Mi'kmaq History Month: Events and resources for the SMU Community

October is Mi’kmaq History Month, a time to celebrate and learn about Mi’kmaq culture and heritage.

The theme for Mi’kmaw History Month 2025 is A’tukwemk aq A’tukowinu’k – Storytelling and Storytellers. “This theme celebrates the power of stories in Mi’kma’kik—stories shaped by the land and waters, carried through generations, and alive with laughter, teaching, and truth. Storytelling remains a living record of Mi’kmaw science, history, and values, connecting people to each other and to the ancestors who came before.” Learn more at mikmaqhistorymonth.ca.

October 1 is Treaty Day, which commemorates the treaties between the Mik’maq people of Nova Scotia—who have occupied the land for thousands of years—and the Crown. Learn more about Treaty Day here.

Saint Mary's University acknowledges that the university is located on the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq People. Learn more.

Events

Sisters in Spirit Film Screening: The Body Remembers when the World Broke Open

Tuesday October 7, 2025
6-8:30 p.m.
Atrium 101

Please join the Qomoti Centre and the Sexual Violence Support Centre to commemorate Sisters in Spirit Day with a Film Screening of The Body Remembers when the World Broke Open. The film follows two Indigenous women as they navigate the effects of Intimate Partner Violence. All are welcome and refreshments will be served.

Sisters in Spirit Day is a national day that honours and remembers Murdered and Missing Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit people. To learn more, please visit the Native Women's Association of Canada.

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Too Ghoul for School: Colonial Gazing and Monstrosity in Rhymes for Young Ghouls

Wednesday, October 29, 2025
3:30 p.m.
Halifax Central Library

Part of SMU’s first Monster Fest, Dr. Krista Collier-Jarvis presents a talk on Rhymes for Young Ghouls, an Indigenous horror film about one Mi'kmaw girl's experience living beneath the colonial gaze and temporarily within the walls of the fictional St. D's residential school. Read the full session description here.

Blood Quantum Screening and Scholar-led Panel Discussion

Wednesday, October 29, 2025
6 p.m.
Halifax Central Library

A public-facing, free screening of Jeff Barnaby’s Blood Quantum and a panel discussion moderated by Dr. Krista Collier-Jarvis and led by Indigenous scholars and activists Fallen Matthews, Tiffany Morris and Dr. Margaret Robinson.

Find out more on the Monster Fest website.

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Resources

Qomuti is an on-campus space designed by and for Indigenous students. Located in Loyola Academic Room 286, Qomuti (pronounced ho-mo-dee) is a Mi’kmaw word meaning “a place of safe haven.” This space was created through community consultation and is intended to be a welcoming home on campus for Indigenous students to gather, study, share, smudge, and feel rooted in culture and connection.

Visit Qomuti or meet with the Indigenous Student Advisor, Kylar Johnson. Find out more about the space and how to connect with Kylar at smu.ca/indigenous-community.

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Permanent Mi'kmaw Heritage Exhibit – Visit the Library to see Ta’n Etl-klo'tasik koqoey (a phrase meaning “where the items are kept or taken care of”), an exhibit celebrating the enduring legacy and culture of the Mi’kmaq people. This exhibit features a collection of Mi’kmaw cultural objects selected by community members, and is on loan from the Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History.

The Patrick Power Library has a Mi'kmaq History Month collection available on campus or online. All books can be borrowed with your SMU ID card or accessed online using your SMU email and password.

Other resources to support learning and reflection about Indigenous culture and experience include:

• Red Dress Display: October 4 is the National Day of Action for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit people (MMIWG2S), also called Sisters in Spirit Day. Red dresses hang in the library windows as a symbol of those who never returned home and to bring awareness to the ongoing violence against Indigenous communities. Learn more.

• Indigenous Studies Research Guide – Your starting point for academic and community-based resources on Indigenous research topics, featuring suggested journals, search strategies, databases, government information and other resources.

• SMU Theses on Mi’kmaw and Indigenous Research – Discover original research by Saint Mary’s University community members in the Institutional Repository.

• Indigenous Peoples of North America Database – A digital archive covering the political, social, and cultural history of Indigenous Peoples from the sixteenth century into the twentieth century. Access is available through the Library.

• Streaming Media Collections – Watch Indigenous films and documentaries through the NFB, CBC Curio, Films on Demand, Audio Cine and Criterion databases. Access is available through the Library.

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Related

• Learn more about Indigenous history, perspectives and culture through the Saint Mary’s lens

• Find resources on our online Indigenous Community Hub

• October 17: Graduate Studies Information Session for Black and Indigenous Undergraduate Students

Saint Mary's University wins the Enactus World Cup!

The Enactus Saint Mary’s team celebrates winning the World Cup

Enactus Saint Mary’s Co-President Courtney Dingle accepts an award as the team moved on to the Top 16

SMU represents Canada at the Parade of Flags at the World Cup

Team Canada with Enactus Board Chair Iain Aitken

The Enactus Saint Mary’s team has captured the global championship at the 25th Enactus World Cup in Bangkok, Thailand. Their 12-minute presentation on two student-run social enterprises—Alaagi and Square Roots—outperformed finalists from Zimbabwe, Tunisia and Germany. This victory marks the first world title for Saint Mary’s University, which competed against 28 national champion teams from around the globe.

Twenty-one students and staff from the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre represented Team Canada. Co-Presidents Courtney Dingle and Sarah Wheeler, along with Gabe Martin BA’25, led the team through a year of groundbreaking work.

"The true win here isn't the trophy, it's the global proof that profit and purpose can coexist,” says Courtney Dingle. “We are constantly showing that our generation is ready to redefine what a successful business looks like. We're building enterprises that heal the planet."

Alaagi: Revolutionizing packaging with seaweed

Alaagi bio-plastic developed at Saint Mary’s

Alaagi is a revolutionary bio-plastic company aiming to disrupt the global packaging industry. The student-led venture has developed an eco-friendly and fully bio-degradable plastic wrap utilizing biopolymers sourced from seaweed.

Alaagi's innovation addresses the massive problem of single-use plastic pollution by offering a viable, compostable alternative. The team profiled Alaagi’s recent advancements to create an industry-standard film suitable for challenging applications like meat and seafood packaging. As part of the World Cup-winning presentation, the team highlighted the startup’s recent success at the Hult Prize Global Accelerator in London, UK. Alaagi was named one of the top 24 student start-ups in the world in the competition for $1 million in seed funding.

Square Roots: Turning food waste into access

Square Roots offers produce boxes to communities across Nova Scotia

Addressing dual problems of food waste and food insecurity, Square Roots purchases imperfect-looking surplus directly from local farmers and sells it at affordable prices to families in need, ensuring greater access to fresh, nutritious food for those facing economic hardship. Since its inception, the initiative has expanded across Nova Scotia and has diverted over a million pounds of food from landfills while empowering local community managers as entrepreneurs.

A win for sustainability, innovation, and Canada

"We are thrilled to celebrate the Enactus Saint Mary's team bringing home the World Cup to Canada!” said Catherine Fowler, President & CEO of Enactus Canada. “Square Roots is a leading example of how a social enterprise can grow and evolve, supporting sustainability in the community and beyond. We are also incredibly inspired by the team's innovation in single-use plastic alternatives with Alaagi™, showcasing the long-term impact of investing in early-stage projects. This win truly represents the strength of our teams and program in Canada, which we couldn't achieve without the incredible support of the faculty advisors, volunteers and donors."

This recognition, winning the Enactus World Cup, is a momentous achievement for Saint Mary’s University, Nova Scotia and Canada, showcasing student entrepreneurship, impact and innovation on the world stage.

Enactus Saint Mary’s represented Canada in the global competition

“This world championship is a powerful reminder of what our students are capable of achieving when creative minds come together to make great things happen,” says Michael Khan, Saint Mary’s President and Vice-Chancellor. “Their innovation, resilience and drive are changing communities here in Nova Scotia, while inspiring solutions for global challenges. The entire Saint Mary’s community are immensely proud of them.”

Saint Mary's commitment to entrepreneurship, championed by the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre, drives this success. The university cultivates an entrepreneurial mindset, focused on problem-solving, resilience and creativity across all faculties, ensuring students like those behind Alaagi and Square Roots have the holistic support to achieve global impact.

"This global title is validation that our students aren't just learning about business, they are actively building world-class, scalable solutions for major global problems," says Michael Sanderson, Director of the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre. "To see Alaagi, fresh off being named a Top 24 startup at the Hult Prize in London, combined with the proven impact of Square Roots, recognized at the international level, is a source of immense pride. These students are true change makers."

Related:

• Alaagi joins Nestlé & UNESCO Top 100 Global Start-Ups

• Saint Mary’s Enactus team to represent Canada at the World Cup Exposition in Thailand

• Student-led startup named Canadian Champion at Hult Prize National Competition

• One million pounds of perfectly imperfect food feeds Nova Scotians

Saint Mary’s students help unlock black hole secrets

The most violent places in the universe are being studied right here at Saint Mary’s – by both graduate and undergraduate students

New funding from the Canadian Space Agency is helping push that research even further. $100,000 in support for Canada’s role in the XRISM mission is now backing the work of Dr. Luigi Gallo and his student team, Saint Mary’s AstrophysicS High-Energy ResearcherS or the SMASHERS.

Keegan Riggs

“Working with SMASHERS has been incredible,” says Keegan Riggs, a third-year undergraduate physics and astrophysics student at Saint Mary’s University. “The group is a mix of students and post-doc fellows. It’s been really cool getting their experience and applying it to my courses now.”

“Everyone has their own research they are working on,” says Keegan. “Every week we meet up, share our progress and bounce things off each other – we ‘smash’ our ideas together. It really helps expand our understanding.”

Dr. Gallo’s team includes graduate students, postdocs, and undergraduates who take part in every part of the research process, from crafting telescope proposals and analyzing data, writing papers and presenting at international conferences.

“Students are involved right from the beginning,” says Dr. Gallo, Professor of Astronomy and Physics at Saint Mary’s University. “They write proposals, analyze the data, and carry out full projects. And now, with this new funding, they can go even deeper – including travel, publishing and presenting internationally.”

XRISM is a next-generation X-ray observatory

XRISM is an international space mission that studies black holes, exploding stars, and the chaotic cosmic environments that shape galaxies.

Led by Japan’s space agency (JAXA) with support from NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA), XRISM is a next-generation X-ray observatory that is now collecting data that scientists have been waiting decades to see.

Dr. Luigi Gallo

“These are the major instruments of our time,” says Dr. Gallo. “Everyone’s heard of Hubble –  but XRISM, Euclid, and James Webb Space Telescope, or JWST, are the missions defining astrophysics right now. Students at Saint Mary’s are not just participating, they are leading the work.”

Black holes themselves do not emit light, but their surroundings do. XRISM captures and decodes high-energy X-rays coming from these regions, where matter is pulled in, torn apart and sometimes ejected at unimaginable speed.

“Most of my friends I see every day are also in the astronomy program and we talk about our courses and hang out. We’ve built a connection through school,” says Keegan. “I’ve always been interested in black holes, specifically supermassive black holes, AGNs, that are actively accreting materials powering the environment”.

Research with impact: why it matters

• Black holes shape the universe. Their gravitational pull and energetic outflows help form galaxies and forge the elements we rely on, like the iron in our blood and the calcium in our bones.

• XRISM is like an MRI for the cosmos. It uses X-rays to reveal the invisible, giving scientists a high-resolution view of extreme events happening thousands or even millions of light-years away.

• SMU students are at the table. This is not a simulation or classroom exercise. Students are analyzing real data from one of today's most advanced space missions.

“We think of black holes as things that suck everything in, but the reality is, they also throw material out,” says Dr. Gallo. “That material can crash into the galaxy around it, affecting how stars form and the galaxy evolves.”

Supporting student success through research excellence

Some of the most recent SMASHERS include postdoctoral fellows Yerong Xu and Adam Gonzalez, graduate students Jordan Adamski, Thomas Hodd, Margaret Buhariwalla and Cameron Semenchuck, and undergraduate students Jade Cameron, Lucienne Pothier-Bogoslowski and Keegan Riggs.

Lucy Pothier-Bogoslowski BSc’25, SMASHERS member and 2025 Governor General’s Silver Medal recipient

“These projects are hundreds of millions, even billions of dollars to build and launch,” says Dr. Gallo. “Now our students are working on the science that comes out of them.”

The XRISM funding is part of a larger $2.8 million announcement from the Canadian Space Agency, supporting space science at 14 Canadian universities.

For Saint Mary’s and the SMASHERS team, this is another example of how world-class research and hands-on student opportunity go hand in hand – blending community impact and academic excellence into a single, realized goal.

“Dr. Gallo is really kind, and he cares not only about your research but also about you as a person,” says Keegan. “He’s helped me with my research, of course, but also with everyday stuff.”

Visit smu.ca/astronomy-physics to explore research opportunities, student stories and more.

