The Cascade, Volume 34, Issue 10

SEPTEMBER 9, 2026

ISSN 3111-3354 (PRINT) ISSN 3111-3362 (Online)

VOL. 34 // ISSUE 10

Pre-womb salvation since 1993

11

MEET THE CASCADE

5

NEWS

CANADAU.S. TRADE TENSIONS RISE

8

OPINION

UFV LIFE HACKS

22

ARTS

2026 IN MEMORIAM

VOL. 34 // ISSUE 10

Editor-in-Chief

Darien Johnsen darien@ufvcascade.ca

Business Manager

Aneesha Narang aneesha@ufvcascade.ca

Production Manager

Anna McCausland anna@ufvcascade.ca

Managing Editor Cassie Williams cassie@ufvcascade.ca

Creative Director

Gabriela Gonzalez gabriela@ufvcascade.ca

Production Assistant Anayat Sandhu anayat@ufvcascade.ca

Features Editor

News Editor

Copy Editor

Sports Editor

Arts Editor

Opinion Editor

Caitlyn Carr caitlyn@ufvcascade.ca Zackery Fitzpatrick fitz@ufvcascade.ca

Sky Terrones sky@ufvcascade.ca

Digital Media Assistant

Manak Bakshi

Snapshot Illustrator

Iryna Presley

Rachel Tait rachel@ufvcascade.ca Natalia Toscano Murua natalia@ufvcascade.ca

Digital Media Assistant Reza Keshavarz

Photographer Anajali Randhawa

Illustrator

Staff Writer

Illustrator

Staff Writer

Staff Writer

Distributor

Columnist

Jasleen Sandhu

Liam Pyper

Kirat Dhami

3 ��������������� News Briefs 3 ��������������� State of emergency over as wildfires subside 4 ��������������� Fish protection orders in Shuswap prompted by drought conditions 4 ��������������� Suspect of the Sikh temple attack has a history of violence 5 ��������������� An update on the CanadianU.S. trade war

Natalia Toscano Murua natalia@ufvcascade.ca

Staff Writer

Kara Dunbar

NEWS

Thea Van Agteren Hannah Bricknell Abby Hansen

Faby Cruz Alderete

Shuffler

Cam Hauck

Feature & Cover Illustrator Marley Penner

CONTRIBUTORS

OPINION 7,8,9,10 ����� Snapshots 6 ��������������� Dolly Parton’s life of philanthropy 7 ��������������� The Environmentalist: where did the trees go?

8 ��������������� Discovering UFV through tips 9 ��������������� Gen Z’s work culture 10 �������������� Tensions between Latam and Israel

FEATURE 11-14 ��������� Extra, extra, read all about us!

Sho Okano

SPORTS W W W.UFVC ASC ADE .C A

15 �������������� Slapshots

I N S TAG R A M . CO M T H E C A S C A D E U F V

CULTURE

TIKTOK CASCADE_ FY Volume 34 · Issue 10 Room S2111-33844 King Road Abbotsford, BC,V2S 7M8 604.854.4529 The Cascade is UFV’s autonomous student newspaper and alternative press for the Fraser Valley. It originated under its current name in 1993, and achieved autonomy from the university and the Student Union Society in 2002. The Cascade is funded with UFV student funds, is a forum for UFV students to have their journalism published in an entirely student-run setting and is overseen by The Cascade Journalism Society Board, a body run by a student majority.The Cascade is published every other Wednesday with a print circulation of 800 and is distributed at Abbotsford, Chilliwack (CEP), Clearbrook, and Mission UFV campuses and throughout the surrounding communities.

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

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

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15 �������������� Local author interview 16-17 ��������� Theatre program in Fara Sabina 18 �������������� Study Break

ARTS 19 �������������� Train to Busan vs. Colony 20 ������������� Oughta see The Odyssey 21 �������������� Brand New Day: power, responsibility, caring for others 22 ������������� Five icons — a goodbye to our comfort characters made real 23 ������������� A folk-pop album for times of transition 23 ������������� CIVL Shuffle & Charts

Editorial //

On the art of conversation Darien here, your friendly neighbourhood editor-in-chief, and I’m coming with a word of advice for you: this semester don’t get so lost in the sauce of academia that you, in the words of our great overlord Ferris Bueller (am I aging myself here?), “don’t stop to look around for a while.”

There’s lots to pay attention to this semester aside from your studies, such as, for example, the horrors. I know, we’re all sick of the horrors. But here’s the thing, if you’re here, reading this, at the university or even in this community, chances are you hold a small bit of privilege in this ever shifting world. It’s the times, you see, they are a changin’, and we’re all a strugglin’. So make an effort this semester to do a little something, you know? Maybe something revolutionary! If I may make a suggestion: talk to the people around you. Yeah, radical idea, but bridging the gap between you and your peers and approaching them with genuine interest could change the world, I’m sure of it. Ever heard of the art of conversation? It used to be a really popular thing, but I’m confident that we can revive it.

So here are some of my tips to get the ball rolling on some wonderful conversations this semester: 1. Be authentic. People value a person who can be real, open, and honest. This is also a great way to weed out the fakes, or those who can’t and don’t want to connect on a deeper level. Pro-tip: avoid oversharing, there will be a time and place for this should the friendship progress. Not everyone needs, deserves, or wants to know about your dirty laundry.

2. Ask questions and be an active listener. Come up with a couple of questions relevant to the situation you both find yourself in before approaching someone. Be sure to ask follow up questions too, no one likes someone who only talks about themselves or seems to just be waiting for their turn to speak. Don’t dominate the conversation, people appreciate when you are curious about them. Oh, and silence can be good. Don’t fill moments of silence with chatter, take a deep breath and see what the other person says, then build off that.

3. Develop emotional maturity. It’s difficult to engage with people if you tend to emotionally project, cannot temporarily set aside emotions, or cultivate a sense of self awareness when engaging with others. Be mindful of your feelings during conversation and remain in emotional control. If you get triggered, don’t freak out, end the conversation if you need to and don’t talk to that person again. Tip: UFV counsellors are there for support!

4. Identify the right people to talk to, but go out of your comfort zone! It’s easy to only speak to people who look, think, or act like you do. But you might be pleasantly surprised if you start going out of your way to speak to a diversity of people. Just remember to always be respectful, it’s a hit or miss process, but I can guarantee that you’ll probably learn something along the way.

Darien Johnsen

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2026

VOL. 34 // ISSUE 10

news@ufvcascade.ca News Editor — Rachel Tait

NEWS N E W S

B R I E F S

PROVINCIAL //

LOCAL //

NATIONAL //

INTERNATIONAL //

B.C. government axes downtown Vancouver overdose prevention site

City application to repurpose ALC land denied

After U.S. Meta Settlement, Canada reaffirms commitment to online youth restrictions

Flashflood in Nepal

On Aug. 24, plans for Vancouver Coastal Health to relocate an overdose prevention site (OPS) from Howe Street to downtown Vancouver’s Helmcken Street were shut down by British Columbia’s government after pushback from the city’s Mayor, Ken Sim, and concerns from Vancouverites.

Business in Vancouver reported that B.C.’s current health minister, Ravi Kahlon, advised the Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) authority to find a different location for the site which would fulfill the community’s needs.

VCH, in response, highlighted the necessity of the proposed location. Daily Hive reported that VCH noted the downtown area has the “second-highest overdose death rate within the health authority’s region.”

During a news conference in May, Mayor Sim commented that downtown is not an optimal location, rather, the site should be at St. Paul’s Hospital.

“To use illicit drugs in the middle of downtown Vancouver one block away from Granville Street isn’t an answer to the addiction and mental health crisis that is destroying people’s lives across this great country of ours.”

In late August, it was confirmed that the prevention site would not open in downtown after months of uncertainty and challenge from Vancouver’s public servants and its citizens.

On July 20, the Agricultural Land Commission (ALC) has denied the City of Abbotsford’s application to exclude land on King and Mackenzie Road from the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR).

The City of Abbotsford submitted an exclusion and inclusion application with the ALC back in April 2025. The city proposed a land trade; giving city-owned land along LeFeuvre Road to be included in the ALR in exchange for the land on King and Mackenzie being excluded.

The City intended to use the location neighbouring the University of the Fraser Valley to create a recreational park including baseball diamonds and soccer fields to serve Abbotsford’s growing population, choosing the location for the transit options and urban areas nearby.

The ALC announced its reason for rejecting the application on Aug. 20, citing its agricultural value and concerns over the sanctity of ALC land. City Council was saddened by the decision but continues to work on increasing recreational options for Abbotsford residents.

KARA DUNBAR

On Aug. 26, Meta Platforms agreed to up to an 18 billion dollar settlement in the United States, and Canada has reaffirmed its pursuit of significant youth restrictions on social media. Meta was sued by a coalition of states who accused them of knowingly addicting children to their products, improper collection of user data, and misleading consumers about their platforms’ safety.

Meta did not confirm being at fault, but will be making significant changes for youth safety to its platforms by limiting usage for teens 18-and-under to two hours only. With restrictions from 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. and midnight – 6:00 a.m. Meta has stated that this settlement will also help inform future conversations with other countries.

In light of the U.S. settlement, a representative from Canadian Heritage reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to Bill C-34, the Safe Social Media Act, which went through First Reading in the House of Commons in June. This bill restricts the use of social media for those under 16, would set up a new digital safety commission, and create a “duty to protect children” for online platforms. This bill has faced criticism for potential risks to user privacy.

On Aug. 19, 2026, a partial collapse of a massive glacier on the north face of the mountain Langtang Lirung, in northern Nepal, sent thousands of tons of water, mud, stone and other debris hurtling into the heart of the country. The following Monday authorities confirmed that the death toll had reached over 900 people with around 4,400 still missing. Critical infrastructure, including hydropower, was seriously damaged, disrupting almost 10 per cent of Nepal’s national energy supply. Whole communities, roadways, government and emergency services, have also been completely destroyed.

So far, Nepal’s government has mobilized and rescued over 10,000 people, with rescue operatives working to try to save those still trapped. Glaciers themselves are an important source of drinking water, and the collapse of the one on Langtang Lirung signals even more problems for those trying to recover.

Many experts attributed the disaster to gradual increasing temperatures causing glaciers to break down and collapse. While the mountains in Nepal exhibit this behaviour naturally, rising global temperatures due to human emissions likely contributed to this process. Global warming has also caused permafrost to begin to melt, which helps hold the Himalayas together, thus increasing the likelihood of further and more intense disaster.

KARA DUNBAR LIAM PYPER JASLEEN SANDHU

BC //

State of emergency declared over Summerland, B.C. wildfires Thousands remain on evacuation alert and wildfire risk still elevated.

ABBY HANSEN On Thursday, Aug. 27, the Government of B.C. ended the provincial state of emergency which was initially declared due to the wildfires that have been raging through the province. In their statement on their website, the government explained that the state of provincial emergency was set in place to “ensure emergency powers and other tools could be made available quickly if needed.”

Although the emergency powers ultimately were not needed, the government also warned that the risk of wildfire is still elevated through much of the province and advised people to remain prepared.

B.C. Premier David Eby declared a province-wide state of emergency to be put into effect in an official statement on the afternoon of Aug. 8 after the fires in

the South Okanagan had intensified. As a result, all residents of Summerland and the surrounding areas were ordered to evacuate. This included the 12,000 residents of Summerland, and the 9,700 in surrounding areas like Peachland — bringing the total to around 22,000 evacuees.

According to the BC Wildfire Service, the Bald Ridge fire was reported on Aug. 7 just west of Summerland and was approximately 25,163.2 hectares. The CBC also reported that the fire in Bald Range near Summerland has been one of the most devastating this season, with around 150 buildings burned or demolished, which has led to thousands of people evacuating the area. On Aug. 9 the Penticton RCMP confirmed the death of an 80-year-old woman who had died while trying to escape.

CTV reported on Aug. 19 that over 90 per cent of Summerland residents were allowed to go home ten days following the evacuations. However, due to the sheer damage caused by the fire, some lost their homes and businesses altogether.

This 2026 wildfire season has reportedly been one of the most destructive in British Columbia, with more than 500 buildings being damaged or destroyed.

