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Experience Ventures program brings 152 new ...
Faculty of Arts, Research, Faculty/staff
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Anthropology team unveiling history at Halifax ...
Student Success, Sobey School of Business, Faculty of Arts, Faculty of Science, World without limits
Saint Mary's University
Saint Mary's team has impressive finish at ...
Campus Notes
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Campus Notes, Indigenous Community
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Celebrating Mi'kmaq History Month
Celebrating Mi'kmaq History Month

Student Support

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Getting ready to celebrate Welcome Weeks at Saint Mary’s!

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In just a couple of weeks, Saint Mary’s will be bursting with energy as students, staff and faculty make their way back to campus and new students prepare to begin their journey here. As we get ready for the excitement and bustle of Welcome Weeks, we want to highlight what’s open on campus and which events you’ll want to save the date for.

Dozens of students sitting outside on the SMU Husky Field on a sunny day with large residence buildings in background.

Move-in weekend

Move-in weekend starts on Saturday, September 2. There will be higher than normal volume coming from Robie St. and moving through the roundabout by the Loyola Residence entrance. Be sure to have your SMU campus map on hand to help navigate campus or find alternate driving and walking routes to avoid excess congestion. 

What’s open on campus during move-in weekend?

  • C-Store (campus convenience store)
    Loyola Colonnade, through the Loyola Academic Complex (LA)
    September 2-5, 11 a.m.-7:30 p.m.

  • Tim Hortons
    Loyola Academic Complex (LA), en route to Loyola Residence
    September 2-5, 9 a.m.-7 p.m.

  • Dockside Dining Hall
    Loyola Residence (LR), down the hall from the Residence Information Desk
    September 2, 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
    September 3-5, 9 a.m.-8 p.m.

  • Campus Bookstore
    O'Donnell Hennessey Student Centre, 2nd floor
    September 2 and September 4, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

  • Patrick Power Library (PPL)
    For hours, visit The Patrick Power Library

  • SMUSA Information Desk (Bus Pass)
    O'Donnell Hennessey Student Centre (SC), 1st floor (by the elevators)
    September 2-4, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

  • The Homburg Centre for Health & Wellness (HC)
    September 2-3, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
    September 4, 8 a.m.-8 p.m.

All facilities and resources will resume regular operations beginning on September 5. SMU Dining locations, will resume regular operations beginning on September 6.

Welcome Weeks key events

Welcome Weeks activities will run from September 2-15. These events are designed to introduce students to Saint Mary’s, learn about the campus, build connections in their program/faculty, find their supports and resources, and make friends. It’s also an excellent time for faculty and staff to get reacquainted with each other, make a lasting impact on new students, expand their own awareness of supports and resources and have some fun! Below are some of the key events that everyone will want to save the date for.

Three students use a game together on the Huskies field outdoors

Husky Festival | September 4, 2-5 p.m.

Come out to the Quad for an afternoon full of fun! There will be games, inflatables, snacks and more. This is a great way to shake off the start of term nerves, make friends and enjoy some time away from screens before classes begin.

Service Expo | September 2-7, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Key campus service providers will be set up to meet with students. Students can pick up their SMU ID, learn about the Student Health Plan, talk to advisors and learn about the various services and supports available. Just past the circulation desk of the Patrick Power Library, get all your questions answered. It's all here!

Academic Welcome Sessions | September 5

An opportunity for students, faculty and staff to meet within their respective faculties. This is a great opportunity to connect with peers, find out how to get involved within each program and start the academic term off on the right foot. Students - check your email for details.

  • Faculty of Arts | September 5, 10 a.m.-noon

  • Faculty of Science | September 5, 10 a.m.-noon

  • Bachelor of Commerce | September 5, 12:30-2:30 p.m.

Santamarian Ceremony | September 5, 3-4 p.m.

Saint Mary’s annual ceremony officially welcomes new students to SMU, inviting them to share in the core values of the Santamarian: academic integrity, the pursuit of knowledge, responsiveness to community needs, openness to change and concerns for a just and civil society. Hear from the University President and an alumni speaker.

Festival of Food | September 14, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Leave the lunch bag at home and have some cash ready. The Festival of Food is coming to campus and there will be all kinds of delicious food to taste, including Abhi’s Curry N’ More, Bud the Spud, Jamaica Lee’s, PBJ Eatery, and Drift coffee truck. Please note that a portion of the Inglis St. pay and display parking lot will be closed off to regular parking to accommodate the food trucks.

