Managing Editor Cassie Williams cassie@ufvcascade.ca
Creative Director
Gabriela Gonzalez gabriela@ufvcascade.ca
Production
alex@ufvcascade.ca
News
Tait rachel@ufvcascade.ca
Jr.
Copy
Opinion
natalia@ufvcascade.ca
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Mehak Narang mehak@ufvcascade.ca Illustrator
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CONTRIBUTORS
Harpreet Singh Hannah Bricknell Jasleen Sandhu
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.
THE CASCADE
In issue 33.09, published on May 28, 2025, our events calendar listed an incorrect date for Fraser Valley Pride. The date ran as June 19, 2025, while the actual event is on July 19, 2025. While no person or group was harmed by this mistake, we still felt it responsible to make the correction. As students running a paper, we sometimes make mistakes during our production process and The Cascade seeks to uphold journalistic standards!
With those festive greetings and gay happy meetings — it’s the most colourful time of the year! Running from June to September, Pride season kicks-off Canada wide this month.
Many of us don’t realize, but Pride is a commemorative time. This season was sparked by the Stonewall Uprising of 1969, a six day clash between LGBTQIA2S+ protestors and police after the raiding of The Stonewall Inn, a popular gay bar in New York City. This was sadly not an uncommon occurrence for the gay community and to this day we still see targeted attacks on queer gathering spaces. So, as much as we seek to celebrate our community members during this time, it’s important to acknowledge that the past isn’t so far behind us. In a community like Abbotsford, danger can be present far too often. From Anti-SOGI protests, to the vandalization of Pride flags on our own UFV campus, to proposed policies in our neighbouring provinces that threaten gender affirming care, it’s hard not to feel the looming danger that seems to lurk at the corners of our community.
For many, Pride might be a bittersweet time; there’s space to celebrate our community and stand boldly alongside each other in the face of danger, hate, and harm, but there is also space to reflect on the journey of being queer and of loving those who are queer. We can all take part in a piece of this reflection with our feature this issue where members of UFV’s very own CHASI share intimate stories of what being queer and being an ally mean to them. On p. 9 our Opinion Editor moves into more personal experiences by sharing what being aromantic has meant to her. Then on p. 21 we explore all things Pride with an essential media list curated from our Jr. News Editor.
The Queer community is a powerful and beautiful group of survivors and an integral part of our national identity. They deserve to be recognized and celebrated, and here at The Cascade we want to make it clear that we stand alongside them as allies, colleagues, fellow students, community members, and friends.
NEWS BRIEFS
B.C. ostrich farm receives a temporary reprieve from cull order Israel-Iran war — the world weighs in
On Friday, June 20, the Federal Court of Appeal temporarily stopped an order to kill almost 400 ostriches living on the Universal Ostrich Farm in Edgewood, B.C. This order was previously made by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency due to an avian flu outbreak in December 2024, as the birds were seen as a health threat to society.
According to Burnabynow, Dr. Cathy Furness, Canada’s deputy chief veterinary officer, emphasized that there is no other way to deal with the situation other than permanently removing the birds.
“There is no safe and feasible alternative to disposal of the ostriches at [Universal Ostrich Farm] that could effectively address the current risks to animal and human health posed by the outbreak.”
The execution pause will only last for one more month as the case is still under review. Katie Pasitney, daughter of one of the owners of the Universal Ostrich Farm, shared an encouraging update on the internet as they continue to work hard to save the ostriches.
“We got this. We’re going to change policy, we’re going to change laws.”
RACHEL TAIT
Knock, knock, IKEA is here in Abbotsford
After only having B.C. stores in the cities of Richmond and Coquitlam, IKEA Canada is finally bridging the gap as it opens its 11th Canadian plan and order centre in Abbotsford, B.C. Additionally, this location marks IKEA’s first ever planning centre in the province.
The centre will be located at the West Oaks mall on South Fraser way and it is expected to open around late fall 2025.
While this centre won’t offer the usual meatballs and familiar shopping experience customers are accustomed to, it will provide personal planning services with a professional who can help them determine how they want to outfit and decorate their homes.
Additionally, the service aims to provide customers with a seamless shopping experience that involves reduced travelling, affordability, and sustainable gains. This centre will also enable customers to order customized furniture pieces either for pickup or home delivery and shop up to 100 products sold by IKEA.
On June 12-13, Israel escalated their conflict with Iran when they launched a surprise attack targeting their nuclear facilities and top military leaders.
As of June 23, 974 people have been reported killed in Iran, as well as at least two dozen in Israel, due to the continuous retaliating air strikes from both sides.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended Israel’s actions, and claimed it was imperative to stop Iran from completing their nuclear weapons program. In contrast, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei, denounced the attack as a grave crime that exposed Israel’s cruel nature and warned of severe consequences.
Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif voiced strong backing for Iran, urging Muslim nations to unite in opposition to Israel.
President Donald Trump condemned Iran, demanding their surrender on social media. Then, on June 21, Trump announced that the U.S. launched strikes on three Iranian nuclear sites, entering Israel’s war with Iran. He addressed the nation, warning Iran that any retaliation would trigger a more devastating response. However, on June 23, Trump revealed Iran and Israel had agreed to a ceasefire after 12 days of escalating conflict — both sides portraying it as a victory. Whether the truce lasts remains uncertain.
B.C. // How wildfire affects aquatic wildlife
A recent study reveals the impact of B.C. wildfires on the freshwaters of the Fraser Valley
MARIE-ANGE ROUTIER
This year, the wildfire season is anticipated to be the second worst in Canada, which may negatively affect organisms in the ecosystem, including fish. The Pacific salmon is an official symbol of B.C., and is highly regarded — especially with Steveston’s 78th Annual Salmon Festival approaching on July 1. With the fire season already affecting parts of B.C., the question remains whether or not the salmon will stay safe during this time.
Although Pink, Chum, and ocean-type Chinook spend a relatively short amount of time in freshwater before navigating out to sea, other stream-types such as Chinook, Coho, and Sockeye spend over a year in freshwater before hitting the beach. In 2025, some of the hatchlings of 2023 are about to move from their freshwater habitat into the Salish Sea.
At the moment, the Salish Sea has relatively good conditions for the welfare of the salmon, but as climate change continues and wildfires keep burning, this may change. Right now, the concern is on the formative years of the salmon and their time spent in the freshwaters of the Fraser Valley.
water temperatures, which stresses juveniles and can lead to population decline in future years. However, the wildfires may have a serious and less visible impact as well.
A recent study by the Department of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences at the University of British Columbia reveals the impact of B.C. wildfires on the Fraser Valley’s freshwater. This study shows that the fires impact 16.3 per cent of the variation in water quality. Also, the arsenic levels in the water rise nine months after proximal fires, which can affect the salmon’s growth, reproduction, and immune systems.
There was also a 193 per cent variability in cadmium (highest of the metals tested), which accumulates in aquatic food webs, and can affect kidneys, bones, and respiratory systems.
Levels of copper rise 8-10 months after fires, which affects salmon-type species more specifically by damaging their sense of smell and reactions to danger signals typically felt by pheromones. The data in this study illustrated that these wildfires directly impact the welfare of B.C’s salmon.
Explore Canada’s national parks for free this summer
Starting June 20, several of Canada’s parks will have no entrance fees as a part of a new initiative from the federal government to make Canadian nature and history more accessible. The Canada Strong Pass will run until Sept. 2, 2025 and does not require pre-registration or a physical indicator.
The pass not only grants free access to national parks, but will also provide discounts on camping fees, national museum admissions, VIA Rail tickets, as well as participating provincial and territorial museums and galleries. The pass is a direct response to the United States’ tariffs this summer.
Additionally, the Honourable Rechie Valdez, minister of women and gender equality and secretary of state (Small Business and Tourism) said that the pass is to help bolster Canadian tourism.
“Canada’s tourism sector is dynamic, innovative and essential to our national economy. The Canada Strong Pass will give a much-needed boost to the tourism industry by encouraging Canadians to rediscover our country, support local businesses and celebrate the communities that make Canada extraordinary. This summer, let’s choose Canada.”
Historically, B.C. wildfires have disrupted the early development of salmon by smothering their eggs with sediment from the fires, or increasing
However, it’s not just about the dangers salmon could face; it’s the ecosystem around the fish, the culture they bring, and the aquatic emblem of beautiful British Columbia.
SKY S. TERRONES
KAPOOR ANNA MCCAUSLAND
Todd Gordon Brown, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
June 2025 Senate recap
Dwindling immigration enrollment numbers and MacLean’s final Senate meeting
SKY S. TERRONES
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, June 6, 2025.
Dr. James Mandigo, provost and vice president academic, gave a presentation on the Integrated Strategic Plan (ISP) and highlighted that about 23 Key Performance Indicator (KPI) goals from their plan are on track.
“I think overall we’re on a good path… There are a couple of [areas] that we’re keeping our eye on and trying to ensure that we’re addressing in concrete ways.”
However, Mandigo mentioned that according to the 2024 survey from the Canadian University Survey Consortium (CUSC), more UFV students report a barrier to graduation in comparison to 2021. He explained that the primary reason was the difficulty accessing required classes.
“The number one reason that we hear from students around why they’re experiencing delay is because they can’t get the required courses that they need to graduate.”
Mandigo expressed confidence in the deans’ dedication to solving this issue, noting that ensuring students’ timely graduation will require coordinated effort and time.
The SEM Annual Report of 2024/25 was presented by David Johnston, university registrar and associate vice president, enrollment management, who expressed increasing percentages of domestic students and their goals being met.
However, this was not the case for international students. Previously, UFV had a strong visa approval rate. Now,
Mandigo has said that despite continuous applications, due to ongoing changes in immigration policies, highly qualified applicants are being rejected without explanation from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Mandigo added that visa approval rates for students have dropped drastically. In 2023, the institution had an 86 per cent approval rate — among the top five in Canada. By the first quarter of 2025, that number plummeted to 46 per cent. Nationally, study permit approval rates fell from 60 per cent in 2023 to 25 per cent in early 2025, meaning 75 per cent of permits are now being rejected by the IRCC.