The Government of Canada announced in their Aug. 18 news release that there’s been a total of 4,793 fires, with over 4.1 million hectares affected and they predict that the wildfire risk in September will be above average across the country.

However, “large fires and significant fire growth are not necessarily expected.”

Numerous other communities around the province have been affected by the 2026 wildfires. The Bradley Creek

wildfire, which Global News reported starting on July 31, and burned over 2,800 hectares of land, destroying around 230 homes. In an interview with Global News, the Chief of the Okanagan Indian Band, Dan Wilson described the aftermath as looking like a “war zone.”

The Canadian Red Cross stated on Aug. 30 that thousands in the province are still under evacuation orders and alerts and the BC Wildfire Service continues to keep a list of active wildfires in the province on their website in order to keep people up to date.

This is a developing story and The Cascade will continue to report on this topic as updates occur.

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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2026

VOL. 34 // ISSUE 10

NEWS BC //

Drought conditions in Shuswap prompt fish protection orders Temporary orders aim to protect Chinook salmon at critical life stage KARA DUNBAR On Aug. 19, the provincial government placed a temporary protection order for the Salmon River watershed where over 200 Chinook salmon are spawning. There are also continuous drought conditions in the region, and “low streamflows,” which are threatening the fish’s survival.

Consequently, water will not be able to be used for commercial use such as lawns, fairways, and the irrigation of forage crops. Forage crops refer to alfalfa, grass for hay, and forage corn, all of which are water-intensive. On Aug. 19, 458 surface water and groundwater licenses and transitioning groundwater users were affected by the order. A previous protection order in the region occurred from July 28 to Aug. 8, after which the B.C. Wildlife Federation encouraged the provincial government to reinstate the protections.

The current order for Salmon Arm will be removed by Sept. 30, or sooner, as provincial staff continue to keep an eye on the situation. Under the Water Sustainability Act, water required for any firefighting can still be used. In the region, a similar order was placed on The Ministry of Water, Land and Resource

Stewardship issued this order under the Water Sustainability Act. While voluntary water conservation measures are encouraged and do reduce demand, they cannot sufficiently protect stream flow that fish and animals need.

A new protection order in the Thompson Okanagan for the Bessette Creek watershed went into effect on Aug 28. This order also aims to protect the Chinook salmon populations in the area and additionally restricts activities such as ore processing, well drilling, transportation, and utility corridor management. Farmers in need of aid have been encouraged to contact the Ministry of Agriculture and Food. Prior to the water protections, farmers in the region have questions concerning the long term planning that resulted in the river’s demise, and they are looking to the near future where there have been increasing concerns about water resources.

Currently, 29 populations of Chinook salmon are listed in Canada’s Species at Risk Public Registry. Most salmon nowadays struggle to stay over baseline numbers and are considered a “foundational species” in British Columbia’s ecosystem.

In their underwater

environments, young salmon serve as the main predator for insects. Chinook salmon specifically are prey for the killer whale, which is also considered critically endangered. Salmon are also prey to a variety of land and aquatic animals throughout their life, such as bears, wolves, and birds.

The disappearance of salmon would also cause a decrease of several species of birds. Even in death, salmon provide their ecosystem with valuable nutrients, and continue to feed animals, insects, and the earth through their remains.

Additionally, wild salmon hold a significant place in the identities and ways of life for Indigenous communities throughout the Pacific Northwest, holding central parts in gatherings and ceremonies, and playing large roles in practices of gifting, trading, and sharing. For many communities they also function as a significant source of food.

The federal Pacific Salmon Strategy Initiative works to restore susceptible salmon populations and habitats, promote sustainable fishing and work together with First Nations fisheries, conservation organisations, and provincial institutions towards salmon conservation. For those interested in learning more or supporting

the conservation of wild salmon in B.C., organizations like Pacific Salmon Foundation, Wild Salmon Centre Canada, and Watershed Watch Salmon Society are doing work focused on protecting wild salmon.

Illustration by Hannah Bricknell / The Cascade

National //

Two men injured in Edmonton temple attack Sikh community alarmed by the violence in Edmonton JASLEEN SANDHU On Aug. 21, 2026, at approximately 5:00 a.m., two men were attacked at Edmonton’s Nanaksar Gurdwara (Sikh temple) by a 27-year-old man who stabbed them with a screwdriver. The men, ages 51 and 75, were hospitalized, but did not sustain any fatal injuries and are recuperating.

Morning prayers were interrupted by the stabbing and the temple was temporarily closed Friday morning due to the police investigation. Edmonton’s police have not provided a possible motive for the attack, but Chief Warren Driechel stated that police are working to figure out whether it was motivated by hate as the Edmonton Police Services’ (EPS) Hate 4

Crimes unit is currently in charge of the investigation.

Prior to entering the temple, the suspect was reported to the police as he was walking in traffic on a highway close to the Sikh temple.

City News reported that before the police arrived at the temple, the man was “held down by worshippers.”

The unnamed attacker has a known record of being violent which spans over a decade, going back to 2015. According to an article by City News, reports show that he was released from prison one day before the attack at Nanaksar.

“The suspect was released from a Darren Kirby, CC BY-SA 3.0, via federal prison on Thursday — where he Wikimedia Commons was serving a sentence for aggravated

assault and assaulting a peace officer — and did not report to a halfway house.”

This attack is not an isolated incident in Alberta. Global News reported that two Sikh temples in Calgary received threatening phone calls about demolishing the sacred sites, one week prior to the attack in Edmonton.

The World Sikh Organization of Canada’s (WSO) President, Danish Singh, has commented on the rise of anti-Sikh hate in Canada.

“We are asking gurdwaras across Canada to review and strengthen their security procedures and to remain vigilant. At the same time, we will not allow fear to dictate how Sikhs live in Canada.”

CONTINUED ON 05

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2026

VOL. 34 // ISSUE 10

NEWS CONTINUED FROM 04 According to the Edmonton Journal, a survey conducted by the WSO recorded that 80 per cent of its respondents have noticed an increase in anti-Sikh hatred over the last five years.

Alberta’s Premier, Danielle Smith, condemned the violence: “Everyone deserves to feel safe in their communities and places of worship, and we will continue to defend that right…

Today’s attack once again affirms why the federal government must take bail and parole reform seriously.”

Edmonton’s Mayor, Andrew Knack, commented on the effects of the violence on the city.

“Incidents like this pose a direct threat to all Edmontonians, negatively impacting residents and the character of our city.”

He added that “hate and prejudice and racism have no place in our city.”

Prime Minister Mark Carney issued a statement through posting on social media.

“The attack at the Nanaksar Gurdwara in Edmonton this morning is appalling.

My thoughts are with the two people who were injured and the wider community that is shaken by this terrible event.

“No one should ever feel unsafe in their place of worship. I want to thank the

Edmonton Police Service for their swift response.”

The Edmonton Journal reported that the suspect is still in custody, but will remain unnamed due to the fact that charges have not yet been laid.

Economics //

Canada’s trade war with the U.S. continues to escalate An update on the tensions between both countries RACHEL TAIT Dr. Eric Spalding is an associate professor of Media and Communication studies in the School of Culture, Media, and Society at UFV. Spalding also specializes in teaching courses on Journalism.

The trade war between Canada and the United States is ongoing as President Donald Trump is imposing 50 per cent tariffs on Canadian imports such as farming tools. Dr. Spalding offers expert insight into how the trade war between Canada and the U.S. continues to shape the political landscape and what the ramifications of the U.S. tariffs and Canada’s counter tariffs are on society.

“Much damage is being done through this trade war, and people are waiting with anticipation for the US midterm elections in the hope that Democrats can gain a majority in Congress and maybe even in the Senate so they can push back against Trump’s destructive behaviour.”

The mid-terms are set for Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026, and are designed to give voters a chance to evaluate the president and what he’s accomplished so far as their national leader. This mid-term election can potentially change the way the government is put together, as people may vote for more members from the current government’s party to congress or for members from an opposing party.

The latter would give a bigger majority to the opposition, making it harder for the president to continue implementing their party’s agenda.

According to a recent news release from the Canadian government, beginning on Sept. 8, they will be implementing matching 50 per cent retaliatory tariffs that would be equal to the proposed tariffs worth 27.6 billion dollars. Dr. Spalding agrees with the Prime Minister’s approach.

“What Trump is doing with his acrossthe-board tariffs is destructive for many workers in the manufacturing sector on both sides of the border and beyond.

Many jobs have been lost already. I personally think that what Mark Carney is doing is the right thing. He’s not letting Trump push him around more than he has already.”

He added that having retaliatory tariffs in place is a good strategy both economically and symbolically.

“The economic reason has to do with making Americans suffer through job losses and higher costs for consumer goods. It is hoped that such Americans, especially in some of the border states, will complain about the situation and vote against Republican candidates in the forthcoming midterm elections. The symbolic reason has to do with Canada not allowing itself to be pushed around by its neighbour. The intent is to show Carney as a strong PM.” According to a recent article by CBC News, the high tariffs that Trump’s administration imposed on Canadian goods is also having a negative effect on farmers in the U.S., hurting their ability to afford things like fertilizer. Regarding the destructive nature of the present tariff war, Dr. Spalding explained how workers and consumers are the ones being predominantly affected by the tariffs.

“The damages caused by this tariff war are to workers on both sides of the border. People working in the manufacturing sector in particular have been losing their jobs, and more job losses are likely if this trade war goes on. There are also damages to American and Canadian consumers who are paying higher prices for consumer goods. Canada’s economy in particular could go into a recession, which is why Carney has been traveling the world to strengthen economic ties with other countries.”

He added that there are similar correlations between an earlier trade war during the 1930’s and the current trade war between Canada and the United States called the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act. This act saw high tariffs put on Canadian goods coming into the U.S., during the Great Depression. In 1935, the tariffs were decreased before being removed altogether in 1988 when the Canada-US Free Trade agreement came into effect.

However, in the midst of high tariffs and tense trade relations between the U.S. and Canada, Dr. Spalding remains positive and believes that circumstances will improve.

“If there’s anything I can say for students in particular, it’s that this issue will pass, and Canada will survive … I like what Margaret Atwood said in an interview recently. From her vantage point as an 86-year-old, current concerns need to be put in perspective. Atwood has lived through many political and economic challenges over the decades, and she has faith that the world can find a way to overcome the current ones.”

Illustration by Thea Van Agteren / The Cascade 5

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2026

VOL. 34 // ISSUE 10

OPINION

opinion@ufvcascade.ca Opinion Editor — Natalia Toscano Murua

Tribute //

Dolly Parton: The Queen of Kindness How this country singer used her fame to make the world a better place ABBY HANSEN When the passing of the iconic “Queen of Country” Dolly Parton was announced on Aug. 25, people of all walks of life shared their sympathies. From the Democratic Socialists of America hailing her a “hero of the working class” in an Instagram post, to United States president Donald J. Trump announcing that all flags would be lowered at half-mast in the week following her death — Parton was seemingly adored by people on both sides of the political spectrum.

It’s rare to see a star so universally loved. But despite the bipartisan nature of the public response to her passing, I believe Dolly Parton was anything but neutral when it came to political and social issues.

One aspect of Parton’s public persona and work that I always appreciated the most was that she showed us that femininity and intelligence are not opposing personality traits. I have always been a girly-girl, but growing up, there have been times where I’ve felt the need to hide that part of myself in order to be taken more seriously in work, school, or even just in conversation with friends and peers.

Decked out in her glittery outfits, Dolly Parton was witty, clever, and a dedicated philanthropist — she achieved her dreams and embraced her ambitions without ever compromising who she was.

It was one of the many reasons that she was inspiring not just to me, but to women everywhere.

Not only did she spend almost the entirety of her career breaking barriers for women, she constantly used her fame to help people in need.

Parton invested a part of the royalties from Whitney Houston’s cover of “I Will Always Love You” into an office complex in order to boost investment in a predominantly Black neighbourhood in Nashville, Tennessee.

Parton defended queer rights and was a staunch ally for the community on

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Illustration by Thea Van Agteren / The Cascade numerous occasions. In a July 1984 interview with Andy Warhol, when the HIV/ AIDS epidemic was fuelling anti-gay sentiment, she openly showed support for her queer fanbase. She also advocated for marriage equality in the United States, long before the 2015 Supreme Court ruling that cemented it as a constitutional right.

