Battling the Gloom

Tuesday November 6th showed Hamilton a day of sunlight after what felt like more than a week of constant gloom. The sunless days following Hurricane Sandy left some Mohawk students unable to motivate themselves to be productive.

Business student William Dobie says he found his academic achievements were noticeably affected due to the dour moods he experienced in the sun’s absence.

“I definitely feel more tired all the time,” he said, “I’m actually less productive than usual. When the sun is shining then I feel more happy and I feel I do better on my tests and assignments.”

This lack of motivation can be symptomatic of Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD. The Canadian Mental Health Association describes SAD as “a type of depression that follows a seasonal pattern. For [those affected] the shortening days of late autumn are the beginning of a type of clinical depression that can last until spring.”

Last week saw many unwilling to leave the house because of the cold, wet days.

“I have just been in my bed. I mean, I don’t even want to wake up and be here for [an] 8 o’clock class,” said Mohawk student Christina Neptune.

Dennis DeSalvo, Director for Hamilton’s Mental Health Court Support Services, says hopelessness, a loss of interest in work or other activities, decline in energy levels and ability to concentrate, increased need to sleep, and social withdrawal are all symptoms of SAD for which to look out.

“That would be a good thing to sort of check out with your friends, to see if they’ve noticed you wanting to spend more time on your own,” said DeSalvo, referring to the potential social withdrawal SAD might incur.

Although the cause of the disorder is still unconfirmed, research suggests that between two and three percent of the population in Ontario may have SAD. Another 15% experience something less severe called the “winter blues.”

Some students aren’t experiencing any emotional or academic pitfalls due to the poor weather, and only long to see a bright, sunny day.

“I can still do my schoolwork fine, it’s not that bad. I just want to see the sun again that’s all,” said student Sarah Ferreira.

*Mohawk provides personal and academic counseling at The Square—Student Services, Room C102. Phone: (905) 575-2211

Aboriginal Awareness Week Shows Mohawk College Some Culture

A big white tent constructed on the lawn of Mohawk College’s H-wing was pack with students on October 9^th.

Inside the tent, the White Pine Dancers were energetically performing native dances to BlueStone Cloud Drum Group’s beating drums. Students and other spectators were clapping along to the display. Inside H-Wing students were welcome to take in some free authentic native cuisine before going outside to join in some more fun.

“We’ve had lots of community members ask us about having a powwow, if we were ever interested and we knew that it was in our grasp, we just knew we needed the right players in place,” said Amy Kelaidis, Mohawk’s Aboriginal Liaison and Communications Officer

The performance, a traditional powwow, was an event planned for second day of Aboriginal Awareness Week. This is Mohawk’s first Aboriginal Awareness Week and it is expected to become an annual event, with all events open to the public.

“Because a lot of people don’t know what they can say or ask, some are scared to offend. That’s what this week is about. So they don’t have to ask, they can learn, or if they need to ask, they can,” said Kelaidis.

At the event spectators got a taste of native culture with the master of ceremonies at the event explained some traditions and customs in as much detail as time would allow. Those close enough got to take part in the ceremonial opening smudge.

“It’s how our people prepare the land for what we’re going to share with one another,” explained the master of ceremonies.

Interested eyes followed each player at the powwow, warmly greeting each one as they continued to share their culture with a crowd of strangers.

Do Ya Reckon?

Jason Collett’s fifth studio album, Reckon, has strong political messages in every song.

Many of Reckon’s songs were written around 2008, during the most recent economic crisis. The album expresses a kind of solidarity with the current Occupy Movement.

“It seems politics are unavoidable if you choose to write about or engage with the world in front of you. I didn’t set out to make a record with these overtones, but neither did I try to stop it. I just did my best to avoid the shrill rhetoric that makes most political songwriting unlistenable,“ Collett posts on his website.

