the carillon the staff
editor-in-chief editor@carillonregina.com
taylor balfour
executive director business@carillonregina.com
jacob nelson
production manager production@carillonregina.com
morgan ortman
advertising manager advertising@carillonregina.com
ty cote
technical editor shae shackman carillontechnical@carillonregina.com multimedia/graphics editors multimedia@carillonregina.com graphics@carillonregina.com
kate thiessen sarah carrier
copy editor copyeditor@carillonregina.com
hannah senicar
news editor news@carillonregina.com
sara birrell
a&c editor aandc@carillonregina.com
julia peterson
sports editor sports@carillonregina.com
ethan butterfield
op-ed editor op-ed@carillonregina.com
marty grande-sherbert
distribution manager distribution@carillonregina.com staff writer staff writer news writer
holly worby
reese estwick
a&c writer
kyle anderson
matt thompson joseph holoein
sports writer
sarah nakonechny
web writer
gillian massie contributors hammad ali, maria azam, florence hwang and thomas gallagher
vol. 63
board of directors taylor balfour, lindsay holitzki, maddie ouelette, dustin smith. marty grande-sherbert, and jacob nelson
the paper
227 Riddell Center University of Regina - 3737 Wascana Parkway, Regina, SK, Canada S4S 0A2 www.carillonregina.com Ph: (306) 586 8867 Printed by Star Press Inc, Wainwright, AB The Carillon welcomes contributions. Opinions expressed in the pages of the Carillon are expressly those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect those of The Carillon Newspaper Inc. Opinions expressed in advertisements appearing in the Carillon are those of the advertisers, and not necessarily of The Carillon Newspaper Inc. or its staff. The Carillon is published no less than 11 times each semester during the fall and winter semesters and periodically throughout the summer. The Carillon is published by the Carillon Newspaper Inc., a non-profit organization. land acknowledgement The Carillon is written on treaty four territory. As such, the staff recognize that we are living, working, and telling stories on and of Indigenous lands. We recognize that we are on the traditional homelands of the Nakota, Lakota, and Dakota peoples, along with the homeland of the Métis nation. The carillon understands that it is pointless to acknowledge the land on which we work without speaking to our commitment to telling stories and prioritizing voices that further the return of the land to its place sacred place in the cultures of those that live here. the manifesto In keeping with our reckless, devil-may-care image, our office has absolutely no concrete information on the Carillon’s formative years readily available. What follows is the story that’s been passed down from editor to editor for over forty years. In the late 1950s, the University of Regina planned the construction of several new buildings on the campus grounds. One of these proposed buildlings was a beltower on the academic green. If you look out on the academic green today, the first thing you’ll notice is that it has absolutely nothing resembling a belltower. The University never got a belltower, but what it did get was the Carillon, a newspaper that serves as a symbolic bell tower on campus, a loud and clear voice belonging to each and every student.
the people’s friend; the tyrant’s foe
The University of Regina Students’ Newspaper Since 1962 January 14th - 20th, 2021 | Volume 63, Issue 14 | carillonregina.com
news
Bookstore
news
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As the U of R moves ahead with privatising its bookstore, faculty and students voice their concerns with Follett.
Georgia
arts
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Another historic win for the democrats in Georgia after their January run-off elections.
Wonder Woman
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Florence Hwang gives her thoughts on the stylish, but middling, Wonder Woman 1984.
Welcome back to the semester! Special thanks to Sara on our multimedia team for our cover. We’re happy to be back in 2021 and we’re happy to be featuring more of YOU this semester!
sports
op-ed
sports
We hope you all enjoy our first issue back. Taylor Balfour Editor-in-Chief
photos
cover......................................sarah carrier news........................................snappy goat news..................................constitution.net a&c.....................................................pixy sports..................................u of r athletics sports.........................wikipedia commons op-ed.........................wikipedia commons
Remembering William p.11
Winter activities
In late December, the world lost William Mansbridge-Goldie. His family, friends and colleagues remember him fondly.
From skating to ice fishing, Sarah Nakonenchy has the scoop on all of the best outdoor activities to partake in this winter.
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Hate in Canada
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The siege on Capitol Hill was a shock formany, but Canada should also keep an eye on the racism and bigotry happening at home.
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editor: sara birrell news@carillonregina.com the carillon | january 14 - 20, 2021
Bookstore privatization raises alarm bells Universities struggle with Follett
ethan butterfield sports editor The University of Regina looks to move towards bookstore privatization, which will be placed under the management of the Follett organization. This move comes with its own set of changes that students could have to face, such as privacy policy changes (like the third-party tracking that occurred at Concordia University under Follett Canada in 2020) and issues regarding online vouchers and book delivery (such as those that had occurred in the Fresno Community College in September of 2019). With regards to Follett, faculty members and staff from the University of Regina have worked on a letter with regards to the university’s decision to move towards privatization. That letter reads, in part: “Dear Colleagues, In the interest of promoting collegiality and fulfilling the University’s strategic goals of sustainability and decolonization we are writing this response to the announcement of changes at the UR Campus Store. We are wondering how long this change has been in the works. Has a contract already been signed (we are assuming it has because of the March 2021 opening men-
tioned)? Will employees still be unionized? Finally and perhaps most importantly, why were we not consulted on this change? A university bookstore provides a service to students, faculty and, sometimes, a wider community. Moving Follett into this role will be, by all indications, a bad decision. This American-based company has no relevance to the Canadian context.” The question of whether
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imum wage. An email that was shared in confidence with the Carillon shows the issues that a student (who has Follett in their University) has faced since their bookstore was privatized. Given the subject matter of the e-mail, some of the names have been removed. “There is a hiccup with sending you a book for course consideration. Your bookstore is run by Follett. Unfortunately, Follett has
pre-paid, all conversationended. [Withheld], will be an excellent choice. If you use it, though, your students will have to order from either the publishing house website or McNally Robinson¹s in [withheld]. Will this be a problem for you?” Issues have also been occurring at Brandon University bookstore in Manitoba, which switched to Follet. These issues were highlighted in a University
If stories emerging from other locations indicate engaging with Follett is not a wise decision, consultation could provide additional insights and build collegial solutions that work well for students, faculty and the University.
– Faculty email workers, who are currently covered under the University of Regina Collective Bargaining Agreement will remain unionized, or part of the same bargaining unit, is an important one. Chartwells employees have a different collective agreement, although they are still represented by CUPE 5791. At the University of Brandon, where Follet has taken over the bookstore, workers are paid min-
stopped paying us for books sent, and their accounts receivable department no longer answers our emails. This pretty much means we are not paying royalties (as we were not paid) to the Indigenous authors of the books Follett has ordered. Your bookstore manager ordered two copies of the book, DECOLONIZING[withheld]. When we sent an e-invoice to be
of Regina faculty email. “To understand the transition, one of us consulted a colleague at Brandon University. He called the move from a University-owned store to Follett a “complete, unmitigated disaster” noting that he is still waiting for his textbooks for the fall 2020 term; that there was a loss of some unionized positions for former employees and the transition was
not smooth; and that their Faculty intends to recommend not renewing Follett’s contract when it comes up. None of this is surprising if you look at the politics of Follett against independent bookstores (see linked article from Inside Higher Ed) and their increased consolidation of the market and elimination of choices for students.” The email concludes with the following, describing the move as an unwise one. “If stories emerging from other locations indicate engaging with Follett is not a wise decision, consultation could provide additional insights and build collegial solutions that work well for students, faculty and the University. We have a commitment to excellence in service and to sustainability of the University, but it doesn’t match the big business practices of Follett and other large bookstore managers who push independent stores out of business. We respectfully ask for a more consultative, collegial approach.” Given the challenges that other universities have faced after partnering with Follett, the challenges the U of R already faces with Chartwells, and the lack of consultation with students or faculty over the move, which is set to take place in March of this year, the administration has a lot to answer for.
Snappy Goat
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news
University post-pandemic plans still unclear Striking a balance is key hammad ali contributor Recently, the Leader Post ran a story on the future of university education in Saskatchewan. Officials from both of the province’s universities shared their interest in a major reshaping of how universities will operate post-pandemic. In particular, there are discussions about the possibility of more online/remote learning classes.
