Brandon University’s Women’s Collective and the BU Aboriginal Student Council have been at work in recent months for their respective student populations.

The Women’s Collective, though inactive in recent months, has seen a resurgence in activity in February with their annual Erotic Bingo event on February 10th, as well as a bake sale on the 14th, while also participating with BUSU “to attempt to reform bylaws regarding pro-choice policies,” in the wake of the most recent incident regarding the BU Students for Life organization.

The group, in the near future, plans to hold a series of events throughout the week of March 6th-10th for International Women’s Week. Though the specific schedule of events has not yet been set in stone, Jenna English, secretary for the collective, said, “We are very much looking forward to the upcoming celebration of women and celebrating with the university.”

English also mentioned that the collective only has two members, herself and president Poonam Bath, and that given both their schedules, they “have not had the time to try and find more people that would be willing to dedicate their efforts and energy for the collective.”

However, English also mentioned that they would be “more than willing” to accept the assistance of anyone wanting to volunteer, and that, despite their low membership, the collective “will always have a presence on campus to fight for women’s issues and to provide support and assistance for all identifying female students.”

BUASC, meanwhile, has been planning events since November last semester, including a round dance flash mob in the BU campus’ Kavanagh Courtyard in support of the Standing Rock Indian Reservation and their efforts against the Dakota Access Pipeline.

The group also hosted their annual potluck Christmas dinner in December, followed by a social at The Dock on Princess immediately after.

After a period of inactivity in January, the group also came back at the end of Indigenous Awareness Week to host a kahomani dance at the Little Teaching Lodge, which featured a silent auction, contests, and stew and bannock.

The LGBT Collective and International Students’ Organization were also contacted, but neither responded by press time.

Republished from The Quill print edition, Volume 107, Issue 23, February 28th, 2017.