Johnston said that to counter these measures, UFV is adapting their approach to international recruitment, focusing on students’ perception of the value of studying at UFV and incentivizing those in two-year programs to stay for a full degree. Still, no concrete planning on specifics was indicated.
Additionally, UFV aims to engage more with international students from local high schools and collaborate with school boards to highlight UFV as a viable option. According to Johnston, the tentative expectation for 2031 still displays signs of declining numbers.
Johnston motioned that Senate approve the revisions made to the Social Service Worker diploma revisions, which will come into effect January 2026. Some of these changes included HSER and Social Work courses that were completed over a 10 year period no longer go toward their diploma to better align with the BSW program. The motion was voted on and carried.
Dr. Dana Landry, department head and associate professor of Arts and Integrated Studies, made a motion for Senate to approve the changes to the Master of Social Work program. This included reducing the program from two years to five months, making it part-time and requiring 3,000 hours of paid work instead of two years of volunteer work. The motion was voted on favourably.
Dr. Joanne MacLean reflected on some milestones in her final President’s report, such as record-breaking enrollments, the launch of Mission campus renovations, and having the university’s first Alumni and Friends reunion. MacLean also welcomed Mandigo as the new president, expressing excitement for his leadership and gave a heartfelt thanks to Gerry Palmer, associate professor, School of Business, for his years of service as the vice-chair of Senate.
MacLean emphasized the privilege of working at UFV and remarked that she will remain attentive to the university.
“I will keep an eye on things. I will not meddle or get in your way. I will step out of the way boldly, but let me say that you won’t find a bigger supporter of UFV than me.”
Palmer made a final motion to formally recognize MacLean’s significant contributions to UFV since becoming president in May 2018. The motion expressed deep appreciation for her leadership and impact on UFV and the Fraser Valley community, commenting on her successfully facing the challenges of COVID-19, leading major capital projects, and playing a key role in advancing UFV’s academic mission. The motion was voted on and passed unanimously.
Illustration by Eseniia Bondar
UFV // UFV president retires
A look back on Dr. MacLean’s journey as university president
RACHEL TAIT
University President Joanne MacLean has worked at UFV for 13 years, first as the Dean in the Faculty of Health Science before becoming the University President in 2018.
UFV’s President, Dr. Joanne MacLean will be retiring after eight years of dedicated service in the position. MacLean sat down with The Cascade and reflected on some of her fondest memories, her reasons for retiring, the transition period with the next president, Dr. James Mandigo, provost and vice president academic, and what is next for her.
Can you tell us a little bit about your decision to retire?
I feel like you get to a time and place where it’s a sweet spot to hand the leadership on to the next wave of leaders, [who] bring in new ideas, new ways of doing things and new perspectives to meet the challenges of the day.
I feel the university is about as stable right now as it could be … and I feel good about handing it over in a time when we have a wonderful group of employees and leaders here.
Do you have any fond memories at UFV that have stood out to you?
I have watched our students get up in front of hundreds of people and speak, I have seen their activities, their work in the community, their school work, or their work in terms of their passion and interest.
And I have been just unbelievably proud of the strength and ability of our students. And I mean that. That’s what it’s all about.
I’d say the next thing that goes right behind that is seeing our employees achieve the research, scholarly activity and artistic activity that our faculty are engaged in, their passion for their work, and their innovative kind of ideas around whatever it is they may be interested in.
The third thing I think that is a memory for me that I will always take away is just our work to try to establish a really well understood and embraced mission,vision and set values for the institution.
How has the transition been like with bringing Dr. Mandigo on board as President?
I’ve been meeting with him on topics related to being the President and things that he may not [know]. Some of them he would know about, as our Provost, but many of them he wouldn’t be involved in. So I’ve been having that kind of transition planning with him for months now, literally since even a week or two before he was announced. But I knew he was the next candidate…I think I’ve been very fortunate that it has been a smooth transition and I have every confidence that he will step in and he will just move forward on his own.
What is next for you?
Right now, there are lots of personal pursuits that I have. I’m looking forward to being able to exercise in the middle
of the morning, not 7:00 in the morning because it’s the only time of the day that I could fit it in.
I’ve got a plan for July, August and September to enjoy time with my family in Ontario and in New Brunswick. And then, just making sure I’m back out this way to be a part of James’s installation as the new president in October. I’ve looked at the first six months of trying not to schedule a whole lot of things and yet I know there will be lots of opportunities for me to give back.
Is there a specific organization that you would really like to be part of one day?
I believe strongly in the power of sport to help young people, and to enable them to learn so many things that it doesn’t matter what areas are your passion, these things will help you along the way. And I could see myself certainly getting involved there.
I could see myself in the world of helping those who are less fortunate, whether it’s working in a realm where there’s such need in terms of poverty, new immigrants, the whole crisis in mental health and in substance abuse.
What kind of final advice would you give to students?
I do truly believe that all of us — but young people in particular —, [should] follow your dreams. Follow your passion, what it is that really interests you and don’t let anyone tell you that’s not the right dream or that you can’t achieve something.”
I see people who are involved in things because they feel they have to be … but I worry that there are too many people engaged in things that don’t bring them joy. That would be my advice for our students.
The interview has been edited for length and clarity.
How to mindfully navigate online spaces and understand potential toxic traps
HARPREET SINGH
Suppose you open Instagram to watch reels and ease your mind but, after some scrolling, you come across a video hating on your culture. Upon opening the comment section, you find thousands of people further promoting hate speech. Sound familiar? Social media was designed to connect people from different parts of the world. Who would have thought that it would have unintended negative repercussions. Despite this, you don’t need to quit the internet to re-establish your peace.
Online toxicity consists of any content that makes you feel inferior or unknowingly attacks your self-esteem. Being constantly exposed to such content can create anxiety, self-doubt, and result in long-term trauma. With regard to students, this can be mentally deteriorating, as it can even deviate learners from their academic goals. Recognizing these issues is the first step in diminishing their impact and taking care of your mental health.
First, let’s identify different toxic
behaviours; some of them are hate speech, rage bait, cyberbullying, and doomscrolling. Cyberbullying is a form of personal harassment. Hate speech is targeted attacks toward certain groups, and rage baiting is provocative content designed to trigger anger and arguments. Another toxic pattern is doomscrolling, which makes it harder to avoid the potential consumption of toxic content, and could lead to emotional strain.
Having understood the different patterns, the need of the hour is to devise ways to mitigate the negative effects and to prevent oneself from experiencing the negative side of social media. Some helpful tips are to block and report accounts that spread negativity, curate the feed you get by following accounts that provide inspiration, and engage with positive content. By doing this, the algorithm adapts and helps bring you to the brighter side of the internet. Frequent social media detox is a useful technique which can help you regulate the dopamine that a person usually gets while using social media. The best way to limit your exposure to online toxicity is to avoid and limit your
interactions with it. Always remember that not every conversation is worth your energy and most social media platforms come with tools to flag hate speech, harassment, or misinformation. This kind of content can spread quickly, so the most appropriate way of protecting yourself is to verify what you’re consuming before you react. Doomscrolling, on the other hand, should be limited, which can be done by setting time limits on your devices for social media platforms. The internet is a tool, not a life sentence. We can control the content we come across by curating the feed and controlling the way we use social media. Today, I invite you to try one small change. Whether it’s muting a toxic account, setting a screentime limit, or simply pausing before posting an angry comment. Small steps build resilience. If toxicity overwhelms you, remember support exists: UFV’s Counselling Services and Wellness Peers offer confidential help. Remember that your mental health will always be more important than any online drama.
It’s worth embarrassing yourself
by Iryna Presley
You should embarrass yourself. Seriously. I used to be terrified of embarrassment, but now, as I progress into adulthood, I welcome it with open arms. Recently, I’ve been complimenting strangers, being vocal at sporting events, I’ve even been waving at my professors before they begin class just because I can. As a shy person, I find my pursuits of whimsy to be daunting, but I’ve realized that life is much more fulfilling when you take a leap and step outside of your comfort zone. Life’s too short to not embarrass yourself.
When you think about it, trying new things and having fun isn’t embarrassing at all. Initial embarrassment becomes secondary to the joy of enriching experiences: raising your hand in class to provide a unique perspective, reaching out to make a new friend, applying for a job that is unlike anything you’ve done before — this is all worth doing. It’s crucial to recognize and push past self-imposed limitations, because there are so many things to do and try. We must be willing to embarrass ourselves because often the best stories result from those moments.
BY JASLEEN SANDHU
Illustrations
Illustration by Natasha Zilcosky / The Cascade
SNAPSHOT
This is your sign to get a tattoo
Illustrations by Iryna Presley
It’s three o’clock in the morning and I’m slouched over my laptop. Since I’m a student, the logical assumption is that I’ve finally stopped procrastinating and am finishing an assignment. Joke’s on you, I’m still procrastinating. The late night desire has claimed me yet again: I need another tattoo.
Why do people get tattoos? The National Institutes of Health claims that the biggest reason is to express one’s identity through their appearance. As someone with four tattoos (trust me, if I had the money I’d have more), I’m inclined to agree — plus, I just think they look cool.
Some people believe tattoos are only justified if they have a special meaning. Then you’ve got people like myself; I have one of a ghost wearing cat ears because I was at a tattoo convention and thought to myself, “why the [redacted] not?”
My philosophy? Life’s short and it’s better to regret the things you did rather than the things you didn’t. So get that tattoo. Pierce your nose. Dye your hair a funky colour. Worst case, you can look back at old photos and be reminded of a time when you tried something new.
BY CAITLYN CARR
Column //
The Environmentalist: climate without borders
How earth’s weather systems are all connected
FABIOLA CRUZ ALDERETE
Welcome to The Environmentalist, your column for understanding the natural world. Today we will explore how interconnected the Earth’s climate is!
How can the deserts in Africa feed the Amazon rainforest? How can polar air cause snow in Texas? The Earth’s weather is not made up of stand-alone events; instead, what happens in one place triggers an effect halfway across the globe.