Before the pandemic, about 10 per cent of all classes at the University of Regina were delivered online. During the pandemic, the situation flipped. Once a substantial portion of the population has been vaccinated and we can begin a return to in-person classes, many feel that the right approach is to find a balance somewhere between those two ends of the spectrum. Probably the strongest argument in favour of this is the rise in enrolment among remote communities, however there are also arguments against a permanent shift towards online learn-
ing, meaning there are no easy answers to this problem. Dr. Marc Spooner, a professor in the Faculty of Education says that the pivot to remote delivery was a good move during the pandemic. However, he was careful to draw the distinction between a move to remote learning due to an emergency situation, and a deliberate paradigm shift to online learning. Spooner feels there needs to be careful plan-
tuition and other fees should reflect a change to more emphasis on online learning, Dr. Spooner mentioned that contrary to what one might expect, offering a lot of classes online does not actually result in significant cost savings, and it might actually be more expensive to run a dual track university. However, Spooner says that the cost of college education has increasingly been passed on to the students, with the government
online paradigm. Not surprisingly, most students also feel that they are not using the majority of campus resources and fees should be adjusted to reflect this reality, as well as help offset some costs students are facing in order to be able to study from home. At least one student raised concerns about mental health and the lack of social interactions, even pointing out that many of us learn by studying in a group setting with
and in-person classes may work. However, some students are feeling concerned about internship or practicum requirements in their program and how to make it work in a largely online teaching environment. Overall, students have universally pointed out that the community dimension of university is extremely important, and are concerned that a more long-term or substantial move to
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Whenever we are able to return to a more normal state of things, it will definitely be very interesting to see how universities in Saskatchewan, and all across the world, cope with the experiences of the past year. – Hammad Ali ning, training, and modifications to most resources before a successful transition can be made. He adds that the university should be careful not to essentially abandon our commitment to face to face learning, because a good university education is more than just formal classroom training. University education needs exploration, growth, and everything that goes into living and learning in and as part of a community. Most of that would be missing in a highly structured learning environment, even if the structure itself allowed for some in-person interactions. When asked about whether
funding going down steadily each year. He feels this is an unfortunate trend, and our focus should be on reversing this trend. Students, who have been taking online courses since March, have often struggled with the transition to online only, although that’s not the case for everyone. While most students recognize the need for the shift to remote learning, most expressed concerns that it did not work for them. Some added that while a few introductory courses may well work, advanced classes need a lot more discussion and interaction that is simply missing in the
our peers. Counter to the point raised about rise in enrolment from remote communities, one student expressed concern that many others might actually not consider college education anymore, or drop out if they are currently in college given the lack of in-person interaction and other stress factors. Students have pointed out that some classes like language are particularly suited to in-person classes, while some other classes might actually be better delivered online. As long as students can choose, possibly with flexibility of schedule in mind, a mix of online
online teaching will have severe impact on the learning experience and may even cause many to forego considering university education. While Spooner makes valid points about how even the current remote learning situation has not saved costs significantly, students feel some fee adjustment is essential given the lack of access to school amenities and resources. Whenever we are able to return to a more normal state of things, it will definitely be very interesting to see how universities in Saskatchewan, and all across the world, cope with the experiences of the past year. Pixabay
Laptop, smart phone and coffee on wooden desk
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Democrats secure Senate with Georgia win America still America matt thompson news writer Last week, our neighbours to the south experienced one of their most important elections in modern history. As the rest of the United States, and much of the world, watched on, voters in Georgia, a southern state that has traditionally voted Republican, went to the polls once again after the state’s Senatorial election on November 3 remained inconclusive, leading to run-off elections for both of its Senate seats. While under normal circumstances a Senate run-off race would likely rank low in terms of importance and national/international interest, the past year has been anything but normal. In the United States, unlike Canada, every two years at least half of its states undergo elections for congressional representatives, who make up the House and are elected by county, and for senators, two of which are elected to each state regardless of population. Historically, Georgia, a former slave state, economic heartland of the Confederacy, and part namesake of musical abomination Florida-Georgia Line, has voted overwhelmingly conservative, due in large part to the disenfranchisement of its large Black American population, both during and after the Jim Crow era. Following Donald Trump’s rise to power and the alt-right Unite the Right march through Charlottesville, Virginia, in 2017, a sea change took place amongst voter demographics throughout much of the American SouthEast. Thanks in large part to the efforts of civil rights advocates, especially former House Minori-
ty leader and Georgian Representative Stacey Abrams, Black Lives Matter, and greater access to information via the internet, Black Americans have steadily occupied a greater portion of the state’s voting pool. Moreover, the state’s youth have become more politically active than ever, with a growing share of this demographic receiving some form of post-secondary education and leaning far more to the left than their parent’s generation. Combined with a string of national incidents regarding police brutality, alt-right and White-nationalist violence, and grass-roots civil rights campaigns for racial equal-
didate in early 2016, stating it was inappropriate to appoint a Supreme Court Justice during an election year. Aside from systemically sabotaging the Senate as an institution, McConnell has also attracted international ire for orchestrating the speedy appointment of conservative Judge Amy Coney Barret less than a month before the 2020 presidential election, and, most-recently, blocking the House’s attempt to increase COVID-19 financial aide from $600 to $2000. Alongside an array of other acts of ethical degeneracy, his Republican Senate has remained the greatest practical and political obstacle facing
second term, while a full Democrat victory would give the party full control of each branch of government. The run-off election commenced on the morning of January 6 and followed the same basic narrative as the presidential race in November. Polls conducted by major publications, such as the New York Times and Washington Post, remained inconclusive for most of the day, and while most counties initially leaned Red, as mail-in and absentee votes began to be tallied during the evening, urban centres including Atlanta and Savannah shifted overwhelmingly Blue, a trend consistent out-
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With only two weeks left before Joe Biden is sworn in as the country’s 46th President, the Senate lies 50-50, with future Vice President Kamala Harris to serve as the tie-breaker. – Matt Thompson
ity, the state has evolved into an important political battleground while its voters have grown more polarized. While Georgia’s political trends are a dense topic, there was far more at play during this election. Since 2010, the American Senate has been under the rule of a slight yet firm Republican majority led by Kentucky Senator Mitch McConnell. For context, McConnell, a hardline conservative, has been the mastermind of Republican political strategy for much of the past decade and has since gained international infamy after refusing to interview, let alone admit, President Obama’s Supreme Court can-
Democrats and Progressives alike. Following the 2020 election, however, Democrats managed to both snag two crucial Senate seats and the Presidency following the largest election in American history. For the first time in half a century, Georgia voted blue in the presidential race while its Senate race resulted in a virtual tie, which in accordance to state law mandated a run-off election to be held the following January. The resulting run-off election became the central focus of both political parties for much of the past two months; a Republican victory in either seat would mean political deadlock for Joe Biden’s administration reminiscent of Obama’s
side the state’s north. By 4 a.m., Republican incumbents Kelley Loeffler and David Perdue, both staunch allies of Trump, had been ousted with 98 per cent of votes counted, leaving Jon Ossoff and Rev. Raphael Warnock as senator-elects. Rev. Warnock, himself a popular civil-rights leader and radical leftist, will be the first black senator in Georgia’s entire history. Now, with only two weeks left before Joe Biden is sworn in as the country’s 46th President, the Senate lies 50-50, with future Vice President Kamala Harris to serve as the tie-breaker. So, why the hell does all this matter? Well, for starters, the Georgia run-off ousts Senator
McConnell, arguably the fourth most-hated man on the planet behind ‘Dolan’ Trump, Tsar Vladimir Putin, Chinese leader and part-time ethnic cleanser Xi Jinping, from the Senate’s leadership, depriving Republicans of their greatest and last political bulwark and removing the largest roadblock for reformers to pass legislation. With control of all three branches of government, Democrats will finally be able to enact a mind-boggling amount of bills aimed at everything from infrastructure repair and economic relief, to wide-spread healthcare and Police reform, much of which has been placed on the backburner by McConnell’s Senate. For non-Americans, however, the most key changes will be America’s refocused efforts on battling the COVID-19 pandemic, a restrengthening of NATO in the face of authoritarian expansionists like Russia and China, and, perhaps most importantly, the U.S.’s return to the International Paris Climate Accord. With climate change steadily worsening across the globe while major powers such as Brazil and the United Kingdom continue to drag their heels, it is more important than ever that the USA, a global leader, finally act. So far, Joe Biden’s central focus seems fixed on climate reform, and his stated environmental policy, while no Green New Deal, will be the most radical undertaken by the federal government since 1972, when Nixon passed the Clean Water Act. Only time will tell whether Democrats will properly address the innumerable failings chipping away at its unofficial Empire; however, for now, thanks to Georgia voters, the future may finally hold some promise for us all. Consitution.net
