Research on Tap returns Thursday, September 21 at 6:30 pm at The Wave, the UPEI campus pub in the WA Murphy Student Centre. Dr. Adam Fenech, professor of environmental studies and biology and director of the UPEI Climate Lab, and will lead the discussion “Climate change: We're screwed, it's our fault, it's going to get worse, and there's nothing we can do about it.” 

As of late, it’s hard to avoid the discussion of climate change. “This summer over 1.2 million hectares of British Columbia and Alberta were engulfed in wildfires. Hurricane Harvey brought 1.3 meters of rainfall, making it the wettest tropical hurricane on record. Two weeks ago, Hurricane Irma became a Category 5 hurricane, causing catastrophic damages.” Dr. Fenech argues, “While it’s too early to attribute these events to climate change, climate experts are saying that it is very likely as the conditions required for these events are exacerbated under a changing climate.”

Research on Tap is a series of public discussions led by UPEI researchers. For more information, please email gsa@upei.ca. 

UPEI’s Faculty of Education and the Applied Communication, Leadership, and Culture program are hosting a public talk by Todd Leader, a transformational leader in health services and health promotion, particularly in the areas of mental health, addictions, and primary health care. Leader’s talk is titled “Transformational Leadership in the Public Sector: how to lead change in mental health and addictions, education, and other public service programs.” The event begins at 7:00 pm, Wednesday, September 27 in the Alex H. MacKinnon Auditorium, room 242 of Don and Marion McDougall Hall.

Leader will examine the role and ideal nature of transformational leadership in the public sector. He will describe a principle-based way of leading improvement in public services. The approach he will outline is built specifically from the perspective and best interests of the clients, students, families, or public being served. He will discuss ways in which our public systems often maintain the status quo and resist change. He will illustrate, through examples, that much of the frustration with public programs (health, education, community services, etc.) is not the fault of the people providing the services, but instead is caused by the way administrative systems have evolved (rather than being intentionally designed) over time. Leader will provide practical tips for effective leadership and advocacy that move toward truly client-centered, student-centered, or public-centered systems.

Todd Leader, an alumnus of Cape Breton University and Memorial University of Newfoundland, is a registered psychologist and a registered social worker. He has spent 27 years working as a transformational leader in health services and in health promotion, particularly in the areas of mental health, addictions, and primary health care. He has also been teaching in the Faculty of Science at Saint Mary’s University for the same 27 years. Leader has twice earned awards for his teaching, including the Overall Excellence in Teaching Award, the highest award presented by the Saint Mary’s University Students’ Association. Health services under his leadership have earned two international best practice awards and a leadership award for excellence in women’s health.

Leader was appointed by the Nova Scotia Minister of Health and Wellness to the Ministerial Advisory Panel on Innovation in Mental Health and Addictions. Todd has been the president of the Public Health Association of Nova Scotia and a member of the board of directors of the Canadian Public Health Association. He is currently both the president of the Association of Psychologists of Nova Scotia and the Vice President of the Nova Scotia College of Social Workers. Leader is the lead for year-three of the SEAK Project (Socially & Emotionally Aware Kids), up-scaling the integration of social and emotional learning in schools and communities across Atlantic Canada.

Leader has spent his career working as an advocate for client-centered health services and evidence-based healthy public policy. His most recent accomplishment is a book called It’s Not About Us; The Secret to Transforming the Mental Health and Addiction System in Canada. He currently works as a consultant and speaker helping to lead client-centered system improvements.

All are welcome!

The University of Prince Edward Island prides itself on people, excellence, and impact and is committed to assisting students reach their full potential in both the classroom and community. With roots stemming from two founding institutions—Prince of Wales College and Saint Dunstan’s University—UPEI has a reputation for academic excellence, research innovation, and creating positive impacts locally, nationally, and internationally. UPEI is the only degree granting institution in the province and is proud to be a key contributor to the growth and prosperity of Prince Edward Island. UPEI is located on the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq People.

Every week, UPEI Athletics and Recreation recognizes two student-athletes for their hard work and dedication to their respective sports. Congratulations to Sarah MacVarish (women’s soccer) and Lee Wesselius (cross country), the UPEI Panther Subway Athletes of the week for September 11–17!

Sarah MacVarish is a second-year forward from Stratford, PEI, and a Bachelor of Arts student at UPEI. MacVarish scored in each of UPEI’s games over the weekend. “Sarah’s speed, strength, and power proved to be too much for both defences,” said coach Graeme McDonald. “Sarah always has a positive attitude—she gives her all every time she is on the field and takes pride in wearing the panther jersey.”

