

Despite the possibility of not being able to pair with the person you have a crush on — leading to lovesickness — I believe there’s still a way to enjoy the experience of having a crush from beginning to end instead of suffering through it.

When you develop a crush that gets your head spinning and gives you feverish chills, it’s hard not to fantasize: What will that first kiss be like? How will your first date go? Having a crush can be confusing; it may bring emotions that you don’t experience in any other circumstance — for me, that ranges from overwhelmingly giddy to horrifically melancholic.

It can be difficult to suppress the desire of being wanted by someone, but it’s important to acknowledge how you feel and find a healthy way to deal with your emotions. Instead of letting your feelings stagnate, try directing your energies elsewhere — or you could attempt acting on them. If you’re crushing on someone, and really want to see how it goes, I encourage

you to ask them out!

I once had a crush on someone in one of my classes, but felt afraid of being rejected harshly. At the end of the semester, despite feeling nervous, I challenged my fear and decided to ask this person out. In the end, I got turned down, but in the nicest way possible. Regardless of the rejection, I felt a lot better after the experience, because it wasn’t as bad as I was afraid it would be.

I realize now that this was something I needed to go through. I was scared out of my mind, but I did it for myself. I learned from that moment, and now I know what it’s like to ask someone out. This also helped me learn how to get over a crush; how to move on. I’m not saying that each time you have a crush it’ll go how you

want, but there’s nothing wrong with trying and putting yourself out there.

Romantic feelings are complex and everyone has their own ways of dealing with them. If you ever feel embarrassed about having a crush just know you’re not alone.

The cycle of crushing, yearning, pining, and desiring might be a nausea-inducing ordeal, but no matter if you’ve found the love of your life or are still waiting, know that your worth does not lie in anyone else’s desire for you. Having a crush can allow you to learn more about yourself and what you crave from a romantic relationship. I encourage you to let yourself, healthily, indulge in these crushes. But don’t let them crush you; instead take them as opportunities to grow.

Illustration by Natasha Zilcosky / The Cascade

Mental Health //

Loneliness and solitude: the two sides of the same coin Understanding and tackling loneliness HARPREET SINGH Feeling unseen among other people can be emotionally tormenting. Loneliness silently devastates many and yet, people frequently confuse it with solitude, blurring the lines between the two. While they share traits, there are key differences that set them apart.

Loneliness is a feeling of emptiness resulting from a difference in our current social life and the one we expect. In loneliness, a person feels the emotional pain of

not having someone to talk to or to spend time with, and feels socially excluded and abandoned — these feelings drain the person psychologically. Looking at loneliness from a health perspective, it has deteriorating effects such as stress, anxiety, and tension.

Meanwhile, solitude is defined as the feeling of joy in being alone. It is a constructive state of mind where one turns inward and works on their flaws.

Solitude can also be stated as intentionally spending time alone. Some people

make the choice of being by themselves because they find it peaceful, while others choose it for the benefit of allowing time and space for creativity.

I love being alone because it provides me with a serene environment to think and create something. Even for my academics, I prefer to be alone sitting in a calm place because it helps me focus on the work I am doing. Even so, I think that students can easily feel the gnawing sense CONTINUED ON PAGE 10 9

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OPINION CONTINUED FROM PAGE 09 of loneliness. It consumes the self-esteem of a person as they face constant selfdoubt and question their worth in a social context. This series of negative thoughts can even lead a person into depression, something we shouldn’t take lightly.

Considering the dire effects loneliness can have, we should focus on overcoming this problem in our own lives. Here are a few recommendations to help with it: 1. Socializing: One should prefer quality over quantity. For example, one 3 a.m. conversation with a friend you trust deeply beats 300 LinkedIn conversations. Connecting with people can be useful, and meeting people with similar hobbies can be amazing, as talking with them can help eradicate the negative effects caused by loneliness.

2. Volunteering: Giving back creates dual benefits: you make an enormous

difference while organically meeting help. They are best equipped at compassionate people. Serving at managing these situations. community centres, animal shelters, Loneliness and solitude represent two or youth programs shifts your mindset sides of the same coin — one involunfrom “who’s missing me?” to “who tary, the other chosen. While loneliness needs me?” — a powerful perspective drains us, solitude can recharge us when change. approached intentionally. The path 3. Self-talk: Loneliness thrives when we forward lies in nurturing genuine connecadopt a negative mentality. To fight tions, serving others, and reframing this, positive self-talk is a great tool alone time as an opportunity rather than through which you can talk about your a burden. When these efforts fall short, daily achievements, manifest your seeking professional help is a wise choice. future self, and plan your day ahead.

In today’s world, where everything is at our fingertips, learners may struggle 4. Embrace solitude: We need to make with loneliness, which can divert their time for ourselves, like scheduling a focus from academic goals. UFV offers gym session or time off for a hobby. dedicated resources to support students, Dedicating time for ourselves can such as counselling services and the provide a space to evaluate our day Student Support Centre.

Beyond univerand work on our improvements. sity, community tools like Here2Talk and 5. Professional help: If loneliness Empower Me are also available. The goal persists even after putting in effort is not to eliminate loneliness entirely, but to overcome it, then I suggest to build resilience, transforming isolation reaching out to a professional for into self-discovery and growth.

SNAPSHOT It will be worth it… it will be worth it

Community //

The heart says yes, but the wallet says no When the prices for recreational activities become too high, where do we go next?

ABBY HANSEN Earlier this year, my friends and I wanted to go to FAN EXPO Vancouver together, but it did not work out, and I ultimately went alone. Although we all love nerd culture and conventions, going to FAN EXPO was simply too expensive. Being unable to do something fun with friends because of price barriers is a recurring problem that I’ve encountered over the past several years. There have been times when we want to go out and do something fun, like going to the movie theatre, visiting places like Playland, or attending events like the Vancouver Christmas Market, but the cost of the tickets and snacks were too high for our budgets.

I wondered if this problem was only affecting my friends and I, but as it turns out, we are not the only ones troubled by this issue. These monetary restrictions around socializing are related to a phenomenon known as the loss of the third place, which affects how people interact in spaces outside of their regular activities. The term “third place” was coined

by American sociologist Ray Oldenburg in the year 2000 to describe public spaces where people can meet that are separate from home and work. Oldenburg explains that third spaces are where people can gather at a low cost — or for free — typically in places like libraries, cafes, gyms, community centres, public parks, and churches.

The “loss of the third place” is an issue 10

I experienced and witnessed first hand.

I have known my two closest friends since middle school. Growing up, our third places were the study hall, the school bus, the mall, and occasionally, church. However, now that we are out of high school, we have struggled to find affordable places to meet regularly. This is why we have mostly turned to online spaces. We play multiplayer video games like Baldur’s Gate 3 (2023) or Among Us (2018), advance our Dungeons and Dragons campaign, and host movie nights through Discord. These digital landscapes have become our new third place.

Socializing in online spaces has become one of the easiest ways for people to stay connected and help them maintain a sense of community. But even with online resources, there is still a cost. Most triple-A video games are sold for around $70 to $100 each, a price barrier that stands in the way of playing with my friends. There have been times where I’ve missed out on playing online with my friends because I cannot afford the game at the moment and have to wait until it goes on sale. Not to mention, these games require a gaming PC or console to run them, and these can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Sure, these video games and gaming systems are a one-time purchase — something I personally prefer over paying for each individual in-person event that adds up over time — but that still presents a massive barrier to entry. It feels like even in online spaces, my friends and I are still running into

the same affordability restrictions that impede us from gathering in person.

In my opinion, people desperately need more convenient and accessible places to socialize with others. Considering the adverse effects of isolation on one’s health, I would argue that community is as essential as food and water. One thing I did to combat the loss of the third places in my life was to analyze the opportunities I have to socialize without having to spend more than planned. This semester, I consciously registered for only in-person classes to engage more with my community. Whenever I see an event happening on campus that interests me, I check it out, even if it’s only for a few minutes. I will admit it’s annoying at times, considering I live pretty far from campus, but I have made so many new friends thanks to these efforts!

If you are looking for a third place for you and your friends, I encourage you to make the most of what there is!

Check out what’s happening within your community. If you see a post for an event in your area that catches your attention, consider attending! If there are parks or public spaces that you haven’t visited yet, consider going with your friends.

Look into your local recreation centres or libraries for events and activities, or follow news sources for updates on what’s going on locally. I know that for me, simply having more people to talk to and stepping out of my comfort zone has made a world of difference.

