Editor’s note: this list was compiled in the order in which they originally published on The Aquinian’s website.
Poisoned salmon. Campus baristas. Jump scares. Memorial soccer games. New presidents.
These are just a few of the stories in the St. Thomas University and greater Fredericton communities that the editorial team at The Aquinian worked around the clock to cover.
Here are some of our stories from the 2022-23 academic year that explore important topics, made waves on social media or were crucial to the student body.
Sept. 26, 2022 — ‘Literal war’: Memorial raises awareness about situation in Iran
When 22-year-old Mahsa Amini died at the hands of Iran’s morality police, the world reacted — and that included Fredericton’s Iranian community.
A memorial held at Fredericton City hall aimed to bring awareness about women’s rights and police brutality, and called for an end to violence in Iran.
Sept. 26, 2022 — The silence of Queen Elizabeth on Canada’s Indigenous history
With the death of Queen Elizabeth II on Sept. 8, 2022, some Canadians spent time examining the legacy of the monarch and her impact on Canada, including a renewed discussion about the visibility of Indigenous issues.
Theo Saulis, an Indigenous student at St. Thomas University, expressed his frustration about how provincial and federal governments chose to honour the Queen, whom he says represents a history of colonialism and genocide against Indigenous people in Canada.
Sept. 27, 2022 — ‘Leave the fucking salmon alone:’ ASF accused of poisoning Miramichi Lake
The Atlantic Salmon Federation (ASF) had plans to kill an invasive fish at Miramichi Lake after being accused of diminishing the native salmon population, but an agreement reached this week has stalled those plans for the rest of 2022.
It sparked strong reactions from New Brunswick’s Indigenous community, including Andrea Polchies, a band counsellor with Woodstock First Nation, who set up camp near the lake after she heard the ASF released chemicals without proper consultation with Wolastoqey people.
Oct. 4, 2022 — MusicUNB ‘swoons’ audiences at Memorial Hall concert
Light flooded through the stained glass windows of the University of New Brunswick’s Memorial Hall theatre on Sept. 25, 2022, as MusicUNB’s Swooning at The Salons reached back to a time when music was a wonderful way to spend a Sunday afternoon.
Liv Gould, a second-year student at STU majoring in human rights with a minor in music, described the concert as “a rollercoaster from beginning to end” and resonated most with “the sad, romantic-type songs.”
Oct. 5, 2022 — N.B. photographer Chris Donovan describes his homecoming
Chris Donovan’s photography exhibition, “Stay Solid and Move West,” is an exploration of his coming of age and takes a close look at intergenerational trauma, love and sense of belonging.
Curator Christiana Myers said Donovan’s work, anchored around 13 to 14 photos from the disposable film camera, is powerful, especially for students who often have to deal with feelings of sadness and longing for home.
Oct. 10, 2022 — ‘I love her’: UNB, STU women’s rugby game honours the life of Mary Cronin
Spectators filled bleachers, reclined in folding chairs or laid towels on the grass, and rugby players from the University of New Brunswick and St. Thomas University ran practice drills on College Field to gear up for the Mary Cronin Memorial Game on Oct. 6.
Cronin, who played on the UNB Varsity Reds women’s rugby and the STU Tommies women’s soccer teams, died in April 2022 at the age of 23. The game was an act of remembrance for “a nice, pragmatic young lady” whose life was cut too short.
Oct. 10, 2022 — Military personnel aids Atlantic provinces affected by Fiona
After Hurricane Fiona ravaged Atlantic Canada, leaving thousands with property damage, members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), including members from 5th Canadian Division Support Base Gagetown in Oromocto, were deployed to help with recovery efforts.
Bea Aldea, a member of the 4th Artillery General Support Regiment, said the warm welcome from the local community is the thing that kept soldiers motivated through long days and short nights.
Oct. 14, 2022 — Visualizing families of the dump
Photographer Gerry Yaum got on the back of a motorcycle taxi with as many bags of food as he could carry and made his way to a garbage dump on the outskirts of Mae Scot, Thailand.
Once there, he made photographs of about 100 families that escaped war and persecution in Myanmar in 2012 to live and work in the Mae Scot dump. The photos were displayed at the UNB Arts Centre on Oct. 28.
Oct. 18, 2022 — Commentary: Becoming desensitized to devastation in Pakistan
In this commentary, Aquinian writer Incé Husain discussed how it felt for her as she slowly felt as though she was becoming desensitized to the devastation in Pakistan, a country that faced major flooding in 2022.
“The victims of Pakistan’s climate apartheid are not my family, not my friends, not anyone I remotely know, but they could have been. I bonded with them unbearably,” wrote Husain.
Oct. 28, 2022 — A timeline of Hockey Canada sexual assault allegations
Hockey Canada announced on Oct. 11 that its board and CEO, Scott Smith, stepped down in the wake of the organization’s sexual assault scandal, so The Aquinian’s Jacob Moore compiled a timeline of key events to understand how it all began.
