September 2022 Edited by: Afshaan Purvez and Devin Andrade

Dear Colleagues,

You will notice a beautiful new addition to our Seneca@York campus today. The commissioned mural on the north end of the courtyard is by acclaimed artist Isaac Murdoch, called The Petition to the Water Spirits.

It is appropriate that we are able to unveil this work on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

In his artist’s statement on the piece, Isaac Murdoch says “For years, the Indigenous communities made petitions and offerings to the water spirits as part of the agreements between the people and the lands. When the newcomers came, this agreement was disrupted. It is said that an Indigenous man went to tell the newcomers of their obligations to make such offerings in order to not further upset the water spirits, but the newcomers did not respond. In fact, the newcomers took more from the land (resources) and even more devastatingly, took the children from the land (residential schools). The Petition to the Water Spirits is a reminder of the offerings and obligations we have to the land we inhabit and to the children we have removed from their homes. It is a reminder to offer respect that the water spirits deserve as a petition to get our children back.”

Rema Tavares, Seneca’s Manager of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, pointed out that this petition started as far back as 1492, and now 530 years later, that same petition still stands.

“All of us have obligations to the land,” she said. “Whether you’ve inhabited Turtle Island since time immemorial, or have arrived at these shores more recently, we all have a part to play in returning the land to what it was.

In addition, many of us have listened to the devastating podcast, Kuper Island, by Ducan McCue, and have taken the time to learn more about what happened there. This is one of the ways that we can honour our obligation to the children who didn’t survive at the 139 residential institutions across the country, as well as those who did, but still carry that trauma today. It is only through speaking truth and reconciliation, that we can ensure that a multi-generational tragedy such as this never occurs again. It will be a long journey, but as long as we take that journey together, we can one day fulfill our obligations.”

Stay well and stay safe.

Kurt

Michel Côté, Chair of the School of Fashion, was interviewed by The Globe and Mail on how Seneca is meeting the changing industry demands post-pandemic. In some ways, pandemic-related restrictions helped spur creative solutions that are still in place. Upcycling, which allows for more sustainable practices, became widespread, with Seneca participating in several projects focusing on this model.

Graphic Design grad and award-winning artist Kenneth Kirsch, was featured in Parrysound.com for his paintings of Georgian Bay and Muskoka landscapes.

EXCERPT

While studying at Seneca, Kirsch worked in the pet shop of Eaton’s department store at Yorkdale Mall in Toronto. He loved it and stayed after graduation to became a buyer for the shop. In the summer of 1978, the manager told Kirsch head office wanted him to work in the company’s advertising department in the new Eaton Centre. That launched Kirsch’s commercial graphic arts career. He became an expert at colour in print production while working at various advertising agencies, a skill that dovetailed neatly into a fine arts career.

Kirsch became a partner with a fellow Seneca graphic arts grad at her graphics company Pinpoint Design. Kirsch significantly increased the business at Pinpoint and eventually owned the company. He had the things that success brings, but wasn’t painting.

“I was jealous of my Creative Director,” he recalls. “He was doing creative work at the office while I was out with clients. Grey International Advertising Canada schmoozed us for almost a year because they wanted to buy a production and graphics arm for their company. They bought Pinpoint.”

Interactive Media Design graduate Joseph Osei Bonsu who has described himself as an “artepreneur”, was featured in MacLean’s where he spoke about how he aspires to make a positive change with what they’ve learned at Seneca.

Excerpt

His work has been featured by various high-profile clients, including the CBC, CIBC and the City of Toronto. Bonsu is the co-founder of diverse superhero brand Heroes of the World and illustrated Race With Me, a children’s book co-authored by Olympic champion sprinter André De Grasse.

Matthew Stodolak, the coordinator of Seneca’s eSports Marketing Management program, was featured in College Administrator where he talks about the growing esports market in Canada. He addresses the importance government support has played in giving the program a sense of legitimacy.

EXCERPT

“This is a new program and it might sound somewhat niche, but to see this level of support really is a strong example of breaking some of the stigmas surrounding this industry and giving us that sense of legitimacy from the government,” said Stodolak.

Government Relations professor Bill McBain will be running for Wards 6/11 public school trustee in the Mississauga council.

Excerpt

Bill McBain has helped numerous politicians win election.

He managed a 1998 provincial campaign for Helen MacDonald in Cape Breton and breakthrough NDP campaigns for MP Charlie Angus (Timmins-James Bay) in 2004 and MLA Doug Donaldson (Stikine, B.C.) in 2009.

On top of 35 campaigns, he’s run innumerable workshops and courses on election preparedness.

He teaches government relations at Seneca College and wrote the Municipal Election Workbook for 2022 council and school board candidates.

He’s working on what he hopes will be the definitive manual on municipal campaigning. He’s taking the plunge himself.

The 62-year-old knows it’s not easy. He lost in council runs to Pat Saito in 2006 and Sue McFadden, when Ward 10 was created in 2010.

“As I tell my students,” jokes McBain, “I’m very good at electing other people and very bad at electing myself.”