These links are known as teleconnections. They are an interwoven net of phenomena that connect both weather and climate events from one hemisphere to the other. Weather refers to short-term atmospheric conditions, while climate refers to the conditions of an area over a longer period — usually more than 30 years. There are different forms of teleconnections which all play a role in Earth’s weather and climate.
One form of teleconnection is jet streams; they are narrow bands of strong wind caused by air temperature differences that form around 11-13 kilometres above the Earth’s surface, generally
blowing from west to east. One can see their effects with the polar vortex, which is a large spiral of freezing cold air located near the North or South Pole. When the vortex is disrupted, usually during the winter, the polar jet stream’s waviness creates colder weather in North America and Europe. This, combined with polar amplification — a phenomena that causes rapid arctic warming — is why snow in Texas happens.
Another form of teleconnection is volcanic eruptions, which can release immense quantities of dust particles into the air, causing temperatures to temporarily cool by shading solar radiation. When Mount Pinatubo erupted for example, it caused the global temperature to decrease by about 0.5 degrees Celsius over a year!
Ocean currents work as rivers of varying lengths with a set path — they can flow close to the surface or almost at the bottom of the ocean. The most important role they play is acting as the planet’s heat highways. For example, the Atlantic Meridional Overturning
Circulation (AMOC) is an elaborate set of ocean currents that spans the length of the Atlantic Ocean. Its collapse may lead to a cooling of about 15 degrees Celsius and could result in irreversible changes in the climate systems of the world.
Lastly, I want to get into what I consider to be one of the most beautiful connections on our planet: the relationship between the Sahara Desert and the Amazon rainforest. These environments are linked by a massive trans-Atlantic cloud of dust. Phosphorous rich dust originates from the Sahara, and is sent to the Amazon rainforest through extreme winds. The Amazon’s soil lacks phosphorus, which is a key component for plant growth. Cool, huh?
Our planet is a living, breathing being and comprehending the invisible threads that run through it may be key to predicting climate change and protecting ecosystems even across our borders. As the Lorax once said, “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better.” So, let’s care.
OPINION
Technology // Lying has never been easier!
AI is evolving exponentially, and the regulations meant to control it are falling behind
AKASHBEER SANDHU
In a Facebook post, Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer, Dr. Theresa Tam, finally revealed the dangers of the COVID-19 vaccination, claiming that doctors worldwide had found ‘sinister rubber-like clots’ in autopsies of the vaccine recipients. Before the post was taken down, Dr. Tam urged viewers to “act before it’s too late.” She advertised a product that would clean the blood vessels and make them more flexible. Angry commenters demanded she be jailed for promoting the vaccine in the first place.
It doesn’t sound real, does it? That’s because it’s not. The video was made entirely by AI. The type of AI that makes realistic photos, videos, and audio is called ‘Generative AI’ (gen AI). Just the thought of someone doctoring your face into anything should be terrifying on its own. Misinformation presented to people who already believe in a lie are emboldened. In that (now archived) facebook post, people criticized the real Dr. Tam with one calling for her jail time. In a bold move to expose the dangers
of this technology, Laura McClure, a New Zealand MP, showed an AI generated nude picture of herself to the NZ parliament. She made it herself in less than five minutes and shared it because “it needed to be shown how important this is and how easy it is to do, and also how much it can look like yourself.” McClure stated that the lack of regulation on AI-generated sexual and harmful content needs to change.
AI misuse is not limited to images, as some people reported receiving phone calls from panicked family members asking for money for various reasons, only to discover that it was an AI-generated voice mimicking their own. It’s the same technology that can bypass a bank’s voice verification check. At its current rate, AI development threatens to become a boon for con artists rather than a tool for productivity.
When someone is scared of what AI can do, it is hard not to put them in the same box as people who are afraid of new technology. However, this fear comes from understanding. The more I learn about what AI can do and the little security it
has, it becomes impossible not to fear it. You probably feel confident that you can decipher what images are AI, and for the most part, that’s true. AI images and videos can be obvious and terribly made, but not always. According to Moore’s Law, a long term observation tool used to measure transistor counts on computer chips, technological progress is exponential. Gen AI has become better and it is already making it nearly impossible for people to distinguish between what’s real and fake.
Naturally, one might think the solution is to restrict what AI models are allowed to do by imposing restrictions on them. In 2023, one of the most cited AI researchers, Yoshua Bengio, along with more than 30,000 others, signed an open letter to companies that have AI systems more powerful than GPT-4. The letter demanded the companies pause the development for six months before training more powerful models, all of this with the goal of allowing more time to plan and manage risks associated with AI development. The industry largely ignored the letter. Not only that, but there are several reasons why the terms of service by AI companies are not necessarily enforceable.
Companies currently have limited control of what people do with their models once they are released, especially open-source AI. Service terms are vague and broad, making them difficult to enforce legally. There are no real consequences for the violators of the terms and conditions besides getting their accounts banned. Most importantly, AI models cannot consistently detect when they’re being used in violation of their terms of service.
If regulations on AI are overly strict, it could have the potential to stifle innovation. However, something like compulsory watermarking of AI-generated content could be a way to combat this predicament. A signal embedded in the code, invisible to the naked eye, but tells the platform it’s on that it’s AI-generated could help counter the sheer number of misinformation and non-consensual explicit images online.
We almost have the tech that has been talked about for generations in stories however, we are ignoring the warnings that came with them and treating AI with little caution. The line between a tool and a weapon is thin, and far too many people are crossing that line and misusing gen AI. The AI companies are trying to maintain control over how their product is used, but it is not enough. We desperately need dedicated legislation to control it.
SNAPSHOT
What are the politicians actually talking about?
Illustrations by Iryna Presley
The news cycle can be a headache. Algorithms curate the content we see on social media, and we might not realize it. In Canada, all happenings in the House of Commons and all provincial legislatures are live streamed and available online for the public to watch and listen to. The Legislative Assembly of British Columbia QP Podcast is even available on Spotify — each episode only about half an hour. For me, this provides an alternative to the headlines and allows me to look past the name-calling.
Question Period (QP) is typically the most exciting part of parliamentary proceedings , where emotions often rise as the government is called into account. Then debates and committee meetings are where legislation gets developed and refined, and we see politicians as the colleagues that they are. In the name of an accessible and accountable government — everything is available for you to watch or listen to online. So, next time you’ve got a long commute, or need background noise for chores, I suggest you head over to ParlVu and the BC Legislature’s stream to see what those in power are actually talking about.
Growing up in the early 2000’s didn’t really equip me for a life of bisexuality. Queer representation showed up in my life exclusively in the form of overly flamboyant and stereotypically portrayed gay men on my television screen every now and then, and lesbians essentially did not exist. Bisexuality was reserved for women only and it was almost always fetishized for the male gaze.
But then, it was released — the pop anthem of 2008, and the year of my 13th birthday; Katy Perry’s “I Kissed a Girl” blew my teenage mind. This certainly isn’t a perfect gay anthem, but as a young girl, it felt like a permission. Kissing a girl was described in a way that made me curious and something about the song felt uniquely for the girls. Awakened in me was the desire to slather on cherry chapstick and indeed, kiss a girl. Just to try it.
And that summer, I did kiss a girl for the first time and I really did like it. Although I didn’t fully embrace my queerness until over a decade later, my experience with this song is one of those memories that I recall as a first introduction to my bisexuality.
BY DARIEN JOHNSEN
Pride // A different way of experiencing romance
I was right to think I had a different way of perceiving relationships
NATALIA TOSCANO MURUA
No two people experience life the same way — each person is unique and unrepeatable. Still, amidst a sea of diversity, there are islands of connection; spaces where I feel like people can identify and relate with the perceptions of others. These connections have the potential to change how a person experiences their life — I know this because it happened to me. For the majority of my life, I felt like there was something odd about the way I experienced love, until one day, I discovered why. I found the connection, and it changed everything.
There are several types of love, which I have experienced throughout my life. My love for my family feels different than the one I hold for my closest friends, and that too feels different to the self-love I feel. I consider myself someone who loves profoundly, yet, to this day I don’t think I have experienced romantic love. I still struggle to comprehend that idea personally — I’ve dedicated time to figuring it out, but the concept still only makes sense to me as something external and methodic. Kisses in movies come out of the blue for me. If someone is flirting, I almost always mistake it for friendliness. Acts of romance are alien to me, I’ve never had a crush, I’ve never desired a romantic partner. All signs point me to one conclusion: I am aromantic — a term used to describe people who experience little to no romantic attraction.
For what felt like the longest time, I was at a loss when trying to place what
“All signs point me to one conclusion: I am aromantic — a term used to describe people who experience little to no romantic attraction.”
this feeling was. I never felt uncomfortable with it, and explaining the way I express love and how I share it always felt right. However, I got lots of “you just haven’t found the right one yet” or “it’s just a phase” or even “you’re just afraid to love.” I insist that when a person earns a spot in the most special place in my heart, it doesn’t need to be romantic for me to give all of myself to them. Once you make it to that exclusive circle in my life, you have all of me. For some, that’s complicated to accept, or they don’t fully believe it. I tried not to let it bother me, but one night I decided to look online to see if there was an explanation for this, and there was. Finding a label to describe the way I experience romance was extremely helpful, and not only that, but I found out there were more people out there who
“Knowing I’m aromantic is a tool to express a part of who I am, and I will gladly keep sharing what it means to whoever wants to know about it.”
shared similar experiences. Knowing I was not alone made a world of difference. At first, it felt odd to realize I was part of the LGBTQ+ community. Even though I have always considered myself an ally, it feels different to classify as a part of the spectrum. I found out about the aromantic flag, discovered lots of content online which I identified with, and heard of events that aromantic people attend — it was a whole new world to discover. Although there is a space for me within the community, my personal experiences have left me feeling like I’m in limbo between being part of the community and feeling left out.
I feel like there has recently been greater acceptance toward queer people and their life experiences both inside and outside the community — which I think is incredibly positive — but at the same time, even within the community, it feels like aromanticism is not nearly as visible or accepted as other identities. To me, it feels like being aromantic is something that is unfamiliar to people outside and within the LGBTQ+ community alike. This is what creates that limbo for me, not feeling like I fully fit within either two places.