Husky Kickoff and Home Opener | September 15, 6-7 p.m.

It doesn’t feel like the academic term is in full swing until the Huskies play their first home game of the season. Get out your maroon and burgundy and meet us in the Quad for games, face painting, snacks and all kinds of energy to get everyone pumped up. Then head over to the field in time for the football game kick-off and take in the awesome atmosphere of the Friday night lights with your fellow Huskies. Get your Home Opener tickets here.

Find out more!

For information on Welcome Weeks activities, checklists, student resources and more, be sure to visit New to SMU, and don’t forget to register your favourite events and add them to your calendar! If you have questions, reach out to welcome.weeks@smu.ca.

Want to stay in the know all throughout the year? Be sure to follow @SMU_StudentLife and @SMUhalifax on social media.

Assistive technologies available to the SMU community

July is Disability Pride Month, and, although it is not yet recognized by the Government of Canada, Saint Mary’s is pleased to take the opportunity to recognize and celebrate those within the SMU community who experience disability.  

In recognizing the societal and institutional barriers that many face, the Fred Smithers Centre for Student Accessibility (FSC) has created a round-up of assistive technologies available campus-wide or directly through the FSC. These technologies can help reduce many barriers faced by those who experience cognitive disabilities, physical disabilities impacting certain mobility, and more. 

Notetaking is a vital part of academic and professional success. It allows people to retain and review information from lectures, discussions, meetings and more. The FSC has procured a number of assistive technologies to support those, particularly students, who may experience barriers in notetaking. 

Glean 

Glean is a web-based app designed to help students achieve their academic and personal goals through supported notetaking. The technology allows users to record lecture audio, import slides, add brief notes and highlight key points with simple clicks. It also creates a visual and interactive outline of notes to support reviewing content. 

Glean is designed to be simple, accessible and cognitive-friendly. It has a distraction-free interface that focuses on the content rather than the tool. It also has a transcription feature that converts audio recordings to text. Glean is currently available as a pilot program to students who have an academic accommodation to do with Notetaking Support. 

 Google Read and Write 

The FSC has also purchased a campus-wide license of Google Read and Write (R&W), which is a Chrome extension that provides assistive technology tools to support reading, writing and studying.  

 Some of the R&W features include: 

  • Text-to-speech to hear words, passages or whole documents read aloud with dual color highlighting. 

  • Speech-to-text to dictate words and create documents with the user’s voice. 

  • Word prediction to suggest the current or next word as the user types. 

  • Text and picture dictionaries to see the meaning of words explained with text or images. 

  • Highlighters to collect and organize information from web pages or documents. 

  • MP3 maker to convert text into audio files for listening on the go. 

  • Spelling and grammar check to correct errors and improve writing quality. 

  • Simplify and summarize to reduce the complexity and length of web pages or documents. 

Google Read and Write is available for Windows, Mac and Chrome OS devices. It can be used with Google Docs, PDFs, ePubs and other common file types in Google Drive. It is also compatible with screen readers. This extension is available for the entire Saint Mary’s community. Visit The Studio for Teaching and Learning to learn more about and access the extension download.  

Dragon 

Dragon is a speech recognition software that allows users to control their computer, create documents, send emails and search the web by using their voice. It is a form of assistive technology that can benefit people with physical disabilities, learning difficulties or repetitive stress injuries that make typing difficult or impossible. 

Some of the features of Dragon include: 

  • Fast and accurate transcription of up to 160 words per minute 

  • Customization and personalization of vocabulary, commands, and preferences 

  • Compatibility with popular applications, such as Microsoft Office, Google Chrome, and screen readers 

 The Dragon software is available on most of the computers in the FSC’s test and exam area and is available as an academic accommodation for students.  

 Kurzweil 3000 

Kurzweil is a company that provides assistive technology products and resources for students with learning disabilities, such as dyslexia or visual impairment. They also have supports for English language learners. The FSC has the Kurzweil 3000 software installed on all the exam and test computers, which offers features such as text-to-speech, word prediction and spell check. Kurzweil 3000 is currently available to students as an academic accommodation.   

Saint Mary’s is pleased to offer a number of resources and supports to students, faculty and staff to support various disabilities and reduce barriers, as well as resources for faculty and staff on how to implement accessibility best practices into their work.

For student-related accommodations and supports, visit the Fred Smithers Centre for Student Accessibility or, for those students already registered with the FSC, contact your Accessibility Advisor. For staff and faculty resources related to improving accessibility at Saint Mary’s, visit The Studio for Teaching and Learning. 