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Related:

• Saint Mary’s astrophysics researchers make surprising discovery about supermassive black holes

• President’s Award for Excellence in Research: Dr. Luigi Gallo

Alaagi joins Nestlé & UNESCO Top 100 Global Start-Ups

Tyler MacLean, Vaishali Sachdeva and Sheheryar Khan BSc’25 DipENG’25 competed for the Hult Prize in London

Summer 2025 has been a landmark season for Alaagi, a cleantech startup founded by recent Saint Mary’s University graduate Sheheryar Khan BSc’25 DipENG’25.

After spending August in London, UK at the Hult Prize Global Accelerator, Khan and teammates Tyler MacLean and Vaishali Sachdeva returned home to even bigger news: Alaagi has been named one of the Top 100 Global Start-ups by the Nestlé and UNESCO Youth Impact: Because You Matter program.

The recognition includes a grant and six months of mentorship designed to help young innovators strengthen sustainable food systems through regenerative agriculture, climate change solutions, and packaging innovations.

“The Hult Prize accelerator was completely transformative,” said Sheheryar Khan. “To spend a month with global leaders, investors, and other start-ups gave us insights and connections that would have taken years to build. Now, being recognized by Nestlé and UNESCO confirms our mission is resonating.”

Alaagi is developing compostable, seaweed-based bioplastic films for seafood and meat packaging. In the past year:

• Alaagi has secured over $11 million in commercial LOIs, including pilots with Sobeys and High Liner Foods.

• The company has received four purchase orders and won $165K in non-dilutive funding.

• Alaagi is being presented at Enactus World Cup, through Enactus Saint Mary’s, in Bangkok, Thailand.

• Alaagi will soon head to Paris for the Nestlé/UNESCO showcase event.

Learn more about entrepreneurship opportunities for students through SMU’s Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre.

SMU Community Food Room recognized for their innovation

Amy McEvoy, Manager, Student Success Centre, Yusupha Njie, Emma Rota, Student Transitions Specialist and Sunal Shah receive the Feed Nova Scotia Food of the Future Award. 

Yusupha Njie and Sunal Shah are the SMU Community Food Room Coordinators

Emma Rota presenting at Feed Nova Scotia Day of Sharing.

The SMU Community Food Room Team was pleased to attend Feed Nova Scotia's Annual Day of Sharing on September 19. The Food Room team was invited to present on their volunteer program, and took advantage of opportunities to network and learn from fellow Feed Nova Scotia Member Agencies. The day culminated with the first-ever Feed Nova Scotia Member Awards, and the SMU Community Food Room was recognized with the Food of the Future: Innovation Award.

This award recognizes an agency that "demonstrates creativity, adaptability, and forward thinking in everything they do.  From developing fresh approaches and implementing unique solutions, they aren’t afraid to question conventional ways of doing things and open the door to new opportunities and new impact. Their innovative spirit inspires progress and sets an example for how agencies can lead change in meaningful and practical ways.

The SMU Community Food Room was recognized for showing how food banks can innovate through action. From meeting clients where they are, offering food pick-up locations across campus, using social media to connect on platforms students already use, and creating new programs like the Tuesday Breakfast Club and Iftar Kits during Ramadan — the Food Room team is always looking to improve. The SMU Community Food Room continues to innovate as it adapts and tries new approaches to serve its community's unique needs, demonstrating creativity, responsiveness and a deep commitment to supporting its users.

To learn more about the SMU Community Food Room, get involved, book an appointment, please visit their website: Community Food Room or email food.room@smu.ca.

Undergraduate students lead groundbreaking research on refugee youth resilience

Jacqueline Moore and Melissa Álvarez Del Angel travelled to Manitoba this summer as part of their summer research project

This summer, Honours Psychology students Melissa Álvarez Del Angel and Jacqueline Moore participated in hands-on research in the Finding Your Resilience (FYRe) Lab, led by Dr. Margherita Cameranesi, Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology.

Melissa, a Bachelor of Science student, was awarded the Dean of Science Access to Research Award. Jacqueline, a Bachelor of Arts student, was awarded the SSHRC Explore Undergraduate Summer Research Award. These competitive awards supported their involvement in the research project.

Melissa and Jacqueline flying to Manitoba

Dr. Margherita Cameranesi, Department of Psychology

Through these opportunities, Melissa and Jacqueline played key roles in an SSHRC-funded, youth-led and community-directed research project involving racialized refugee youth aged 16-21 who resettled in the city of Winnipeg, Manitoba. The research project explores mental health priorities and stories of resilience of 30 youth participants who have been recruited in partnership with the Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization of Manitoba (IRCOM) to share their experiences post-resettlement.

Melissa and Jacqueline co-facilitated 20 walking interviews – an innovative and participatory method that allows young people to guide researchers through their neighbourhoods while sharing stories of resilience. These walking routes, chosen by the youth themselves, generated rich data through conversation, observation and photos. By allowing participants to set the pace and direction of the interviews, the method helps rebalance power dynamics and honours the voices of young refugees.

During their summer research internships, Melissa and Jacqueline collaborated with IRCOM staff, helped organize research activities and received hands-on mentorship from Dr. Cameranesi on conducting culturally responsive and trauma-informed research. They have gained invaluable skills in community-based participatory action research and in working respectfully with newcomer youth.

The next phase of the project will involve training Melissa and Jacqueline in qualitative thematic analysis, where they will interpret narrative and visual data to help identify the community supports, spaces and relationships that help refugee youth thrive.

This research exemplifies the power of student-facilitated inquiry, community partnership, and inclusive methodologies to advance mental health equity and amplify the voices of underserved youth.

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At Saint Mary’s, small class sizes and access to professors provide many opportunities for undergraduate research. Undergraduate students can experience working as a paid research assistant, taking part in field work, presenting at conferences or even pursuing their original research. Learn more about undergraduate summer research opportunities and follow @smuhalifax to hear from more of our summer research students.

Sobey MBA students gain global perspective through immersive learning in Mexico

Business looks different when you step outside your own borders. That’s precisely what Sobey MBA students discovered in Mexico this summer, where they partnered with local companies to tackle real business challenges while gaining firsthand insight into global consulting practices. In July, Sobey School of Business MBA students travelled to Mexico for their International Immersion Experience (SMBA 6500)—a mandatory, three-credit course that is a signature element of the program. Each year, a new location is chosen for this course, with Mexico selected as the 2025 destination.

