Saint Mary’s researcher receives Inuit Cultural Repatriation Award

2018 Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami Awards and Feast, Ingamo Hall Friendship Centre, Inuvik NWT. Pictured from the left are Nancy Hurn (Anglican Archives), Deanna Marie Jacobson, (Inuvialuit Cultural Resource Centre / ICRC), Natan Obed, (President of ITK), Val Marie Johnson (Saint Mary’s University), Ethel-Jean Gruben (ICRC).

Saint Mary’s University researcher Dr. Val Marie Johnson’s collaborative work to repatriate copies of Inuit cultural and historical materials is being recognized by the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK) and the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation (IRC) with the ITK’s 2018 Inuit Cultural Repatriation Award.

The Inuvialuit Cultural Resource Centre (ICRC), together with the Anglican Church General Synod Archives and Dr. Johnson received the award earlier this month. The award recognizes individuals and organizations that have taken steps to repatriate Inuit intellectual or cultural property or other items that hold significance for their people.  

"It is a deep honour to have Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami recognize the collaboration among myself, the ICRC team, descendants of Shingle Point School students and staff, other community members, and the Archives team, on repatriating to the Settlement Region documentation of the living history of residential schools,” said Dr. Johnson.

They received the award for repatriating copies of archival materials from St. John’s Eskimo Residential School at Shingle Point, Yukon, and related materials. Shingle Point is an Inuvialuit whaling and fishing site that today forms part of the Inuvialuit Settlement Area. The Anglican Church opened St. John’s School in 1929 with 14 students. Enrollment peaked in 1934 with 44 students. The school closed in 1936 when a new residential school opened in Aklavik,  Northwest Territories.

Since June 2017, Johnson has worked with ICRC staff, elders and descendants of students and staff to repatriate copies of photos, artwork, student letters, and language materials collected by Anglican missionaries and held in the Anglican Church Archives in Toronto. The materials will soon be available at the ICRC, digitally, and through publication.

“Inuvialuit Regional Corporation is pleased to see these organizations and individuals recognized for the dedication and personal sacrifice each has given for the wellbeing of the Inuvialuit and others, as well as promoting our culture amongst others,” said Duane Smith, Chair and CEO of the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation.

SMU doctoral student one of 10 winners in national policy challenge

Congratulations to Chris Walker, doctoral candidate in the International Development Studies Department at Saint Mary's University, who is one of 10 winners of a national foreign policy challenge. 

The Global Affairs Canada / SSHRC 2018 International Policy Ideas Challenge invites Canadian graduate students, post-doctoral fellows and researchers to propose solutions to emerging international policy challenges faced by Canada.

Chris proposed a policy brief that will analyze the foreign policy implications of using trilateral partnerships through South-South Cooperation (as opposed to the traditional bilateral Northern-to-Southern countries aid model) as a potential approach to international development. A unique example of a trilateral arrangement combined North American resources with Cuban personnel to overcome the Ebola outbreak in West Africa.

The competition winners have several months to develop their ideas into policy briefs, which will then be presented to Government of Canada officials in a special day-long symposium in Ottawa later this fall. 

Chris Walker is a Canadian Institutes for Health Research doctoral candidate. His research focused on international development policy, South-South cooperation, bilateral medical agreements, global health, medical education, health systems evaluation and policy, the political economy of health and development, as well as modes of health care capacitation for rural, poor and marginalized populations.

The Dauphinee Centre construction on track

A rendering of The Dauphinee Centre.

Excitement is building as work continues on The Dauphinee Centre, the new arena at Saint Mary’s that will feature an NHL-sized ice surface and accommodate more than 1200 fans.

With the arena design 95% complete and construction progressing well, the $14.8 million facility is on track to open in time for the 2019 hockey season. This fall, neighbours can expect to see the large, precast concrete walls (about 85 pieces in total) go up on the build site. Work is now underway on the foundations to support the walls and on the underground water and electrical services. 

