Hello, Geographers!

This is a heads up to remind those who haven't left Burnside in a couple days that it's snowing!! And for those who've just joined us in Montréal, enjoy the snow because it's here to stay!
Here's what's coming up in the department :) 

1. Happy Trees with MUGS feat. Bob Ross 
2. Crunch Time Writing Workshop
3. GIS day Survey
4. Justice for Indigenous Women of Val d'Or
5. Nourish Team 2017 Applications
6. Mildy Interesting Map of the Week
7. Cool Thing of the Week

1. Happy Trees Painting MUGS feat. Bob Ross

It's a stressful time of year, so why not take a breather and paint an ideal world without pollution, course work, and overcrowding in the GIC.

Come on down to the MUGS Lounge on Dec. 1st at 4pm, and paint along with us and Bob with painting supplies paid for by the Advising Support Fund, and snacks on us! A free painting event with Bob Ross and MUGS, what's not to like?

Check out our Facebook Event and fill out the googledoc to confirm your attendance! 

2. Crunch Time Writing Workshop

So you're realizing the plight of being an arts student and having 5 papers between you and your winter break? If you're a Science geog student (bless you unicorns of the department) then also recomend this workshop to learn to write your papers like a pro!

The McGill Writing Centre is once again offering a few "crunch-time" workshops to help get students through the stressful end-of-semester weeks.  All information can be found at this link:  https://www.mcgill.ca/mwc/tutorial-service/workshops 
Check it out!

3. GIS day survey

So, already sent out a little reminder about this earlier, though the folks at the GIC would greatly appreciate you to take a moment out of your day to let them know how much you loved/didn't love (no hate here) their event.
Fill it out here if you already haven't!

4. Justice for Indigenous Women of Val d'Or

Last week, it was announced that several Sûreté du Québec police officers in Val d'Or that were facing allegations of violence and sexual assault against Indigenous women will NOT be prosecuted. How is our provincial government allowing this unacceptable behaviour to exist? By ignoring this, we are ignoring the systemic racism and sexism that exists in our society.

A group of McGill students put together a petition, intended for Quebec's Premier Philippe Couillard, to demand justice and stand in solidarity with the Indigenous women of Val d'Or. The petition is asking for Premier Couillard to mandate an independent and public investigation into the relations between police officers and Indigenous people. Please, show your support by signing and sharing the petition.

5. McGill Nourish Team Application 2017

Interested in sustainable agriculture? Interested in practicing your Spanish? Interested in travelling to Ecuador for an internship? McGill Nourish, a student-group on campus, is looking for interns to travel to Ecuador this summer to participate in a community-based sustainable agriculture project in partnership with conservation organization, Third Millennium Alliance. This 6-8 week project will work with the community of Camarones on the northwestern coast of Ecuador to establish community subsistence agriculture plots, increasing food security in this region. For more information and the application, visit: the online form. The application deadline is November 30th.

6. Mildly Interesting Map of the Week

A spanish voyage along the west coast in 1533 started a rumour that California was a paradise island separate from mainland North American mainland. Despite contradictory reports from explorers of the region, California continued to be depicted as an island on maps until 1747, when King Ferdinand VI of Spain was forced to issue a decree that 'California is not an island'... Just a reminder of how powerful maps are for pranking your friends/people from 1533!

7. Cool Thing of the Week

NOAA has launched a new satellite in space! But not just any, the GOES-R satellite broadcasts weather updates every 30 seconds, and can even detect lightning form in clouds before it strikes (!!). To all those remote sensing enthusiasts out there, this is a real game changer for weather forecasting and disaster management. Check out the GIF for the difference below! (if my gif works this time, if not... click here).
If you're like me and can't wait until it's operational, read more about it here!

That's a wrap,

Enjoy the rest of your week, check out the events we're promoting and don't slip on the snow/ice out there! *smooth Segue to a Bob Ross quote*
"The only thing worse than yellow snow, is green snow"
...profound words to live by

Noé Schultz
VP Communications
McGill Undergraduate Geography Society