Lee Wesselius is a second-year Doctor of Veterinary Medicine student from River Glade, New Brunswick and a member of the cross country team. Wesselius finished second place out of 57 runners in the eight-kilometre race at UNB/STU Invitational in Fredericton. He had an outstanding run against the top university runners in the AUS, leading the Panthers to their best ever finish in a conference meet. “While Lee’s individual performance was impressive,” said coach Colin MacAdam, “his hard work and leadership has had a positive effect on his teammates, who all performed personal bests or very close to personal bests. A very worthy athlete of the week selection.”

With the 2017–18 season still so young, there really couldn’t be a better time to pick up your Panther Package. For just $75, the package includes admission to every home game for UPEI Women’s and Men’s Soccer, UPEI Women’s and Men’s Rugby, UPEI Women’s and Men’s Basketball, and UPEI Women’s Hockey. Head to gopanthersgo.ca and click on ‘tickets’!

And don’t forget, UPEI students get into all Panther home games for free. Let’s fill the stands and make 2017–18 the best season ever!

This weekend is Homecoming at UPEI! Saturday is packed with games from Women’s Rugby and Men and Women’s Soccer. On Saturday evening, the UPEI Bookstore presents the UPEI Basketball Green vs. White Inter-squad Showdown. And on Sunday, UPEI Women’s Hockey plays in O’Leary as part of the Kraft Hockeyville celebrations.

The first match of the weekend is Saturday at 1:00 pm, when UPEI Women’s Soccer takes on Saint Mary’s University (SMU).

“The team is feeling confident after a good performance and decent result against Acadia,” said coach Graeme McDonald. “We have to go into the game against Saint Mary’s with high intensity and mentally prepared to perform as we look to build on our positive momentum.”

The game will feature a post-game ceremony to celebrate Women’s Soccer Alumna Alanna Taylor.

Women’s Rugby hits the field against SMU at 2:00 pm. Coach John LaBoyne said the team is working hard to bounce back from a pair of big losses against two of the top university rugby teams in Canada.

“The Huskies play a forward-dominated style of game that is hard physically to stop,” said LaBoyne. “They are much improved over last year with new recruits and continued development of their existing players. We lost two of our starters in the game against X, so we have to play people out of position. A number of rookies will be asked to step up their play to fill in some positions.”

Men’s Soccer gets its turn against Saint Mary’s at 3:15 pm. “UPEI Men’s Soccer is eager to bounce back after a tough loss to Acadia,” said coach Lewis Page. “SMU will be one of our main rivals for a playoff spot, so this is a huge game as we approach the half-way point of the season.”

Admission to all Saturday afternoon games is by donation. UPEI Swimming will work the barbecue as a fundraiser for their upcoming season.

Stick around Saturday evening for the first ever UPEI Bookstore Basketball Green vs. White Inter-squad Showcase. Get to know your teams and cheer on your favourite Panther! The women hit the court at 6:00 pm. The men play at 8:00 pm.

Sunday’s home game for UPEI Women’s Hockey will be in the O’Leary Community Sports Centre as part of the Kraft Hockeyville celebrations. The puck drops at 4:00 pm for an exhibition game against St. Thomas University (STU).

“The team is looking forward to going west and playing STU as part of Kraft Hockeyville celebrations,” said coach Bruce Donaldson. “O’Leary has done an amazing job promoting the entire day, and this is a great way for us to showcase AUS hockey. This will be our third game in five days, so it will be interesting to see how our fitness holds up. STU has had a great success against our team over the past number of years—this will be an early opportunity to see how we match up and see if we can change the equation.”

The start of a new season is a great time to pick up your Panther Package. For just $75, you get admission to every home game for UPEI Women’s and Men’s Soccer, UPEI Women’s and Men’s Rugby, UPEI Women’s and Men’s Basketball, and UPEI Women’s Hockey. Head to gopanthersgo.ca and click on ‘tickets’!

And don’t forget, UPEI students get into all Panther home games for free. Let’s fill the stands and make 2017–18 the best season ever!

UPEI today introduced Dr. Kate Scarth as the inaugural Chair in L.M. Montgomery Studies and Applied Communication, Leadership, and Culture. As chair, Dr. Scarth will create public engagement activities centred on the life and writings of Lucy Maud Montgomery. She will also teach and develop the core courses in the Faculty of the Arts’ newest program: Applied Communication, Leadership, and Culture (ACLC).

“A commitment to community-university engagement and collaboration is one of the most exciting parts of this brand-new position,” said Dr. Scarth. “Community-university partnerships will take many forms from connecting students to projects around PEI, where they gain practical skills and add value to community organizations, to working with the Island’s Montgomery sites to enhance the tourism and cultural heritage sectors.”