Illustrations by Iryna Presley In my childhood, I was fortunate to lay back and let my parents do all the heavy lifting when it came to planning vacations. All I had to do was pack, show up, and have a blast. Recently, I was involved in the planning of a vacation with my family for the first time. I was ecstatic, but the research began and it wasn’t the beach-day breeze I expected it to be.

Planning a vacation with my family made me want to travel alone. Don’t get me wrong; it’s much more enjoyable to travel with the ones you love, but the complications of navigating people’s opinions, wants, and needs on what is best to book was not on my bucket list.

Neither was decoding sources for reliability and arranging costs.

Being an adult has its advantages, but travelling as one requires more responsibility and patience I didn’t know I needed. It can be a complicated and discouraging process, but I know all the pre-trip hurdles will be worth it when I get to see the world. But for the future, I think I’ll invest in a good travel agent.

BY VERONICA POWELL

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 2025

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FEATURE

features@ufvcascade.ca Features Editor — Darien Johnsen

THE CAMPING CAPITAL OF CANADA A guide to the ultimate wilderness experience Veronica Powell

Imagine this: you’re awoken by birds tweeting happily in the trees around you, rays of sun shining on your face, and the smell of firewood and freshly-cooked bacon. At night, you’re listening to the owls hooting in the trees above a crackling firepit while you roast marshmallows under the starry sky. That’s exactly how good it feels to spend some time camping in mother nature. She gives you a certain feeling of utopian bliss that never gets old.

Even if you step out of your tent wearing the same outfit you have been in for three days straight — it still hits differently.

Although I appreciate camping now as an adult, I hated it as a kid. That was always a problem for me considering a camping trip was an annual summer activity in my family. I mean, I was a young child Campsites galore: who hated being out in the middle of the wilderIt wouldn’t be B.C. if it wasn’t home to tons of ness, sleeping in a fort under the stars, peeing in campgrounds — not to brag, but we are known for the bush during a hike — really roughin’ it. snow-capped mountains, picturesque lakes, and I couldn’t get past the swarms of mosquitoes, the 11.1 million hectares of old growth forest. Who fear of a bear intruding my tent while foraging for wouldn’t want to camp in that? With over 1,000 scraps, and trekking through the eerie darkness for provincial and seven national parks in B.C., you a late night bathroom trip. However, I look back literally have a lifetime worth of campgrounds to fondly on the memories now and feel more thankful choose from. Within that, the approximate count for those experiences as an adult. Although I admit of frontcountry, backcountry, private, and park I haven’t been camping in a hot minute, and I’m no locations are over 5,000. camping professional, I like to think I’m a pretty I may never visit close to that amount, but I do well-versed B.C. camper. As summer approaches, have some recommendations. Twenty Mile Bay, it only seems right to provide a guide to camping Manning Park, and Maple Bay in Cultus Lake are and how to execute the ultimate outdoor overnight some personal favourites. experience in beautiful British Columbia.

Harrison Lake: Twenty Mile Bay

With five campgrounds and 52 sites in total, both Harrison West and Harrison East provide access to a long stretch of beach that offers opportunities for kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding, fishing, hiking, and boating. Located along the shores of Harrison Lake, Twenty Mile Bay is about a twohour drive from Abbotsford. They are open from May 1 to Sept. 30 with rates of $18-25 a night for a single site and $36 for a double site, excluding reservation fees. I grew up camping with my aunt, uncle, and cousin so I appreciated that their large campsites allowed for the utmost tent space.

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Manning Park: Lightning Lake Manning Park, located in the core of the Cascade Mountains, is a must-stay campground. It is home to four campgrounds and over 450 sites plus another 10 for backcountry camping. Manning Park is versatile, staying open from May 17 to Oct. 14, with five summer campgrounds and three winter campgrounds. Rates vary based on the season and ground you choose from; summer camping costs between $25-75 per night and winter camping costs $13-53 per night — excluding long term stays. Having stayed at Lightning Lake, the most popular campground, I highly suggest it to anyone who is a fan of incredibly peaceful grounds and gorgeous viewpoints.

Cultus Lake: Maple Bay Cultus Lake is an ideal spot for campers coming from multiple areas who are looking for a super local location in the Fraser Valley. It’s one of the most popular locations to camp in B.C., partially due to its close proximity to the Cultus Lake village where jet ski, canoe, and boat rentals are available. They have four different campgrounds and 106 sites, all priced at a solid $35 per night.

I thoroughly enjoyed staying at the Maple Bay campground. Tucked into the wilderness, it is close to some great hiking trails including the Teapot Hill hike and the Seven Sisters trail. They are just as convenient to access if you’re camping in Entrance Bay or Clear Creek, and are great for children, as you’re encouraged to look out for the seven enormous old-growth douglas fir along your path — you can’t miss them!

When to camp In my experience, May and June are prime times to camp. The camping season is just beginning and it’s the time of year where weather gets warmer but it’s not scorching (one can only hope), the bugs are not at an extremity yet, and the earth hasn’t dried up like a prune from no rain. If you camp in July, beware of the consequences. Excessive sweating, insect paranoia, and smoky air from wildfires are typical despite the seasonal campfire ban that’s usually implemented between March and October of each year.

There’s also the thousands of tourists who have the same idea to camp in B.C. I wouldn’t recommend camping in July or August. But if you do decide to brave it all and book a campsite, do it as early as possible. I also encourage any willing individuals to take up their own research. You may have to get your hands dirty and dig deeper, but there are many less-populated campgrounds that are worth a stay too. The Government of BC has their own reservation website to help you book sites in advance, and most campgrounds allow booking four months

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“The wilderness must be explored!” prior to visiting. Four months in advance is also exactly when you should start putting together that checklist of essential gear. Okay, maybe it’s not necessary at this stage, but you can never be too prepared.

Being a well-equipped camper: As Russell the Wilderness Explorer from Up (2009) says, “the wilderness must be explored!” and to do that requires proper equipment. I mean, did you see the size of his backpack? There’s at least 10 essentials I believe make a smart camper and a successful trip, and I’m sure you would be rewarded with a wilderness preparedness badge from having them.

1. We all know technology isn’t always reliable, and nine times out of 10 there will be no cellular towers and therefore no wifi.

Yes, you heard me. That’s why having a paper map, and knowing how to read it, is a useful navigation source and safety measure in the wilderness. I realize this is 2025 and no one has a paper map anymore besides my 86-year-old grandmother, but you’ll thank me later for investing in one when you end up lost and searching for service.

2. Flashlights are a necessity — specifically hands-free. You really don’t want to get to your campsite and realize you can’t see in the dark, especially during those midnight trips to the bathroom. They’re scary even with a flashlight, but it’s better than nothing.

3. Sunscreen is a no-brainer when you’re out in the elements.

4. Bug spray and mosquito coils — a standing spiral made from insecticides and plantbased material that burns to keep bugs away — are your friend. As your fellow paranoid camper, I know you don’t want to get bitten. Then you have to apply aloe vera, then you’re sticky, then you’re sweating at the same time … it’s a whole mess you just don’t want. Spray is useful when hiking, but coils can burn for multiple hours; placing them all around your campsite will keep more mosquitos away for longer periods of time.

5. You should always bring a basic first aid kit. Nature can be beautiful, but it can also

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scrape, scratch, and scuff you. Ensure your kit is pre-stocked with bandages, Polysporin, Advil or Ibuprofen, and even aloe vera cream which is a natural healer and reliever for bites, wounds, and burns. Now, I’m no medical professional, but I am far too pale of an individual to not be well-versed in treating damage to my skin.

6. In a different fashion, a repair tool kit that includes duct tape, screwdrivers, knives, and scissors is handy. You would really be rocking the camper swag with a multi-tool since it’s small, compact, and an all-in-one.

7. Matches or lighters can be used for your own safety, both as an emergency signal if needed but also as a heat source when using a cooking stove. Since we aren’t cavemen and aren’t practiced in creating a spark from two rocks, it also works to light a contained CSA or ULC rated portable firepit, which can still be used during a fire ban. The bottom line?

Please, for the love of mother nature and our lungs, be conscientious and don’t start a fire during a ban.

8. Summer air is usually drier and thicker regardless of whether wildfire smoke is present, so if there isn’t a potable water source around, bringing water bottles with you will keep you hydrated, especially when leaving your campsite for multiple hours.

9. Toilet paper may seem obvious, but it’s an item easily forgotten when going hiking — in my family, at least. I suppose you can always succumb to the leaves as a last resort or the crumpled tissue deep in your pocket … but just bring the toilet paper.

