On International Women’s Day 2026, an SFU Limited Term Lecturer Dr. Reema Faris visited Prince George–Lheidli T’enneh and hosted a discussion on the relationship between women, reading, and power at Books & Co. The discussion centred around her research, which in part, examines Happily-Ever-After and Happy-For-Now (HEA-HFN) narratives. She argues that an overwhelming presence of these narratives in media tends to influence our understanding of what a typical relationship is, creating expectations for ourselves and others.
In our March 8th conversation, Dr. Faris validated the choice to have a heterosexual marriage and a number of children, but highlighted that there are more just as valid options. While reading can offer different global perspectives, Dr. Faris noted that localized selections offer alternative perspectives too:
Have you read memoirs of folks who have immigrated to Northern BC? Have you read what it’s like for them? Because if you read what it’s like for them, it might open your eyes to things that you might have to address in your own community. It’s not just about looking elsewhere. It’s even understanding where we are in a particular moment. Let alone, as we talked about, the history that shaped the place that we occupy or that we live in.
Reading provides entertainment, but it also offers a window into local histories that could otherwise be unconsidered as we make choices that affect our communities and families. We asked Dr. Faris about what she feels we have access to in Northern BC that expands our understanding beyond current norms, as opposed to narrowing them. Dr. Faris extolled the opportunity post-secondary education provides saying, “Online learning is not the same as in-person learning. It works for some people. It doesn’t work for everybody.” She continued, “I think that if we believe in ‘better’ for Northern BC, or anywhere else in the world, it is tied to education.” She illustrated some concerns and noted, “I hope people will do what they can to ensure the health of the education sector here in Northern BC.”
- Ian Gregg, CFURadio 88.7FM, Due North News, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter