Battle of the Bears graphic featuring Jack Corfield and Mike Duddy in a staring contest.

The Nav Presents: Battle of the Beards

Mike and Jack Have a Crazy Bake-off

Mike throws down the gauntlet in an effort to claim the Nav foodie crown, but Jack has other plans. Check out this crazy vegan bake-off and mixology contest!
A modern-looking house in development.

Housing Crisis Horrors

The Escalating Rental Crisis

From dealing with difficult landlords, to ending up in less than ideal living situations, renters struggling with housing is the sign of the times right now in Nanaimo. But besides knowing that rent has skyrocketed recently, how much do people know what’s really happening? Ella follows the real-life horrors from three of those renting in Nanaimo to shed light on the horrors of the housing crisis.
Masked man behind a desk in a computer lab.

Don’t Get Tricked

A VIU Students’ Guide to Avoiding Scams

There is nothing more spine-chilling than receiving a suspicious phone call or fraudulent message. You want to ignore it, but … what if it’s real? From enticing links on social media to too-good-to-be-true housing opportunities, students find themselves increasingly exposed to scams. Read on to discover tricks to identify common scams and how to best protect yourself.
A yellow model plane flying into a bush.

Yellow Bird

Photo by James O'Reilly featured in Vol. 55, No. 2: Trick or Treat.
Illustration by Celia Brand: a faceless barista pours hot drinks. A tiny pumpkin sits on the counter in the background.

Pumpkin Spice Panic

Behind the Scenes of a Barista’s Chaos

The challenges of the barista are considered normal in coffee shops—the running, the heat, and the equally kind versus cranky customers with detailed orders. Not to mention the pressure to keep up the pace while retaining high quality service. Everyone loves a pumpkin spice latte, but what does it mean for the barista?

Top 5 Creatures of the Night

Exploring for Spooky Things So You Don’t Have To

It's spooky season, so you know what that means... There are lots of creepy crawly guys out there (especially at nighttime). Join videographer Ben as he counts down the top 5 creatures of the night.
Autumn woods across the lake

Beneath the Surface

For one family, the waters of Cowichan Lake were once a place of picnics, laughter, and treasured memories. But as resentment ripples through their perfect family, they discover something more sinister lurking beneath the surface.

“What Happens When You Click on This Link”

The Info Gold Rush

Embark on a mind-bending journey through the web's intricacies. From data trails to algorithmic influences, discover the internet's hidden realms and the power to shape your digital existence. Dive into the script's wisdom—it's a virtual voyage worth taking!

Mariners Roundup: Hockey Team Visits Alaska

Home Opener Saturday October 7

NAV Sports Editor Austin Heidt chats about the VIU Hockey Team’s home-opening regular season game, which takes place at 7:15 PM October 7, 2023, at the Nanaimo Ice Centre versus Logan Lake. Austin also talks about the recent trip to Alaska the team took, in which they played exhibition games against two NCAA Division 1 teams. The Mariners learned a lot over the four-day trip, which will be put to good use in their hunt for a BCIHL championship. Edited/Produced by Austin Heidt Filmed by Mike Duddy Photos by Simon Creighton
Indigenous woman wearing an orange shirt.

Third Annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

Wearing Your "Orange Shirt" 365 Days a Year

How do you be a good Indigenous ally? Two Indigenous students share what September 30 means to them and discuss how allies can show their support.
Portfolio poster featuring book cover and author headshot.

Délani Valin Reading September 29 at Portfolio

Free Event Hosted by Portal Magazine

Métis author to read from poetry collection at the Black Rabbit Kitchen Friday at 7 pm.

Mahsa Day

September 16

In Nanaimo, the Iranian-Canadian Cultural Society of Vancouver Island is preparing a protest to participate in the global rally of Mahsa Day this September 16th.

Mariners Roundup: Will Norman

Interview with Men's Hockey Forward

Nav Sports Videographer Austin Heidt chats with VIU Men’s Hockey Assistant Captain Will Norman about the upcoming 2023/24 BCIHL season. The Mariners are looking to make their third consecutive BCIHL Final, with new faces in the locker room and front office.
Head-to-toe shot of a person posing outside. Their hands are on their hips.

