Natalia Iwanek (she/they) is a currently completing a Bachelor of Arts with a major in English and a minor in Political Science at Athabasca University.
On May 1, 2020, Amazon, Target, Trader Joe’s, Instacart, and Whole Foods workers proceeded with their planned general strike over COVID-19 working conditions, calling in sick or walking out during lunch break, with calls for support and boycotts from consumers. Citing unsafe working conditions, inadequate personal protective equipment, and close working quarters, workers called for… Read more »
As society attempts to navigate the uncertainty of current events, the economic sector continuously reminds us that, despite our fears, productivity is still important above all — with headlines proclaiming 9 Tips To Be Productive When Working At Home During COVID-19 and What You Need To Know About Holding Productive Virtual Meetings During COVID-19. One… Read more »
The most recent AUSU Council Meeting took place on Thursday, April 16, 2020 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm MT. All Councillors were in attendance, with the exception of Councillor Melinda Goertz, as well as incoming council observing. Also in attendance was The Voice’s Managing Editor Karl Low and Council Meeting Reporter Natalia Iwanek. Key items… Read more »
During tragedies, society often experiences a noticeable uptick in the number of conspiracy theorists as humanity struggles to make sense of our rapidly changing and often unexplainable world. When events are so beyond our comprehension and current reality, what might typically seem like an outlandish conspiracy theory may, in fact, bring comfort. Surely, a sinister… Read more »
While COVID-19 has the ability to take a toll on all members of society, various marginalized communities face disproportionately high risks. Earlier last month, the Canadian government announced the closure of the Canadian border to anyone except Canadian citizens and permanent residents, leaving many individuals, including temporary foreign workers (TFW), unsure of their future. However,… Read more »
Famed American author Toni Morrison once said, “Delving into literature is not escape, nor a sure-fire route to comfort. It’s been a constant, sometimes even violent, but certainly always a provocative engagement with the contemporary, the modern world. The issues of the society we live in.” In today’s unpredictable times, we may find ourselves turning… Read more »
Despite its seemingly altruistic name, the health and wellness industry has been steadily profiting from COVID-19, unconcerned with medical professionals’ dire predictions of the pandemic’s ultimate human cost, as well as society’s current needs. Although the industry’s exploitation of individuals’ insecurities is not a new phenomenon, during the current pandemic, it feels particularly unethical. In… Read more »
On March 9, 2020, the Canadian government introduced Bill C-8 to ban conversion therapy, a discredited practice that attempts to change the sexual orientation and gender identity of the LGBTQ2 community through various means, including therapy and medication. This bill is premised on the fact that conversion therapy undermines the dignity of the queer community… Read more »
The most recent AUSU Council Meeting took place on Thursday, March 19, 2020 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm MT. All Councillors were in attendance, with the exception of Councillor Melinda Goertz and Member Services Coordinator Donette Kingyens, with the addition of the incoming council observing. Also in attendance was The Voice’s Council Meeting Reporter Natalia… Read more »
Canada has experienced increased changes in its distance educational model amidst 2019’s significant upheavals and 2020’s COVID-19. On June 17, 2019, the Canadian Virtual University-Université Virtuelle Canadienne (CVU-UVC) officially disbanded. Originally created to highlight and promote online education across Canada, the consortium allowed universities to work together to allow easier transfer of credits across institutions. … Read more »