Protest in front of the US Capitol
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Conversion therapy leads to lifelong trauma Canada banned practice in 2020
matt thompson news writer
“I had always found myself in an awkward position,” said Lia, whose name has been changed to protect her identity, referring to her family life, “It felt like there were two parts of me scratching against each other at all times. Part of me loved my family and my faith, but there
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“[B]ut at the same time there was always this tension underlying friction with it all [...] [an] unspoken act of judgment being passed on those [who my family and community] felt [were] unworthy.” It may be hard to imagine given the current landscape of gender politics and general public acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community, but just 13 years ago conversion therapy was an un-
developed countries, including Canada, have since passed legislation banning or restricting the practice, 30 U.S. states, China, and parts of Europe have no regulations against conversion therapy. In Canada, the federal government introduced legislation to ban conversion therapy for minors in October 2020. And while a majority (305) voted in favour, Saskatchewan MP Jeremy Patzer was one of seven MPs who voted
ing with their pastor, sent her to a conversion therapy camp in Indiana. “It was bizarre,” she said when describing the camp counsellors, “Some you could tell were just straight-up homophobes or bigots, but there were a few who felt genuinely supportive. They really cared about your well-being, your thoughts and feelings on this or that [...] they just happened to live in some fantasy world where being gay was tanta-
spiritual, too,” she said, rubbing her wooden cross necklace, “... [it] killed my faith, it warped my spirituality to something vile and twisted, and made me hate myself for ever believing. How could something proclaiming loving acceptance bring [someone like] me so much pain?” Lia left the camp after several months and was able to maintain a heterosexual façade until she escaped her community at age
In Canada, the federal government introduced legislation to ban conversion therapy for minors in October 2020. And while a majority (305) voted in favour, Saskatchewan MP Jeremy Patzer was one of seven MPs who voted against. – Matt Thompson
was also the part that recognized [their] hypocrisy [...] Why couldn’t my parents, my pastor, or ‘God’ just love and accept all of me?” Lia, a 28-year-old programmer originally from Pennsylvania, was born into a strict Pentecostal household. While describing her parents as, “essentially good people,” she noted from a young age their underlying contradictions. “We’d donate to charities, volunteer in the community, and help struggling families a lot,” she said.
questioned and accepted part of reality for many young and religious people in Canada and the United States. In this context, to be attracted to the opposite sex or identify as anything besides your assigned gender was, and still is, treated as a mental illness and result of grievous personal sins or wrongdoings. According to The Trevor Project, an organization dedicated to LGBTQ+ rights and suicide prevention, and lgbtmap. org, while most economically
Wikipedia Commons
A person in an ornate jacket waves a Pride flag .
against. The legislation bans conversion therapy for minors and for people who might be forced against their will, so groups can still attempt the harmful psychological practice on consenting adults. Halfway through our interview, Lia recalled her first attraction to girls, “It just felt normal to me. Honestly, I didn’t think much about it until a few years later. It just was.” At fifteen, Lia came out to her parents, who, after consult-
mount to murder.” Her descriptions of the camp ranged from humorously ironic anecdotes to moments of overbearing and frigidly cold abuse, “[I] was made to feel like some unholy contradiction [by the counsellors], which in hindsight was a complete inverse of reality.” Mental abuse tactics, such as isolation, verbal gaslighting, and passive ridicule, were daily routine. To Lia, however, the abuse went further. “[The abuse] was
18. After working odd jobs for two years, Lia was able to study Comp-Sci at Brown University, and has since left the Pentecostal faith and now attends a Unitarian church. She was one of the lucky ones, however. “I’m still in contact with others [from the camp]. Most moved on through changing communities and continued therapy, but there’s at least one guy [who’s] still indoctrinated. He’s married and everything, but it’s so clear to tell that [he is] unhappy.”
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editor: julia peterson aandc@carillonregina.com the carillon | MONTH ## - MONTH ##, 2020
Album review: evermore
Swift continues to deliver gorgeous, eerie, indie folk-inspired music
reese estwick staff writer On 11 December 2020, the queen herself – Taylor Swift – sent people all around the world on an emotional roller coaster with the release of her ninth studio album and second surprise album of the year, evermore. The album consists of 15 songs that are each beautifully crafted (obviously) and tell a number of stories full of emotions, following the stories of the characters Swift developed in folklore, as well as connecting listeners to the stories of new characters. And just as fans began to emotionally recover from the works of evermore, Swift dropped two bonus tracks, “right where you left me” and “it’s time to go” – again blowing the minds of millions. In another at-home, quarantine-based album production, Swift works, again, with Aaron Dessner, Jack Antonoff, and Justin Vernon, popularly known as Bon Iver – all who proved to have amazing musical chemistry with Swift through the works of folklore. The eerie, indie-folk, inspired sound demonstrated throughout folklore is still the foremost feature of evermore, but Swift and co-writers did not shy away from experimenting with new sounds and genres this go-around. The album starts with “willow,” a love song that you cannot help but bop your head along to. The mood this song sets provides the listener with just a small taste of what they are soon to experience with the rest of the album. With lyrics like, “Wait for the
Kate Thiessen
A phone and a pair of AirPods lie on a brown surface. The album cover for Taylore Swift’s evermore, a photo of Swift shot from behind wearing a french braid and a red plaid jacket as she stands in a clearing, is prominently featured on screen.
signal, and I’ll meet you after dark / Show me the places where the others gave you scars / Now this is an open-shut case / I guess I should’ve known from the look on your face / Every bait-and-switch was a work of art,” the listener is immediately connected to the chase and the outcome of the story – with Swift herself saying, “I think it sounds like casting a spell to make somebody fall in love with you.” Next on the album is “champagne problems,” a beautiful
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as to whose pains she is sharing. The next two tracks make it impossible for the audience not to want to get up and dance and/ or go for a drive and watch the sunset. Firstly, “gold rush” tells the story of the protagonist who falls for one who is widely sought after and jealous and resentful of others, yet eventually realizes the chase isn’t worth it – I think nearly everyone has been there at one point or another. Next, “’tis the damn season” (which tells the story of Dorothea,
story of a woman who has been faithful to her partner who does not show her the same respect, interest, and passion in return. “I know my love should be celebrated / But you tolerate it,” sings Swift. This song filled the oceans with the tears of fans across the world, as the feeling of being in love with someone who doesn’t love you is so painful. Like any other Swift album, after the first five tracks, I am in love, heartbroken, feel like a strong independent woman, and
evermore is a stunning collection of emotions and expressions. – Resse Estwick
ballad that paints a very colourful picture in the reader’s mind of the challenges presented in a relationship when one partner is struggling to be present in the relationship. Swift singing, “Your heart was glass, I dropped it / Champagne Problems.” “Champagne problems’’ is a phase that usually depicts something that feels very painful and difficult to an individual, yet in the grand scheme of the world is minute – although Swift sings lyrics that are painful and leave the audience guessing
which is the eighth track and tells the story from the other perspective) is about going back to your hometown for the holidays and feeling the urge to connect with your old love – again, an urge I am sure many can connect with. Swift knows there is something about being in your hometown that brings you back to high school and makes you crave the feelings of young love. Track five is the most painful, heart-wrenching song on each of Swift’s albums and “tolerate it” is no exception. The song tells the
for the rest of the album I just close my eyes and allow the words and melodies to fill my body and take over my emotions. Throughout the rest of the album, Swift has some upbeat songs that just can’t help but make you want to scream the lyrics in the car at midnight. In the intriguing country tune of “no body, no crime” Swift and HAIM tell the story of Este and her disappearance. “long story short” has an indie rock feel to it and discusses the poor reflection and treatment
Swift has faced in the media. In this song she dismisses those challenges and discusses her great successes and happiness she has found in her life now, making it one of the most empowering songs on the album. In “closure” Swift tells the story of a relationship which ended a long time ago and her ex-lover is writing her a letter looking for closure, to which she dismisses – again, making this a painful memory, yet so empowering. The album is also full of many slow, heart-wrenching songs that convey beautiful stories. “happiness” tells the story of a person dealing with a breakup and how they are coming to reconcile their emotions and realize that “there’ll be happiness after you / But there was happiness because of you.” “marjorie” is an ode to Swift’s grandmother and tells the story of her life; there are even her grandmother’s vocals on the track – beautiful. There are two duets on the album, “evermore” with Bon Iver and “coney island” with The National. The duets on evermore are so complimentary to the entire album and Swift’s vocals. All in all, evermore is a stunning collection of emotions and expressions that makes each listener feel so deeply connected and impacted by the melodies and lyrics. Taylor Swift, once again, proved that she is a true legend and that nothing will stop her from sharing stories with the world.