10. Lastly, insulated layers. If you’ve been in B.C. for even a year, you’ll know how unpredictable the weather is, so be prepared for any and all. Even if you’re camping in the summer, bring an extra jacket for the chill at night, pack a rain coat, rubber boots, closedtoed, durable runners, and a hard hat for hail … just in case.

The snack inventory: Speaking of protecting yourself, bringing healthy snacks will prevent that hangry mood from creeping in for a while. Take it from someone who has been so hangry that I was scared of myself. These snacks have to be easy to make, easy to transport, and energizing for the road or hikes you might go on. Homemade granola bars were all time favourites in my family. They’re even more filling with nuts, and adding a little sweetness like cranberries brings them together. Popcorn is something fun that can easily be shared and is surprisingly

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outdoors. Alongside mental well-being, camping boosts our quality of life; the freedom of being outside creates plenty of opportunities to hike, swim, or bike. It may exhaust you, but the oxygenation healthy, depending on how you prepare it. S’mocan reduce our energy usage. Using solar-powered and fresh air can improve cardiovascular function, res. Obviously. You cannot go camping without lights and reusable containers (no glass!) will reap and contribute to your overall health. roasting marshmallows on the fire and making an rewards for the earth long-term since you won’t be ooey-gooey chocolate-y sandwich. Even if you Being a camper encourages the slow-food lifestyle, disposing of batteries or plastic. don’t like s’mores, it’s the action of roasting and meaning it decreases your consumption of fast Ultimately, camping is meant to be a fun way constructing them that might be just as satisfying food. You bring and make your own food, there- to escape the bustle of life and find peace in the as eating them. These are more of an end-of-day fore saving money on eating out nearly every day wilderness, but you also want to make the safety late night snack, but you can always bring a reus- like you might staying in a city. Plus, home-cooked of what’s around you a priority. Being mindful, meals are heartier and provide nutrients that are able container to carry them in. resourceful, and knowledgeable will guide you harder to obtain through processed foods. For all through a smooth and enjoyable camping experithe rookie cooks out there, a pulled pork sandwich Benefits of camping: ence that prevents harm to our precious B.C. forJust as the s’mores’ marshmallows stretch when and potato salad is nothing complicated and will ests. I discussed real camping, but if you feel the you eat them, camping is a flexible and non-re- hit the spot again and again. same way that I did as a child, glamping or RVing strictive summer activity. It has the freedom of Sometimes campground areas have access to inde- might be more your thing. However, non-glamouspontaneity and little planning, especially with pendently owned small businesses, and supporting rous camping can be a way to submerge yourself campsites closer to home since you might be them means that money isn’t going to big corpora- in a world away from the things that make life more familiar with what’s around. It surely beats tions, but rather right back into the community that challenging like politics, AI, maybe your job, or stressing over booking flights or configuring mul- is serving you. That’s right. We are out here being the fact that your phone charger won’t reach your tiple excursions. No long plane ride equals driving financially and economically healthy. Students can bed. Camping in B.C. can feel like a home away through the layers of forest on an open road, shoes feel comfortable that camping is a low-impact trip from home, and from my perspective, that’s the off, feet up, and feeling the breeze through your on the wallet too. I’ll preface by saying that buying best kind of vacation. hair. The benefits of camping are both of mind and camping equipment can get pricey, but believe me body, enhancing your mental, physical, and even when I say once you invest in supplies, you won’t have to invest again for a long time. Really, putting financial well-being.

Nature is one of the best stress-reducing zones to your funds toward a camping trip all together is unplug from the politics of the world, your job, hitting two birds with one stone. You’re saving or familial challenges. Nature is a self-regulator, money and you’re helping the planet. and according to the Canadian Psychological Association, spending at least two hours per week outside and 20 minutes at a time is the most helpful for reducing stress hormones. We’ll find ourselves calmer with an increased mood and attention span, and it reduces our overall heart rate levels and therefore anxiety. To all my fellow student readers, I just gave you a psychological cure.

With technology being such a prominent aspect of our lives, it’s incredibly challenging to detach from the device and absorb what’s around you. Did you know time on a device contributes to exhaustion and insomnia? I know most of us have known insomnia before, and as students we are certainly familiar with sleep deprivation.

Fortunately, nature helps reset your circadian levels. That’s the official term for the cycle and rhythm your body experiences physically, mentally, and behaviourally over 24 hours. A study of the human circadian clock by Kenneth P. Wright involving an assessment on a group of healthy participants, found that just one week of camping was beneficial for participants’ sleep patterns.

Being environmentally friendly: The most valuable thing you can do while camping is practicing sustainability and maintaining a healthy ecosystem by leaving nothing but your footprints behind. Canadian-born environmental activist David Suzuki states the seven Leave No Trace principles, sharing how to enjoy your camping trip while also protecting mother nature.

1. Plan ahead and prepare 2. Travel and camp on durable surfaces 3. Dispose of waste properly 4. Leave what you find 5. Minimize campfire impacts 6. Respect wildlife 7. Be considerate of others

At this point, I’ve already shared ways you can prepare for your camping trip, but unless you’re off-trail camping, not altering the grounds you stay on is the most considerate thing you can do. On top of that, make use of your campsite’s recyclable and composting systems — leaving waste isn’t cool, “By subjecting their participants to one week of but leaving the environment uninterrupted is. camping, free from light pollution and with more natural light during the day, the authors found that With B.C.’s record of wildfires as extensive as it the onset and end of sleep in their participants is, be mindful of minimizing the exposure of cigarette butts and other flammable materials. Keep entrained to the natural dawn and dusk.” campfires small and in a designated area far from Your entire clock can be adjusted back to a nortrees. The forest is the animals’ home too so if you mal schedule just by spending time in the great have the chance to see one while out in nature, view from afar, don’t feed them, and keep control of your pets. Did you know camping can reduce our carbon footprint? We are temporarily living with less resources like electricity and water which

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SPORTS

sports@ufvcascade.ca Sports Editor - Jeffrey Kennett

BC //

Mascots are more than meets the eye Do you know who you’re cheering for? These mascots can help NATALIA TOSCANO MURUA Mascots are thought to bring luck for their respective teams — as the term mascot derives from the french word mascotte, which refers to a good luck charm. They are a popular way that sports teams establish a recognisable personality. Mascots are the embodiment of the distinct characteristics that define an organisation, such as a university or college, and bring those qualities to life through character.

There are a few official mascots at universities in Greater Vancouver. By discussing their impact and importance we might glean what a successful mascot could be for UFV’s Cascades…. Oh wait, were you not aware of the UFV mascot, Sasq’ets?

At the University of British Columbia we have the Thunderbirds, whose mascot is the mythical bird of the same name.

Their name was chosen via student poll in 1933, as it was felt that the Thunderbirds successfully symbolised the sports team’s fighting spirit and power.

One of many of Simon Fraser University’s Red Leafs mascots was that of a Scottish Terrier named McFogg the Dog, which embodied SFU’s Scottish heritage. The mascot’s design was made to be child and family friendly, which led it to become unpopular among students who felt the mascot was simply not intimidating enough. Drawing inspiration from cultural heritage is not inherently bad for a mascot’s design — it can be a great choice when executed correctly. UBC’s Thunderbird is an important figure in Northwest Indigenous culture.

The students have a point — sports mascots are commonly predator animals or a character with warrior traits, which often are associated with competitiveness. A common theme present in both

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Illustration by Hannah Bricknell / The Cascade examples is the acknowledgement and integration of the universities’ unique cultural context. Both Thunderbird and McFogg the Dog have mascot traits that directly reference the cultural heritage present in their respective universities.

What sets them apart, however, is the way through which they embody said traits and apply them in the context

of competitive sports. UBC’s mascot succeeds at representing their team’s fighting spirit, competitiveness, and power, whereas McFogg the Dog did not represent the SFU’s competitive traits. It stands to reason that an effective mascot for UFV’s Cascades would have to successfully convey the team’s qualities, as well as acknowledge and represent the

university’s cultural context.

The last sports mascot UFV had was named Sasq’ets the Sasquatch, which has not had a social media presence since late 2018. The sasquatch is a large, long haired bipedal mythical creature believed by the Indigenous to live in native forests in North America. Sasq’ets’ name and design as a sasquatch directly acknowledges the university’s cultural heritage and references a story from the Stó:lō peoples, whose land our university operates on. The story speaks of a group of Indigenous folk that were helped by a well-intentioned sasquatch, who brought them firewood to keep warm, and deer to be fed. This led them to believe not all sasquatches were bad, and were thankful to be helped by one.