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Embracing the power of writing with new Kane Award

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Trayvone Clayton BA’23 is well versed in the power and impact of words as a young leader in his Halifax community of Uniacke Square. During his time as a student at Saint Mary’s University, he also discovered the power of writing as tool for healing, self-reflection and mental health. So it means the world to him to be the first recipient of the university’s new Edna and Velma Thomas Kane Writers Award. 

“Writing keeps me balanced,” says Clayton, who carries a notebook around much of the time. “Just writing down daily thoughts and ideas, things that have been on my mind all day. It takes so much pressure off and gets the negative thoughts out of your head. If you ever want to look back, it’s all right there in the book.” 

He got a rousing standing ovation upon receiving the inaugural Kane Writers Award during the spring graduation ceremony for the Faculty of Arts. Valued at $30,000, it’s one of the most substantial student awards in the university’s history. Launched in the fall of 2021, it was created through the generosity of donor Floyd Kane BA’92, a writer, filmmaker, lawyer and TV producer from East Preston. 
 

Stephanie Johnson BComm’93 and Edna Kane

Kane’s mother Edna and his cousin Stephanie Johnson BComm’93 (daughter of his late aunt Velma) were on campus to take part in the May 19 award presentation. Kane was away but watched the graduation live stream. 

“I’m really proud of my son Floyd,” Edna Kane said after the ceremony. “He went through a lot but he’s a super guy, that’s all I can say. He’s a super son.”  

Johnson, a self-described “Husky for life,” added that her cousin is best known for his creative work but his spirit of philanthropy is just as strong. “To be able to give someone in the community this type of opportunity that will help them live their life and pursue their dream, it’s brilliant. So I’m proud to be part of it. It’s a legacy for my mom and my auntie here, and we’re just really proud of Floyd,” she said. 

Trayvone Clayton is the first recipient of the Edna and Velma Thomas Kane Writers Award

Clayton hopes to go on to law school for his next chapter, the same path Kane took after Saint Mary’s. A former SMU Huskies basketball player, Clayton majored in Criminology with a minor in Social Justice and Community Studies, themes that reverberate throughout Kane’s hit TV series, Diggstown. Shot largely in Nova Scotia, the legal drama wrapped last year after four seasons. Since then, Kane has been hard at work developing another legal show, shooting two movies and filming a documentary about Black music in Canada.  

The two men had a chance to meet each other for the first time on June 2. In many ways, Clayton is the type of student Kane had in mind with his gift to the university, which aims to remove financial barriers to education for African Nova Scotian students.  

“I identified with a lot of his story,” Kane said after their lunch meeting on campus. “Although I grew up in the country and he grew up in the city, we both grew up with relatively modest economic means. We both grew up in African Nova Scotian communities where there wouldn’t be a lot of Black men going to university and pursuing post-secondary education, mainly because of economic circumstances.” 

Working several jobs to pay his tuition while he was a full-time student, athlete and volunteer, Clayton faced other big hurdles along the way, including learning to live with epilepsy. He was devastated by the 2019 shooting death of his younger cousin Triston Reece, who was also a promising athlete. Processing his grief from that loss prompted Clayton to start carrying the notebook around. 

Said Kane: “We talked about loss, the commonalities of experiencing significant losses early in life. I kind of always reverted to fiction. When I try to write something personal, I have a hard time doing anything autobiographical. But telling a story, that’s way easier for me. Writing got me through some tough times.” 

Another life-changing experience in 2019 cemented Clayton’s commitment to social change and the movement against anti-Black racism and discrimination. He was in Ottawa attending the National Black Canadians Summit, and his group encountered racial profiling by an employee in the Parliament buildings. That’s when he started speaking out; the incident made national headlines and led to a meeting with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.  

“I guess I always had it in me about doing the right things, and it took off from there,” Clayton says. “With GameChangers902, we’ve built a platform and we’re trying to create opportunities for youth. My whole purpose in wanting to go to law school is to lead by example. I want to build a legacy for other young people. When they see I can do it, they’ll realize they can do it too.”

Clayton in his community of Uniacke Square

Clayton feels a responsibility to be a good role model, coach and mentor. Last December, he helped organize a community Christmas for African Nova Scotian youth, which raised more than $20,000 so that each youngster at the event received a $500 gift card. “It just made me feel like you can do anything you really put your mind to,” he says.  