The ACLC program is a new interdisciplinary four-year Bachelor of Arts or seven-course minor program. It connects the communication skills and leadership training of a liberal arts education to successful post-graduation employment. Technical skills, work-integrated learning, and career-related mentoring are key components of the program’s design. The ACLC program has a simple, tight structure to facilitate easy combination with other majors and minors.

“Students will learn to explicitly articulate the valuable skills and experiences they’re gaining from their Arts courses, as well as learn skills, like website and graphic design, they wouldn’t get from a traditional Arts program. They then get to practice these skills in real-world projects, including Montgomery-related ones,” said Dr. Scarth.

“Dr. Scarth is a wonderful addition to our ACLC team,” said Dr. Lisa Chilton, associate professor of history at UPEI and director of the ACLC program. “We are delighted that her energy, expertise, and passion for teaching will be at the centre of this new, important program.”

The chair will also help focus UPEI’s resources and scholarship on Lucy Maud Montgomery studies. Dr. Scarth aims to make UPEI a PEI hub for pilgrims seeking information and experiences related to the Island’s literary icon.

“The L.M. Montgomery Institute promotes research into, and informed celebration of, the life, works, culture, and influence of Montgomery,” said Dr. Philip Smith, chair of the L. M. Montgomery Institute (LMMI). “With Dr. Scarth’s leadership, we will strengthen existing partnerships with Montgomery sites and initiatives on the Island and beyond, and create new ways to engage with those touched by Montgomery and her works at home and around the world.”

As chair, Dr. Scarth also sits on the committees for the LMMI and its biannual conference. She is particularly excited by the enthusiasm from Montgomery scholars for next summer’s conference, which already has more than 90 submissions for research presentations.

“The Lucy Maud Montgomery Institute and the Applied Communication, Leadership, and Culture program are unique and signature facets of the university that will benefit greatly from Dr. Scarth’s creative and innovative approaches to teaching and scholarship,” said Dr. Robert Gilmour, vice-president academic and research at UPEI. “We are delighted that she has joined us.”

Dr. Scarth is a distinguished scholar, whose research focuses on English and Canadian literature written from the eighteenth to the early twentieth century. She is particularly interested in fiction about urbanism and the environment. Her book, Romantic Suburbs: Fashion, Sensibility, and Greater London, is under contract with the University of Toronto Press. She is also leading a digital humanities, public engagement project, which includes a mobile app and website supporting a literary walking tour of Halifax, Nova Scotia, featuring Montgomery’s life and works set in the city.

The University of Prince Edward Island prides itself on people, excellence, and impact and is committed to assisting students reach their full potential in both the classroom and community. With roots stemming from two founding institutions—Prince of Wales College and Saint Dunstan’s University—UPEI has a reputation for academic excellence, research innovation, and creating positive impacts locally, nationally, and internationally. UPEI is the only degree granting institution in the province and is proud to be a key contributor to the growth and prosperity of Prince Edward Island. UPEI is located on the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq People.

Every week, UPEI Athletics and Recreation recognizes two student-athletes for their hard work and dedication to their respective sports. Congratulations to Amy Hickey (women’s rugby) and Mon San Aung (men’s soccer), the UPEI Panther Subway Athletes of the week for September 18–24!

Amy Hickey is a fifth-year flanker on the UPEI Women’s Rugby team and a Bachelor of Arts student from Summerville, New Brunswick. The Panthers smashed Saint Mary’s University Saturday in a 43–14 game.

“Amy was a defensive standout for us on Saturday versus Saint Mary’s,” said coach John LaBoyne. “She competed at a very high level with many tackles and a highlight try.”

Mon San Aung is a second-year Bachelor of Arts student from Charlottetown and a member of the UPEI Men’s Soccer team. The Panthers split a pair of games this weekend, beating Saint Mary’s 3–2 on Saturday, and losing 1–0 to the University of New Brunswick on Sunday.

“Mon San came off the bench and provided the spark of energy and the winning goal versus Saint Mary’s that we needed,” said coach Lewis Page.

With the 2017–18 season still so young, there really couldn’t be a better time to pick up your Panther Package. For just $75, the package includes admission to every home game for UPEI Women’s and Men’s Soccer, UPEI Women’s and Men’s Rugby, UPEI Women’s and Men’s Basketball, and UPEI Women’s Hockey. Head to gopanthersgo.ca and click on ‘tickets’.

And don’t forget, UPEI students get into all Panther home games for free. Let’s fill the stands and make 2017–18 the best season ever!

