September 30th, 2021, marks the first National Day for Truth & Reconciliation in Canada. This day honours the lost children and Survivors of residential schools, their families, and their communities. Public commemoration of the tragic and painful history and ongoing impacts of residential schools is a vital component of the reconciliation process.
The day we have all been waiting for is finally here: the start of Orientation Week!
We want to recognize all of the incredible work our Orientation Executive Team and our RedShirt volunteers have been putting into the planning and execution of all of the events happening over the next week. We are so excited to welcome you all to campus safely, while have as much fun as possible!
You can find the orientation schedule and information here. This link has all the details you’ll need for each event and outlines the check-in process for both on campus and off campus students, as well as second year students who are hoping to join us for some in-person O-Week events!
You can also click here to meet our executive team and learn more about the pillars of Orientation, and why Voyage Freddy Beach is the theme for this year’s O-Week.
See you soon!
UNBSRC and UNBSU Response to Mandatory Vaccination
Friday, August 20th, 2021
Today the University of New Brunswick announced the implementation of mandatory vaccinations and testing on both Saint John and Fredericton campuses. All students, faculty, and staff will be required to have two (2) doses of a Canadian approved vaccine, or participate in regular COVID-19 testing when returning to campus this Fall. The UNB Students’ Representative Council (Saint John) and UNB Student Union (Fredericton) are both in support of this mandate, as long as the process is fair and equitable for all students. Vaccines are a safe and effective way to ensure our community is protected against COVID-19.
UNB has released a survey to gauge the status of vaccination for students, faculty, and staff. We encourage students to fill out the survey to provide UNB with accurate information to guide the decision making. Please check your UNB email for the link to the survey.
Both the UNBSRC and UNBSU are encouraging students who can get vaccinated to do so as soon as possible. For students who are looking to receive a vaccination or for more information about the safety of vaccines, please visit the Government of Canada website here.
Further, both student representative unions are working with the university to ensure that students will have all the information they need as quickly as possible. We understand there may be a lot of confusion and questions in regards to the mandatory vaccination announcement. Students are encouraged to contact president@unb.ca with any questions.
The UNBSRC and UNBSU want to sincerely thank all students for continuing to do their part during the pandemic. This transition to a ‘new normal’ is ever changing and your willingness to adapt has been truly appreciated.
Charlotte Fanjoy Kordell Walsh
UNBSRC President UNBSU President
president@unbsrc.ca president@unbsu.ca
See our COVID-19 Supports and Resources page for more info on UNBF’s Vaccine Clinics.
Happy National Indigenous Peoples Day, everyone!
One of our main goals at the UNB Student Union is to amplify the voices of our students. This Indigenous Peoples Day, we are sharing this post from the Meskeyi Student Society, as we strongly share their sentiments and believe that their voices are the ones that should be heard today.
“On this National Indigenous People’s day we want to celebrate everyone in the UNB Indigenous community and Indigenous peoples across Fredericton and all over the country.
The love, community, wisdom, brilliance, and kindness built into every Indigenous space is worth far more than just one day, and with each day that passes we see the fruits of how integral Indigenous perspectives and experiences are to the future of Turtle Island, the earth, and our families.
We hope that this day grants us all the chance to celebrate Indigenous peoples en masse with beauty, respect, & honour, and we look forward to finding new and exciting ways to celebrate Indigenous identity all year round on campus in collaboration with the ForEM department, UNB, and the Indigenous Student Council as well as our partners, alumni, and community members.
We may not be able to see each of you today, but we are sending thoughts of song, dance, and joy your way. Thank you to each and every one of you involved in making this day bright and filled with pride, and thank you to each child, parent, and Elder teaching us all how to live well in even the little things that you do.”
- Meskeyi Student Society
National Indigenous Peoples Day started in 1996 and is a day that we believe all people should take to celebrate Indigenous people, perspectives, and experiences, and to reflect on how each of us can better pursue the principles of reconciliation.
However, these sentiments should not be unique to one day a year. Reconciliation should be a part of our everyday lives. As a Union, we will work to amplify the voices of Indigenous students and to ensure that our work and the student experience reflects the needs and perspectives of the Indigenous community at UNB.
Some resources you should check out:
Gallery on Queen is currently presenting an exhibition “Wabanaki”, which showcases various Indigenous artists and mediums. This exhibition is on until July 10th, 2021.