Over a week, students stepped beyond the Canadian classroom to work directly with Mexican businesses to complete consulting projects. They applied the skills and frameworks developed during their first year of the program, adapting to shifting client needs and delivering professional recommendations—all while navigating cultural differences that challenged them to think in new ways. Their experience extended beyond the boardrooms, with visits to local companies, cooking sessions, guided tours and historic sites that deepened their understanding of how culture and business intersect.

The program's businesses are carefully chosen to reflect the Sobey School of Business values of entrepreneurship, cultural awareness, innovation, sustainability and social responsibility. This ensures that when students step into international settings, they encounter work that is both relevant and meaningful, broadening their perspectives while reinforcing their skills.

The International Immersion Experience is designed to replicate the realities of international consulting. Students are challenged to apply classroom learning to real-world problems while navigating cross-cultural communication, diverse business practices, and the need to pivot quickly when expectations change.

“Every time we return, students tell us this was the moment they realized how much they had grown,” said Chantal Hervieux, Associate Professor and MBA Director. “They see their skills in action, pivot with confidence and come back with a new lens on both business and the world. It’s transformational.”

Beyond consulting practice, students return with broadened perspectives, deeper cultural awareness and a more comprehensive understanding of global business. The program also works to challenge common assumptions, encouraging students to recognize the sophistication and scale of businesses outside of North America and Europe.

Unlike many business schools, where international travel is offered as an elective, the International Immersion Experience course is a required component for the Sobey MBA. This commitment ensures that every graduate leaves with hands-on international consulting experience, cultural literacy and the ability to work across borders—skills that set Sobey MBA graduates apart.

By combining rigorous academics with experiential learning, the 16-month Sobey MBA prepares students to lead with purpose and impact in today’s interconnected world.

Saint Mary’s University launches AI Playground in the Sobeys Inspiration Hub

The new AI Playground space is located in the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre

Saint Mary’s University has officially unveiled the new AI Playground, an innovative resource space designed to provide students, faculty and community members with hands‑on experience in artificial intelligence.

Located in the Sobeys Inspiration Hub within the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre, the room offers a collaborative environment for learning and development.

The space provides free access to different AI platforms and programs

The AI Playground is open to students, faculty, staff, businesses and community members

The space features 11 AI‑powered applications, supporting everything from organization and note‑taking to creating simple websites for small businesses. Beyond software, the room incorporates voice‑command lighting, a smart TV and visual displays.

Loona, the robot dog

A crowd‑pleaser is Loona, a smart robot dog that’s continually learning new tricks and commands, adding a playful element to the playground.

“We are thrilled to open our new AI Playground, a space where students actively tackle complex problems and innovate,” says Michael Sanderson, Director of the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre. “Students won’t just learn about AI, they’ll use it as a tool to shape the future. This space is a launchpad for the next generation of problem‑solvers.”

The AI Playground is open to all students, faculty, and community members Monday through Friday, noon to 8 p.m. To support responsible use, first‑time users must complete staff training and an AI ethics course before gaining access.

This approach reflects Saint Mary’s commitment to responsible innovation and critical thinking across teaching and community outreach.

President Michael Khan welcomes community members to the opening of the AI Playground

The Honourable Brendan Maguire, Minister of Advanced Education, was in attendance.

Visit the AI Playground

• Where: Sobeys Inspiration Hub, Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre

• Hours: Monday–Friday, noon–8 p.m.

• Open to: Students, faculty and the public

• How to access: Take a brief orientation + AI ethics module on your first visit

Honouring the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation at Saint Mary’s

September 30th is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation - a day to recognize and reflect on the intergenerational harm that residential schools have caused to Indigenous families and communities, to honour those who have been affected by this injustice, and to ensure public commemoration of this history as a vital part of the reconciliation process.

Orange shirts available at the Campus Store

In honour of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, administrative offices will be closed and there will be no classes or labs on Tuesday, September 30. The Patrick Power Library will be open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

September 30 is also known as Orange Shirt Day , which began in 2013 to honour Indigenous children forced to leave their families to attend residential schools.

Orange t-shirts are available for purchase at the Campus Store, with proceeds going to the Mikmawey Debert Cultural Centre. Members of the SMU community are encouraged to wear their orange shirts to campus on Monday, September 29, ahead of the September 30 closure.

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Events on campus

Smudging Ceremony

September 25, 2025
1:30 p.m.
The Quad

All members of the SMU community are invited to an outdoor smudging ceremony in honour of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

Smudging is a cultural ceremony practised by a wide variety of Indigenous peoples in Canada and other parts of the world. Although practices differ, smudging is used for medicinal and practical purposes as well as for spiritual ceremonies. The practice generally involves prayer and the burning of sacred medicines, such as sweetgrass, cedar, sage and tobacco.

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Reflecting on the TRC’s Calls to Action 10 Years Later

NCTR’s Truth and Reconciliation Week, September 22-26

September 25, 2025
2 p.m.
CLARI (Atrium 340)

Join members of the SMU community for a Zoom event hosted by the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR) at the University of Manitoba. This session will reflect on the decade which has passed since the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action were published, including how many of the Calls have been fulfilled and what is still holding back progress. It will feature TRC Commissioner Dr. Marie Wilson, founding Executive Director of the NCTR Ry Moran, and will be moderated by author Connie Walker.

The NCTR is hosting daily Lunch and Learn webinars for Truth and Reconciliation Week from September 22-26. Topics include discussions with experts and community members about the Residential School system, ground searches and corporate reconciliation efforts. All sessions will have simultaneous English, French and ASL interpretation. See all webinar events here.

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Woven Together

September 25, 2025
7 p.m.
Loyola Academic 188

Join the Residence Life Multicultural Committee for an evening of friendship bracelet making in recognition of National Day for Truth & Reconciliation. Materials will be provided.

Reconciliation, what does it mean to you?

September 29, 2025
10 a.m.
Loyola Colonnade

Stop by the Loyola Colonnade (between Tim Horton’s and the C Store) and share what reconciliation means to you. The Residence Life Multicultural Committee will display input from the SMU community on a display board of mini orange t-shirts.

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Qomuti - Indigenous student space opens for students

Kylar Johnson, Indigenous Student Advisor, announced the naming of the student space in June 2025

Located in Loyola Academic Room 286, Qomuti (pronounced ho-mo-dee) is a Mi’kmaw word meaning “a place of safe haven.” This space was created through community consultation and is intended to be a welcoming home on campus for Indigenous students to gather, study, share, smudge, and feel rooted in culture and connection.

