A quick look at recent sports news at Queen’s University:

Men’s Hockey

A pair of teammates of the Queen’s Gaels men’s hockey team has picked up some hardware at the provincial and national levels.

Gaels defenceman Spencer Abraham has been named the CIS rookie of the year while teammate Darcy Greenaway joins him as a CIS All-Rookie.

Abraham, a former member of the OHL’s Erie Otters, quarterbacked the Gaels offence from the blueline all season. He is the second straight Queen's player – and the second in school history – to receive the Clare Drake Award, following in the footsteps goaltender Kevin Bailie.

After putting on the Queen’s jersey, Abraham quickly found a home with the Gaels as he started off his CIS career with a six-game point streak and never looked back. He finished as the team’s leading scorer with 28 points (5-23-28) in 25 league games, tied for the CIS lead amongst defenceman.

“Spencer came in from day one and showed maturity beyond his years,” says head coach Brett Gibson. “He played in all situations, against the other team's top players every night and it still did not slow down his offensive production. His future in this game and league is very bright.”

Greenaway came to the Gaels after playing with the OHL’s Kingston Frontenacs and finished his first CIS campaign with an impressive 26 points (16-10-26 ) in 25 games played.

Earlier this month the rookie duo also picked up honours at the OUA East level with Abraham being named to the First All-Star team and Greenaway earning a spot on the Second All-Star team.

Track and Field

Alex Wilkie took home a bronze medal in the 1500m race on Saturday afternoon at the CIS Track and Field championships at the St. Denis Centre in Windsor.

Wilkie, also an All-Canadian in cross country, ran the 1500m race in a time of 3:49.03, a little more than 1.2 seconds behind winner Ross Proudfoot of the Guelph Gryphons.

For Terrie Easter Sheen and Martha Whitehead, two of the five co-chairs of this year’s Campus Community Appeal, giving back to Queen’s is a natural response to needs they see all around them.

“In my role in Gender Studies, I’ve come to appreciate the importance of places like Four Directions Aboriginal Student Centre, the Ban Righ Centre and the Human Rights Office,” says Easter Sheen. “Only through philanthropy can we ensure Queen’s continues to provide much-needed services to students, staff and faculty.”

Whitehead, Vice-Provost and University Librarian, believes the university is alive with stories – not only of exceptional learning experiences and groundbreaking research, but of the history of Queen’s, Kingston and Canada.

“People who care deeply about this rich tapestry of stories are generously supporting initiatives that will enable Queen’s to continue having an impact for generations to come,” she says. 

Both co-chairs note that employees give back to the university every day through their invaluable service. This provides them with a unique perspective on where their dollars are most needed – and gifts to the annual Campus Community Appeal can be designated to any program or initiative at Queen’s.

The Gazette asked each appeal co-chair to share what motivates them as volunteers, as well as their personal reasons for giving. Easter Sheen’s and Whitehead’s responses are presented below, while those of their colleagues – Professor Tim Bryant (Mechanical and Materials Engineering), Associate University Registrar (Undergraduate Admissions) Stuart Pinchin and Emeritus Professor Carlos Prado (Philosophy) – will appear in a future edition of the Gazette.

What drew you to this volunteer position as co-chair for the Campus Community Appeal?

Terrie Easter Sheen:  I was a mature student for many years, and as a way in which to thank and “give back” to Queen’s, I began gifting immediately upon my graduation.

Martha Whitehead: I wanted to help support good causes and acknowledge the donors we have on campus. We benefit so much from each other, and there can never be enough opportunities to say thank you.

What project(s) do you support with your gifts to Queen’s?  

TES:  I support the Ban Righ Centre and the Gender Studies Department.

MW: One of the things I appreciate most about Queen's is our commitment to helping students whose financial circumstances are a barrier, so I like to give to the Student Financial Assistance Fund.

What would you say to someone who was considering a gift to Queen’s?

TES: Not only is Queen’s my alma mater, I have worked at Queen’s for my entire life.  If the person were also a Queen’s employee, I would let them know what a real privilege it is to work and learn every day at this institution. Giving back is one way to show it.

MW: I would say, “Your gift is a personal investment in our current and future generations. It makes a difference, and it is hugely appreciated.”

Every year, in November and March, current and retired staff and faculty members volunteer their time and leadership to encourage their colleagues’ participation in the Campus Community Appeal. The appeal has a direct impact across campus, supporting programs and initiatives that enrich the teaching and learning environment. Gifts may be designated to almost any area of need: from student assistance to mental health and wellness, faculty programs, the library, archives, community outreach and more.

This year, the Queen’s Native Students’ Association (QNSA) wants to get people of all backgrounds involved in Aboriginal Awareness Week. The week, which runs from March 16-21, celebrates indigenous histories and cultures with a wide array of events.

“I’ve often found that when I tell people about QNSA and the work we do, they feel like they can’t take part because they aren’t of indigenous ancestry, or if they are, because they don’t feel connected to that part of themselves,” says Leah Combs (Artsci’16), President of QNSA. “We want our events to be spaces where anyone can learn about these issues and not feel like they’re stepping out of their place.”

Among the week’s events are a bannock sale at University Avenue and Union Street, a medicine shield-making workshop at Four Directions Aboriginal Student Centre and a panel discussion in Grant Hall about missing and murdered aboriginal women. The panel discussion, which concludes the Our Stolen Sisters radio series by CFRC, will feature Queen’s professors Robert Lovelace (Global Development Studies), Sam McKegney (English Language and Literature), as well as Dr. Dawn Harvard, President of the Native Women’s Association of Canada.

Capping off the week will be the Indigenous Celebration of Arts, Culture and Dance, held for the first time at the newly-opened Tett Centre. Along with crafts and traditional food vendors, the celebration will have a performance by a Haudenosaunee water drummer, Metis jigging, and performance by the Red Spirit Singers and Dancers.

Throughout Aboriginal Awareness Week, QNSA will have a history exhibit in the lower ceilidh of the John Deutsch University Centre. They’ve worked with the City of Kingston to create a visual presentation of Kingston’s indigenous peoples throughout history.

“We’re trying to tie in histories of indigenous groups in Kingston to groups that are here now — we want to bring the past to the present and look towards the future.”

Along with raising awareness about indigenous issues, many of the week’s events will raise funds to support a new initiative started by QNSA. With the Northern Food Security Initiative, the QNSA is sponsoring an impoverished Inuit family who live in Taloyoak, Nunavut. Each month, the group is sending the family traditionally hunted foods, such as musk ox and caribou, or supplies of their choosing. Donation boxes will be present at each of the week’s events for those looking to make a contribution.

“It’s important to understand that the issues indigenous peoples in Canada face are the responsibilities of all Canadians, not just those with indigenous ancestry,” says Ms. Combs.

View the full schedule of Aboriginal Awareness Week events.