Knowing I’m aromantic is a tool to express a part of who I am, and I will gladly keep sharing what it means to whoever wants to know about it. I know I’m not alone, there are people that share similar struggles to mine, so my wish going forward is that eventually more people find out about what it means to be aromantic — more visibility would be of great help. I’m comfortable with the way I am, and if I never hid my unique way of loving before, I definitely won’t hide it now.
Katy Perry made me gay SNAPSHOT
Illustrations
Movies // Disney live actions: hit or miss?
Why I used to be more excited to indulge in Disney classics
VERONICA POWELL
When I think about my childhood, I can’t help but feel a deep sense of nostalgia for the Disney films that I loved and the magic they brought to my life. Disney has released over 20 live action movies in the last 10 years. I was ecstatic when Cinderella (2015) first came out, and I still believe it’s been the best one, aside from Beauty and the Beast (2017), Mulan (2020), and Alice in Wonderland (2010). I admire Disney’s drive to bring these stories to life in a new way, but it’s starting to feel like the passion, authenticity, and magic are becoming less and less present in the films.
Live action films transport me to that place where the real and fictional world coexist — they make me feel connected to the spirit of magic, but that magic fades when CGI (computer-generated imagery) is overused. I understand some things are impossible to execute with practical effects, but then why are we calling it a “live action” film when the majority of it is made with a green screen or animation? Perhaps more films should follow in the steps of Lady and the Tramp (2019), where they used real dogs and only applied digital effects to anthropomorphize them. When overdone, CGI taints the authenticity and diminishes the magic and visuals of a story when things aren’t real. To me it becomes obvious with unnecessary shadows, disproportions, and unnatural facial movements. That’s when I wonder if watching a live action film is worth it. Just like CGI, the release of one live action film after the other — five in 2019 alone — is causing burnout. It’s overwhelming. Especially when each one comes with a side of critical reviews from the public that smashes my dreams about how good they are before I have a chance to establish my own perspective. The media always seems to highlight the negative opinions more than the positive ones, so the poor critiques that swarm the movie’s release make them seem less worthy than they might actually be. I try to go in with an open mind, since I highly anticipate each new release. However, the defeatist publicity that gets to audiences early on ruins the experience of watching it for the first time. Due to this, I feel that live action films have gained an unnecessary poor reputation, and the true purpose behind these stories are being lost.
Walt Disney himself created Disney to have a place where people of all ages could go to be together, and be happy. I think of Disney films, not just live actions, as a function of this. Recently, Disney has been creating space for more inclusive
and diverse characters by reimagining old classics with a wider variety of representations. While this is a great step toward a more equitable society — I argue that these characters could instead be re-imagined into brand new roles and narratives that celebrate traditionally marginalized communities and highlight their unique qualities instead of halfheartedly tacking
them onto an old narrative.
That way, a whole new legacy is created that is refreshing to audiences at the same time. This doesn’t mean we forget the originals and erase the nostalgia we once knew, we would simply be making room for more people to enjoy and cherish that same Disney magic. At the end of the day, it’s the unique characters, incredible
costuming, and makeup that make me glad I’ve watched their live actions. I think Disney is a special place that keeps us young and encourages imagination. Therefore, regardless of CGI and the negativity surrounding them, I will continue to welcome each Disney live action film with open arms and wide, giddy eyes.
Photo: Walt Disney / Everett Collection
Queer on Campus
CHASI’s queer love letters
CHASI
It’s difficult to walk into the Community Health and Social Innovation (CHASI) Hub and not feel the positive energy of Pride. Year-round, the office hangs a large rainbow flag and displays art inspired by observances such as the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia, or World AIDS Day. Within the space, faculty, staff, and students collaborate on research understanding the experiences of queer individuals and in many cases share their own lived realities.
CHASI has a far broader purview as one of UFV’s research centres. As the name implies, it exists to improve health in the Fraser Valley community and beyond. But it does so with a wide view of what health means: it encompasses physical, social, mental, emotional, and economic health, and the many ways in which they all intersect.
Since it’s launch in April of 2020, supporting the queer community has emerged as a key tenet of CHASI’s work. Driven by needs in the community and the experiences of the multidisciplinary team, CHASI has co-organized UFV’s annual Tea Dance for three years in a row; they have prompted
artists to create work inspired by a UFV Theatre production of The Laramie Project; and they have maintained a display of Pride flags on campus in the face of repeated vandalism and theft.
CHASI’s Director, Dr. Martha Dow, reflects on this engagement with LGBTQ+ individuals and issues: Our commitment to provide a space for queer students to feel safe and seen is unwavering and unfortunately necessary in the absence of a dedicated Pride space on campus. I recognize that I move in this world with tremendous privilege and yet, as a lesbian who grew up in the 70s and 80s, I am heartbroken that we are in a time that feels far too familiar. A time where people feel permission to demand that our lives be erased from public spaces, that religious freedom is asserted as a defence for homophobia, and that hate crimes against our community are growing at an astounding rate across Canada. CHASI understands that social justice is not born out of neutrality and that to be silent is to be complicit.
When my co-parent and I decided to have children, I spent a lot of time speaking to university classes, parent groups, administrators, and teachers
answering questions and being vulnerable in an effort to make this world a gentler place. Gentler for our children who have been agents of social change since the day we decided to have them. Gentler for young LGBTQ+ individuals that I hoped would not experience the loneliness and fear that I experienced as a teenager in the 1970s and as I came out to my family, AIDS ravaged the gay community. The predatory narrative propelled by the hateful and ignorant “hands off our children” movement is the same disgusting strategy used by Anita Bryant and her supporters because it worked then and as we look to our southern neighbours it is working again.
I am angry. But more importantly, I am inspired. Inspired by the brave, creative, and compassionate queer individuals and allies that I work and advocate alongside every day.
The Cascade asked CHASI’s team to share their reflections on what queerness and working in an advocacy-forward space has meant for them, and what messages they want to share with their community.
Illustration by May Beeney / The Cascade
Chloe Raible:
My earliest memories of queerness were shaped by my family’s worldview, which can be boiled down to two words: conservative and religious. I remember my grandma making comments like, “being gay is a sin” and later, when I began university some family friends dismissing the institution as “too woke.” These comments weren’t isolated—they were echoes of a broader reality: I grew up in a region deeply influenced by conservative values, where queer identities were often invisible or pushed to the margins. As such, my identity as a bisexual woman has been something I have done my best to remain hidden from family, friends, and coworkers.
That slowly started to shift when I started working at the Community Health and Social Innovation (CHASI) Hub. I found myself surrounded by people who lived openly and unapologetically. Watching my coworkers speak so confidently about aspects of their identities made it harder and harder for me to justify hiding mine. It started to feel disingenuous to be silent when the people around me were so courageously true to themselves.
CHASI has been more than just a workplace for me. CHASI is a space led by, and filled with, individuals who are so confident in their identities and their beliefs that it attracts others who are committed to doing the same and inspires others who aren’t there yet to continue taking steps to do so. In the past year alone, I have made huge strides in living more authentically, in living a life that isn’t restrained by the fear of judgement.
To my future self: I hope my parents have read this article.
Jeff Mijo-Burch:
I wasn’t originally going to contribute to this feature. Through my work at CHASI, I prefer to have a role behind the scenes in activism and try to act as an ally to the Queer community, but don’t typically consider myself a part of it. As I read some of the other pieces you see on these pages, though, I was struck by the pride I felt for my friends and colleagues sharing their authentic selves, and what that might mean for readers seeing themselves reflected in these stories.
And that snapped my mind back to the first time I saw my identity reflected.
It wasn’t anything big and flashy, or a huge dramatic moment. I’d done lots of reflecting on myself, and already felt pretty comfortable that I really did align with the image society had of me: a straight, cisgender man. But one day I was online and stumbled across a comic about a character discovering that they were demisexual — in essence, that they didn’t experience crushes and attraction the way that others might, requiring emotional bonds to be formed first.
I just remember being overwhelmingly struck by one thought: “there’s a word for this?”
After some research I felt comfortable claiming that label as well, and it gave me an understanding of why I never had an answer when someone asked for my celebrity crush. But it’s also an identity I’m pretty private about: it’s obviously a very personal part of how I’m wired, but beyond that, it’s invisible and not super consequential in my day-to-day life.
It would feel appropriative to centre myself in Queer spaces when I’ve never faced any sort of discrimination or hardship because of my identity. The flip side of that invisibility, though, is that I’m not creating opportunities for others to have the same “aha” moment I had when I read that comic.
So as I’ve worked to support Queer events, research, initiatives, and people at CHASI, I have tried to mention it now and then — when it feels right, when it’s not taking space, and when it’s additive to the conversation. Collaborating to support others is affirming in a way that little other work is, and the bonds and trust it builds has allowed me to be a bit more open. And I don’t think it’s a coincidence that I’ve shared this piece of my identity with more people at CHASI than I have in the rest of the world.
Chelsea Klassen:
It’s very hard for me generally to imagine my life without CHASI, but even more specifically hard for me to imagine my journey as an ally without CHASI. First of all, CHASI is a co-created space, and because of the nature of a collaborative place, I have had the privilege of learning and working alongside so many diverse people, including those from the queer community. I will be forever grateful for the vulnerability, energy, time, and patience that my colleagues have given me as I learned more about the history of LGBTQ+ rights and the importance of allyship.
I have witnessed my queer colleagues live in a world that is heteronormative and I understand that there are many assumptions and privileges that I take for granted. By observing and listening to the experiences of my queer friends and coworkers, I started on the journey to better understand some of the challenges that they experience every day, and learn how I might be a better ally. CHASI has also taught me the importance of allyship for the future of fighting for human rights and equitable treatment for all. I grew up immersed in conservative environments that left little room for exploration, curiosity, and compassion for anything that didn’t align with rules. If anyone deviated from the paths we were supposed to follow, this presented a threat to the prevailing order. Given my immersion in these environments, I didn’t really have to question many of the assumptions I was living in my day-to-day life.
Coming to UFV showed me that people had other lived experiences, and that there were other ways to live and experience the world than how I had. It taught me to be curious and question the assumptions I had, and that grace, kindness, and compassion is something every person deserves. CHASI has created this environment which has allowed for students and staff to express themselves, connect on issues, and advocate. We are lucky to have a space on campus where we can do all these things.
