The Navigator
The Navigator lighthouse logo
U

05

In this issue:

We embrace visual diversity, ice-cold immersions, parental guidance, raw poetry, and extrasensory artwork. Beacons illuminate community leadership, a star setter, food insecurity, and discriminatory policies behind blood donation. Contributors also share fantastically fiery tales, four drinks in five stanzas, and a funny little crab comic. Remember to take it easy, tiger.
A cartoon-style illustration features a friendly, anthropomorphic lighthouse character with a light blue body, black arms and legs, and large expressive eyes. The character is smiling, holding a small book, and giving a thumbs-up. Surrounding the character are decorative elements, including purple hearts and radiating lines. The background has a textured, off-white color. To the right, bold, playful text reads "Love Where You Learn" in dark purple, with a hand-drawn, retro-inspired typography style.

February 2025

Features
Memoir
Poetry
Fiction
Artwork
Videos
Podcasts
Features
Poetry
Memoir
Fiction
Artwork
Videos
Podcasts

Articles

Headliners

A community event in a classroom setting where two women, one wearing a pink shirt and black apron, and the other in a red sweater, stand behind a table covered with a checkered tablecloth. The table has a sign reading "No Hunger at VIU" and holds a tray of muffins, some utensils, and small potted plants. A woman with long dark hair in a blue jacket is interacting with the volunteers, who appear to be offering food. A banner eads "No Hunger at VIU."
Lee Groen

No Hunger at VIU Serves Free Food that Warms the Heart

With 29 percent of Canadian students facing food insecurity, hunger is an all-too-familiar struggle at VIU. Given rising food costs, many face tough choices between studying on an empty stomach or stretching their last meal. Led by Leah Vaisanen, No Hunger at VIU provides hot meals and care packages that fill bellies and warm students’ hearts.
Read More
A community event in a classroom setting where two women, one wearing a pink shirt and black apron, and the other in a red sweater, stand behind a table covered with a checkered tablecloth. The table has a sign reading "No Hunger at VIU" and holds a tray of muffins, some utensils, and small potted plants. A woman with long dark hair in a blue jacket is interacting with the volunteers, who appear to be offering food. A banner eads "No Hunger at VIU."

No Hunger at VIU Serves Free Food that Warms the Heart

With 29 percent of Canadian students facing food insecurity, hunger is an all-too-familiar struggle at VIU. Given rising food costs, many face tough choices between studying on an empty stomach or stretching their last meal. Led by Leah Vaisanen, No Hunger at VIU provides hot meals and care...
Lee Groen

Features

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.
Elke Sorensen

When Seeing Hurts

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.
Read More
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.
Laurent Lemay

WARNING: May Contain Gay Blood (PART 1)

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.
Read More
A group of five people, the Hannesson family consisting of three young adults (each a VIU nepo baby) and two older adults, standing close together on a paved walkway near a set of stairs, smiling at the camera. The group includes two young women, one in a white blouse and denim skirt (Ella Hannesson) and another in a pink top and black floral skirt (Katrin Hannesson), a middle-aged man in a navy blue button-up shirt and jeans (Darren Hannesson), a middle-aged woman in a black top and denim skirt (Teresa Hannesson), and a young Hannesson man wearing glasses, a black graphic t-shirt, and a dark plaid jacket. Trees and greenery form a natural backdrop behind them.
Ella Hannesson

Hannesson, Interrupted

In the first part of her series on university life at home, Ella reflects on being a self-proclaimed VIU nepo baby—perks include running into her mom on campus and her dad’s surprising notoriety. The real benefit? Her sharp wit—yet another gem inherited from her dad—plus some entertaining, if not plain embarrassing, stories.
Read More
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

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.
Elke Sorensen
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)

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.
Laurent Lemay
A group of five people, the Hannesson family consisting of three young adults (each a VIU nepo baby) and two older adults, standing close together on a paved walkway near a set of stairs, smiling at the camera. The group includes two young women, one in a white blouse and denim skirt (Ella Hannesson) and another in a pink top and black floral skirt (Katrin Hannesson), a middle-aged man in a navy blue button-up shirt and jeans (Darren Hannesson), a middle-aged woman in a black top and denim skirt (Teresa Hannesson), and a young Hannesson man wearing glasses, a black graphic t-shirt, and a dark plaid jacket. Trees and greenery form a natural backdrop behind them.

Hannesson, Interrupted

In the first part of her series on university life at home, Ella reflects on being a self-proclaimed VIU nepo baby—perks include running into her mom on campus and her dad’s surprising notoriety. The real benefit? Her sharp wit—yet another gem inherited from her dad—plus some entertaining, if not...
Ella Hannesson

Poetry

A stylistic rendering of a Dakota woman in a red dress.
Šinákamina Ská Wiŋ

Dakota Girl

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.
Read More
Flat design illustration of a medium purple taro milk tea with boba pearls and ice in a plastic cup against a transparent background. The first of four drinks in this poem.
Sophia Wasylinko

A Year in Four Drinks

I wrote this poem during the bleak November weeks. These stanzas draw on memories of student joys and struggles to show a change in one’s mental state throughout the school year. What better—and simpler—way than through various beverages?
Read More
A stylistic rendering of a Dakota woman in a red dress.