In 1988, a few years after her Dollywood Theme Park opened, she started the Dollywood Foundation with the aim of inspiring a love of learning for children in her home county. The foundation offers various scholarships, including the 1990s Buddy Program — any student who teamed up with a buddy and graduated high school together were each given $500 United States dollars. This initiative

reportedly made student dropout rates in the area plummet from 35 per cent to only six percent.

And then there is the Imagination Library — the foundation Parton herself said was one of the things she was most proud of, and what I think is one of her most important achievements.

Inspired by her father who never learned to read or write, Parton started the book-gifting program in order to improve literacy rates. Once a month children are sent a free book for the first five years of their life. Since its inception, the Imagination Library has donated over 332 million books in five different countries.

The effect that the Imagination Library has had on children’s literacy rates around the world is remarkable. A study led by

Dr. Claire Galea found that the program significantly improved the literacy rates of children within the program. It also showed these children were more likely to develop an interest in reading, and had a greater chance of success in education.

Dolly Parton wasn’t just a singer or actress, she was testament to the power of kindness. When other celebrities are reaching billionaire or even trillionaire status, Parton gave all that she could to help others. She gave so much of her vast wealth that she never gained billionaire status.

We didn’t just lose a celebrity, we lost a testament to the power of kindness. Her sparkly light will be missed.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2026

VOL. 34 // ISSUE 10

OPINION

SNAPSHOT Be strong enough to be gentle

THE ENVIRONMENTALIST: from luscious green to sad grey The hidden cost of Campus Communities FA B I O L A CR UZ A L D E R E T E

Illustration by Iryna Presley It may be hard to find the words to describe a role model that does justice to the impact they have on one’s life. For me, Optimus Prime was one such role model. He accompanied me for much of my teenage years and into adulthood.

There are so many traits from this character that I could go on and on about — I tried writing them… But I still couldn’t get the words I wanted to express.

That is because I’m not here to talk about Optimus, but the voice and pillar behind him: Peter Cullen.

Mr. Cullen, it is not often we see people find their true vocation with such vigor as you did. You shared with the world what a real hero is. The story behind how you found Optimus’ voice still makes me tear up. I see the love you had for your brother Larry, a true hero in your eyes, and how through him you breathed life into the Autobot hero we know and love.

“If you’re going to be a hero, be a real hero… Be strong enough to be gentle.”

You will always be one of my heroes, Mr. Cullen... May you rest in peace.

Welcome to The Environmentalist, your column for understanding the natural world. Today we will be questioning what happens when green space becomes concrete parking.

If you have been away from UFV for the summer, upon returning you may notice something missing from the southern edge of campus: trees. Their removal is connected to a much larger redevelopment planned for the Abbotsford campus.

In March, UFV announced that Campus Communities, operated through the UFV Properties Trust, plans to develop university-owned land currently occupied by surface parking. The first phase will focus on lots four and five at the north end of campus, but UFV stated that new parking would first be built on the south end to avoid losing parking spaces. Campus Communities’ consultation report goes further, committing to a one-to-one ratio replacement of parking lost to development and identifying both new southern surface parking and a future parkade as part of that plan.

The consultation for Campus Communities saw that parking was not the only thing the UFV community showed interest in. Within those who we consulted about access, 68 per cent of respondents cited parking within short walking distance as their number one priority. Additionally, the report highlights the importance of the environmental stewardship expectation of natural areas of cultural significance including the preservation of mature trees, protection of UFV wetlands, and creation of more naturalized landscapes.

Moreover, greenery and natural spaces were also a first

BY NATALIA TOSCANO MURUA

Photos by Anjali Randhawa / The Cascade

Photos by Anjali Randhawa / The Cascade priority for 46 per cent of the answers received around Campus Communities. In other words, the community was not choosing between parking and green space, it was asking for both.

The southern edge of campus has also been recognized by UFV as environmentally significant in the past. In its 2016 Abbotsford Campus Master Plan, UFV identified the forested areas south of campus as having ecological value and explicitly stated that they were not considered for development. The same plan later emphasized how invaluable the campus forests and trees are, that they provide wildlife habitat and reduce the urban heat island effect, and recommended that existing tree habitat be protected and impacts from new development minimized.

While the loss of individual trees in urban areas may seem insignificant, the conversion of vegetation to pavement has far-reaching consequences. Impervious surfaces in urban areas increase surface runoff by reducing the ability of rainfall to infiltrate into the ground. As cities expand, the loss and fragmentation of these habitats threatens to place increasing pressure on urban biodiversity.

Campus Communities could be a great project for UFV by bringing housing, shops, and more developable space to what are currently just parking lots. However, such projects have hidden environmental impacts.

Trading green space for parking is especially worth questioning given UFV’s own commitments with the environmental stewardship, which means caring not only what a project might create but also what is quietly being displaced in the process. As the Lorax once said, “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better.” So, let’s care.

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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2026

VOL. 34 // ISSUE 10

OPINION UFV //

Ever heard of the cafeteria’s secret stamp card?

UFV’s hidden study lounge, soup tricks, and more assorted discoveries NATALIA TOSCANO MURUA I remember my first semester at UFV. I recall how excited and bewildered I felt upon setting foot inside Building S, I can still connect with the feeling of realizing the vastness of the new horizon before me that I was yet to discover, and the eagerness I felt to unearth all the cool perks and create a mental list of curated go-to things. Looking back, I made plenty of discoveries that significantly improved my day-to-day as a student at this university. So, with the start of the Fall 2026 semester, I thought to share my personal top picks of things I now know that I wish I had discovered sooner. You might want to sit down for the first one on the list, it’s the pinnacle of what I consider hidden gems.

Starting with what I believe to be my most niche tip and my personal crown jewel: the Soup Card. You may find two daily soup options at the cafeteria, and you can buy a bowl for around four dollars. Personally, I love a good bowl of soup, so discovering new daily flavours of soup was already a game changer. The best part? If you walk up to the Triple O’s cashier at the cafeteria and ask for a Soup Card, you can receive a loyalty stamp card. Buy 10 soups, a stamp for

Photos by Anjali Randhawa / The Cascade each, and you get one free! On the topic of soups, I’m willing to bet you didn’t know that you can be a soup mage and see the soup future — all the upcoming daily flavours in a week with remarkable accuracy, laid out in front of your eyes. I did some digging on my own to find this one — thanks to the Soup Card I became aware that Dana Hospitality is responsible for the menu at the UFV cafeteria, and yes, they publish the menu weekly! This knowledge is now yours. Consider yourself a newly induced soup mage.

Photos by Anjali Randhawa / The Cascade 8

For my next pick, I’m spreading the word about a pristine, quiet, and aesthetic study lounge in Building D. The thing I love the most about this place is how new it feels in comparison to other spots within UFV and that, even with how aesthetic and well equipped this spot is, it’s rarely busy. My theory as to why this place isn’t more frequented is because it is on the top floor of Building D — a floor that I understand is already not often on the path of many students, coupled with needing to navigate a set of very unassuming hallways and classrooms to get there. If you haven’t seen this place already, I highly encourage you to check it out! I could be more specific about precisely where to find it, but I believe that allowing you to discover it for yourself will add more to the mysticism and charm of the place. I felt like a desert-dweller stumbling upon an oasis when I first found it, and I think it would be fun to see others experience the same.

Here’s another cool thing: there’s a Student Union Society (SUS) program called Early Eats that organizes free breakfasts every other Tuesday from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. in the Evered Hall.

This has to be the beefiest free meal I’ve seen offered to students on an average class weekday. I’m talking, scrambled egg, sausages, chicken nuggets (I’ll say it again: chicken nuggets) falafel bites, seasoned rice, toast, pancakes, tortillas, cheese slices, and I’m sure there is more.

These are just off the top of my mind! It blows me away to remember how empty I used to find the Evered Hall when there was free food there. Don’t miss out on this one, seriously.

SNAPSHOT The prairie town that stole my heart The gravel road is packed with molasses and tire tread, the town’s post office is situated in an old rancher house, there are nine roads in total, and a lone corner store is the only place to buy anything.

This is Francis, Saskatchewan.

I fell in love with the open prairie fields surrounding this tiny town. I marvelled as the combines made their way through the durham, the canola, and the flax, leaving plumes of dust over flattened paths. Generational family farms lay visible across open fields, kilometres apart, and ever at risk of disappearing, or being swallowed up by corporations.

As I boarded my flight back to B.C. after four days in the Saskatchewan prairies, my heart broke for our vanishing Canadian farmers, yet gratitude warmed it. I was able to experience a small part of this disappearing life in an overlooked and radiant province.

BY DARIEN JOHNSEN

Last but not least, I’ll reveal what I consider to be the nicest restrooms in all of the UFV Abbotsford campus. Who doesn’t want a nice, private and clean restroom? These are located on Building D’s third floor. Yup, near the oasis I mentioned! I appreciate these ones being on the smaller side, which translates to more privacy, and despite them being small I believe they undoubtedly have the best design out of all restrooms on campus. Newly renovated, they feature stalls with doors that lock well and leave no gaps in between, circular mirrors with warm lighting that make you feel like a model while washing your hands, a push door that completely shuts off the outside noise, quiet and effective flushing, and great ventilation. Of course, I can only speak for the women’s restroom, but I can only imagine the men’s equivalent is on par.

Even if a bit random, these are with all honesty my top hidden and niche discoveries. Now, I bestow this cherished knowledge upon you.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2026

VOL. 34 // ISSUE 10

OPINION Rant //

SNAPSHOT He fears no chopsticks

Company loyalty?

I don’t owe you royalties Why Gen Z has a different perspective toward staying loyal to companies as employers LIAM PYPER

Illustration by Iryna Presley I can hear him building his bubble nest as I write this. Yes, he makes some tiny sounds when he builds and when he eats, and yeah I can hear him alright.

Never in a million years would I have thought that I would be getting a betta fish this summer, but alas, here I am.

I gave him a cozy, heavily planted five-gallon aquarium for him to live in.

Water? Cycled. Temperature? Tropical.

Hiding spots? Plenty. Worries? None.

He lives rent free in my room, hasn’t worked a day in his life, he’ll never even know what an email is. Just a month in and he already greets me when I walk into my room, quickly dashing to the edge of the tank all wiggly and jolly.

He’s grown surprisingly comfortable around my presence. Instead of hiding from my hand while I’m giving his tank maintenance with my high tech tool: a pair of chopsticks. He just swims near them and gets in the way. He’s such a goof. I could literally grab him with the chopsticks and he wouldn’t care.

To have such a small form of life trust you like that… What a privilege it is.

BY NATALIA TOSCANO MURUA

At least from my point of view company loyalty traditionally relied upon an informal exchange system. Employees devoted years of their lives to a business under the assumption that it would reward their work in the form of job security, raises, promotions, and retirement security. In the modern day corporate workplace, I feel this sense of devotion can be hard to come by, especially within Gen Z. At least in my experience, when me and my work are governed by large human and digital systems, performance metrics, layers of bureaucracy, and constant restructuring I often feel alienated and distant from any of the decision-making and the decision makers. I feel like Gen Z does not want to work for a system that feels like it doesn’t care about its employees.

Yet, this is not an issue of our generation being antisocial, preferring to work remotely or not wanting to show up to work. Actually, according to polling data from Gallup, the majority of Gen Z tends to prefer being on site and with co-workers, with only 23 per cent of remote-capable Gen Z workers preferring to work from home, compared to 35 per cent of each older generation. In addition, this generation most desired to have colleagues in the office. Thus, although employees of Gen Z are not likely to pledge absolute loyalty to their employer, they still seek relationships, mentoring, and community.

Unfortunately, corporations are not always eager to accommodate these desires. According to Deloitte’s Gen Z and Millennial Survey 2025, young workers want their managers to provide guidance, inspiration, and career development opportunities. However, many felt that their managers prioritized day-today oversight over their individual career growth. The report revealed that managers devoted nearly 40 per cent of their time to addressing immediate issues and spent 13 per cent of their time on managing and developing the people they lead.

