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On March 25, 2021, the Supreme Court made a landmark 6-3 decision ruling that the federal government’s proposed carbon tax was constitutional thus ending a 2-year long debate over the legalities of the tax. The carbon tax will seek to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in order to help prevent global warming. The ruling was significant for two main reasons, the environmental impact and the legal impact that it will have.

For a little bit of history, in 2018, the government passed the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act (GGPPA) as a measure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in order to meet the demands of the Paris Agreement which is an international treaty signed by 195 countries to take action against climate change. The GGPPA would give the federal government the ability to regulate taxes on natural resource production in provinces in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Provinces like Alberta, Ontario and Saskatchewan who were subject to these regulations brought the case to court arguing that it was not within the jurisdiction of the federal government to dictate provincial tax regulations. The ruling on the 25th dictated that it was in fact legal for the federal government to impose the GGPPA.

The carbon tax seeks to disincentivize the use of carbon which will ultimately result in fewer emissions being produced. Carbon emissions contribute to many environmental crises such as the melting of the polar ice caps, extreme weather events and rising sea levels. The hope is that carbon consumers in Canada will begin to switch to more environmentally friendly energy sources in order to avoid the tax.

From an environmental perspective, the carbon tax seems like a great idea and it may be hard to imagine why it’s controversial. While the tax is beneficial for the planet, it’s not so great for businesses that consume large amounts of carbon. In more industrial provinces like Alberta, Ontario and Saskatchewan, there are many companies who will be negatively impacted by the tax which is why they were opposed to the implementation of the GGPPA in their provinces. 

The fact that the Supreme Court ruled that it is constitutional for the federal government to implement these taxes against the will of the provinces is important because it sets a legal precedent. Legal precedent is when a legal case establishes a principle or rule moving forward. For example, if a man stole a truck in 2019 and received a 2-year sentence then a man who steals a truck in 2021 will likely face the same sentence. What this means is that in the future the federal government will likely be able to infringe upon province's jurisdictions. 

For me, it will be interesting to see how this case plays out in the future and whether or not this ruling is used as legal precedent in future cases.

For anyone who’s been in the same cohort as me, you would have been serenaded by the vocals of one Mr. David Bowie at least once a week in the mornings. Bowie, who died in 2016, is perhaps one of the most influential cultural and musical icons of the rock and roll era. He produced album after album of revolutionary music and established himself as one of the most well-known artists of the 20th century. 

Bowie’s first album, self-titled David Bowie, was released in 1967 and ultimately flopped. It wasn’t until his 1969 release of Space Oddity that he began to gain recognition. The title song from the album resonated with the world and would go on to climb to #15 on the US charts in 1972. Bowie followed Space Oddity with his first heavy-rock album (and my personal favourite) called The Man Who Sold the World which offered the lyrical masterpieces of “The Man Who Sold the World”, “The Width of a Circle” and “All the Madmen”. In 1971, Bowie released the album Hunky Dory which contained the iconic song “Changes”. By now, Bowie was on his way to stardom and his unique melodies and thought-provoking lyrics resonated strongly with the public.

In 1972, Bowie became a star and a household name with the release of the album Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars which is arguably one of the greatest albums of all time. The Rolling Stone magazine ranked it as the 35th greatest. Following the release of the album, Bowie took on the persona of “Ziggy Stardust” dressing in eccentric outfits, wearing unique hair and makeup styles,  and performing under the alias with his backing group “The Spiders from Mars."  Bowie continued on with the glam-rock style and sound in his next hit album, Aladdin Sane, which was released in 1973. The album contained hit songs like “Jean Genie” and “Let’s Spend the Night Together” which featured Rolling Stones members, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards. 

By the mid-70’s Bowie’s style had completely changed yet again. He’d abandoned his elaborate stage sets and striking costumes and released even more albums. His 1975 album release Young Americans featured Bowie’s first #1 song in the USA, “Fame”, which contained the backing vocals and songwriting talent of Beatle John Lennon. After Young Americans,  Bowie did not release many popular albums until 1983, when he released the hit-packed album Let’s Dance that featured songs like “Modern Love”, “China Girl” and “Let’s Dance.” 

Throughout the rest of the 80s and into the 90s and 00s, Bowie failed to produce many more hit-packed albums. During that time he began acting and even ventured into the financial industry. In 1996, Bowie was inducted into the Rock and Roll hall of fame and in 2006 he was awarded the Grammy lifetime achievement award. Bowie’s final album was Blackstar which on his 69th birthday in 2016. By then, Bowie had been diagnosed with cancer and would ultimately pass away surrounded by his family on January 10, 2016- two days after releasing Blackstar.

David Bowie lived an incredible life and was an inspiration to millions of people. His unique persona and sound paved the way for many future artists. During his lifetime he released groundbreaking and iconic songs like "Heroes", "Rebel, Rebel", "Space Oddity", "Fame" and "Starman" and was unapologetically 100% himself.  As he used to say, “I’m an instant star, just add water and stir.” 

In today's day and age, one of the most important conversations being held is about having respect for other cultures.  A question that we often find ourselves asking is whether or not we're appreciating a culture or mocking it instead. First, let's define cultural appreciation and cultural appropriation. Cultural appreciation is the act in which one respects, understands and honours the values, beliefs and objects in another's culture whereas cultural appropriation is the act of mocking and/or not taking the time to understand the basis of another culture or things within it.  Seems simple enough, so why do so many people mistake appropriation for appreciation?

Culture appropriation seems straightforward, simply don’t make fun of other cultures right?  It’s a little more complex, it’s easy to have good intentions but portray them the wrong way.  A recent example that involved cultural appropriation that took the spotlight in the Asian community, revolves around an American company that changed tile pieces from the traditional Chinese game mahjong.  This company changed the colour and pictures on the tiles and began to sell them at a very high price for profit.   Even though this company had good intentions the outcome made the Asian community feel as though this was an offensive move against the traditional game. This is just one example of cultural appropriation that you can find in the news, but there are many small occurrences in day-to-day life as well. When someone mocks traditional dances, religious symbols or values, or makes mocking comments about traditional food that is also a very real act of cultural appropriation.  This is why even without malice you could be offending someone's culture. 

Now, is buying a pair of chopsticks or cross necklace wrong?  The answer is no, as long as you recognize the value behind it and respect it as you would something in your own culture.  When you use these cultural items or try different sorts of cultural things, it’s important to understand that for many, this is something they would use/do in day-to-day life.  You might not like traditional food or traditional music of some cultures which is 100% okay, everyone has their own opinions, but it doesn’t give you the right to mock or disrespect the culture. 

So let’s say that under good intentions you have offended one of your friend's or classmate's culture.  Whether you accidentally made a comment about the smell of their traditional food or maybe some traditional clothes, you just know you were in the wrong.  How do you fix it?  The best thing to do is apologize and own up to it, understanding that you might have offended them is a big step within itself.  The next step is to take the time to learn about the culture.  A simple Google search or even asking someone what their culture means to them is showing that to some degree you are aware.

Now, what’s the take-home message?  Just be aware.  Taking the time to understand traditional practices, objects, food, etc., that are important in other cultures is an important step to take.    You don’t have to agree with everything from other cultures but you should still continue to respect differences.  

I always thought the saying, “something new, something borrowed” was not just the key to the perfect wedding dress but to any timeless outfit. Fashion is one of the most versatile and unpredictable markets, a place of one-week trends and millions of different garments. Fast fashion brands with unbeatable prices like SHEIN, ROMWE and ZAFUL help teenagers stay hip with the trends without breaking the bank. The issue with shopping at these companies though, is that there is a reason the prices are so low. Most of the time, fast fashion companies produce low quality garments, made through unethical labour practices which creates negative environmental, socio-economic and ethical issues. Now, I am not going to pretend I have never shopped at these companies, however, learning about the impact I have by shopping at them has made me turn to other sustainable methods of shopping when looking at long-term pieces. Long-term pieces are items such as white tee's or a black turtleneck that are timeless wardrobe pieces and can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion, season and current trends. Pieces like these are the most important to invest in and can be found at many sustainable fashion stores for a reasonable price. Alternatively, shopping at an online thrift store (Depop, Frankie clothing, Thredup, Poshmark), or a local thrift store is an equally great option, especially if you’re tight on money. Changing your shopping habits isn't an overnight task, it's a conscious decision every time you look to expand your wardrobe. So, be mindful of where you purchase from and if you can, purchase sustainably and ethically. 

Below is a link to a website with fast fashion facts, a section where you can search up how ethical/sustainable your favourite brands are and some suggestions for places you can shop. 

https://goodonyou.eco/

Fast fashion brands you might not have known are fast fashion 

• Zara

• H&M

• Gap

• Urban Outfitters

My favorite sustainable, semi-affordable and ethical brands 

• CHNG (loungewear)

• Afends  (everything, basically a sustainable urban outfitters)

• Parade (Womenswear, undergarments and hoodies)

• Boody (Undergarments and loungewear)

Fashion is a way to express ourselves and our identity and there's no better feeling than waking up in the morning and finding the perfect outfit. Although, for all the perks to fashion, there are quite a few downsides too, namely the industry itself. 

Firstly, the environmental impact of the fashion industry. Clothing creates a lot of waste, and I mean a lot. In fact, the fashion industry is the second-highest polluting industry in the world, just after the oil industry! In Canada alone, the average person throws away over 37kg of clothing every year which amounts to a massive amount of waste every year. In North America, over 10 million tonnes of textile waste is sent to landfills every year although around 95% of that waste is able to be recycled or reused. On average, people only wear clothing garments 7-10 times before disposing of them! The negative impact of the fashion industry on the environment is further developed by the sheer amount of water it requires to produce articles of clothing. Waterways are also polluted when clothing is washed as dyes, toxins and microfibers are all released into the water. 

Another negative aspect of the fashion industry is fast-fashion. Before diving into the problems surrounding fast-fashion, let's take a moment to understand what it is. Fast-fashion is the mass production of mostly cheap and disposable garments that are only designed to be worn for one season. Brands such as Shein and Romwe are examples of fast-fashion retailers as their clothing is cheap, trendy and they drop a new collection just about every week. Fast-fashion is popular as it's trendy and affordable and while it is an amazing alternative for those who can't afford to purchase sustainable clothing, it causes a lot of problems. The first problem is the amount of waste it creates as in fast-fashion many items are produced but at a lower quality. This means that garments are created to be worn only a few times before being thrown out which results in large amounts of waste. Over 80 billion garments are created each year, but the average person only wears around 20% of their closet leaving the rest to gather dust before being thrown out. 

Yet another problem with the fashion industry is toxic clothing. Toxic clothing has become more of a problem recently due to the influx of fast-fashion. Toxins go into nearly every item of clothing produced which is really bad for our health. Since our skin is an organ and clothing is touching our skin, chemicals and toxins are constantly being absorbed into our bodies. On average for every 1kg of clothing, 1kg of chemicals goes into it! Also, don't be fooled into thinking that those "all-natural" fabrics are toxin and chemical-free. Around 27% of the weight of these so-called all-natural fabrics are pure chemicals. 

The final problem to talk about in regards to the fashion industry is the labour conditions in the factories where many fashion items are produced. Unfortunately, this has been a problem for as long as the fashion industry has been operating as countless companies employ unethical, and occasionally illegal, methods to produce their garments. Many brands use child labour or forced labour to produce articles of clothing. Even when brands aren't forcing people into labour, they often take advantage of the impoverished populations where their factories are based as often people living in those areas will be willing to work for any salary and in any conditions. Speaking of conditions, it's no secret that many garment workers are forced to work in unsafe and unethical conditions. Factories are occasionally dangerous and many workers are subjected to verbal and physical abuse. Employees may also be denied food and water, which are basic human needs. The average garment worker works for 14-16 hours per day, 7 days a week. 