Mascots are a great way for a university to showcase what their sports teams are all about, and they bring entertainment and ambience for the cheering crowd.

There are countless teams and organisations with mascots that have a strong presence, so why not have one ourselves?

Perhaps UFV’s mascot could benefit from a redesign that would allow it to embody the competitive qualities of the Cascades, such as determination, unison, and perseverance. It would be incredible to see a revamped version of Sasq’ets that feels more intimidating, buff, cool and charismatic — like someone you wouldn’t want to mess with but would love to have as a friend.

Ultimately, a good mascot for a sports team should be able to uplift the spirits of the playing team members and the audience rooting for them. Designing a mascot that connects with the students and embodies the values of the university is key to creating the ideal mascot UFV deserves.

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SPORTS UFV //

Your 2024/25 athletes of the year Cascades award winners reflect on individual honours this. The work put in [in] the off season, done by myself and the whole team, is shown by not the award, but the successThe UFV Cascades handed out their ful season as a whole!” annual athletic awards on Apr. 9 celebrating athletic excellence over the 2024-25 Lauren Attieh, Women’s Volleyball U Sports season. Nikki Cabuco, Mateo Female Athlete of the Year: Brazinha, Lauren Attieh, Maya Drisner, “Being named this year’s female athlete Dante Colebourne, and Emerson Toop of the year is a true honour and privilege. were among the night’s winners, and This award is not mine alone; it reflects the spoke to The Cascade about etching their dedication of my teammates and coaches, whose hard work and support have helped names into Cascades history. me grow and thrive within this program.

Nikki Cabuco, Women’s Basketball I’m proud to be recognized alongside the Community Athlete of the Year: incredible athletes who have received “Going into my last year, after completing this award before me, including my sister a season of having a bronze medal, the Gabby [Gabrielle] Attieh, and those who Sylvia Sweeney award, and still getting will follow. I am especially grateful to to compete at [a] highly competitive level my family and friends, whose constant with some of my best friends, I didn’t how support and inspiration encourage me to I was going to step into another season strive for excellence and seek joy in every with making sure I could leave the legacy moment of life. Above all, I thank God for I wanted behind as I transitioned into this blessing me with the opportunity to play next chapter of my life. Being able to be the sport I love.” recognized again for my community work at my last banquet after five years Maya Drisner, Rowing was really exciting for me. It felt like a Jen Simpson Memorial perfect closing of that chapter of my life.” Leadership Award “I’d love to say thank you to my incredMateo Brazinha, Men’s Soccer ible coaches, Alicia [Borsoi] and Lisa Male athlete of the year: [Roman]. They’ve built a program that “It’s an honour to receive an award like develops athletes and supports any this. The recognition means a lot but it’s university student in discovering their all because of the work of my teammates potential. The environment they’ve and coaches that I was able to achieve

THE CASCADE

Photo courtesy of UFV Cascades © created is inclusive, encouraging, and has truly transformed my university experience. I also want to thank every one of my teammates. They’re the ones who show up in the early mornings, row in crew boats, and constantly motivate, challenge, and sometimes beat you, pushing you to work even harder. And of course, a huge thank you to my parents for their endless patience and support …” “ … It’s also meaningful because of the legacy behind it — Jen [Simpson] impacted UFV Rowing, and I’m incredibly moved that our coaches and the

Cascades continue to honour her through this award. It celebrates not just athletic and academic achievement, but also leadership and community impact.”

Dante Colebourne, Men’s Soccer Male Rookie of the Year: “ … I remember back in the day when I was only seven I’d come out to exhibition park in Chilliwack to watch the UFV men’s soccer team play, and now to be on it and named rookie of the year, it feels surreal. All the athletes here at UFV work incredibly hard, whether that’s athletically or academically, to perform at their best; when awards like this come you just hope you’ve done that little bit extra to even have a chance at it, so winning was definitely a big achievement for myself …

Throughout the season you push yourself to your limits to help your team succeed, without these awards really in mind. With that being said, it’s still always a great feeling when you are recognized for how much you’ve put in … “ … If you really want to succeed at something, you gotta enjoy it. Then everything else comes easier — training, playing, studying, whatever it is. So if you’re feeling lost in life, find what you genuinely enjoy doing, and run with that.”

Emerson Toop, Women’s Soccer Female Rookie of the Year: “ … I want to thank my teammates, coaches, and everyone who’s supported me this season, as I wouldn’t have been able to be as successful as I was this season without them. The supportive environment and strong sense of family within the women’s soccer team made my transition into the program incredibly welcoming. The older girls have helped me grow not just as a player, but as someone who knows their voice matters — that what I think and have to say is always respected and worth sharing.”

Photo courtesy of UFV Cascades © 15

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STUDY BREAK Crossword //

Horoscopes // By: Madame LaCarte Aries - Mar. 21 to Apr. 19

The semester has come to an end and although you made it to summer, you feel like the survivor of a shipwreck. It was a really tumultuous storm, and now you’re left on a raft floating to who-knows-where. If you find a volleyball, his name is Wilson.

Taurus - Apr. 20 to May 20

There is a right way to be right and a wrong way to be right. There is a kind way to be right and then there is what you do. Being a dick in the disguise of righteousness might be defensible as right, and yes maybe you’re not “wrong,” but you’re still a dick.

Gemini - May 21 to Jun. 20

You’ve been making steps to sieve through your generational trauma. You’re at that phase of the healing process where you are uncovering plenty of grit within your family you hadn’t seen before. There are a few more phases ahead, but eventually it will all refine.

Cancer - Jun. 21 to Jul. 22

Puzzles are puzzling. Sometimes the pieces just won’t fit together, sometimes the box with the image gets lost, and sometimes you just don’t know what you’re doing.

Leo - Jul. 23 to Aug. 22

Stop comparing your insides to others’ outsides. One, you’ll never match up, two, you can’t know what’s actually going on in their insides, and three, you’re not the best judge of yourself either.

Virgo - Aug. 23 to Sept. 22

OH MY GOD STOP! You are way too reactionary. You’re like an exposed nerve walking around, and when no one is around to poke you, you just start running toward sharp objects. Get a hobby. Give drama a break.

Libra - Sept. 23 to Oct. 22

If life was a game, you’re just playing it — not necessarily well, mind you, but respectably. Turn up the tunes, sit back, and play on.

Scorpio - Oct. 23 to Nov. 21

You don’t have to ride the garbage truck all the way to the dump. If you know where things are heading, maybe turn around before it starts to stink. I know, I know, if you start doing that then how will you ever be able to show others what a martyr you are.

And, if they don’t pity you then how will you know that they care? Maybe get a dog or something … I don’t know.

Sagittarius - Nov. 22 to Dec. 21

So much to do, so much to see, but you’re stuck in a daydream fantasy. It’s better than your constant anxiety, but eventually you’ll need to deal with these insecurities.

Capricorn - Dec. 22 to Jan. 19

Sudoku //

Honestly, lately, you’ve been giving crypto-bro. All this posturing and confidence talk, all the using of all the buzzwords, it’s not a good look on you. Try anything else.

Aquarius - Jan. 20 to Feb. 18

You’re a coin with two sides, or I guess a plate is more accurate. On one side are vegetables, a nice steak, a good sauce, maybe some mash or fries. On the other, it’s twinkies, nutella covered marshmallows, and fried chicken. This tendency for lack of consistency makes it hard for the cards to predict anything.

Pisces - Feb. 19 to Mar. 20

Fail, try, fail, try, fail again. Quitting gets a bad rep, but honestly, I’ve always found the bravest ones to be the ones who know when something is not working and simply adapt instead of stubbornly failing over and over again. Don’t be stubborn, try something else.

Illusrtation by Iryna Presley

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CULTURE

culture@ufvcascade.ca Culture Editor - Elyssa English

Column //

Campus Fashion: the ‘90s are back!

Looking at re-emerging trends from years gone by RACHEL TAIT This is Campus Fashion, your source of inspiration for seasonal trends, cool finds, and wardrobe basics to keep you looking stylish throughout the year.

Fashion trends come and go, but some pieces have a knack for being reinvented and repopularized again and again. How does this happen? Influencers, fast fashion companies, and social media platforms are all contributing to bringing fashion trends in and out of style faster than ever before. The Cascade took a closer look at some of the ‘90s trends that are back in fashion again for this spring season.

Slip dresses Reminiscent of silky slips worn under dresses in the ‘90s, this trend has made a comeback in 2025. Pair a blush pink slip dress with a nice white crew neck sweater and tall brown leather boots for a boho look. For a fun night out with friends, try wearing a navy version with a black leather jacket and heels.