My experiences in CHASI specifically have reinforced that equity is a constant fight, and that all of us must work together, and that we must be active and vigilant to ensure that human rights are protected. CHASI has played a very important role in my allyship journey, and that is due to the collaborative space and the willingness for members of the queer community to welcome allies in.
Illustration by Natasha Zilcosky / The Cascade
Sharon Strauss:
For the longest time, I only knew what I was not. Not straight. Not neurotypical. Not normal. So, what was I then? Maybe nothing, I thought, just an asynchronous shadow along the walls.
There was no eureka moment. No metaphorical lightbulb. Rather, my self-discovery was a painting in abstract, coming together in clumsy, gradual brushstrokes. I entered a sort of osmosis at CHASI, finding in my team the colours and, the words, I hadn’t yet given name to. They guided me, uplifted me. And somewhere along the way my identity began to materialize. I found myself looking in the mirror and seeing myself completely: not what I was not, but who I am.
The journey isn’t an easy one, much less in a world so given to backsliding and hostility. Every sphere in my life is filled with people striving to love and survive as they are. Nonbinary, gay, trans, and so many more. I worry for them, for myself, for all the people marching the streets. I mourn the ones we’ve lost, the ones we’re losing. The hate I see, the degree to which it’s expressed, it just feels unnatural. I wonder, will it always be like this? The push and pull, the deterioration of progress?
No. I believe in a world where love prevails. I’ve seen the strength, the fortitude, of my friends, my peers, my mentors. I know the tragedy and tenacity that marks queer history; the weight we carry into the future. Because we belong here: then, now, always. The person I am now exists because of that indomitable will to love. I owe it to them, to myself, to fight. For a world where we can live freely and love openly. For a world where we don’t have to be resilient. A world where we can just be.
Illustration by Sharon Strauss / CHASI
Cascade Q&A: Andrew Biggar
CAITLYN CARR
Between karaoke and keeping up with the stock market, Andrew Biggar is also a third-year student on the UFV Golf team. The Cascades secured sixth place at the 2025 Canadian University/College Championship in Kamloops this June, with Biggar tied for 15th after hitting two strokes under par on the second to last hole. The kinesiology-turned-business student delves into the team’s close relationship, why one gorilla could definitely beat 100 men, and more.
What was it like competing at the College Championship last week?
Warm, which was nice. We had fun. We hadn’t played a tournament in a while, so it was good to get all the guys out, travelling and competing again. It wasn’t the result we wanted, but [we learned] lessons … and celebrated Eli [Greene]’s last tournament … We had a blast.
What’s it been like playing with Eli Greene? He’s a really good teammate. He puts everyone else first. He makes sure that we’re comfortable before he’s comfortable and it’s really assuring having him on the team … He’s also a guy that can be serious and make sure that we know, ‘hey, that wasn’t good enough,’ and we need to try harder and make sure everyone’s in line … He really took the captaincy seriously, and he’s done it very well over the last few years … and I’ve [taken] a lot from what he’s done and [I] want to do that for me and the team.
Can you tell us about that eagle in the final round?
[On the] last day, I hit a good drive on a par five … I hit about three feet, and made eagle on my second last hole, which helped me shoot up [to] par that day, which was nice to have after the long week.
Who’s the class clown on your team?
Can I say everyone? … Hayden Prive probably.
What’s the biggest misconception about golf?
We hear a lot that it’s not a real sport, but I think people would be shocked [by] the kind of effort that goes in outside of the golf course … I think it gets overlooked … People see it more as a leisure thing, but when you get to the competitive side, it’s actually a lot of work.
Is there a class you’ve taken at UFV that’s resonated with you?
[I] really enjoyed Introduction to Accounting. I’m big in the stock market and love doing that kind of stuff … There’s a lot of the course material that I can relate to the stuff I was already doing, and making that connection just made the class a lot easier to understand and enjoy.
Would you rather play golf with a baseball bat or a hockey stick?
Hockey stick. I played hockey growing up, so that’s an easy one for me. I’m not a very good baseball player.
Which underrated Abbotsford restaurant should everyone try at least once?
Me and my girlfriend love BRGR BRGR.
I hear the team likes karaoke, what music do you guys usually sing?
Oh there’s some Katy Perry that was sung not too long ago. Some country [too]. Chris Stapleton is a good one. Who would win a battle between 100 men and one gorilla?
Actually, we’ve had this conversation on the guys’ team. I was with the gorilla, because I feel like it would be tough for all the men to attack it at once. So I think the gorilla would be able to fend them off … Some of the guys thought the dogpile of people would get the gorilla, but I’m on the other side.
What’s the best part about playing golf?
It’s really nice being outside. I would also say I like the smaller team; being more intertwined with your team is really nice … On the other side of that, individually being able to practice by yourself, [and] somewhat control your destiny is really nice to have.
Q&A has been edited for length and clarity.
Formula One // Meet Comox’s newest racing star
Nicole Havrda speaks on her racing origins and the F1 Academy
ANNA MCCAUSLAND
Nicole Havrda is a racing driver from Comox, B.C. She currently drives for Hitech TGR in the F1 Academy — an all female series created to support young female drivers.
When did you start driving?
I was actually a swimmer for six years and my goal was to go to the Olympics … But then my dad brought me to a Formula 1 race and I just fell in love with it right there and then. I mean everyone has that thing when you get to the track and you have that adrenaline rush … I never had that in swimming.
I got started in go-karting on the mainland [in] Chilliwack … and then [travelled] around Canada. I went to Montréal and Toronto, and then some karting races in America as well.
What brought you to single seater racing?
I’ve always [been] in love with Formula 1. [It’s] the goal. The weirdest thing [was] when I went from karting [to] cars, I actually went to a GT car first. So getting the first taste in the GT car, it didn’t give me as much [of] a spark…
CONTINUED ON PAGE 16
Photo by Joshua Sulpico / The Cascade
Photo submitted by Nicole Havrda
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15
The feeling of an open wheel feels so different. I would say GT cars feel more like street cars to me personally. It is quite odd to be sitting in the cockpit and looking at the tires.
How did you find out that you were going to be racing in the F1 Academy?
It’s a little hard to say because it’s been in the works for a while, so I kind of saw it coming … It’s emotional, with my parents and my family — it just hit us [that] I [was] gonna be racing with Formula 1.
What do you think about F1 documentaries?
I think F1Academy is amazing doing this docuseries [F1: The Academy (2025-)]. I’ve seen episode one, it looks amazing. It
looks just like Drive to Survive (2019-). It is very similar [and] has the same drama as well as showing stories and showing the behind the scenes … On social media you don’t have that…We actually have normal lives.
What has the F1 Academy taught you so far?
I did learn that there’s less driving, so you have to be on it right away. You can’t take time [to] slack in [Free Practice One], your mind has to be set and you have to just learn the track real quick. You learn on the [simulator], but you have to learn it [in reality] as well and learn it within one or two laps.
[There’s] a lot of stress because you’re with F1 and there’s so many eyes [on you] — but so many people tell me, just have fun with it. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity and you just have to enjoy it while
it is. You just have to do the best you can to prove that you’re meant to be there and that there’s more in the future too.
Is there a driver that you admire?
I have to say Susie Wolff, just because [of] the academy ... As well as being a woman that’s driven a Formula 1 car, and it’s inspiring what she’s doing [to help] women. When I started racing, and especially being from North America, I looked up to Danica Patrick a lot … I read all her books.
And of course there’s Lewis Hamilton… him being humble and also coming from nothing, it is quite inspiring.
What do you think it takes to win?
I think it takes the right team around you — the [right] people … It takes the right preparation to win as well as the right
mindset because it’s so mental. [...] I’d say believing you can do it [too]. That’s how you get to the top.
Is there any advice you want to give to girls who are looking to get into motor sport?
Just believe in yourself. We all believe in you. And I think the biggest thing is, just keep going and have fun with it. I remember when I was young, I had some days where I didn’t enjoy it and I just wanted to go home… And you know every time you go to the track you just have to be like: This is what I want to do. [...] Just enjoy it.
Interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Soccer // Lowndes sets standard for next season: “It’s dog eat dog”
One-on-one interview with UFV men’s soccer head coach
JEFFREY
KENNETT
Tom Lowndes describes carrying out his vision for the soccer team as a year-toyear process. With a resume punctuated by two trips to the Canada West Final Four and a bronze medal win in 2015, he’s helmed a handful of elite Cascades squads; none of which however have amassed the eight regular season wins that his 2024/25 team strung together. Lowndes’ main goal each season has been to build momentum, and if last year was the ball just starting to get rolling… look out for the 2025/26 Cascades.
In a sit-down interview with The Cascade, Lowndes talked about dynamic first-year performances, recruiting, and how important it will be to match last season’s intensity.
Brazinha’s ascendence; Colebourne’s arrival
In 2022/23, Lowndes’ Cascades fell just short of the Final Four losing 2-1 after extra-time to the Mount Royal Cougars. On that team though was a pesky, slight, first-year striker out of Coquitlam Metro Ford by the name of Mateo Brazinha, who in a veteran heavy line-up earned regular minutes during his rookie campaign. Brazinha has of course gone on to become the program’s first U Sports men’s soccer player of the year and Cascades male athlete of the year.
What impressed Lowndes the most about Brazinha wasn’t an innate goal scoring ability (Brazinha has previously recalled he wasn’t much of a scorer), but his ability to set up plays.
“Mateo reached out to me, he’d been in contact with some other schools, and nobody had bit. I went out to watch him play and just his athleticism and eye for gold even then was evident. I was kind of surprised that nobody had picked him up.”
Like Brazinha in 2022/23, from a particularly strong rookie class in 2024/25 emerged Dante Colebourne out of Surrey United Soccer Club. Colebourne earned Cascades male rookie of the year honours and Lowndes is eager to see what not only him, but all of the second years have taken from last season’s experience.