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Movie review: Wonder Woman 1984 Superhero sequel underwhelming, but still entertaining
florence hwang contributor Making a sequel to 2017’s critically-acclaimed Wonder Woman is a hard act to follow, but director Patty Jenkins certainly gave it her best shot. The first one was an origin film, explaining Diana Prince’s beginnings and journey to becoming the heroine she is known to be. Wonder Woman 1984 introduces her archrival, The Cheetah, and villain Max Lord. The opening scene of Wonder Woman 1984 shows Diana as a girl competing in a hotly-contested race against older Amazonian women in Themyscira. Prince is in the lead for most of the race, but her moment of cockiness nearly gets her eliminated. In the end, her quick thinking gets her back on her feet again, but her Aunt Antiope (played by Robin Wright) does not allow the young girl to win by cheating: a hard lesson about sticking to the truth. The idea of truth is also a major theme in the film. In the first film, Wonder Woman (played by Gal Gadot) faced off with the God of War, her half brother. In the sequel, she faces off with a new archrival, the Cheetah (played by Kristen Wiig) and has to contend with Max Lord (played by Pedro Pascal) in order to save the world. The sequel is set in the mid1980s, and the movie looks back on that era with an optimistic, carefree tone. Steve Trevor’s (played by Chris Pine) perspective on the ’80s after coming from the early 1900s also pokes some fun at the trends and fads of that era, such as the costumes, which were
Pixy
A stylized gold Wonder Woman emblem sits on a red background.
on point. Some of the fads are still cringe-worthy, including the big hair and shoulder pads and parachute pants (Trevor asks if everyone who wears these kinds of pants parachutes). There is a fun montage of him modeling different outfits displaying the fashion trends of that era. What was lacking was more era-appropriate music. While there were some famous tunes featured in the film, there could have been more. Music has the ability to transport people to almost any time and there is so much classic 80s music that would have made the film feel more authentic. (I suspect the lack of pop music from this time period may
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transformed. Lord wants power and success in his business while Minerva wants to be beautiful and more like Prince, who still looks ageless and stunning while saving the world. Lord is also trying to provide a good life for his son (I sense a theme going on with Pedro Pascal being cast as a parental figure, like he is to Baby Yoda in The Mandalorian). Wiig is portrayed as an awkward, brilliant zoologist who works with Diana at the Smithsonian Institute. Minerva has unkempt hair, glasses and unflattering, frumpy outfits: an attempt to make her seem like an unattractive outsider who is desperate to do anything to fit in. This
sion personality in the oil industry, but he is struggling to make bill payments and to keep his business, Black Gold Cooperative, afloat. His motto, “You can have it all” reflects the wealth and prosperity mentality in the 1980s when materialism was celebrated and something people wanted to ultimately achieve. This motto is central to the movie’s theme: to have everything you want comes at a cost. According to DC comics, Lord has telepathic persuasion, something which isn’t entirely made clear in the film. Now knowing that he has this ability, the film makes much more sense. There are differing origin stories for the Cheetah. According
To have everything you want comes at a cost. – Florence Hwang
have something to do with paying licensing fees.) However, the sets were done well, particularly the scene shot in the shopping mall with period appropriate décor and stores. I wish there was more backstory for the Cheetah and Max Lord. While villains don’t usually gain admiration or empathy from the audience, it would be nice to have some more depth to their character development to enrich the plot. Both Lord and Minerva are depicted as losers who want to be
portrayal is meant to underscore the drastic change she makes to become the villain. Minerva undergoes a makeover and goes shopping for new clothes. She also discovers her newfound powers and tests her limits by going to the gym. It was somewhat similar to Prince when she was discovering the outside world, like going shopping for clothes or eating her first ice cream cone. Likewise, Max Lord projects himself as a big shot on TV, but really, he is anything but. He appears to be successful as a televi-
to Wikipedia, she has “powerfully ferocious human-cheetah hybrids with great strength, agility, and deadly claws and fangs” which challenges Wonder Woman’s abilities. One of the explanations of where Minerva gets her powers is that with the help of a tribal priest named Chuma, the ancient plant god Urzkartaga’s caretaker. Minerva drinks a potion made of human blood and berries and leaves made from this ancient plant, which gives her the superpowers of a Cheetah. Max Lord’s backstory is shown later in the
film. Wonder Woman 1984 offers an alternative source for Wiig’s transformation. That’s all I’ll say. The first film Jenkins’ directed empowered women because it showed a demigod conquering entire German armies during the First World War. Prince is still a strong role model in the second film, but there is still the familiar trope that if a woman is to be successful, she must be smart, beautiful and fashionable. Minerva was already beautiful to begin with. However, it is still refreshing to see a female villain who can rival Wonder Woman’s prowess and strength. The relationship between Prince and Minerva seems rather rushed. And considering Minerva’s role as the main villain, there should have been more time spent in fleshing out this dynamic. It felt like Lord’s role was more of a major threat in the film than Minerva. Also, the characters seemed to be more two-dimensional than those of the first movie. Wonder Woman 1984 is a good film, but it had potential to be so much more. While this sequel wasn’t quite as good as the original, it still delivered on high entertainment value with its well-executed action sequences, quality acting and special effects. The special effects were outstanding, helping make the fight scenes jump off the screen. And there are the usual campy jokes throughout the film. Maybe because it is a comic book movie, I can overlook the two-dimensional characters and cheesy plot. It was still enjoyable to watch.
january 14 - 20, 2021
carillonregina.com | the carillon |
arts & culture
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Movie review: Soul
New Pixar movie highlights the tenderness and passions of life
gillian massie web writer
The newest Disney’s Pixar’s animated film, Soul, is a fantastic whimsical story about finding yourself by living a fulfilled life. After middle school band teacher Joe Gardner finds himself in the afterlife after a maintenance hole misfortune, he is determined to return his soul to his body with the help of sarcastic and problematic soul, 22. This is bound to be another one of Pixar’s classics. The hilarious and tender movie shows what it means to find your passions but never let them get in the way of living life to the fullest. Joe, who has big dreams of entertaining live audiences with his jazz music, finally gets his big break when he is invited to play with Dorothea Williams’ quartet. In a flurry of excitement, Joe stumbles down a manhole, launching him into the afterlife. Before he can fully enter the “Great Beyond,” he escapes to the “Great Before,” where unborn souls discover their passions to get their “Earth Passes” so they can begin their lives as humans. Joe, who is determined to return to Earth, steals identification to become a mentor for the unborn
souls to find their “spark” and is stuck with mischievous and stubborn soul 22. Joe and 22 concoct a scheme, so Joe can use 22’s “Earth Pass” to return to Earth before his performance that evening. However; in a turn of events involving Captain Moonwind, who helps lost souls in “The Zone,” Joe and 22 are transported to Earth where 22 inhabits Joe’s body – and Joe’s soul ends up inhabiting hospital therapy pet Mr. Mittens. On the instruction of Joe, they make attempts to switch Joe into his body and return 22 to the “Great Before” before Joe’s debut with the quartet. Eager to return to his body, Joe takes 22 on an adventure through the wondrous New York City, where 22 discovers that the human world is truly fantastic after all. Joe must choose to make the ultimate sacrifice to help his new friend or pursue his dream of performing with Dorothea and the rest of the quartet. The excellent cut sequences involving comedic quips add to the overlying plot before returning to Joe and 22’s adventure. The frantic adventure is followed by the terrific Jazz music that perfectly depicts the hustle and bustle of New York City. The movie paints a realistic
Wikipedia Commons
The title of Disney/Pixar’s “Soul,” in artistic blue and yellow letters, on a white background.
picture of many people’s fundamental challenges; deciphering your wants from your needs. Joe wants to pursue his passion for performance as a jazz musician but feels pressure from his mother to accept the full-time position as a teacher because it provides more stability. 22 is captivated by Joe’s life but faces insecurity
of starting her own life because it may not be as wonderful as his. In comparison, staying in the “Great Beyond” is a safe alternative. The deep plotline is gentle enough for young viewers but still has enough punch for audiences of all ages: find and enjoy your passions, but don’t let them get in the way of living your best
life. The scenic journey from the euphoric grounds of the “Great Before” to the compact streets of New York City shows the beauty of life before and after life’s adventure begins. As Joe learns in the movie, the soul should reflect your passions and your best interest to live.