UPEI alumnus and former UPEI Student Union president Dana Kenny is trekking across the Canadian North as part of the Canada C3 expedition. Canada C3 is a signature project for Canada’s 150th Anniversary of Confederation in 2017. The centrepiece is an epic 150-day sailing journey from Toronto to Victoria by way of the Northwest Passage. Dana, a member of the Prime Minister's Youth Council, is aboard the ship for about three weeks.

The University of Prince Edward Island prides itself on people, excellence, and impact and is committed to assisting students reach their full potential in both the classroom and community. With roots stemming from two founding institutions—Prince of Wales College and Saint Dunstan’s University—UPEI has a reputation for academic excellence, research innovation, and creating positive impacts locally, nationally, and internationally. UPEI is the only degree granting institution in the province and is proud to be a key contributor to the growth and prosperity of Prince Edward Island. UPEI is located on the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq People.

UPEI’s Faculty of Education, working in conjunction with the PEI Department of Education, Early Learning and Culture, will honour Orange Shirt Day on Friday, September 29. Orange Shirt Day is an annual day of commemoration to continue the discussion about residential schools and their impacts.

Orange Shirt Day is named for an event in the life of Phyllis Webstad, a residential school survivor who had her new orange shirt taken on her first day of school in Williams Lake, British Columbia.

“In terms of history, it’s important to never forget,” said Brian Francis, Chief of Abegweit First Nation. “In order to move forward, we need to acknowledge our past and learn from it so that we never make the same mistakes again.”

Schools across PEI will receive resources to allow teachers and students to explore the topic of residential schools. The actual date for Orange Shirt Day is Saturday, September 30, but school events will be held Friday, September 29.

“We are excited to be part of a collaborative approach to spread awareness and to encourage students, teachers, and community members in Atlantic Canada to participate in Orange Shirt Day by coming together with First Nations in the spirit of reconciliation,” said Lesley Dickieson from the Department of Education. “Our hope is to see participation in Orange Shirt Day continue to grow year after year, but more importantly, that this day is only a starting point for the very important educational conversations that need to happen regarding all aspects of the residential school system in Canada.”

“We hope that Orange Shirt day brings a deeper level of understanding and empathy regarding residential schools and reconciliation to our PEI school children and post-secondary students, along with staff/faculty,” said Dr. Ronald MacDonald, Dean of the Faculty of Education at UPEI. “Indigenous and non-Indigenous alike are able to walk this road together to deeper understanding through these kinds of efforts. The Faculty of Education at UPEI is proud to play a small part to support this good work, which is done in a good way.”

Between 1870 and 1996, Canada’s federal government, along with the Catholic, United, Presbyterian, and Anglican churches, operated approximately 130 residential schools. More than 150,000 First Nation, Inuit, and Métis children attended these boarding schools far from their parents. These schools were created to remove children from the influence of their culture and to assimilate them into the dominant Canadian culture. The system deprived generations of children from their ancestral languages and exposed many to physical and sexual abuse, the legacy of which will be felt for years to come.

Schools across the Atlantic region will be encouraged to wear orange T-shirts on September 29. At UPEI, representatives from the Faculty of Education will be handing out “every child matters” buttons and orange shirts. Those who wear orange on Friday, September 29 are encouraged to come out for a group photo at 12:30 pm outside Don and Marion McDougall Hall. We look forward to seeing you all there!

The University of Prince Edward Island prides itself on people, excellence, and impact and is committed to assisting students reach their full potential in both the classroom and community. With roots stemming from two founding institutions—Prince of Wales College and Saint Dunstan’s University—UPEI has a reputation for academic excellence, research innovation, and creating positive impacts locally, nationally, and internationally. UPEI is the only degree granting institution in the province and is proud to be a key contributor to the growth and prosperity of Prince Edward Island.

Leading Indigenous scholars Dr. Marie Battiste and Dr. James Youngblood (Sa’ke’j) Henderson will each present a keynote talk at the University of Prince Edward Island on Monday, October 2, beginning at 6:30 pm in the Alex H. MacKinnon Auditorium, Room 242, Don and Marion McDougall Hall. The lecture is open to the public as well as a component of the new Indigenous Philosophies course being offered at UPEI.

In her talk, “Decolonizing Education: Indigenizing the Academy,” Dr. Battiste will speak about the importance of decolonizing teaching practices and curriculum in schools and universities, and what it involves. Describing Mi’kmaw consciousness, language and worldview, she will explore what it means to respect Indigenous knowledge, and why this is a pressing ethical obligation for Canadian educational institutions at every level.