“I’ve always been pretty clear with the messaging that if they come in and they do well in preseason and they outperform a senior player, then they’re going to play. And the returning guys know that. They know that it’s dog eat dog, and if they play well, they’re going to play.”
Need for a field on campus
Called a hotbed for youth soccer, Lowndes has readily brought in players from the Lower Mainland’s development leagues including the aforementioned Surrey United. In the 2024/25 season the Cascades boasted a whopping 16 players from the Surrey club. Lowndes calls recruiting local talent his primary focus.
“[I] like to keep as many kids local as we can. Obviously, the only thing that’s missing right now is a field on campus. So that’s one of the stumbling blocks sometimes with things that we’re looking at.”
UFV and the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) are the only two schools in the Pacific division of
Canada West without a practice field on campus. Northern Sport Centre, UNBC’s practice field, is an approximate 8-10 minute walk, or a one minute drive from campus. Bateman Park in Abbotsford isn’t necessarily far from UFV campus, but eight kms isn’t exactly walkable either.
Lowndes calls having a field on site a “huge piece” of recruiting.
“The City of Abbotsford just released that they’re trying to change the zoning of the farmland behind [campus], right? They’re looking to build future sports fields there. So, who knows, maybe we can look at that and look at some options there.”
Lowndes was speaking of a land exclusion application recently submitted by the City of Abbotsford to the Agricultural Land Commission (ALC) to convert a 50-acre plot of land at King and McKenzie
roads into a sports and recreation complex in the university district. A decision by the ALC has yet to be made.
How do they reach the summit?
The Cascades start week one with a tough pair of matches on the road against UBC and Victoria. They’re not in make or break territory just yet, but Lowndes wants his players to match the intensity they held back in 2024/25. That intensity stemmed from a poor 2023/24 — but now they need to raise their compete level yet again after the best season in program history.
“The challenge will be this year now, after having a good year, can we kick on and achieve that again, or go one step further? Because we were in that semi-final game, and you win that game — you go to nationals, so that’s the aim, how can we better that?”
This is Campus Fashion, your source of inspiration for seasonal trends, cool finds, and wardrobe basics to keep you looking stylish throughout the year. Canada Day is coming up fast and there are many iconic styles that Canadians wear throughout the year that are worth noting. Let’s take a look at five fashionable looks that are distinctly Canadian.
Red and white:
The iconic and patriotic colours of Canada’s national flag; this colour combination is a must, especially for July 1. For a more casual look, pair white shorts with a red T-shirt, a neutral baseball cap, and white tennis shoes — perfect for attending a Canada Day parade. For a holiday look, wear a white and red floral-print dress with a white denim jacket and red sandals.
Flannel:
Thick flannel shirts are definitely more
Event Preview //
geared for fall and winter, however they can come in lighter fabrics, such as cotton, that are perfect for warmer weather. For an everyday look during the fall, wear a red and black flannel button-down shirt with black jeans, tall black leather boots, and a vest to help stay cozy during the transitional weather. For a summer style, pair a lightweight, cotton, plaid shirt with a white camisole, denim jeans, and canvas shoes.
Jeans:
Denim is an iconic staple that can be worn all year-round — you can even style it together as the iconic “Canadian tuxedo” (denim on denim). Jeans also look great paired with a white shirt, navy blazer, and heels, in more formal settings. For cooler weather, try pairing jeans with a white crew neck T-shirt, a belt, running shoes, and a sweatshirt.
Down parkas:
Winter may be far off, however, a warm down parka is an iconic piece that helps
keep Canadians warm during the chilling winters. Worn with hats, scarves, and gloves, parkas are lightweight and a necessity in the colder months. Wearing a long black coat over a thick cable-knit sweater and cords with winter boots is a great way to keep warm.
Sweatsuits and leggings:
Comfort is decidedly a Canadian fashion style, as leggings and sweatsuits have been popularized by stores such as lululemon and Roots over the years. Leggings are a wonderful and versatile piece that can be dressed up or down, are figure flattering, and easy to maintain. For a day at the gym, pair a black tracksuit with a white T-shirt and white running shoes. Wearing black leggings and a button-down tunic with a belt and jewellery is perfect for a fun night out with friends.
And there you have it, five of the most iconic Canadian looks out there that are both weather appropriate and comfortable to wear. May you express your inner Canadian the next time you’re on campus!
“If you love music and nature, it’s going to be for you”
Local bands take the stage at Cultus Lake’s annual Forest Echoes Music Festival
CAITLYN CARR
Nestled in the woods of Cultus Lake Park, B.C. lies the annual Forest Echoes Music Festival — a two day event celebrating local bands of diverse genres. In preparation for what has been described as a “miniature Woodstock,” The Cascade sat down with Ben Thorne, the festival’s coordinator.
Known for its unique venue, Forest Echoes takes place on Thorne’s own family property. In addition to its lively performers, the event’s vast 20 acres highlights its emphasis on nature by allowing guests to camp overnight with the purchase of a weekend festival pass. When asked what will make this year’s festival stand out from previous years, Thorne shared that the event has a few new inclusions this year.
“We love doing the lit up forest paths thing, and so we’re doing more of that this year. We’ve got a couple new trails, a bridge, and stuff over our creek, so that’s gonna be a nice addition.”
The festival will feature local bands
of varying genres including Uncle Strut from Vancouver, Goldsauce from the Okanagan, and Like Bears from Chilliwack. Thorne shared that guests can expect to hear almost everything at the festival, including punk, rock, folk, blues, and especially indie music.
“We’ve got some really cool new artists this year that we’re kind of reaching out a little further for, that I think are really going to bring some unique energy this
year.”
Forest Echoes was born from a moving experience Thorne had at the Kaslo Jazz Etc Summer Music Festival in 2017. When asked how the Kaslo Festival helped shape Forest Echoes, Thorne shared that he was inspired by the unique sense of community fostered at music festivals.
“I was really knocked out by how close everybody felt to each other, even though we were all strangers, and that
feeling of acceptance and togetherness … Doing something like this is a way to bring people together and create a cool little community and celebrate music and nature. And then I had access to the property, so it was a no brainer for me.”
Thorne described the relationship between music and nature as a spiritual experience.
“I think music is very intuitive and it comes from our spirit, and if we are a part of nature like I like to think we are, then music is coming from nature in a way. And I really just think bringing those two things together, we’re just appreciating what it means to be human and be alive.”
Thorne further shared that growing up on his parents’ property highlighted for him the surreal experience of playing music in outdoor spaces.
“It was just the best thing ever to be able to play music outside and in a space like that, and I just knew I had to share that with other people and make the forest echo.”
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Illustration by Marie-Ange Routier / The Cascade
Photo submitted by Ben Thorne / Forest Echoes
CULTURE
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When asked about any challenges that the festival has encountered, Thorne explained that the biggest has been balancing its budget.
“We’d like to make a little bit of money off it so we can put more into the infrastructure of it, but right now we’re kind of just breaking even. Hopefully we can maybe turn a little bit of profit and put it back into the fest.”
Thorne further shared that a common obstacle for attendees is parking, suggesting that guests arrive as early as they can to ensure they find a good spot.
“The later you come, the further down
Club Spotlight //
you’ll have to park. So I recommend people coming early and just being aware of the parking situation. But we do have parking attendants on and they’ll help you get situated.”
The Forest Echoes Music Festival will run from June 27-28, 2025 on Edmeston Road in Cultus Lake, B.C.
“The people there are just absolutely the best. You’re not going to have a bad time. You’re going to meet a lot of cool new people, and you’re going to feel like you’re part of a family, and the music is kick ass.”
Interview has been edited for length and clarity.
On the Wildlife Protection Club
Learn about UFV’s
VERONICA POWELL
very own wilderness explorers — and protectors
Initially started in 2017 as a club to support the wilderness and wildlife around UFV campuses, the Wildlife Protection Club (WPC) has since expanded into enthusiasts for the Abbotsford and Chilliwack communities. This year, they teamed up with the City of Abbotsford to perform invasive species removals, and are trying to make headway for similar events in Chilliwack. The Cascade sat down with the club’s president, Gursave Dhaliwal, to understand what WPC is and the importance of what they do for the environment.
With a large interest in animals and learning about nature, it was a no-brainer for Dhaliwal to be a part of the club, and he emphasized what they strive for.
“The primary goal of this club has always been educating the public about the wilderness you find around B.C., being able to identify invasive and non-invasive species, and then knowing what to do when you find a species. What can you do as a person to help them out?”
Invasive and non-invasive species determine how much the biodiversity of our environment is affected.
“[We] want to have a good ratio of non-invasive species because, the more invasive species [we] have, the lower the population gets of the species you want here. If you look around the campus, we have a lot of Himalayan blackberries, and that’s introduced a bunch of other invasives that [we] don’t want, and pests such as the rabbits … There’s a lot of rabbits here … they don’t belong here, they’ve come from [Europe].”
Dhaliwal was quite impressed with both the turnout and volunteer tenacity at their most recent invasive species removal event.
“...After our last event with the City of Abbotsford I would say we did a great job because we had students come [out] from
all different faculties … It was raining that day. It was muddy, it was terrible … and they sat there for eight hours in the woods ripping up invasive plants. It was very impressive to see. We walked away with cuts all over us, spines in our hands, [but] everybody was smiling at the end of it.”
He expressed that the club is returning to their roots, working with UFV SLOW Club to host events — a favourite being their salmon and steelhead spawning walks in Chilliwack.
“...A lot of students enjoyed [observing], and even at the end of that event we were getting so many other people — people not involved with the biology of it. They were saying that [it] was the most amazing thing they’ve ever seen. They were very happy that they got to experience it.”
Dhaliwal is confident that the club is
on the road to success, and their biggest achievement thus far has been the increase in student interest — even if it was an initial struggle to revive the club after the leave of the previous president.
“We [noticed] that a lot of students were just not caring… we ended up going back to the movie nights and having pizzas [to] try and get people to come in. That’s when we started spreading our message again — ‘there’s something [that] needs to be done here’ … Then we started seeing more and more students come around like ‘you know what? I want to be a part of this.’”
According to Dhaliwal, the recent construction on campus has been unfavourable, as it negatively affects the club’s ability to do their job of protecting and maintaining our natural spaces.