Dakota Girl

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...
Šinákamina Ská Wiŋ
Flat design illustration of a medium purple taro milk tea with boba pearls and ice in a plastic cup against a transparent background. The first of four drinks in this poem.

A Year in Four Drinks

I wrote this poem during the bleak November weeks. These stanzas draw on memories of student joys and struggles to show a change in one’s mental state throughout the school year. What better—and simpler—way than through various beverages?
Sophia Wasylinko

Fiction

A vivid orange cloudy sunset over the water.
Gabrielle Josefsson

Dream of Flight

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.
Read More
A vivid orange cloudy sunset over the water.

Dream of Flight

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...
Gabrielle Josefsson

Visual Art

David Harvey (Contributor)

David Harvey is a VIU student currently enrolled in the Visual Arts Diploma Program. From Nanaimo, BC, David has been a passionate cartoonist for many years. He’s taught cartooning for kids, teens, and adults at the Oliver Woods Community Center for the Nanaimo Parks, Recreation and Culture Department. He has had several cartoons published, notably in the ACMG magazine The Arête. “Sea Cue” is his first cartoon published in The Navigator. “When something catches my attention, whether it is irritating, annoying, amusing, or interesting, I like to turn it into a cartoon,” David says. “Don’t tick off a cartoonist!”

In this four-panel black and white comic titled "Sea Cue #2" by David Harvey, a crab talks to various sea creatures, telling a squid it's not an octopus, a narwhal it's not an orca, and a scallop it's not real. The crab sits on the scallop, thinking "Close enough!.

Videos

A dynamic sports composite image showing male VIU Mariners Volleyball player Owen Dyck in two action poses: one where he is in a ready stance, arms extended to receive the ball, and another where he is mid-air, executing a powerful jump serve. He wears a black jersey with the number 8. The background consists of a blue-tinted gymnasium with the word "Mariners" faintly visible.

Star Setter Owen Dyck Never Lets the Ball Drop

After being named VIU Mariners Athlete of the Week three weeks in a row and PACWEST Athlete of the Week, it’s safe to say Owen Dyck is thriving post-injury. Watch along to see highlight plays and a one-on-one interview with VIU Men’s Volleyball coach Dr. Abe Avender and star setter Owen.
Kieran Armstrong
Colourful square graphic with the words "Trust Fall" for the Nanaimo Art Gallery exhibit.

Trust Fall at The Nanaimo Art Gallery

Join Alonso Duran at the Nanaimo Art Gallery for a haunted exploration of their newest exhibit: Trust Fall. Watch for exclusive interviews with the curator as well as the artists and psychic behind the exposition of Patrick Swayze’s tooth.
Alonso Duran Ortiz

Podcasts

Poster for stageplay titled "The Tiger Method" for The Tiger Method: Part 2
Jack Corfield

The Tiger Method: Part 2

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.
Read More
Three brown people sitting on stools in front of a dark blue curtain with the words 'Power of Collaboration' in glowing script above them. The woman on the left is wearing a maroon sweater and jeans, making a peace sign with both hands. The woman in the center wears a white 'The Nav' t-shirt and black pants, also making a peace sign. The man on the right wears a gray sweater and black pants, pointing toward the woman in the center with a friendly expression. The 'Nav' logo is positioned in the bottom right corner.
Daniela Guevara

Power of Collaboration

In this episode, host Daniela speaks with Master’s students Jaya and Sid, winners of the ‘Best Team Presentation’ at last year’s 2024 CREATE Conference. They discuss their award-winning project on the interdisciplinary connection between leadership, marketing, and education, with a vision to build a free school in India to empower children for success. As respective M.Ed. and...
Read More
Poster for stageplay titled "The Tiger Method" for The Tiger Method: Part 2

The Tiger Method: Part 2

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.
Jack Corfield
Three brown people sitting on stools in front of a dark blue curtain with the words 'Power of Collaboration' in glowing script above them. The woman on the left is wearing a maroon sweater and jeans, making a peace sign with both hands. The woman in the center wears a white 'The Nav' t-shirt and black pants, also making a peace sign. The man on the right wears a gray sweater and black pants, pointing toward the woman in the center with a friendly expression. The 'Nav' logo is positioned in the bottom right corner.

Power of Collaboration

In this episode, host Daniela speaks with Master’s students Jaya and Sid, winners of the ‘Best Team Presentation’ at last year’s 2024 CREATE Conference. They discuss their award-winning project on the interdisciplinary connection between leadership, marketing, and education, with...
Daniela Guevara

Get Published by Us

Not only will we pay you with a cheque,
we’ll pay you with “exposure”.

Learn More