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In this issue:
Learn about invasive plant species on the Island, the role of a poet laureate, and the importance of voting in municipal elections. Read about ways to honour truth and reconciliation past the national holiday, a mysterious short fiction piece, or a fun dating profile for a mushroom.
October 2026
Headlines
Nanaimo Is Not a Backdrop
With Nanaimo’s municipal election quickly approaching on October 17, explore why VIU students should take action for the future of their city. Voting is a practical expression of civic agency and a way to affirm your voice as integral representatives in the Nanaimo community.
Foliage Foes
Take a deep dive into the impacts of invasive plant species on our local ecosystems and learn about the exceptional folks who are fighting back.
What Makes a Poet Laureate?
An exploration of laureateship with Neil Surkan and Cultures Coordinator Jaime-Brett as they close out Surkan’s two-year term.
Nanaimo Is Not a Backdrop
With Nanaimo’s municipal election quickly approaching on October 17, explore why VIU students should take action for the future of their city. Voting is a practical expression of civic agency and a way to affirm your voice as integral representatives in the Nanaimo community.
Foliage Foes
Take a deep dive into the impacts of invasive plant species on our local ecosystems and learn about the exceptional folks who are fighting back.
What Makes a Poet Laureate?
An exploration of laureateship with Neil Surkan and Cultures Coordinator Jaime-Brett as they close out Surkan’s two-year term.
Articles
Forging Campus Connections
FROSH simultaneously closes the door of summer, and helps students flip the page to the fall semester. It brings campus, community, and students together, while also giving out free stuff—which we love. Learn about why FROSH is so important to attend, and why students love to go.
Honouring Truth and Reconciliation Day
A look into how Canadians can practice truth and reconciliation long past September 30. The orange shirt may come off, but the commitment must stay on.
Single, Symbiotic, and Slightly Toxic
Strong roots, good connections, a little toxic. Meet Nanaimo’s most eligible single.
Forging Campus Connections
FROSH simultaneously closes the door of summer, and helps students flip the page to the fall semester. It brings campus, community, and students together, while also giving out free stuff—which we love. Learn about why FROSH is so important to attend, and why students love to go.
Honouring Truth and Reconciliation Day
A look into how Canadians can practice truth and reconciliation long past September 30. The orange shirt may come off, but the commitment must stay on.
Single, Symbiotic, and Slightly Toxic
Strong roots, good connections, a little toxic. Meet Nanaimo’s most eligible single.
Memoirs
Nice-Girl Basics
There are two things you should know about Indian parents: they raise their kids to be “nice,” and they live in mortal fear of the phrase log kya kahenge?—“What will people say?”
Life With the Black Dog
As autumn settles in, I remember flashes of my lowest phase: A point in my late teens when I decided life was no longer worth it. I crawled out of this—how can other people?
Nice-Girl Basics
There are two things you should know about Indian parents: they raise their kids to be “nice,” and they live in mortal fear of the phrase log kya kahenge?—“What will people say?”
Life With the Black Dog
As autumn settles in, I remember flashes of my lowest phase: A point in my late teens when I decided life was no longer worth it. I crawled out of this—how can other people?
Fiction
The Body in the Room
The corpse: pale flesh peeking out from pajamas a size too small; bruises of overlapping hues wrapping the throat; hair still damp from a shower.
The Body in the Room
The corpse: pale flesh peeking out from pajamas a size too small; bruises of overlapping hues wrapping the throat; hair still damp from a shower.
Visual Art
Hungry Squirrel
Adam Barkworth (Contributor)
Forested Robin
Adam Barkworth (Contributor)