Reading Malcolm Gladwell
Learning about productivity, lifestyle management, and social science one book at a time
hummad ali contributor
A little over four years ago, I moved to Canada. About six months before that, I got an email one morning, informing me that my application to study in a graduate program at the University of Regina Computer Science Department had been accepted, and I would be paid a scholarship to help support my study. Looking back, there are very few emails I have received that I found more terrifying. A graduate program is exactly what I wanted to do at that point in my life, but I also felt woefully unprepared. So I decided to use the six months or so I have before starting to prepare myself. Thus began an interest in reading about productivity and lifestyle management that I am still pursuing, and this is when I first read Malcolm Gladwell. Malcom Gladwell is the author of five bestselling books, and writes mostly about the counterintuitive implications of the social sciences apparent in the world around us. In his first book, The Tipping Point, for instance, he introduces the concept of social epidemics and how a few points in a network, called mavens or connectors, help spread any social trend to a degree far greater than expected. In more recent times, some of his claims in the book have been criticized, but it is still very interesting to read about. His next book, Blink, talked
about the concept of Thin Slicing, the notion that conclusions drawn from a high level intuitive approach often seem to be just as valid, or even more accurate, than expert analysis done over hours if not days. Gladwell mentions how psychology research on the likelihood of divorce reveals the ability to accurately assess the risk of a couple getting a divorce based on observing less than two minutes of interaction between them. Amusingly, and somewhat disturbingly, he also shares anecdotes on how his change in hairstyle resulted in his being stopped more often by law enforcement. Especially in the context of the past year, this is definitely food for thought. My favorite Gladwell book, which I read in those six months before moving to Regina, has to be Outliers. In it, Gladwell presents several examples of how immense personal drive, motivation, and time spent on self-development all play a role in shaping an expert. Gladwell himself says that his motivation for writing this book was a feeling that we have a very inadequate understanding of what goes into the notion of success in any field of work. This is also the book that popularized the concept of 10,000 hours of practice often mentioned in order to attain mastery. His fourth book, What the Dog Saw, is a collection of essays written for The New Yorker, with the underlying theme of seeing the world through the eyes of others. I have not yet read his
sixth book, which came out in late 2019 and is called Talking to Strangers. The last work by him I have read is David and Goliath, which as might be obvious from the name is about the struggle of underdogs.
Most works by Gladwell make bold claims and draw surprising conclusions. Personally, and at the risk of sounding immodest, I always finish a Gladwell book with a distinct feeling of having grown as a person as a result of reading
this book. He definitely makes me feel smarter. Thanks to doing this piece, I found out about his latest book. I hope many who are reading this will pick up his older titles. I would love to hear what you think!
A photo of Malcolm Gladwell, a Black man with curly hair wearing a button-down shirt and gray suit jacket, giving a talk. Wikipedia Commons
january 14 - 20, 2021
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arts & culture
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The portrait project What’s it like making art in a pandemic?
thomas gallagher contributor The Portrait Project, the latest work from the University of Regina Theatre Department, premiered on YouTube near the end of last semester. Envisioned by Kathryn Bracht, Theatre Department head, based on work she saw early in the pandemic, the idea was to have students choose a portrait and then write and perform a monologue based on it at home. And as a recent graduate of the U of R film program, I got to help theatre students learn about filmmaking and edit the piece, getting a first-hand taste of the strangeness, excitement and loneliness of making art in the middle of a pandemic. This isn’t the first time that the Theatre department has used technology to collaborate remotely. In 2018 the department collaborated with Hugo Solís, a sound artist and professor at Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana in Mexico City. After visiting the U of R in January of 2018, he continued to collaborate over zoom, attended rehearsals remotely, and performed music live from Mexico that was streamed into the Shu Box theatre during the run of Secrets from the Borne Settee in March of that year. The difference with this show is that everyone had to go remote, even the audience. Although we had experiences we could draw on to help make it work, none of us knew quite what to expect, so we had to define the process as we went. Even though the process of bringing a particular play to life is never exactly the same as for any
University of Regina Theatre Department
A theatre student at the University of Regina poses in profile in front of a mirror. The student is wearing a blue and yellow dress and a black ribbon necklace.
other, some elements are fundamental to creating theatre. Generally, rehearsal is one of them. Everyone gathers together in the same space to work out what the play is and how to communicate it to an audience. When you are in the studio together it’s easier to set aside your self doubt and trust in the process. Because we are in the middle of a pandemic being in the same room was not an option, so all of the students had to do their work from home, including their performances. Without an
logues, students learned about things like white balance, frame rates, and exposure. Chrystene Ells, a local filmmaker and sessional at the U of R, also gave an excellent crash course on visual storytelling (a topic she will be covering in greater depth in a class this January that you should definitely take if you have any interest in the subject). While students in the theatre department were busy with their monologues, students in Gerald Saul’s Film 412 class were also hard at work. Each student in the
pieces, backdrops, tripods, and lights. With materials in hand, each student was responsible for setting up and shooting their monologues using their phones. Whether filming in the corner of a small bedroom, having to work around the sounds of a roommate moving out, or having to film over multiple days to get the right light, that part of the project was complete by the beginning of November. The files were uploaded (or mailed when good internet wasn’t available), raw footage was edited for the
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But in spite of all the challenges and limitations, or more likely because of them, the end result came together in ways that none of us expected. – Thomas Gallagher
established blueprint for how that would work there was a chance that it might not. That was scary. There wasn’t much time to dwell on it though. The timeline was short. From the time they chose their portraits at the beginning of September, students had a little over a month to pull everything together, and a week or two to film. In the meantime, there was a lot to learn. The students involved came from many different disciplines, but no one had much experience with film. While they worked on writing their mono-
class was assigned one of the portraits and set about creating their own response to it in the form of a short experimental film. Without access to the equipment room, film students had to make do with the tools and resources they had access to at home. As the monologues neared completion, students on the theatre side were gathering the materials they needed to begin filming from whatever was available in their homes. The stage manager, Rachel Butt, also scheduled contactless pick-ups of additional material like some props, costume
monologues, and film students completed their experimental short films. Then came the task of editing the project together, which was my job. I started with the monologues, which, even though they were all part of the same project, was like editing thirteen separate short films. From all of the work created in isolation common themes emerged. Nathan Coppens, another graduate from the U of R, wrote and performed music that further tied everything together. The work everyone did reflects what is happening now.