Tie-up tops As the name suggests, these shirts have a tie-up feature in the front and are fun to wear in bright or rich colours. They look great paired with dark wash jeans and colourful running shoes. For a more dressy look, wear a burgundy one with dark grey dress pants, a matching cardigan, and heels.

cardigan, a baseball cap, and white tennis Biker shorts shoes.

A popular trend notably worn by celebrities like Princess Diana, these comfortable Flare jeans shorts are another staple of the ‘90s. Pair These wider legged jeans are back with one with an oversized T-shirt and a sweata bang this season. For a business casual shirt worn around your shoulders for an look, try wearing a more fitted version effortless look. with a light blue button-down shirt, a And there you have it, six trends tweed blazer, and heels. For something revamped from the past that are currently more casual, pair an oversized hoodie and popular once more. Everything old is new Plaid baggier fit flare jeans with a T-shirt and again, as fashion, like history, has a way Plaid shirts were another big trend in running shoes. of repeating itself. the ‘90s. Grungy and casual, plaid shirts look good with jeans, a white T-shirt, and white sneakers. Another way to sport this decades old trend is to pair brown plaid pants with a white sweater and brown leather loafers.

Overalls This one-piece classic has made a comeback. Once reserved as a working man’s uniform, it later became a major fashion statement. For a ‘90s inspired outfit, try wearing an oversized pair of denim overalls with a graphic T-shirt and running shoes. For a more timeless look, wear a fitted pair of denim overalls with a plain, white, crew neck long sleeve shirt, a white

Photo courtesy of 90sfashion.com

Column //

The Cascade Kitchen: Biscoff tres leches GAURI SETHI

⁤ 1/3 can of evaporated milk

will help to soak in the milk mixture.

⁤ 1/3 cup 3% milk

5. While waiting for the cake to cool, take a bowl and whisk together all three milks and the vanilla. Pour this slowly over the cake, making sure it soaks in evenly. Don’t rush it — tres leches is all about patience.

The Cascade Kitchen is a student-run ⁤ 1/2 tsp vanilla essence food column that brings you budgetfriendly recipes and cooking tips. Check Topping: back each week for something new to try ⁤ Whipped cream in the kitchen, or if you want to see your own recipe featured next, get started by ⁤ Biscoff spread ⁤ Crushed Biscoff cookies (for reaching out to culture@ufvcascade.ca. garnish, if you’re feeling a Whether you’re feeling homesick, little boujee) recovering from a break up, having a sleepover with friends, or it’s one of those Method random Tuesdays when the world feels 1. Preheat your oven to 350°F. too overwhelming, this Biscoff tres leches 2. In a bowl, whisk together the whites is the solution to all. This budget-friendly of three eggs until they form soft dessert is simple, cheap, doesn’t require peaks. Mix the rest of the wet cake anything fancy, and can be made even in ingredients in another bowl, including a tiny dorm kitchen. the egg yolks.

Ingredients 3. Now, combine the box mix with the wet ingredients and fold in the Cake: egg whites. Don’t over-mix — just ⁤ 1 box of golden or butter cake mix enough to keep it airy. Then pour into ⁤ 3 eggs a greased 8x8” pan and bake for 25-30 minutes, until the batter is golden and ⁤ 1/2 cup butter a skewer comes out clean ⁤ 1 ¼ cup milk from the middle.

Tres leches soak: 4. Let the cake cool for 10-15 minutes.

Photo by Gauri Sethi ⁤ 1/3 can of sweetened After that, take a fork or chopsticks condensed milk and poke holes all over the cake — this

6. Let the dessert chill in the fridge for at least two hours.

7. Spread a layer of whipped cream all over the chilled cake. Use the back of a spoon or spatula to smooth it out like frosting.

8. Now, in a small pan or microwave-safe bowl, gently heat the Biscoff spread with a bit of milk. Stir until it becomes a pourable consistency, but not too runny.

9. Drizzle the Biscoff spread over the whipped cream and top it off with crumbled Biscoff cookies.

10. Your Biscoff tres leches is ready to serve!

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CULTURE Visual Arts //

Epilepsy in Full Colour The Kariton Art Gallery wraps up its latest exhibition CAITLYN CARR A shining scarlet beacon in Abbotsford’s beautiful Mill Lake Park, the Kariton Art Gallery just concluded its most recent exhibition: Epilepsy in Full Colour.

Spearheaded by the Centre for Epilepsy & Seizure Education in BC (C.E.S.E.B.C), the exhibit ran from Apr. 5 until its final day on Apr. 26.

The theme of the exhibit, Beyond Diagnosis, inspired work from a wide range of creators all over the province.

Each canvas hung in the gallery highlighted an artist’s experience with either being diagnosed with epilepsy or caring for someone with the condition. Topics explored through the exhibit’s artwork

Photo by Caitlyn Carr

included medication, misdiagnosis, internal battles, outward appearances, and everyday challenges of the disorder.

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder which is diagnosed when an individual experiences a frequent number of repeated seizures. The centre’s online resource guide explains that seizures can come with a number of indicators.

“A seizure may consist of a brief stare, an unusual movement of the body, breathing difficulties, loss of bladder or bowel control, an odd sensation, a change in consciousness, or a convulsion (muscle contractions).”

Rupinder Bhatti, program manager at C.E.S.E.B.C. and a UFV alum, said that the centre’s intention for the exhibit was to shine a light on the lives of those impacted by epilepsy.

“We wanted people [with epilepsy] to really understand that they’re just as valuable as everybody else around them, and they have the same strength, if not more, and they can overcome anything. And that’s what we want to feature. We want people to feel like they belong, that they matter, and that their story matters.”

While most pieces incorporated some purple — the official colour representing epilepsy — many different colours were also seen in the gallery’s artwork. Bhatti said that the purpose of the exhibit’s title was to showcase the condition as a wide spectrum, since there are many different kinds of epilepsy.

When asked about some prevalent

misconceptions surrounding epilepsy, “If [you] just need someone to talk to Bhatti described the one that she believes for a couple of minutes, [you] can drop by to be the most common. our office too … Our door is always open for everybody.”

Meghan Dahl, the gallery and events manager at the Kariton, spoke on the variety of artists in the exhibit. Since the gallery usually only displays art from within the Fraser Valley, Dahl explained that it was nice to be able to feature artists from all over British Columbia.

“Art is for everyone, and so at the Kariton, we really want to connect as many people [as possible] with art.”

And if you’re looking for something to do now that the semester’s over, Kariton Art Gallery will be partnering up with the Central Fraser Valley Graphic Guild for their next exhibit, starting on May 3.

They are open from 11 a.m. — 3 p.m., Thursday through Saturday. Dahl encourages everyone to check out the gallery.

Bhatti explained that the idea of an art “We’re free. We’re right in the park, exhibition came from the centre’s desire we have new things all the time, and we to raise awareness and eliminate the support local artists [taking] their first stigma surrounding epilepsy in a differ- steps of their career.” ent way than they’d done previously.

“Instead of redoing what we do every year, which is normally a walk at Mill Lake Park … we were like, ‘hey, let’s switch it up this year and do something different.’”

If you or someone you know is struggling with epilepsy, Bhatti encourages paying a visit to the centre to see what kinds of support might be available for Photo by Caitlyn Carr you.

“That’s one of the biggest misconceptions, [that] ‘it can’t happen to me.’...

But like I said, anybody with a brain can have a seizure.”

Lifestyle //

I need to do my skincare first!

A guide to help you build your skincare routine PRATI KAPOOR Good skincare is more than just a routine; it’s a reflection of your daily habits, signalling how serious you take your well-being. Through my own skincare journey, I have gone from finding skincare a foreign concept to looking forward to it. I want you to feel the same, so let’s help you find your skin type, build a skincare regime, and debunk some common misconceptions.

With so much skincare advice available, it’s easy to get swept up and fall for misconceptions. One such myth: you must exfoliate daily for healthy, glowing skin. In reality, exfoliating your skin two to three times a week is enough. Too much can irritate and damage skin.

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Another common myth claims that oily skin doesn’t need moisturizer. The truth is, skin oils and skin hydration are different. Skin oils are generated by sebaceous glands to protect your skin, but they don’t moisturize. No matter your skin type, be it oily or dry, it’s important to moisturize.

There are also many false beliefs about sunscreen, such as not needing sunscreen indoors, that dark skin doesn’t need sunscreen at all, or that you only need one application a day. All of these are untrue! No matter the location of your body, skin colour, or skin type, you must put on sunscreen. When exposed to the sun, apply sunscreen every two hours for adequate protection.