So far this article has had a pretty negative tone and if you're like me, you're probably wondering what you can do in order to combat the problems with the fashion industry. Lucky for you, I have some ways that you can reduce your impact. 

First, here's the most difficult one, buy less clothing! No matter how green a product may seem, there are still resources being used for its production and transport which contributes to an environmental impact. Furthermore, if you buy less clothing, ultimately you'll be throwing away less clothing. 

Secondly, you can help reduce your impact by buying higher quality or sustainably made clothing. I get it, these clothes are typically pricier but if you can afford them, you should buy them over fast-fashion garments. Higher-quality clothing will last much longer than lower-quality clothing which means that you'll be able to reduce your environmental impact. Also, buying from sustainable brands means that you'll be able to reduce your social impact as well! 

Next, reducing the amount of textiles you send to landfills will help reduce your environmental impact. Before throwing out clothing because it's damaged, see if you can repair it or find another use for it. If you're disposing of undamaged clothing, see if it can be donated or dispose of it in a designated textile recycling bin. 

The final way to combat the fashion industry's problems is by not buying clothing for a single use. For example, if you need a pair of black heels for a business event, see if you can borrow them from a friend instead! Or if you need a dress or suit for a banquet dinner see if you can rent one. Additionally, you can hop on the thrifting trend and check out your local thrift store or consignment boutique to find great items.

Firstly, apologies for the ever-so-slightly passive-aggressive article title. Secondly, listen to the ever-so-slightly passive-aggressive article title. Getting involved in your school and community is so important. It’s a way for you to develop your skills, improve other's lives and gain a sense of fulfillment. 

Getting involved in your school can expose you to new people that could turn out to be your closest friends. In this virtual world where we hardly ever see our classmates, joining clubs (such as the Panther Post hint, hint) can expose you to new people that you may not have had the opportunity to meet otherwise! Additionally, joining clubs can expose you to new experiences that you wouldn’t have had otherwise. Also, being involved in your school will likely give you a greater sense of community and a feeling of belonging because you’ll become an integral part of the school structure! You’ll also have the opportunity to enrich the lives of your peers and make their days more enjoyable!

Being involved in your community is just as important as being involved in your school. Volunteering with organizations in your community will make you feel good because you’ll be doing good for others which is a win-win situation in my books. Volunteering is also a way for you to discover your interests and passions which can help you when it comes to things like deciding on a career. Speaking of careers, volunteering looks amazing on resumes, College or University applications and scholarship applications! Volunteering also develops skills like responsibility, organization, time management and accountability which will help you in all areas of your life. In my opinion, the best part of volunteering is that you get to give back to those around you and make people’s lives better. 

If you’re looking for ways to get involved in your community check out websites like SPARK Ontario and the City of Cambridge Volunteer Page. You can also check out the GPSS guidance classroom and the GPSS Instagram page to find more volunteer opportunities. Remember, getting involved in your school community will not only benefit you but others too! So what are you waiting for? Get involved!

At the end of a long morning of staring at a computer screen and trying not to be distracted by the 5 million TikToks your friends are sending you, if you’re anything like me, you probably don’t feel like studying. Or if you do, you’re feeling the pressure of learning material in one day only to have a test on it the next. In today's environment, it may feel nearly impossible to study effectively and quickly in order to get those good grades but I promise, it’s totally possible! Here are a few study tips that I’ve found help me to study in the most efficient and effective way!

1. Setting the stage

Before you get started studying, make sure you have everything that you need around you. Get a snack, some water and ensure that you are in a place where you won’t be disturbed or distracted. If you enjoy studying to music, pick out a playlist that won’t distract you or require changing. Some of my personal studying favourites are “70s Road Trip”, “1975 Radio” and the podcast “Library Room Ambience” on Spotify! 

2. Studying time!

When studying don’t just read over your teacher's Google Slides on your computer and call it a day. Start by creating a study guide of what you want to review and learn. To create a study guide write out a couple of bullet points on what you learned in class that day, a couple of sample questions and write down the areas that you need to especially focus on. Writing out notes by hand instead of just typing in a Google doc helps information stick in your head better too! Creating flashcards or a Quizlet is also a great way to review information or memorize terms. Another study tip is to read your notes out loud. 

3. Minimize distractions

I constantly get sidetracked and distracted when I’m studying. Either I remember something that I was supposed to do earlier, turn a 5-minute break into a 1-hour Instagram-filled detour or I just space out and stare at nothing which disrupts my study time. Luckily, I’ve found a couple of ways to minimize my distractions. Firstly, I study at an empty desk that faces a blank wall. That way, I’m not distracted by the piece of art that became much more interesting in comparison to the math that I’m supposed to be working on. Secondly, I ensure that my entire house knows that I’m studying. Telling your parents/guardians/siblings/housemates that you’re studying and can’t be disturbed usually prevents them from barging in on you while you’re trying to work. Thirdly, I recommend using an app (my personal favourite is Forest) that keeps you from getting sidetracked on your phone. 

4. Breaks!

Taking breaks while you study can actually help you to remember information and keep you from feeling burnt-out and stressed. My general rule is that for every half hour I study, I take a 5-minute break where I do something active like stretch, walk around my house or turn the music up and dance around to clear my head and refresh. 

Hopefully, these tried and true study tips will help you the next time you’re cramming for a test the week day night hour before! Which reminds me- the most important study tip of all? Don’t procrastinate!

A microaggression is a derogatory remark or behaviour directed at a marginalized group of people. Microaggressions may be deliberate or unintentional. Either way, it's a type of racial prejudice. Microaggressions come in many different forms. They may take the form of verbal, behavioural, or environmental cues. 

A statement or question that is hurtful or stigmatising to a specific oppressed community is referred to as verbal microaggression. When someone acts in a way that is hurtful or unfair to a certain group of people, this is known as behavioural microaggression. An example of a  behavioural microaggression could be a bartender dismissing a transgender person and instead serving a cisgender person (someone whose biological sex suits their gender identity) first. When a subtle prejudice exists within culture, it is referred to as environmental microaggression. A college campus with only buildings named after white people is an example of an urban microaggression.

When a person's comment invalidates or contradicts the experiences of a specific group of people, this is known as a microinvalidation. A white person telling a black person that "racism does not exist in today's culture" is an example of microinvalidation.

A microinsult is an unintentionally discriminatory remark or behaviour.  For example, a person saying “Your people must be so proud,” to a doctor who is also a person of colour.

A microassault occurs when someone acts in a discriminatory manner without intending to offend. An individual making a racial joke and then saying, "I was just kidding," is an example of a microassault.

Words can tend to have a deeper meaning than what we are aware of sometimes. When microaggressions are used against certain types of people, they can have a significant and negative impact on one's self-esteem and overall well-being.

To those who are directly impacted by microaggressions, here are some helpful suggestions: 

• Do not let anyone tell you how you feel about something they have never had to experience in their own body. 

• Do not exhaust yourself arguing with someone who is more concerned about not being called racist, sexist, homophobic, etc. than simply doing the work to be anti-racist, anti-sexist, etc.

• Do spend time trying to prove why something is racist, sexist, homophobic, etc. Your experience is your expertise.

Hey Panthers, lately there has been a viral video circulating called Save Ralph. This video is about the cruelty animals face when makeup brands test on them. Even though being cruel to animals nowadays is something that is frowned upon, makeup brands and companies still choose to test their products on animals (including rabbits). Now, when you think of testing makeup on animals, you may think they would just try out the makeup on their faces. However, in reality, they perform skin, and eye irritation tests where they put chemicals for makeup in the animal's eyes. The animals are also forced to swallow massive amounts of chemicals over and over again and testing can last for weeks to months.  Those companies use the animals to look for specific health issues or illnesses in the chemicals and they continue testing until they find the chemical amount that can cause death. After the animals are finished being tested upon they are often killed, either by neck-breaking or decapitation and pain killers are not provided. We suggest that you watch Save Ralph because it really puts us in the perspective of what these rabbits go through on a daily basis. However, please be warned this video is disturbing so use your discretion and look up any trigger warnings before you watch it. 

If you want to purchase products free from testing, you can always look for these labels on your makeup and beauty products: (Click here)

If you want some good animal cruelty free brands to support here are some ideas:

• KVD Vegan Beauty

• Herbivore

• Aether Beauty

• Fenty Beauty

• Hourglass Cosmetics

• Covergirl 

• Two-Faced

• Elf Cosmetics

• Tower 28 Beauty

• Milani

• Glossier

• Beauty Bakerie

• Urban Decay

• InnBeauty Cosmetics

I found it difficult to be excited about this year’s Academy Awards. As a film fan, I am always interested to watch the ceremony unfold, but it’s hard to see many of the nominated films when we’re in the middle of a pandemic. In fact, out of the eight Best Picture nominees, the only film I saw was Mank, which I didn’t even enjoy. 

Excited or not, I was interested to see how the producers would tackle putting on an awards show during a pandemic. I’m always hesitant when celebrities attempt to be ‘relatable’ and ‘sincere’, but I thought the ceremony was pretty okay. It felt a little more intimate, and many of the speeches were well done. It also moved at a good pace. There were hardly any monologues or banter, which are always my biggest pet peeves at awards shows. 

What’s interesting about this year is that no one film swept all categories. Nomadland received the most wins at three—Best Picture, Best Actress for Frances McDormand, and Best Director for Chloé Zhao—, and several other films ended with two wins each. 

I found the wins predictable, especially when considering how films like Nomadland and Judas and the Black Messiah did at the Golden Globes. I was glad Daniel Kaluuya won Best Supporting Actor for Judas and the Black Messiah, and that Youn Yuh-jung won Best Supporting Actress for Minari. The show just cemented which films I would like to see the most. 

In terms of diversity, the Oscars are also slowly improving. Actors of colour did well when in previous years no actors of colour have even been nominated. And of course, Chloé Zhao made history as only the second woman to ever win Best Director (the first being Kathryn Bigelow in 2010), and the first Chinese woman. 

But there was also the very bizarre question of the award for Best Actor. The Best Acting awards were unusually presented last, and many thought this meant Chadwick Boseman would win posthumously for his performance in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. He was favoured to win, but instead, Anthony Hopkins won for The Father. I’m sure his performance was well-deserving, but it was strange and disappointing that the critically acclaimed Boseman was overlooked.

I also must mention that increased diversity is not the only important aspect of social justice regarding the Academy Awards. This year, the ceremony took place at Union Station in Los Angeles, and there were reports that houseless people in the area were ordered to leave. It is horrible that Nomadland, a film about houseless people in America, can win Best Picture while actual houseless people in America are being harmed by this awards show. 

The Oscars were pretty underwhelming this year because of the pandemic. Some progress has been made, but progress is almost useless when real people are being hurt by the oppressive system the Academy Awards, and the entertainment industry, upholds. 

Our planet’s oceans are the most important component of life on earth. These oceans consist of amazing aquatic life which has developed an almost flawless system of their survival for millions of years. However, that's not all our oceans do. Our oceans are the largest contributor of oxygen. To truly grasp just how important this is, scientists estimate approximately 50-80% of the world's oxygen comes from the oceans. In comparison, the entire Amazon Rainforest only contributes approximately 16% of the world’s oxygen. Without our oceans, the human race would not survive. One would think we should do everything in our power to protect our oceans. However, we are actually going in the completely wrong direction. The 2021 documentary “Seaspiracy” directed by Ali Tabrizi gives a perfect representation of the catastrophic actions humans are taking for profit which in turn are leaving detrimental effects on our world as we know it. 