Themes of COVID and all that has come with it are woven into the piece along with stories and ideas inspired by the portraits themselves. Creativity unhindered by restraint can sometimes fail to find focus, purpose, and ultimately meaning. We had many restraints to work within, and none of us were certain what we would have or whether it would all work together. But in spite of all the challenges and limitations, or more likely because of them, the end result came together in ways that none of us expected. The pieces everyone worked on in isolation became something more when connected. I sat down to watch the show with my mother when it premiered on YouTube two weeks ago, along with a hundred or so other viewers that had tuned in for the first showing. Even though I had seen parts of it hundreds of times as I worked on the edit it felt like I was seeing it for the first time. I felt many of the feelings I have experienced throughout the pandemic reflected back at me, and for a moment it felt like I was experiencing those feelings with an audience that was bigger than just the people in my house. In that moment, I felt a little less lonely. You can watch the show now on YouTube (https://youtu.be/ dg9kbN2T7sM). You can also read more about the project, and what is next at www.portraitproject.ca
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editor: ethan butterfield sports@carillonregina.com the carillon | january 14 - 20, 2021
Remembering William Mansbridge-Goldie A tragic loss
ethan butterfield sports editor [CW: The following article may be emotionally distressing for readers given the very delicate subject matter. Please take care when reading.] During the winter break, the life of University of Regina student and athlete William Mansbridge-Goldie was tragically lost. Born September 7, 2000, Mansbridge-Goldie was 20 years old at the time of his passing. Mansbridge-Goldie’s passing was met with sincere words and heartfelt prayers from his family, saying: “With deepest sorrow and broken hearts we announce the sudden death of our beautiful boy. William was immensely beloved and filled our lives with his kind, gentle, loving, funny sweetness. He will be forever held and fiercely missed by his parents; his siblings and best friends ... Our beautiful boy is infinite love now.” The U of R Cougars Track and Field and Cross Country team, via Twitter on January 6, also sent out a wholesome message with regards to Mansbridge-Goldie. “Last week we celebrated the life of our teammate William Mansbridge-Goldie, who passed away just before Christmas. William was a Luther College stu-
U of R Courgars Track and Field (Twitter)
William Mansbridge-Goldie
dent, a talented jumper, and a wonderful person. Our hearts and prayers continue to be with William’s family and his many friends.” Lisa Robertson, Director of Sport, Community Engagement & Athlete Development, provided her condolences regarding William’s passing in the statement
below: “Losing one of our student athletes unexpectedly has been incredibly difficult. I have spoken to his family to offer sincere condolences, and relayed to them what a wonderful person William was. He will be missed dearly by coaches, friends, classmates, and teammates.”
Robertson offered constructive reassurance and support for those who may be struggling through this trying time: “As a University community, we must lean on each other through difficult times. We have had many conversations with staff and students within varsity athletics to provide needed support,
and University of Regina Counselling Services offered support to assist anyone on our campus who has been impacted by this tragedy.” Though William’s passing is deeply tragic, the love and affection on display is a testament to his kind character and class.
Winter activities during COVID Recreation with restrictions
sarah nakonechny sports writer
As the weather gets cold and all of us are tucked inside trying to stay warm, many may be trying to come up with ways to stay active throughout these frigid months. There are the classic activities that everyone knows, ones that we can do with those who are close to us and ones that we can do as individuals. Whatever you choose to do, remember to bundle up and stay warm. One of the first activities that comes to mind is skating. With outdoor rinks remaining open and COVID restrictions still in everyone’s mind, one can go and spend some time with friends and family in a new environment. This breath of fresh air can be refreshing (Editor’s Note: no pun intended?) for those of us who have been spending long hours indoors. Whether your skating activities take the form of small hockey groups, ringette games, or figure skating, this is something that is easy to do with very little cost. There are countless outdoor rinks that are available across the city or you can sign up to try your hand at Mosaic stadium on
the makeshift rink that they have made. Enjoy the time spent sipping hot chocolate beside the rink or watching your family fall and struggle to get up. Either way there is something in it for the whole family. If skating is not your thing, you may be interested in trying out skiing or snowboarding this season. As the snow gently falls over our beautiful province, it allows for great conditions for both skiing or snowboarding. Looking for a more controlled pace? Maybe cross country skiing is more your speed. Having the ability to go at your own pace and not having gravity forcefully help you can give you the time that you need to get your ski legs before you try something more intense. If speed is what you are after, then downhill skiing or snowboarding may be more your style. Even though we inhabit a fairly flat province, believe me when I say there are still places here that you give it a whirl. Not looking for something as mainstream? Why not give snowshoeing a try? We may not be able to walk on water, but walking on a variation of that frozen water is pretty close. Snowshoeing is something that many individuals
have never had an opportunity to try and most likely would not have had time to prior to COVID. This is something that requires decent balance and the taste for a simpler, quieter activity. Unlike the previously mentioned activities that can cause one to feel a rush of adrenaline, snowshoeing allows one to take the time to appreciate the nature surrounding them and to become connected to their own experience. If you have gotten this far and still do not feel inspired to bundle up and hit the outdoors stick with us, we will find something for you. Next up is for all you fishing lovers. I know you miss going out on the boat, being on the calm water while listening to your old man tell you about the time his dad took him fishing. Well now you can experience all of that but in frozen form! Welcome to the world of ice fishing, my friend. Instead of a boat you get a little shack, instead of calm waters you get ice with a hole cut through it. If you were worried that this does not sound like the same thing, never fear, your old man’s stories will still be there. You can enjoy chatting with your family, eating the sandwiches that your mom packed along with the extra cook-
ie that she snuck in there just for you. Finally, if you are looking for something that does not involve the cold and allows you to stay inside you can always give yoga a try. There are tons of videos online that can lead you through various sequences allowing you to still enjoy some movement while staying warm and improving your overall fitness. This is something that does not require a ton of space and can be done easily all
hours of the day. Whether you are a night owl or an early riser this is something that you can do at all hours of the day. Whether you embrace the cold or would rather stay warm inside there are plenty of activities that will keep you moving throughout this frigid season. No matter how you choose to keep yourself active, remember to keep health precautions in mind when making your plans. Stay healthy in your activities.
Kelli McClintock via Unsplash
A pair of skates on a frozen pond.
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sports
Women in sports: J’Lynn Aquin Looking into the fine art of dance (and ringette) sarah nakonechny sports writer Committing yourself to a sport is something that takes a lot of time, effort and discipline to be able to do well. As well, it is something that most people are not capable of doing. J’Lynn Aquin is not like most people. She has dedicated many hours of her time not only to the competitive world of ringette but also to the beautiful world of Ukrainian dancing. Not only does she dedicate time to
her to connect closer with her cultural heritage. Both of her grandmothers are Ukrainian which has allowed her to grow closer to them along with giving her an opportunity to bond with her cousins who also participated in the sport. She currently dances with the Zabutnyy Dance Company in the ensemble which consists of the more experienced individuals. Rehearsals occur twice a week for 5 hours in total which consist of barre and corner warmups before moving into cho-
asked to perform on 2 different occasions at Canada’s National Ukrainian Festival that takes place in Dauphin Montreal. It is an impressive accomplishment for herself and the rest of the ensemble as they were invited back as their first appearance had made such a powerful impact on those who were present. Not only were they invited to perform in Quebec, but they were also able to perform in Ukraine during the August of 2019. Aquin and the rest of her ensemble had the opportunity to
for games. Although a lot for one person to manage with her dance schedule she was able to do it and enjoyed doing so for about four years. When she first started she had no idea how to skate but was motivated by her peers to keep pushing herself to improve. By participating in camps and practicing on her own she was able to improve her skills immensely to where she could compete at a highly competitive level. This brought her great joy and feelings of pride as she started later than
Alberta and British Columbia where her teams placed second each time. She has been able to accomplish great things as a player and also during her time as a referee. In her second year reffing she was recognized by the senior referees and was named the Reffing Official of the Year. As someone who was still considered new to reffing this is an enormous accomplishment. Although both of these sports are different in their presentation, both hold equal importance in
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It is truly impressive everything she has been able to accomplish and with such a high level of execution and dedication. – Sarah Nakonechny
both of these uniquely different sports she also has to maintain a balance with the majors she is currently working through in French and Francophone Intercultural Studies. The time management, dedication and motivation that it takes to be able to keep on top of such demanding tasks is truly astounding. What has kept Aquin going all these years is the joy and pride that she can feel both on the ice and up on stage, which has led to many unique opportunities that would have otherwise never presented themselves. 16 years ago, Aquin began Ukrainian dancing as it helped
reography and techniques. Often they spend their time preparing for performances that occur at Mosaic, Christmas along with an assortment of other events like weddings. On top of spending her time dancing, she was also a dance instructor in Wishart for a year, instructoring individuals aged 3 to 17. Teaching was something that she adored and would have continued doing so if she would not have moved to Quebec for work. Throughout her time as a dancer, Aquin has been able to accomplish some very impressive things. Her ensemble has been
travel throughout the Western part of Ukraine and performed in several different cities at countless events and festivals. This opportunity is one that Aquin will be able to carry with her for the rest of her life. When she is away from the stage, Aquin can be found on the ice and has been donning skates for the last 12 years. Currently she competes in an Open B league, participating in games and no longer needing to chisel out time for practices. Previously she played in an A league where she was required to practice on the ice and in the gym to prepare
most of the individuals her age. If this was not impressive enough she has also successfully been refereeing in the sport for the past seven years as well. It is truly impressive everything she has been able to accomplish and with such a high level of execution and dedication. Aquin has been able to achieve impressive accomplishments throughout her ringette career as well.The earliest and most prominent was her ability to make an A team for multiple years. As a result she was able to go to Westerns on two separate occasions, competing in both
Aquin’s life. They allowed her to learn effective time management, showed her the importance of hardwork and put dedication into the things that are important to her (along with showing her the value that athletics can add to one’s life). Aquin wishes to tell everyone that if athletics is something that is important to you, do not let it go. No matter what form your passion for athletics takes hold onto it for as long as you can. You will miss it more than you realize when you can no longer take part in it. Soak it all in and give it your all for as long as possible. Dreamstime
Ukrianian dancers performing
january 14 - 20, 2021
sports
carillonregina.com | the carillon |
13
The NFL playoff picture Wrapping up Super Wildcard Weekend
ethan butterfield sports editor The emergence of the NFL playoffs during the winter semester break brings a new excitement to the game of football that the regular season just can’t. As of now, the Super Wildcard Weekend has reached its end and the Divisional Round of these playoffs are set. All eyes in the Divisional Round will certainly be looking towards the Super Bowl, which this year will be hosted in Tampa Bay, Florida in what I can only assume is the hand of fate leading Tom Brady back to the big one. Before looking at the Divisional Round though, let’s look at this Super Wildcard Weekend’s results and see what the future may hold for the winning teams. So yes, Super Wildcard Weekend this year had its fair share of upsets and blowouts. One that immediately comes to this editor’s mind is the sixth-ranked Los Angeles Rams’ win against the third ranked Seattle Seahawks. This game (on top of showing quarterback (QB) Jared Goff’s toughness regarding his thumb injury) put the Rams defense on full display as they held the Seahawks throughout the entire game. A solid feat to be sure given QB Russell Wilson’s versatility as a passer and the dynamic offense line that he has to work with. The Rams, given their win, will be heading to take on the Green Bay Packers and the red-hot veteran Aaron Rodgers. For those looking
Ethan Butterfield
I can’t wait for this to be completely wrong.