The foundations of a skincare regime are the same for every skin type: cleansing,

exfoliation, moisturizing, and sun protection. But before building a routine, it’s important to know your skin type, as this will determine the best products and methods for you. One of the easiest ways to do this is the “wait and watch method.”

Wash your face with a mild cleanser, pat

Photo by Anna Shvets / Pexels it dry, and wait 30 minutes. If the skin on your face looks shiny all over, you likely have oily skin. If the shine is only around the T-zone (forehead, nose, and chin), you CONTINUED ON PAGE 19

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CULTURE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 18 have combination skin. If your skin feels rough or tight, it’s dry. But, if your skin doesn’t fit any of these, then it’s likely you have normal skin (neither too oily or dry).

Cleansing is one of the most crucial steps of skincare, helping to remove dirt and debris. The American Academy of Dermatology Association (AAD) suggests using a gentle, non-abrasive cleanser that doesn’t contain alcohol and avoiding scrubbing to prevent irritation.

Once the first cleanse is done, you may choose to repeat the process using a method called “double cleansing” with either the same or a different cleanser.

It’s recommended to use an oil-based cleanser first to remove any impurities,

like makeup, followed by a water-based cleanser to help you deep clean and open your pores, minimizing bacteria to fight concerns like acne.

Next, we exfoliate. While we normally shed dead cells around every 30 days, cells are often left behind. Exfoliating assists in removing those leftover dead cells, prevents clogged pores, and reduces skin itchiness. It is recommended that people with dry or sensitive skin use a mild exfoliator to avoid irritation, while those with oily skin may opt for stronger treatments.

Moisturizing is our next step. A good moisturizer helps repair skin, stimulate circulation, and prevent extreme dryness or oiliness. Heavier, oil-based moisturizers may work better for dry skin, whereas

lighter water-based moisturizers are often recommended for oily, normal, and combination skin. When working with more sensitive skin, choose a soothing moisturizer that won’t cause irritation.

Finally, we have sun protection — a very underrated part of skincare. It’s recommended to use sunscreen daily to help prevent premature skin aging and decrease the risk of skin cancer. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has proposed ingredients like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide to be skin safe while ingredients including aminobenzoic acids and trolamine acids are not. They recommend using sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher that provides broad spectrum protection.

You can also increase protection by

wearing full coverage clothes, switching to darker clothes, and wearing sunglasses with UV protection. The central idea is to incorporate habits which protect bare skin from the sun.

After you figure out your routine, it’s important that you stay persistent. It can take up to four weeks of consistency, loyalty, and patience for results to appear.

When your skin is trying to adapt to the new regime, it’s recommended against flitting between one product to another.

Here’s my tip for you: look at skincare as a form of self-care: sit in your room, play your favourite songs, and make it fun — whatever makes it an easier process for you. And remember: it’s only a hassle if you tell yourself it is.

Event Coverage //

Art show by students for students UFV’s 2025 Creative and Performing Arts Festival KIMBERLEY PERKINS From paintings to sculptures, film to theatre, live music to virtual reality, UFV’s campus was brimming with art this past Friday. Students and their families came out on Apr. 25 for the Interpret Festival — a delightful and entertaining evening.

This sixth annual event was hosted by and featured works from students and graduating classes of graphic and digital design, theatre, visual arts, media arts, and film.

Starting in the S’eliyemetaxwtexw Art Gallery, visitors saw featured artwork from VA 404 studio participants, including paintings, prints, and sculptures.

Further into Building D, there was a creative writing workshop, a series of storytelling performances from the THEA 250 class, and an interactive video installation by Jie Yang that caused the image on a life-sized screen to light on fire when a person walked in a certain spot.

In Building D’s black box theatre, the enchanting Pages of Time was performed.

This performance piece, devised by the THEA 452 class, was a multimedia event including projections, lighting, and sound alongside sculptures. Alex Simpson, a second-year student and actor in the show, enjoyed challenging the ideas around what theatre is.

“This was meant to be a performance, not a play, and we wanted it to be immersive. We wanted it to push some boundaries and do things that are a little bit different than would be a classically structured play.”

Pages of Time was first conceptualized as a book club meeting. When the audience entered the theatre, there were books surrounding them, hanging from the ceiling, made into art pieces, and even stacked on the audience’s seats. It was interactive,

with actors milling around and chatting with visitors throughout the performance.

As Simpson explained, the goal was to shift the audience’s expectations.

“It didn’t need to be what everyone expected as a play. That it could be a performance, and it could be expressionistic, it could be art.”

Simpson expressed that each performance was different — something the group embraced.

“Even with me being the book installation at the end, every single time I look different. Some people were not comfortable putting the books on top of me, they put them at my feet. Some people were more into it than others. That was sort of the enjoyment of it was to have it look very different.”

Outside between Buildings D and C is a new gazebo, built by UFV carpentry students and Sessional Instructor Patrick Watchorn, which set the stage for a variety of local musicians. Many attendees enjoyed the experience while eating food from nearby food trucks.

In Building C there was much to

explore, including film screenings, free drop-in headshots, Media Arts capstone projects, a virtual reality exhibit, a pin-hole camera workshop, and an exhibit of visual art works from VA 404 students.

Various art pieces lined the hallways, including 1848, a mixed media piece by Marie Brideau. 1848 is a dress made from found objects — most prominent were used Tim Hortons bags.

“Using a sewing machine to go through pieces of donut that has already dried up is, yeah, we don’t have to say more than that. It was horrible.”

Brideau wanted to symbolize the relationship between the used bags and the start of women’s suffrage in 1848. Just as women were underestimated, the piece is made from discarded, undervalued materials, fished out of UFV garbage cans by Brideau.

“I went through every garbage can in the school and collected as many of the bags as I could, it was disgusting… but it’s worth it.”

Through her time at UFV, Brideau has shifted from visual arts to theatre.

Photo by Mary Ho Along the way she has had many learning opportunities, but has found curiosity to be her key to success.

“I think asking every question possible has been my go-to and I sound so stupid all the time, but I learn the most out of every second of the day and my work and my experiences just go tenfold compared to what I used to be like before I had the courage to ask those questions,” said Brideau, “you kind of learn by trial and error, which is nice, instead of being scared of trying.”

This was a snapshot of the amazing effort of UFV’s School of Creative Arts and Graphic + Digital Design; an inspiring experience, witnessing the creative efforts of these students. Such an event is an immense amount of work by students and staff alike, which Simpson appreciates.

“The students here are very fortunate to have the faculty and the level of involvement and passion that goes on in this building.”

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CULTURE Events //

A Louden launch for the books Artists unite to celebrate another success of UFV’s literary magazine VERONICA POWELL The editorial board of UFV’s literary magazine, Louden Singletree, hosted a successful launch of their 2025 issue on Apr. 11, with many enthusiastic English department faculty and students in attendance to support.

In thinking about the previous launches I’ve attended, this year’s function was definitely a glow up. It included an abundant (free!) spread of sandwiches, fruit, sushi, cookies, and even a drink bar with alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Located in Building K with plenty of space to mingle, it was a refreshing change compared to the tiny rooms of previous years. There was much to be impressed with.

The evening was guided by a comfortable, loosely-structured schedule that encouraged supporters to indulge in the food and drinks. Introductions were made for editorial board members, Kelsey Robson, Cassie Williams, Xavier Ibraheem, and Jorja Johns, before they discussed the making of the issue.

Following that, a number of readers braved the stage to share their work aloud. In a heartwarming moment, Lydia Gunnink read her piece “Trying to Sing Palm

84,” followed by her boyfriend Gavin Thomas’s piece titled “Not Karaoke” which he had written about her.

An intermission followed, allowing time for light chatter and refills, but also a chance for guests to view the art pieces on display. There was also the opportunity to sign one of the cover posters — a new feature to the launch as part of the recognition of Professor Emeritus John Carroll’s work with the magazine, celebrating his retirement and his last issue as their faculty advisor. The evening rounded out with the final four readings and a congratulations to everyone involved, as well as a warm welcome to Professor Rob Taylor, the new advisor to head the production of Louden Singletree.

The work featured in their 17th issue explored a variety of themes and topics such as the passing of time, memories of someone, identity, and trauma. The visual art was just as amazing as the written work including the exceptionally creative cover painted by MSAMI, titled “LONG. LIVE.$ELF.” The Cascade took the opportunity to interview some speakers and hear their thoughts first hand after the end-of-launch mingling started and the nerves had settled.