As a result, there is a desire among younger workers to change jobs in pursuit of greater developmental opportunities.

Deloitte’s research showed that learning and development had become one of the three most critical factors for young people when choosing a job. At the same time, only six percent of respondents named reaching the top executive level as their ultimate career goal. This data

CIPHR Connect, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons suggests that for many of them, continuAt least in my experience, it’s been ous learning and improving one’s skill set harder for me to feel loyalty to a job that in different areas is more important than treats me like a number, compared to one climbing the corporate ladder. where I feel part of a community workThis gap between what workers give ing towards something good. I recently and what they receive is reflected in got a job working for a local winery, and EY’s 2024 Gen Z Live Work Play Study. working with The Cascade I feel like I am Although 62 per cent of Gen Z respon- appreciated for the work I do and that I am dents described themselves as very or also contributing to something cool and extremely loyal to their organization, only impactful for my community. I compare 40 per cent felt that their organization was this to my time working for a suit shop, loyal to them. I strongly believe that when where over two years my commissions, loyalty is not reciprocal, changing jobs monthly, and quarterly bonuses were all can become a pretty justifiable response axed while management — who I never rather than evidence of poor commitment. met — only increased sales targets. While But sometimes it’s hard to leave. the store community where I worked was I couldn’t have cared less about execu- wonderful, and I am still friends with tives I’ve never met and their sales targets, some of the managers to this day, I felt but many of my co-workers became my disconnected from the actual mission I friends, and I became part of a great was told that this company was undertakwork community. Employees can care ing and I felt no loyalty returned for my deeply about their colleagues, customers, hard work. If I am to choose what to give and work while remaining disconnected my loyalty to, my choice is my connecfrom executives, corporate targets or a tion with like-minded peers, growing my company mission that feels removed from goals, and personal development over a their daily experience. big corporation in exchange for a salary.

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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2026

VOL. 34 // ISSUE 10

OPINION OpiNews //

Tensions between Latin America and Israel Latin America’s evolving sentiment toward Israeli political influence right candidate Abelardo de la Espriella claiming victory and replacing the previLast month, the Times of Israel wrote that ous socialist government under Gustavo Israel was having a ‘moment’ in Latin Petro. Petro saw Colombia halt arms trade America. And unfortunately, they’re not with Israel following the assault of Gaza exactly wrong. As of August this year, and supporting the International Criminal 12 countries in the region have right and Court (ICC) arrest warrant arrest warrant far right governments, many of whom are for Prime Minister Netanyahu, and staunch supporters of Israel and eager to completely halted coal exports to Israel. renew relations. However, in the court of But recently, the Espriella government moved quickly to shift Petro’s anti-Israel public opinion, Israel’s full scale invapolicy, towards a relationship marked by sion of Gaza and its coinciding genocide of the Palestinian people has caused an Colombia’s recognition of Israel’s illegal unprecedented international amount of occupation of the Golan Heights in Syria resentment towards the state. as a legitimate claim. In the Pew survey, According to a recent survey 56 per cent of participants in Colombia conducted in 36 countries this year by answered unfavourably towards Israel, the Pew Research Center, a good majorwith only 29 per cent viewing the country ity of Latin Americans harbor a negative very favourably. view toward Israel, with percentages at The recent election of these right 59 and 60 per cent for Mexico and Chile wing leaders marks a departure from the respectively. Pew also conducted a simipro-Palestinian wave that saw several lar survey in 2025 on 24 countries, and Latin American countries form and join when comparing the two, public opinion the Hague Group, a global body dediof Israel has only worsened. The current cated to upholding international law and unfavourably view of the nation stateis support the people of Palestine. The bloc seems to contradict the election of Jose is chaired by Colombia and South Africa, Antonio Kast in Chile — with Kast a and used to host several more members staunch supporter of Israel. from Latin America. However, Bolivia Part of the answer as to why Latin and Honduras’ newly elected right wing Americans are critical of Israel may lies leadership has withdrawn the counin its status as a post-colonial region. As tries from the bloc, and with the recent Professor Erick Viramonte writes in an Colombian elections it remains to be article for The Middle East Council on seen whether the group will survive. The Global Affairs, Israel’s invasion of Gaza Hague Group had planned on moving and oppression of the Palestinians could from public condemnation of Israel and support of Palestine to concrete action which involved coordinating to fulfill the ICC warrant for the arrest of Netanyahu, it remains to be seen what will happen with the Group now.none of that may happen now.

Colombia’s elected government has become the latest in a string of right-wing governments across Latin America, and I believe this should have coincided with a general and public rise in support for Israel since said right-wing governments.

But when we look at the polling numbers above there’s a very different story being told. Why is public opinion for Israel so low, when it seems to be a top priority of many of these recently elected governments? I have a notion, that given Israel and the United States’ history of interference with Latin American politics, there might be something more dangerous and permanent happening, and it remains to be seen whether this is just a passing President of Chile, José Antonio Kast Rist (Por Estado de Chile, CC BY 3.0 cl, wave, or a new pattern. https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=186005785)

LIAM PYPER

10

will ring familiar for those who fought against imperialism in the Global South and their descendants. However, while anti-imperalist sentiment is certainly present, reporter Jake McGrath argues that Israel’s direct involvement in aiding many of the brutal authoritarian regimes that populated Latin America’s past, may beis another significant factor.

During the Cold War, Israel was the biggest supplier of arms to the Argentinian dictatorship, sending the Junta an estimated one billion dollars in fighter jets, air-to-air missiles, radar, and fuel tanks. This same regime would, from the period of 1978-1983, would disappear an estimatedover 30,000 people — of which according to the official list of the 10,000 dead, at least 12 per cent of that number were Jewish Argentinians.

Despite this, there has been a general rise in Latin American governments that are favourable towards Israel, such as with the recent elections in Chile and Colombia, both governments have expressed interest in renewing ties and increasing collaboration with Israel. This contradicts the research conducted by Pew which shows a lack of support from the general public.

And these renewed relations come as a relief to Israel for what has been a, fairly universal and well deserved, diplomatic battering of the country as it continues its genocide on Palestine.

The Colombian Presidential elections concluded on August 7, with far

SNAPSHOT No, you can’t wingardium‑leviosA your way out of accountability

Illustration by Iryna Presley Oh? You’re planning to watch the new Harry Potter series? Respectfully: go fuck yourself.

I know ethical consumption is basically a cosmic joke. People need cheap groceries, cheap meals, cheap everything. Boycotts aren’t easy when the whole system is designed to make you dependent. But this isn’t about survival.

This is about comfort; nostalgia — not good enough reasons to hand money to someone actively harming trans people.

I loved Harry Potter. I grew up with it, marathoned it, fought over houses, bought the wand, memorized spells.

I even WROTE fanfics — I put in the hours, y’all.

But growing up means recognizing when something you love is hurting people you care about.

Wearing HP merch now feels loaded. A trans stranger doesn’t know you’re “not like that.” They just see someone repping a franchise whose creator openly targets them (and ace people too, for fuck’s sake). Nostalgia doesn’t erase the harm.

There are a million other books, shows, worlds. You’re not trapped.

You’re just unwilling to let go of the blanky. And if you choose to watch it legally anyway, fine — but don’t call yourself an ally. You’re funding transphobia. Own that.

BY SKY S. TERRONES

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2026

VOL. 34 // ISSUE 10

FEATURE

feature@ufvcascade.ca Features Editor — Caitlyn Carr

The Cascade Exposé: Meet the Team A behind the scenes look at your student newspaper RACHEL TAIT

On Sept. 1, 1993, The Cascade newspaper was first established by editor Bryan Sikora. 33 years later, this student paper continues to run strong, featuring heartwarming and thought-provoking journalistic literature that is read by students and staff alike.

Back in February 2023, I wrote a feature about The Cascade, which included interviews with various staff members. Three years later, since the paper has seen considerable growth and changes in production, staff, and direction, I figured it was time to write an updated version featuring our current team. Let’s take a look at what some of the students who work behind the scenes have to say about their unique experiences at the paper.

Photo submitted by Cassie Williams

Sky Terrones Arts Editor

Sky, what is your position at the paper, and some of your responsibilities?

for sure, and disappointing. A better paycheque wouldn’t hurt either, boss.

I’m the arts editor, formerly junior news — a genre‑s hift worthy of cinema. I make sure the arts section stays Some universities have an online presence only, what are the benefits to having a print version as fresh, diverse, and alive. It’s part curation, part coordi- well? nation, part gentle chaos management — most of it fun.

Print is a constant. It’s something you can hold, rely on, What inspired you to want to work at The Cascade and read without doom‑scrolling. It’s grounding — literally and metaphorically. and why?

Unironically, the need for money — but also the recommendation from my academic advisor, who told me it would keep my writing brain active. As someone whose focus is fiction, I was hesitant at first. But once I started digging through the archive for an interview, I realized something tragic: not enough 2SLGBTQIA+ coverage.

That’s when I decided [on] my new temporary mission: infiltrate and make everything GAY. Thus, here I am — or, better said, queer I am.

Is journalism a career you want to pursue?

Absolutely not.

What advice would you give to those interested in a journalism career?

Mad props to anyone who wants to pursue journalism, truly — it’s not for the faint of heart. Learn the system so you can actually navigate it. Trust your instincts; there’s always more to the story than what you first see.

What is a strength about The Cascade that makes Journalism can be fun, too. Be aware, be responsible, be the paper unique in journalism? open. Know when your bias is affecting your neutrality, I genuinely think The Cascade is still uncorrupted by but also when it’s necessary to let it. And don’t give up. the bigger system. Big publications fall into clickbait Good luck. because they’re tied to revenue; we aren’t in the same way, and it lets us keep fighting for integrity. Students “Print is a constant. It’s still believe in a better world, too, and they write like something you can hold, they’re trying to spark it into existence.

What is the most challenging aspect of your job?

The sheer amount of institutional hypocrisy you witness once you start asking real questions. It’s… educational,

rely on, and read with‑ out doom‑scrolling. It’s grounding — literally and metaphorically.”

Photo submitted by Sky Terrones 11

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2026

Liam Pyper Staff Writer What’s your position at the paper?

I’m a staff writer and this will be my third semester working for The Cascade. I contribute two articles and a news brief for each issue. I mostly focus on writing news articles or fun opinion pieces. For my news briefs, I try to focus on local or Indigenous B.C. news.

What do you find most challenging and rewarding about working at The Cascade?

VOL. 34 // ISSUE 10 while making sure that I encompass all the features of graduating next year and only got to work here for a the event that are important to the article. short time. I encourage everyone, no matter what you However, these exact parts that are challenging also are studying, to contribute something toThe Cascade! are what make working at The Cascade so rewarding.

Having access to experts in political science as a student is invaluable to a strong article and sometimes knowing your interviewee makes it easier to talk to them, and can elicit a more complex answer. I’ve also gotten the “Going to these events and chance to attend some amazing events both within UFV participating as a jour‑ and without. Going to these events and participating as a journalist is really incredible, and while I don’t intend nalist is really incredible, to pursue it as a career, the people I have met and the and while I don’t intend communities I have participated in are now a valuable to pursue it as a career, part of my life.

One is going out to get the story. Sometimes I conduct interviews or attend events that I am writing on, and often my interviews will be with professors, some of whom I used to take classes with, and so coming up with questions to ask them can be a little scary. Attending events as a journalist can also be intimidating, finding the right people to interview, trying not to be invasive

Why should students consider writing for The Cascade?

Anna McCausland

What do you find most challenging about working here?

Production Manager What are some of your responsibilities in your role at the paper?

Students should definitely consider joining or contributing to The Cascade not only for improving your writing skills, but also for the opportunities it gives you to experience the world. I wish I had started sooner since I am

the people I have met and the communities I have participated in are now a valuable part of my life.”

some of my favourite writers, and gotten to know some really amazing people because of working here.

Geez. That’s a loaded question. When I was a writer or editor I would’ve said getting people to interview. But now that I’m on the design side of things, I’d say making sure I’m visually capturing the message the author’s writing is portraying as accurately as possible.

I’m newly responsible for putting together the paper, What inspired you to want to work at The designing the features (like this one) and making sure Cascade? we are ready for print the night before!