Spotify has curated this playlist of music by Indigenous artists: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/37i9dQZF1DWYrH4yMJbkL8?si=08c1807d3f674c63
The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/declaration/read-lire.html
Books by Indigenous Authors:
In Search of April Raintree by Beatrice Mosionier
NDN Coping Mechanisms by Billy-Ray Belcourt
On/Me by Francine Cunningham
A Mind Spread Out on the Ground by Alicia Elliott
Five Little Indians by Michelle Good
Peace and Good Order by Harold B. Johnson
If I Go Missing by Brianna Jonnie with Nahanni Shingoose
Searching for…Inuktitut Style and Learning and Preserving by Breana Andrews
In My Own Moccasins by Helen Knott
Bones by Tyler Pennock
Instagram Accounts:
@indigenousclimateaction
@wolastoqeducation
@fallonfarinacci
@unbmwc
@lnuey.ca
@wetsuweten_checkpoint
@indigenouswomenrising
@reclaimyourpower
From UNB Student Services:
“This past week, a horrific incident of racism and Islamophobia occurred in the city of London, Ontario. Shocked and appalled at this terrible attack, our hearts reach out in particular to members of the Muslim community at UNB, in Fredericton and across Canada as they struggle to deal with this assault on their community. Our services stand ready to support members of the UNB community at this difficult time, including Counselling Services who can be reached at (506) 453-4820 and, where appropriate, the International Student Advisor's Office (isao@unb.ca).”.
The UNBSU shares sentiments with Student Services to acknowledge and denounce the targeted hate crime by Nathaniel Veltman against a Muslim family in London, Ontario. Islamophobia and racism are present in our communities across Canada, we must do what we can to combat these problematic attitudes and support our Muslim community members and students. Check in on your friends, events like these are challenging for anyone.
If you would like support right now please connect with Counselling Services, the ISAO, or check out some of our suggested additional resources below:
Naseeha - 24/7 Muslim Youth Mental Health Hotline - 1 (866) 627-3342
IFSSA - (10AM-10PM) Islamic Family & Social Services Helpline - 780-900-277780.900.2777
This year, the UNBSU has decided to offer all UNB student business owners FREE advertising space in the 2021/22 Student Union Agenda. Each advertisement will be a 1/4 page ad (2.25 x 3.75 inches) and you can receive free design help and advice from our Vice-President Communications, Niko Coady!
The agenda is given to all incoming students and will be seen by HUNDREDS of people on campus. You can make sure your ad looks exactly how you want it to, and it’s all for free!
For more information, please contact our Vice-President Student Life, Brennan Marks at studentlife@unbsu.ca or (506) 452 6096.
*All advertisements must be submitted before July 5th, 2021.
215 Indigenous children were found buried at a mass grave, at a Residential School in Kamloops, B.C. on Thursday, May 27th, 2021.
UNB and the UNBSU live on the unsurrendered and unceded traditional Wolastoqey land. The lands on which we are privileged to work and receive our education are the lands of the Wolastoqey people. The flags on UNB campus are currently lowered to honour the victims and to support the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc people.
Resources
National Indian Residential School Crisis Line (for survivors and family):
1-866-925-4419
Counselling Services:
506-453-4820 or email counsel@unb.ca
Mi’kmaq-Wolastoqey Centre:
506-453-4840 or email mwc@unb.ca
Indigenous Wellness Coordinator (Nancy Harn):
506-458-7038 or email nharn@unb.ca
CHIMO Helpline:
1-800-667-5005
Live chat available 5p.m.-12a.m. daily
Under One Sky Friendship Centre:
email info@uosfc.ca
Wolastoqey Anti-Discrimination Hotline:
United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples:
To our students and those being impacted by the violence in Palestine/Israel, we see you, we stand with you, and we are here to support you. This is a human rights crisis with large losses of life.
Violence in Palestine/Israel has escalated since mid-April with constant conflicts between police and Palestinians. As a result, Hamas fired airstrikes into Israel and Israel retaliated with airstrikes on the Gaza Strip. Many innocent civilian lives have been lost, and the casualties continued to increase. As of Friday, May 21st, 2021, Hamas and Israel agreed to a cease-fire, but there continues to be loss of life across Palestine/Israel.
The UNBSU is committed to engaging in anti-colonialism and anti-racism. We do not condone any forms of violence or discrimination, and our advocacy must extend to all human rights in our community and beyond. We encourage all UNB students to educate themselves on the situation and we are committed to supporting you in any way we can.
We recognize that our team represents a lack of diversity and does not understand what students who are affected by this issue may be experiencing. We are not equipped to provide all of the support you may require, however, if you are looking for support, we have included a list of resources available to you below. If there is a resource you are looking for that we have not included, please send us a message and we will do our best to direct you to a resource available to you.