The first track, “Pacific Blue” offers a groovy pop melody depicting a depressing trip across a poor, struggling Canada. The album is about the absence of ethics as much as it is about the dire state of the economy. The songs express a worry about the everyday Canadian, and understanding of their stressful, sad times. The ironic sing-along feel returns on songs like “I Wanna Rob a Bank” where Collett quips, “I want a TKO of the CEO. I want to fill my tank. I want to rob a bank.”

A 45-year-old father of four living in Canada, Collett has toured the nation throughout the economic collapse. The juxtaposition of Collett’s obvious rage over the current dire economical conditions with the laid-back way he delivers his lyrics give this album a lethargic quality.

The final track, “When the War Came Home” brings the album to a tender close, drenched in the disdain that is felt throughout the record.

“The war left us broke, when the war came home,” Collett murmurs over twanging, disheartened guitar chords.

Collett craftily combines his nonchalance, catchy guitar riffs and his frustrations to create an album that will have you singing along with him and asking yourself how you are supposed to feel about the world around you.

Super Art Crawl!

Hamilton was crawling with art as the Hamilton community and people from other cities went to James St North to enjoy Supercrawl. The annual festival showcases and celebrates the diversity of art in the Hamilton community, through artists, vendors, unique businesses, musicians and other creative people.

Local artist Mark Townsend

Mark Townsend, an anatomical drawing artist, showcased his work at the festival. He described the festival as a party that gives people the opportunity to make good connections and networking.

“It’s like a party that exploded,” Townsend said. “It’s all about meeting people, getting exposed and networking. It’s so good for the arts community. This is the best festival in Hamilton for the arts.”

Stephanie Brooks, a resident of Hamilton and Mohawk graduate, attended the festival and said Supercrawl was one reason for her move back to Hamilton.

“I’m from here but I’ve been living in Toronto for the past few years. Coming to Supercrawl last year actually played a part in my decision to move back here. I missed all this,” said Brooks.

Nicole Hoover, who attended the festival, said in comparison to other festivals, she likes the Supercrawl better.

“I’ve been to Nuit Blanche, in Paris several years ago. It’s an arts festival too and it’s incredible, but I like it here better. It’s less intimidating and everyone’s just here to have a good time,” Hoover said.

Supercrawl is a growing festival that becomes more and more popular every year. Townsend says he can’t wait to see where it goes next.

“I’m so excited to see what happens next with it,” Townsend says.

(co-wrote with Stephanie Slye)

NDP and Supporters Take a Loss with Grace

Hamilton Convention Centre exploded with applause each time another riding elected a New Democratic Party candidate on Thursday October 6^th. An NDP chant was started when it was announced that candidate Andrea Horwath was projected to win her riding in this provincial election.

There were a variety of people eagerly awaiting Horwath’s arrival at the election results party. Several of the supporters there were blue collar, working class people, and many formerly affiliated with the currently locked-out U.S. Steel Hamilton Works. They showed an admiration for the NDP supporting the “fight for the worker” as Doug Parry, former head coach of Mohawk College’s Women’s Softball team, put it.

“They look at it for the little people, the single moms, people on welfare, and they’re taking care of student loans,” said Rose Waller who is currently on disability.

A report card by the Canadian Federation of Students, a non-partisan organization, examined the four major parties’ post secondary education platforms. They graded different aspect of the platforms including tuition fees, student debt, funding for colleges and universities and student’s rights and protections.

“The big commitment from the NDP was to create a plan to our person funding to the national average,” said Lauren Snowball, an Ontario campaigns coordinator for the Canadian Federation of Students. Snowball, who stayed the entire night, explained that while Alberta provides $25 000 per student in funding, Ontario provides only $12 000.

Those in attendance showed optimism nearly the entire night, even as it became more apparent that the NDP were not going to leave third place in the polls. The crowd was particularly energized after Horwath’s speech, which was introduced by the late Jack Layton’s son, Mike Layton.

“Well I’m delighted that Hudak didn’t form a government, that’s good for the workers in Ontario,” said Sid Ryan, president of the Ontario Federation of Labour.