The real answer: I wanted to get paid for my writing.

I’ve always loved writing and wanted something where I could fully focus on it and have a good excuse to carve out time in my life to devote just to writing. But the more I worked at The Cascade, the more I realized I love the people I work with and I love working towards a common goal. Not only do I love the community I work within, I love that we get to spotlight and give voice to other communities.

Some universities have an online presence only, what are the benefits to having a print version as well?

You can actually hold your own writing in your hands.

But also printed/physical media is so much harder to censor. Once it’s out there, it’s out there. You can’t make any more changes. There’s a finality about print media that I think online-only loses.

Why do you think students should consider writing for or joining The Cascade?

Photo submitted by Anna McCausland

Darien Johnsen Editor-in-Chief What are your responsibilities at The Cascade?

My main role is ensuring that what we are covering is relevant, timely, and of interest to students. I also make sure that our work is factually correct and responsible (no libel!), and up to journalistic standards. This means working with sectional editors and contractors to make sure they can do the best work they can possibly do. I also edit the entire paper and then make sure that the 12

If you love writing, illustrating, or just want to explore the community here at UFV or in Abbotsford, you should join The Cascade. You never know where an article will take you. I’ve gone to The JUNO Awards, interviewed

print copies are designed in the best way possible with our production team.

On top of my editorial responsibilities, I also make sure that The Cascade has a healthy internal environment. This looks like building up our team and keeping it a healthy and safe place to work, alongside our managing editor. I also work to keep up community relations and partnerships both within and outside of the university, and I assist our managing editor with human resource issues, hiring and staffing, and organizing our production cycle. Finally, I work closely with the business manager to keep our budget in check each year and decide how our money is used, and with our creative director to ensure

Illustration by Marley Penner / The Cascade

“You never know where an article will take you.

I’ve gone to The JUNO Awards, interviewed some of my favourite writers, and gotten to know some really amaz‑ ing people because of working here.

our physical paper, website, and social media look great and are easy to navigate.

What do you find most challenging about working here?

The sheer workload that I just described in the previous question is one of the biggest challenges. The paper eats up so much of my time and energy. This is a near full time job and I work pretty much every day to some capacity. It’s hard to manage this on top of classes and a second job. It leaves very little time for myself during the semester, which I really struggle with.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2026

VOL. 34 // ISSUE 10 Too many students use [AI] to write and it’s a real shame because one of the perks of working here is learning how to write well. We have a team of editors who put so much effort into helping writers grow in their craft.

To have someone disrespect that by handing in an AI written article feels like a slap in the face to the people who put hard work into crafting good journalism. It’s a disservice to the paper and to the self to deny that work that will actually help you understand how to write and research yourself.

What is most rewarding about your work?

“Too many students use [AI] to write and it’s a real shame because one of the perks of working here is learning how to write well.

We have a team of editors who put so much effort into helping writers grow in their craft.”

I would say the community we’ve built. I love having so many friends at the university and a really cool space to hang out in. We are truly a family and I love the people I love their work and want the truth to come out in a way work with. I also love to watch our paper and contractors that makes sense to consumers. They truly want to make grow and know that I had a role in these positive changes. the world a better place.

Economically, both independent and legacy media organizations have been struggling for decades. People What direction do you see journalism taking in don’t value journalism like they used to. Regardless, the future? someone has got to go out snooping and asking hard Journalism is a precarious field, and it gets a bad wrap questions! for reasons both valid and invalid. Some journalists have Photo submitted by Darien Johnsen abused their powers both on the left and the right, that’s true. But the work itself is still important regardless of The other challenge is being a leader in general and those people. There are good journalists out there who making sure that we have a safe and healthy work environment. We have a big team and that inevitably means that personal and social issues will arise that myself and the executive team need to navigate with very few resources (you can hear more about this in our podcast The Cascade Corner Booth on Spotify!).

How has The Cascade revamped themselves to be current and relevant in this age of blogging, AI, and technological advancement?

I think it will always be a challenge for us to navigate AI. Many journalists in the wider world are struggling with this as well. It seems to be up for debate whether or not journalists should use AI and what role it might play for them in a positive way. But it is seen by some as a real threat to journalism and the economic health of journalistic organizations. The question that remains for me is how can we use it responsibly as a tool, and is it okay to do that? We currently have a no AI policy that our contractors must sign and strictly abide by. Regardless of using it as a tool, the battle against AI writing in general is the bane of my existence. I do not want AI articles in our paper!

Fabiola Cruz Alderete Columnist What is your role at The Cascade?

Photo submitted by Darien Johnsen

always asked them if they had any topic they would like to see covered by the column, I’ve gotten only excellent recommendations. Moreover, writing the column has helped me so much to stay on top of class subjects, to the point of even going to lectures on topics that I have already written about.

I am a writer for The Environmentalist, The Cascade’s What do you find most challenging about your very own column for understanding the natural world. role?

Why did you want to work at The Cascade?

Making complex environmental issues or topics understandable for the wide range of readers that populate the university’s community, without oversimplifying within my allotted 500 words, is where the hardest part of my position lies. But don’t get me wrong, it is still [a] struggle for me and that’s why I have to ask for forgiveness from my editor every time I turn a column in because I’m over the word limit, again. Nevertheless, this experience has been worth it.

I felt inspired to join the team after reading past editions of the newspaper and meeting some of the staff members back then. I loved the work that was being done and wanted to be a part of it by sharing the topics that I am passionate for, but oops! I’m an environmental science student and writing in English is not my strong suit. In spite of that, I decided to take the risk and apply. I was thrilled when I got the position and now, I’ve been writing here for a little over two years.

Why do you think students should consider writ-

Fabiola, what has been the most rewarding aspect of your work?

ing for The Cascade?

Even if you are doubting your capabilities, trust that you will always have something worthy to contribute, plus I’ve been approached a couple of times by students who it is a great experience to have on your CV, even when enjoy my column, it is surprisingly rewarding and I’ve you don’t want to have a career in writing or journalism.

In my experience, even though it all began as a passion

project, having this position has opened doors and has been of great relevance when I have been considered for opportunities that have helped moving me forward [in] my science career.

“Even if you are doubting your capabilities, trust that you will always have something worthy to contribute, plus it is a great experience to have on your CV, even when you don’t want to have a career in writ‑ ing or journalism ... Having this position has opened doors and has been of great relevance when I have been considered for opportunities that have helped moving me forward [in] my science career” 13

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2026

VOL. 34 // ISSUE 10

Cassie Williams

and really trying to bring original news and reporting to our readers.

Managing Editor Cassie, what does the managing editor do?

Some of my responsibilities include organizing all the behind the scenes of the paper (meetings, scheduling, overseeing daily operations, etc.). I also act as our in-house HR, collaborate with our editor-in-chief for hiring/training, and edit each article before publication.

What is most rewarding about your work?

When someone comes up to me from the community and compliments an article we’ve written or a topic we’ve drawn attention to. It just feels like we’re making a real difference when people go out of their way to tell you they actually read our paper and got something out of it. Then there’s the gushy part of me that says the connections I’ve made with all the wonderful people I get to work with. I wouldn’t trade any of the late night productions or chaotic meetings for anything.

How has The Cascade reinvented themselves to be current and relevant in an age of blogging, AI and technological advancement?

One of our biggest steps to bridging the digital gap has been launching a podcast! We try to stay on top of our socials and we upload all articles online, but our multimedia presence has really blossomed this year which is something our EIC and I had a big focus on when taking over. We have bi-weekly news round-ups, we’ve done What future direction do you anticipate journalon-air interviews, and now our newest baby which is ism taking?

The Cascade Corner Booth (Listen to our first episode I’m very of the opinion that AI is a phase that will wither on Spotify now if you dare)! out over time and hopefully crumble, but unfortunately it is here for now and we’re seeing lots of fallout because of ~What advice would you give to those interested it. Having said that, we live in a time where real, credible in pursuing a career in journalism?~ news is more important than ever. In the rise of AI, mis/ Be so f**king tough and adaptable as a chameleon. disinformation, and general online slop, human-centred news and reporting is reclaiming its place and people are starting to give the appropriate value to it. On that note, as long as we continue to have people committed to the work who are even half as passionate about the industry as the people I work with at The Cascade, real journalism will be kept alive.

What is a strength about The Cascade that makes the paper unique in journalism?

I’ve worked at The Cascade for over three years now and I can say especially now that each and every one of us put our blood, sweat, and many tears into this publication. Aside from the passion that goes into our paper, I would say we’re plugged into the community and have a big focus on staying UFV-and-Fraser-Valley-focused

Photo submitted by Cassie Williams

“ We’re plugged into the community and have a big focus on staying UFV and Fraser Valley focused and really trying to bring original news and reporting to our readers.”

Illustration by Marley Penner / The Cascade

At the end of the day, writing for the paper is both hard work and rewarding. It’s an opportunity to learn journalistic practices that are invaluable for students. Having worked here as a staff writer, jr. news, and the news editor, I have seen many wonderful people breathe new life into a paper that has been around for decades. A truly wonderful place to work and be creative with a team that supports each other, The Cascade remains one of the best job opportunities I’ve ever had. If writing is a passion of yours, just remember, journalism is still very much alive, and having the opportunity to have your voice heard is a powerful tool and responsibility.

Photo submitted by Darien Johnsen 14

Photo submitted by Rachel Tait

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SPORTS

sports@ufvcascade.ca Sports

SL APSHOTS Butterfly stroke post better, butterfly stroke. It was a good time, and it felt good to swim.

Illustration by Iryna Presley Lately, I’ve found myself missing the years I used to practice swimming as a sport more and more. I miss how liberating it felt to have my body be carried by water, that floaty feeling that made me feel like I was flying, and the speed that I was able to achieve if I went on a full on explosive and fast front crawl, or even

Out of the four different swim techniques I practiced, the butterfly stroke was my favourite. I remember how it was challenging to get the technique down at first — using my entire body to propel forward as opposed to mainly my arms and legs, like with front crawl or backstroke — but once mastered, it was great! For me, that type of stroke was the swimming style that made me feel like I was flying, and as it turns out, this swimming technique is the one with the fastest achievable speed out of all other techniques, and it is also Michael Phelps’ favourite. I take it as a sign that the butterfly stroke is absolute peak. No wonder I miss it.

The moment I become a divorced dad 24 days to go.

Actually, by the time this is published, a mere 21. And then, my obsession begins.

Most people are surprised to learn I’m a hockey fan, especially an NHL fan. I know the League has its issues, but I just cannot help indulging in this high-adrenaline sport. I have exactly zero friends who like to watch hockey and so far, I’ve only been able to rope one friend in to regularly watch it with me. But it doesn’t matter, because when the game clock starts ticking down, the world around me no longer exists. I become that divorced dad parked on the couch, drink in hand, screaming at the TV.

I religiously follow the Philadelphia Flyers, and like a true religion, this involves rituals. Usually, the consumption of at least two caesars, ample snacks, and three(ish) hours where nothing else exists except players in the rink and familiar announcers. I can’t wait for that swish of ice, the ramble of the play-byplay, and a small bit of solace to carry me through the semester.

BY DARIEN JOHNSEN

BY NATALIA TOSCANO MURUA

CULTURE

culture@ufvcascade.ca Culture

Authors //

Legends of Celosia: Origins and the man behind Moonlight Soldier Interviewing local indie author Corey Van Egdom ZACKERY FITZPATRICK “Lethia, who’s a simple village girl … finds herself waylaid by a werewolf, and in her attempt to hide, she ducks into an abandoned shack that belonged to a demonologist. Werewolf breaks in, bites her torso, her blood spills onto a ritual circle that was left on the ground and they fall into hell.”

Through Lethia’s humble beginnings, and the hardship she must endure throughout her origin story, perseverance resounds. Not just in her tenacity, but in the messaging and motivations of the author himself. This may just be the beginning of her tale, but to put it in Lethia’s own words (no spoilies), one must choose to be happy. To look at their circumstances not as a burden but as a “left-handed gift.” It’s the kind of premise that often speaks to me: all gas, no brakes, presuming the reader can hit the ground

running and take new information in about a setting as it is presented. It fuels a love for worldbuilding, storytelling, and gets me excited to talk about the nature of writing itself. Where do we take our inspiration from and what sets one writer apart from another?

