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What is soup?

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Person relaxing in a bathtub full of warm soup, surrounded by vegetables
ILLUSTRATION: Aliya Nourlan / The Peak

By: Izzy Cheung, Staff Writer

Recently, the debate of soup versus stew was brought up in The Peak’s online office space. Obviously, this caused a torrid discussion on why one or the other is better. More importantly, it sparked a question crucial to not just our staff but the rest of society as well — what exactly is soup? Does this question truly matter? Maybe not. But today, this grand soupy day, it does.

We can trace the origins of soup back to 20,000 BC, China, where a soup bowl was thought to be found in Xianrendong Cave. Since then, soup has become a popular dish throughout all cultures. From squash to the ever-famous tomato, soups are one of the best dishes — as a soup-er food, they squash the competition. 

However, certain soups are different from the rest — the chunks in a smooth slurp, one may say. Noodle dishes such as ramen or phở provide the warming comfort of soup and include whole, chunky ingredients that may push them away from the “soup” label. Even so, they make miso happy — so perhaps they could be considered stew. But can stew be considered a soup? As you sit around and stew over this question, let me enlighten you on my thoughts.  

Merriam-Webster defines soup as “a liquid food especially with a meat, fish, or vegetable stock as a base and often containing pieces of solid food.” On the other hand, their definition of stew is “fish or meat usually with vegetables prepared by stewing.” Would this not make stew a kind of soup? Perchance. 

Does this mean that chicken noodle soup is a stew? Would clam chowder also be considered a stew? Would vegetable stew even be considered stew? Are we not, then, the stew of life, brewing up our own day-to-day shenanigans? These are essential questions.

How do vegetables come into play? Kale, carrot, or other vegetable-based juices — would those be soups? No specific guideline says that soups must be warm, so would my smoothies be soups? They are liquid food, after all. Could the same be said for soups? Could a soup be considered a smoothie? Merriam-Webster says a smoothie is “a creamy beverage made of fruit blended with juice, milk, or yogurt,” eliminating a few types of soups. Since it’s a clear, brothy soup, chicken noodle soup can’t be considered a smoothie. But would soups made with milk or cream be considered smoothies? Cream of mushroom smoothie? Cream of corn smoothie? What about cream of wheat? Is that a soup? Oatmeal soup? WHAT IS SOUP???? 

With all this in mind, the world is full of soups, stews, and smoothies. A popular condiment, the blended beverage known as ketchup, is a smoothie. Puddles that form on the street, littered with sticks and mud from the Vancouver weather — these are soup. When we brush our teeth, scrubbing away at leftover food stuck in small crevices, the liquified toothpaste that’s left behind . . . that’s soup! If you put your mind to it, anything could be considered soup. And really, isn’t that a beautiful thing?

The next time you sit in a hot tub, lake, or any other body of water, despite enjoying the warmth of the jets pressing at your back, please consider this — at that moment, would you be a soup or a stew?

explorASIAN gallery hopping guide

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Peak Web
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A sculpture of a white teapot with the front half open with windows like a dollhouse with the navy polka dots on the interior wallpaper. Water is coming out of the spout like a fountain, into an orange clay dish. Leaned over above the dish, a copper sculpture is kneeling over it.
PHOTO: Gudrun Wai-Gunnarsson / The Peak

By: Petra Chase, Arts and Culture Editor

One of the best ways to reignite your sense of wonder is by visiting an art exhibit — or three. And I’ve got your next field trip covered! Last week, we toured exhibits surrounding Vancouver, and like the sunlight that day, there was no shortage of awe and insight to soak up. These exhibits are all part of the explorASIAN Festival, which is put together by Vancouver Asian Heritage Month Society, covering events across Metro Vancouver. Supporting and tuning in to the work of Asian artists is important year-round, and Asian Heritage Month festivities present the perfect opportunity to do so!

 

Colour and Vibrancy
Where: Taiwanese Cultural Centre at 8853 Selkirk St, Vancouver
When: Until May 31, Mon–Fri 10:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

A row of four vibrant oil paintings hanging on the wall featuring surrealist depictions of trees, landscapes, and at the front, a white bird taking flight over a body of water.
PHOTO: Gudrun Wai-Gunnarsson / The Peak

Do you need a reminder to be thankful for the cones in your eyes? In this solo exhibition, Taiwanese Canadian artist, John Wu-Tzanq Liaw’s oil paintings will do the trick. Liaw’s work consists of landscapes, silhouettes, and wildlife paintings that feel familiar yet otherworldly, as if you’re looking at the world through colour-enhancing lenses, and at times a fun-house mirror. I sat with each painting for a few minutes — drifting off into my imagination happened naturally with the tranquil atmospheres and surrealist, storybook-like style. For instance, I envisioned myself in the pastoral setting of “Familial Love,” as a bird perched on a cow’s back. Other pieces bring out the beauty in local settings: “Spring Rolls Out a Red Carpet” depicts a sidewalk decorated with pink petals like a celestial path. Liaw believes “all things in nature are beautiful to the keen observer” and seeks out to discover the “inner spirit” of nature.