Photo courtesy of University of the Fraser Valley ©

Caitlyn Harding had three pieces accepted this year: “If a Tree Falls,” “Mulberry Tree,” and “Gaelic Girls.” The first was a short poem, the second a longer poem inspired by Vincent Van Gogh’s painting “The Mulberry Tree,” and the third a short story.

“Being accepted once would have been cool, but the fact that all three of [my pieces] were was just really awesome.

And I’m really grateful to be in this issue and be a further part of the community of Louden Singletree.”

Harding also reflected on the success of the launch event compared to previous years, expressing appreciation for the community “I went to last year’s event as well, and we had a pretty good turnout last year, but I felt like there were even more people this year, which is just great, because it shows that the magazine is slowly gaining more people and followers. [It’s] really great to see that people in the community are participating with this magazine.”

Bryanne Lane read her piece “Creating Culture” which was a short, two page story prefaced and inspired by a quote from Remaa Menakem’s book,“My Grandmother’s Hands” in a chapter of the same name.

“I feel refreshed. It’s always really exciting to share your work with an Photo courtesy of University of the Fraser Valley © audience and to see how people actually

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receive it. With a lot of creative writing work, because it’s all written, it feels like you send it away and then never see it again. That’s why I love events like this, where you get to actually share it with people and talk to people about it.”

Kelsey Robson, Louden Singletree’s project manager, shared her perspective on the event, as well as a message to aspiring writers who have something to share.

“The turnout this year was amazing, and we have our launch party managers to thank for that. We did a lot of promoting, and [it] was better than we could [have hoped] for. It was beautiful.”

When asked how Louden Singletree can help a person looking to get their foot in the publishing door, Robson had insight to share.

“This is a really amazing opportunity for someone to get into the publishing process if you haven’t had anything published before. I’ve had professors say that the university is the first time they’ve had something published … even if you don’t get something submitted [the first time], try again [the] next year. The pieces were all so good [and] it’s not an easy decision.”

Copies of the Louden Singletree’s 2025 issue can be found in Rob Taylor’s office, room B378, and online at UFV’s website.

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ARTS

arts@ufvcascade.ca Arts Editor - Anna McCausland

Music //

Gothic metal is so back The Conjuring actress Vera Farmiga turns rockstar with The Yagas CAITLYN CARR Calling all metalheads nostalgic for a blend of ‘80s and ‘90s rock. Gothic metal rock band The Yagas is a perfect blend of haunting instrumentals and raw vocals that are reminiscent of these iconic eras in music. They describe their sound as “morphing from metal to industrial to wildly extravagant alt-rock.” Before its release on Apr. 25, the band gave a preview of their debut album, Midnight Minuet (2025) by releasing three songs featured on the album and each one has me completely enthralled.

The Yagas is fronted by Oscar and Emmy nominated actress Vera Farmiga — known for The Conjuring (2013) and Hawkeye (2021). The rest of the band is composed of her husband Renn Hawkey — producer of Midnight Minuet — on keys, Jason Bowman on drums, Mike Davis on bass, and Mark Visconti on guitar. After meeting at Rock Academy, the five musicians named their band after Baba Yaga, a figure often depicted as a wise, independent woman who either helps or harms in Slavic folklore.

The band’s first single, “The Crying Room,” released in October 2024 and I haven’t stopped listening to it since.

A long-time fan of Farmiga’s proclivity for horror, I couldn’t stop replaying the song for weeks after its release. The single features entrancing instrumentals

Photo: Franco Vogt (IG: @franco.vogt) that harken back to an unearthly age of metal, and Farmiga’s sharp vocals blend perfectly with the song’s synth. The part of the song that leaves me the most speechless has to be its intense dynamic breakdown. As seen in the song title, it gives listeners room to let out intense emotions, which is abundantly felt in the breakdown.

This February, The Yagas released their second single, “She’s Walking Down.”

Inspired by Farmiga’s consistent fear for her daughter’s safety, the song tells a story of torment and resilience through lyrics like, “He stripped me down so cruel / No more his pleasure tool / Again he tried his fun / This time I grabbed his gun.” Opening with an impressive metal riff, the song assumes a more angry tone

than its predecessor that’ll leave you head-banging the whole time. Farmiga’s fierce flair as the face of the band can be both heard in her unrestrained vocals and seen in the single’s badass music video.

Still, as energetic as this song is, I can’t help but feel like there’s room for the band to push their limits and rock even harder.

The third single from The Yagas, “Life of a Widow,” released in March and it is by far my favourite. Overflowing with longing for the speaker’s dead husband, the song’s passionate and melancholic chorus has me singing along the whole time. The single really leans into the band’s gothic sound and aesthetic with eerie build-ups and a sick-as-hell music video. Showcasing more of Farmiga’s bandmates, a blend of black and white

cemetery shots, and other unreal effects, the video truly captures The Yagas otherworldly vibe.

Other than satisfying my hunger for a sick new metal group to obsess over, The Yagas also uses their platform to discuss real-world topics and share Ukrainian music with fans. The spectral music video for “The Crying Room,” includes a dedication to “the brave people of Ukraine,” and was produced in collaboration with Razom for Ukraine, an organization dedicated to supporting the country in its current war with Russia.

Starring alongside Farmiga in the music video for “The Crying Room” was Eugene Hütz — a Ukrainian singer-songwriter for the band Gogol Bordello. In March, The Yagas shared the stage with Hütz’s band in Kingston, New York for a rockin’ performance of Volodymyr Ivasiuk’s “Chervona Ruta.” Farmiga, who is of Ukrainian descent, explained during the show that the band wanted to showcase Ukraine by performing one of Farmiga’s favourite Ukrainian songs.

If you’re still looking for some new metal with a hint of gothic nostalgia to it, The Yagas’ debut album Midnight Minuet just released on Apr. 25. I know I’ll be in my car jamming out to Farmiga’s insane vocals this fall when I’m on my way to see the final Conjuring movie, The Conjuring: Last Rites (2025).

Movies //

A Minecraft review A sticky, sour mess DARIEN JOHNSEN

— a character that sparked a viral trend on TikTok, leading to apparent property damage, safety concerns, and disruption in some theatres. To the fans, I could tell there were a lot of well appreciated game references, and imagine my surprise when every kid in the theatre quoted “I am Steve” in unison to the movie. I could tell this film was the highlight of the year for many of them. But as an adult, it was a total flop. Not only did the jokes not land, they fell flat on their face. This was not the Jack Black of School of Rock (2003) — someone please tell him to stop singing.

The plot was a mess. The two main female characters were so sidelined you could easily forget they even existed. Was this supposed to be a heartfelt bonding opportunity for a brother and sister? You

Having a nearly 10-year-old brother means you do a lot of things you normally would never do. One of those things is sitting in a theatre with 70 chattering children watching Jack Black at his lowest. A Minecraft Movie (2025) — a film that’s been in the works for nearly 10 years — finally arrived in theatres on Apr. 4. Based on the open world video game that was launched in 2011, fans waited in anticipation for its release — this was reflected in the box office numbers, hitting $162,753,003 on opening weekend, and as of writing, grossing $565,138,262 worldwide.

Full disclaimer: I have never played Minecraft in my life. To be honest, I don’t even know the premise of the game. This left me pretty lost and feeling very out of the loop. My brother nearly leapt out of © Warner Bros / Courtesy Everett Collection his seat when he saw the chicken jockey CONTINUED ON PAGE 22

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ARTS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 21 certainly wouldn’t know it. Was this a coming of age film for two late 40-yearold men? Quite possibly. But why? Last I checked, this game was not for late 40-year-olds.

There were a few interesting and creative moments, I enjoyed the aspects of building and creating (I need a tot launcher in my life). When I whispered to my brother next to me if what I was seeing on screen was actually how building works in the game, he whispered back “sort of.” So, I don’t really know what

that meant. Either way, half-heartedly mashing a bunch of crap together to try and make something kind of cool was pretty representative of the film itself.

The all-star cast definitely made sense given the cult-like following Minecraft has, and I will never be unhappy with a Jennifer Coolidge appearance and Matt Berry cameo (even though their storyline was completely unrelated to the film and barely even ended).

