Wednesday, October 2, 2024

Support the University of Waterloo's United Way Campaign

A message from Eleanor McMahon, Vice-President, University Relations.

October is United Way Campaign month at the University of Waterloo, a time in which we focus our fundraising and awareness to make a difference right here in Waterloo Region. 

The University has been a longstanding partner of United Way Waterloo Region Communities, supporting organizations that directly serve those struggling with mental health, food and housing insecurities, and other challenges. 

Last year, our University community made a tremendous impact in support of these charities by raising over $230,000. This year, we’re hoping to exceed that number in order to make an even greater difference in the lives of those most vulnerable in our Region. Over the course of the month, we’ll keep you posted on the progress towards our goal on UWaterloo’s United Way Campaign website and in the Daily Bulletin. 

Make a donation today.

You can make a general donation to support myriad local United Way-funded charities, or you can choose to direct your donation to one or more specific causes. You can also become a perpetual donor through payroll donations, an easy way to make an ongoing impact. 

“We work with nearly 130 agencies, who combined, support almost 60,000 people across Waterloo Region every six months. Sadly, we are only able to address about 40 per cent of the funding requests we receive” says Joan Fisk, CEO of the United Way. This underscores the vital role our contributions play in meeting the growing needs of our community. 

Thanks to dozens of United Way ambassadors in units across campus, there will be special events throughout October. Follow along on the UWaterloo United Way events page and in the Daily Bulletin.  

Thank you to everyone who attended the United Way kick-off barbeque – your participation exemplified the philanthropic spirit of our community. Take a look at this short video of the fun-filled day.  

Let’s make this year’s campaign our most successful yet!

Indigenous Speaker Series will feature Jordan Jamieson

A message from the Faculty of Arts.

You are invited to join the Indigenous Speakers Series on Wednesday, October 9 as the Faculty of Arts presents artist singer-songwriter, Anishinaabe knowledge keeper, and archaeological researcher Jordan Jamieson. 

As an emerging artist singer-songwriter, Jamieson's passion for music is grounded in traditional and cultural influences of the Michi Saagiig peoples. Jordan showcases his identity, activist work, and passions by infusing Indigenous culture and storytelling into his lyrics, themes, and rhythms.

Jordan is also an Anishinaabe knowledge keeper, leader and youth ambassador from Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation (MCFN). He is passionate about fostering productive dialogue between Indigenous and settler archaeologists, and helping to reframe the way we practice and teach archaeology in Canada to centre Indigenous perspectives.

Register to join in-person or online.

Another Franklin Expedition discovery is widely covered by international media

This article was originally published on the Faculty of Arts news site.

Chances are the Franklin Expedition has crossed your news or social media feed this past week. New research led by Anthropology's Dr. Douglas Stenton and Dr. Robert Park about the fate of one of its crew quickly gained international attention, thanks to an ongoing fascination with the tragic expedition's history and lore.

This time, it's all about James Fitzjames, a sailor and later captain of the HMS Erebus and one of 129 crew who perished. Working with the Paleo-DNA lab at Lakehead University, the team was able to identify Fitzjames by matching a DNA sample from a tooth to a DNA sample from a living descendant. Fitzjames is only the second member of the expedition to be identified. (The team identified John Gregory, an engineer aboard the Erebus, in 2021.)

If that wasn't newsworthy by itself, the paper also offered further evidence regarding the lengths the crew went to survive. In 1997 Stenton and Park's colleague Dr. Anne Keenleyside found cut marks on nearly one-quarter of the human bones at the site on King William Island in Nunavut - corroborating accounts from Inuit people in the 1850s that they had seen evidence of cannibalism. Metal cut marks on Fitzjames’ mandible not only show that his remains were subject to cannibalism, but are proof that he died before other crew members and that rank or status ultimately wasn't as important as survival.

“The identification of Fitzjames’ remains provides new insights about the expedition's sad ending,” said Stenton, in the media release.

While a few publications tried to sensationalize the story, Park and Stenton call for empathy and a better understanding of survival (or starvation) cannibalism. “It demonstrates the level of desperation that the Franklin sailors must have felt to do something they would have considered abhorrent,” said Park.

As for Fitzjames, his remains rest in a cairn on King William Island where he died. One of the most poignant news articles features his descendant, Nigel Gambier, reminding us of the families and legacies left behind.

Read the Waterloo media release.

Read some of the media coverage: CBC, BBC, the Guardian, Smithsonian Magazine, the Record and Canadian Geographic. Even pop culture outlets such as the Verge and Popular Science picked up the story. Stenton continues to field media requests.

Hear from Nigel Gambier, descendant of Fitzjames.

Last chance to lace up for Ride for Refuge

By Rebecca Wagner.

This Saturday, October 5, join United College and Reception House as they walk and bike around Ring Road and Research + Technology Park in support of people seeking safety and hope in Waterloo Region. 

All event proceeds will support Reception House and the wonderful work they do in the community helping refugees build new lives in Waterloo Region.    

Additional participants and volunteers are needed to help make this event a success.  See full event details here and please direct any questions to Rebecca Wagner at rwagner@uwaterloo.ca. 

We hope to see you there. King Warrior and Toasty will be on hand to say hello! 

Problem Space Exposition tomorrow and other notes

"We are excited to invite you to the Clinical Council Problem Space Exposition on Thursday, October 3 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the E7 Event Space (second floor)," says a note from the Centre for Bioengineering and Biotechnology (CBB).

"This event will highlight current prominent challenges within our health care system that require innovative solutions from the perspective of clinicians. A panel of local health care professionals will share these challenges, providing valuable insights and answering audience inquiries during engaging Q&A sessions."

Following the panel, we encourage you to stay for our designated networking time, ideal for researchers preparing to submit proposals for our next round of engagement sessions in November. This is a fantastic opportunity to gain visibility, meet the council and prepare your ideas!

For more information and to register, visit the CBB website.

Voting is underway in a Responsible Partnerships and Investments Referendum organized by the Waterloo Undergraduate Student Association (WUSA). The referendum has two questions:

• "Should the University of Waterloo sever its partnership with Technion-Israel Institute of Technology due to its role in the research and development of technology used by the Israel Defence Forces?" and
• "Should the University of Waterloo review its partnerships and investment portfolios to ensure alignment with Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles and Amnesty International, to prioritize institutions that demonstrate a commitment to human rights, peace, and international law in a manner that is timely and transparent to the undergraduate student?"

"The results for each referendum question will be compiled and presented to the Board to ratify and determine WUSA’s official position on the topics," says WUSA. "The final results will be used to advocate for student interests and engage with the University for discussion and negotiations."

It's worth noting that a similar referendum question in 2016, "Do you think the University of Waterloo should sever ties with the following institutions due to their complicity in violations of the human rights of Palestinians: University of Haifa, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Tel Aviv University, and the Weizmann Institute of Science?" was soundly defeated in a vote of 2,329 to 1,803.

Eligible undergraduate students can vote on the two referendum questions until Sunday, October 6.

Employers hosting Employer Information Sessions next week include Apple, RJC, Google, Tesla, Connor, Clark & Lunn Investment Management, TikTok, ISED and Government of Canada, Whatnot, ATCO, Co-operators, IBM, HCMA, and RCAF. Make sure to register through WaterlooWorks and check the calendar for any updates.