Ali Tabrizi outlines many very important facts in his documentary “Seaspiracy” on how exactly our oceans are being affected by human actions. One component humans believe is having the most impact on our oceans is plastics. Most people are familiar with plastics in our oceans from hearing about places such as the Pacific Garbage Patch. Plastics are a large contributor and have a huge impact on our oceans. Over the last few years, single-use plastics are what we have been trying to diminish. One of the most popular single-use plastics is plastic straws. However, what if I were to tell you that only 0.03% of plastic in the oceans consists of plastic straws. This small percentage does not mean it is not having an impact on our oceans because it still is. However, the main question would be what is the majority of plastics in our oceans? 46% of the plastics in our oceans are discarded fishing equipment. These types of plastics are not just deadly to our aquatic life because there's so much of it, but also because this equipment is designed to kill. Fishing nets in particular are created for one purpose and that is to catch fish. With such an abundance of nets in our oceans, aquatic life is continuously being trapped, tangled, and unfortunately killed due to our improper disposal. 

Ali’s investigation was not finished, and this was only the beginning of his journey. As the puzzle pieces began to assemble more and more, the spotlight shifted onto the fishing industry. Fish are one of the most popular animals for human consumption and as the human population continues to expand, so will the need for fish. However, the journey of how the fish goes from the ocean to your plate is still a mystery. When we go to the grocery store, we often see cans and boxes of fish having certificate labels, such as MSC (Marine Stewardship Council) on them. As a shopper, you would believe that the fish has been caught with care and proper procedure. The unfortunate reality is that this is not true. “Seaspiracy” shows the truth on how your fish is actually being caught. At one point, 45 Dolphins were killed for the profit of 9 Tuna. Dolphins in particular are targeted due to the belief that they eat too many fish which takes away from the Fishermen’s profit. Though, it isn’t just Dolphins. All primary aquatic life is being mutilated to take away the competition. However, all this does is destroy the equilibrium of the ocean and this is putting our earth on a very dark path. These unfortunate actions are taking place every single day and are killing our oceans. More people need to be aware that if our oceans die, so do we. There is a way to get out of this “never-ending cycle” but profit needs to be put aside for the greater good. 

There are too many facts to discuss in this one article alone but, the bottom line is that we are at war with our oceans. This is a war humans need to lose in order to survive. However, there still is time to turn things around but we truly need to be cautious of how we go about doing things in the near future. If you haven’t already, I suggest watching “Seaspiracy” to gain more knowledge on the matter and see what you can do to help.

If you had told Farrokh Bulsara, who had grown up fleeing persecution, living in poverty and studying in an English-style boarding school, that he would one day go on to be one of the most influential and iconic musicians in history, become a cultural icon, join a legendary rock band and change his name to Freddie Mercury in all honesty, he probably would have believed you. He’d always had the mindset that he was going to be a legend, not just a rockstar mind you. 

When Mercury was 12, he formed a rock band at his boarding school with several of his peers where, according to his schoolmates, the only music he played was Western-influenced. Forced to abandon his band in 1964 when his family fled to England from India, Mercury began working in Kensington Market, selling second-hand clothes with his flatmate, Roger Taylor. 

Taylor had grown up in England and like Mercury, had formed a band of his own during school to channel his passion for music. Initially, Taylor had been a guitarist but after playing around on his friend’s drum kit, discovered that he had a natural talent for drums and picked that instrument up instead. Taylor taught himself to play the drums and was inspired by Keith Moon of The Who and Mitch Mitchell of the Jimi Hendrix Experience. During the time he was living with Freddie, Taylor was struggling through university where he was studying dentistry. In order to continue his passion for music, he joined a band called Smile, whose lead guitarist was Brian May. 

May had always been an exceptional student, earning many scholarships and awards in primary and secondary school while balancing his love for music. Following his high-school graduation, May went on to study physics and math and eventually graduated university with a Bachelor of Science and honours. After earning his degree, May was invited to study alongside astrophysicist Bernard Lovell and earn his doctorate in astrophysics. He declined the offer, opting instead to remain in London to continue playing guitar for the band he founded alongside drummer Roger Taylor and lead singer and bassist Tim Staffel. The band was named Smile and its number one admirer was an aspiring rockstar named Freddie Mercury. 

Staffel departed the band in 1970 leaving a legacy of nine whole original songs, next to no fame and a dejected drummer and guitarist behind. Enter Freddie Mercury, who joined Taylor and May to form the band named, you guessed it, Queen. Queen was almost ready to begin their ascent to stardom, only one piece of the puzzle was missing. 

That puzzle piece was bassist John Deacon who, like May, was also a good student who studied hard throughout his years at school who particularly enjoyed robotics. Despite his good marks, he had no desire to find a job but rather devoted his time to playing bass guitar for the multiple bands he was in. In his early years, Deacon was inspired by both rock bands like Deep Purple and soul music. In 1971 while out at a disco he was introduced to Taylor and May, who were looking for a bassist for their band Queen. Although he was originally unimpressed with their music, Deacon decided to audition for the band and subsequently, was cast as the fourth member of Queen. 

Queen was now in business. They had talent, a contract and the eccentric genius that was Freddie Mercury under their belts. In 1973, Queen released its first album, charting the beginning of a long and successful career. Their best-known 1975 album, A Night at the Opera, contained the hit song “Bohemian Rhapsody” which shot them to international superstar status. The band would go on to write hit songs such as “Somebody to Love”, “Another One Bites the Dust” and the “We Will Rock You/We Are the Champions” power-ballad duo.  

During their years as a group, Queen broke record after record and cemented themselves as one of the greatest of all time. In 1991, Freddie Mercury sadly died from an illness related to the AIDS virus leaving behind a legacy of being an incomparable lyricist, having a flamboyant style (he could rock a skin-tight, sparkly unitard in the 1980s) and being a musically-minded genius. Following Mercury’s death, Deacon retired from the public eye and although May and Taylor kept the band alive, it would never be the same without their lead singer. 

Queen has received a plethora of awards, including the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and an induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Additionally, each member has been inducted into the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame as they each produced hit singles for the band. In 2018, Queen was honoured in yet another way with their movie Bohemian Rhapsody that chronicled their years as a band. Estimates of Queen’s record sales range between 170-300 million records sold worldwide cementing them as one of the world’s best-selling artists. 

In the early days of Queen, Freddie Mercury confidently stated “I won’t be a rock star. I will be a legend.” Little did he know how right he would be, for who could have predicted that an astrophysicist, dentistry student, robotics fanatic and second-hand clothing salesman would one day join together to become the biggest band in the world? 

As the days progress, the Earth gets older and older. It is the unfortunate truth that a lot of us have not done our part in keeping the environment healthy and safe. As the Coronavirus has impacted us heavily, it has also impacted the environment. It is a requirement that we all wear masks wherever we go. It has come to our attention that disposable masks are not very environmentally friendly. As we are all attempting to stay safe, we should simultaneously work to keep our Earth safe as well. It has been proved that about 75% of masks and other Covid-19-related-material eventually end up in landfills or seas. This also presents itself as a threat to us, since the burning and uncontrolled incineration of used masks can lead to toxins being released into the environment, increasing the secondary transmission of Covid-19 to humans. Disposable masks cannot be recycled. This is one of the main reasons why they end up in unwanted places in the environment. 

Here is a safe way to dispose of masks!

• Take your mask off, holding the ear loops

• Cut off the ear loops using a pair of scissors. This ensures that the mask does not get entangled in wildlife. 

• Put all masks in a plastic bag 

• Place them in a trash can in time for your scheduled trash pick-up

There are many other ways to help save the planet. At this time, it is not safe to carpool or take the bus often, but walking or biking is a prominent way to reduce pollution. It is also a great way to enjoy the weather and exercise!

Making sure that all the light bulbs being used in your house are energy-efficient light bulbs is a big step towards saving the planet. Using energy-efficient light bulbs decreases the amount of greenhouse gas emissions being released into the environment. Compact fluorescent light bulbs are also an environmentally friendly alternative, incandescent light bulbs, as they last 10 times longer and use at least two-thirds less energy! An even more efficient replacement are LED Bulbs. These bulbs last about 25,000, hours, compared to other incandescent light bulbs, which last about 10,000, hours. 

You may think that having a leaky faucet isn’t a big deal, but did you know a leaky faucet can cause the loss of as much as 340 litres of water a day? Fixing leaky faucets and turning off the water while brushing your teeth can contribute to saving lots of water!

Here are just a few of the many different ways that we can help save the planet! 

The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on many of us, but it has also taken a toll on our environment. Here are some tips to stay eco-friendly and celebrate our planet this Earth Week!

1. Use Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products

Many cleaning chemicals used at home have harsh ingredients and come in plastic packaging. Using an eco-friendly cleaning chemical allows you to protect yourself from germs while helping the environment. There are many certified, sustainable cleaners that still protect against COVID-19. Purchasing a refillable glass container also helps to cut down on plastic use.

2. Buy Local

Grocery shopping at local shops and markets instead of large retail stores means the food travels less of a distance before it arrives in your cart. This means less carbon dioxide is emitted and fewer resources are used to transport food. Buying locally during the pandemic helps the environment and supports local businesses in a tough time!

3. Eat at Home

Ordering food is a common alternative to cooking at home during the pandemic. However, a lot of plastic packaging and single-use materials are often included in take-out. Instead, cook at home to make healthier food and produce less harmful waste!

4. Use Cloth Masks When Possible

While disposable PPE protects us from harmful germs in the air, it also has a negative effect on the environment. Using reusable PPE like cloth masks and reusable gloves is another way of protecting yourself from COVID-19 while helping our planet (cloth masks should fit snugly and be washed every day)!

5. Take Up Some Hobbies

With the beginning of the new quarantine, a lot of us are left with nothing to do. Taking up some eco-friendly hobbies is always an option! Start a garden in your backyard to grow fresh food and help the environment through the stabilization of soil and the release of clean oxygen. You can have herb patches or large vegetable patches with lettuce, tomatoes, or peas. Another environmentally friendly hobby to have in quarantine is upcycling. Upcycling reduces the amount of discarded materials that fill landfills each year, and can be a fun activity! Making a craft out of all those leftover toilet paper rolls or making cloth masks from clean shirts are some easy upcycling activities to do at home.

Hopefully, these tips will help you celebrate our planet and live more sustainably during the pandemic! Have a great, eco-friendly quarantine!

The last year has presented many challenges in the educational system, not just in Canada but globally. These challenges have drastically altered the way students learn and have shown both negative and positive effects towards students' mental health. One of the most significant changes to the way students learn is the introduction to virtual learning. This method of learning has raised many controversial arguments as to whether this method is the way students should continue to learn in the future. However, virtual learning has also opened many new opportunities in ways students can connect with each other and these opportunities have not gone unnoticed. Grade 11 students, Rameen Ansari and Prabhleen Hundal, with the help of Mr. Shaw and Mrs. Dittmer of the mathematics department, developed a way to utilize the virtual elements of learning as a way to connect with other students around the world. They have developed a virtual environment called “ IB Global Collaborations”. This environment is where students that are a part of the International Baccalaureate (IB) program, from all over the world, can go to learn and talk with one another. Students get the opportunity to discuss with peers similar to themselves, about their life goals, experience with the IB program and the world events taking place. Ansari says that “Global collaborations is a casual environment that allows IB students from all parts of the world to communicate” in a statement she gave to the Panther Post.

