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

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Peak Web
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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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Peak Web
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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

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Peak Web
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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

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Peak Web
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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. 

I don’t want two-factor authentication

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Peak Web
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Student holding head in hands surrounded by number representing the MFA authentication codes
ILLUSTRATION: Alyssa Umbal / The Peak

By: Saije Rusimovici, Staff Writer

Mission: Impossible — Rogue 2FA Code

Whoever developed two-factor authentication (2FA) must have been trying to hide some serious shit. The service requires an alternate method of sign-in, like a code sent to your email or an alternate password. This might not be too bad if the password was something simple, instead of a combination of numbers so complex I doubt a codebreaker could understand. As for alternate passwords, I’ve locked myself out of my Apple ID, like, five times in the last three months. What makes anyone think I have the brain power to keep yet another password stored up there? Yes, yes, I realize I could write them down, but I usually use Goodnotes, and I’m sure we’re not far away from throwing a few passwords to log onto that too (as if anyone wants to see my sparse health science lecture notes from three semesters ago). Now, this may have come in handy for secret agents like James Bond and Mission: Impossible era Tom Cruise. But for an average person like me!? 2FA is stressful and a painful waste of time. 

Since when did logging into my Canvas account become as complicated as getting into a CIA database? I mean, I feel honoured that my information is important enough to require multiple passwords to access it. If anyone wants to look at my mediocre grades, they can go right ahead and have a little laugh. Honestly, swiping out of Canvas to open my email browser to find my authentication code somewhere among thirty-five unread emails from Joy Johnson is more stressful than anything else. 

Any hacker would be disappointed after stumbling upon my college-kid-sized lump of money embarrassingly divided between my checking and savings accounts. The rest of the money is long gone into the corporate hands of The Juice Truck at Whole Foods (they’re just so good, though . . . ). Thank goodness for the copy-and-paste feature that makes it easier to sign in with the overly complicated code hidden in an excessively detailed email. My memory isn’t what it used to be. I can’t even remember my credit card PIN, let alone three different authentication codes in one afternoon. In a way, it’s reminiscent of the “I am not a robot” prompts on Google (though if a robot was trying to hack into my accounts you could be sure I have something to hide . . . ).

Large-scale fishing has serious ethical implications

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Peak Web
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someone pulling in a fishing net on a boat
PHOTO: Fredrik Öhlander / Unsplash

By: Nercya Kalino, Peak Associate

Fish farming has complicated impacts on the environment. Most of us don’t have the slightest idea what processes fish go through before they land on our plates. When you learn what happens behind the scenes in the fishing industry, it becomes harder to see eating fish as appetizing. Over the years, the practice of open-net cage farming has been an ongoing concern between Indigenous peoples and the Canadian government; the government has been urged to abide by restrictions on farms along the BC coast. In 2018, Pacific Wild released a statement about the farm operations in the Musgamagw Dzawada’enuxw Nation territory. They said the fish farms located in that territory were “operating without free, prior, and informed consent of the nation, violating the UN Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.” This has been a progressing problem for a long time, and it’s only one of many violations in the industry. 

Ethical farming of any kind of meat is crucial to the future of sustainable eating. Fish are no exception. With open-net cage farming, wild fish are exposed to chemicals, parasites, and fecal infestation from waste in the ocean and crowded living conditions. Living Oceans stated that, in “BC alone, salmon farms produce the same amount of waste as a city of half a million people,” and fish farms are the “perfect environment for disease transmission,” which can easily spread to wild fish and negatively impact local populations. 

This is quite concerning. Mass farming has been an inevitability of the fish industry, and it contributes to many people’s livelihoods — but it shouldn’t exist without extreme caution and regulations. The BC government recently examined the issue of rights violations on Indigenous territories. In 2022, they released a statement concerning sustainable aquaculture to embrace reconciliation with Indigenous communities, protect jobs, and respect wild salmon. There was a new policy made about open-net cage farming effective this coming June. The policy will only grant tenure renewals for open-net cage farms operators who ensure  “their operations will not adversely impact wild salmon stocks” and agreements with Indigenous peoples. This is a good sign. 

But fish farming is a complex issue in terms of ethics and economies. The Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs wrote about the history of fish farming and how it’s impacted their community; farms often invade burial islands sacred to Indigenous people. On top of that, “those nations on whose waters these fish farms are located experience immediate and destructive impacts.” Some of these impacts include the “destruction of traditional harvesting grounds, and the poisoning of water and marine resources.” 