We want to hear from you on how the UNBSU can better support you through this overwhelming time. You can find a typeform on our website and at the link in our Instagram bio to provide us with feedback on how we can better support you, or to share resources that you would like our executive team to review. You can fill out this form anonymously or leave your email address if you would like, and we will follow up with you.
We also recognize that exposure to constant news from this heartbreaking situation is taking a toll on students’ mental health. The UNBSU is committed to listening to you and supporting you. If you have any questions or feedback, please fill out our typeform or contact us directly.
For immediate support, check out:
CHIMO Helpline - (505) 450-HELP(4357) or http://www.chimohelpline.ca/
Kids Help Phone - 1-800-668-6868 or https://kidshelpphone.ca/
To book an appointment with a UNB Counsellor:
(506) 453-4820 or counsel@unb.ca
https://www.unb.ca/fredericton/studentservices/health-wellness/counselling/
If you’re an International Student, looking for advising or advocacy, check out:
International Student Advisors Office - (506) 453-4860 or isao@unb.ca
https://www.unb.ca/fredericton/studentservices/international/
If you require extensions, deferrals, or withdrawals from summer course requirements, please contact the Student Advocate:
Wilfred Langmaid - (506) 453-4527 or langmaid@unb.ca.
https://www.unb.ca/fredericton/studentservices/student-conduct/advocacy.html.
If you are looking to learn more about the history or current situation of violence in Palestine, check out:
Follow
@theimeu
@letstalkpalestine
@visualizing_palestine
@palestinianyouthmovement
@solutionsnotsides
@realbassameid
@buildingpeace_israelpalestine
Watch
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1wo2TLlMhiw
Books to read
Freedom Is a Constant Struggle by Angela Y. Davis
The Hundred Years’ War on Palestine: A History of Settler-Colonial Conquest and Resistance, 1917-2017 by Rashid Khalidi
Palestine Speaks: Narratives of Life Under Occupation (Voice of Witness) by Cate Malek and Mateo Hoke
The Question of Palestine by Edward W. Said
We at the UNBSU are heartbroken by the recent displays of violence against Asian women and the increase of anti-Asian racism in the past year. We stand in grief and solidarity with our Asian students and communities against racial violence.
The UNBSU is committed to combating systemic racism and supporting students of visible minorities. Some of the immediate actions we are taking to address the rise of anti-Asian racism include:
Offering safe spaces for Asian students to meet with us to voice their concerns and to discuss the changes they want to see implemented within the SU and our ratified clubs and societies.
Supporting upcoming projects led by Asian students, focused on raising awareness about anti-Asian racism & student experiences.
Working on a Breaking Stereotypes video about microaggressions.
Adding components to our upcoming Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Action Plan, such as anti-racism training, programming celebrating Asian students, and fostering safe spaces for visible minority communities to gather.
On March 16th in Acworth, Georgia, 8 people were shot and killed by a white gunman, 6 of the victims were Asian, and all but one were women. This hate crime occurred under the trauma of increasing violence against Asians in the past year.
Their Names:
Xiaojie Tan
Daoyou Feng
Soon Chung Park
Hyun Jung Grant
Yong Ae Yue
Suncha Kim
Delaina Yaun
Paul Andre Michels
The Chinese Canadian National Council for Social Justice has collected reports of the occurrence of 961 anti-Asian racist incidents in Canada during COVID-19, though there are likely many more unreported. The number of individuals from visible minorities who have reported experiencing an increase in harassment/attacks based on their race, ethnicity, or skin colour, since the start of the pandemic, has tripled. The largest increases were for Chinese, Korean, and Southeast Asian individuals.
To our Asian students, we recognize that this can be an incredibly difficult and emotionally challenging time for you. We are committed to listening and supporting you, we stand with you.
For immediate support, check out:
For more about Asian mental health, check out:
For support dealing with Racial Trauma & Recovery, check out:
https://graduateway.com/blog/racial-trauma-toolkit/
If you’re an International Student, looking for advising, advocacy, or help with community integration, check out:
https://www.unb.ca/fredericton/studentservices/international/
If you’re an ally looking to support/learn more, check out:
https://www.ihollaback.org/bystanderintervention/
If you have any questions or feedback for the UNBSU, please contact:
Contact
21 Pacey Drive
Fredericton, NB, Canada
E3B 5A3
Phone: 506.453.4955
Fax: 506.447.3272
questions@unbsu.ca
We recognize and respectfully acknowledge that the UNB student experience takes place on unsurrendered and unceded traditional lands of Wolastoqiyik.