His community work has seen him honoured with other awards, including the 2019 Peace Medal from the YMCA of Greater Halifax/Dartmouth, and two 2019 Nova Scotia Human Rights Awards. The advocacy work gave Clayton the confidence to work hard at his academic studies, “to show people in my community that we belong here, that we do have something to say and that our voice matters.”  

Read more in our Q&A with Trayvone Clayton.

Edna and Velma Thomas Kane Writers Award

Students planning to graduate in 2024 have until November 30 to apply for the Edna and Velma Thomas Kane Writers Award. Kane stressed that the term ‘writer’ can mean everything from poetry or screenwriting to wanting to write a master’s thesis.  
 
“This award keeps ‘writing’ broadly defined because writing is the foundation to so many things,” said Kane. “We’re all writers in some way, it’s a key part of what you do and learn in a Bachelor of Arts degree. I had a great time at law school but Saint Mary’s is where my path was first taken. I had amazing professors who gave me the confidence to embrace the power of writing.”

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Community Food Room full after record-setting contributions

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A group of people standing in front of shelves filled with food.

Thanks to the faculty, staff and alumni who participated in the annual Food Drive Competition hosted by the Alumni Office. As a community, we exceeded last year's record and raised more than 2,100 lbs of food and $1,475 in monetary donations—the shelves in the campus Food Room are full! 

Congratulations to the Sobey School of Business ‘Accounting Matters’ team who won the competition by contributing 455 lbs of food with just eight members! They received a trophy and pizza party. Special shout-out to the Arthur L. Irving Entrepreneurship Centre for the most creative team name—’The IncrEDIBLES’.

Thank you to faculty, staff and alumni who made financial contributions during the competition allowing the Food Room to have some flexibility in making purchases of much-needed items. Members of the SMU community can donate to the Food Room anytime and receive a tax receipt for your donation.  

““I am thankful to every department that enthusiastically participated in the Annual Alumni Food Drive. Each participant’s passion and excitement in supporting this important cause was extremely motivating. I would want to express my heartfelt gratitude to the volunteers from the SMU Community Food Room, whose outstanding assistance was critical to the food drive’s exceptional success. Their commitment to collecting, weighing, and stacking the amazing 2,100 pounds of food was remarkable. Despite the huge workload, the persistent dedication and hard effort paid off magnificently.” ”
— Tarim Faress Alsaquaf, the Community Food Room Coordinator

Stats: 

  • 13 teams (141 people including alumni) participated. 

  • Food donations raised: 2,138 lbs 

  • Monetary donation from faculty, staff and alumni: $1,215 

See more photos published in an Alumni Facebook album 

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SMU community shows Pride love at Paint Your Pride event

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On June 20, Student Affairs and Services (SAAS) hosted a Paint Your Pride event to kick off the 2023 Pride Season at SMU.

Taking place in the Quad, Paint Your Pride brought students, faculty, staff and even Halifax locals together to celebrate Pride Month and create a beautiful rainbow chalk mural. The event also boasted activities including a make-your-own Pride pin station, lawn games, cake and popcorn treats, an info table breaking down the various 2SLGBTQIA+ pride flags and highlighting community resources, and a pop-up Pride merch table from the SMU Bookstore.

During the event, Welcome Activities Coordinator, Toky Tajwar and Student Life Coordinator, Liv Brennan asked attendees what Pride means to them. Dee Dooley, Sexual Violence Advisor described Pride as “community and liberation” while Peer Success coach, Michael Rumsby felt Pride to mean “loving and accepting everybody for who they are.” Members of the 2SLGBTQI+ community and allies joined together with resounding messages of love, acceptance and community resounding in the beautiful artwork created.

Paint Your Pride was just one of several Pride initiatives that SMU is involved in this year. In addition to several Pride events, SAAS has undertaken a project to develop a 2SLGBTQIA+ Community webpage to be launched this summer. The initiative, prominently developed by members of the queer community, will create a digital hub of pan-campus resources, groups, committees and societies, as well as news and upcoming events.

Related:

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Student experience: safe space and gay allyship at SMU

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Genderfluid person stands in the Saint Mary’s Quad in front of a line of rainbow flags depicting the various 2SLGBTQIA+ identities with arm outreached grasping at the lesbian flag.

Ken Cornell stands in the Saint Mary’s Quad in front of a line of rainbow flags depicting the various 2SLGBTQIA+ identities.

When Ken Cornell began exploring universities, gay allyship and resources were not a factor of consideration. So, when Cornell arrived at Saint Mary’s, it was a welcome surprise to discover not only safe space and community but also resources that supported them, especially in the early days of their self-discovery and journey as a gay, genderfluid person.