It is also an excellent opportunity to make new friends from different countries and gain valuable personal connections. Since October, Glenview’s IB students have had the opportunity to meet with IB students in Antigua and Barbuda, Cuba, United States, Nicaragua, Spain, Columbia, Belgium and South Africa and plan in the future to meet with Fiji and El Salvador. Hundal explained how “Rameen and I got to collaborate with a student from Belgium to host one of our meetings alongside us” which just goes to show the impact of this initiative and the positive outreach it has on students. “It’s an amazing opportunity to discuss the small differences from country to country” one user says, “You learn a lot, not only about school but of the situations of others”.

“ Our main goal is for students to develop global perspectives and other essential characteristics, seen through the IB Learner Profile” Ansari addresses. Hundal goes on further to say that “The Global Collaborations is a platform that has allowed me to interact with various IB students worldwide. The insight into the lives of IB students have been helpful, as I realized how some of them are in a more difficult situation than the students at Glenview, teaching me to become more resilient”. These virtual connections truly put the international touch on this popular program and for the first time, IB students can fully grasp the meaning of what it means to be an International Baccalaureate student. The “IB Global Collaborations” project truly is a Glenview initiative and it makes us Panther Proud.

Now, this project isn’t just focusing on the present, it will be around even well after COVID. The hope is to not only expand this initiative as said, but be able to continue meetings for future IB students. “We encourage students to continue to develop personal relationships with other IB students outside of Global Collaborations and to keep in touch through social media” says Ansari. With this being said, if you are an IB student looking to be a part of this wonderful community reach out through their Instagram (@globalcollaborations). We congratulate Rameen, Prahbleen, Mr. Shaw and Mrs. Dittmer on this amazing project.

Currently, Ontario is facing its third lockdown due to the pandemic. We are slowly beginning to receive the vaccine for Covid-19. Many countries are on the same boat while other countries continue to suffer. At the moment, India is facing the second wave of Covid -19 and it has been identified as the most lethal Covid-19 surge in the world. As of April 25, 2021, India has broken the global record of daily cases and deaths in 24 hours with approximately 300,000 cases and 2767 deaths. Due to the abundance of cases, hospitals in India are running out of necessary medical supplies such as oxygen tanks, beds and antiviral drugs. This has caused them to turn away many patients regardless of their medical condition. Many people in India have passed away in hospitals due to the low pressure of oxygen. 

How did this happen? A new variant was introduced to India by the name of B.1.617. Scientists have proven that it is easily transmissible, and it is difficult for antibodies to prevent this virus. The social distancing protocols were not properly announced which led to large religious gatherings and political rallies as the election is approaching. India also has a low vaccine coverage which affected the number of people beginning to recover. Fewer than 10% of Indians have received their first dose of the vaccine and only 1.6% of the population is fully vaccinated. 

Many countries such as America are stepping up to help India through this difficult time. The White House is working to acquire medical equipment such as testing kits, oxygen supplies and ventilators. The Biden Association announced that they will be sending other countries, including India, 60 million doses of the AstraZeneca PLC vaccine as they become available. 

So, how can you help? There are many fundraisers being held all over social media. All proceeds go directly to help supply oxygen to the patients in India. You can donate to the Canada Red Cross! They are sending the money to Red Cross India to help assist communities that are being affected. Care Canada is requesting donations to help supply emergency equipment to families in India. There is lots of information about this issue on social media and the internet, keep yourself updated and educated! 

May 5th marks the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG). This National Day coincides with Red Dress Day when people are encouraged to wear red to support these missing and murdered women. 

Indigenous women make up 16% of all female homicide victims and 11% of all missing women. At first glance, these numbers may not seem like a lot until you consider that Indigenous peoples make up only 4.3% of the Canadian population. Women and girls between 10 and 44 who are “Status-Indians” also have mortality rates that are 3 to 4 times higher than women and girls who are a part of the general population. No one knows for sure just how many Indigenous women are missing and/or murdered. The RCMP’s best guess is around 1400 although many cases are unreported or go uninvestigated. 

In 2019, the final report of the National Inquiry of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls was released although no action has been taken yet. The Government of Canada has cited the COVID-19 pandemic as the reason why nothing has been done so far. The report contains over 2800 testimonies from family members of these missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. 

The MMIWG crisis has been around for decades if not centuries. Back when colonizers were first arriving in Canada, countless Indigenous women were raped and sexually assaulted. Their rapists and accusers got away with it because, at the time, Indigenous people were seen as less-than-human. Today, Indigenous women and girls are still unfairly discriminated against for harmful stereotypes that perpetuate Indigenous peoples. Systemic racism plays an important role in this issue. Authorities will close a case file while singing those statements that are as old as time, “she was asking for it”, “she was drunk.” 

We may think that in this era of transparency and increased equality, Indigenous issues are no longer of concern. That is false. Indigenous women and girls are targeted more than any other group in Canada and there is still no plan to put an end to the crimes perpetrated against them. In the past 30 years, more than 4000 Indigenous women have gone missing or been murdered. 

This week alone, it is estimated that at least 3 Indigenous women have gone missing or been murdered. Next week, it will be the same. 

Food insecurity and famine have plagued developing countries for many years. As a fundamental human right, access to food in North America often comes with minimal problems. Nations faced with war, disease, displacement, natural disasters, and population imbalance can be affected by extreme scarcity of food and a starved population. There are many initiatives to combat these problems in the third world, including the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP). This article outlines the impact of their work in countries currently facing famine. The Yemen humanitarian crisis, caused by a decade-long war, has been a large focal point of WFP’s efforts. Over four million people are internally displaced, and over sixteen million suffer from food insecurity. Their work began in 2015, where they provided over 200,000 school-aged children with date bars for the duration of their school year. The World Food Programme continued to work, and almost eight million Yemeni people had received food assistance in December of 2018 alone. 

In March of 2021, an additional 1.7 million beneficiaries were registered, and 12,600 tonnes of cereals were received. During this time, Yemen has also been grappling with its second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. The outbreak of the disease, coupled with a fuel crisis and severe flooding has hindered the World Food Programme’s ability to aid with food insecurity. Despite this, they have continued their school feeding programme and have treated over 150,000 pregnant and lactating women and girls suffering from Moderate Acute Malnutrition (MAM). While the World Food Programme has done a lot of work in Yemen, there is still more to be done. They are in drastic need of funding, requiring almost 350 million dollars to continue their operations in the country.

Along with Yemen and many other countries WFP is aiding, Nigeria continues to struggle with food insecurity and poverty. 60% of the population lives beneath the poverty line and over two million people have been displaced from their homes because of conflict. In the northeast region of Nigeria, over 300,000 children suffer from acute malnutrition. This state of emergency has been further escalated by COVID-19. In November of 2020, WFP assisted roughly 1.1 million people in Nigeria and supported roughly 2.2 million people with regard to local agriculture and farming. As these efforts continue, the World Food Programme is still in need of roughly 125 million dollars to support operations in Nigeria.

The Yemen crisis and the Nigeria emergency are only two examples of developing nations that are being helped by the World Food Programme. Their support has also allowed Syrian Muslims to break their fast during Ramadan, and aided in keeping girls in school in South Sudan. Around the world, people are lacking a fundamental human right for reasons out of their control. Without proper nutrition, the chance for a healthy future and a good education for young children is essentially nonexistent. Every child that goes to bed with an empty stomach is a step backwards for humanity.

To donate to the World Food Programme, visit donatenow.wfp.org.

After a year of movie release dates being pushed back because of the pandemic, it looks like in 2021 we’ll have many more options of new films to watch. Here are a few I’m most excited to see. 

Concrete Cowboy: Recently released on Netflix, this coming-of-age film stars Caleb McLaughlin (from Stranger Things) and Idris Elba. It’s set in Philadelphia and explores a community of urban Black cowboys.It appears to be heartfelt and moving.

The Mitchells vs. the Machines: I’m usually not a big fan of animated movies, but this new release looks fantastic. The film follows a family on a road trip who has to stop a robot uprising.  It seems to be funny and sweet. Plus, it’s got a well-known cast, starring everyone from Chrissy Teigen to Olivia Colman. 

Street Gang: How We Got to Sesame Street: Although I never watched Sesame Street as a kid, I have an appreciation for it and am excited to learn more about it in this documentary. The film first premiered at Sundance Film Festival, and will be released on video-on-demand in May.

Last Night In Soho: Edgar Wright is one of my favourite directors, and I was really looking forward to his latest film last summer before it was pushed back. It’s now slated for release in October, and stars Anya Taylor-Joy as an aspiring fashion designer who travels in time to the 1960s to meet her idol. 

The French Dispatch: This is the newest film from another one of my favourite directors, Wes Anderson. It was supposed to be released last summer, but is now rumoured to debut at Cannes Film Festival later this year. An anthology film, it has been called ‘a love letter to journalists’, and if the trailer is any indication, it looks like it will feature everything that makes Anderson great. 

On December 8, 1980, a man by the name of Mark Chapman loaded his .38, walked out of his hotel lobby and caught a cab to an apartment complex in New York City. It was almost 21:00 and the apartment which had been bustling with fans earlier in the day was now nearly deserted. Eventually, a limo pulls up to the curb and a man and woman emerge from the back. This is the moment Chapman has been waiting for. With his signed album in one hand, he raises the other and shoots John Lennon seven times in the chest.

John Lennon was born on October 9, 1940, in Liverpool, England during a German air raid. As a child, Lennon was extremely artistic and creative but rarely got good grades in school. He had also earned a reputation for being a bit of a troublemaker and a prankster. When Lennon was 16, the King of Rock and Roll Elvis Presley was making waves in the music industry which inspired him to start a band, Quarry Men. The band was short-lived as in July of 1957, Lennon met Paul McCartney, who in turn introduced him to George Harrison who along with a couple of other boys, formed a group known as The Beatles. Lennon had thought of the name and was quite proud of its double meaning. 

In 1961, The Beatles consisted of Lennon, McCartney, Harrison and new addition, Ringo Starr. 1961 was also the year that the Beatles found their beloved manager, Brian Epstein who would become an important part of their ascension to success. In 1962, The Beatles’ first single hit the charts, where it peaked in the U.K. at number 17. In a couple of years, it would be impossible for The Beatles to release a single that didn’t peak at number 1 worldwide. 

In 1969, Lennon left The Beatles. There were a number of reasons why he may have decided to go. Perhaps the phenomenon known as “Beatlemania” that had consumed all of the band member’s lives making it impossible for them to go anywhere had gotten to be too much. Maybe it was because his musical partnership with his second wife, Yoko Ono, was causing too much tension in the group. Or maybe it was the allure of going solo that finally enticed Lennon to leave. 

John Lennon had established himself as one-half of the greatest singer/songwriter duo of all time alongside Paul McCartney. He was already a legend, and his solo career would only inflate his success more. Lennon’s first solo album was entitled John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band which dived into the themes of peace and love that would reoccur throughout all of his future work. In 1971, Lennon released Imagine, one of the best albums of all time. Its title track was named the third greatest song of all time in Rolling Stone’s magazine. Personally, I would rank it 2nd. Peace and love were once again, key themes on this masterpiece of an album. Following the release of Imagine Lennon and Ono moved to New York City where they found themselves in the middle of a deportation battle that caused significant strain on their relationship. They separated although they would get back together in 1974 and have a child. 