The Indigenous Student Space was designed in consultation with students and built with intention: a space where Indigenous learners can study, share, smudge without barriers and feel seen. While the room has quietly served students since fall 2024, the June 2025 naming ceremony marked a formal celebration of what it has already come to represent: a sense of home.

Kylar Johnson unveils the plaque for The Seven Sacred Teachings art piece by Loretta Gould

The space includes a vibrant installation within the Indigenous Student Space by Mi’kmaw artist Loretta Gould. Titled “The Seven Sacred Teachings”, the work was selected by Indigenous students from a collection of options. Depicting seven Indigenous figures standing in unity beneath a glowing sunset, each figure wears distinct regalia with animal imagery representing one of the Seven Sacred Teachings: love; respect; courage; honesty; wisdom; humility; and truth. The installation’s mosaic-like composition and vibrant colour palette capture themes of community, identity, and continuity. For the students who chose it, it serves not only as a visual centrepiece but also as a source of inspiration and reflection. Learn more about the space.

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Community events and resources

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation at the Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre

September 30, 2025
11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Mi'kmaw Native Friendship Centre, 2021 Brunswick Street, Halifax

September 30th is National Day for Truth and Reconciliation across Canada. The day recognizes the legacy of the Residential “school” system, the missing children, the families left behind, and the intergenerational impacts of this shared history.

Programs across the Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre will have tables in the Joan Glode Room with resources and hands-on activities geared towards taking reconciliatory action at the neighbourhood level.

Begin or continue your Reconciliation journey by attending Truth & Reconciliation: Every Day Action sessions throughout the Fall Program. Additionally, check out their Reconciliation Resources page for more information.

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"The Gifts We Carry": Youth Gathering for Teachers & Students

NCTR 2024 Youth Empowerment event

Presented by the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, this 2-hour live educational gathering is a highlight of NCTR’s Truth and Reconciliation Week programming, “Me’j Tekweyulkul Kina’matnewe’l wjit teli-Kpma’ltultimk” – We still carry with us the lessons on how to treat one another with the greatest respect – will immerse you in the rich tapestry of Indigenous culture, music, dance and history while honouring Residential School Survivors. It is designed to open a dialogue with young people about the truth of Canada’s residential school system. 

Watch the stream of this event, which took place at the Scotiabank Centre in Halifax on September 18.

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Patrick Power Library

Permanent Mi'kmaw Heritage Exhibit – Visit the Library to see Ta’n Etl-klo'tasik koqoey (a phrase meaning “where the items are kept or taken care of”), an exhibit celebrating the enduring legacy and culture of the Mi’kmaq people. This exhibit features a collection of Mi’kmaw cultural objects selected by community members, and is on loan from the Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History.

The Patrick Power Library has developed a resource collection that includes books and videos related to Truth and Reconciliation. All books can be borrowed with your SMU ID card or accessed online using your SMU email and password.

Other resources to support learning and reflection about Indigenous culture and experience include:

Indigenous Studies Research Guide – Your starting point for academic and community-based resources on Indigenous research topics, featuring suggested journals, search strategies, databases, government information and other resources.

SMU Theses on Mi’kmaw and Indigenous Research – Discover original research by Saint Mary’s University community members in the Institutional Repository.

Indigenous Peoples of North America Database – A digital archive covering the political, social, and cultural history of Indigenous Peoples from the sixteenth century into the twentieth century. Access is available through the Library.

Streaming Media Collections – Watch Indigenous films and documentaries through the NFB, CBC Curio, Films on Demand, Audio Cine and Criterion databases. Access is available through the Library.

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Learn more about Indigenous history, perspectives and culture through the Saint Mary’s lens.

Related links

• Indigenous Community online hub

• News for and about the Indigenous community at Saint Mary’s

• More information on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

• Check smu.ca/dining for information on hours of operation for September 30.

Undergraduate students gain valuable experience with summer research

Saint Mary’s students conduct research with professors in labs across campus every year

With the start of the fall term, we’re pleased to share highlights of another successful summer of undergraduate research in labs across campus.

Every summer, students are chosen to receive research awards, which allow them to conduct research and scholarly projects with professors in their fields. These paid internships are an opportunity for undergraduate students to learn valuable skills that will serve them well in upper-level courses and eventually in their own honours or graduate-level research.

Many of these award positions are funded by federal government agencies, including the National Science and Engineering Research Council of Canada’s (NSERC) Undergraduate Student Research Awards program and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC). Others are offered thanks to generous donors, grants and funding from Saint Mary’s. In most cases, awards are made possible through contributions from professors’ research grants. Those who receive awards are provided funding to undertake 12 to 16 weeks of full-time work between May and August.

Now in its second year, Saint Mary’s also offers the Access to Research Program, a unique option for summer research for students whose grades are in good standing after a year of study. These awards are jointly funded by the Dean of Science Office and various faculty grants.

“The Access to Research Program is designed for students who are ready to be engaged in an interesting project with a professor,” says Dr. Sam Veres, Dean of Science. “These projects are proposed by professor-student teams, and are intended to spark an interest in a discipline that may lead to future educational and career opportunities in science.”

This range of summer research award programs is an excellent opportunity for our students; however, there are many other opportunities for students to work alongside professors. Our professors conduct research year-round in labs and the field, and students are encouraged to connect with professors to discuss additional opportunities!

 Benefits

“Every summer our research award programs give students an opportunity to engage in research that complements their academic learning, and each year we are more and more impressed with the calibre of student resumes and their enthusiasm for taking on challenges,” says Dr. Adam Sarty, Associate Vice-President, Research and Dean, Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research. “These awards give our most dedicated and capable students valuable experiences that have an immediate effect on their skill and depth of knowledge in their upcoming courses—while also strengthening their prospects when pursuing graduate education or entering the workforce.”

“Many professors begin their academic careers through undergraduate research opportunities like these,” says Dr. Sarty, adding that offering a competitive salary for these roles helps to level the playing field for students who need to work each summer to support their studies. “This way, we are helping reduce their financial burden as they balance their finances and education.”

How are students chosen?

Most positions are earned based on academic record, breadth of experience and background, and the student’s application letter. Students can apply after their first year of full-time study. Applications for all faculties are funnelled through one portal, with students indicating their academic background and department preferences. If chosen, they are matched with a professor whose work is a fit for their desired research.

Can students win multiple times?

Previous wins aren’t considered in the selection process; however, strong students with top academic records can earn positions in multiple years. Many Saint Mary’s students have gone on to pursue graduate studies, thanks in part to the experience gained during their summer work on campus.

Interested in applying for a summer research award for next year? Visit this website for updates later in the term, and follow your faculty’s social media for news and deadlines.