Cornell sits in the Quad in front of a chalk heart depicting the genderfluid rainbow.

Cornell is a student in the Intercultural Studies Program, going into their fifth and final year at Saint Mary’s who currently works as the Training Module Developer for Residence Life. “When I first came to SMU I was just starting to come out as a lesbian and I hadn’t quite identified the gender issue yet,” explains Cornell. “I discovered SMU Q [newly established as the SMU Pride Society] at my first society expo and immediately found safe space and people that made me feel completely at home.”

Having such a positive and welcoming experience at SMU made Cornell want to get involved and help others. “I worked as a Residence Advisor (RA) and was able to support others in their self-discovery and journey in coming out,” highlights Cornell.

They also got involved in the RainBEAU committee in Residence Life and “was able to give a presentation on gender identity, and, specifically, genderfluidity, which isn’t as commonly discussed or understood.” Cornell elaborates that genderfluidity is a term under the trans umbrella, where a person does not identify with the gender they were assigned at birth.

“How I view my gender and how I express it varies and changes, similar to a colour slider. How I carry myself, style my hair, dress and even talk depends on where I am on my gender slider at that time.”

In reflecting on Pride season, Cornell describes it as a complex issue for them. “We’re starting to see the growing anti-LGBT hate from the States spreading into Canada,” asserts Cornell. “Pride will always have an element of push-back to it, so to have a recognized and respected institute like SMU acknowledge Pride, telling us there is safe space here is a huge deal for our community.”

To members of the 2SLGBTQI+ community, especially newcomers to SMU, Cornell suggests getting involved as much as possible to help find support and make friends in the community. “We have lots of events coming up this year,” details Cornell. “Pride season kicked off with Paint Your Pride, where the SMU community gathered to create a Pride chalk mural in the Quad. In July, Residence Life will be hosting a Dye-versity night where we’ll be tie-dying shirts and there will be a SMU float in the Halifax Pride Parade during Halifax Pride Festival.”

Visit Celebrating Pride at SMU to learn about 2SLGBTQI+ resources and upcoming events.

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Student perspective: experiencing Pride at Saint Mary’s

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June is the kick-off month for Pride Season, a time to honour the celebration of love and acceptance dedicated to celebration and commemoration of two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (or sometimes questioning), intersexual, asexual (2SLGBTQI+) pride.

At Saint Mary’s, we strive to create a welcoming, respectful and supportive environment for our entire community. For many, SMU has become a home away from home, and we endeavour to ensure there is safe space for self-discovery and to experience joy in community. 

Liv Brennan

Liv Brennan (she/her) is a third-year Bachelor of Arts student majoring in Anthropology and minoring in Geology, who is currently working as the Student Life Coordinator for the Student Success Centre (SSC). SMU’s initiatives in allyship and creating safe space were an important factor in Brennan’s decision to work in the SSC.

“Previously I worked in Residence Life and have been involved in the RainBEAU Committee as well as the Pride Society, so I knew there would be support for me as an LGBTQI+ person,” says Brennan. “My experience at SMU has always been positive and my colleagues have always been supportive—it makes me proud to work here.” 

Being involved with 2SLGBTQI+ initiatives on campus has been an empowering part of Brennan’s experience at Saint Mary’s University. “It means a lot to me to see SMU acknowledging Pride Month,” explains Brennan. “It’s a great opportunity for our community to feel a sense of belonging and it enhances our sense of pride in who we are.” 

Within her role as Student Life Coordinator, Brennan is supporting initiatives to celebrate Pride Season. Alongside her team, Brennan is excited to host a SAAS pride event on June 20, called Paint Your Pride, inviting the entire SMU community to create a large chalk mural in the Quad. She is also helping to develop a 2SLGBTQ+ community resource hub for SMU.ca.

“For me, it’s about community and making the world a better place for 2SLGBTQIA+ people.”

“There are all kinds of resources available at SMU for our community,” notes Brennan. “In addition to the RainBeau Committee and the Pride Society, we have the SMUSA Pride Centre and the SMUSA Women’s Centre, both on the 5th floor of the Student Centre. There are also health and wellness resources through the Student Health Clinic, Counselling Centre and the Sexual Violence Support Centre.” 

When asked what World Pride Month means to Brennan, she highlighted how her journey as a bisexual woman has strengthened her passion for helping create a sense of belonging. “For me, it’s about community and making the world a better place for 2SLGBTQIA+ people. Pride Season gives us a chance to amplify our messages of love and tolerance and acknowledge those who helped pave the way for us and those who carry on the important work for our community.” 

