Hello all,

I hope finals are going well for everyone!

A reminder that we will not have a pitch meeting today as our last one for the academic year was last week. However, be sure to join as at our AGM on Wednesday, April 24, at 4:00 p.m..

The AGM will not only serve as a fun get-together (we’ll go to Sherlock’s after), but members of the Gateway Student Journalism Society will have the opportunity to vote on changes to our bylaw! You’re a member of the GSJS if you’ve written three articles in the last year.

At the AGM, we also elect the GSJS Board’s volunteer representatives for the next year — if you’re interested make sure to show up!

Please fill out this RSVP form by Monday, April 22, at 5:00 p.m. if you plan to attend.

We hope to see you all there!

Lily

News Pitches

You can reach Dylana at [email protected] or over Slack!

Augustana students help create climate resilience solutions in Camrose

Third-year Augustana undergraduates teamed up with the City of Camrose to research and develop strategies in response to a Climate Risk and Vulnerability Assessment (CRVA) recently conducted by the municipality.

U of A Formula Racing Team unveils their first electric racecar

The car was designed, fabricated, and marketed entirely by U of A students and is a culmination of more than a year’s work. The team will attend an international competition at the Michigan International Speedway this summer and compete against approximately 120 teams.

University of Alberta researchers predict Alberta’s water demand will increase

The team looked at water use nationally, as well as in major river basins. Evan Davies with the U of A’s water research centre said that while water use in general in Canada is declining, it’s not declining everywhere.

A divided and hidden life: Mexican migrant farm workers speak out

In her master’s thesis for the U of A School of Public Health, Maricruz Barba Gonzalez conducted interviews with nine Mexican farm workers in Canada to understand their well-being, working and living conditions, and mental and physical health.

New canola research aims to boost yield, profitability 

By sifting through the genes of broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and kale, a U of A team plan to pinpoint the best ones for breeding new lines of canola to produce hybrid cultivars with higher seed yield.

Opinion Pitches

You can reach Leah at [email protected] or over Slack!

City support for the Katz Group vs. Boyle Street: The City of Edmonton has said that surface parking lots in the downtown area need to go. Yet, they made an exception for a surface parking lot owned by the Katz Group. This comes after the court battle launched by the Katz Group against Boyle Street Community Services and a vote by the city to not renew Boyle Street’s temporary funding. What does this say about the City of Edmonton’s priorities? Should the city continue to support the Katz Group or are there more important things to prioritize?

Violence in Schools: There have been increased reports of aggression in Edmonton schools, and educators are calling for more provincial funding in order to train staff in de-escalation, and to hire more teachers. With these increased reports of aggression in schools, coupled with the increasing number of students in schools with limited budget support, what can be done to support educators? What else can the provincial and municipal governments do to help?

Convocation in the Butterdome: Convocation is typically held in the Northern Jubilee Auditorium, but the venue will be under construction starting in June. As an alternative, the convocation ceremony will be held in the Butterdome. Graduates have been assured that the ceremony will be just as special despite being held in a sports complex. Share your thoughts about the change in venue and how this affects the experiences of the graduates!

U of A creates a permanent role for sexual and gender-based violence: It was announced that the U of A has introduced and appointed someone to the role of Lead, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Response. Since November, the Sexual Assault Centre’s services have been largely suspended. The announcement didn’t address whether or not part of the new role would be to see the Sexual Assault Centre open back up. Should reopening the Sexual Assault Centre be the first priority of this new role? What needs to change going forward for the university to better support victims of sexual and gender-based violence?

Rural Doctor Shortage: The province recently announced a new medical training program that aims to lessen the shortage of physicians in rural areas. Part of the Alberta 2024 budget is to provide funding that will help this issue. The new program will train medical students in rural areas, in an attempt for them to practice there eventually. What do you think of this new training program? Is the province doing enough to support rural communities and their access to health care? Write about this new program, and anything else that can be done for rural communities.

A&C Pitches

You can reach Lily at [email protected] or over Slack!

Interview: OddBird Art and Craft Fair

Following The Royal Bison’s last market in 2023, a group of past vendors and organizers came together to create a new arts and crafts fair, OddBird.

OddBird with have its first market from May 10-12 at the Old Strathcona Performing Arts Centre. It will “keep serving up all things weird, wonderful, and delightfully Edmonton.” Speak to someone from the team about the new market and the legacy it hopes to continue!

Exhibit Review: Ground Level: 2024 Bachelor of Fine Arts Graduate Exhibition

April 16 - 27, FAB Gallery

“Featuring the work of the 2024 Bachelor of Fine Arts: Art and Design graduates, Ground Level reflects upon the path travelled and the chapters that await.

Ground Level showcases the work of 17 artists who have dedicated themselves to learning and creating at the University of Alberta. This exhibition is a celebration of growth, commitment and communities fostered.”

Interview: Juno-nominated award-winning folk-music duo, Burnstick

The married couple, Nadia and Jason Burnstick, has been creating songs together for over a decade. Burnstick's signature sound is driven by Jason's proficient playing of 100-year-old Weissenborn lap slide guitars, resonating intently with Nadia's rich and striking vocals. Burnstick will be releasing their sophomore album in May. In the meantime, they’ve recently released their new single, “Hands Tied.”

Interview the duo about their music!

Exhibit Review: Creating beauty: A watercolour exhibition

April 6 to June 2, Art Gallery of Alberta

This exhibit features artworks from 11 alumni of the University of Alberta Faculty of Extension Visual Arts certificate program. These emerging artists completed the Introductory Watercolour Technique course with curator Amy Lowean, who received her Master of Fine Arts degree in Painting from the University of Alberta.

The exhibits theme, creating beauty, is not about being pretty or glamorous. Rather, it’s about “expressing beauty with a deep sense of reverence to human relationships and to the natural world.”

Interview: Winnipeg songwriter Keri Latimer from band Leaf Rapids

“On the third Leaf Rapids record, Velvet Paintings, veteran Winnipeg songwriter Keri Latimer makes room for the world. Over a lush palette of roots music—ethereal folk, driving country, and wiry honky-tonk—she shifts her gaze to the environments around her, observing and reflecting on their movements and the movements of the people who direct their motion. The album will be out on April 19th. The band will celebrate the album with a run of tour dates, including a stop in Edmonton on April 25th.”

Speak with Keri about the album and the band!