FutureReadyWabanaki
On Nov. 6, UNB hosted the launch of FutureReadyWabanaki, a provincial experiential learning initiative aimed toward Indigenous university students.
The program was launched as part of Atlantic Canada Career Week, with representatives present from all four major New Brunswick Universities.
FutureReadyWabanaki follows the model of FutureReadyNB, a provincewide program pairing students at the University of New Brunswick, St. Thomas University, Mount Allison University and the Université de Moncton with work placements in their field.
The program allows students to access experiential learning placements more easily through financial support, such as wage subsidies for certain organizations and student support bursaries covering costs of transportation, accommodation, training, and more.
FutureReadyWabanaki will cater these services to Indigenous students, placing emphasis on culturally appropriate and beneficial placements.
Paul Mazerolle, president and vice-chancellor of UNB, also believes this program can help the university in better serving its Indigenous students.
“Through FutureReadyWabanaki, we are able to strengthen UNB’s commitment to the TRC Calls to Action by valuing Indigenous knowledges and ways of knowing by enhancing Indigenous students’ access to experiential education,” said Mazorelle in a statement.
Election
Canada’s 43rd federal election was held Oct. 21, which saw Justin Trudeau’s Liberal government reemerge as a minority, and Jenica Atwin elected in a historic result here in Fredericton.
The country was left a mixture of red, blue, and orange, with significant success of the Bloc Québécois in Quebec, the Liberal Party in urban areas, and the Conservative Party in the western provinces.
Tensions have arisen around this divide in political allegiances, particularly in Alberta and Saskatchewan, with controversial discussions emerging around Western separatism, colloquially dubbed “Wexit.”
New Brunswick was split following the election, with three ridings electing Conservative MPs, six electing Liberal MPs, and Fredericton making history electing its first Green MP.
In an unprecedented election, Jenica Atwin became the first Green MP outside of BC, and the first female MP in the Fredericton riding. Her win also contributed to the largest success the Green Party of Canada has seen, gaining a total of three seats.
“This is a historic win, we know that for many reasons, as a Green, as a woman. We just worked so hard for this moment. They’re talking about us here in New Brunswick, so it’s nice to know we’ve been put on the map in that way,” said Atwin the night of the election.
Since election night, Elizabeth May, leader of the Green Party, has announced that she will be stepping down as leader after holding the position for 13 years.
Remembrance Day
Crowds gathered at cenotaphs and community halls across Fredericton, New Brunswick, and beyond on Nov. 11 for Remembrance Day, honouring those who served and those who lost their lives at war.
Hundreds gathered in Fredericton at the city’s annual parade from the Carleton Street Armory to the Cenotaph.
Conversation around the Canadian traditions of Remembrance Day, namely the wearing of the poppy, differed from those of past years.
Early in November an image of a supposed rainbow poppy for sale on Etsy sparked debate over the importance and meaning of the poppy, with some groups saying the rainbow striped petal lessened the tradition’s impact, and others saying it drew attention to a group that suffered oppression in the military.
The sale of the rainbow poppy was later proven to be a hoax, but the discussion remained.
On Nov. 9, well-known Canadian hockey commentator Don Cherry issued a controversial statement on his Hockey Night in Canada segment, Coach’s Corner.
“You people that come here… whatever it is, you love our way of life, you love our milk and honey, at least you could pay a couple of bucks for a poppy,” he said on the broadcast.
Cherry’s comments led to lengthy arguments in the media, regarding Cherry’s history of potentially insensitive remarks, the tradition of the poppy, and the treatment of immigrants in Canada.
Cherry was fired from his position after 33 years as co-host for his comments, only stoking the fires of the debate, which was trending on Twitter as one of the biggest issues in Canadian media for the week following Remembrance Day.