When completed, the centre will feature an upper-level warming room with an attached fan room overlooking the ice surface, a pedway link to the Homburg Centre for Health & Wellness, and men’s and women’s varsity dressing rooms that are equal to the best junior hockey facilities in the country. These enhancements to the project were made possible by a generous gift of $2 million from local entrepreneurs Glen and Nancy Holmes, parents of two current Saint Mary’s students. Glen and Nancy Holmes are the owners of Pseudio, Samuel & Co and Envy.

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See updates on the progress of the Dauphinee Centre.

Award-winning Square Roots food bundle program partners with Hellmann’s

Square Roots bundles. 

The award-winning Square Roots food bundle program is partnering with Hellmann’s to help combat food insecurity across Nova Scotia.

“At Hellmann’s, we believe that food is too good to be wasted,” said Andria Prada, Senior Assistant Brand Manager at Hellmann’s. “Square Roots fights issues of food waste and food insecurity at both farms and restaurants. They redirect perfectly good food that would be thrown away, into the hands of communities. Hellmann’s is proud to support Square Roots.”

Launched in November 2016, Square Roots fights food insecurity, food deserts and food waste in Nova Scotia through a monthly, affordable and healthy food bundle service. The food bundles cost $5 and $10 each and feature 10 pounds of fruits and vegetables sourced locally from the Annapolis Valley. There is also a $60, three-month bundle where members can purchase a bundle for themselves and a family in need.

“For two years in a row, the Square Roots bundle program has won the Hellmann’s Food Security Challenge, which opened the door to this partnership,” said Becca Watts, Square Roots bundle program manager. “We are proud to announce that all future bundles will feature a recipe book and coupon for a free Hellmann’s product. We want to thank them for their support as we fight food insecurity in Nova Scotia.”

The August bundle includes corn, cucumbers, apples, potatoes, carrots and a recipe book and free product coupon.

There are currently ten franchises throughout Nova Scotia, and the program continues to look towards expansion by finding community champions to bring Square Roots to their community.

Square Roots is an Enactus Saint Mary’s social enterprise. With over 100 students, Enactus Saint Mary’s currently operates eight projects and social enterprises and one process. These range from consulting with entrepreneurs on the autism spectrum, to forming food-based social enterprises, to operating a computer literacy program for young people. Enactus Saint Mary’s is proud to partner with the Saint Mary's University Entrepreneurship Centre to offer its programs.

For more information about Square Roots, pick-up locations or to order a bundle, visit www.squarerootsfood.ca . 

Huskies earn first win of the season with 20-13 victory over StFX

The Saint Mary's Huskies picked up the first victory of the AUS football season with a 20-13 win over the StFX X-Men Friday night at Huskies Stadium on a balmy summer evening in front of over 1300 fans.

The turning point in the victory came late in the fourth quarter when Huskies quarterback Kaleb Scott (Mount Albert, ON) punched in a one-yard touchdown to give them a 17-13 edge. The play came after a Brian Hope (Port Coquitlan, BC) field goal was negated due to a StFX illegal substitution call. Had the field goal stood the game would have been knotted at 13-13. 

With the momentum, the Huskies added a late field goal for the 20-13 win. 

Scott was 18 for 28 with 208 total offensive yards, despite throwing three interceptions in the game. 

Freshman running back Jonathan Cimankinda (Ottawa, ON), the Subway Player of the Game, picked up 105 rushing yards on 21 carries for Saint Mary's.

The home team opened the scoring on their first drive of the game off a 36-yard field goal from Brian Hope (Port Coquitlan, BC) in what was the only scoring in the first quarter. Scott connected with Cimankinda on several carries to move the ball up field.

The X-Men had a chance to even the score early in the second quarter but Kieran Burnham's (Cambridge, ON) 42-yard field goal attempt went wide. 

Hope added a second field goal with just over four minutes left in the opening half, this time from 33 yards out. 

The X-Men got on the board at 13:14 of the second quarter to cut the SMU lead to 6-3 when Burnham connected from 15 yards out. StFX quarterback Bailey Wasdal (Calgary, AB) found receiver Greg McDonald (Halifax, NS) for a 31-yard pass to gain field position. 