My Name is Jack Corfield and I Use They/Them Pronouns

Being Non-Binary in a Gendered Society

Jack speaks with Dr. KJ Reed and fellow non-binary VIU students about the experience of being non-binary in a gendered society and discusses their own reasons for identifying as non-binary.
The Hullo ferry

The Future of Ferry Travel?

Riding the Hullo: a Candid Review

The Hullo is the latest in a long line of attempts to operate a private ferry between Nanaimo and Vancouver—will it work this time? Nav Videographer Ben hopped on board to find out... Check out The Nav online!: https://linkin.bio/navigatorviu
Group photo of Jenaya and friends sat between their vehicles at Cameron Lake.

Losing Our Minds at Cameron Lake

Sometimes these things happen.

On their way back from a camping trip in Tofino, a group of friends never imagined that getting stuck on the side of Highway 4 would be the last in a long list of weekend disasters. With the devastating effects of the summer’s wildfires, unpredictable road closures have caused chaos for those travelling across the island. But sometimes these things just happen, and it’s the way we deal with them that really matters.
Two print issues of The Nav against a sandy background. Issue #5 is purple and issue #6 is green. Both are part of volume 51.

Orange you glad?

(The Nav rebranded)

The Navigator is looking a little different this year—not only because of our fresh new colours and overhauled website, but also because we’re facing new challenges that have come along with the world of online journalism. As we look ahead into the future of The Nav, we’ve gone back to some of our old ways—like sending out monthly newsletters. But we’re also unafraid to try new things and push ourselves to be more creative and expressive with the content that we share. Follow along as we embrace a new wave of change, growth, and opportunities.

How WUSC Changes Lives

Life Altering Program Proves That a Little Goes a Long Way

Join Mike Duddy as he explores VIU's branch of WUSC (World University Service of Canada), a campus-based student group focused on creating an equitable world through education. Mike explores the impact that WUSC has on refugees who come to VIU and the overall history of the program.
Two senior women pose together with a copy of a magazine.

University in the Golden Years

Senior Students at VIU

The VIU campus brings together people of all ages and backgrounds. For three senior students, their time at VIU has created lasting memories and friendships. They discuss with us the challenges and positive experiences of navigating university life in the golden years.
Illustration of two fair-skinned female figures browsing shirts in a thrift store.

New Threads

Thrifting Tips With Ella

On a search for a new pair of boots? A vintage jacket? Discover the world of second-hand shopping. Thrift stores are places full of possibilities, unique pieces, and amazing deals. But thrifting is not as simple as retail shopping: it requires stamina, focus, and practice. Ella shares 6 tips and tricks to navigate her favourite Nanaimo thrift stores.
A sunrise peaking above the mountains on the way to VIU's gym.

Waking The Mind

The Mental Health Benefits of Yoga

Embark on a transformative journey through the eyes of Bella Hoodle as she discovers the power of yoga amidst the chaos of college life. In this captivating article, Bella shares her personal experiences and the profound impact that yoga and meditation have had on her mental well-being. Join her as she unravels the beauty of finding solace in movement, silence, and self-reflection. Learn how yoga can be the key to unlocking a calmer, more centered you. Dive into the full article and embrace the art of inner peace and self-discovery.

Skipping School: Part Two

Unschooling Parents

Jack interviews his parents in his childhood home on sleepy island paradise and talks to other parents of homeschoolers from Protection Island about the 'unschooling' experience. https://open.spotify.com/episode/0HOTuIcZqe4keghx1PPx36?si=KR-rulnJQSuF2p1_ZJtlIg  
An illustration of a laptop with a newspaper beside it and magazines and a notepad and pen in front of it

Turning the Page

The Navigator's Journey from Print to Digital

You’ve seen them. The posters, the wire racks, the newspaper boxes. You’ve seen their name in the VIU newsletters and on social media. The Navigator. Also called The Nav, VIU’s student press published its first issue in 1969. Starting as a biweekly newspaper, it transformed into a monthly full-colour magazine in 2017.  Then, The Nav went through another, more drastic change during the COVID-19 pandemic. On September 8, 2020, it reinvented itself as a fully online news magazine.  The shift might not seem like a big deal for students who haven’t attended VIU pre-COVID. But for ...
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