Dear Faculty of Arts, 

The rituals around the beginning of a new school year may differ around the world, but they often have a lasting effect. For instance, it’s been decades since many of us have used Laurentian pencil crayons, though how many of us can still smell them and visualize their vibrant colours? 

This term brings with it much new and anew and renew and new-to-me. Please remember to take a moment to enjoy the newness in its many forms. 

Announcing New Arts Initiatives  

The Faculty of Arts is thrilled to announce the creation of two new Indigenous residences for the Fall term. Welcome to Molly and Á’a:líya!  More details will soon be provided about the various events and mentorship opportunities that will be available for students, faculty and staff. 

Indigenous Writer-in-Residence Molly Cross-Blanchard 

Molly Cross-Blanchard is a white and Métis writer, editor, and educator born on Treaty 3 (Fort Frances, ON), raised on Treaty 6 (Prince Albert, SK), and currently living on the unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh peoples, aka Vancouver, where she’s working on a novel. She is the former poetry editor of PRISM international and the former publisher of Room. Molly’s poetry chapbook is I Don’t Want to Tell You (Rahila’s Ghost Press, 2018) and her debut full-length book of poetry is Exhibitionist (Coach House Books, 2021), which was shortlisted for the ReLit Award for Poetry. Her poem “First Contact: Métis” was shortlisted for a 2022 National Magazine Award. 

Indigenous Artist-in-Residence Á’a:líya (Theresa) Warbus 

Theresa is Stó:lō with roots in the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm, Sema: th, Sq’éwlets and Sts’ailes First Nations.  She has worked in the unceded territories of the Coast Salish as an artist and activist for the past 18 years.  She is currently focussed on writing, directing and being a mom to her three young children. 

Á’a:líya’s last narrative short fiction and short documentaries explore themes of Indigenous culture, Indigenous matriarchs, and the effects of colonization on her family and community.  Her stories are a mix of both modern and traditional themes driven by her experience growing up in both worlds simultaneously.  In her master’s work she explored the impact the 2SLGBTQQ+, namely the Transgendered community, have had on the protocols of ceremony in Stó:lō culture.  By sharing her sister’s story, she hopes to add to the evolving conversation and create more safe space for anyone who is grappling with these same questions.   

For too long Indigenous people have been silenced and invisible while their stories are told by outsiders.  It is with this inspiration Á’a:líya’s  work is to focus these stories that the world needs to see and hear.  Art embodies endless possibilities to empower people, their history, and their condition to create more bridges of understanding across all Nations.     

Arts Academic Integrity Ambassadors 

We’re also pleased to announce the creation of a pilot program involving student academic integrity ambassadors. The following three KPU students will be working closely with the Faculty of Arts team to promote academic integrity to our students. Welcome to Anson, Divyta and Nyamat! 

Anson Fong is a KPU student studying Accounting and Criminology. He is lifelong BC resident who was born in the City of Vancouver, the same city as Ryan Reynolds. His first job was working for Elections Canada when he was in grade 12. He has since gone on to work for elections in three different levels of government. During his spare time, he volunteers for Vancouver General Hospital. He hopes that by working to promote academic integrity tools/resources, fewer students will resort to violating academic integrity policies. 

Nyamat Singh is a first-year KPU Journalism student who was born in New Delhi, India, but now resides in Surrey, BC.  She is a contributor to the student newspaper, The Runner. Through the position of student ambassador, she’s committed to helping her peers maintain the highest standards of integrity. 

Divyta Sharma is a second-year International KPU student who was born in Norway and later moved to India when she was five. She moved to Canada when she was nineteen, and currently lives in Surrey. She is enrolled in a two-year Associate of Science Degree and will graduate at the end of this semester. She’s happy to have the opportunity of being a student ambassador. 

New Processes 

Autumn CourseLeaf

As many folks may be aware, KPU’s course development platform has shifted to CourseLeaf. This promises to be a big improvement from years of teeth-gnashing over Sharepoint as the site for course outline development and storage. However, it is important that we learn to use the new system! To that end, please see the suite of short, on-point training videos here: CIM-Courses Training (sharepoint.com) 

Additional Arts Degree Advising Options 

The Arts Degree Advisors have been on campus for a while, but starting in the fall, our students will be able to access them on all three main campuses! In addition to online or phone appointments, in-person appointments are available in Surrey, Richmond (on Tuesdays), and Langley (on Thursdays) for bachelor degree seeking students.  As always, students can find Central or International Advisors on all campuses as well. Students can book appointments using Advisor Connect. Please share this information with your students at need, and encourage them to plan ahead and to see the advisors before registration for the spring term!

Upcoming Events & Initiatives

Culture Days: Everyone is invited to join Fine Arts faculty member Amy-Claire Huestis and collaborators for a compelling, site-specific community piece for choir and dance. MOTHLIKE/silvery-blue celebrates kinship with birds and the interconnectedness of all things. The event takes place on Saturday, September 24th, at Brunswick Point (Hwlhits’um), at the end of River Road in Ladner. Various elements unfold from 1:00-7:00, with choir, dance, and flag-carrying slated for 4:30-7:00. For more, including an amazing video starring Amy and her collaborators, click here.  

Save the Date – Appreciating Teaching Excellence: Please make note of theupcoming Teaching & Learning event on October 13-14: Appreciating Teaching Excellence. The event will provide an opportunity to reflect on the lessons of teaching and learning through the pandemic, celebrate innovation, learn from one another, and connect with your colleagues across KPU. More details to come. 

Opportunities Abound: The Arts Research, Scholarship and Creativity Network will host a session for students entitled Considering Grad School – What you Need to Know. The event will be held on September 23 from 12-1:30 PM. Please share along this Teams link for the event: Click here to join the meeting. 

Supports for Student Success: We are delighted to announce that the Mentoring Network for Youth Aging out of Care – now rebranded as the Supports for Success Program is slated to resume operations this fall. The training for Mentors will be held on Wednesday, September 28th, from 10 Am until Noon. To register contact Tracy Sherlock Tracy.Sherlock@kpu.ca or Wade Deisman Wade.Deisman@kpu.ca . 

Fall 0.6 PD Call 

The call for applications was communicated via Today@KPU (see message here).  For more information about this fund including what can be claimed, click here. Please keep in mind the information below as you prepare and submit your application – and our very best wishes to all applicants! 

  • Applications must be completed on ROMEO and submitted on ROMEO before Monday, September 26, 2022 (1 week prior to the deadline) 
  • Once you have completely submitted your application, your Associate Dean will receive an automated e-mail letting them know that your application requires a letter of support 
  • Your Associate Dean will upload the letter of support to your application on ROMEO and e-mail a copy of the letter to you

Whichever memories and rituals of your own accrue, review, and renew anew at this time of year…we hope your new semester is well begun.

All our best for a wonderful weekend!

Shelley, Wade, Greg, Dana and Billeh