There are a few actions consumers can take to avoid contributing to harms caused by mass fish farming. Many brands display the Ocean Wise symbol on their packaging to indicate ethically farmed fish, but it’s also important to research individual brands to ensure their ethicality. It can also help to reduce your consumption of larger fish species like salmon and halibut in favour of small species like sardines and mackerel. Samantha Renshaw, “Science Lead at Ocean Wise,” also stressed the importance of supporting small and family-run fisheries. The next time you find yourself with fish on your plate, ask yourself how it got there, what it was exposed to, and what that means to you. 

New initiative opens to support mental health and substance recovery

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Peak Web
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This is a photo of a group counselling session. Many people of diverse backgrounds are sitting in a circle of chairs in a large room.
PHOTO: Tima Miroshnichenko / Pexels

By: Eden Chipperfield, News Writer

On May 2, the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) of North and West Vancouver hosted a Consumer Involvement and Initiatives Program at the Segal Centre to celebrate the opening of the Recovery College YVR. This community centre offers free courses surrounding mental health and substance use. It is the first of its kind in the Lower Mainland to focus on inpatient care and outpatient rehab. 

Inpatient care consists of the individual admitting themselves into a program with a “controlled environment to address substance use disorders, co-occurring mental health conditions, and other behaviors that may be causing them difficulty,” according to Addiction Center. This program offers the individual residence in a treatment centre and constant medical or emotional support. 

In comparison, “Outpatient treatment is generally considered to be less restrictive than inpatient programs.” These programs involve the indivudal attending short daily treatment sessions, multiple times a week. This type of care “allows more flexibility for work and life needs, as well as an opportunity to readjust into the world with support.”

According to the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), most mental health services specifically focus on individuals with severe and continuing mental health problems. This leaves 20% of Canadians unaddressed when they face mild to moderate mental health and substance use issues. CAMH reported, “People with mental illness and substance use disorders are more likely to die prematurely than the general population. Mental illness can cut 10 to 20 years from a person’s life expectancy.” 

Speakers who attended the event included Julia Kaisla, the executive director of the North and West Vancouver CMHA brand, the honourable Jennifer Whiteside, the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, and Andrew MacFarlane, the Regional Director of Mental Health and Substance Use of Vancouver Coastal Health as well as MJ, a recovery college peer support worker with lived experience. 

The Recovery College YVR classes include art therapy, pet therapy, mediation and self-management for addiction. They also offer specialized language sessions, such as the Farsi speaking women’s group. 

 For more information on the Recovery College YVR programs, visit their website at recoverycollegeyvr.ca/. 

Polite ways to tell your dentist you don’t want to chat while their hand is in your mouth

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Peak Web
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Patient receiving a dental check-up
PHOTO: Anna Shvets / Pexels

By: Hana Hoffman, Peak Associate

Shwshdf bfftjjrrhjjdj hhrrgscdrr. That’s the sound of my best conversational pronunciation during dentist appointments. Picture this: you’re laying on a bed, your head feels closer to the ground than the rest of your body, you’re wearing scratched and sticky sunglasses, the dental hygienist is flushing your mouth with fluids, and they’re constantly asking you questions you can’t physically or verbally answer. I’m sure we’ve all been there, but I just wanted to rant a little further about it since it’s getting to my last nerve (and so is the numbing needle in my gums).

To be honest, I sometimes can’t tell whether a dental hygienist is trained in teeth maintenance or client interviews. All these different tools fill my mouth with water, air, and weird-tasting chemicals, which then drip down my chin and neck. Yet, they constantly ask about my life and then ramble about their experiences and advice. I do try my best to answer, but I usually end up choking and almost drowning in my own spit. Do they really expect me to talk understandably while I can’t move my tongue or lips? Please, I’m no ventriloquist.

Adding on to that, I keep hearing the same questions every. single. appointment. Yes, doctor, I study at SFU. Yes, I have a younger sister. No, I’m not 19 anymore; I’m 20 now. Yes, I brush my teeth daily. Like, bro . . . I’m not sure how many more times I can repeat myself before I lose my mind.

And here’s the worst experience: being flooded with questions during wisdom teeth removal. Is tooth surgery really the best time to be asking questions? Pretty sure the better way to reduce pain is to focus on the TV on the ceiling rather than trying to engage in a one-way conversation with the dentist — unless there is no TV, in which case I don’t know how anyone would survive. It’s funny when they ask me how my day is going. Just look at me — bloody gums, scraped teeth, watery eyes . . . yeah, I’m totally doing great and how about yourself?

Whether you’re in for a cleaning, a tooth removal, surgery, or a tightening of the braces, you don’t deserve to embarrass yourself by mumbling back in gibberish. Dental hygienists should hold their horses until after the dental work is done. Or, even better, chat before starting.