When it comes to Moonlight Soldier’s Legends of Celosia: Origins (LoC), these questions were even more present in my mind. Luckily, The Cascade had the opportunity to sit down with the author behind the pen name, local self-published writer Corey Van Egdom, to discuss LoC and what it’s like being an indie author.

what have you… Sometimes a better way to tackle something serious is straightforward and not always poking it with a stick and laughing at it. There are some topics I feel should be treated with actual due diligence and respect. So … I’m trying to create something for an adult audience that is trying to balance the two.

“There are moments where there is drama, heavy topics, and those are treated with gravity. But there are also moments where it’s not afraid to be silly … It’s honest in itself.”

Your writing style has a narrative, almost Dungeon Master-y feel. Is that intentional?

this is the situation, and this is how they puzzle it out.’”

Where do you take inspiration from for LoC? “I would say it would be the Song of the Lioness by Tamora Pierce. Honestly, that was the book that helped solidify my love for female protagonists… the protagonist is a tomboy through and through… She becomes a knight. What does she do with that? What are her adventures? … I do take some inspiration from that because I like seeing the growth. I like how human the characters feel.”

What drew you to particularly adult Is there any particular message you fantasy, rather than other subgenres? “I’ve enjoyed D&D and RPGs, but it’s hope readers take from LoC? “I find a lot of adult media feels like it’s also partly happenstance. This is just me “I think the closest message/question stuck in one of two camps … It has to writing how I write. I’ve always been I’ve intentionally put in my book is just be dark, it has to be edgy, there has to be objectively thinking … my writing style, drama … or it’s just too lost in it’s own my voice, has always felt like, ‘here are the joke, too lost in trying to be silly, funny, or characters, this is what they’re thinking, CONTINUED ON 16 15

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CULTURE “I just wanted to create something I wanted to see. I’ve wanted to see this ‘what would society look like if the topics story. I’ve wanted to see these advenof nudity and sexuality weren’t taboo?’ … tures… And I like the idea of someone That’s why the first chapter in my book taking something seen as a curse, and being like ‘I can do something good with frontloads a lot of nudity.” this.’ I want to take this and do something good with it.”

Tell me more about your process.

CONTINUED FROM 15

“I’m a very audio/visual kind of person.

So when I am writing I like to have something in the background. Like some lo-fi or smooth jazz or something… And just being in a public space with another creator… Sometimes I need to soundboard my ideas. I need to be like ‘Hey I have this idea, I could run it like this.’”

What has been your reason for continuing to pursue self-publishing?”

What motivated your pen name for the series? “... No matter how dark the night gets there’s always going to be a moon. Even when there’s a new moon, you always know it’s there, no matter how dark things get. Moonlight Soldier, in a very romantic sense… is there to show you that there is light no matter how dark things get.”

Q&A has been edited for length and clarity.

Photo submitted by Corey Van Egdom

Theatre //

From UFV to Fara Sabina: learning theatre the hard way One student’s honest take on FLIPT’s demanding, unforgettable summer program SKY S. TERRONES Hello theatre lovers! If you’re in UFV’s Theatre major, extended minor, or minor, you probably saw the email about the FLIPT Theatre Festival in Italy, which ran June 11–21 — an intercultural theatre laboratory hosted by Teatro Potlach (think: an international theatre camp for adults).

The price tag was steep: €1000. Even with the discount UFV students received thanks to theatre Professor Parjad Sharifi, I still had to ask myself whether draining my savings and begging my parents was

worth it. Spoiler: I did it. Here’s the honest review.

The first week was… rough. I was placed in a monastery with two classmates — ironic, considering my queer ass avoids churches like they’re boobytrapped. I wasn’t worried, though; I’d asked ahead of time if the space was safe for people in my community, and I got the reassurance I needed. The challenge turned out to be everything else: a bathroom door that didn’t close, mould on the shower ceiling, freezing water, heat, dust.

But the medieval architecture, hedgehogs, and star‑filled skies of the tiny hillside

Photography by Sayna Ghaderi / Saynaghaderi.com hamlet in Fara in Sabina softened the blow.

Workshops started immediately, and my ADHD was fighting for its life. The video‑heavy presentations and constant Italian weren’t what I expected after being told English would be the main language. I ended up using more Spanish than English and often translating for classmates who were understandably lost.

The first four days with theatre legends Eugenio Barba, Julia Varley, Pino Di Buduo, Daniela Regoli, and Nathalie Mentha were a mixed box. Their reflecPhotography by Sayna Ghaderi / Saynaghaderi.com tions on theatre were valuable, but some workshops felt dull — lots of videos 16

are available on their webpage and we could’ve watched them beforehand. Still, every time disappointment crept in, someone like Varley would drop a line that snapped me back into wonder: “We can do everything, but where is our priority? … We don’t have the time to do all, so we must choose what’s essential.”

The nightly performances were a highlight. Seeing theatre from Spain, Iran, Poland, Ukraine, Italy, and the U.S. cracked open my sense of what theatre can be. Cooking (hell yeah I did) and performing for the locals during the 50th CONTINUED ON 17

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CULTURE CONTINUED FROM 16 anniversary celebration made the purpose of FLIPT clear: community.

On June 15, everything shifted. The workshops went from zero to a hundred physically, starting with Arianne Wang’s “Towards an Intercultural Actor’s Dramaturgy.” Her mix of dance, Kun Opera, and 22‑hour performance insights had us collapsing with almost no verbal instruction. We repeated four steps for three hours, walked for two, ran a choreography 15 times, and I’ll never forget when she ended one workshop saying, “And that’d be the end of warm up.” She promised to treat us like professionals, and she absolutely did.

After three days of that intensity, we moved into a form I’ll treasure forever: Commedia dell’Arte. Under Claudio De Maglio, we learned the ritualistic power of masks and how to inhabit them. I chose my masks, and they chose me — an experience I still can’t fully explain. Watching his students perform sealed it: this is high‑end theatre, and I won’t be the only one talking about it for years to come.

Some of my favourite workshops happened at the worst possible time — right in the crunch leading up to “Invisible Cities,” when fewer and fewer people could attend. Still, “The Narrative of Light” and “The Sonic Architecture” with Mthobisi Khanyile and Nkosingiphile Mancane Dlamini were unforgettable.

They revealed the soul within light and

Photography by Sayna Ghaderi / Saynaghaderi.com sound, and how sensorial theatre can shape a performance if we let it. Their work was so beautiful it had me genuinely considering a trip to South Africa to learn more.

It turned out the South African workshops weren’t the only thing making me consider travelling. The Irish company Pan Pan, even in a short talk, had me daydreaming about flying out just to see their experimental theatre firsthand. And

Residui Teatro from Madrid completely spellbound me with their passionate presentation.

Everything eventually led to the demanding Invisible Cities performance, where the medieval town transformed into a spectacle of lights, projections, and theatre. After days of preparation under Buduo’s direction, we were each assigned a spot in the city — a place we’d perform on a continuous loop until the

Photography by Sayna Ghaderi / Saynaghaderi.com festival’s end. When Regoli rang the bell, we marched to our stations and began: performing even if no one was there, finishing, and immediately starting again.

Two hours straight. No rest. No water.

You stop only when someone signals you to.

The experience is unlike anything else. It’s closer to street performance: you feel like an exhibit. People record you, linger, wander off, clap, or ignore you entirely. It’s miles away from a stage, but incredibly educational.

I had no idea what to expect, and Fara kept surprising me. From life‑saving advice on preserving your voice after two hours of nonstop performing (thank you, Santi), to the people who lit up each

day, to earning a genuine coworker‑level respect from our UFV instructors — it was absolutely worth the approx. $2,300 CAD investment (flight included). I left feeling lucky and deeply grateful for everyone I met.

Now with three collaboration proposals on the table, I can’t help wondering why UFV hasn’t jumped on a partnership or offered course credit for this to make it more accessible. It’s a genuinely worthy experience — one I’d repeat in a heartbeat if I had the money.

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STUDY BREAK Crossword //

Horoscopes // By: Lilith of Rhiannon Aries - Mar. 21 to Apr. 19 The sycophants have come for you, dear aries. Watch your back — that person that always compliments you might just ask you for more than you’re prepared to give soon. My advice? Set them on fire (metaphorically, of course).

Taurus - Apr. 20 to May 20 Taurus, you don’t have daddy issues, you are the daddy. Lucky for you, being a daddy is one of the easiest jobs in the world. There is only one simple thing you need to remember: go out to get cigarettes and never come back. Problems? Solved.

Gemini - May 21 to Jun. 21 Did you know you’re a descendant of Clytemnestra? Just an FYI, cuz, you know, she murdered her husband and all that. But it was, like, totally justified I’m pretty sure. Anyway, good luck this sem!

Cancer - Jun. 22 to Jul. 22 Remember that scene in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004) where Jim Carey is crawling through endless bedsheets, desperately trying to cling to one precious memory of his ex-girlfriend before the drunk memory erasers come to wash it away for forever? That’s you right now. Don’t be Eternal Sunshine Jim Carey, be The Mask (1994) Jim Carey. He may have been green, but at least he actually had a backbone.

Leo - Jul. 23 to Aug. 22 You know how you’re on a desperate quest to earn enough money to move out of this godforsaken town so you’re taking on, like, two and a half jobs on top of your courses and are low key freaking out about it but you’re like god, please let me save enough to escape? Yeah, well, the cards are saying you’re destined to be a broke bitch. Better find a different way out. Have you tried astral projection?

Virgo - Aug. 23 to Sept. 22 I’m currently eating really spicy chicken and it’s kind of burning my face off, but I sort of like it. It reminds me to breathe. That’s kind of like how you are.

Libra - Sept. 23 to Oct. 23 Libra, you’re being an insufferable control freak again and it’s really annoying. I’m not going to advise you to take a step back and maybe stop trying to lead everyone because I’m sort of looking forward to watching you fail. That’s how annoying you are.

Scorpio - Oct. 24 to Nov. 21 Uh oh, looks like you’ve got a Colin Robinson on your hands. Hey, by the way, have you seen the new Mr. Beast video?

Sagittarius - Nov. 22 to Dec. 21 Keep doing Reddit deep dives on conspiracy theories like you’ve been doing all summer. Those pesky graduation goals will surely work on themselves. Maybe you’ll even unlock a great secret that will get all your work done for you.

Capricorn - Dec. 22 to Jan. 19 Oh Cap, I can’t even be snarky with this one. Just try to be nice to yourself, okay? Evict that hyper-critical parent of yours from your head. Try replacing it with a fun, non-scary clown.

Aquarius - Jan. 20 to Feb. 18 “Golden living dreams of visions / Mystic crystal revelation / And the mind’s true liberation / Aquarius! Aquarius!”

Pisces - Feb. 19 to Mar. 20 You’re in the den of hyenas now, cricket. Sing your songs babe, everyone will listen. I promise.

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ARTS

arts@ufvcascade.ca Arts Editor — Sky Terrones

Movies //

Is Colony better than Train to Busan?

Comparing Yeon Sang-ho’s new zombie flick to the beloved 2016 classic CAITLYN CARR While it’s true that North America has released memorable zombie media — Dawn of the Dead (1978), The Walking Dead (2010-2022), and The Last of Us (2023-) among them — classics like Train to Busan (2016), Kingdom (2019-2020), All of Us Are Dead (2022-), and the newly released film Colony (2026) prove that nobody portrays zombies quite like South Korean studios do.

10 years after the release of Train to Busan, director Yeon Sang-ho has returned with yet another successful zombie movie. Colony follows professor Kwon Se-jeong (Jun Ji-hyun) as she attends a biotech conference that quickly spirals into undead chaos. Sealed off inside a mall, the survivors must locate the scientist who started it all (Koo Kyo-hwan) while fighting a colony of living dead operating through a hivemind.

With Train to Busan and Colony sharing both director and genre, the question on my mind before I walked into the theatre was: is Colony just an attempt to capitalize on the timeless success of Train to Busan, or is it actually worth the hype?