A framed painting hanging on a wall depicting a calf feeding from a cow. There is a pelican on top of the cow and one in front. The background is surrealist with vibrant colors making a surrealist landscape.
PHOTO: Gudrun Wai-Gunnarsson / The Peak

You can view Liaw’s online art gallery at: https://johnliawgallery.com/gallery.php. 

 

Where Songs Surface: Uta ga umareru basho
Where: Nikkei National Museum & Cultural Centre at 6688 Southoaks Crescent, Burnaby
When: Until September 16, Tue–Sat 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. / Wed 10:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m. 

Photo of a row of square black and white photos on a wall printed on handmade paper. The front photo depicts a monkey walking in shallow, shimmery water, the monkey’s shadow reflected in the water.
PHOTO: Gudrun Wai-Gunnarsson / The Peak

This exhibit will transport you to rural village life in Japan, introducing you to the lives of some inhabitants. It features the lens-based collections and supplemental poetry of Masako Miyazaki and Yoshimi Lee, whose works are tenderly tethered to “time, place, and memory.” Miyazaki’s photography is based on rural folklore: the Toono legend of Futtachi is about a monkey-man hybrid who’s seen as a “scary monster.” Miyazaki’s platinum-printed photography flips this notion, offering a glimpse into Futtachi’s perspective. Standing in as Futtachi for the photoshoot is a monkey named Muku, who Miyazaki photographed around Kojima Island in Japan. As Muku belonged to a lower class in the monkey hierarchy, Miyazaki wrote that “Muku’s feelings also mirror my own difficult experiences as a recent immigrant.” His contemplative demeanor, reflected in the vast, surrounding nature, captures feelings of “depression, anger, and hope.”

Photo of a projector in a dark room transmitting a mountain landscape with a clear blue sky on the wall.
PHOTO: Gudrun Wai-Gunnarsson / The Peak

Lee’s work is nestled in a closed-off nook in the gallery, where you’re invited to sit on a straw stool, breathe in the breezy, serene moments projected onto the wall, and take part in a meditative visualization. The collection of short videos take you through Irokawa, a village with a population of around 400. Ambient sounds of nature, waterfalls, and footsteps up the mountains; a spark flickering and disappearing into darkness, a dog basking under the sun in deep sleep, and a curtain flowing in an open doorway — you feel almost as if you’re there. In a poem, Lee writes: My ancestors never visited Irokawa / Why does this place feel so familiar? [ . . . ] This is the hometown of our dreams.” In contrast to the bustling city life of Canada where she immigrated to from France, there is a sense of peace and gratitude that Lee exudes in tracing the footsteps of her ancestors to this quaint village with her daughters. 

Photo of the spacious room of an exhibit. Framed photographs line the walls.
PHOTO: Gudrun Wai-Gunnarsson / The Peak

Pro tip: Grab a snack and some groceries from the Japanese food store outside of the museum, take a breather in the garden out front, and don’t miss out on the Japanese book store upstairs!

 

a small but comfy house and maybe a dog
Where: Richmond Art Gallery at 7700 Minoru Gate #180, Richmond
When: Until June 11, Mon–Fri 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. / Sat–Sun 12:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.

A sculpture of a white teapot with the front half open with windows like a dollhouse with the navy polka dots on the interior wallpaper. Water is coming out of the spout like a fountain, into an orange clay dish. Leaned over above the dish, a copper sculpture is kneeling over it.
PHOTO: Gudrun Wai-Gunnarsson / The Peak

The title is a quote from a letter Amy Chin-Yan Lam, artist and writer, wrote and put in a time capsule at the age of 11. We probably spent the longest time at this exhibit; the eclectic installments and writings, linking Lam’s childhood self with her adult self and history with the present, came together like puzzle pieces. Deconstructed teapots and hollowed-out gourds furnished like dollhouses, an entry in her grade school newspaper about women taking over the world, and a USB shoplifted from the British Museum gift shop showcase Lam’s spunky personality.

Photo of a large paper bulletin with printed text hung on the wall. The bulletin features three columns of articles with the headline “Student Voice.” The first column is an article written by Lam. The headline says “Womens’ rights group takes over the continent of Europe.”
PHOTO: Gudrun Wai-Gunnarsson / The Peak

Of course, the first thing you will see is an animation loop of an adorable sleeping dog. I quickly learned that this dog is based on Lam’s short novel, Looty Goes to Heaven, which is based on the true story of a Pekingese dog named “Looty” who was stolen by British colonizers in Beijing during the Opium Wars in 1860 and gifted to Queen Victoria. The name “Looty” references the word “loot” describing objects stolen during war. This story points out the link between dog breeding and Western eugenics, which tie back to the theme of colonialism. Ironically framed in the exhibit is the rejection letter from Buckingham Palace to loan the exhibit a painting of Looty that was originally stolen from Beijing. 

