Lucaiah Smith-Miodownik

Two people extend their arms from opposite sides of the photo and hold hands in the middle. The photo reflects the community support aspect of the study.
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First Nations Health Authority reports on phase one of “Indigenizing Harm Reduction” study

Peak Web December 20, 2025

By: Lucaiah Smith-Miodownik, News Writer Content warning: mentions of substance use and death.  Across Canada, the toxic drug crisis persists as a social issue faced by thousands of citizens each year. In BC alone, over 14,500 people have died from toxic drug use since 2016. First Nations people bear the brunt of these casualties. From January to June 2024, they had 6.7 times the rate of death compared to other BC residents. At the same time, Canadian governments have historically outlawed or otherwise restricted First Nations’ health and wellness practices, with this disproportion and systemic racism applying to Indigenous Peoples…

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Four of Freshet’s founders sit at a long white table and smile for the camera. Their table has a small sign saying, “Save Our Local News.”
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Freshet News flows through community

Peak Web December 18, 2025

By: Lucaiah Smith-Miodownik, News Writer When snow begins to melt and gives way to spring, rivers in BC rise and rush in response. This high water phenomenon is known as a freshet. Now, in the Tri-Cities and surrounding areas, a new…

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The outside of Vancouver City Hall is pictured on a bright day, with trees around it.
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Vancouver to require exempt staff in-office five days a week

Peak Web December 18, 2025

By: Lucaiah Smith-Miodownik, News Writer For Vancouver city employees, pyjama bottoms at work may no longer be feasible.  CTV News reported that on October 21, workers received an email from city manager Donny van Dyk informing them that “effective January…

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Monday Music: Gloom and grey

Peak Web December 18, 2025

By: Lucaiah Smith-Miodownik, News Writer “Past Lives” by Jay Som & Hayley Williams “I’m stuck in the mud, I’m spiraling up [ . . . ] it’s falling apart.” Som and Williams come together on “Past Lives” to deliver a…

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The back of two students’ shirts say, “never again for anyone.” One student is wearing a keffiyeh on their head, while a Palestinian flag and other posters are laid out on concrete steps in Main Mall.
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Student organizations hold strike for Palestine at SFU

Peak Web December 18, 2025

By: Lucaiah Smith-Miodownik, News Writer On October 23, chants echoed across convocation mall as SFU community members gathered for a campus strike in solidarity with Palestine. Organized by the climate justice organization SFU350 and the anti-Zionist group Independent Jewish Voices…

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The SFU dining commons and food service workers interacting are pictured. The photo faces toward the ceiling, and there’s a sign that says “breads.”
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Dining workers speak to poor working conditions

Peak Web November 11, 2025

By: Lucaiah Smith-Miodownik, News Writer On October 7, a Reddit user posted to r/simonfraser concerning the possibility of a dining worker strike across SFU’s Burnaby campus. The message, which is from Contract Worker Justice (CWJ) @SFU, asserted that SFU “hasn’t…

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A student wearing business attire sitting next to a Beedie School of Business sign, contemplating.
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BEEDIE BRO: Ghosts, goblins, ghouls, and great investment opportunities

Peak Web November 11, 2025

By: Lucaiah Smith-Miodownik, Entrepreneur  Yes, I still go trick-or-treating, just not for the candy.  What a lot of people without the Beedie mindset don’t realize is that Halloween is the perfect networking opportunity. See, while everyone else is going door…

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The SFU track and a corner of the stadium are pictured on a sunny day. A couple of people are walking around the track and standing on the field, and many trees fill the background.
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SFU considers leaving the NCAA

Peak Web November 11, 2025

By: Lucaiah Smith-Miodownik, News Writer Today, SFU stands as the only non-American institution in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), while most Canadian schools compete in U Sports, the country’s national sports governing body. Soon, however, that could change. On…

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Writing stories since 1965 — The Peak turns 60!

Peak Web November 11, 2025

By: Lucaiah Smith-Miodownik, News Writer The year 1965 saw the development of the modern Canadian flag, the first spacewalk, Malcolm X’s assassination, and other notable events. It was amid the backdrop of these events that The Peak, SFU’s independent student…

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Latin American Heritage Month events

Peak Web November 11, 2025

By:  Lucaiah Smith-Miodownik, News Writer October marks Latin American Heritage Month in Canada — a time to honour the ongoing impact and future influence of Latin Americans on the country. Both Canada and Latin America are steeped in rich Indigenous…

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