This was quickly answered when I saw how Colony depicts its zombies. At first glance — with their jarring movements, hissing gargles, poor eyesight, and crooked limbs — the monsters seem similar to the ones in Train to Busan. However, Yeon quickly reminds you that this is a completely different film with new and improved creatures. While the undead’s characteristics in Train to Busan remain fairly constant throughout, Colony introduces a new fear to keep you up at night:

what if zombies could not only communicate with each other, but also evolve?

The undead aren’t the only things that evolve in Colony. Seen through the white mucus spewing from the film’s grotesque monsters, the environment itself morphs and grows as the movie goes on, thus adding to the unsettling atmosphere. With pale slime coating much of the set and the creatures themselves, the mucus not only adds to the film’s overall aesthetic, but also serves as a visual reminder to never confuse Colony’s zombies with those in Train to Busan.

Another element I absolutely loved about Colony was the film’s score.

Composed by Chae Min-ju, the movie’s tense and chilling music amplifies the unsettling nature of the zombies and emphasizes their unpredictability with a uniquely alarming sound. Compared to Train to Busan — which features a chilling, adrenaline-inducing, yet intimately isolating score composed by Jang Younggyu — Colony’s leans into an overall epic, foreboding dark ambience.

The contrasts in Colony and Train to Busan’s scores highlight one of the biggest differences between the films. While Colony is no doubt worth the watch, it just doesn’t have the same emotional versatility that Train to Busan does. The few emotional scenes in Colony didn’t hit nearly as hard as the heartbreak I still feel every time I revisit Train to Busan.

Seriously, I don’t think a single movie makes me cry even half as much as that [REDACTED] movie does.

And Train to Busan is not only heartbreaking, it’s also funny. Right after crying with Su-an (Kim Su-an) as she

Photo courtesy of Well Go USA delivers one of the best performances I’ve ever seen from a 10-year-old, you can laugh at Ma Dong-seok’s portrayal of the hilariously hypermasculine Sang-hwa.

All of that to say, while Colony is undeniably entertaining (and definitely earns points with me for its compelling anti-AI message), the film lacks emotional range and I wasn’t as deeply invested in most of Colony’s characters — or maybe I just wanted Gong Yoo to show up to play another DILF. While Colony’s characters didn’t resonate with me as much as Train to Busan’s, there was one character who easily stole the show. Seo Young-chul — Colony’s brilliant antagonist — was the best part of any scene he appeared in. An unbothered shit-starter, Seo’s constant efforts to make things worse for everyone else were genuinely hilarious to watch. Beyond the

movie’s unique zombies, watching Koo — known for We Are All Trying Here (2026-) and Peninsula (2020) — play such an amusingly sociopathic role was my favourite part of Colony.

Okay, I’ll cut to the chase. Which movie is better — Train to Busan or Colony? The truth is, nothing can top Train to Busan. At the end of the day, I love media that makes me feel things, and while Colony is amazing in its own right, it just doesn’t hit the same. That being said, Colony is still 100 per cent worth the watch. It’s interesting, it’s visually and audibly satisfying, its cast puts on a great show — but most of all, it’s creative.

It’s something I haven’t seen before, and it further proves why, in my opinion, Korean writers and directors like Yeon have truly perfected the zombie genre.

Comic //

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Books //

Wet, hot Odyssey summer The journey of a three-thousand-year-old tale DARIEN JOHNSEN There were three weeks of summer left — three final weeks to engage in leisurely reading. “So, Darien,” I asked myself, “what’ll it be?”

Suddenly, a friend texted me: “Want to go see The Odyssey?” Thus, it was decided. Homer’s The Odyssey, written around 800 B.C.E., had been sitting for months in one of several stacks of books on my bedroom floor. I’d been avoiding it, convinced it would be, quite literally, an odyssey to get through.

But I was determined to read the book before seeing the film. And so it began.

To my surprise, it wasn’t as challenging as I thought. So fear not, interested readers — you too could enjoy reading The Odyssey! Accessible as the story is, part of my own pleasure came from nerding out over the multiple translations of this three-thousand-year-old Greek epic — so bear with me as I subject you to my hyperfixation. The first version I picked up was W.H.D Rouse’s. Published in 1937, this translation has a more classic, almost Tolkien-esque feel. I devoured it in a mere three days and immediately became determined to get my hands on the more modern Emily Wilson translation.

Published in 2017, Wilson’s translation is widely considered the most accessible for inexperienced readers. It’s also written in iambic pentameter, unlike Rouse’s prose. Because the original poem was primarily transmitted through oral bardic storytelling — think campfire tales, but in verse — Wilson’s use of iambic pentameter aims to authentically capture the original format.

Wilson’s translation has been criticized by some readers as being too feminist, and therefore inauthentic. But as she explains in her introduction: “My translation is, like all translations, an entirely different text from the original poem … [The Odyssey is] a poem that is deeply invested in female fidelity and male dominance.” And I agree — her framing clarifies the stakes of translation and the biases embedded in the original.

I trusted Wilson’s translation and was entranced by her thoughtful introduction, which added much-needed context and

20

Illustration by Sho Okano / The Cascade history. While I preferred Rouse’ for its classical tone, I’m extremely glad to have explored Wilson’s, and felt that the story itself remained virtually the same.

But enough dissection of form and translation — I want to tell you about my utter obsession with the tale itself.

The Odyssey put a spell on me (cue Screamin’ Jay Hawkins). Here is Odysseus: a “complicated man” (Wilson) but one who was “never at a loss” (Rouse).

The poem takes us through his long journey back home to Ithaca after 20 years spent lost at sea and war. He battles witches, sea monsters, cyclopes, and

unfriendly people — all in his pursuit to return to the loving arms of his loyal wife Penelope and teenage son Telemachus.

Up in Zeus’ palace — acting as the grand puppeteers — we meet the various Greek gods. As the story progresses, they argue, meddle, and throw literal tantrums while wrestling with their own actions and each other. Athena champions Odysseus’ return (and is maybe low-key in love with him?), Poseidon resents him, and Zeus deeply admires our weary traveller — but weirdly forgets him on some witch’s island for like, seven years.

What fascinated me most about reading The Odyssey was discovering a theology of imperfect gods. Here we see cranky, bitter beings who make mistakes and as a result, seem more human.

Many times I had to stop reading and stare at my ceiling for a while, just to think about the history and sociology of this ancient tale, set during the era of Greek colonization. Odysseus travels to strange lands, and encounters “lawless and violent tribe(s)” (Rouse). I found this to be a poignant parallel to more recent processes of Western colonization. This is a tale that explores ancient Greek culture, politics, traditions, and morality — with a heavy focus on hospitality.

But what I most pondered after my reading was the idea of home. Odysseus doesn’t rest in the idea of home when he reaches Ithaca — nor when he is reunited with Penelope and Telemachus, nor when he goes to see his father, nor when he destroys the suitors invading his estate.

It makes me wonder where home truly is for him, and for any of us. I’ve always thought of home as something you find within yourself, but I think there’s also something to be said about home being a certain place or way of life.

That’s the beauty of this story — it provokes us to ask philosophical, moral, and historical questions. It’s both a brain teaser and soother. And what an absolute trip to think that, to this day, our culture holds such deep love for a story that has travelled through centuries, civilizations, translations, and formats to speak to us now.

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ARTS Movies //

Spider-Man’s at his best when he’s sad Spider-Man: Brand New Day swung right into my heart JASLEEN SANDHU We all know that with great power comes great responsibility, but it must also be known that a great Spider-Man movie requires a heartbreakingly sad Peter Parker. I was teary-eyed for nearly the entire two and a half hours of SpiderMan: Brand New Day (2026), and it was fantastic.

Spider-Man is a superhero beloved by many, and while I’m a fan of all three Spider-Men (Tobey Maguire, Andrew Garfield, and Tom Holland), I think Brand New Day might just be the best SpiderMan movie yet. Maybe that’s nostalgia talking, since I grew up with Holland’s Spider-Man. I remember being a teenager going to watch Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017) and Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019), and steadily growing into adulthood for Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021). Now, in my 20s, very close to the age Peter Parker is in Brand New Day, I felt a deep connection with him.

While it is a superhero Marvel movie, Brand New Day feels like a coming of age story. Its emphasis on navigating young adulthood hit really close to home, especially in the way some lessons can only be learned through experience. Brand New Day feels like a gut-punch and a bone-crushing hug rolled into one; I don’t think any superhero except Spider-Man is quite capable of evoking such feelings.

Photo courtesy of Sony Pictures Entertainment The plot is executed with care, as the events of No Way Home carve out the path for Brand New Day. Peter Parker is utterly alone: Aunt May (Marisa Tomei) is gone, and his wish to erase himself from everyone’s memory has come true. He exists at the edges of his old life, watching who were once his best friend, Ned Leeds (Jacob Batalon), and his girlfriend, MJ

Photo courtesy of Sony Pictures Entertainment

(Zendaya), from a distance — holding himself back from the life he used to share with them, because he has to.

Loneliness and isolation are an integral part of the plot, as we witness Peter navigate a fractured sense of identity.

After everyone forgets who he is, Peter becomes consumed by the Spider-Man side of himself, dedicating his days and nights to helping New York.

I think Holland has been a consistent and great Spider-Man; he captures the strength and light-heartedness of the character, but Brand New Day is his best performance yet. He truly found his stride with this one.

While Spider-Man’s character deals with loss and longing, he’s still an unmistakably silly character. The heaviness of grief is prevalent throughout the movie, but it’s perfectly balanced with jokes, side-plots, and Spider-Man’s dynamic with Frank Castle/The Punisher (Jon Bernthal).

What’s remarkable about this project is its insistence that things are never just black and white — that villains and heroes can have overlap, and that someone like Frank complicates the very idea of what a “hero” looks like.

And it’s within that complexity that Peter’s defining trait becomes clear: he wants to protect people, no matter how morally grey they may be. Spider-Man

highlights that if we don’t save — or take care of — people first, how do we expect them to change for the better? He doesn’t necessarily take revenge on his enemies, instead he tries to help them. That, to me, symbolizes a beacon of hope that makes a hero profoundly super.

Brand New Day feels like it’s captured a deep truth about being in one’s 20s: life can be scary and hard, and we may feel the need to isolate ourselves to cope, but the best thing we can do is reach out — that asking for help isn’t a weakness, but its own kind of strength.

Besides the heartfelt message of the movie, it’s incredibly fun. The shots of Spidey swinging around New York made me feel like I was along for the ride with him which isn’t too surprising since elements of the film were inspired by the video games. The dialogue is serious, but it’s also hilarious, and those needle drops gave me chills — Tame Impala, Bad Bunny, Steve Lacy — what else could we ask for? Brand New Day is an absolute treat.

I think that I, alongside many others, needed this particular movie at this time in our lives. And until the next project featuring Spider-Man arrives, I’ll try my best to be as selfless and brave as him.

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WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2026

VOL. 34 // ISSUE 10

ARTS In Memoriam //

Bright lights, gone too soon 2026 has left fans grieving across every corner of pop culture feelings of otherness. His legacy lives on in every midnight screening, every fish2026 has been a year… and that’s saying net, every “Don’t dream it, be it.” nothing of the wars, climate collapse, and the oligarchy dead set on making us Sam Neill miserable. Life is hard enough without Sir, you defeated dinosaurs and cancer — parasocial grief, yet here we are — mourn- and pneumonia got you? I was crushed. ing legends like Catherine O’Hara, Eric Dr. Alan Grant is arguably the most Dane, Chuck Norris, Daveigh Chase, beloved character in the Jurassic Park Peter Cullen, Kaylee Hottle, Yayoi franchise, and Neill himself was a class Kusama, and so many others. act: kind, grounded, and quietly brilliant.

But as any true LATAM kid knows, His filmography is a buffet. Horror? In loss is felt, respected, and celebrated. So the Mouth of Madness (1994), Possession here’s a small in memoriam for a few (1981), Event Horizon (1997). Drama? icons who shaped my childhood and The Piano (1993), A Cry in the Dark (maybe) yours too.

(1988). Comfort? Wimbledon (2004),

SKY S. TERRONES

Bicentennial Man (1999). Comedy? Hunt for the Wilderpeople (2016). Prestige TV? Tim Curry was that cool uncle you wished Peaky Blinders (2013-2022).