During the years Lennon and Ono were separated, Lennon continued to release hit albums like Mind Games, Walls and Bridges and Rock ‘n’ Roll. He also collaborated with legendary artists such as David Bowie and Elton John. He co-wrote and produced the backing vocals for Bowie’s “Fame” and borrowed John’s piano talents for the song “Whatever Gets You Thru the Night.” 

After the birth of his son, Lennon decided to take a pause from the music industry to focus on his family and fatherhood. Five years after his break in 1980, he returned to the world of music with the album Double Fantasy. A few mere weeks after the release of the album, John Lennon was assassinated by one of his former fans, leaving the world reeling. 

Lennon is remembered for his incredible songwriting talents and for forming the most influential band of all time. He despised violence and continuously strove to bestow love upon the world. In these turbulent times, if you take anything away from this article, take away the words of Lennon and “give peace a chance.”

WCSSAA is an organization that provides inter-school sporting events to all high school students in the WRDSB. Though staying at home has made in-person sporting events virtually impossible, WCSSAA has adapted and now runs virtual athletic events and challenges! Their first event is a basket toss challenge. All you have to do is throw a ball into a basket (or any container). You only have 20 throws, so make as many of them as possible! Every high school student in the WRDSB is welcome to participate. All you have to do is register and try your hand at the challenge. Read more about it, and register here. It ends on May 14, so don’t miss out! Doing these challenges will get you out and active (not to mention you can improve your sports skills) while at home. By participating, you gain points for your school and get the chance to win cool prizes!

Use #GetActiveWCSSAA to see what people are posting and to post your own content on WCSSAA challenges.

Find the newest info on their website! WCSSAA – Waterloo County Secondary School Athletic Association 

If you’re like me, you may think journaling is a waste of time. Or you don’t see the benefit of tracking what you did throughout the day but in this article, I’m going to try and convince you otherwise. Journaling is what you make it! You can write about your feelings, goals, accomplishments or even your favourite songs/movies that week. Journaling can be particularly helpful If you’re struggling to be productive or, just have a bad memory like I do. Staying at home all day makes it easy to take your everyday accomplishments for granted. Try keeping a bullet journal of all the little things you do in a day, from brushing your teeth to making your bed. It can help you find purpose during your time at home. If you’d like to take it a step further, plan out your days to maximize efficiency! The possibilities are endless when it comes to journaling.

Journaling could change your life! Don’t make the mistake of not trying it!

It’s no surprise to many that climate change is one of the largest issues facing our world today. Its effects are seen worldwide: increased global temperatures, more evaporated water, poor air quality, and more extinct and endangered species. These issues are also seen within Canada, specifically on local animals and wildlife.

One Canadian animal species badly affected by climate change are the Chinook Salmon. Chinook Salmon are native to the Pacific Ocean on Canada’s west coast and are known for their long migrations to seawater. They return to freshwater in order to spawn and die soon after. Climate change and many other factors have caused a 60% decrease in the Chinook Salmon population since 1984. Increasing world temperature has caused the Pacific Ocean to warm, making it difficult for the salmon to migrate and spawn. This has made Chinook Salmon an endangered species that continue to struggle to live in their habitat.

Another animal that has been negatively affected by climate change is the narwhal. Approximately 90% of the world’s population of narwhals resides in Canada’s arctic region. They are most known for their large unicorn-like tusks, a large tooth that protrudes from the front of a male narwhal’s head. They feed mostly on other sea animals such as squid, shrimp, and Greenland halibut. As arctic glaciers continue to melt, the narwhal population in Canada’s arctic continues to decrease. Narwhals use ice cover for protection and habitat in the fall and hunt for food between gaps in the ice. Global warming has destroyed their habitat, and other extreme temperature changes have caused the cracks in the ice to fill.

Vancouver Island Marmots are another Canadian species suffering as a cause of climate change. They are rodents that live exclusively on Vancouver Island and are classified as being critically endangered. They are one of the heaviest marmot species and are known to make a high-pitched whistling sound when scared. While they look similar to many other species of marmot, they are characterized by dark brown fur with white patches in various areas. Vancouver Island Mamorts have been highly affected by climate change. They live primarily in sub-alpine areas, habitats that have been deteriorated by logging and forest loss. Increased temperatures have made it difficult for them to migrate in their groups. This, alongside extreme weather conditions and an increase in predators, has pushed the Vancouver Island Marmots to the brink of extinction.

As climate change and environmental problems continue around the world, the effects are seen on many plants and animals. Chinook Salmon, narwhals, and Vancouver Island Marmots are only three examples of species that have been negatively impacted by our treatment of the environment. As a whole, we should continue to prioritize our climate and the protection of

Canadian wildlife.

Throughout the 1960s, Paul McCartney transformed the music industry with his singer/songwriter talents as a member of the Beatles. He is partially responsible for making pop music the commercial and creative genre that it is today. 

McCartney was born on June 18th, 1942 in Liverpool, England. He was raised in a working-class family like his future bandmates John Lennon, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. He and Lennon grew particularly close as both of them had lost their mothers at a young age. McCartney was heavily influenced by his father to begin playing multiple musical instruments. He had a talent to teach himself music by ear.

Throughout his time in the Beatles McCartney wrote the most hit songs including “Yesterday”, “Let it Be” and “Hey Jude” which is arguably their best song. McCartney also worked very closely with John Lennon and they split credits on many songs as the lead songwriting duo for the group. McCartney had songs on each of the Beatles 12 studio albums and was one of the more popular members until the band broke up in 1970. 

McCartney didn’t stay idle for long once the Beatles had disbanded. He was the first to release a solo album, McCartney, which was a hit with the public and contained the popular song “Maybe I’m Amazed.” McCartney then went on to form the band Wings, my personal favourite band of all time. 

Wings created music throughout the 1970s and finally disbanded in 1980. The band was formed around McCartney, his wife Linda and guitarist Denny Laine. Their first album, Wild Things, was a bit of a flop and their second album, Red Rose Speedway, despite receiving weak reviews was a number 1 hit. 

In 1973 however, Wings hit a home run. They released the hit song “Live and Let Die” as the theme of a James Bond film. They also released the 1973 album Band on the Run which contained the hit song by the same name and was McCartney’s best-reviewed album. In 1975, Wings released what is, in my opinion, the best album ever made: Venus and Mars. Venus and Mars broke attendance records on its international tour and contained the hit songs “Silly Love Songs” and “Let ‘Em In.” 

After the death of John Lennon, McCartney stopped touring throughout the 80s although he still recorded new music and collaborated with artists like Stevie Wonder and Micheal Jackson. In 1989, McCartney began touring again and set world records for the number of people that turned up to his concerts. 

Throughout the 90s and early 00s, McCartney worked on many projects including an orchestral composition for the London Philharmonic Society, The Beatles Anthology Project with George Harrison and Ringo Starr, a rock album and a classical album. In 1998, his wife Linda passed away from cancer. 

McCartney continues to make music and tour (although not during COVID!) today. He is a true legend and has been recognized by being knighted as well as receiving the Kennedy Center Honours, an induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Gershwin Prize. McCartney is also a philanthropist and dedicates both time and money to a number of charitable endeavours

There’s no denying it, Paul McCartney is possibly the greatest musician of all time. 

Though they’re best known for their 2013 pop hit Closer, Canadian indie duo Tegan and Sara have been making music for more than twenty years over a wide range of genres and styles. But no matter what the music sounds like, you can expect rich harmonies and well-written, impassioned, and plaintive lyrics. Here’s a guide to listening to one of my favourite bands.

Tegan and Sara’s 1999 debut album, the self-released Under Feet Like Ours, is an auspicious beginning. The folk-tinged rock is passionate, fierce and full of promise. 

They followed that record with This Business of Art (2000), which features an alt-rock sound and rerecordings of several tracks from Under Feet Like Ours. The album is spirited, emotional, and sees the band establishing their sound and style. 

If It Was You, released in 2002, found Tegan and Sara developing a more sophisticated indie rock sound, and more realized lyrics. The songs are upbeat, bold, and fun, with a heavy dose of introspection. 

Their breakthrough came with 2004’s So Jealous, a delicate and fine-tuned indie rock record with contemplative and melancholy lyrics. They also started using keyboards more, adding another dimension to their songs. 

Many fans regard Tegan and Sara’s next album, The Con (2007), as their best. The lyrics are dark, mournful, and intricate. The sound is more experimental, going from punk to folk, but it is always melodic and interesting. 

Sainthood (2009) marked Tegan and Sara’s move into a more electronic and poppy sound, as well as the first time they wrote lyrics together. The songs are weird and more conceptual, but also more catchy. 

It must have been a shock hearing Heartthrob for the first time in 2013, as it’s the band’s first fully pop record. There are way more synths and hooks, but the Tegan and Sara romantic lyrical spirit is still present. 

2016’s Love You To Death is one of their most mature albums, while still being full of great summer bops. It also features their most obvious lyrics about their relationship as identical twin sisters. 

Tegan and Sara did something interesting for their latest album, Hey, I’m Just Like You, released in 2019. The record is rerecordings of songs they wrote as teenagers and marks somewhat of a return to their indie-rock sound. 

I love Tegan and Sara, their layered sound, and their unique lyrics. With such a long career, no matter what music you like, I’m sure you’ll find something to enjoy in their work. 

May, among other things, is Asian heritage month. Established in the 1990s, Asian heritage month in Canada recognizes and celebrates the contributions of those of Asian descent in Canadian history.  You may have already seen this on Instagram or Snapchat under “AAPI appreciation” which stands for Asian American Pacific Islanders which is the more Americanized version. While it’s great those around the world are recognizing this month, it’s important to understand the what and why of the international celebration.

Firstly let’s define the word Asian and what it exactly is. Although historians are not completely sure, some say that the word “Asia” is derived from the Phoenician word “Asa” which means the “east” which is accurate in accordance to the geographical location.  Contrary to popular belief, the title Asian is made up of 48 different countries according to the United Nations. Typically in North America, when most think of Asians they think of East and Southern Asia where China, Vietnam, Korea, Japan, etc., are found. Asia is not just that and this is where most forget the south and western parts, where India, Pakistan, Israel and many more beautiful countries are located. There’s no great explanation as to why it’s exactly like this however, the idea of Asian differs from country to country. While being diverse in cultures, ethnicities, religions and ways of life, the word Asian does not fit into one specific mold.   

My next point will be one I hope many of you have already recognized.  With COVID-19 Asians have become a target for hate crimes but even before that, Asians have faced racism on many occasions.  Not only does Asain heritage month look at history but it also recognizes the problems that many face today. So while we appreciate what many Asians have done around the world, let’s also recognize the hate, struggle and conditions they have received in the present day.  In this article alone, I won’t be able to touch on the hundreds of different crimes committed, harassments made or stereotypical assumptions.  What I will say is do not stop learning, the more people that know about what’s going on the easier we can come together and put an end to it. 

So what can you do to support this recognition month? As Canada becomes more diverse and as we as a community continue to grow, celebrating and acknowledging the different cultures around us has become more important than ever. Doing your own research to see how far Asians have come in different fields such as film, technology, science, etc., is just one way to start this month off strong. If you don’t feel like doing that you can source out local businesses that are owned by Asian Canadians; there are many restaurants and shops that offer a small peek into their culture through food, clothes, games and more. As the Panther Post continues to spread awareness on different subjects, we hope that you as readers continue to expand and grow your knowledge on the extensive amount of topics we cover.  As this month is of celebration and recognition, we hope our own Asian community has a great month!