forward to the game, expect the classic match-up of unstoppable force and immovable object. The next team to look into is that of the Baltimore Ravens, who earned a big wildcard win against the Tennessee Titans. One reason it’s big is due to the alleviating of criticism from QB Lamar Jackson during playoff time. It also showed the skill of the Ravens’ run defence as they were able to hold off two-time (2019, 2020) NFL leading rusher Derrick Henry. With their win, Baltimore heads towards the Buffalo Bills, where an all-out offensive-based
ple of touchdowns (TDs) in the game) is now officially the oldest player to throw a TD in the NFL postseason. However, aside from the usual Brady performance, an unusually stunning performance from one Taylor Heinicke could not be denied. Stepping in for veteran Alex Smith, Taylor Heinicke almost pulled an upset against the Buccaneers as he fought tooth and nail. As far as other performances, rookie defensive end Chase Young (who’s been in the “solid rookie” talks along with Justin Herbert and others) wasn’t able to bring the necessary im-
about to discuss, I’m just going to be direct. The Cleveland Browns won. Let me write that again, the Cleveland Browns have won in the playoffs. This is their first road playoff win since 1969. Again, Let me write, this is their first road playoff win since 1969. That is absolutely bonkers. Do you know what the number one song at the end of 1969 was? “Sugar, Sugar” by the Archies. Useless music knowledge aside, despite this massive milestone win, Cleveland now moves on to play against the defending Super Bowl champions in Kansas
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Do you know what the number one song at the end of 1969 was? ‘Sugar, Sugar’ by the Archies. – Ethan Butterfield
game awaits. If Baltimore wants to keep their winning ways going, they’ll need to work the clock and keep QB Josh Allen off the field (fairly basic stuff all in all). Unsurprisingly, Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (TB to TB as my friends and I once referred to them as) take care of business against the Washington Football Team and move on in the playoffs. On top of the win, Tom Brady (throwing a cou-
pact against the Buccaneers offense. Moving forward though, ‘TB and TB’ will be taking on the New Orlean Saints in the divisional round. Given that QB Drew Brees and the Saints blew out Brady and the Buccaneers twice during the regular season, this should be one for the record books. Now, as amazing as it would be to try and figure out a clever segue into the next game I’m
City. Although not impossible, it’s certainly an uphill battle for this scrappy team. Assuming runningback’s (RB) Kareem Hunt and Nick Chubb are able to keep being productive with the football (as well as wide-reciever (WR) Jarvis Landry), it’s fair to believe that Cleveland has a real shot. Next is the New Orlean Saints and their win against the Chicago Bears. I don’t think anybody really expected Chicago to
come out on top in this one (as amazing as that would’ve been). Although it was a good defensive match-up, Drew Brees and the Saints went in, got the job done, and left. As I mentioned earlier on, the Saints will take on Tampa Bay in what will sure to be a thrilling conclusion to the ‘Brees versus Brady’ saga of the regular season. Moving on to the final Super Wildcard Weekend game, we look at the Buffalo Bills win over the Indianapolis Colts. Now, going into this game I didn’t think it was going to be as close as it was, but sure enough it was that close. The Colts were literally one big play away from moving on to the next stage of the NFL playoffs, but they just couldn’t bring it. This brings a lot to the table in terms of analysis. It shows that while, yes, the Bills can win in big pressure situations, it also shows just how different the playoffs are for some teams. The Bills will need to find themselves more grounded in reality if they hope to beat the Baltimore Ravens. Well, there you have it. Oh, and if you (the reader) are wondering why my Super Bowl Challenge bracket is the main picture for the article, it’s because nothing is more humbling than being completely wrong in your sporting predictions. That being said, go Packers (please?).
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sports
An update on the good ol’ hockey game. Recreation with restrictions
ethan butterfield sports editor As we roll into the new year, there now emerges loads of hockey related news to catch up on, both past and fast-approaching. Whether it’s the World Juniors, the announcement of the WHL season, or the upcoming NHL season, there’s certainly no shortage of items to discuss. Of course, we also have to keep in mind the impact COVID-19 is still having on everything sports related. Just because it’s a new year, doesn’t mean that the board gets reset. With that being said, let’s dive into the first of the aforementioned topics, the World Juniors.
WikiipediacCommons
A hockey stick and puck on some well-used ice.
realm of ice hockey, I personally find it to be absolute madness that in over four decades of World Juniors, Canada has only now been shut out. Craziness, just craziness. This aside, this gold medal win is the fifth overall from the United States. The silver medal would be Canada’s tenth as a country, and the bronze would go to Finland (which would be their seventh). It’s worth mentioning that FInland also had an impressive showing at the World Juniors, knocking off Russia, 4-1, to obtain the bronze. As mentioned a bit earlier though, team Canada steamroll-
will be playing for the Chicago Blackhawks when he does return. WHL: Moving away from the World Juniors, we now approach the WHL. Recent news regarding the new season was released via the organization, who stated that each team will play 24 games in total if health authorities approve. This, of course, being due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While the possibility of a new WHL season may come as welcome news to some, it is also questionable given the health risks involved. NHL:
States border to local limits on gatherings, and the coronavirus situation in each of the markets for the 31 NHL teams. The agreement includes health and safety protocols.” For those curious: all Canadian teams within the the NHL’s North Division can be found just below: The Canadiens, Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers, Ottawa Senators, Toronto Maple Leafs, Vancouver Canucks and Winnipeg Jets. Some, including Winnipeg Jets coach Paul Maurice, are excited for what’s to come with the
NHL’s return also marks possible health risks for teams and staff members. In fact, before this season even started, the Dallas Stars were subject to a large number of COVID-19 related cases. According to the Dallas Morning News, the Stars were forced to cancel practice for COVID-19 on Friday after six players and two staff members tested positive for the virus. The team will now have the start of their season delayed to at least Jan. 19 as a result. Considering the cases and drastic issues that could arise, it may be within the NHL’s best in-
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I personally find it to be absolute madness that in over four decades of World Juniors, Canada has only now been shut out. – Ethan Butterfield
The World Juniors: In what was a shocking gold medal game, especially considering Canada’s steamrolling wins on the way to the gold medal, the United States pulled out all the stops (and made all of them too) by beating Canada in the finals, 2-0. Interestingly enough, since the World Juniors tournament officially began in 1977, Canada has never been shut out in a gold medal game. Although not that hard to believe given Canada’s proficiency within the
ed their way through most of the tournament (see their 16-2 win against Germany as the prime example). However, before the tournament began, Canada lost their captain (Kirby Dach of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan) to a terrible wrist injury. Despite this loss, Canada still got as far as they did in the Tournament which is fairly impressive considering. For those interested in continuing to follow the Saskatchewan stars journey into NHL, Dach will unfortunately miss the opening of his NHL career, but
Next, let’s look at the upcoming NHL season. The season (at the time of writing) is set to get going on January 13 and features a total of 56 games. One of the most interesting things to look forward to for Canadians hockey fans, is the Canadian Division that will be established. According to the NHL website, this was done to comply with government issued COVID-based regulations. “The NHL and NHLPA have had to adjust to government regulations at all levels, from restrictions at the Canada-United
division. Maurice’s shared his thoughts with the official NHL website: “I think it’s just going to be awesome,” Jets coach Paul Maurice said earlier this month. “It’s going to be way over the top because the Canadian media, all the websites, all the talk will be about the Canadian teams. I think it’s also great for the Canadian teams in that it’s going to be a little bit old-school, that it’s going to be just about us. There will be a vibe to that that’s awesome.” Much like the WHL, the
terest to either delay or cancel the season for the health and safety of it’s players and staff. With that all being said, whether it be the World Juniors, the WHL, or the NHL, ice hockey is certainly making waves in the sports world. In order to keep making waves, the biggest thing for ice hockey to accomplish is maintaining the excellent quality of health and safety so that the sport can be performed in an environment that is free of infection.