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This year’s team of student researchers includes:

Mohammed Abbas
Year at SMU: Third
Major: Biology
Supervisor: Dr. Laura Weir
Description: I studied Japanese medaka fish by measuring anal fins and recording their behaviours to better understand their biology.

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Melissa Alvarez Del Angel
Year at SMU: Fourth
Major: Bachelor of Science, Honours in Psychology 
Supervisor: Dr. Margherita Cameranesi 
Description: I contributed to a SSHRC-funded research project in the city of Winnipeg, MB, where I co-facilitated 20 walking interviews with racialized refugee youth. These interviews sparked conversations and visual storytelling about the people, places, and resources that support well-being after resettlement. We analyzed the data to uncover the everyday strengths and supports that help refugee youth thrive. This project demonstrated the impact of community-engaged learning and student leadership in advancing mental health equity and refugee inclusion.
Plans: My plans are to complete my thesis, continue learning, and immerse myself in spaces where I can help create meaningful change, even if it’s just in a small corner of the world.

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Madelaine Arsenault
Year at SMU: Fourth
Major: Chemistry
Supervisor: Dr. Jane Ferguson
Description: Studied how rare earth elements behave in water by measuring their electrical conductivity. The rare earth elements are widely used in clean energy technologies, and understanding their properties can help create a more environmentally friendly extraction process and can support the safe management of nuclear waste.  
Favourite spot at SMU: the 2nd floor of the science building

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Megan Barkhouse
Year at SMU: Third
Major: Biology
Supervisor: Dr. Anne Dalziel
Description: I studied how fourspine stickleback fish adapt to different salinities by looking at marine and freshwater populations.
Favourite spot at SMU: The atrium

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Sarah Chiasson
Year at SMU: Fourth
Major: Environmental Science
Supervisor: Dr. Colleen Barber
Description: I studied European Starlings as part of my Honours project, which examines a reproductive strategy whereby females lay eggs in the nest of other European Starlings. The project will involve DNA analysis to identify females that take part in this reproductive strategy and to determine the potential motivation behind this strategy. 
Favourite feature at SMU: The trees in the campus quad, especially during the spring when they're all blooming.

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Claire Cullinan
Year: Fourth
Major: Biology with a Certificate in Forensic Science 
Supervisor: Dr. Christa Brosseau
Description: I am working on developing a sensitive, low-cost, and visually detectable colorimetric and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy based diagnostic assay using nanobody functionalized gold nanoparticles for the detection of HER2 (a breast cancer biomarker) to enable more accessible breast cancer diagnostics.
Favourite spot at SMU: the quiet floor of the library.

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Lila Gechtman
Year at SMU: Graduated with a Diploma of Engineering, spring 2025
Major: Mechanical Engineering 
Supervisor: Dr. Mitja Mastnak
Description: Researching simultaneous triangularization (linear algebra) with the hopes of gathering material to write a paper.
Favourite spot at SMU : The second booth in the Atrium (love the sunlight)
Plans: Continuing my Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering at Dalhousie University

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Mackenzie Hayduk
Year at SMU: Second
Major: Astrophysics
Supervisor: Dr. Vincent Hénault-Brunet
Description: Orbital modelling of high-velocity stars in Omega Centauri to investigate an Intermediate-Mass Black Hole.
See Mackenzie’s day-in-the-life video on @smuhalifax!

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Rohen Hayne
Year: Second
Supervisor: Dr. David Chiasson
Description: Assisted with research projects aimed at identifying key regulators and transporters involved in bacteria-legume symbiosis.
Favourite spot at SMU: The Atrium
See Rohen’s video about his day-to-day as a summer researcher on @smuhalifax!

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Noha Jereen Hoque
Year at SMU: Fourth
Major: Physics
Supervisor: Dr. Marcin Sawicki
Description: Since the start of its science operations in 2022, the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has revolutionized our understanding of the early universe. Building on this success, my research aimed to push even further into the cosmic frontier by uncovering galaxies so faint and distant that they are virtually invisible, even in JWST’s deep images. This research explores existing, ultra-deep multi-wavelength JWST datasets to detect such elusive galaxies using image stacking techniques. By combining observations taken through different filters, we will enhance the signal-to-noise ratio and reveal sources too faint to be seen at individual wavelengths. We will strategically group filters to isolate specific spectral lines at various redshifts, letting us identify and characterize ultra-faint populations of early ‘baby galaxies’ in the very distant universe.
Favourite spot at SMU: My favourite spot is the undergraduate common room in the Department of Astronomy and Physics. It’s a space that feels both intellectually energizing and personally comforting.

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Yacklin Huang
Year at SMU: Third
Major: Computing Science
Supervisor: Dr. Somayeh Kafaie
Description: Enhancing NL2Cypher via Out-of-LLM system design and Fine-Tuned LLM combined Approach, under a bigger project mentioned in Can AI Make Medications Safer? Saint Mary’s Prof Says Yes.
Favourite spot at SMU: My Lab (SH420)

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Ella Jackson
Year at SMU: Second
Major: Double Major in Astrophysics and Math
Supervisor: Dr. Vincent Hénault-Brunet
Description: Used spectroscopic data to determine the central velocity dispersion and binary fraction of the globular cluster Palomar 5, in attempt to discern between models which explore the initial conditions of the cluster.

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Katie Kennedy
Year at SMU: Third
Major: Chemistry
Supervisor: Dr. Jason Masuda
Description: My research this summer involved synthesis and characterization of novel ligands.
Favourite spot at SMU: 5th floor of the student centre.

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George Lawless
Year at SMU: Fourth
Plans: Master’s degree
Your major: Chemistry w/ forensic science certificate
Supervisor: Dr. Jason Clyburne
Description: Synthesizing and characterizing novel compounds via organic spectroscopy.
Your favourite spot or feature at SMU: 2nd floor of the Patrick Power Library.

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Alicia MacDonald
Year at SMU: Fourth
Plans: Starting my honours degree 
Major: Psychology 
Supervisor: Dr. Nicole Conrad
Description: We conducted research about childhood and adult literacy skills such as reading and spelling.
Favourite spot at SMU: My favourite spot is the Atrium! 

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Sarah MacDonald
Year at SMU: Third
Your major: Biology
Supervisor: Dr. Laura Weir
Description: Studied and cared for medaka in the SMU Fish Lab
Favourite spot at SMU: the Library quiet zone or the campus Tim’s!