The board of directors stepped down to make way for “significant changes to its leadership team.” Meanwhile, in the midst of the scandal, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said parents, politicians and sponsors had lost faith in Hockey Canada.
Nov. 23, 2022 — What’s the buzz about beekeeping?
A beekeeping course held at the University of New Brunswick on Nov. 5, 2022, marked a growing interest in the craft in New Brunswick, according to beekeeper Andrew Byers, who said demand among hobbyists looking for hives has skyrocketed.
He said there were around 15,000 hives in New Brunswick and that demand could increase to 80,000 in a decade, opening up huge but inexpensive career opportunities for beekeeping.
Nov. 24, 2022 — Inuk filmmaker tells the tale of “Nalujuk Night”
Inuk filmmaker Jennie Williams found out she won Best Short Documentary for her film Nalujuk Night at the 2022 Canadian Screen Awards while watching the ceremony over Zoom.
Screened at the 2022 St. Thomas University Indigenous Film Festival in October 2022, Nalujuk Night tells the story of a Labrador Inuit tradition of the Nalujuit, who come from the sea ice into town on old Christmas Day, which takes place on Jan. 6.
Nov. 25, 2022 — Review: Smile and its jump scare fest
The Aquinian’s resident movie reviewer, Connor Campbell, highlighted Paramount’s Smile, which he felt would scratch the itch experienced by many psychological horror fans, even with its excessive use of jump scares.
Smile creates an impending dread, creating a decent film for those who tend to enjoy their horror to be a bit more cerebral.
Jan. 16, 2023 — FIFA World Cup 2022: The best World Cup ever?
In terms of a spectacle, the 2022 World Cup was arguably the best of all time, filled with major upsets, Cinderella stories, new storylines and last dances, according to Aquinian sports columnist Brandon Salick.
“There was nothing boring about this tournament,” but the worst part about that fact, he said, is that soccer fans will have to wait four years for the next one, as Canada, the United States and Mexico are slated to host the 2026 World Cup.
Jan. 23, 2023 — A former inmate and his experience with jail
St. Thomas University student Pat Craig spent more than a third of his life in the Canadian prison system and expressed his concerns after he learned the Government of New Brunswick approached the City of Fredericton to propose a jail for the Vanier Industrial Park.
Speaking to The Aquinian’s Jacob Moore, he advocated for a restorative approach to Canada’s correctional system, where inmates struggling with addictions or mental health issues could access the resources they need.
Jan. 25, 2023 — Commentary: A player’s struggle being mentally stuck
In her commentary, The Aquinian’s senior writer, Martina Barclay, shared how hockey has also been the starting point for a large inner mental struggle that always seems to creep back in — just when she thought she overcame it.
But her mental health journey in relation to hockey has taught her a few things, like finding a good support system, constantly working on her mental health and that hockey is “just a game,” one that she wouldn’t trade for the world.
Feb. 12, 2023 — Ethan Pearson, just the beginning
Fredericton’s own Ethan Pearson is driven by a challenge, and while a hockey career at an Ivy League school like Princeton University may seem daunting, his love for the spotlight keeps him going and he’s hungry for more.
The Aquinian’s sports editor, Keaghan Keddy, offers a glimpse into Pearson’s life, from his nomination for the Hobey Baker Memorial Award and offers from other schools to finding the time to complete assignments and finding community in Princeton’s social scene.
Feb. 20, 2023 — Getting to know Nauman Farooqi, STU’s next president and vice-chancellor
St. Thomas University announced on Feb. 8 it had found its next president and vice-chancellor in Nauman Farooqi, who spent the last 23 years as dean of business and social sciences at Mount Allison University.
The Aquinian’s editor-in-chief, Aaron Sousa, and The Aquinian’s news editor, Giuliana Grillo de Lambarri, sat down to meet this lifelong car enthusiast and a self-described “accidental academic” and learn more about what he thinks the future holds for St. Thomas University.
Feb. 27, 2023 — One year of Ukrainian resistance
Dozens of people gathered at the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick on Feb. 24 to join together in a candlelight vigil commemorating the one-year anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Many who attended the vigil were Ukrainians, but others were Canadians who wanted to show every sign of support as they try to make Canada feel as homey as possible until Ukraine can raise its flag in victory.
March 15, 2023 — The humble life of a campus barista
St. Thomas University Java Moose barista Kevin McMurray doesn’t understand why people love him so much, but the man well-known for his coffee and kindness says it’s pleasant to talk to people when they say hello.
After 20 years working on campus, McMurray doesn’t want to change jobs. He calls it laziness, explaining he doesn’t need to become famous or rich. The easygoing pace works for him as he gets older.