The first half scoring rounded out with a Huskies rouge off a missed 26-yard field goal attempt from Hope with under a minute to play as SMU took a 7-3 lead into the locker room at halftime.

Wasdal found McDonald again in the third quarter for a 29-yard catch that set the X-Men up for 1stand goal from the one-yard line. Running back Jordan Socholotiuk (Waterford, ON) punched it in for StFX's first major score of the season. An Ethan Mastin (Chilliwack, BC) interception kicked off the drive for the X-Men.

The Huskies evened the score with just over a minute left in the third quarter as Hope booted his third field goal of the night, a 25 yarder that tied the game at 10-10.

StFX regained the lead three minutes into the fourth quarter on a 35-yard Burnham field goal.

The Scott touchdown with 6:42 left on the clock was the Huskies only one of the game. He scored after the X-Men strung together three consecutive penalties that set up Saint Mary's at 1stand goal.

Hope's fourth field goal of the game gave the Huskies the 20-13 edge with 1:31 left in the game. This one came from 10 yards out after a long Huskies possession wasted a lot of time off the game clock.

Saint Mary's had 383 total offensive yards to the X-Men's 213. Penalties also cost the X-Men in the game as they had 15 for 110 penalized yards to the Huskies 9 for 60.

Rick LeMoignan (Edmonton, AB) had 5 catches for 68 yards for the Huskies, while Liam O'Brien (Parksville, BC) was 5 for 68.

For the X-Men, Greg McDonald (4-91) and Kaion Julien-Grant (4-45) were the favorite targets for Wasdal who ended up going 15 for 23 for 181 total yards in his first AUS regular season game. Socholotiuk was held to 39 yards on the ground on 16 carries. 

On the defensive side of the ball, Gordon Whyte (Toronto, ON) led all X-Men with 9.5 tackles, while defensive back Cole Virtanen (Nanaimo, BC) had two interceptions in the game.

Brad Herbst (Ottawa, ON) led the Huskies defense with 5.5 tackles as the SMU defense sacked Wasdal three times in the game for a total loss of 25 yards. 

Both teams are back in action next weekend. The Huskies travel to Lennoxville, QC to face Bishops on Saturday, while the X-Men will host Acadia on Friday night in their home opener.

Recap courtesy StFX Sports Information

Saint Mary’s University lowers flags to remember Fredericton victims

This weekend, the flags in front of the McNally Building will fly at half-staff in solidarity and in remembrance of the victims of last week’s shooting tragedy in Fredericton.

Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray, President and Vice-Chancellor, said, “As the City of Fredericton prepares to honour publicly this Saturday two fallen police officers, the entire Saint Mary’s community and communities across Canada grieve the tragic loss of life. ”

“Our condolences and thoughts are with the Fredericton Police Force and the family and friends of those taken.”

"Fake it until you make it" not a good plan for job interviews

Adapted with permission from the University of Calgary.

Dr. Nicolas Roulin

Researchers study impression management in job interviews, suggest honesty is best policy when talking about yourself

Honesty is the best policy in a job interview, but not everyone is comfortable being truthful about their skills, psychology researchers have found in an extensive study published in Personnel Psychology. 

Dr. Nicolas Roulin, associate professor of industrial/organizational psychology at Saint Mary’s University in Halifax, and Dr. Joshua Bourdage, associate professor in the Department of Psychology, Faculty of Arts at University of Calgary, studied the behaviour of 1,470 North American job applicants during interviews — a field called ‘impression management.’

Much research has explored how people promote themselves in job interviews and try to ingratiate themselves with the organization that’s hiring. Bourdage and Roulin advanced this work by studying the differences between people who engage in honest versus deceptive practices during a job interview.

“Someone who is more extroverted will be more likely to engage in more of the honest tactics and less in the deceptive tactics. Someone who is more conscientious will also engage in more honest tactics,” says Roulin of the findings. “The people who are extroverted are more able to be honest, they have the ability to sell themselves and ingratiate themselves with the interviewer or the organization. Those who are less extroverted may be a bit shy and may not know to promote themselves.”