Brennan is thrilled to be a part of this year’s Pride initiatives at SMU. “It’s so important to give our voices a platform,” she notes. “Hearing from people at SMU who are going about their lives, whether they’re working or studying here, really enhances that sense of community on campus. Knowing that SMU wants to share our stories reinforces that we belong here and that we don’t stand alone.” 

Visit Celebrating Pride at Saint Mary’s to learn more about initiatives and resources at SMU. 

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Celebrating Pride at Saint Mary's

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Photo credit: Brian Webb, HomoCulture | www.TheHomoCulture.com.

Pride Month in June acknowledges the 2SLGBTQI+ community (two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex all other gender identities such as asexual, pansexual, and polyamorous). It spotlights the resilience, celebrates the talent and recognizes the contributions of 2SLGBTQI+ communities.

In Halifax, Pride is celebrated with a festival, happening July 20-30. Throughout June and July, the Saint Mary’s community will celebrate pride with events and learning opportunities.

Follow @smuhalifax, @smu_studentlife and @SMUalumnihfx to see posts and alumni profiles shared throughout the month.

SMUSA Pride Centre

Open Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Located on the 5th floor of the O’Donnell-Hennessey Student Centre

The Pride Centre offers a safe space for all members of the 2SLGBTQI+ community. SMUSA strives to create more events and resources for students within this community on campus and wants to create a welcoming and accepting environment for all. If you are looking for a hang-out spot, or place to study, check out our pride centre!


New Pride collection at the SMU Bookstore

The Saint Mary’s Campus Store has brand new Pride merch to help you celebrate in style! Available at the store in person from 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday to Friday,
or order online.

DEI stories of success: 2SLGBTQI+ inclusion

Thursday, June 8
2–3 p.m.

This webinar for faculty and staff will discuss how organizations can demonstrate allyship towards individuals identifying as 2SLGBTQI+. DEI leaders discuss Canada's first Federal 2SLGBTQI+ Action plan and share success stories of initiatives that lead to creating an inclusive and psychologically safe space for individuals identifying as 2SLGBTQI+.

Presented by the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion. Faculty and staff can register here (select Employer Partner to register for free).

Paint Your Pride!

Tuesday, June 20
11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
The Quad outside the O’Donnell-Hennessey Student Centre

Join Student Affairs and Services in the Quad to Paint Your Pride with chalk, play fun lawn games and enjoy snacks to celebrate Pride Month alongside your peers, staff and faculty!

Email studentsuccess@smu.ca for more information.

…and more!

More events taking in place in June and July will be announced. Check the Student Life events calendar for all upcoming events!

Related Content

 

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National Indigenous History Month

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National Indigenous History Month is an opportunity to learn about the unique cultures, traditions and experiences of First Nations, Inuit and Métis. It's a time to honour the stories, achievements and resilience of Indigenous Peoples. June 21 is National Indigenous Peoples Day.

This year, different themes will highlight specific aspects of Indigenous history, cultures and perspectives. These themes include Women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people; Environment, traditional knowledge and territory; Children and youth; Languages, cultures and arts; and Reconciliation.

Saint Mary’s University acknowledges it is in Mi’kma’ki, on the traditional land of the Mi’kmaq Nation. The Mi’kmaq flag flies proudly on Saint Mary’s campus.

Follow @smuhalifax, @smu_studentlife and @SMUalumnihfx to see posts and alumni profiles shared throughout the month.

Announcing the Interim Indigenous Student Advisor 

The Indigenous Student Advisor provides support to Saint Mary’s students.

Kyle Cook BA'23 (he/him) is the Interim Indigenous Student Advisor at Saint Mary's University. Originally from Ktaqmkuk (Newfoundland), Kyle is a proud Mi'kmaw man and an active community member of Qalipu First Nation. He is a graduate of Saint Mary's University, BA'23, with a double major in Criminology and Social Justice/Community Studies.

Kyle can be contacted via email at indigenous.advisor@smu.ca or in person at Burke 114.

Indigenous Student Ambassador

New students coming to Saint Mary’s can meet with Kaylee Denny, Indigenous Student Ambassador with Recruitment and Marketing.

Kaylee (she/her) is a second-year Indigenous student at Saint Mary’s, pursuing a degree in Bachelor of Science majoring in Biology. She grew up on the beautiful island of Unama’ki and lives in a Mi’kmaw community called Eskasoni.