A photo of the entrance to the exhibit. The front wall is green and has the name of the exhibit and additional details in both English and Chinese alphabet. There is both a ramp and a small staircase leading down into the spacious exhibit.
PHOTO: Gudrun Wai-Gunnarsson / The Peak

Purchase Looty Goes to Heaven online at Art Metropole’s website for $12. Support Lam on her website, https://amylam.me/ and Instagram, @amychingyan.

Former vice president external and community affairs disapproves of SFSS budget cuts

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This is a photo of the SFSS offices. Their logo is printed in large letters on the window.
PHOTO: Gudrun Wai-Gunnarsson / The Peak

By: Isabella Urbani, Staff Writer

Former vice president external and community affairs, Eshana Baran, made several Twitter posts to inform students of sizable cuts in the Simon Fraser Student Society’s (SFSS) draft of next year’s budget. The new budget for 2023/24 cut funding for several committees including equity, BIPOC, and academic affairs. 

Baran’s first post noted that, in unusual fashion, Council received the drafted preliminary budget only the day before it was set to be voted on at the May 26 Council meeting.   

“Typically, the vice-president finance leads the society through an extensive consultation process to create the budget,” said Baran to The Peak. It is “then brought to the executive committee for recommendations, and finally to the Council for approval.” Instead, both the executive committee and Council received the budget at the same time, which Baran called “undemocratic” and “untransparent.” 

In the initial draft, more than half of the committee cuts were made to equity, BIPOC, and academic affairs spending. Last year, all three of these committees each operated with a $10,000 budget. Under next year’s plan, the equity committee’s budget would be halved to $5,000, the BIPOC committee to $2,500, and the academic affairs committee to $1,000. Meanwhile, $90,000 was added to the large-scale events budget.

“The importance of [the equity, BIPOC, and academic affairs] committees cannot be overstated, as they work tirelessly to support marginalized communities and foster a more inclusive and equitable campus environment,” said Baran. These same committees played a major role in “the Gondola Campaign, the team name change solidarity campaign, and the support of Black and Indigenous student rights and campaigns.”

Baran did inquire with the vice president finance as to why cuts were being made, specifically, to the equity and BIPOC committees, but did not receive any “clear answers.” Taking measures into her own hands, Baran shared a Zoom link to the May 26 Council meeting on Twitter and called on SFU students to dispute the budget. 

“Budgets reflect the political and organizational priorities of a society,” said Baran. “When discretionary budget cuts are made to one area and not another, it sends a message that the area being cut is valued less.”

Due to her online lobbying, Baran was able to make amendments that “restored the budget amounts for the affected committees.” The BIPOC and academic affairs budgets will be raised to $4,500 and $6,000 respectively, while the equity budget will be fully reinstated. 

Baran noted on Twitter she was “attacked” by a fellow Council member at that same meeting while attempting to make a separate motion for the Migrants Student United, a club the SFSS had previously supported. The councillor in question “used a delay tactic to disrupt the meeting as part of a wide effort to end the meeting early, preventing the budget motion proposed, and other motions presented to the Council, from being discussed and voted on,” according to Baran. 

The meeting eventually lost quorum — the minimum number of participants needed — after the chair, Abhishek Parmar, left during the incident. “The chair should have intervened during the meeting by addressing the disruptive behaviour and maintaining order,” said Baran, who later posted an emergency Zoom link on Twitter to try to continue the meeting. 

When asked if the SFSS has a tendency to neglect marginalized communities, Baran agreed, but wasn’t “certain whether this neglect is purposeful.” She did, however, say the budget cuts “suggest that [the] concerns [of marginalized communities] are not being given the attention they deserve.”

“The next step should involve revisiting the budget cuts and restoring the full funding to committees that represent marginalized communities,” said Baran. 

Acting vice president Abhishek Parmar was contacted by The Peak for comments but declined to respond.

Horoscopes May 23 – 28

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An illustration of a girl with long flowing hair. Astrological signs and stars shine around her.
ILLUSTRATION: Marissa Ouyang / The Peak

By: Hana Hoffman, Peak Associate

Aries – Aster

You’re an aster, and you like to move faster! Every task you face is a day to race, and nobody else can match your pace. But be careful, doing everything in a hurry may cause you to act recklessly. 

Taurus – Tulip

You’re a tulip, and you’re also too lit. Every day’s a party with you at SFU. You come in all kinds of colours and you’re always photo-ready. Keep coming out and opening your petals to all sorts of summer fun activities.  

Gemini – Gladiola

I am glad to tell you that you are a tall and proud gladiola. When it comes to your potential, the limit does not exist. You’re the kind of flower that always strives for the best, and you’ll gladly grow until you reach the stars!

Cancer – Chrysanthemum

You’re a chrysanthemum — more solid than a crystal, and your stem is so strong, just like your work ethic in STEM classes. It’s going to take a lot more than a pesky error in your code to knock you down.