Further, applicants who use deceptive practices in a job interview — embellishing their qualifications or offering fake compliments about the organization — may be younger, have less work experience and fewer qualifications to talk about. They may also be less conscientious and therefore haven’t put in the time to prepare for the interview. 

“Faking in an interview tends to be someone making up for something,” says Bourdage. “It’s not that you go in and say ‘I’m going to fake my way through this interview,’ it’s an adaptive response to ‘I don’t know what I’m doing, I don’t have the experience, I am uncomfortable in this situation and this interview is very difficult.’”

The researchers suggest job applicants do their homework before an interview so they can speak truthfully about themselves and the organization. They found that people who took some training on how to nail an interview tended to use more honest impression management. 

“The key going into an interview is to really prepare so that you can speak honestly about the skills that you have and your high points — what are your strengths and how do they relate to the job?” says Bourdage. “And, find genuine ways that you fit with that organization as opposed to making up things that you think the organization would want to hear.” 

People who sell themselves in an honest way tend to receive a job offer whereas those who fake it are often “found out” in reference checks and other verification processes. The researchers also found that the interviewer can encourage more honesty from an applicant by having a longer interview and asking specific questions about past behaviour or job-related situations.

Mi’kmaq Grand Council flag permanently installed at Saint Mary’s

A sign of acknowledgement and acceptance

The Mi’kmaq Grand Council flag now has a permanent home on the Saint Mary’s campus, along side the Canadian and provincial flags that fly in front of the McNally Building.

The flag-raising followed a special meeting between members of the Sɨkɨpne’katik (Shubenacadie) District Grand Council, Saint Mary’s senior executive and Board of Governors member Chief Bob Gloade on Aug 2. Dr. Trudy Sable arranged the meeting in her capacity as Community Engaged Research Facilitator to uphold the university’s 2010 MOU with the Grand Council and to discuss further partnership and research opportunities. Friends and supporters – including Raymond Sewell, Indigenous Student Advisor, SMUSA President Ossama Nasrallah and Isaiah Bernard, co-president of the Saint Mary’s University Indigenous Society – also attended.

“To see our flag side-by-side with the Canadian and Nova Scotian flags, nation to nation, is very significant to us,” said Grand Chief Ron Knockwood, District Chief of the Mi'kmaq Grand Council, Sɨkɨpne’katik District. “It acknowledges our nation and our presence.”

Keptin Russell Julian, Grand Council member, Sɨkɨpne’katik District said the flag would also be a source of pride for the community, a welcoming sight for Indigenous students, and a way to spark conversations. “People will see it and maybe start asking questions – Why is it there? What is that flag for? It’s an opportunity to educate.”

“This is symbolic of our relationship moving forward, and the university’s commitment to fostering an environment that reflects and honours the cultures, histories and traditions of the Indigenous community,” said Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray.

Saint Mary's welcomes new University Librarian

Suzanne van den Hoogen

The Saint Mary’s University community has a new member. Suzanne van den Hoogen (BA’91), the recently appointed University Librarian, will be joining us on campus on Tuesday, August 7th.

"Being named the University Librarian at Saint Mary’s is an honour, and most definitely the highlight of my career," said van den Hoogen. "I am very excited about this opportunity, and I look forward to collaborating with the excellent library staff, engaging with students, and partnering with faculty to build upon the existing foundation of exemplary services and programs that the Patrick Power Library offers."

Suzanne brings more than twenty years of experience working in and managing academic libraries. She joins us from Saint Francis Xavier University, where she took on roles of increasing responsibility, including her current position as Public Services Librarian. Suzanne has also held leadership roles in key regional and national organizations, such as the Atlantic Provinces Library Association (APLA), the Council of Atlantic University Libraries (CAUL), Novanet, and the Canadian Federation of Library Associations.

Suzanne is committed to the library as a strong and vibrant resource for learning and research on campus. With her passion for education and a strong background in developing and implementing new and innovative services, Suzanne will be a welcome addition to the library team and to Saint Mary’s.