The party held on to the 10 seats they had from the last election and nearly doubled them with seven more obtained that night. The Liberals took 53 seats, forming a minority government with the Conservatives taking official opposition with 37 seats. The NDP have not done better in a provincial election in decades and Horwath promised that “ my friends, we’re just getting started […] we will not let you down.”

Find out more on the current happenings with the New Democratic Party at http://ontariondp.com/en/

Some are Born Great

A renaming ceremony was held at Mohawk College’s Fennel Campus on November 3^rd in honour of a donation of one million dollars.

McKeil Marine donated $750 000 to the $50-million renewal project at the Fennel campus.  In addition to this lofty donation, CEO Blair McKeil and his wife raised another $250 000 to donate in the form of scholarships.

In honour of the donation, the business program at Mohawk was renamed the McKeil School of Business. Cheryl Jensen, Vice President of Mohawk College, was first to speak at the ceremony.

“It’s the first time the school has named a program after a Mohawk benefactor,” said Jensen.

McKeil is doing more than just cutting a cheque to the college by introducing a mentorship program. The CEO spoke affectionately of the school saying “there is a big impact from having a community college in the city and it has so many benefits.” After proudly stating that McKeil Marine currently employs eight Mohawk graduates, he continued with more praise for the college.

“Mohawk College successfully and consistently prepares students to be willing, ready and able to work in various disciplines,” said McKeil

McKeil took the podium and exuberantly addressed the crowd with kind words of encouragement for those receiving the donation. An energetic speaker, McKeil reminisced about the mantra his father gave him, and that he strongly believes.

“You were born lucky,” said McKeil, reminiscing about his father’s words of wisdom. He reiterated this mantra in his speech, and continued to stress the importance of sharing his luck.

“With this special gift we also had a shared responsibility to not just keep it to ourselves, but to share it and help others,” said McKeil

“He believes in stepping up and helping out,” said Rick Court, Dean of International Education at Mohawk College.

It isn’t just the business students are recognizing how McKeil Marine is helping out.

“I think the whole thing’s great. This school’s been improving a lot; this will just help that much more. Plus the sign’s neat,” said Jesse Davies, a student from the television broadcast program at Mohawk College.

Canadian Musician Talks Passion and Creativity

“I’m not alive, just making a living” resonated off the walls of Mohawk College’s McIntyre Theatre when Canadian musician Ian Thomas visited on October 29^th. This 2009 produced song ‘Rise Above It,’ neatly outlines the ideas expressed during the rock icon’s talk.

Thomas played four original songs, including his most widely known 1973 hit ‘Painted Ladies’, though much of the visit was dedicated to him sharing his worldviews and personal morals. The son of a philosopher, he articulated many of his own life’s philosophies, encouraging attendees to persist with their passions, even if it never develops into a lucrative hobby.

“My wife called me when I was on tour and said to me: ‘Ian, I don’t have any money to get groceries to feed our kids,” said Thomas.

You don’t do it for the money in this country, according to the musician, but that should not stop you from doing it anyway. If we do this, he says we’re shortchanging ourselves as individuals and no longer allowing creativity to factor in.  After leaving his first band ‘Tranquility Base’ when his wife got pregnant, he nurtured his own creativity by writing only for and by himself, compiling songs at night.

Thomas went on to identify things to be wary of in the music industry, beginning with the development of copyright laws. He spoke directly about the clause in many movie contracts that identifies the producer as the composer, taking the rights from any music created from the creator. He expressed how this as a violation of creativity and unfair, particularly to those that are, as he said, “behind you.” The rights and responsibility that comes with creating hit a nerve with more than just the music students in attendance.

“He made me think about things I’ve never thought about before. I’m a graphic design student so I haven’t really thought about copyright and being responsible about what I’m going to create,” said first year Mohawk student Alison Keba.

After playing his most widely known 1973 hit ‘Painted Ladies,’ Thomas delved into issues outside of the music industry, touching on the war over oil in Iraq and how the Canadian national identity has changed. It was made apparent that the singer remains a patriotic Canadian, expressing his particular fondness of Canada’s history of “moderation.”