Dr. Battiste has done award-winning work in Mi’kmaw cultural revitalization and in decolonizing and indigenizing educational institutions at all levels, elementary to post-secondary, for the past 40 years. From the Potlotek First Nation in Nova Scotia, she is a professor of education at the University of Saskatchewan.

Dr. Henderson’s talk, “Affirming Mi’kmaw Treaty, Human Rights and Humanity,” will explore what was involved—and what was compromised—in the drafting and passage of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. He will answer the question of what is involved in respecting the humanity and basic human rights of Indigenous peoples, and why it remains problematic for nation-states today, including Canada.

An award-winning legal scholar from the Chickasaw Nation, Oklahoma, who has served as constitutional advisor for the Mi’kmaw nation and the Assembly of First Nations, Dr. Henderson helped develop the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. He is a Research Fellow of the Native Law Centre of Canada at the University of Saskatchewan.

Battiste and Henderson have collaborated on two books, Protecting Indigenous Knowledge and Heritage: A Global Challenge (Purich Press, 2000) and Decolonizing Education: Nourishing the Learning Spirit (Purich Press, 2013).

The lecture is sponsored by the Office of the Vice-President Academic and Research, the Faculty of Arts, and the Faculty of Education at UPEI. Parking and admission is free. Everyone is welcome! For further information, please email Pamela Courtenay-Hall at pcourtenay@upei.ca or David Varis at dvaris@upei.ca.

Dr. Marie Battiste is a Mi'kmaw educator and professor in the Department of Educational Foundations at the University of Saskatchewan. With graduate degrees from Harvard and Stanford, and four honorary degrees, she is a senior Indigenous scholar in Canada, whose work in advancing Indigenous knowledge and pedagogies, decolonization, and indigenizing the academy has opened new areas of research and inquiry. She is an elected member of the Royal Society of Canada, a Canadian organization of over 2000 Canadian scholars, artists, and scientists, peer-elected as the best in their field. She is a recipient of the Distinguished Academic Award from the Canadian Association of University Teachers, the Distinguished Researcher Award at the University of Saskatchewan, and an INDSPIRE Award for her contributions in education. She has published widely, including her most recent book Visioning Mi’kmaw Humanities: Indigenizing the Academy (CBU Press, 2017).

Dr. James Youngblood (Sa’ke’j) Henderson is a Research Fellow of the Native Law Centre of Canada at the College of Law, University of Saskatchewan. He served as a constitutional advisor for the Mi’kmaw nation and the Assembly of First Nations (1978-1993), was one of the strategists that created Indigenous diplomacy and the existing UN Declarations, and is the author of several award-winning books. He was elected a fellow of the Native American Academy (1985), received the Indigenous Peoples’ Council Award (2005) and the National Aboriginal Achievement Award for Law and Justice (2006), was conferred an honorary Doctorate of Laws from Carleton University (2007), and was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada (2013).

About the University of Prince Edward Island

The University of Prince Edward Island prides itself on people, excellence, and impact and is committed to assisting students reach their full potential in both the classroom and community. With roots stemming from two founding institutions—Prince of Wales College and St. Dunstan’s University—UPEI has a reputation for academic excellence, research innovation, and creating positive impacts locally, nationally, and internationally. UPEI is the only degree granting institution in the province and is proud to be a key contributor to the growth and prosperity of Prince Edward Island.  UPEI is located on the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq People.

In July 2011, the family of Harry and Marjorie MacLauchlan of Stanhope, PEI made a further leadership gift to UPEI to create a substantial awards program to encourage and recognize student writing achievement. The gift honours H. Wade MacLauchlan’s twelve years of service as UPEI president and vice-chancellor, and to recognize the importance of effective writing as a foundational skill for academic success and lifelong learning. 

The MacLauchlan Prizes for Effective Writing are valued at $500 each, with up to 57 prizes available annually for returning undergraduate students who produced outstanding written work in the previous academic year (September 1 – August 31), and up to 3 prizes available for faculty or staff members, who have shown exceptional leadership in the development of writing among students at UPEI. 

Please share this program with students or recommend a colleague via the following links.  Deadline for submissions is Friday, October 6:

MacLauchlan Prizes for Effective Writing (Coursework) – up to 35 prizes
MacLauchlan Prizes for Effective Writing (Community) – up to 11 prizes
MacLauchlan Prizes for Effective Writing (Webster Centre) – up to 11 prizes
MacLauchlan Prizes for Effective Writing (Staff/Faculty) - up to 3 prizes

For more information, contact Adrienne in Scholarships and Awards at amontgomery@upei.ca