“I want [UFV] to understand that we’re
here to help the campus … Especially with all the construction, we weren’t told what was going to be removed and what [wasn’t]. We have rare trees here and we’ve lost those trees, we’ve lost that sector of the wilderness that we used to protect, and we’re losing that biodiversity.”
“[W]e’re known as the protection club [but] we’re doing a terrible job with [the] campus. The first thing teachers ask us is ‘well, we’ve lost this and we’ve lost that … What are [you] doing here?”
In thinking about the future of the club, Dhaliwal’s perspective was positive, and he wants people to continue to join, particularly those who share the willingness and passion to learn about how to protect UFV’s campus.
You can find the club on Facebook and Instagram at ufvwildlifeprotectionclub.
There’s no I in “teamwork”, but if you rearrange the letters you do get a “warm toke.” Now, a good warm toke is relaxing, and that’s exactly what you should do. Just chill out man cough, cough
Taurus - Apr. 20 to May 20
What is far from funny now will be funny from far later. Take a step back and laugh, or stay where you are and cry. Personally I don’t care either way. It’s up to you.
Gemini - May 21 to Jun. 20
All birds must leave their nest. Unfortunately, you did so before learning to fly. How’s the ground tasting?
Cancer - Jun. 21 to Jul. 22
It’s hard to let go, especially of your own creations. But — and I hate to tell you this — you have created an anchor, and it’s weighing you down. Stop sinking, start swimming.
Leo - Jul. 23 to Aug. 22
Ever heard of “productive rage”? It’s when you use the energy of your anger to get things done. There’s definitely no serenity coming your way, so might as well adapt yourself and get over it.
Virgo - Aug. 23 to Sept. 22
What is the difference between being cheap and being frugal? This is rhetorical; I’m not actually asking. After all, it’s obvious you don’t know.
Libra - Sept. 23 to Oct. 22
Peace lies in equanimity; finding that middle road. Unfortunately, you’re nowhere near the neighborhood. What’s worse is that you haven’t realized that the map is in your possession. Take a moment to take inventory before your next step.
Scorpio - Oct. 23 to Nov. 21
You’re awake while asleep. Try lucid dreaming. If that doesn’t work, then give my best to the hat man.
Sagittarius - Nov. 22 to Dec. 21
You have champagne taste. Unfortunately, you just have beer money. I hear you crying “poor me, poor me,” and I’m begging you to “pour me” another drink if I have to keep listening to it.
Capricorn - Dec. 22 to Jan. 19
Miss Understand, Miss Construe, and Miss Inform are having a girls night in your head. They’re dancing to the tune of your insecurities.
Aquarius - Jan. 20 to Feb. 18
I get caring what people think. I get acting out a role you think they’d like. But the mirror is so fogged with your bullshit, you might not recognize yourself anymore.
Pisces - Feb. 19 to Mar. 20
All the greats have had a mentor; maybe that’s why you’re not even close to good. Get help, get guidance, get better.
Lifestyle // Small steps, big impact
How to reduce, reuse, and upcycle without stress
REBECA MARQUEZ LOPEZ
Sustainability often feels like a buzzword reserved for people who compost perfectly or live a zero-waste lifestyle. But here’s the secret: sustainability can be easy, accessible, and also help you save money!
Reducing waste doesn’t require a total lifestyle overhaul, just a few smart changes. For example, a lot of coffee shops offer discounts when you bring your own mug or container — usually 10 to 50 cents off. This way, you can avoid using disposable plastic and paper cups and, in the long run, those savings add up to a free coffee. Even Starbucks offers these discounts if you bring your own mug — it doesn’t even have to be an expensive, official Starbucks mug!
Another easy win? Ditch plastic bottles. Buy a reusable one instead! When I first arrived in Canada, I was surprised to learn that tap water is safe to drink. I no longer needed to buy plastic bottles every time I went out. It’s so great to be able to carry my water bottle everywhere, knowing that there is usually at least one water station where it can be refilled, especially on UFV’s campuses.
Learning how to reuse old items is a key part of living sustainably. Upcycling turns everyday “trash” into free, useful stuff. That old, washed out band tee from 2013? Cut it into squares for cleaning spills or dusting. These DIY rags are softer than paper towels, and last practically forever.
Glass jars are the ultimate multitaskers; pasta, jam, chilli oil, any glass jars deserve a second chance. If the edges are not sharp, you can use them as drinking glasses. They also make great vases! You like cooking and growing your own herbs? Create an herb garden with them. Or maybe you like painting? Glass jars are great for holding supplies, especially with materials that could ruin plastic or paper. If your love language is gift giving, a glass jar filled with cookies is an adorable gift too.
Speaking of second chances, don’t toss those brown bananas! They aren’t trash, they’re smoothie gold. The same goes for any overripe fruit, frozen or fresh, they are perfect for a smoothie. Pro tip: add peanut or almond butter to make it even better.
Reusing isn’t just eco-friendly, it’s also budget-friendly! Another thing that surprised me when arriving in Canada was that thrift shops actually exist outside movies. Turns out you can find amazing things. It’s not just everyday clothing either, they even have items to create the best halloween costumes. Besides the fact
that you are giving new life to old items, experimenting with cheap ones takes the pressure off, no guilt if you ruin a $3 shirt while making a costume.
Thrifting isn’t just for clothing, though. As someone who loves to paint, I have to always be careful with floors and walls since I rent and share my space with a roommate. A great solution to paint comfortably without worrying about making a mess, was buying an old bed sheet from Value Village. Now I can paint freely without stressing about stains. It’s a
win for my wallet and the planet. Another great thing to reuse is plastic containers, any plastic containers. When my roommate and I moved here, we couldn’t justify buying a bunch of Tupperware right away. Instead, slowly but surely, we’ve been saving every single container we emptied: sour cream containers, yogurt, cream cheese, dips, all of them. I admit it is funny to see my roommate take her chicken soup to school in a greek yogurt container, but it’s also cost-effective and keeps plastic out of
landfills longer.
Sustainability isn’t about being perfect, it’s about being mindful. Maybe you’ll forget your reusable mug, or cave and buy a plastic water bottle sometimes. That’s okay. What matters is the effort; one thrifted find, one repurposed jar, or one banana smoothie, can make a difference. Start with what’s easy, laugh at your roommate when they crave cream cheese for their bagel and instead find a tub full of beans, and know that every little bit counts!
Photo by penguincakes/Flickr
Media // Pride essentials: a top 5 queer media list
It’s queer and it’s here — the ultimate pride care package to glitter up your month
SKY S. TERRONES
It’s that jolly time of the year: Pride month! As a queer enthusiast, I’ve made it my mission to seek and celebrate woke content. Coming from a conservative country, where anything queer is frowned upon, and same-sex marriage lives exclusively in our wildest dreams, queer media keeps me hopeful.
Whether you’re like me — endlessly searching — or new to exploring queer media, here’s a carefully selected, colourful, Pride media care package from your trusted rainbow dealer.
5. She-Ra and the Princesses of Power (2018-2020)
We’ll take a minute to show respect for series like Steven Universe (20132019), The Owl Hous (2020-2023), and even Harley Quinn (2019-). They’re all great, and you should write them down. Regardless, my standout pick is this revamped, very gay reboot of the OG She-Ra: Princess of Power (1985-1987).
Featuring multiple queer characters, this reboot tells the story of Adora, a soldier from the evil Horde who realizes she might be on the wrong side of the war upon discovering a magical sword. Forgiveness and much-needed compassion are at this show’s core. This is the series I wish I had while growing up — gay love saving the world? Sign me up!
4. “Smalltown Boy” by Bronski Beat
Could I have chosen Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way”? Absolutely. Was I tempted by Queen’s legendary discography and Erasure’s sultry “A Little Respect”? Without a doubt. Countless queer anthems and music artists deserve recognition — past icons like Ma Rainey, Sylvester, Elton John, and modern ones like Lil Nas X, Sam Smith, and Dove Cameron. Ultimately, I want to recommend this queer classic about a smalltown boy escaping his homophobic town in search of a better, freer life. Released in 1984, this song highlighted the struggles, resilience, and survival of the queer community. More than 40 years later, it
Music //
remains an essential pride anthem, and yes, it holds a permanent spot in my Just Dance 2022 Pride playlist.
3. The Sims 3 (2009)
When The Sims introduced same-sex marriage, my sister was so excited that she showed our equally enthusiastic cousins about this progressive feature. This elation was not shared by one of our family members, who threatened to cut us off from the lives of our cousins, lest we demonize their souls.
The Sims franchise has never been my kind of game. Yet, undoubtedly, it deserves a spot on this list, because small things, such as a simple variation of the code, allowing you agency to choose love and let be, can mean the world to a marginalized community. Any video game that can spark such outrage from the public needs to be recognized (Baldur’s Gate 3 (2023), I’m also looking at you).
Shoutout also to independent video game developer Don’t Nod who constantly makes queer-inclusive games and has mega queer hits, like Life is Strange (2015), Tell Me Why (2020) and Lost Records: Bloom & Rage (2025).
2. Sense8 (2015-2018)
This is a TV-MA show, and if you’re going to watch next to your mom, brace yourself for the occasional awkward comment when many orgies grace your screen. Sexy stuff aside, this piece of art tells the story of eight strangers from all over the world who find out they’re all linked —which puts a target on their backs. Culturally relevant, and unapologetically queer, this series explores empathy and celebrates human connection, undoubtedly making it
Damian Tucker on setting the foundations of a music career
Local Mission artist debuts first singles
KARA DUNBAR
For local Mission artist Damian Tucker, music has always been a given. Starting with the piano and moving to guitar after being gifted one by an uncle — Tucker found that music came naturally to him. The release of his singles “Into the abyss” and “Reverie” in May 2025 were a long time coming.
“Way before I even started playing guitar, I just kind of found it easy to find keys and figure out how it’s played … It
just feels natural.”
But it wasn’t until certain bands came onto the radar that Tucker dove into the art. His inspiration pulled primarily from metal and punk rock bands like Nirvana, Avenged Sevenfold, Bullet for My Valentine, and The Offspring.
