Archive - The Navigator

A blood donation bag filled with deep red blood, labeled with a warning that reads: "May Contain Gay Blood." The label also includes standard medical details like volume, blood type, and collection date, referencing blood donation policies affecting gay donors.

WARNING: May Contain Gay Blood (PART 1)

Blood Isn’t Dirty

Laurent Lemay | Feb 14, 2025

Laurent’s journey, like many others, is entwined with the strict policies around “men who have sex with men” donating blood. This is Part One of a two-part series sharing his story of complicated ineligibility to donate blood, getting tested, and the stigma around it.

A digitally stylized image of a woman standing in front of a wall covered in colorful sticky notes, pointing at one with her right hand. The image has an impressionistic, painterly effect with swirling textures and blended colors, giving it an abstract feel. In the foreground, blurred figures appear to be listening or participating in the session. This artwork represents what visually diverse students may see.

When Seeing Hurts

How does VIU support visually diverse students?

Elke Sorensen | Feb 12, 2025

Students with visual challenges facing physical and social adversity speak up about their campus experiences. In this piece, Elke covers how VIU fosters these students’ academic successes, and what social change needs to happen so students with disabilities may feel like they belong.

A vivid orange cloudy sunset over the water.

Dream of Flight

Gabrielle Josefsson | Feb 11, 2025

After nearly a century of being trapped in a magical prison, a dragon is forced to reflect on her previous reign of terror and come to terms with whether the life she's lived has truly been the life that she wanted. This serene and introspective fantasy piece explores the idea that what we believe we are doesn’t have to define what we choose to become.

The Tiger Method: Part 2

Jack Corfield | Feb 07, 2025

Part two of the theatrical retelling of the horrible (fictional) events leading up to the tragic death of rising Canadian starlet, Jenna Caraway, and the maniacal, yet perhaps genius methodology of her costar and killer, the reclusive rom-com actor, Roy McQuade—the man who became a tiger.

A white lighthouse with a red-roofed lantern room sits atop a rocky coastal cliff, overlooking the vast ocean. The bright blue sky is speckled with fluffy white clouds. Scenic for cold dipping.

In Search of Stillness

A Year of Cold Water Therapy in Review

Francesca Pacchiano | Feb 05, 2025

Fran discovered the world of cold-dipping during a search for peace and stillness. Her journey is a chilly one, but one that’s warmed her from the inside out.

A stylistic rendering of a Dakota woman in a red dress.

Dakota Girl

Šinákamina Ská Wiŋ | Feb 04, 2025

My everyday name is Olivia. My traditional Dakota name is Šinákamina Ská Wiŋ, or White Shawl Shell Woman. I am a mother, a life giver, a caretaker, a wife, a daughter, and a sister. I am a member of the Sioux Valley Dakota Nation from my maternal lineage, and a proud resident of this beautiful place I call home.

Illustration of a medal for The Navigator's 2024 Prose Prize Contest, now with extended deadline

Tiho and the Severed Head

Evan Shumka | Feb 03, 2025

Read the first place short story for The Nav's 2024 Prose Prize!

Photo of a window with pink lace curtains.

Window Pain

Brendan Wanderer | Feb 02, 2025

Read the second place short story for The Nav's 2024 Prose Prize!

A high-resolution photograph of the moon against a black night sky. The moon appears in a waxing gibbous phase, with detailed craters and surface textures visible.

Moongazer

Ann Hoffmann | Jan 29, 2025

Photo by Ann Hoffmann (2025) featured in The Navigator Vol. 56, No. 4.

The Last Music Program Exchange

Norwegians, Music, and Memories

Daniela Guevara | Jan 27, 2025

Join Daniela Guevara for The Navigator Podcast as Norwegian exchange students Alexander Aarø and Bendik Pedersen share their unforgettable experiences in VIU’s music program. From exploring the stunning beauty of BC to creating lasting memories through music, they reflect on their journey and the impact of the program. Tune in for a heartfelt conversation about cultural exchange, music, and meaningful memories.

Sea Cue #1

David Harvey | Jan 27, 2025

Comic by David Harvey (2025) featured in The Navigator Vol. 56, No. 4.

An illustration of two pyramids under a night sky, featuring a crescent moon and sparkling stars. The pyramids are drawn in soft tones of beige and blue, set against a textured light blue sky.

Salad Days

Amelia Watford | Jan 24, 2025

Amelia transforms the Shakespearean idiom through her portrayal of positive bond-building in this poem taken from her collection, "Love, Death and Flowers."