Leo – Lilac

This whole time you’ve been telling me you’re a larkspur; a graceful, colourful plant with poisonous seeds . . . Well, I just found out you’re actually a lilac. Don’t lie like that. You’re pretty and harmless. You’re too funny Leo . . . I never know whether you’re being real or sarcastic. Why do you lie like that, lilac?

Virgo – Viola

You’re a viola — the flower, not the instrument. You’re a social flower who likes to be around all your buds in all kinds of colours. Have you considered starring in the Disney film She’s All That? You should.

Libra – Larkspur

You’re the bright intelligent larkspur! The spark to every firework, the lit up lightbulb to every idea, and the miracle maker in every group project. Even cats like you; they call you larkspurrr. However, your classmates should think twice about ghosting you until the night before the project is due. You may be cute, but you’re also toxic.

Scorpio – Spray mum

You’re cultivating your best academic self. You take good care of your laptop, textbooks and stationery, and always ensure you’re as hydrated as a hydrangea for maximum academic growth. A spray mum of one: your grades. You take care of them and watch them grow!

Sagittarius – Snapdragon

You’re a snapdragon, and all fired up for this summer! You keep everybody else’s summer fun and lit as well, by lighting fireworks & sparkling candles, starting up the barbeque, warming up the outdoor pool, and most importantly, keeping us hawt! Whether you’re taking courses or taking the semester off, you never miss a chance to break a sweat.

Capricorn – Cosmo

You’re a cosmo flower, colourfully bright and cosmic. You generally bloom and grow every time the summer semester exam season comes around. So, that’s probably when you’ll flourish every year!

Aquarius – Amaranthus

Long and strong, graceful and peaceful, you’re an amaranthus. A laid-back and relaxed flower that slowly gets brushed by the wind. Your strength is going with the flow of homework.

Pisces – Peony

Pisces, you’re the awesome peony flower! You remind me of an old tune; sing along if you know it: My little peony, friendship is magic. You’re a peony, and you love to party. Let’s ride a pony at the PNE.

Need to Know, Need to Go: May–June

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Illustration of a blue calendar, with "Need to Know, Need to Go" written on top
Arts & Culture events to catch around the city. Image courtesy of Brianna Quan

By: Petra Chase, Arts & Culture Editor

Arts in the Garden
Where: 13 garden spaces in the North Shore
When: May 27 and May 28, 12:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.

What better way to spend a sunny day than at a community garden party with music, art displays, workshops, activities, and performances rooted in the land? This 24th annual event features 75 artists responding “directly to place and environment.” Find the list of all thirteen garden locations on the North Van Arts website, with each location following a theme reflecting a local gardener’s work, ranging from organic to “feathers and fungi.” Specific accessibility info for each garden is displayed on each web page. There will be “workshops exploring the relationship between birds and mushrooms in partnership with Wild Bird Trust of BC,” like the mushroom olfactory play workshop and fungi-inspired meditation at Maplewood Flats. There’s so much more to peruse on their website!

 

Bottled Lightning album launch
Where: The Fox Cabaret at 2321 Main St, Vancouver
When: May 30, doors open at 7:00 p.m., show at 8:00 p.m. 

Tawahum, a Łutsel kʼe Dene and Plains Cree poet and musical artist, released their long-awaited album, Bottled Lightning, on March 5. This debut hip-hop album is full of nimble, powerful spoken word and rap about their arrest over their land protection work battling the front lines of the Trans Mountain pipeline, “a project that is both a violation to Indigenous rights and our climate.” They’ll be joined at the Fox Cabaret with album collaborators: Kimmortal, Khingz, HK Higher Knowledge, and Adrian Avendaño on the drums. There will also be performances from Ḱesugwilakw and Dani Lion. Tickets are $15 and you can contact Tawahum on Instagram at @Tawahum for discount codes, as “no one [will be] turned away for lack of funds.”

 

Indigenous Artisans Market
Where: Bill Reid Gallery at 639 Hornby St, Vancouver
When: June 10, 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Support local Indigenous artists at the Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art’s trademark event. A walk away from SFU’s Vancouver campus, the event will feature art from “a variety of mediums, including weaving, carving, jewelry-making, beading, painting, and printmaking.” And while you’re there, check out their current exhibits: Bright Futures and Matriarchs Seen and Unseen, as well as the permanent SFU Bill Reid Collection of the Haida artist and sculptor. Look out for more information on their website on individual vendors, as they will be announced soon! Find more information about accessibility on their “Accessibility” page.

