Students celebrate Canadian holiday

Two turkeys, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce and the trimmings decorated the table at last night's Canadian Thanksgiving celebration, sponsored by the Canadians at Penn club. The meal, which was spread out on a red and white Canadian flag, was provided by University Dining Services. Twenty Canadians at Penn members gathered to enjoy a typical Canadian Thanksgiving meal and to become acquainted with other Canadian students. The club, co-founded by College junior Derek Smith and College and Engineering senior Matt Erskine, received Student Activities Council recognition and funding in January. The two founders worked closely with International Admissions Director Shelley Krause to collect a list of the University's 100 undergraduate Canadians. Attempts were also made to contact admitted Canadian freshmen over the summer to inform them of the group's presence on campus. "When I arrived here my freshman year, I found out that there was a previous club here that disappeared in 1988," Erskine said. "We wanted to promote Canadian issues on campus." He also noted that the Wharton School of Business already has a graduate Canadian club. "We plan on meeting once a month so that we can get together and discuss Canadian issues," Smith explained. The club is planning several Canadian film nights, and possibly a trip to the Canadian embassy in Washington this spring. Canadians at Penn also hopes to invite speakers to discuss recent Canadian events. A meeting to discuss the upcoming October 30 Quebec referendum on secession from Canada is also underway. Students can also access the Canadian Broadcast Company over the Penn Video Network on channel 21. Wharton freshman Tavis Cannell found out about the dinner through the group's e-mail listserv, which can be accessed through "cap@dolphin.upenn.edu". Cannell said he is glad to have the opportunity to meet other Canadians on campus and discuss Canadian issues. Erskine said he hopes more people will attend the group's future events. Anyone interested in Canadian issues is welcome to join the group and participate in its activities.