Wandering Around Campus for a Newspaper

The Nav's Print Magazine

Kieran Armstrong | Jan 23, 2025

Follow the amazing writers for The Navigator as they show us what’s in the first printed issue of Volume 56, where to find the magazine, and their favourite pieces. Go grab yourself a copy and enjoy!

A wide shot of an intramural volleyball match in progress inside a gymnasium. Players are positioned on either side of the net, with teams preparing for a serve. The gym has high ceilings, bright lighting, and visible banners along the walls.

Intramural Volleyball at VIU

Elke Sorensen | Jan 23, 2025

Are you an ex-high school athlete missing organized sports? Join VIU’s intramural sports program.

Airline Price Gouging

Students Left Holding the Bag

Grap Scanlan | Jan 22, 2025

From luggage expenses to return fares, travelling out of Canada has become a nightmare. But it’s not like this in other countries—not for students.

Stomaching the Landscape

Beatrix Taylor | Jan 21, 2025

Beatrix Taylor may be our Business Manager, but she's also a poet and we didn't even know it. Enjoy this treat we snuck into the magazine for The Nav's return to print. (Everyone say "Thank you, Bea.")

A person skiing down Mount Washington. The resort is featured in the background.

Let’s Go: Mount Washington (ROAD TRIP)!

The Nav Vlogs

Alonso Duran Ortiz | Jan 20, 2025

Welcome to another review from The Navigator. Enjoy a vlog-style adventure up the mountain with your host, Alonso Duran. Join us on a road trip to the biggest ski resort on Vancouver Island and see what Mount Washington has to offer.

Corvus Macrorhyncos Japonen

Micha Marie | Jan 20, 2025

Illustration by Micha Marie (2025). Sketch featured in The Navigator Vol. 56, No. 4.

Shoulder to torso shot of Ella Hannesson wearing a red coat and a white shirt, holding the book "All About Love" by bell hooks, its bold red cover prominently displayed. She dons star-shaped necklaces and painted nails with "coke" written on one finger. The composition emphasizes the book and its aesthetic alignment with the outfit.

Stories That Shaped Me

A Year of Reading, Growth, and Becoming

Ella Hannesson | Jan 15, 2025

I spent 2024 reading my way through self-actualization. And by 'self-actualization,' I mean trying to figure out how to be a slightly better version of the mess—I mean perfection—I already am. Along the way, I encountered love, heartbreak, and a lot of questionable life choices. But hey, at least I’m not the tragic side character in a Russian novel, right?

Poster for stageplay titled "The Tiger Method"

The Tiger Method: Part 1

Jack Corfield | Jan 10, 2025

The theatrical retelling of the horrible (fictional) events leading up to the tragic death of rising Canadian starlet, Jenna Caraway, and the maniacal, yet perhaps genius methodology of her costar and killer, the reclusive rom-com actor, Roy McQuade—the man who became a tiger.

Cover of literary magazine issue GOOEY Volume 2 Hunger featuring photo of grafiti titled "Pouting in Pink" by Sophia Wasylinko; original tagger unknown.

So You Want to Run a Lit Mag

An inside look at passion projects, school based opportunities, and leaving a mark on a legacy.

Francesca Pacchiano | Jan 08, 2025

Running a magazine is no small feat. For Fran, it wasn’t originally the goal, but now it’s all she thinks about–and it all started with GOOEY. Read on to see where else it’s taken her—and where it could one day take you.

Graphic reads "Nav Board Annual Election Polling Day December 16th 2024. Have your say."

2024 AGM and Board Election

Navigator Newspaper Society Annual General Meeting

Jenaya Shaw | Dec 15, 2024

Voting will be open first thing tomorrow, December 16, until the AGM December 17 at 5pm PT.

Kai Leighton, a male basketball player wearing a white VIU Mariners jersey number 10 is captured mid-action on the court, running in the direction of the camera. The background is slightly blurred, showing other players in motion.

VIU Mariners Court Highlights ft. Max D’Amato and Kai Leighton

Interview by Grace Penner

Kieran Armstrong | Dec 15, 2024

Grace Penner dribbles over to the gym to watch the VIU Mariners Men’s Basketball team win against the CBC Bearcats on October 25, 2024. Forwards Kai Leighton and Max D’Amato give us a recap and discuss plans to keep up the winning streak for the rest of the season.

Located on the VIU Nanaimo campus is a yellow sign with text reading "Please... Do not feed the Rabbits," and a graphic silhouette of a rabbit in reference to the fluffy VIU Companions. Background contains a bright green grassy field and dark green trees.

VIU Companions

Alonso Duran Ortiz | Nov 29, 2024

Follow The Navigator into the small world of VIU’s favorite companions, the bunnies! Explore campus with our fluffy friends and take a minute to relax with us.