Fall 2016 - Public Presentations Lineup (PDF)
- September 21, 2016: Grant Potter & Heather Smith - "Into the Great Wide Open: An Exploration of Open Textbooks"
An open textbook is a textbook licensed under an open copyright license and made available online to be freely used by students, teachers, and members of the public. They are available for free as online versions, and as low-cost printed versions, should students or faculty opt for these. Open textbooks are a way to significantly reduce student textbook costs while giving instructors the flexibility to reformat and customize their course material. They are an affordable, flexible alternative to traditionally-published textbooks. Join us for an exploration of open textbooks, open practices, and an introduction to UNBC's OER Development Grant opportunity. - September 28, 2016: John Krisinger - "The Irrational Use of Medical Marijuana in Canada"
The presentation takes a look at the actual science of the endogenous cannabinoid system, the view of the issue from the standpoint of the medical professional and the public perception and reality of medical marijuana use in Canada. - October 12, 2016: Derrick Denholm - "Talking Trees and Sentient Landscapes"
Author Derrick Stacey Denholm will share scientific and poetic perspectives related to his two recent books, Dead Salmon Dialectics (2014) and Ground-Truthing: Reimagining the Indigenous Rainforests of BC’s North Coast (2015). These books explore linkages between the Pacific Ocean, our coastal rain forests, and Indigenous cultures. - October 19, 2016: Ted Binnema - "When Salmon Ate Moose: Exploring the Reasons for the Absence of Moose in Northwestern North America, 1793 - 1900"
Why were moose entirely absent in northwestern British Columbia until the early 20th century? How and why did moose expand their range into the region so quickly thereafter? This talk will address those questions by exploring the complex environmental changes that the region underwent over the last few centuries. - October 26, 2016: Dina von Hahn - "The Politics of Women's History in Canada"
Feminist activists have used a variety of strategies in an attempt to shape public policy in Canada. How does the portrayal of Women's History reflect their successes and failures? Dina von Hahn will reflect on this topic after twenty years in the community and the classroom. She teaches Political Science, Women's Studies, History and English at Northwest Community College.
This lecture is also a part of Inspiring Women Among Us, which is an annual celebration leading up to the December 6th Day of Remembrance and Action Against Violence Against Women. This event offers a wide variety of public events that celebrate women’s contributions to Canadian and global societies and discuss ways society can support our female colleagues, friends and family members. - November 9, 2016: Joelle McKiernan - "The Impact of Generational Grief and Loss in First Nation Communities"
Grief is a natural consequence to lost attachment and connection, which we need to survive. Thus the grieving process is a universal process from which none of us is exempt. In this one hour discussion we will explore when loss has been imposed on a group of people by the dominant society. The discussion will be framed around 16 years of work as a private therapist working with six different nations in 14 different First Nation communities. We will attempt to understand how the trauma of the past shows up actively in community life.
This lecture is also a part of Inspiring Women Among Us, which is an annual celebration leading up to the December 6th Day of Remembrance and Action Against Violence Against Women. This event offers a wide variety of public events that celebrate women’s contributions to Canadian and global societies and discuss ways society can support our female colleagues, friends and family members. - November 23, 2016: Maureen Atkinson & Ed Harrison - "Northwest Perceptions of Expo'67"
Using sound, photographs, interview and newspapers the celebration of Canada’s 1967 Centennial year is explored in a Northwest context. In particular a central question is raised: why did a Mount Elizabeth School Band trip to Expo in Montreal become THE Centennial project in Kitimat? Come and explore this mystery with us.
Winter 2016 - Public Presentation Lineup (PDF)
- January 13, 2016: Janet Rogers - "Some New Work (Especially Poetry)"
Award-winning author and former Poet Laureate for the City of Victoria, Janet Rogers is the latest Writer in Residence at the University of Northern British Columbia. Janet is a Mohawk/Tuscarora poet and performer, and has authored four collections of poetry, performed on three poetry CDs, and produced two radio documentaries. Both of her documentaries won awards at the "imagine Native Film and Media Festival." Janet has been writing up a storm during her residency at UNBC and would like to present new work (poetry) inspired by the north and other Indigenous things. - January 20, 2016: June Menzies- "Reflections on Working in the Diefenbaker Government"
Join June Menzies as she reflects back on the Diefenbaker Government (1957 - 1963).
June's talk will cover a number of personal experiences and her direct work with the Diefenbaker government. This will provide insight into the workings of the first elected Conservative Government since the 1930's. - February 17, 2016: Verna McDonald - "Lyme Disease: Some BIG Questions!"
There are many BIG questions related to borrelia burgdorferi and the coinfections. Questions continue to puzzle both patients and health practitioners. The 20th century version identified as “juvenile arthritis” in an outbreak in Lyme, Connecticut in 1977 is very different from the infections documented in the teeth of mummified Egyptians. One of the BIG questions is how did these changes occur? Where are infections endemic? How is it spreading? How is Lyme treated? Short term? Long term?
Verna will explore her experience with Lyme, and some of the many questions raised. - March 2, 2016: Carla Burton & Phil Burton - "Interpretations and Applications in Ethnobiology”
Carla and Phil will discuss some of their work with First Nations to document traditional harvesting and trade in wild plant and animal products.
Research reveals interesting geographic patterns and economic opportunities. Protection of these resources and practices requires translation into the jargon used by foresters and other land managers.
- March 16, 2016: John Krisinger - "The Science and History of the Alcoholic Beverage"
The presentation will cover the historical development of the alcoholic beverage from ancient times to the modern process of wine making, beer brewing, and distillation of spirits. The alcoholic beverage is examined as a cultural, nutritional and even religious item in human civilization. Human metabolism, its genetic variations and some problematic aspects of alcohol in society will be presented.
- March 30, 2016: Sybille Haeussler - "Resilience and Restoration Success of Skeena River Floodplain"
The lower Skeena River floodplain between Terrace and Prince Rupert was formerly occupied by towering stands of Sitka spruce.
These stands regenerated poorly after 20th Century logging and today, Sitka spruce floodplain forests are listed as endangered ecosystems in BC. In 1987, the BC Forest Service established the Salvus experiment at the mouth of the Kasiks River to find ways of converting young red alder-cottonwood stands back to Sitka spruce. Although the experiment was judged a failure, it has much to teach us about the resilience and restoration potential of these exceptionally complex forest ecosystems.- YouTube & Livestream unavailable for this presentation
- April 13, 2016: Chris Gee - "The State of the Homeless in Terrace"
In his highly interactive style, Chris will accompany you on a virtual walk through your neighborhood to illustrate "The State of Homelessness" in Terrace.- YouTube & Livestream unavailable for this presentation