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Zoë MacDonald
Year at SMU: Fourth
Major: Honours psychology
Supervisor: Dr. Nicole Conrad
Description: Investigated the science of reading! We're testing some newly developed comprehension stories as a team and collating data from a few years back to be analyzed later. Individually, I've been reading more specifically about dyslexia and its relation to mental health as well as resiliency research.
Plans for next year: Graduating spring 2026, deciding between various grad school options or working for a year in a social work/helping professional position.
Favourite spot at SMU: The staff/environment at the Fred Smithers Centre is one of the reasons I opted for SMU and my favourite study spot is either the quiet floors of the library or the newer area next to Tim’s with all of the natural lighting!

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Claire MacLean
Year at SMU: Fourth
Your major: Chemistry
Supervisor: Dr. Christa Brosseau
Description: Used a technique called electrochemical surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy to examine various inorganic complexes in nonaqueous environments.
Favourite spot at SMU: The fifth floor of the Student Center

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Kaley MacMullin
Year at SMU: Graduated with a Bachelor of Arts ‘25 
Major: Honours in Sociology with a minor in history
Supervisor: Dr. Heather Green 
Description: This summer I worked with Dr. Green on her mining dangers research. I looked at Black Lung Disease, accidents and injuries, and mining disasters in Nova Scotia coal mines. I sourced both secondary and primary resources for this project. What I enjoyed most about this topic is getting to know all about Nova Scotia's once thriving economic sector of coal mining, while focusing in on how miners were affected by their working conditions within the mines. 
Favourite spot at SMU: I thoroughly enjoy studying in the quiet zones within the Patrick Power library as they provide a space where students can go and truly focus without many distractions. I also enjoy studying in the cubicle chairs by the windows in the Entrepreneurship Centre. This spot allows me to focus on my work at hand while enjoying the very comfortable chairs and the view of the trees. 

Becky Mason
Year at SMU: Fourth
Major: Accounting/Economics
Supervisor: Dr Thomas/Dr Hlang
Description: We created an experiment to see how people report their financial earnings compared their taxable earnings, and I learned how to program an experiment in Otree.
Favourite spot at SMU: I love sitting in the Atrium by the living wall and studying. 

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Jorge Meza
Year at SMU: Fourth
Your major: Astrophysics
Supervisor: Dr. Rob Thacker
Description: I have begun using computer simulations to study how galaxies and clusters of galaxies form, starting from a few hundred thousand years after the Big Bang to today. The simulations need very accurate starting conditions, so my research focuses on reducing unwanted structure in the starting conditions that can affect the final results. I have developed tools for creating 3D visualization movies of the simulations and will be using these movies to better understand the underlying physics of how cosmological structures, like galaxies, form.

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Tehya Mohammed
Year at SMU: Third
Major: Chemistry and Physics Major
Supervisor: Dr. Christa Brosseau
Description: I made very thin, functional surfaces on copper metal to prevent corrosion or to use for detection purposes, then analyzed these surfaces with a laser. 
Favourite spot at SMU: The Oaks

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Janine Mombourquette
Year at SMU: Graduated Bachelor of Science ‘25
Major: Honours Biology
Supervisor: Dr. Colleen Barber
Description: I worked in the field and laboratory, studying the genetic relationships between adult European Starlings and their nestlings. I also conducted regular nest checks, including surveying for anthropogenic materials.
Favourite spot at SMU: Any tree on campus with a nest box!
Plans: I started a Master of Science in Applied Science at Saint Mary's University in September 2025.

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Jacqueline Moore
Year at SMU: Fourth
Major: Honours Psychology
Supervisor: Dr. Margherita Cameranesi
Description: I contributed to a SSHRC-funded research project in the city of Winnipeg, MB, where I co-facilitated 20 walking interviews with racialized refugee youth. These interviews sparked conversations and visual storytelling about the people, places, and resources that support well-being after resettlement. We analyzed the data to uncover the everyday strengths and supports that help refugee youth thrive. This project demonstrated the impact of community-engaged learning and student leadership in advancing mental health equity and refugee inclusion.

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Molly Munroe (she/her)
Year at SMU: Fourth
Major: Linguistics
Supervisor: Dr. Marisa Brook
Description: The focus of my research placement was sociolinguistics, the study of how language and society interact. In particular, I collected interviews from speakers of the local English dialect, known as Canadian Maritime English or CME. We collected data and analyzed it for features of speech and vocabulary particular to the local community, with a view to create the most comprehensive account yet of our city’s unique variety of English.
Favourite spot at SMU: In warmer weather, I love sitting outside on the quad under the shade of the trees, watching the sunshine filter through the leaves and sipping a coffee while I do my work.

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Douglas Mutch
Year at SMU: Graduated, Bachelor of Arts ‘25
Major: Sociology
Description: Qualitative analysis of a large sample of newspaper articles relevant to multiculturalism in Canada, to produce a research paper on the subject.
Favourite spot at SMU: Much of my time at SMU has been spent in the McNally Arts Commons so it holds a special place in my heart.
Plans: Graduate school in Toronto

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Khoi Nguyen 
Year at SMU: Second
Major: Engineering
Supervisor: Jane Ferguson
Description: Determining the density of molten salt using customized apparatus.
Favourite spot at SMU: Engineering 301

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Jeremy O'Connell
Year: Fourth
Plans: I graduate in 2026 and then pursue a master's in mathematics.
Major: Mathematics and Economics 
Supervisor: Dr. James Rickards 
Description: I worked on Apollonian circle packings, which are a bunch of circles tangent to one another packed inside of a larger circle in a way which depends on the radius of each circle. I am trying to prove that in each circle packing that allows, there are more perfect square radii than what we expect there to be.
Favourite spot at SMU: room AT214 (The math room)

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Chloe Oxner
Year at SMU: Fourth
Major: Earth Science
Supervisor: Jacob Hanley (jacob.hanley@smu.ca)
Description: My work involved producing geological maps with GIS software, sample preparation and organization, petrographic analysis completed by optical and electron microscopes, conducting field work to collect rock samples for projects, and data management. The work helped with the projects in Dr. Hanley’s lab group. These projects are focused on understanding the factors that influence the deposition of tin and tungsten in granitic magmatic systems in the Appalachians, which will help revise exploration models for these types of systems.
Favourite spot at SMU: The Oaks! It's the perfect quiet spot on campus to enjoy some of the nature on campus. The Geology department has made an interactive installation that shows all the different rocks and how they were formed!  

