GSS Biweekly Newsletter Jun 4, 2021

Hi Grads,

In light of the tragic discovery of the remains of 215 children this week at a former residential school in Kamloops, BC, I would kindly ask you to take a moment to mourn and reflect on what we could do, as individuals and collectively, to address the past and ongoing impacts of colonialism. We would also like to express our solidarity, as the GSS, to Indigenous communities that continue to pursue justice for residential school survivors, families who had their children taken, and Indigenous efforts for self determination on their lands.

The GSS will be circulating more information and resources shortly.

SFU President Joy Johnson’s most recent email to students indicated that supports are available to the university community, should they be needed:

Students: The Indigenous Student Centre has created a list of resources: www.facebook.com/SFU.ISC/posts/4304700889539878

Faculty and staff: The employee and family assistance program is available for faculty, staff, and their immediate families: www.sfu.ca/human-resources/efap.html

Community:

The Indian Residential School Survivors Society is available at 1-800-721-0066 along with a 24-hour crisis line at 1-866-925-4419 for those who need immediate support.

The KUU-US Crisis Line Society provides an Indigenous-specific crisis line available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It’s toll-free and can be reached at 1-800-588-8717.

The First Nations Health Authority offers support specifically for survivors and families who have been directly impacted by the Indian Residential School system.

*See a summary of our most recent Council meeting HERE!

Scholarships and Bursaries: There is a wide range of Healthy Campus/Healthy Minds (aka CMHA BC) awards available for post-secondary students with lived experience of mental health or substance use concerns living in British Columbia.  More information can be found HERE

Scientific QUEERies- LGBTQ2S+ Student talk days: Are you an LGBTQ2S+ graduate student in STEM? Do you want to share your research with other queer scientists? Do you want a safe place to practice conference talks, pitch findings, or get feedback from LGBTQ2S+ professors and your peers in a safe setting? Present with us! Sign Up HERE.

June 15th– Finished Products: highlight your polished work in a 15 min conference style format

July 13th, and August 24th– Safe Spaces:  pitch projects, practice presentations, or preview products. Creating a safe place for LGBTQ2S+ students to practice their presenting skills, and get feedback from their peers and a LGBTQ2S+ guest professor, in a non-judgemental format.

Our other events:

Workshops

June 29th- Science Communication: presenting to a lay audience

July 27th- Science Writing: comparing and contrasting writing for journals and the public.

August 10th- Panel, Queer in Academia: LGBTQ2S+ professionals discuss access and EDI for queer people in academic spaces.

Cheers, Gloria

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