Please join us in welcoming Suzanne to campus.

Saint Mary’s a Top Intercultural Destination for "Aspiring Citizens of the World"

Saint Mary’s has become an annual intercultural port of call for global learners.

We are delighted that for the seventh year in a row, international students from Beijing Normal University Zhuhai have enrolled in our Summer Institute, Cross-Cultural Communication – North American Studies, as their choice for a summer study abroad program.

This unique program, which integrates academic and cultural studies with language learning, is an increasingly popular way for students to attend a university renowned for its diverse and globally-engaged campus. With more than 200 students having completed the Institute, the choice of attending Saint Mary’s underscores that the University is recognized for its expertise in intercultural engagement.

Over the next three weeks, students will attend a series of lectures presented by faculty and staff. Lecture topics range from An Archaeological Tour of Halifax to Love to Gender and Service in “Twelfth Night,” while classroom learning will be enriched by visits to historic, cultural, and natural scenic attractions around HRM, including the Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre and the Halifax Pride Festival.

Check in on the Summer Institute activities at the Studio's blog:

Saint Mary’s University appoints new Associate Dean – Student Affairs, Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research

Dr. Colleen Barber

Saint Mary’s University is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Colleen Barber, Professor in the Department of Biology, to the position of Associate Dean – Student Affairs, Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research (FGSR) effective September 1, 2018. Dr. Barber will take over from Dr. Diane Crocker, Department of Criminology, who successfully completes her 5-year term on August 31.

Dr. Barber joined Saint Mary’s University as an Assistant Professor of Biology in 1999 and brings close to 20 years of academic experience and leadership to her new role. In addition to her passion for science, research, and teaching, Dr. Barber has a strong history of student mentorship, having advised and supervised more than 75 students at Saint Mary’s.

Dr. Barber also has excellent administrative experience, most notably from her six-year tenure as Coordinator for the Forensic Sciences program, where her responsibilities included hiring instructors, admitting and mentoring students, developing curriculum and serving on the Science Curriculum and Executive committees.

Continuing on the foundation prepared by Dr. Crocker as FGSR’s inaugural Associate Dean, Dr. Barber will be the FGSR lead on all student-related issues. She will continue to work closely with FGSR’s Graduate Studies Officer and all of the Graduate Program Coordinators to support a positive learning environment for graduate students, and provide avenues for mentorship, professional development, and problem resolution.

Saint Mary’s University appoints new Director of Philanthropy

Jillian Gibson

Saint Mary’s University is pleased to announce the appointment of Jillian Gibson as the Director of Philanthropy in the Office of Advancement, effective August 27, 2018. Reporting to the Vice-President, Advancement, Jillian will provide leadership for the University’s philanthropy programs and staff in the area of major gifts, planned giving, annual giving, and donor relations. 

A member of the Advancement Leaders Team and the Senior Management Group, Jillian will play a vital role in building the university’s capacity to attract private sector support through strategic engagement of a broad range of stakeholders in integrated fundraising programs and long-term relationship building.

Jillian has extensive experience in the development, fundraising, and leadership fields, with a career spanning twenty-five years in education and educational advancement.  A member of Memorial University’s (MUN) Advancement team since 2009, Jillian has held increasingly progressive positions in annual giving, faculty development and major gifts, including leading a $5 million campaign for the Faculty of Medicine and management of the major gift team for the university during the “Dare To Campaign for Memorial University” which raised $67 million.  Prior to joining MUN, Jillian served as Director of Development at the Queen’s College Foundation in Nassau, Bahamas for four years, after an 11-year career as a teacher in Canada and Bahamas.

An alumna of the University of Ottawa with Bachelors of Arts and Education degrees, Jillian also has a Masters of Education in Educational Leadership from Memorial University. An active member of the Rotary Club in Bahamas and Newfoundland since 2006, Jillian is past President of the Rotary Club of St. John’s Northwest and looks forward to continuing her strong engagement in the community.