Fall 2025

FROM THE EDITOR

While most of us like to believe that our education system successfully delivers all the basic tools students need to prosper in life, the UCP government has recently chosen schools as battlegrounds to stage a culture war targeting more marginal youths. In its crosshairs is a 2SLGBTQ+ contingent vulnerable to legislation designed to eliminate students’ use of pronouns, punish teachers who look the other way, and reduce access to sex education.

The latest attack involves “guidelines” to strip Alberta school libraries of four books–including some geared towards 2SLGBTQ+readers–containing sexually explicit material the government deems harmful to youths. While the government denies the action, which comes into effect Oct. 1, is an outright ban, literary experts declare it’s no accident that these books are on the firing line. 

While on the topic of education, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Sept. 30 will remind us of the horrors surrounding the Residential School system that resulted in the deaths of some 6,000 indigenous youths and ruined the lives of countless more. 

But the focus on this edition of T8N isn’t entirely serious. Some bright spots to check out include a profile on artist-welder Joanne Guthrie , unique school snacks , aboriginal art available to consumers , the upcoming Country Craft Fair, and the launch of Paralela Beauty .

Enjoy the read and to all the parents out there, here’s hoping your child’s back-to-school experience is a pleasant one.