STAT, Neill marathon. Not a suggesyou had — able to scare you senseless as Pennywise in IT (1990), then comfort you tion — a prescription. with the chaotic warmth of Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992). His IMDb page Bonnie Tyler reads like a treasure map: FernGully: The TURN AROUND, BRIGHT EYES. Who Last Rainforest (1992), Barbie and the hasn’t belted out Bonnie Tyler at least Three Musketeers (2008), the sole human once? “It’s a Heartache,” “Holding Out voice of Perry the Platypus, and of course, for a Hero,” “Total Eclipse of the Heart” the unforgettable Muppet Treasure Island — top‑ten karaoke staples, fight me.

(1996) and Clue (1985).

When her passing was announced, Beloved by the Broadway commu- my mind went straight to Shrek 2 (2004)’s nity, Curry’s stage legacy is vast. But his iconic climax, to hours of Just Dance, to crown jewel will forever be The Rocky Footloose (1984)’s tractor fight. A fierce Horror Picture Show (1975). After five ally to the queer community, her voice decades, his Frank‑N‑Furter remains a was thunder, catharsis, and camp, and queer cultural cornerstone — a beacon for it’ll echo in every dramatic key change every 2SLGBTQIA+ kid reconciling their attempted in the shower.

Tim Curry

Anthony Head (Photograph: Landmark Media/Alamy)

Anthony Head The past two years have been brutal for Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997-2003) fans — Michelle Trachtenberg last year, Nicholas Brendon earlier this year, the cancellation of the reboot — and then Anthony Head. It felt like the universe twisting the stake.

Head wasn’t just Giles. He was a powerhouse across stage (Chess (1988)), television (Merlin (2008-2012), Buffy), film (Repo! The Genetic Opera (2008)), and music. He was also a gentle soul: an advocate for animal welfare, a supporter of queer rights, someone who genuinely cared. My favourite story is of the trans fan who was stuck with an autograph in his deadname — Head invited him over and re-signed everything with his real name. What a king.

When in doubt, I still hear Giles’ kind, grounding, sound advice. So I’ll leave you my favourite: “To forgive is an act of compassion, Buffy. It’s not done because people deserve it. It’s done because they need it.”

Hayden Panettiere

Tim Curry (Photograph: 20th Century Fox/Allstar) 22

There aren’t enough words for the shock.

I had just seen a post celebrating Kirby’s return to Scream — one of my favourite characters — and then the news hit.

Hayden Panettiere was a constant on my TV: Heroes (2006-2010), Ice Princess (2005), Malcolm in the Middle (20002006), I Love You, Beth Cooper (2009), Racing Stripes (2005), Bring It on: All or Nothing (2006). Her voice alone was ever present: A Bug’s Life (1998), Dinosaur (2000), Until Dawn (2024), Kingdom Hearts. She was one of those early talents dealt a cruel hand, yet her comeback was luminous. She had just released a book about her experience as a child actor, addiction, and grieving her younger brother. At 36, she said she was ready to take on the world — and I believed her.

She was someone I’d have paid a ridiculous amount to meet at a con, just to tell her she was a badass.

If you’re revisiting Panettiere’s work, start with Remember the Titans (2000).

And if you want to honour her advocacy, watch The Cove (2009). A bi queen, a marine‑life defender, a fighter. With “Ssave the cheerleader, save the world” as the ultimate mission, it feels impossible to save the world now that she’s gone — but her legacy remains.

Parasocial grief is real. If you’re feeling the loss, reach out, feel deeply, celebrate the legacy of those who inspired you. I’ve been rewatching Heroes with my mum.….. Hayden’s actually her favourite.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2026

VOL. 34 // ISSUE 10

ARTS Music //

A folk-pop album for times of transition The Cascade chats with Billboard Charting B.C. artist Olivia Penalva about new album KARA DUNBAR On Aug. 28, Olivia Penalva released her third studio album, Exit Wounds. The record holds onto a strong pop core while weaving in more folk and rock influences than in her previous work. Across its 10 tracks, her reflective lyrics speak through guilt, grief, and growth that come with times of transition. Exit Wounds achieves a genuine overarching narrative, yet each individual song still stands comfortably on its own.

The album diverges from her previous work by leaning more into a folk-pop sound rather than her usual singer-songwriter pop. As the record progresses, the production subtly shifts more and more into folk, and the storytelling writing style naturally complements that direction.

One of the most noticeable changes is the addition of banjo — something Penalva told us her producer first brought into the demo, catching her off guard. What began outside her comfort zone quickly became a texture she loved, and by the end of the project, she felt it fit the story she was trying to tell. “I really wanted to step out of being that perfect pop persona and just be something — put sounds in that were just fun and different, and [that] felt right for the song.”

And that instinct becomes a recurring thread throughout Exit Wounds, gently softening the polish of her earlier work and opening the door to the album’s folk-leaning warmth.

Exit Wounds is Penalva’s first concept album, and its 10 tracks circle similar themes, revealing a quiet transition for anyone listening closely. Emotionally, I certainly felt a growing sense of lightness as the album went on — a fading hesitation and a gradual willingness to let go of the past. The singer’s confidence grows with each song. “Distance Makes a Love Story” and “Code Blue,” released as singles earlier this year, open the album and set its pop-folk tone. Her last album ended on a homesick note, and this one opens with “Distance Makes a Love Story,” which asks if it’s possible to go back, and “Code Blue” follows with the realization — and grief — of not being able to.

The lyrics hold everyday imagery, especially in songs like “Cold Tea” and “Waiting Rooms;” the emotional ties to those images are prominent. Penalva says that while she’s often thinking of what she

can talk about next, most of this imagery comes in the moment.

“I think [the images] just come to me as the feeling comes to me — ‘Code Blue’ was a good example, because at that time I was like, I just feel like I’m having an emotional Code Blue. That’s the only way I can explain it: like my past self, my emotional side of myself, is flatlined — and I’m feeling nothing or confused.

So it’s just these little things that kind of come in the moment.”

True to her word, the imagery arrives exactly when the feeling does. It’s an approach that feels honest, and the songs benefit from that immediacy.

“Mercy” felt the heaviest emotionally, carrying a sense of heartache and written like a conversation and an ask for forgiveness as the speaker makes an inevitable decision to leave. “Race Car Driver”, the seventh song, caught my attention as an invitation for people pleasers to take the risk they’re considering and push the limits of what they believe they can do, even if it means judgement from those around them.

The closing song was a standout, and my favourite by far; “Getting out of Dodge” reflects on a situation that, in retrospect, was never going to last, and on leaving a place that never belonged to you. It is upbeat — the kind of song you’d sing while driving down the highway with the windows down. It’s the one I found myself humming long after I’d finished the album.

Speaking of what she’d like listeners to take away, Penalva hopes the album can serve as a reminder to go easy on oneself and take accountability for one’s own responses.

“This album was so much about finally telling yourself: I am not responsible for all that happened to me, but I’m responsible for pulling myself out of it … it’s time to figure out who you are and let go of some of those things you were holding on to so deeply.”

Going back to the album after talking with Penalva, I found new appreciation for the narrative and sound progression — and listened a bit closer for the banjo that she was initially nervous about. The songs stand on their own, but the intentionally arranged album tells a sincere story. If you’re looking for a good new folk-pop album to keep you company on your commute, add Exit Wounds to your queue.

SHUFFLE Hey! Cam The Man back with another CIVL Shuffle. Over the past two years of The Cam the Man Show, nine artists I’ve played have climbed to number one on the CIVL Top 30, and 19 more have charted on the list without hitting the top spot. Here are a few more independent artists to check out.

Dani Black - “House” Dani is a B.C. artist I first discovered in 2024 during a performance in the SUS building, and she went on to become my very first guest on the show back on Apr. 9, 2024. Since then, she’s released her debut EP Against my Better Judgement (2026), which includes the track “House” — a song centred on emotional vulnerability.

Dani entered the CIVL Top 30 on Apr. 14, 2026, and as of Apr. 21, 2026, she sits at number one on the chart.

Nicky MacKenzie - “Grown” Up-and-coming B.C. pop artist Nicky Mackenzie debuted on The Cam the Man Show in August 2025 with her song “I Should Go.” This year she’s back with “Grown,” a track that reflects on the transition from adolescence into adulthood, touching on themes of heartbreak and self- reliance.

Melxdie - “BOY I KNEW” Toronto alternative rock/ pop-punk artist, Melxdie, recently released the FAILED ROCKSTAR (2026) EP. The track I’ve chosen is “BOY I KNEW” because it’s a song about heartbreak and personal turmoil, also described as a messy, raw, honest song. Melxdie is definitely an artist to look out for.

Catie St. Germain - “Salt in the Wound”

CHARTS 01. STEEL CUT OATS Okay Love You, Okay Bye 02. TAXI GIRLS STATIC 03. MAGI MERLIN POWER HOUSE 04. CEC BRIEFLY EP 05. LOV Iskwew 06. KRISTIN WITKO Lavender Town 07. BRETTYN ROSE The Wild West 08. 64 FUNNYCARS Happy Go Lucky 09. SONREAL Honest Work 10. NICKY MACKENZIE Morals 11. BREE TAYLOR Worship 12. LEEROY STAGGER Highlands Leaving 13. DANI BLACK AgainstMyBetterJudgement EP 14. CATIE ST. GERMAIN 100 Proof 15. PRAIRIE GAMBLE Prairie Gamble 16. JODY GLENHAM Still Here EP 17. CAT CLYDE Mud Blood Bone 18. SOOK-YIN LEE 72RHR 19. DOOHICKEY CUBICLE Good At It 20. MARY IN THE JUNKYARD Role Model Hermit Where your music taste matters

by CIVL’s Music Director, Stephen Munga.

Catie is a rising country artist from Winnipeg who performed the National Anthem at the CFL’s 2025 Grey Cup. “Salt in the Wound” is the track I chose because it’s a dance‑ready breakup song that focuses on the painful aftermath of a relationship. She joined me on The Cam The Man Show on Feb. 10, 2026, and she’s definitely another artist to keep on your radar.

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EVENTS CALENDAR

SEPTEMBER • TEMKW’Ó:LEXW 09

06:00PM - 07:00PM Open Mic Night @Sidekick Brewing,45530 Vedder Mountain Road, Chilliwack, BC

10

11:30AM - 02:00PM First Week Feast @Student Union Society, UFV Chilliwack Campus Building R,Chilliwack, BC

11

05:00PM - 09:00PM MCC Festival for World Relief @MCC, Tradex, 1190 Cornell St, Abbotsford, BC

12

09:00AM - 02:00PM MCC Festival for World Relief @MCC, Tradex, 1190 Cornell St, Abbotsford, BC 11:00AM - 10:00PM Oktoberfest @Old Yale Brewing, 33738 Laurel St, Abbotsford, BC

14

06:30PM - 08:00PM Trivia Night @Sidekick Brewing, 45530 Vedder Mountain Rd Unit 106, Chilliwack, BC

15

11:30AM - 02:30PM 2026 Graduate Studies Fair @UFV, Evered Hall Student Union Building (Building S), Abbotsford, BC

18

05:00PM - 10:00PM Taste of Abby Night Market Taste of Abby, Jubilee Park, 2552 McCallum Road, Abbotsford, BC 07:00PM - 09:00PM Sip and Slay @OK HAPPY Consignment, 1-33779 Essendene Avenue, Abbotsford, BC

19

08:00AM - 04:00PM Mt Lehman Fall Fair @ 6418 Mount Lehman Road, Abbotsford, BC

24

06:30PM - 08:30PM Kyler Pierce - Sidestage Live Music Series @Sidekick Brewing, 45530 Vedder Mountain Rd Unit 106, Chilliwack, BC

26

10:00AM - 03:00PM Mango Market Outdoor Season Closer @The Mango Market, 2884 Gladys Avenue, Abbotsford, BC

30

10:00AM - 03:00PM Stetís ímexstowx (Walk Beside Us) @32320 George Ferguson Way, Abbotsford, BC

NOTE: Some of the events require tickets, and most are online. If something catches your eye, take to the Internet for more details, including those about any safety measures for in-person events.

VIEW OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE DETAILS ON CURRENT EVENTS!