One can hear this inspiration in his two singles, “Into the abyss,” released May 4, 2025, and “Reverie,” released May 13, 2025, that match standard metal form.
With “Into the Abyss,” there is no easing into the song. It is high energy
from the first note to the very last. It was added to my workout mixes upon first listen. In “Reverie,” the energy has more time to build up in the track. It feels more stable, with a clearer structure than the first single. The energy shifts throughout with a few slower moments, then jumps up in energy primarily in the last couple minutes.
My appreciation grew for both tracks as I listened again and focused on different layers within. Tucker explained how this was his favourite aspect of the
the pinnacle of the legendary Wachowski sisters’ 2SLGBTQIA+ storytelling. Despite cancellation after two seasons, the love was such that fans rallied for closure and were given a finale special that wrapped the story — heartfelt thanks to the fans.
1. Pride (2014)
I’ve seen a myriad of queer films — I sobbed to Philadelphia (1993) and Boys Don’t Cry (1999), laughed at the utter nonsense of But I’m a Cheerleader (1999), and Booksmart (2019), and my heart was on the line throughout Brokeback Mountain (2005) and Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019). I’ve cherished and reflected the queer experience along each one of them — choosing one was painful.
Based on real events, Pride (2014) tells the story of queer activists supporting British miners during their 1984-85 strike — sparking an unlikely allyship. A once-in-a-lifetime film that challenges preconceptions about Pride and encourages conversation and tolerance. It showcases the struggles of activism in a profound way and I can’t think of a better film to represent this colourful season. I know things are hard, but our community has moved forward with less than we have now. We are strong, we won’t give up. We’ve overcome and we will keep doing so — that’s why we are proud. Pride does not end in June for us. Pride is forever in our souls, hearts, and our fight. May you cherish the benefits reaped by those who came before, and ramp it up for those who come next.
tracks as well.
“If you really listen for it, you can hear it. But I just like how many layers I added to one of the songs. There’s so much going on. If you solo each instrument, it sounds really cool.”
These tracks are purely musical, with guitar being front and centre. Writing lyrics is still a work in progress for Tucker. This is one reason why he wants to form a band, seeking to work collaboratively
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Sense 8 By Netflix
Editor - Anna McCausland
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with musicians in a space where they can all learn from each other.
In the meantime, Tucker will be working toward a more formal music education. He started with an introductory music, production, and audio engineering class at Douglas College. It gave him the technical skills needed to polish up his two singles and get them ready for release.
“I made those songs a long time ago. I never actually did anything with it until recently. I made them two, three years ago. And then just recently I [finished] the song … The intro course helped me to do all the post-production and mixing and stuff. Making the sound better. And then, I figured, I wanted to have songs on Spotify forever.”
Tucker plans to continue his formal education and hone his music production skills. Social media can also be a
challenge to getting his music out there by adding another layer of technical skills needed to film and edit videos. In spite of this, Tucker views social media as an overall positive for his music, posting original content and covers to Instagram and TikTok.
Tucker brings dedication and a strong work ethic to the craft; and I look forward to seeing the development of his creativity as he begins to experiment within the genre.
The most valuable lesson that I took from our conversation and my dive into Tucker’s music is that you don’t need to look far to find new, creative, and hardworking artists. It reminded me that all my favourite musicians were once local artists who worked to get to a place where I could discover them — partially due to the communities that supported them. Maybe it’s time to start looking homeward to kick off your next playlist.
Music // A Greek mythology musical gets the fame it deserves
Epic: The Musical has gone viral as a concept album
AKASHBEER SANDHU
A genius mixed anime, video games, and musicals with Greek mythology, and created something people can’t get out of their heads. The best part? It’s not even a finished product. After its success on TikTok, Epic: The Musical (2022-2024) (Epic) soon took over the internet, with its creator, Jorge Rivera-Herrans now maintaining three million monthly listeners on Spotify.
The musical is — loosely — based on The Odyssey by Homer, the tale of King Odysseus of Ithaca, as he takes his 600 men back to their homeland after they win the Trojan War. A journey that should have taken a few weeks took 10 painful and agonizing years. However, everything and everyone else was secondary to the king in his quest to reunite with his wife and son.
But the Puerto Rican playwright behind this viral success doesn’t simply retell Homer’s tale, he fundamentally reframes it. Just like the Greeks of that time, in the original story, murder is necessary and there is little guilt associated with it. Rivera-Herrans brings the themes into the present by giving Odysseus the agency to show mercy and spare someone who wrongs him.
The world that this takes place in is an unforgiving one, represented in the lyrics found in the song “Ruthlessness:” “‘Cause you fight to save lives, but won’t kill and don’t get the job done.”
Odysseus is one of the most cunning
mortals in Greek mythology, often foolings gods, monsters, and witches. Yet every obstacle he faces, he pays for with his sanity. While Odysseus deals with the grief of losing many of his men, he is forced to wonder if he is responsible for it all.
The musical is 40 songs long, separated into two acts and nine sagas in total. Each saga is a distinct challenge Odysseus and his crew face, making it possible to listen to the album in multiple sittings with each song having a satisfying ending.
Rivera-Herrans rewards you if you have a good ear. Everything has a unique melody/motif that repeats, giving the album a sense of cohesiveness. If you pay attention, you can hear the twists seconds before they hit. He also uses writing techniques that make the words flow, like starting and ending consecutive lines with vowels, and having a consistent pace at which one character delivers information when they appear. However, to keep the original vision of the fight sequences having the same feeling as a video game boss battle, some lyrics sound out of place. One way to deal with that and enhance the listening experience is by watching the multitude of fan-made animatics. Epic has inspired several artists; almost every song has dozens of videos, a good number achieving over a million views. Some portray Odysseus fighting as a cocky anime protagonist. Others show a broken and tired old man begging for help. Rivera-Herrans has achieved what almost every artist wants: to move people.
From the beginning, Rivera-Herrans wanted his fans to be involved in the project. Nothing showed this conviction more than the open auditions he held through TikTok. The process was simple: RiveraHerrans made TikTok sounds containing a snippet of every character’s song, and anyone who took videos of them singing was considered for the role. It will be interesting to see if Rivera-Herrans keeps
this style of autioning for his new The Illiad inspired musical Ilium Epic is still a concept album with enormous potential. Rivera-Herrans has done amazing work so early in his career. Whatever journey this musical goes through and ends up being, it will always be remembered for capturing the hearts of millions.
Illustration by Hannah Bricknell
Photo by Joshua Sulpico / The Cascade
Column//
by Natasha Zilcosky / The Cascade
Creative Corner
RONIN FOX CRITCHLEY
Creative Corner showcases original creative work from UFV students. Author as Carrion (Inspired by The Twa Corbies)
Two ravens perch above the author’s body, & they say to each other,
“Here lies a fool who knows not their worth!”
“They likely thought themselves foolish from birth!”
“Did they smell, not wash, or are filth-wrought?”
“Not anymore than most, & not half as they thought.”
“At least their flesh was not soiled by a lover.”
“True, for the only touch they knew was the hug of a brother!”
“What of their brain? Is it sour with darkness?”
“It’s sweetened with love and joy, be my stark guess.”
“Was it man, woman, both, or neither?”
“Though he felt like they couldn’t. She could be either!”
“Will they stink of hate, or taste of kind?”
“Compassion filled them from bone to rind!”
“They’ll be a sweet meal, memorable & tasteful!”
“Pity that with their self-love they were wasteful!”
Then the author wakes, and in a panic, stands and hurries away.
“I sigh with hunger, let’s seek some lamb, maybe foal!”
“Or with some luck, another poor soul!”
CHARTS SHUFFLE
By Aaron Levy
CIVL’s Aaron Levy knows that most folks have checked out of international politics lately, but let’s imagine you haven’t, and are interested in his references to American politics below!
Some believe we narrowly avoided a powder keg explosion this past week. When you hear the verses on this allstar collaboration of hip-hop venom, you’ll realize that the critical mass has been building for some time already — don’t get lost in the sensationalization on either side of the circle!
Lucero - “The War”
A song about the path toward service and survival for he who would become the grandfather — eventually — of Lucero, lead singer and songwriter, Ben Nichols, who elsewhere in his discography claims “I was never that good at the words anyways,” and I sincerely beg to differ, kind, gentle, humble sir.
Black Sabbath - “War Pigs”
A fun one thrown into the middle of this shuffle. With Tony Iommi and Ozzy riffing, and me only recently having learned about the lore of Ronnie James Dio as a one-time Black Sabbath vocalist, instead of — rather than alongside — the bat eater, Ozzy — long-time husband of Sharon — Osbourne himself.
The Fugees - “Ready or Not” Lauryn Hill made it clear that we were going to have to run, hide, and still would be unable to escape the overarching and ever-oppressing nature of her and finality’s efforts to seek, root out, punish, and re-educate you, if you don’t naturally subscribe yourself to the Fugee world order. I did.
BAWAH MAUVEY TO A BAWAH: The First 13
CODY LAWLESS
Has a Special Place For You
MAGI MERLIN A Weird Little Dog
STEREOLAB Instant Holograms On Metal Film
CHOSES SAUVAGES Choses Sauvages III
GLOIN All of your anger is actually shame (and I bet that makes you angry)
HAVS art of floating (EP)
Illustration
GARGOLLA
To be clear, these Gargolla ward off bigots against trans, nonbinary, and queer people. They are born from the unconsented chaos induced by malevolent presence and are exalted as antidotes to counteract the poison brought about by this form of bigotry. They are in the tradition of Italian apotropaic mascherone and gargolla/ garguglia (gargoyle) –grotesque architectural ornaments whose function is to scare away evil spirits from entering a space.
Shel Stefan
UFV Associate Professor
As queer, nonbinary, and trans people, we are often targeted as bad, evil, threatening, and dangerous, however, we know, through days, years, and centuries of lived experience, that the true violence comes from the people who hate us. It’s sneaky of them and quite scary, honestly. They are the ones to be truly suspicious of, not us. So, I ward them off through my Gargolla.
These Gargolla sculptures protect us. Don’t be scared to look at them, unless, of course, you are a bigot.