 

Kariton Art Gallery: Chromatic Dreamscapes and Solitude 
Where: Kariton Art Gallery at 2387 Ware Street, Abbotsford
When: Chromatic Dreamscapes runs until May 27 & Solitude runs until June 30, Thursday to Saturday, 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

The Kariton Art Gallery has two exciting exhibits on display currently. Chromatic Dreamscapes compiles “a whimsical alphabet series by Glenna Lundberg, bold colours and patterns by Amelia Ilnicki, and the dreamy surrealism of Jacqueline Stuerzl.” Solitude features the work of Adele Fussi, a senior and Indigenous artist who discovered a love for painting during the start of the pandemic. Fussi “claims it must be her Cree heritage that inspires her to paint the majestic Coastal and Rocky Mountains.” Both exhibits are also available online. You can also purchase the artists’ works and visit the online gift shop at the gallery’s website!

 

rEvolver Festival
Where: The Cultch at 1895 Venables St, Vancouver
When: May 24–June 4, various times 

Upintheair Theatre, a non-profit theatre company dedicated to “lifting and empowering the next live performance generation,” is organizing a festival consisting of 10 shows by artists “who share a common aim to reinvent conventional theatre modes.” From drag, dance, and comedy, to an interactive website experience and online karaoke night, there are both in-person and remote options. Mainstage titles include Discounted Hotpot Centre (an “immersive culinary experience” — free hotpot served after the show) and Catfish (an “earnest exploration of identity and self-love” in ASL and English). Tickets range from $15–$30.

 

Confession Publique
Where: Scotiabank Dance Centre at 677 Davie St, Vancouver
When: May 26 and 27, 8:00 p.m.

This award-winning contemporary solo dance was created by Mélanie Demers and performed by Angélique Willkie, exploring “themes of privacy and secrecy, delving into the marshy depths of the psyche in a revolt against the vulgar self-exposure that bombards us every day.” Willkie shared, “We explore the spaces between things and how to navigate them. As a Black artist and woman, I don’t fit into the definitions imposed by society. That’s an important part of my collaboration with Mélanie. We’re both interested in the grey areas.” This performance is hosted by plastic orchid factory, an “artist-run organism that uses the body as a site for research and expression.” Tickets start at $10.

Capitalism impacts more than just the finances of the unhoused

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A group of people pictured around each other, hands extended toward the center to do a cheer.
PHOTO: Dio Hasbi Saniskoro / Pexels

By: Izzy Cheung, Staff Writer

Content warning: brief mention of domestic violence.

Vancouver may not be the most expensive Canadian city to live in anymore, but that doesn’t mean the cost of living here is reasonable. On average, a single person’s monthly costs even out to around $1,400 without rent. Housing is an entirely different beast, with two-bedroom rentals in Vancouver going for around $2,850 a month. With this in mind, we must be more attentive and empathetic toward the needs of unhoused communities, rather than ignoring them.

The term “unhoused” tends to strike up a specific image — one that focuses on people’s outer appearances and ignores their humanity. Often, this generalization isn’t intentional, but something we have been conditioned to think due to recurring depictions in media and culture. This image fails to consider the different experiences encountered by those who have become unhoused. Being unhoused doesn’t equate to being out of work, and it certainly doesn’t make someone a non-contributor to society. 

We are raised to believe the unhoused are responsible for their own circumstances, when there are so many other factors that contribute to becoming unhoused, such as: cost of living, health issues, and displacement due to domestic abuse. However, it’s not often considered that the unhoused have little-to-no control over the circumstances that place them in their position. Why is this the case? 

Social power can come from finances (having a job, owning a house), social status (connections, popularity), or knowledge (education, literacy) — and often an individual’s ability to obtain these is dependent on their background. Those who come from privilege are granted better access to the resources that will help them gain power, such as being able to pay their way through university, allowing them to take the extra steps needed to earn money. 

North America is a capitalist society that prioritizes the accumulation of wealth. At a young age, we’re often taught that we need to go to school, get a high-paying job, and work until we are “successful.” When people are financially successful, it’s viewed as well deserved. Under capitalism, individuals who aren’t actively going out and accumulating more capital are deemed as unproductive, and therefore deserving of being unhoused.  

Because capitalism requires the extraction of labour, it preys on the unhoused by using them as an example of unproductivity. It shifts the responsibility of one’s well-being to the individual. This fuels societal beliefs that depict the unhoused in a negative way. In reality, systemic structures like housing prices, social stigmas, and more, bar more and more people from making enough money to sustain a living. Because they are pictured as not prioritizing job hunting — and are often much more scrutinized for using their hard-earned money — the unhoused are unfairly thought of as “not contributing” to society. 

Moreover, the social construct of safety and class discriminates against unhoused communities. These social constructs are used to justify violence toward the houseless community because of the misconception that being unhoused is simply a result of bad choices that are easily overcome. Being unhoused is not a product of choice, it is a product of a system that doesn’t care for people properly — one that prioritizes the capital gain of upper class ranks, rather than helping out those in need. It’s a reverse-Robin Hood system that only we can fix by fighting against the stereotypes embedded in our society. We need to learn to separate media images of the unhoused from the actual people being incorrectly represented. 