Earlier this week Instagram introduced a new feature; displaying your pronouns in a specific section of your bio. There is a range of options to choose from including she/her, he/him, she/they, he/they and they/them. Your pronouns will appear in small letters next to your name. 

One in four 2SLGBTQIA+ identifying youth choose to go by pronouns that are different than their birth gender. Instagram’s latest update is both a show of allyship and inclusivity.  The pronouns that a person chooses to use, or not to use, is an important part of their gender identity and expression. 

It’s important to remember to not assume someone’s gender or pronouns based on the way that they look. That just reinforces stereotypes about gender expression such as someone with a feminine appearance goes by she/her pronouns. It also reinforces the stereotype that gender expression is the same thing as gender identity when in reality they are two very different things. 

When you first meet someone, it’s always a good idea to introduce yourself by your pronouns. For example: “Hi, I’m Melody. I go by she/her pronouns.” By sharing your pronouns you demonstrate the importance of recognizing one’s identity and take a fundamental step in being an ally. While you may feel comfortable sharing your pronouns, other people may not which is why it is important to not pressure someone to share their pronouns or ask them in a disrespectful way. 

If you use the wrong pronouns with someone, it is best to correct your mistake and quickly move on without dwelling on the issue. Apologizing numerous times and calling more attention to the incident draws more attention to it and can make the person who was misgendered feel uncomfortable. The best thing to do is say something along the lines of  “I’m sorry, I meant to say ___” and move on. 

Instagrams update is a step in the right direction in making their platform more inclusive. Hopefully, more social media platforms will step up and do the same. 

They care, comfort, humour and cajole us, and in the end, they save lives, especially in these trying times in the midst of a global pandemic. We owe them our thanks. So in light of National Nurses Week, we ask that you honour the nurses in your life, show them you care, and give them a little love back for all the things they do that we should be so very grateful for. International Nurses Day is celebrated around the world every May 12, the anniversary of Florence Nightingale's birth. ICN commemorates this important day each year with the production and distribution of the International Nurses' Day (IND) resources and evidence.

The Award of Excellence in Nursing recognizes the commitment, effort, and excellence of nurses who work in collaboration with First Nations communities, Indigenous Services Canada, and Inuit communities to improve the health of Indigenous peoples in Canada. Nurses are nominated for this award by their colleagues every year during National Nursing Week to honour the contribution of nurses to First Nations and Inuit communities.

Krystel Cyra Kho is a nurse in Toronto Ontario who won the Award of Excellence this year! She comes from a family of nurses and found her love for this career when she was caring for her sick aunt, unfortunately. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and became a registered nurse in the Philippines. She later immigrated to Toronto where she became an internationally trained nurse. She became a registered nurse in Canada after completing the College of Nurses of Ontario and started her career working as a Licensed Practical Nurse and Acting Manager in 2012. Krystel is known for her kind and caring heart. She builds relationships with those she interacts with. Her supervisory experience, friendship with Indigenous peoples, and willingness to respond to the needs of her patients have earned her the community's and colleagues' respect.

A huge thank you to all the nurses out there! 

It's been tough learning from home, so here are a few tips to keep you focused in class to keep your grades sky high!

1.Get something to fidget with

This can be a mindless hobby, like crocheting or doodling, or a fidget toy. Anything that keeps you busy physically and allows you to pay attention to what the teacher is saying will work. 

2.Turn your camera on! 

We get that it can be awkward just sitting there with your camera on and it's a lot of extra work to look “presentable”. However, it gives more of a classroom feeling and you’re much less likely to get distracted if the teacher is looking at you. Plus, the teacher gets to know you better and you can get a better participation mark!

3.Participate in class. 

This includes answering the teacher’s questions, as well as asking your own questions. It will subconsciously raise the importance of the class in your mind. It's easy to fall behind in such a fast-paced schooling environment but making sure you understand the material is vital to your success. Plus, teachers like to hear you ask questions because it means you’re paying attention.

4.Get out of bed

It is so much easier to wake up 1 minute before your class starts and join from bed, but you absolutely cannot pay attention when all your energy is going into trying not to fall back asleep. Keeping that morning routine of waking up, getting changed, brushing your teeth and eating breakfast will allow you to pay attention and participate in class much better. It may seem harder to keep a good morning routine but it is much easier in the long run. 

5.Go outside

This can mean taking a walk, attending class from your backyard, or doing homework in a park. Though we can't really go anywhere at the moment, the change of scenery that the outdoors bring can be beneficial to your ability to concentrate. Additionally, fresh air and nature has been proven to be good for your overall health.

6.Make it difficult to get distracted and easier to stay focused

The best way to do this is to put anything that distracts you out of reach. If you can't stop scrolling on TikTok, then put your phone in another room while you're in class. As well as it being out of sight, the fact that you’d have to get up and get it discourages you from distracting yourself with it. Note-taking is a great way to stay focused and it's a good skill if you're thinking about going to university or college. As you’re sitting in class, pick out key things the teacher says and write them down. Even if you don’t need to take notes in the class, you are more likely to remember the things you wrote down.

Many issues have been taking place all around the world and although it may not affect all of us it is very important to stay informed and educated about these situations. Recently there has been lots of light shown on the issue taking place in Palestine. What is going on? Why is it so important? 

100 Years ago

After the Ottoman Empire, which ruled that part of the Middle East, was defeated in WW1, Britain took control of Palestine. A Jewish minority and an Arab majority lived on the property. 

When the international community tasked Britain with creating a "national home" for Jews in Palestine, tensions between the two peoples rose. The Jews believed it was their ancestral home,, but Palestinian Arabs also claimed it and were opposed to the transfer. The number of Jews arriving in the United States increased between the 1920s and the 1940s, with many fleeing persecution in Europe and finding a homeland following WWII's Holocaust. Violence between Jews and Arabs, as well as resistance to British rule, increased. The United Nations voted in 1947 to divide Palestine into separate Jewish and Arab states, with Jerusalem designated as an international city. The proposal was approved by Jewish leaders, but it was rejected by Arab leaders and never put into action. Since the British rulers were unable to solve the issue, they left in 1948, and Jewish leaders proclaimed the establishment of the state of Israel. Many Palestinians protested, and the result was war. Invasion by troops from neighbouring Arab countries occurred. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians were driven out of their homes during the "Catastrophe," which they call Al Nakba. Israel occupied the majority of the territory by the time the war ended in a truce the following year. Jordan took control of the West Bank, while Egypt took control of Gaza. Jerusalem was divided between Israeli forces in the West, and Jordanian forces in the East. There were more conflicts and fighting in the decades that followed because there was never a peace deal and each side blamed the other. In1967, Israel captured East Jerusalem and the West Bank, as well as the majority of Syria's Golan Heights, Gaza, and Egypt's Sinai Peninsula. Israel has refused to allow them or their descendants to return to their homes, claiming that doing so would overwhelm the country and jeopardise Israel's survival as a Jewish state. The Palestinians claim East Jerusalem as the capital of a future Palestinian state, while Israel claims the entire city of Jerusalem as its capital. Afew nations, including the United States, recognise Israel's claim to the entire city.

So, what’s happening now?

Tensions between Israel and Palestinians in East Jerusalem, Gaza, and the West Bank are frequently heavy. Gaza is ruled by Hamas, a Palestinian militant group that has fought Israel numerous times. Israel and Egypt maintain tight control over Gaza's borders in order to prevent arms from reaching Hamas. Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank say Israeli acts and restrictions are causing them pain. Israel claims it is only acting in self-defense against Palestinian aggression. After the start of the holy Muslim month of Ramadan in mid-April 2021, things have gotten worse, with nightly clashes between police and Palestinians. The threat of eviction for some Palestinian families in East Jerusalem has sparked more outrage. There are many topics on which Israel and the Palestinians are at odds. These include questions such as what should happen to Palestinian refugees, whether Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank should remain or be withdrawn, whether the two sides should share Jerusalem, and, perhaps most importantly, whether a Palestinian state should be established alongside Israel. Peace negotiations have been held on and off for more than 25 years, but the dispute has yet to be resolved.

Often, there are divides between countries and cultures that tend to pull us apart rather than bring us together. To provide your support for this unfortunate issue; donate to organizations that are committed to helping this issue, stay educated and educate others, and be there for one another as you do not know how others are being affected by this. 

In the past, companies and large businesses have operated with their shareholders’ needs as a top priority. This includes engaging in activities and strategies to maximize profit with little care of other consequences. As the business world has continued to progress, consumers and entrepreneurs alike have begun to ask for a more ethical option for practicing business; one that prioritizes sustainability, community engagement, as well as social and cultural development. While the demand for this has increased in recent years, many large companies and corporations have taken a step to incorporate them into their business practices. Although, many have also continued to only prioritize what was done in the past. The Coca-Cola Company seems to have a combination of the two, though their past has earned them a negative reputation when it comes to business ethics.

The Coca-Cola Company is a multinational corporation originally founded in the late 1800s, that is now valued at almost 40 billion dollars. The beverage company has had a long history of unethical business practices and a lack of corporate social responsibility. One commonly talked about issue of Coca-Cola is their environmental impact. In 2019, they were named the largest plastic polluting company on the planet, producing roughly three million tons of plastic per year. The company claimed that while they produced many plastic bottles, they are 100% recyclable. However, the recycling process for plastic is limited and vastly unregulated by the company. Since this time, the Coca-Cola Company has made numerous environmental goals to reduce their carbon footprint. Their specific goal is to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 25% before 2030, as well as to collect and recycle every plastic bottle sold. They have also made a goal to become more transparent about problems within the company’s practices, though that is still an issue.

Coca-Cola’s lack of honesty pertaining to the health effects of their products has also been the source of an unethical reputation for the company. Coca-Cola has been known to create misleading advertisements in order to convince consumers that their products have health benefits or minimal negative impacts on human health. One common example of this is Vitaminwater. Vitaminwater is a product created by Coca-Cola that was marketed as a health drink that promotes good vision and healthy joints. However, the marketing scheme failed to mention that the drink contained over 32 grams of sugar, a similar amount to that of a Coke. Along with this, the corporation has also funded organizations that suggest to the public that the correlation between obesity and unhealthy diets is minimal. However, the company has also set goals to create more low-calory and healthy drinks, while supporting more fitness programs and centers.

While Coca-Cola creates new goals to improve their social responsibility and ethicality, their historical lack of the two continues to set them back. Their new goals may be important, but many lack specificity and come alongside a lack of transparency. Even as one of the largest multinational corporations today, they are not above criticism and the responsibility of a company to maintain the environment, health, community, and diversity. It is important that as consume continue to purchase goods and services from large corporations, they also demand a higher ethical and social standard.

As the 2020-2021 school year comes to an end, Glenview has chosen the valedictorian for this year as Gavneet Bhandal! Gavneet is a very enthusiastic and talented grade 12 student. She has shared some information about her involvement with Glenview and her path to becoming valedictorian. 

What have you been involved in?