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Rozana Rashid
Year at SMU: Fourth
Major: Global Development Studies
Supervisor: Dr. Gavin Fridell
Description: Assessed fair trade on SMU campus to create a report for the SMU community.
Favourite spot at SMU: The community room at the Homburg Centre

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Keegan Riggs
Year at SMU: Third
Major: Astrophysics
Supervisor: Dr. Luigi Gallo
Description: Used the fractional variability spectrum to detect ultra-fast outflows in AGN.
Favourite spot at SMU: Burke Building

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Sarina Scoville
Year at SMU: Graduated with a Bachelor of Science, Spring 2025 
Major: Biology
Supervisor: Dr. David Chiasson 
Description: My research encompassed isolating and characterizing proteins of the symbiosome membrane to further understand the symbiotic relationship between legumes and nitrogen-fixing bacteria. 
Favourite spot at SMU: Sobeys Inspiration Hub
Plans: Genetics Technology Program at The Michener Institute

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Minh Vo
Year at SMU: Second 
Major: Economic
Supervisor: Hany Fahmy
Description: Performed textual analysis to construct a news-based measure of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GAI) risk and assess its impact on financial markets.
Favorite spot at SMU: I like to go to the library. I usually go there when I need to study or run on deadlines.

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Lucas Wright
Year at SMU: Second
Major: Biology
Supervisor: Dr. Laura Weir 
Description: Fish facility maintenance & observed mating-related behavioural patterns among different sex ratios of Japanese Medaka.
Favourite spot at SMU: The atrium! The skylight is awesome. 

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Clara Wrightman-Dillon
Year at SMU: Third year
Major: Astrophysics
Supervisor: Dr. Greg Christian
Description: I used a combination of experimental data and simulations to determine a resonance energy of the 22Ne(α,γ)26Mg reaction by analyzing gamma-ray spectra. This reaction occurs in AGB and massive stars, and is important for the synthesis of elements heavier than iron. The recoil mass spectrometer, DRAGON, at TRIUMF supplied the experimental data while simulations were run using GEANT.
Favourite spot or feature at SMU: Currently, the physics undergrad room in the Atrium is my favourite spot. It’s a nice, cool room to get work done with other research students around.

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Laryssa Wysoczanskyj
Year at SMU: Second 
Major: Anthropology
Supervisor: Dr. Margaret MacDonald
Description: Research for Dr. MacDonald's upcoming book on the education of Christianity in the Early Roman Empire. My work involved a lot of reading and organization of photographs of artefacts and features.
Favourite spot at SMU: 2nd floor of Patric Power library, where all my favorite books that I will never have time to read are. (But if you ask the librarians, they will say my favorite spot is doing the library puzzle...)

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 Katherine Zinck
Year at SMU: Fourth
Major: Chemistry
Supervisor: Dr. Danielle Tokarz
Description: Used laser microscopy to investigate the structure of biological samples, including starch, collagen fibrils, and teeth.
Favourite spot at SMU: The second floor of the science building.
Plans: Dental school at Dalhousie University

Saint Mary’s Enactus team to represent Canada at the World Cup Exposition in Thailand

Enactus Saint Mary’s won the National Championship in 2025

Saint Mary’s students head to Bangkok, Thailand, to represent Canada for the second year in a row at the Enactus World Cup Exposition

Last May, Enactus Saint Mary’s competed against 50 Canadian schools to win the Enactus Canadian National championship and the honour of being the only university to represent Canada at the Enactus World Cup Exposition from September 25-28 in Bangkok, Thailand. It is the second year in a row that the Saint Mary’s team has been named national champions and represented Canada on the world stage.   

Enactus, the world's largest student leadership organization, empowers its members to use entrepreneurial action to solve environmental, social and economic issues. Teams from around the world tackle global problems and showcase their successes in regional, national and worldwide competitions.  

“Enactus Saint Mary’s University is a model for innovation and social entrepreneurship, and we are proud to have them represent Canada at the Enactus World Cup,” says Catherine Fowler, President and CEO, Enactus Canada. “From their leadership on Square Roots to their innovation on alternatives to single-use plastics with Alaagi, we are confident the team will be a top competitor amongst the 32 countries represented at the World Cup.” 

Enactus Saint Mary’s entrepreneurial actions enabled them to create social, environmental and economic impact. This year, their success comes from a passionate commitment to fostering positive change through two key ground-breaking projects: 

Alaagi 

Launched in July 2024, Alaagi is redefining the future of packaging. This student-led initiative has created a durable, fully compostable bioplastic made from seaweed. This innovative material can be used to make items like sandwich bags and grocery bags.  

Now, Alaagi is pioneering the world’s first industry-standard 10K Oxygen Transmission Rate bioplastic film suitable for meat and seafood packaging—an innovation with enormous commercial potential.  

Most recently, Alaagi has secured over $155,000 in non-diluted funding and was one of the top 24 teams in the world competing for the Hult Prize of $1 million in start-up funding.  

Square Roots 

Square Roots is a standout Enactus Saint Mary’s initiative and one of the longest-running projects in the Enactus Canada network. Founded in 2016, this Community Interest Corporation tackles two major issues—food waste and food insecurity—by rescuing surplus produce and providing it to customers in need at reduced prices.  
The project sources “seconds”—fresh produce that’s often discarded due to slight imperfections in appearance—directly from local farmers. Square Roots Community Managers then distribute it affordably across Nova Scotia.   

Starting with two locations in Halifax, Square Roots has expanded to 27 locations across Nova Scotia and has provided over 1 million pounds of fresh produce to community members. 

The team, led by Co-Presidents and accounting students Courtney Dingle and Sarah Wheeler, along with Gabe Martin BA’25, features 62 students from the Sobey School of Business, Faculty of Arts and Faculty of Science. Twenty-one students will make the trip to the World Cup, along with staff from the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre. Saint Mary’s is the only university representing Canada in this competition. 

“We are incredibly proud of the efforts of every student who has made up this team,” says Co-President Courtney Dingle. “Their dedication to making the world around them better has earned us the title of National Champion for the second consecutive year, and we are excited to watch them take on the 2025 Enactus World Cup in Thailand.” 

This year, third-year accounting student and team captain Olivian Sanderson, third-year accounting and global business management student Becca Sullivan and second-year engineering student Mia Makhlouf take center-stage along with tech team Maya Campbell BComm’25 and criminology student Prateek Tamta. The team will compete in three rounds before a world champion is named. In addition, Saint Mary’s University will also represent Canada in the early-stage competition, comprised of account and business management student Kavya Shah, finance and accounting student Zach Collier and the tech team, accounting and finance student Hanna Johnson and marketing student Leah McNamara.

Follow the team’s journey on the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre and Enactus Canada social media channels.