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This teaching note considers the benefits of including very short stories or "flash fiction" in the (Canadian) literature classroom. Because the genre is relatively new and favors brevity, it can be attractive to students. Teachers can be sure the students will have read the story, or even find the time to have them read entire stories in class. As well, choosing very short works lets us introduce a variety of Canadian authors to our students. We begin by questioning the dominance of context-hunting and theme-searching among young readers, and point out that this mode of reading comes at the expense of an appreciation or serious consideration of form and language. While historical context and themes are of course important to understanding any story, students often privilege the extra-textual over the literary merits of fiction; they are not necessarily reading literature as literature. The latter part of the note zeroes in on classroom experiences we have had while teaching stories by John Gould, Carin Makuz and Douglas Glover. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article is an interview between poet and translator Erín Moure and Professor of Poetry and Creative Writing Zoë Skoulding. They discuss the importance of poetry translation in creating connections between different cultures and languages, particularly in North America and the UK where there is a lack of translated poetry. Moure emphasizes the need to preserve the differences and nuances of minor or minoritized languages when translating into English. They also explore the challenges and strategies involved in translating Galician poetry, highlighting the importance of maintaining tension and preserving the original meaning and effects of the poems. Moure discusses her approach to translation and the importance of considering the receiving culture when deciding what to publish and where. She emphasizes the need for reviewers and readers to engage with the work in its new cultural context and explores the challenges of creating bilingual editions. Moure also touches on her interest in ecopoetry and the nonhuman world, drawing on her Ukrainian and Cree heritage and her experiences in urban environments. She highlights the importance of recognizing and valuing Indigenous knowledge and perspectives in ecological science and poetry. Finally, Moure reflects on the significance of the American continent as a translator of poetry, acknowledging the tendency to overlook the cultural diversity and contributions of South America. The text explores the impact of colonization and colonialism on poetry and poetics, particularly in the context of the Americas. The author emphasizes the need to listen to voices from Africa and Indigenous writers to challenge dominant perspectives and work towards better futures. The translator's role is seen as creating spaces [Extracted from the article]

It is well-known that trans and non-binary individuals experience worse health outcomes due to experiences of violence and discrimination. For this reason, accessible healthcare for trans and non-binary people is crucial. There is a lack of Canadian literature on the experiences of non-binary people within the healthcare system. This study sought to understand barriers to healthcare among non-binary people living in a mid-sized urban/rural region of Canada. Interviews were conducted between November 2019 to March 2020 with 12 non-binary individuals assigned female at birth, living in Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada, as a part of a larger qualitative study exploring experiences within the community, healthcare and employment. Three broad themes were developed: erasure, barriers to access to healthcare, and assessing whether (or not) to come out. Sub-themes included institutional erasure, informational erasure, general healthcare barriers, medical transition healthcare barriers, anticipated discrimination, and assessing safety. Policy and institutional changes are needed to increase the safety and accessibility of healthcare services to non-binary individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]