Since grade 9 I’ve been a part of a lot of sports, clubs and organizations across the arts, academics and athletics. From grade 9 up until Covid hit I was a part of Glenview’s basketball team. Since grade 10 I was on the badminton team. During my whole high school career I was attending Sur Dhaara Music Academy each week as a music student. In grade 9, I joined the athletic club for the first semester, during the second semester I joined Glenview’s choir and Music Executive team. From the summer before grade 9 I also received the wonderful opportunity to work with children at Fiddlesticks Community Centre and Idea Exchange, I volunteered at these organizations up until my grade 11 year. In grade 10, I joined SAC as a spirit leader. Today, at SAC I’m an executive on the team alongside some of Glenview’s most hardworking kids. I’ve also volunteered at Glenview’s “We Scare Hunger'' event that took place every Halloween. In grade 11, I joined HOSA, I also joined smaller clubs (virtual and non virtual) like the IB committee for a short amount of time, the financial literary club, etc. In grade 11, Mr. Shaw gave a few of his math students the opportunity to design and paint the math hallway. So my friend and I spent a few weeks after school working on that. During the same year, Mr. Jarman gave me the opportunity to volunteer as a student coach for the Cambridge Centaurs, coaching a young girls team. Grade 12 had become completely virtual, so I was really pushing myself to join different clubs. In grade 12 I joined BSU, I want to be an ally to our Black community and I knew BSU would be a great club to join to learn about things within our community and provide me the opportunity to create change. I also joined the Doctor’s of Tomorrow chapter at Glenview as a Finance Director and finally I joined WRDSB’s Student Senate this year.

What are your post-secondary plans?

For post secondary, this fall I’ll be attending  the University of Waterloo for Management Engineering.

Why did you want to be valedictorian?

Funny story, I was actually the valedictorian during my grade 6 graduation. I know, that was years ago, I was only 11 at the time. But I remember my principal telling me about how important and honourable this role is during high school and university and college. Therefore I was willing to pursue the role again, but only if I truly was able to represent my class well. During the last 4 years here at Glenview I’ve met many of my classmates through different clubs, sports and a wide range of classes that I’ve taken. I believe that as a valedictorian, a student needs to be able to represent their class through collective experiences and memories, and I was confident that with my connection to different groups of students will allow the perfect representation of the class. I feel very honoured receiving this role with the help of Glenview’s class of 2021, and I’m very excited to be able to speak on behalf of us.

Congratulations to Gavneet and thank you so much for making your mark at Glenview. We wish you all the best in the future.

Hey Panthers! As the school year of 2020-2021 comes to an end, our current co-primes Dominique Nedd and Jaclyn Brennn will be graduating! Although they did not get to have the full experience of being co-primes, they made the most out of it and worked extremely hard to make the school year as fun as possible. Here is a short Q & A from Domonique and Jaclyn.

What was your favourite thing about being coprime?

Jaclyn Brennan: My favourite part about being coprime was just engaging with all of the student leaders and seeing all of our plans come together

Domonique: Though we had a challenging year planning events I loved being able to host SAC meetings, I loved hearing everyone's ideas and the overall collaboration that took place at these meetings. SAC is truly a tight knit family where everyone is welcoming and inclusive of everyone and their ideas. As coprimes we truly wouldn’t have been able to plan online events without our entire SAC team! 

How and what did you have to do differently due to covid?

Jaclyn Brennan: All of the events had to be adjusted to an online format. In all honesty COVID-19 majorly disrupted our plans and we were unable to do almost all of the events we had planned for this year. but thanks to our amazing SAC team we were able to engage students using an online format (primarily through instagram).

Domonique: Covid made it very difficult to plan events where students would willingly join as it was all online. Jaclyn and I had so many great ideas and plans for new or improvements to existing events at Glenview. We had hoped to do Glenview Games at the beginning of the year rather than the end to allow new students to meet each other and mingle with the older students. Though due to covid we were unable to do events such as this and instead we had to create engaging online events and spirit days. My favourite online event/post we created was WYNTKW, I loved how informative it was! 

How did you like working together?

Jaclyn Brennan: I loved working with Dom! It was super easy to collaborate because we knew each other beforehand and honestly the whole partnership was really nice and cohesive! 

Domonique: I loved working with Jaclyn, we both had so many ideas for what this year could have been (pre-covid), and then eventually created new ones to adapt to the current circumstances. We have been friends since the grade 9 basketball season so it wasn’t hard to get along in any way! She has truly been an amazing co-prime!

After graduating from Glenview, Jaclyn is heading to University of Ottawa to do biomedical science and Domonique will be doing business administration at Wilfrid Laurier University. We are so excited to see them continue to thrive in the future!

Disclaimer: This article deals with forms of abuse and exerts of statements from real survivors of Canadian residential schools.  Helplines for Indigenous survivors and communities are provided at the bottom.

In light of recent events, now more than ever must we address Canada’s past relationship with the Indegenous communities.  As more and more media highlight the tragedies, and despicable treatments of Indegenous children and communities we as Canadians need to understand the unspeakable evils they had to go through.

By definition a residential school is described as a “boarding school” before being titled as “...  a government-supported boarding school for children from Inuit and other indigenous communities.” as defined by the Oxford Languages.  By definition a residential school doesn’t seem bad, but behind these simple words is a horrific scene that has haunted Indegenous communities. Residential schools were made for one reason, to convert Indegenous children into the “Canadian stereotype” 

These schools took Indegenous youth from their home, cultures and families, and committed horrific crimes in order to fit them into their mold.  An estimated 150,000 children were put into 130 schools across Canada where many remained open spanning from 1831 to 1996.  European settlers hoped to aid Indigenous communities learn the ways of their cultures to better fit in, the result was years of torture.  Here are just some of the cruel and inhumane acts that were commited:

Isolation: Not only did Indegenous children have to suffer isolation from their own communities, but from their culture, food, celebrations, language and many more day to day activities.  Many describe the emotional neglect that they faced, with often being beaten for crying, put into dark cold cellars as punishment and given no reliable adults to depend on . Many residential school survivors describe the children crying into their pillows at night for if any one got caught for crying they were all punished. 

“ I was screaming and crying. They checked me up. They checked me, they locked me there, in the dark room. And they checked me and I wouldn’t stop crying and I was hurting, because they, they, they hit me too hard; and I was so, I was hurt so much.”

-Murray Crowe

And for the children who did have family nearby, they were not allowed to initiate contact.  Many describe seeing their family waiting for them through windows of the school and being kept from them. 

“If you cried, if you got hurt and cried, there was no, nobody to, nobody to comfort, comfort you, nobody to put their arms. I missed my mom and dad, and my brothers and sisters.”

-Lydia Ross, Cross Lake Manitoba School 

Abuse: At many (most likely all) residential schools the children experienced some form of abuse.  If they disobeyed, spoke out of turn, stepped out of line, they were severely punished.  Andrew Yellowback, who resided in a school for 8 years states that ”During that time, I was sexually, physically, emotionally, and mentally abused by both the sisters and brothers.”  Many children were hit, dragged, spat on, manipulated and victims of the unspeakable.   However even with proof from bruises, scars, etc.,  there was no action taken against any of the authority figures and instead put back on the children.

“I told the sister what happened. She didn’t believe me. She strapped me for lying. So, I went to see the priest, Father Superior … and he said there’s nothing he could do. Sent me back to the boys’ hall and then the first thing you know the phone rang. The old crank phones. The sister answered it and it was Father telling her that I had been there complaining about what happened. She immediately took me again and strapped me again for doing that without her permission”

-Jimmy Cunningham, Sturgeon Lake School 

Acculturation:  The residential schools took pieces from these children.  They were forced into speaking english rather than their native language, learning church songs instead of traditional Indigenous music, given traditional European names and sometimes even numbers rather than using their birth name, they cut their hair in bowlcuts instead of letting them wear their braids which has major cultural significance.  In short they took everything they knew and loved and replaced it with what they thought was the social standard.

"As a residential school survivor, there were things taken away from us that we can never ever get back, doesn't matter how hard you work at it. I worked hard to get my culture back, my language. I still have to work at it. There are many missing things that I can never ever get back” - Helen Cromarty 

The Indigenous youth did not have a choice, or a say in any of this.  In a way, they were treated worse than animals. They stole their birth right to freedom of expression and religion in an unspeakable manner. 

We as a Glenview community should continue to learn and stand with our IndIgenous peers.  Acknowledging the horrors of the children of residential schools is downright heart breaking and enough for us to help our Indigenous communities today. 

Residential School Survivor Support Line:  1-866-925-4419

First Nations and Inuit Hope for Wellness 24/7 Help Line: 1-855-242-3310

. 

Sources used: http://www.trc.ca/assets/pdf/Survivors_Speak_English_Web.pdf

Although nowadays LGBT Pride Month is considered a happy, celebratory time, the first Pride was a riot. 

In the 1950s and 60s, LGBT Americans faced extreme homophobia, including frequent police raids on gay bars. One of these raids occurred on June 28th, 1969, at the Stonewall Inn in New York City. The patrons of the bar, led by drag queens and transgender women of colour, responded by taking a stand against the police, leading to riots. In the words of one participant, “predominantly, the theme [w]as, "this sh*t has got to stop!"”. 

The riots caused protests against the homophobia and transphobia of the police and the system throughout the summer, and led to the creation of many LGBT rights groups. In 1970, Chicago activists organized a march to coincide with the anniversary of the riots, and soon after there were LGBT Pride marches and parades in many cities around the world.

Pride Month is now seen as a month to celebrate being LGBT, with many parades, concerts, and social events taking place in June. However, LGBT activists still recognize the importance of remembering Pride’s past as a protest against systematic and institutional homophobia and transphobia. 

Hey, Panthers it is June and June is a very special month for many people. It is pride month meaning that all of the people in the 2SLGBTQIA+ are celebrating being able to be themselves. Now, this acronym can be very confusing to some people who may not know what this stands for, so we are going to break it down and talk about each part of this amazing acronym for this month of celebration!

The 2S:  The 2S stands for Two-spirit or 2 Spirit or 2S and this term means that a person has both feminine and masculine spirit in their body. This term is very important in Indigenous cultures. 

The L: The L stand for Lesbian and that is a woman who is attracted to another woman.

The G: The G stands for Gay and that is a man who is attracted to another male, Gay can also be used to describe a person who is attracted to the same gender.

The B: The B stand for someone who is Bisexual or Bi. A person who is Bi is someone who is attracted to males and females, they can have a strong preference for one or another but they are attracted to someone from the other gender or the same gender.

The T: The T stands for someone who is Transgender or Trans. A person who is Trans is someone who identifies differently than the gender they were assigned at birth. Other ways a person may identify as-is: genderqueer, gender fluid, gender non-conforming, non-binary and androgynous. It is up to the person to decide on how they want to identify.

The Q:  The Q stands for Queer and Queer includes all gender identity in the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. The Q can also include questioning and that is when someone isn't sure how they identify themselves or what their sexual orientation is yet. 

The I: The I stands for Interex and a person who is Intersex is a person who has male and female characteristics in their body. They may be assigned one gender but may not view themselves as that gender.

The A: The A means Asexual and a person who is Asexual is a person who doesn’t experience physical attraction to other people but can be emotionally attracted to others.

The +: The + is a way to include all other sexual orientations and gender identities. For other people it can also mean love and acceptance.

As you can see all of these symbols in the acronym have special meanings to so many people! All of these people now have the freedom to be who they want to be and that's amazing and this month is all about celebrating who you are! Everyone in the 2SLGBTQIA+ deserves to be who they want to be and this month is all about being who you want to be so celebrate you and be you. We love all of you panthers! Happy Pride Month<3.

If you want to learn more about Sexual orientations and gender identities check out this website: Here to learn more about the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.

At the beginning of quarantine, I started skateboarding. It was something I’d been wanting to try for a long time, and even if I can’t do any tricks yet, I love it. I think lots of people would love it too if they tried it, and the plethora of skateboarding films released in the last few years are a great introduction to the sport.

Skate Kitchen: Released in 2018, this film follows Camille, a skater in New York, as she makes friends in an all-girl skating group. It was well-received by critics, and HBO created a spin-off TV series called Betty. 