To prevent these awkward conversations, I have a few ideas in mind. Firstly, the copycat method. Just interrupt the dental hygienist’s sentence, tell them to start copying whatever you say, and go silent. Then they’ll copy your silence! Secondly, confuse the dental hygienist with your made-up hand gestures. Every time they ask you a question, answer it the best you can using every body part but your mouth, and they won’t know what you mean, so they will give up on starting a conversation. Thirdly, play dead. In other words, pretend to fall asleep during the appointment so that they will stop talking since there would be no point in doing so.

I’ve also got some tricks up my sleeve, literally. Idea 1: Pull your phone out of your sleeve to use Bluetooth. Let the dentist deal with your cavity while you keep calm, listen to music through your earbuds, and block out any questions the dental hygienist asks you. Idea 2: Pull your DS out of your sleeve so you can turn it on and play Mario Kart music out loud. Your dentist will start bobbing their head to the beat and forget about all the conversation topics they had in mind. Idea 3: Pull your earmuffs out of your sleeve and put them over your head. Block the voices and tool noises so you can silently relax.

I hope these strategies will come in handy to everyone who is not a ventriloquist. If they don’t work, my final bit of advice is to floss and brush as much as possible so you’ll never need to go to the dentist!

An interview with the creators of MiPhone

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Peak Web
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Person holding a “Business” newspaper
PHOTO: nappy / Pexels

By: Izzy Cheung, Staff Writer

Touted as the second coming of the iPhone, Parker Parkins’ MiPhone has risen in popularity since appearing on the famous reality TV program, Dargon’s Den. The MiPhone is the newest cellular device on the block. It operates as a typical cell phone would, but also allows users to access all the financial data of anyone within a certain radius — you know, as you do. 

The Peak sat down with Parkins, and co-founders Michael Michaels and Bob Johnson, to discuss how they are “disrupting” the phone industry. 

Q: How did you all meet? 

Parkins: The three of us were in the same statistics class in first-year. We did a project together about accessibility in technology, and we’ve been tight ever since. We moved into a big house together in second-year, and we’ve been bringing more people in from that day on. 

Q: Your mission statement is to “change the world through accessibility.” How did accessibility become such an important topic for you? 

P: We took a class in third-year about cryptocurrency. It made us think about the politics behind accessibility, specifically, accessibility to each other’s data. Why do we have to keep secrets between us? We’re all on the same side — the side of the human race. 

Q: You’ve been saying “we” a lot. I’m curious to hear what Mr. Michaels and Mr. Johnson think about this. 

Michaels: I agree. 

Johnson: I agree as well. 

P: We always know what the other is thinking. The three of us are intertwined. 

Q: So you’re all very into knowing everyone else’s personal information. 

P: Yes. As a collective human race, globalization has made us trend towards becoming a more interconnected society. We want to accelerate that process by making connecting with others easier. Again, why do we have to keep secrets between us?

Q: You mentioned that you’ve been bringing people into your house since you moved in together. Are these people your employees, or . . . ? 

P: We don’t refer to them as “employees,” but as our recruits. All of us firmly believe in the idea of human connectivity, so we’ve all replaced our cell phones with MiPhone. We even picked up a few other recruits from our appearance on Dargon’s Den. Our recruits have fully subscribed to the MiPhone mindset, so it’s only a matter of time before we can convince others to do the same. 

Q: That sounds awfully cult-like. 

P: It’s called devotion. We wholeheartedly believe in this cause and are actively working towards making the world a more connected place through it. 

Q: With all those recruits, what kind of jobs does each member have? Are there any specific roles within the franchise? 

P: Oh, no. We don’t believe in a hierarchy system, so there are no specific roles within our community. Everyone comes in at the same level, which makes us even more interconnected. 

Q: So . . . how do you determine a manager for everything? 

P: Everything is equally managed. 

Q: By . . . ? 

P: We all have our respective roles. We all believe in the future of an interconnected human race. 

Q: An interconnected human race that makes everyone’s financial data accessible, making them vulnerable to exploitation. 

P: We prefer to call it accessible. Exploitation is a crude way of referring to it. 

Q: So how do the operations of MiPhone run if there’s no specific management system? 

P: Everything is equally managed. 

Q: Mr. Michaels? Mr. Johnson? Care to pitch in? 

M: I agree. 

J: I agree as well. 

Q: Any final closing remarks before we end this interview? 

P: Join us in making data more accessible throughout the world. Replace your iPhone with MiPhone, and reap the benefits of interconnectivity. 