We’re all being taken advantage of by the same systems, but some experience these effects more than others due to the situations they have been placed in. We live in a flawed society that produces flawed beliefs about those who do not “align” with the beliefs of the system — and it’s about time we recognize that. People in positions of power make the decisions for those whose lives they’ve never lived a single day in. Unhoused people deserve to have policies and solutions in place that genuinely prioritize their long-term well-being, rather than having to fight for their basic human rights and dignity. This could include solutions like social housing or subsidized housing, rent control, and requiring employers to pay a living wage. As a marginalized group, policies should be put in place to protect them rather than making them more vulnerable. 

Burnaby announces more funding towards constructing First Peoples’ Gathering House at SFU

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This is a photo of the construction site for the First Peoples’ Gathering House. An excavator is sitting on the ground scoping dirt.
PHOTO: Harsahil Dhillon / The Peak

By: Eden Chipperfield, News Writer

On April 22, 2023, Burnaby’s acting mayor, Sav Dhaliwal, announced $5-million of funding for constructing the First Peoples’ Gathering House at SFU Burnaby.

The construction and funding of the First Peoples’ Gathering House at SFU is part of the city of Burnaby’s commitment towards Truth and Reconciliation. “As a city, we are committed to working with Indigenous peoples, particularly with the First Nations on whose territory the City of Burnaby is now located, to build positive and meaningful relationships,” commented Mayor Mike Hurley. 

The Peak interviewed Raven King Stierle from the SFU First Nations, Métis and Inuit Student Association (FNMISA) regarding the construction and purpose of the First Peoples’ gathering house. 

“The [First Peoples’ Gathering House] shows that SFU is making efforts towards reconciliation and that they recognize the responsibility they have to provide Indigenous students, faculty, and community members with a safe environment for us to thrive in,” Stierle explained. “It’s a relationship, and they’re [SFU] showing us that they’re invested in a relationship with us.”

On Orange Shirt Day in 2020, SFU held a ground awakening ceremony for the First Peoples’ Gathering House. At the time, treasurer Kali Stierle told The Peak, “There was no proper outreach to hearing Indigenous student voices and [ . . . ] a lack of representation at their meetings of Indigenous students [ . . . ] They need to be hearing what is proper protocol within the Host Nations, especially when it comes to creating a ceremonial space.”

Ouri Scott is the lead designer of the First Peoples’ Gathering House project. Scott is noted as one of the first Indigenous women architects who focuses on incorporating Indigenous design and culture in their work within BC. “The intent for this building is to create a ceremonial space on campus, and there are so many design elements that make it that,” commented Stierle. “We’ll be able to smudge and hold the ceremony inside. There’s space for carvers to create their art, space for dancing and drumming.”

SFU president Joy Johnson commented on SFU’s commitment to reconciliation: “Reconciliation is a shared responsibility. I am grateful for every partner and collaborator helping us build a safe and welcoming cultural space for Indigenous students, faculty, staff, and community members.” The project is part of SFU’s Truth and Reconciliation commitment report, Walk This Path with Us.  

“It was a journey to where we are, to get where we are, to get the relationship to where it is now. The FNMISA was open about how we felt consultation was going earlier in the project, and we advocated for our voices to be heard,” Stierle explains. “SFU has been receptive, and we’re happy that they are making an effort and showing they’re open to doing the work needed.”

The original conception of building the First Peoples’ Gathering House was through discussions with Indigenous Elders and Local Nation Knowledge Keepers. SFU News noted these discussions worked to recognize Indigenous students’ journeys, cultures, and experiences with higher education. The building is designed in the Coast Salish tradition. It will include a ceremonial entry, a Great Hall for holding significant events of up to 300 people, an Elders room, a classroom, and more facilities. 

Matt Kieltyka, assistant director and external communications at SFU, provided a statement on behalf of the university regarding the First People’s Gathering House. “The host Nations have a deep, long, and connected history with the mountain campus but historically there have been few dedicated spaces across SFU’s campuses for Indigenous peoples to gather, study, and connect with one another. These spaces provide a sense of belonging, where Indigenous students can thrive, feel safe and welcome. For newcomers/settlers, they foster a greater understanding of Indigenous peoples and culture, provide a dedicated place to attend campus-wide cultural events, and elevate the shared journey of Truth, Reconciliation and Indigenization.” 

The Peak asked Stierle what SFU students and staff can further do to educate themselves on the purpose of the Gathering House. “Read the SFU report Walk This Path with Us Report to understand why this space is being built on campus. Read the TRC Commission Calls to Action. Understand why we need this space, and what this is a response to: the ongoing colonization of Indigenous Peoples by Canada,” noted Stierle. 

Renting alone? In this housing market?

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Poster with an alien illustration that says “I can’t stay! I need to pay the rent. #CasaDeBalneario”
PHOTO: Max Böhme / Unsplash

By: Izzy Cheung, Staff Writer

BEAUTIFUL 0 bed 0 bath apartment in Downtown Vancouver! 

