cement/20. 1969

\ .

PRINCE *i‘nwnn' ISLAND:

P.E.I. ISN’T HEAVENTO ME 7

Before the Acadia game, the football fiel was named MacAdam Field, in memory

FEATURE

By Reg Phalen

Some people see the struc- ture of the Canadian Union of students asinhibiting any real-change in society. 0th,- ers- see CUS as being too political.

In this article I will at- tempt to focus on what I saw as the spirit behind the thir- ty-third Congress of the Can- adian Union of Students this summer. The most import- ant discuss-ion centred around the necessity for CUS to achieve meaningful change in our society.

This however depends on how successful the delegates

ple what was resolvedl.’ Reso lutions and policy statements passed as a yearly Congress, are useless: unless they are understood and acted upon by students as a collective body.

I think that we are mak- ing some attempt here at UPEI to have a “union” style of student government. The four meetings of the student body held so far allowed everyone present the right to sneak and vote; this is just the beginning I hope!

The Congress, at its first plenary session, recognized the dilema it was in; resolu- tions were passing through. the Congress without suffic- ient debate and understand- ing. Recognizing that it was ridiculous to pass resolutions in such a manner, the dele- gates decided to break up in-

are in taking back to the peo— ‘

to discussion groups. It was felt that discussion would lead to a greater understand- ing and concensus among the delegates.

When the plenary session resumed, the debate on stud- ent unionism came up on a number of occasions. Those who held“ more conservative views proposed that CUS be come a federation. This, I feel would have set CUS back to where it had been a couple of years ago. Much of the analy- sis that has been developed recently concerning the role of the Canadian university in society wouldl have been dis- carded this proposal for a non-political union died on the floor for lack of a second.

Debate on the primary role of C‘US came from the more radical Waterloo delegation. They proposed that C-US join the I.W.W. (Industrial Work- ers of the World), a radical workers organization which was very effective in the early part of this century,

- and was almost decimated by

the police. Some delegates showed sympathy for the mo tion, but the majority thought that this proposal would not solve the immedL iate problems facing CUS.

The debate continued into the early hours of the mom- ing, then Barry McPeake, former Maritime fieldworker, gave a fifty minute disserta- tion of his feelings about the Congress to Barry tried hard to drive home the idea

By Majorie Stevenson

Montgomery Hall Junior Common Room was the loca- tion for a poetry recital by Milton Acorn. He appeared 1n casual attire and quickly established a rapport with the audience. Mr. Acorn chose selections from his recently published collection of poetry lentitledl, I’ve Tas t ed My iBlood. He read his poetry With a great deal of emotion, and the most effectively read poem of the evening was “I Shout Love”.

During the course of the evening, Mr. Acorn answered IQuestions from the audience. He told them, for example, how he writes his poetry. He Said that he starts from an a4bstract idea, develops a rough idea, starts to write, 1f1nds a plan, and then pro- iceedls to hum a rhythmn,

thinks of the music of the.

line, and he thus, develops a new idea for the next line. I

THE WORKINGMAN’S on

i:

MlION ACORN .

At the close of the even- ing, Mr. Acorn received an enthusiastic ovation. Most comments on the evening were very favourable. There was a reception in the library of Montgomery following the reading. Other selections written by, Mr. A. Acorn are: Love Anger and Jaw Break- ers. Mr. Acorn will be recit- ing in Toronto in the near future. .

of former S.D.U. athletic great, A. J. MacAdam. Gerry MacAdam performed the ceremonial kick—off.

MTHE- ROLE OF cus

that what we did at the Con- gress was irrelevant unless we were committed to the policies that we had adopted.

The impact of the debate on student unionism was re- flected in the resolutions and policies the Congress passed. The resolutions f o c u s s e (1 mainly on the content of our course and the relevancy of education. The strategy sug- gested was that one must or- ganize in the classrooms, for this is where students begin to experience, at first hand, the authoritarian structures, and are taught to accept the ideology of the status quo.

We must begin to chal-

lenge the system; the lee- -

tures, examination methods, and control of content. Let us question the purpose of these courses, «and set up structures to implement our demands. When we begin to do this, CUS will then ‘be- come relevant to us.

By Carolyn Hortie

I am a newcomer to P.E.I. Since arriving here in the early summer months I have heard an expression repeated much too often to be ignored; “Are you an Islander?” or a variation of this, ‘V‘You aren’t an Islander!” Now I ask" you fellow students, “What is an Islander?”

I am a Canadian and I pre- sume Islanders are Canadians therefore perhaps I am an Is- lander and simply not aware of the fact. But I believe the definition has deeper roots. I have observed that Islanders are not too proud of their status. The status quo among the young people is too obtain their education as quickly as they ca nand‘ leave the Island for the glittering sophistica- tion of the “big-city’i. Yet the Islander seems to have a planted suspicion of “new- comers” andl “outsiders”, an emotion I find difficult to comprehend. They seem to take pride in pointing out the “back-country” ways and the lack of challenge offered to the graduated student here. The undergraduates are not sure What they’re going to do with their diplomas or how they’re going to use them but whatever it is, it’s going to be away from P.E.I.

PAGE 5

I am being led to believe that Islanders have an infer- iority complex. If there has been lack of challenge in the past for the trained and skill- ed young people tlhis is no reason for it to continue. Why can’t P.E.I. bemme a pmv— ince that will attract the yo u n g progressive Canad- ians?

But I think it is up to each of us to take the initiative to explore the possibilities of P.E.I. ; to understand what they are and how they can be developed. I, personally, do not think P.E.I. should be re- duced to a tourist resort. Nor do I like to see the apathy by which the Islanders stand by and let Canada Packers pol-

lute the air and water.

If my observations repres-

L ent the definition of an Is~

lander then it is time for our generation to break the shac- kles of lethargy and raise the morale to: that level of other Canadians.

Ed. Note: Student journal- ists did an exhaustive study on alleged air and water pol- lution by the company men;- tioned above (along with oth— er suspected city firms) the fiindings of this study were published by “The College Times”, Nov. ‘66 issue.

The Honourable John Munro lation of marijuana.

Committee brief.

FROM—THE LEGALIZE MARIHUANA COMMITTEE

I would request that the Government of Canada strive to secure the legis-

I agree with the spirit and principles of the London Legalize Marijuana

Send to the Minister of Health & Welfare, Parliament Buildings, Ottawa

Date ........................................................ ..

STUDENTS! "GRADUATES! ALUMNI!

Let your Canada Manpower Cen- tre help you with your employment

problems!

Specially trained and experienced Manpower Counsellors" at your Canada

University

Centre maintain constant contact with employers and their recruit- ing representatives on campus.

They can. provide you With job placement assistance and the lat- _

est labour market information.

Manpower expense.

Register at your Canada Man- power Centre on campus today. It could save you time, effort and

UNIVERSITY CANADA MANPOWER CENTRE