The Book Nook: Five books to add to your summer reading list

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A person sitting criss-cross between two heaping piles of books looking up with an open book in hand

By: Saije Rusimovici, Staff Writer

Book cover with title and author in white text with abstract collage elements featuring images of mountain, cityscape, and clouds.
PHOTO: Courtesy of ‎Ecco

The World Keeps Ending, and the World Goes On  by Franny Choi

Reading poetry in a shaded area with a cool drink in hand — what could be a better way to start the summer? Franny Choi is a novelist and poet with a variety of thought-provoking fiction and non-fiction under her belt. The World Keeps Ending, and the World Goes On is perfect for reflecting on the colossal issues in our world today in small doses of lyrical poetry. Re-reading lines and stopping to soak up and sit with the difficult emotions that arise allows for new insight each time. For instance, “Good Morning America” reflects on the ongoing and repeating tragedies of a colonial state, and the grief and horror that follows. Covering topics like the pandemic, refugee crises, and race, Choi offers a glimpse of hope in the face of these crises. I recommend listening to the audiobook, which is narrated by Choi!

Book cover with title and author, a colourful floral spine. The photo featured is of a Black woman and an Italian man. The woman is in a white gown sitting atop a bike, smiling, with her hair slick back. The man is wearing a tweed suit and is smiling at her.
PHOTO: Courtesy of Simon & Schuster

From Scratch by Tembi Locke

Tembi Locke is an “actor, producer, and screenwriter” who made her debut as an author in 2019 with this heart-wrenching memoir. From Scratch is a compilation of Locke’s life experiences, including interracial and intercultural marriage, and grief. A Texas native, Locke travels to Florence, Italy as an international college student. Upon meeting chef Saro Gullo, her life changes drastically. After moving to LA with her after several months of long distance, the couple navigate seeking the approval of their in-laws, cultural differences, adopting their daughter, and their biggest fight of all — cancer. The book speaks to your senses with flashbacks to hot summers in Sicily, the bustling streets of LA, and scrumptious culinary experiences in lively Florence. Ultimately, this memoir encapsulates what it means to be human and experience grief and love. 

Deep red book cover with a bold, capitalized white title. Featuring an illustration of three crows on a barbed wire.
PHOTO: Courtesy of ‎Doubleday

Bad Cree by Jessica Johns 

The cover’s bold illustration of a spooky forest against a flaming orange sky drew me to pick up this book, and the thrilling narrative kept me on edge to the very end. Indigenous author, Jessica Johns, crafts a unique, supernatural read that will give you chills. The horror novel follows a young Cree woman experiencing terrifying dreams of dead crows. What’s even scarier is the fact that she now sees crows everywhere — as if they’re following her. These dreams surface memories from the night of her sister’s death. Soon enough, the dreams start to infiltrate her waking life, offering more and more details about what really happened the night her sister died. Fearfully navigating through her grief, Mackenzie returns to the rural Alberta community where she grew up and is forced to face the truth and confront the messages in her dreams. Bad Cree brings you along a young girl’s personal mystery to uncover hidden truths about family, violence, and the land that she grew up on. 

Book cover of with title written in capitalized, yellow font filling up half the page. Subtitle reads: The stories behind the province’s most intriguing murder and missing person cases.” The photo behind the text is of an empty road beside a mountain that turns left.
PHOTO: Courtesy of Arsenal Pulp Press

Cold Case BC  by Eve Lazarus

Calling all true crime fans! I never knew how many unsolved cases there were in BC until I read this book. Eve Lazarus is an exceptional storyteller who transports readers to the time periods where crimes were committed, unpacking evidence, motives, and suspects as engaging as a true crime podcast. Her writing is detailed yet easy to comprehend, avoiding legal jargon and centering the focus around the victims, their families, and the communities. The reader is able to form their own theories about some of BC’s most baffling cold cases. As a criminology minor, summer is my favourite time of year to take a break from academic reading and pick up a new read that relates to the intriguing history of crime in BC. 

A book cover with a closeup of Viola Davis’ face in black and white. There is a sticker on the book that reads “Opra’s Book Club 2022.”
PHOTO: Courtesy of ‎HarperOne

Finding Me  by Viola Davis

This is hands-down one of the best books I’ve ever read. Award-winning actress, Viola Davis, walks readers through her life’s journey of poverty, professional rejection, and what it was like growing up as a Black woman in an industry built for white actors. Davis leaves nothing unfiltered, including stories about abuse in her family home, discrimination at school, and working through mental health issues including depression. Her story of self-discovery, determination, and perseverance begins with facing the traumas of her childhood and young adulthood in order to understand how these experiences have shaped her into the woman she is today. 

All books in this list are available to purchase online from the Massy Books website.

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Simon Fraser University’s independent student newspaper since 1965.

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© The Peak Publications Society

Simon Fraser University’s independent student newspaper since 1965.

For advertising inquiries: [email protected]
For promotional inquiries: [email protected]

© The Peak Publications Society