Contact Kaylee isa@smu.ca or book a virtual meeting.

Learn more about Indigenous Student Supports at Saint Mary’s

Visit the Patrick Power Library to browse the National Indigenous History Month collection

Patrick Power Library

The Patrick Power Library is featuring a collection of library resources for National Indigenous History Month, on display on the ground floor of the library. Book recommendations will be shared online throughout the month on our social channels (@smuhfxlibrary). All books can be borrowed with your SMU ID card, or accessed online using your SMU email and password.  

Browse the full National Indigenous History Month collection online.

Also, check out the library’s Indigenous Studies guide, with more book recommendations, suggested journals, databases, government information, and other resources.

Reconciliation: Sisters on the path

Thursday, June 15
2–3 p.m.

This webinar for faculty and staff brings together Indigenous and non-Indigenous voices to reflect on what reconciliation means to them on a personal, organizational, community, and national level and how to best forge a path forward together.

Presented by the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion. Faculty and staff can register here (select Employer Partner to register for free).

Back to Breath

Friday, June 30
11 a.m.-12 p.m.
CLARI, Atrium 340

Join Kyle Cook, Interim Indigenous Student Advisor, for a guided breathwork session open to the Indigenous community and non-Indigenous allies alike.

The session will be centred in reflection, incorporating meditation strategies, and exploring the connection and consciousness of place and language. In furthering our commitment to truth and reconciliation, we will be unpacking words like Pjila'si and how they resonate with our lived experiences.

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Student perspective: experiencing disability and enhancing accessibility

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Madison (Maddy) Brophy is a fourth-year student majoring in English and minoring in Psychology at Saint Mary’s. She also lives with an invisible disability—epilepsy—which presents in the form of grand mal or tonic-clonic seizures.

Maddy Brophy, fourth-year student

As someone who experiences disability, Brophy has the right to certain academic accommodations, but she almost didn’t register with the Fred Smithers Centre for Student Accessibility after starting at Saint Mary’s due to the invisible nature of her disability.

“I had to get over my own misconceptions and barriers of what disability means,” explains Brophy. “I was diminishing my own experience because I didn’t feel like my disability was enough to warrant accommodation.”

Brophy’s academic experience became unpredictable due to her epilepsy. Seizure flare-ups and recovery medication can often leave her forgetful, disoriented and extremely fatigued, making it difficult to maintain academic consistency at times. Eventually, Brophy registered with the Fred Smithers Centre for Student Accessibility (FSCSA) and was immediately put at ease.

“There were so many aspects of experiencing disability and suffering in silence that I had never considered,” notes Brophy. “The FSCSA team helped me feel validated in my experience and not only taught me about my rights but also taught me how to advocate for myself and my needs.”

“Accessing the accommodations available as a student with a disability has been of paramount importance to my university career,” describes Brophy, whose academic experience greatly improved with the support of the FSCSA. “It has made me realize how crucial institutional accessibility is to so many.”

With an ignited passion for student accessibility, Brophy recently secured a role with Student Affairs and Services (SAAS) as a Communications Assistant, supporting the development of student-centric communications with an emphasis on enhancing the digital accessibility of content. Working jointly with Communications and the Fred Smithers Centre, Brophy will spend the summer auditing SAAS web pages, updating content and making recommendations to raise the level of accessibility to meet or surpass Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).

“There are so many barriers faced by people who experience disability,” shares Brophy. “I’m excited to be on a team that works to reduce those barriers and make our little corner of higher education more accessible to all.”

In reflecting on her own journey as a student with a disability, Brophy has an important message to share for current and future students. “The supports are here for YOU. Your experience is valid and there is no shame in asking for the support that SMU has made available for students who experience disability.”

To learn more about student accessibility and accommodations, visit The Fred Smithers Centre for Student Accessibility. 

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Ramadan in Unity brings SMU Muslim community together

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Ramadan, one of the holiest months of the Islamic calendar, began on March 22. It is marked by compulsory acts guided by the five pillars: faith, prayer, charity, fasting and making the pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca. Those taking part in Ramadan participate in daily fasting during daylight hours, having one meal, Suhoor, before the sun rises and one meal, Iftar, after the sun sets. Prayer also takes place five times a day during the month-long observance.

“Here at Saint Mary’s, we have a diverse community of learners, faculty and staff,” notes Lynn Cashen Basso, Assistant Director, Student Culture and Experience, Student Affairs and Services (SAAS). “Through various initiatives, we strive to support an inclusive, safe and welcoming environment for all.”