Channel your inner downtown material girl, and rent this beautiful private apartment in the heart of Vancouver! Situated only steps away from Waterfront station, you’ll enjoy 400-square-feet of space that treats you to scenic views of Coal Harbour from the 35th floor of the building (elevator not included). Minimum 25-month lease. 

Your favourite part of this apartment will definitely be the door! With only one doorknob, this unique feature allows for complete privacy from others within the building (limited locking capacity, key not included). You’ll also love the windows, which are included in the monthly rent. 

The excellent floor plan, designed specifically by us, sees that convenience is king in this apartment. Not only will you be able to sleep in your living space — you won’t have to worry about getting up to use the bathroom! The toilet and sink, which both work properly, can be found beside the refrigerator. One of the nicest amenities of this apartment is the state-of-the-art shower curtain! 

Access to public transportation is only a couple blocks away — by “blocks,” we mean roadblocks, since there’s always some construction going on down here. Renting this apartment will also give you access to one underground parking space (only available on Thursdays, Sundays, and Wednesdays, as the other days are rented out to a different tenant — space downtown is expensive nowadays, you know!) 

The ample balcony space (6ft) allows for just enough room to entertain you and your closest friend! (Your closest friend being your neighbour, with whom you’ll share the balcony). As there are very few warm months in Vancouver, we’ve taken the liberty of removing the air conditioning from the apartment, reducing your monthly fee by a whopping 2%. Talk about being the hottest commodity! 

This apartment is ideal for students. Not only do the grey walls resemble SFU classrooms, but it’s also an exceptionally reasonable $4,500 per month (move-in and strata fees not included). 

If downtown living isn’t your vibe, check out our next posting! 

Quaint, PRIVATE 1 bed 5 bath cottage with lots of privacy! 

Step away from the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy the gorgeous views of nature from our quaint cottage. Only (236) minutes away from the local market, this house puts you directly in the thick of the countryside, where you can truly connect with nature. Space reigns supreme here, with at least 500-square-feet of land belonging solely to you! (And us, since we’re the owners — but you don’t have to worry about that). This living space will allow you to truly reach deep and discover your roots as a citizen of planet Earth. 

Unlike a small apartment, this house comes with not one but TWO doors! The main entrance has one doorknob, while the back door has three. Keys only work at the main entrance. Moreover, to gain a better appreciation of nature, this house only has one window, which is located in the second bathroom on the second floor. Go outside and touch grass; there’s plenty of it around you! 

This house boasts some of the best kitchen floors in the world. Made from an oiled, varnished, and panelled cedar, the hardwood will ensure that you only slip on it a couple of times a week rather than every day — just make sure you wear socks with grippies! 

Rent for this house comes to $2,136 per month, with a $1000 increase per guest. $3000 fine if entering the basement — if you come in the basement while activities are in process, talk to us, and we can reach an agreement. 

Compose yourselves for another Dear Peakie

By
Peak Web
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0
Woman jamming out to music in her earphones
PHOTO: Marcelo Chagas / Pexels

By: Maya Beninteso, Peak Associate and Peak Swiftie (not yet trademarked)

Dear Peakie, 

Mother’s Day just passed, and my bio mom is frustrated that I also sent a card and flowers to Taylor Swift. How do I explain that while she will always be my mom, Taylor Swift will never stop being MOTHER to all the Swifties and me?

Sincerely, 

STREAM THE MIDNIGHTS ALBUM NOW

 

Dear STREAM THE MIDNIGHTS ALBUM NOW,

That’s quite the champagne problem you’ve got there. As an experienced Swiftie myself, I know this all too well, seeing as I went through this with my bio mom, too. That said, there is only one correct solution, and unfortunately, it will take time. Firstly, drop everything now, apologize and explain how much you love your bio mom. Then, you’re going to carefully classically condition your bio mom (hear me out, okay?). Play a Taylor Swift song in the background whenever you do something nice for her. Slowly but surely, your bio mom will associate Taylor Swift with being happy (which should’ve been her normal reaction from the start, tbh). Not only will you have a bio mom that understands the importance of MOTHER, but she will also likely send Taylor Swift flowers next Mother’s Day.

It’s exhausting always being the Anti-Hero,

Peakie

 

Dear Peakie, 

I was wearing headphones on the SkyTrain and forgot to get off at Production Way-University. I couldn’t hear the voice saying “last stop” over the medieval folk rock I was listening to. Where is the train taking me? Will I ever be able to escape? Am I trapped forever (hopefully not because my playlist only has 368 songs . . .)? Please help me. 

Sincerely,

Lost In Both Song and Metro Vancouver 

 

Dear Lost In Both Song and Metro Vancouver,

“Where is the train taking me?” That does seem to be the ultimate question, and the answer is simple: you are the conductor. You’ve given up control of your life, and need to regain it. Harness it. Embody it. The train isn’t taking you anywhere; you’re simply letting it. My advice? Stop the train, and stop this external locus of control nonsense. Otherwise, enjoy the remaining songs on your playlist and don’t stifle your sobs during the jarring Spotify advertisements (repression isn’t your friend). 