“Remember when we used to be known as peacekeepers?” Thomas candidly asked the crowd.

Thomas closed his speech, showing hope for a revolution because “as a species we’ve lost hope, we’ve quit dreaming.” He went on to put the responsibility to incite change on the next generation’s shoulders’.

Hamilton City Hall Meeting Proposes Changes to Plan to Rejuvenate Core Hamilton Downtown Areas

At City Hall on Monday a small meeting room slowly fills with a cross section of people including contractors still in work clothes, property owners in casual wear, and architects in dress attire. All are waiting to hear what changes are being proposed to the Downtown and Community Renewal Community Improvement Plan

“This program will encourage residential development, commercial development, heritage preservation or improving aesthetic appearance of buildings in given areas” said Alan Waterfield, senior planner in the Urban Renewal Section for the city of Hamilton.

The plan targets downtown and main business sections of Hamilton and the amalgamated areas surrounding it, including Dundas and Ancaster. Proposed amendments include expanding these central areas to improve more of the properties and buildings within the proposed boundaries.

One main concern noted for the development of Hamilton’s is the aim to bridge the gap between the small business section of Locke Street and Main Street’s downtown business section.  Furthermore, the amendments look to increase spending allowed for the artistic development of the aesthetics of the buildings in the downtown area, versus King WIlliam. More funding will be made available for rejuvenating Hamilton’s physical downtown façade to look more appealing and modern.

“Two new financial incentive programs that are really geared towards the acceleration of the regeneration of the downtown as well as reclamation of the PanAm games,” said Hazel Milsome, co-coordinator of the Urban Renewal Incentives at Hamilton City Hall.

Displaced Manufacturing Workers Continue to Struggle

The unemployment rate for Hamilton’s manufacturing sector has continued to hover around 17 percent since 2006. Compared to Hamilton’s overall unemployment of seven percent, this suggests that manufacturing workers are among the most affected.

The displaced workers continue to struggle to find ways to maintain a regular standard of living.

The average Hamilton manufacturing worker is in their mid to late 40’s and has a home and household to maintain. This task becomes difficult to accomplish when dealing with a considerable decline in income. Most of those out of work no longer have medical or dental benefits, causing them to drain their severance payments and employment insurance to make ends meet.

“The manufacturing sector is continuing to decline,” said Sam Vrankulj, researcher and instructor in the school of labour studies at McMaster Univesity. “The process of deindustrialization is marching on. But associated with that we’ve also had a kind of de-unionization as well.”

Many of the lost manufacturing jobs were unionized, which guaranteed relatively high wages, pensions, benefits and some job security. The jobs currently available to manufacturing workers are normally not unionized and do not offer the same wages, benefits or job stability that the workers came to depend on.

We can see the combined deindustrialization and de-unionization in McMaster’s Innovation Park. The Park was originally a Camco site, which housed a workforce of an average 40 years of age with about 20 years seniority.

These workers have been displaced to the service sector to find work, where finding meaningful employment means dealing with a job market that’s potentially hostile to one’s skill-set.

Shift Away from Heavy Manufacturing

There has been a general shift away from the traditional, heavy manufacturing to one of a different, much lighter manufacturing.

While the laid-off workers have undoubtedly developed a complex set of both social and technological skills over their years of manual labour, one of the reasons for a decrease in manufacturing jobs is technological change in the sector.

“It takes less people to make a widget and it is anticipated that employment will continue to decline in this sector because of technological advancements,” added Judy Travis, Executive Director at the Hamilton Training Advisory Board.

“The number of businesses continues to grow. It is just that businesses don’t need as many people anymore and the large businesses of the past with many employees are disappearing.”

If businesses doesn’t require people in the way that they did in the past, how are people to be employed? The economic future is bleak for manufacturing workers.

 

This article was also published at Raise The Hammer