Iftar kits were prepared by the Student Success Centre and SMUSA Community Food Room

This year, SAAS undertook several initiatives to support those within the SMU community who were observing the holy month of Ramadan. “It is important to create opportunities for open and inclusive dialogue that reinforces our commitment to fostering a community that is based on respect and belonging,” elaborates Cashen Basso.

Led by the division of Student Culture and Experience, SAAS, in collaboration with both the Saint Mary’s Muslim Students Association and Saint Mary’s Students Association (SMUSA), the university coordinated the creation of new guidelines for the multi-faith space where students could step away for prayer throughout the day without having to leave campus with extended hours for Ramadan.

The Community Food Room, a shared initiative with SAAS and SMUSA, handed out 266 Iftar kits over five distribution days to support those breaking fast at sundown. Most notably, the International Student Centre collaborated with the Saint Mary’s University Muslim Society to host the inaugural Ramadan in Unity event.

“To have the opportunity to openly acknowledge Ramadan at Saint Mary’s is extremely meaningful,” explains Ammar Abdul Shakoor, President, Muslim Students Association. “This ensures that Muslim students feel welcomed and know they have a safe space on campus.”

The event was open to members of the Saint Mary’s—and broader Halifax—Muslim community, as well as non-Muslim students across the city. “We wanted an opportunity to share our holy month and its significance in Islam with our peers,” Shakoor elaborates. “Our goal was simply to unite and come together as one in a welcoming environment, which is why we called the event, Ramadan in Unity.”

Ramadan in Unity boasted special guest speakers, SMU President, Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray, the Ummah Masque Imam, Abduallah Yousri, community leader, advocate and local Imam Mohammed Yaffa, and SMUSA Vice-President of Events, Toky Tajwar.

“Religion and faith are of paramount importance to many at Saint Mary’s,” describes President Summerby-Murray. “Supporting our students, faculty and staff in this way reinforces our commitment to providing a safe and inclusive academic environment and allows us opportunities to learn from each other and broaden understandings that go beyond our own lived experiences.”

To learn more about Ramadan, visit Islamic Relief Canada.

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International student experience comes full circle for Shanshan Luo BComm‘07

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This year marks the 21st Asian Heritage Month in Canada. This month-long celebration honours Canadians of Asian Heritage, recognizing their contributions to building a dynamic and prosperous country. Here at Saint Mary’s, diversity is one of our greatest strengths and is notable throughout our vibrant community.

Shanshan Luo BComm’07

Shanshan Luo came to Saint Mary’s in 2002 as an international student from China to pursue a Bachelor of Commerce. Throughout her time as a student, Luo received guidance and support through the International Student Centre and The Language Centre. “Saint Mary's has been very unique to me,” claims Luo. “It’s like my first point in Canada and it made me never want to leave.”

Shortly after Luo graduated in 2007, she secured a position with The Co-operative Education office as an Office Coordinator. She then moved to the International Student Centre as Office Coordinator, before transitioning to her current position as International Student Advisor. Luo has been in that role for 13 years now and is extremely passionate about supporting international students in their transition to Saint Mary’s and Halifax.

“I deal with everything from immigration guidance to student engagement,” explains Luo. “I consider myself a bit of an in-house mother for our international students, supporting them through challenges in relationships and with roommates, financial struggles, diaspora and more.”

Having spent the first half of her life growing up in Yunnan, China, and the second half of her life in Canada, Luo credits her diverse blend of cultural upbringings in forming a worldview that has been paramount in her role within the International Student Centre.

Shanshan with students at Peggy’s Cove, NS

“My identity is mixed in diverse ways which gives me an advantage when dealing with international students,” notes Luo. “My duality allows me to relate with students and assist them in more personalized ways in transitioning and accessing supports.”

In the midst of Asian Heritage Month, Luo takes time to reflect on her experience as an Asian international student and immigrant. “I have been fortunate to experience an incredibly welcoming environment at Saint Mary’s,” describes Luo. She describes her colleagues as open-minded and very inclusive, giving her a strong sense of belonging at SMU. Luo notes that it can be challenging transitioning to a new cultural norm and finding space for yourself, and she commends Saint Mary’s for acknowledging observances like Asian Heritage Month.

“Saint Mary’s University is really a number of cultures mixing and combining, and when all sides are being respectful and open-minded, we are able to be successful.”

To learn more about resources for international students visit The International Centre.