Dance to the beat of your own drum,

Peakie 

 

Dear Peakie, 

Ever since the first season of Glee, I always knew I was destined to express myself through song. However, my physics professor disagrees. He has asked me to stop suddenly bursting into song during his lectures and said it was “inappropriate” for me to recreate the Montero music video in class. However, I disagree because that is my process as an artist, and I’m not doing the lap dance part, just the part with the pink wig. How do I get my professor to respect my talent?

Sincerely, 

Rachel Berry is My Idol

 

Dear Rachel Berry is My Idol,

Thank you for calling me when you need.

I’m assuming you’re a gold star student and already know Newton’s third law, where every action has an equal or opposite reaction. It seems that you’ve encountered an opposite reaction, which, honestly, there shouldn’t be in this scenario. Maybe your prof needs a lesson; consider this your call to action. If Glee has taught anyone anything (besides that, Don’t Stop Believin’ is OP), it’s this: a lesson plan fixes everything. The theme, you may ask? Don’t Rain on My Parade — of course — where the objective is to see things from the perspective of others (a skill in which your prof possesses a great deficit). Perform to your heart’s content, and if your sweeping performance doesn’t persuade him right away, just don’t stop believin’. 

No slushie facials from me,

Peakie

CONFESSIONALS: I still play Candy Crush

By
Peak Web
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0
Person holding phone, smiling at the screen, surrounded by candy
ILLUSTRATION: Christina Cao / The Peak

By: Isabella Urbani, Staff Writer

I never thought I’d be in this position. I was merely a child when the game launched in 2012 — the same year the world was allegedly supposed to end. But . . . what if it did? What if Candy Crush is all we have left? You ever wonder why NO ONE has beaten the game? Not even the OG’s. I know what you’re thinking. It can’t be. But it is. 

Look at your phone. Really, look closely. You see it, too, don’t you? That tacky blue icon. Those three candies enshrined in a glowing light. Kind of like a halo. A halo shrouded in DARKNESS. 

Listen, I don’t know how the app got on my phone, either. Last thing I remember, I was making some sly remark about how easy the game is and wondering how anyone could ever want to play more than a single lev . . . 

How am I on level 240 already? OKAY, SERIOUSLY, WHAT IS GOING ON?!?! 

240 levels in one day? That’s enough screen time for today. You know what? I’m done playing this ridiculous, captivating, addictive game for li—

Oh my gosh, that’s so cute! You can send friend requests? 

What the heck? Snap out of it. This is an app, for crying out loud! I’m acting like a millennial discovering Facebook. Decline. But, oh, look! They sent me a life. How sweet. Maybe I should message them and ask how their parents are doing; it’s been a while since we last ta—

CURSE YOU, GAME!!! I DON’T EVEN KNOW THIS PERSON. STOP MAKING MY YA WATTPAD FANTASIES COME TO LIFE!

I just need to walk away. Yeah, that’s a good idea. I’ll just walk away from my phone and . . . No. That won’t work. I need my phone. I’ll just delete the app. YEAH, THAT’S IT. One click of a button and woof, that wasn’t so hard after all. I can’t believe I wasted so much time worrying that the app was actually alive. Can you imagine? 

Is exactly what I would have said if the app had ACTUALLY deleted itself. 

I think it’s upset with me now. The app is glowing red. It wasn’t glowing red before, was it? Maybe it’s an update. Do they even update apps this old? 

But why is it the only app on my phone that prevents me from deleting it ? Did Apple buy Candy Crush or something? It’s probably like that U2 album that was pre-downloaded on iPhones. 

HOW AM I ON LEVEL 500?!?!!!!

I’M NOT EVEN PLAYING RIGHT NOW. The game’s gone meta. THE GAME’S GONE META. I’m candy-crushing even when I’m not candy-crushing. I’m not rearranging my food cabinets to reach my favourite cereal; I’m trying to release the seven Gummi Dragons in 20 turns. 

19, 18 . . . blinks count as moves now? I’ve been commodified. It’s like I’m living in my own personal Henry Ford and Frederick Taylor nightmare. That’s why no one ever talks about playing Candy Crush. It’s not because of the embarrassment. It’s because they can’t. How would anyone know? 

I MUST WARN THE OTHERS WHILE I STILL HAVE TIME. Do exactly as I say:

Stripped Candy. Wrapped Candy. Colour Bomb. Jelly Fish. Coconut Wheel. 

Now go, spread the word. 

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Simon Fraser University’s independent student newspaper since 1965.

Contact us: [email protected]

© The Peak Publications Society 1965-2024

Simon Fraser University’s independent student newspaper since 1965.

Contact us:
[email protected]

© The Peak Publications Society 1965-2024