Mid90s: Jonah Hill’s directorial debut, this film also follows a young skater finding his people, but in 1990s Los Angeles. Critics enjoyed its nostalgia for the 90s skater aesthetic, and down-to-earth feel. 

My Name Is Baghdad: In this film, first released in 2020, the titular character is a female skater in São Paulo, Brazil. Although it hasn’t been widely released yet, it appears to have a naturalist and family-focused style. 

Skater Girl: Another international pick, this upcoming film finds a teenager in India discovering her passion for skateboarding. It arrives on Netflix in June, and I can’t wait to watch it. 

Sk8r Grrl: This upcoming film looks to be more fantastical. It tells a story about a group of skater girls using their newfound magic powers to save New York from witches. Just the plot alone convinced me to check it out when it’s released next month.

The 4000-mile long route known as the Silk Road is one of history’s most influential trade networks. It was used for over 1200 years and cultivated the trading of inventions such as gunpowder, paper, sugar, and porcelain. The Silk Road’s long and extensive history has made a

permanent impact on world history and trade. The route itself was first established by the Han Dynasty in 130 B.C. as a means of trade,

stretching from China to multiple points, including the Roman Empire. 

The history of the Silk Road began when an ambassador of the Han Dynasty, Zhang Qian, visited and connected with the people of Central Asia. Around that time, the Ottoman Empire had ended trade with Europe, and since the latter was heavily dependant on trade, they turned to the Silk Road. Though the Silk Road is referred to as a ‘road’, it was actually made up of several paths winding in different directions. One of these paths was a route already long-established by the Persian Empire, known as the Royal Road. The longest path of the Silk Road is believed to have been over 4,000 miles long, stretching from east to west. From China, items like silk, gunpowder, gold, silver, and wool

were exported. Items such as jewels, sugar, and fragrances came from the West. As silk was one of the highest-valued items traded on the Silk Road, the item was used to name the trade network in 1877.

One key way that the Silk Road affected modern history is the spread of culture and religion. For example, the religious practice of Buddhism began to spread in Europe, which later spread to the in-lands of China through the routes of the Silk Road. The first Buddhist

community was based in Loyang, China in second century B.C., and more communities and monasteries emerged at the end-routes of the Silk Road over time. Other religions such as Zoroastrianism, Manicheism, and Nestorianism became prominent during the time of the trade.

Islam was spread throughout many places in Asia, including China, where Muslims travelled one of the many routes of the Silk Road to spread the name of the religion. As for culture, the art, literature, architecture, and food of certain areas had a large influence on other parts of the world. Music from eastern parts of Turkey and Central Asia became popular in China, and the art of silk weaving became a large industry in other parts of the world, such as Iran and Byzantium. Global travel was also an effect of the Silk Road. It kickstarted an era of travel and exploration, specifically from Europe, known as the Age of Exploration. In 1453 A.D., the

Ottoman Empire ended all trade with China, ending the use of the Silk Road. This is one of many reasons why Europe used its navigational technology to attempt to find new, shorter trade routes to reach foreign countries. The Europeans then ‘discovered’ other parts of the world, such as Christopher Columbus exploring and colonizing North America (at the expense of many Indigenous peoples). There was also Marco Polo, who travelled many routes of the Silk Road. Most notable were his explorations of China, a place foreign to many Europeans at the time. From 130 B.C. to 1453 A.D., the Silk Road was a bridge between two parts of the world. This ancient link allowed the sharing of culture and religion, and its closing caused exploration and colonization of the ‘New World’. Both positively and negatively, the Silk Road has shaped our systems of international trade and the development of global history.

In June of 1984, the Indian government initiated an attack on Shri Harmandir Sahib which is better known as the Golden Temple, and the attack was given the code name of Operation Bluestar. There was immense amounts of damage to the sacred building and many Sikhs were killed. 

What Happened?

Operation Bluestar was fully mobilized on May 25, 1984 but took course over six days - from June 1, 1984 to June 10, 1984. These are often referred to as the 10 days of terror. 

May 25: 100,000 Indian army troops are mobilized and deployed all over the state of Punjab surrounding all of the important Gurudwaras including the Golden Temple complex. 

June 1: Shri Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple) was surrounded. The Border Security Force and the Central Reserve Police Force began open firing at the complex, which was ordered by the army. At least 8 people had died. The 10 days of terror had began.  

June 2: Indira Gandhi (prime minister) makes an address for the peace of the nation which planning to launch a full scale war against civilians in Amritsar. 

All of the Sikhs killed on June 1 are cremated. 

The telephone connections to the Golden Temple complex are disconnected. The government also imposes a media blackout in the state of Punjab in order to cut it off from the outside world, making sure there are minimal witnesses, and news coverage on the situation. Punjab was also closed off to all travel, and all incoming and outgoing flights were cancelled. 

June 3: Thousands of people go to the Golden Temple because it is the martyrdom day of Guru Arjan Dev Ji (The fifth Sikh Guru) and they are trapped there after an all-Punjab 36-hour curfew is suddenly re-imposed. 

June 4: Since June 3rd was a religious holiday, nearly 10,000 pilgrims had come to stay at the Golden Temple and knowing that at 4:00am the army started shelling the Golden Temple complex, without warning. 

June 5: At 10:00pm 13 army tanks and a dozen armed personnel  carriers smash their way into the complex. Amrik Singh, the 65-year old head ragi is shot dead in the Darbar Sahib itself (the Golden Temple)

June 6: On the night of June 5 and the early hours of June 6 the battle became more ferocious. Around 4:30am, 30 soldiers managed to get into the Akal Takht. The army ordered to fire their tanks on the Akal Takht, and due to the repetitive explosions, it was reduced to rubble and all Sikhs that were inside defending it, also passed away. 

June 7: The Sikh Reference Library is burnt along with all of its priceless collection of 20,000 rare and valuable historical documents, including 2500 handwritten saroops of the Guru Granth Sahib Ji (Holy Scripture) are reduced to ash. 

June 8: Medical workers in Amritsar were threatened by soldiers. If they gave any food or water to the Sikh pilgrims wounded in the attack or lying in the hospital, they would be shot. All Sikhs in the complex were left to starve to death. 

June 9: Government orders shooting of unarmed protestors in Delhi - many more Sikhs were killed on government orders. 

June 10: The last of the Sikh fighters are murdered today and the entire Golden Temple complex is under complete military control. 

The soldiers were also disrespecting all rules by wearing their shoes inside the complex, smoking cigarettes and walking around with their heads uncovered.  

Why Was This Attack Initiated?

You may be wondering why the Indian government felt the need to initiate such a detailed plan on the Golden Temple. It was because there was a controversial Sikh leader, named Sant Jarnail Singh Bhindrawale living in the complex and he had proposed equal rights for all people in the state of Punjab, disregarding caste, or religion and he had also proposed the Anandpur Resolution which had asked for basic rights the government had promised to the state of Punjab when the British colonial rule had left India. He also openly spoke out against the discrimination between different religions, specifically discrimination caused by the government. He was used as a target in order to initiate this plan which had a greater purpose than to just arrest or kill Bhindrawale - it was to eradicate as many Sikhs as possible and completely end the Sikh population. Although, at the end of this attack, Bhindrawale was found dead inside the complex alongside many other who had lost their lives. 

It is important to recognize that this attack was a genocide and not a small massacre. All government sources state that there were only a few hundred people killed in the attack but it was tens of thousands of Sikhs killed in the attack. It has been 37 years since the initial attack and the Indian government or any other federal governments have not accepted this attack as a genocide and many people still have not gotten justice. Many other Sikhs across the country were killed in fake encounters while this attack was taking place and many mothers are still waiting for their children to come back home. This is why it is important to Never Forget 1984. 

Disclaimer: In no way am I an expert on this subject, I only can speak on my personal experience and material provided by news sources and reports. 

When I was younger, like most kids my parents put me in sports. I tried all the sports my parents could put me in: competitive swimming, gymnastics, martial arts, ballet, at one point I was even on my school's touch football team. Today most people who know me know I play competitive soccer.  I remember my first pair of cleats, my first ever soccer game, even my first jersey.  When I look back, the only thing I don’t remember is turning on the TV and seeing a women's soccer match, or any womens sports for that matter.  6 years later, I am still faced with that same problem.  My one question is why?

First off I want to provide a little  history; womens sports dates back for centuries but wasn’t established until the late 19th century, where higher class women got to participate in horseback riding, archery, golf, tennis, skiing and skating for fun.  It wasn’t until the second olympics hosted in France, where women got to be taken seriously in a sport.  The second olympics which were hosted in 1900, had about 1,000 people from 24 different nations: of that only 12 female athletes, where they only had the option between 2 sports, golf and tennis. In the 3rd olympics only archery and from there more and more sports were allowed for women to compete in.  From them, womens sports has been more popular and more widely accepted.  There are now leagues such as the WNBA, NWSL, LPGA and many more.  And even though women have come so far, there is still a way to go.

In the world of female athletes there has been an ongoing battle for equal pay as well as equal respect and representation. During 2019, as the US Women's National Soccer team won the World Cup, fans around the stadium chanted “Equal Pay”, something that was a heavy topic during the time.  When talking about equal pay most people tend to bring up the fact that due to lack of viewership and sponsors; how can female athletes be paid as much as men when statistically, more ads and more people tend to watch male sports.   What if I told you that according to athlete assessments, UNESCO and multiple other sites “Women make up 40% of sportspeople, however as of 2020 they continue to only receive 4% of the total sports media coverage in print and broadcast devoted to them”.  At this point it’s more of a lack of representation than a lack of viewers - how can you watch something that doesn’t air?  This is not a problem that can be fixed in one day and is an ongoing battle for many female athletes amongst many different sports industries. 

For the majority of the female athlete clips and videos that are broadcasted, posted, and uploaded across a wide range of platforms, they are heavily criticized .  Just one example, my club posted a highlight clip with just female athletes, many comments consisted of “Women’s soccer is light work, anyone semi good could go pro”, “Girls can’t play sports sorry”, and you can guess the rest.  This is something that I see under every female post and for me and I’m sure others it’s disheartening.  Some people are not willing to make the jump to watch women in sports or even support them and that will be around for a while. There is no real fix to this problem as everyone is entitled to their own opinion however, I do encourage everyone to try and find females within your favourite sport.  You don’t have to watch it regularly - just give it a try and show your support. 

Here are some of my favourite female athlete platforms:

Just Womens Sports: 

https://justwomenssports.com/about/

One of my favourite instagram and pages as well as podcasts.  Is supported by many athletes such as Kevin Durrant,  Elena Delle Donne, Hilary Knight, Sam Mewis, Kelley O’Hara and Arike Ogunbowale.  They’re motto is that “we’re 100% women’s sports, 100% of the time” giving an amazing spotlight to female athletes across every sport and across the globe.  Not only do they have an instagram but an amazing podcast hosted by US national soccer player, Kelly O’Hara where she interviews female olympians, champions and general athletes in regards to their life, struggles and everything in between.

Women Sport Foundation

https://www.womenssportsfoundation.org/advocacy_category/title-ix/

This is a recent find of mine but still is a great website.  It offers new articles about women's sports as well as statistics.  They pride themselves on giving opportunities for young female athletes and giving a voice for them as well. They have platforms such as twitter and instagram for updates on the latest research.

Sources used:

https://www.juntendo.ac.jp/athletes/en/history/

https://www.athleteassessments.com/gender-equality-debate/