Given that the last kids movie I saw in theatres was The Angry Birds Movie (2016) this was comparatively a masterpiece. But something happened to kids

movies; why aren’t they adult friendly anymore? Besides the really uncomfortable sexual innuendo between Steve (Jack Black) and Garrett (Jason Momoa), there were no easter eggs for adults. It was vastly unlike The Lego Movie (2014) or Shrek (2001) — where the characters are actually dynamic and likeable, and the jokes slap even for adults. And on another note, what’s with the sudden pop culture 80s trend I’ve been seeing in the last few years? I didn’t understand what year the movie was supposed to be set in.

Minecraft is a modern game that I guess sort of looks like an 1980’s 8-bit game

such as Tetris, but most of these kids don’t even know what that is. The choice to go with an 80s aesthetic felt a lot like riding the coat-tails of current pop culture trends — which felt like a cheap way to grab viewers’ attention.

Long story short, there were a lot of questions whispered to my brother in the theatre, and while I struggled to pay attention to the messy plot line, he was thrilled at the end of it. As we walked out of the sticky, sugar-coated theatre (sorry, theatre staff) he gave it a roaring 10 out of 10, which, at the end of the day, is really all that matters.

Music //

Synthpop meets classic rock Djo brings soft summer sounds with new album The Crux ANNA MCCAUSLAND Every time the summer rolls around I mournfully lay to rest my “sad boy playlist” in favour of whatever the new “brat summer” is — typically anything that I can blast in my car. This summer I don’t want to have to decide between the calming tones of Hozier or the catchy melodies of Sabrina Carpenter. With Djo’s third and newest album The Crux (2025) I don’t have to.

In 2016, I — like most of the world — watched Stranger Things (2016-2025) and immediately fell in love with Joe Keery through his portrayal of Steve Harrington.

Years later I stumbled upon this artist Djo, through his song “Personal Lies.”

Imagine my surprise when I discovered that Djo and the Stranger Things actor are one in the same. I watched the rest of the world make the same discovery when “End of Beginning” started trending on TikTok in 2022 — yes the guy that made that “Chicago” song is literally Steve Herrington.

In The Crux Keery combines his usual synthpop sound with classic rock to create this unique alt-pop style that gives perfect slow summer vibes — which after the hectic semester and world destructive politics, it’s more than needed. Each song in the album flows into the next, creating an easy listening experience while still bringing something distinct to the album.

Some have a bouncier beat that remind me of the funk/soul band Vulfpeck, while others slow things down, creating moments for the songs to breathe within the album.

Probably the most popular song out of the entire album — “Charlie’s Garden” — feels the closest to that classic rock sound.

Immediately in the first few seconds of the song The Beatles flooded my mind.

The trumpets toward the end definitely didn’t help. Think “A Day in the Life” mixed with “Penny Lane” — add a little synth and that’s “Charlie’s Garden.”

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Photography by Neil Krug, Courtesy of Grandstand Media The song has gained a lot of traction because it features Joe Keery’s Stranger Things co-star and good friend Charlie Heaton playing the role of a producer or casting director over the phone. An

obvious theme throughout The Crux is Keery spotlighting the people he loves, showing us just what the album is about for him.

“Back On You,” partly dedicated to his

sisters, is another clear example. With lyrics like “I’ve known my sisters for a lifetime / I count my lucky stars that I have them,” and “sisters made a better brother,” Keery shows his love for his siblings. As a sister, I will be sending this to my brothers.

“Charlie’s Garden” is only one of many nods to classic rock legends as “Back On You” opens with an ethereal chorus before a hard drum comes in with a whirling electric guitar — reminiscent of many Queen songs. Later in the song there’s mention of “Hello Mr. Blue Sky Blue,” alluding to the song “Mr. Blue Sky” by the Electric Light Orchestra. Also, in “Gap Tooth Smile,” Keery sings “Freddie said it right, ‘cause she’s my killer queen,” a clear reference to the Queen song “Killer Queen.” It’s easy to see where he drew inspiration from.

The entire album feels like a journey of self-discovery. While not sticking to one narrative, each song reveals more about the people Keery loves while simultaneously revealing more about himself.

Especially in the song “Basic Being Basic” there’s clear commentary on this idea: “I don’t want your money, I don’t care for fame / I don’t wanna live a life where that’s my big exchange / I want simple pleasures, friends who have my back.” The song goes against the alt sound the rest of the album carries through its poppy chorus, creating dialogue between the lyrics and the melodies of the song itself. It’s a discordant message of trying to figure out who you are and learning what you’re not.

As a person in their 20s, I feel like that’s what life is for me right now: finding who I’m not and through that, who I am. Friends become sounding panels, sword sharpeners, and truth sayers. Keery brings us an authentic album at a time where the world cares about the unabashed truth. I don’t know about you, but for me this summer will be more contemplative, and this album provides the perfect soundtrack.

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VOL. 33 // ISSUE 08

ARTS Column //

Creative Corner Creative Corner showcases original creative work from UFV students.

SEA WALL We get off the SkyTrain as the sun is starting to set and the wind is picking up.

It’s the same train and the same wind that — some months ago — daily swept my just-washed hair.

We walk to the house I used to live in, and I swear I still live there.

I ask you — you who is here for me — if there is anything left for me here.

Blocks from the Sea Wall on the shore, it’s settled. I belong nowhere. In this city I’m a ghost with a strange new form.

Molly and Ana are back in town for good. I’m not.

The wind is still biting as we meet them at our usual bar downtown.

My last months away dissolve with each smoke break and beer downed.

The waitress at the Cambie cuts us off in the nicest way possible.

None of us are shitfaced yet, though you do have a small frame and now we’re back on the train.

I put my feet up on the windowsill next to Ana’s, the reflections of our curls melt together as Science World disappears into a blanket of black weather.

Morning is rainy still, marked by an air mattress-induced soreness.

We walk along the Sea Wall now, coins clink in a dirty cup, birds bathe on the rocks, and I can’t shut up.

“Walking here makes me sad,” I sigh past the parking lot for the yachts, a tangle of metal soaking in the bay.

“The ocean doesn’t make me sad” you reply but you misunderstand what I say.

JASPER FLEMING

SHUFFLE

CHARTS

By Aaron Levy

01. SAYA GRAY Saya CIVL’s Aaron Levy received notice this 02. ART D’ECCO week that the Canadian Radio-televiSerene Demon sion and Telecommunications Com03. COOTIE CATCHER mission (CRTC) decision for UFV’s Shy At First Campus Community Radio Society’s 04.

YVES JARVIS application to broadcast permanently All Cylinders on 92.3 FM in Chilliwack — as per the saga documented in the recently 05. NAYA ALI teased film COUNTERCULTURE: 20 We Did The Damn Thing Years of CIVL Radio in the Fraser 06. MEN I TRUST Valley, to be released widely in the Equus Asinus next year — was approved. Holy 07. JAPANESE BREAKFAST moly.

For Melancholy BruQueen - “Radio Ga Ga” nettes (& Sad Women) CIVL Board Member and Mission Folk 08.

DEVOURS Fest volunteer Cole Jodway sang this Sports Car Era song at fellow Director and Townhall Abby (RIP) mainstay Balraj Singh’s 09. BASIA BULAT request, so it was only appropriate to Basia’s Palace drop it like it’s hot off the top here. Fun 10. PIERRE KWENDERS fact: original filmmaker Jay Peachy Tears On The Dance Floor liked this for a title.

11. MARIE DAVIDSON The Flaming Lips - “Turn It On” City of Clowns I’ve probably mentioned it here, but 12. SAMANTHA HOOEY I’ll reiterate because it’s one of my faSilver EP vourite personal factoids — although 13. DESTROYER I do like the song “Yoshimi Battles the Dan’s Boogie Pink Robots,” I never dug The Flaming Lips at all until I heard this album, and 14. KASADOR I had seen them four times — once Kasador I from stage — before then.

15. MOTHERHOOD Kelly McMichael Thunder Perfect Mind 16.

THE WEATHER STATION “Stepping Stone” Name-dropping my university classHumanhood mate/floormate, this song includes the 17. CHARLIE HOUSTON line “Friends, they come and go” and Big After I Die when I “hear your song on the radio” 18.

FROG EYES I know I was “just a stepping stone for The Open Up you.” The keys, changes, and songwriting on this one are classic level 19. SISTER RAY kick ass.

Believer 20.

SKRILLEX TV on the Radio - “Satellite” F*** U Skrillex You Think If we built a studio in Chilliwack, it would essentially be our ‘satellite’ stuUr Andy Warhol But Ur dio, based on the documentary where Not!! we do ‘TV’ on ‘the Radio’ station, get it? I think it makes perfect sense, so don’t rain on my parade, or pee on my shoes and tell me it’s raining.

Photo by Mnkn ada 23