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editor: marty grande-sherbert op-ed@carillonregina.com the carillon | january 14 - 20, 2021
On COVID-19 and freedom
In a pandemic, personal freedom means personal responsibility
Wikimedia Commons
Two masked individuals walk past eachother in a produce aisle.
We are nearing a year of the pandemic, and the associated lockdown, in Saskatchewan. After seemingly having the situation under control and avoiding the worst for pretty much all of summer, things have been going progressively downhill since the beginning of winter. We moved from a time of cases in the single-digits to double- and triple-digits, and more recently, there have been single-digit deaths due to COVID-19 nearly every day. A lot of rules and protocols are being put in place in connection to social distancing, masks and other appropriate measures. While the numbers and the trends have not been unequivocally
probably get a fishing license next summer. Where and how are they drawing the line of what is meaningful regulation, and what is fascism? A little aside here: having grown up in certain other parts of the world, I know fascism when I see it. It usually does not start with public health directives. For the first three months after March’s quarantine, I did not step outside at all. Food and groceries can be delivered. Work was being done from home. Social visits would have been nice, but the possibility of getting infected, or worse, infecting a loved one, with a novel virus does take away from the experience. I have to concede that it
Saskatchewan, though, some people seem to be missing this issue. This is an extremely contagious virus that will probably infect everyone in due course. However, all we are hoping to do is to contain the number of people who have this virus simultaneously. Back in my home country, hospitals are having to choose which of two patients should get the last ventilator. We owe it to our healthcare workers to spare them such a decision whenever possible. I think we as a society have glorified freedom at all costs too much, without thinking of the consequences. Freedom is not doing whatever I want to, freedom is
parent. If the unwillingness to pay that cost for the sake of absolute freedom makes me a sheep, better a sheep than someone who values their own need to party more than someone else’s right to not die. In a perfect world, there should have been better information and awareness. We do not live in a perfect world, but the time really has come for authorities to take a stronger stance. We are soon approaching the two week mark since the holidays, and who knows what sort of spike in numbers we might see thanks to all those who disregarded health orders. However, this will not be the last pandemic. We need to do
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Freedom is not doing whatever I want to, freedom is doing what I ought to do. My desire for the freedom to socialize cannot be allowed to infringe on my Uber driver’s freedom to not fall sick. – Hammad Ali
bad, even my unbridled optimism finds it hard to focus on the silver lining. There is little point in playing a blame game, but there are definitely causes for concern when it comes to the level of compliance with public health orders. Every now and then, while driving past Hill Avenue, I see people protesting the public health order about masks. Many of my friends respond to this sight with anger or frustration. I respond with curiosity. These people drove in a vehicle which is registered with SGI, put on a seatbelt, drove within the speed limit, paid taxes, and will
was mentally stressful, but I have faith in science and the advice of scientists. Furthermore, there is enough evidence available on past pandemics to show that social distancing and lockdown was the way to go. Would this eradicate the virus? Of course not. I guess that point should really have been clarified better. Our goal, from the very beginning, was to merely slow down the rate of spread, so that our healthcare systems are not so overwhelmed that they have to choose which people to try and save. Even in early March, Italy had already reached that point. Even today in
doing what I ought to do. My desire for the freedom to socialize cannot be allowed to infringe on my Uber driver’s freedom to not fall sick. I remember reading something once that has stayed with me for decades: the freedom to play the piano comes only to those who gave up hours of freedom to take piano lessons. We find ourselves in a situation where every argument can be made about how we want to socialize, meet people, and not wear a mask. But it will come with the knowledge that we might be spreading a virus which may well lie undetected in us, but kill a grand-
the long term work to make sure people understand the concept of public safety, and the notion that science has evidence-based claims which we only ignore at our own peril. As some experts have started telling us already, we are not past this pandemic. But we have been fortunate in that covid has a low fatality rate. The next one might be more deadly, and we do not want to be caught debating the right to not wear a mask or go see family.
hammad ali contributor
op-ed
january 14 - 20, 2021
carillonregina.com | the carillon |
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COVID holidays 2020
Holidays in quarantine were tough, especially with those who barely changed
Pixabay
A red, COVID-19 cell shaped ornament hanging on a Christmas tree.
2020 looked very different than any other year, and the holiday season was no exception. We weren’t able to gather with loved ones, most shopping took place online, Zoom calls were with grandparents who couldn’t figure out how to turn their microphone and camera on, and sadly, for many it was the first holiday season without a loved one who had passed. The COVID holidays were drastically different than in other years – yet for some reason, many people forgot that we are in the middle of a global pandemic, and decided that gatherings and parties were totally acceptable. Hint: they were absolutely not acceptable. For me and my family, we have been
“ staying home since September, only leaving the house for medical appointments, groceries, and when we go on walks. Quarantine is trying, draining, and very lonely at times, especially during the holiday season when we are used to being around my other siblings and extended family. Even so, we concluded that following the rules set out by the province to not meet up with anyone from outside our household, and doing all of the things to help end the spread of this virus, was the smartest decision – unfortunately, I witnessed many other people not
doing the same. Seeing the Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat posts of people gathering in large groups for parties and/or gatherings was and is extremely frustrating to me. I am doing all of the difficult things to help keep others and their families safe, yet many people are not returning that courtesy and respect to me. I understand how heartbreaking it is to not see your family — I have not seen my sisters in over a year – but it is a simple matter of dealing with the emotions that come with being away from the people you love most. We do this in the present so that in the future we can all be together “normally.” I have had many conversations with
ment tell me when I can and cannot see my family and friends” – these responses demonstrate a painful level of ignorance and disregard. Alongside many individuals who made poor decisions (in my opinion) over the holiday season, I would argue that many politicians and leaders failed the people by not following their own rules, as well as not putting tight enough restrictions on the people, which made it possible for them to gather behind closed doors and act as though this holiday is no different than any other year. Throughout the province there are many non-essential businesses open, which I think is completely unnecessary and is not
make a statement telling those participating in anti-mask rallies that they really need to stop gathering in large groups without masks on. The Premier has continued to send mixed messages to the people about the need for masks in public spaces and again, leaving space for debate, as he when spotted without a mask indoors said he was “properly distanced.” How does that response encourage people in Saskatchewan to always wear a mask indoors, if they can just get out of it by saying “I was properly distanced”? Dr. Ryan Meili, leader of the NDP, has much more clearly stated the importance of mask-wearing indoors, yet he has also been spotted indoors “properly distanced” without a mask on – so what
If people do not start following [the rules], we’d all better start preparing for COVID holidays 2021. – Reese Estwick people about their choices to break the rules, and I cannot recall one time where I was met with an approach of understanding and growth. The people choosing to put themselves, their families, their friends, and the greater community at risk are acting selfishly, and very apparently do not care about the wellbeing of others. When I would mention to others that they need to be wearing a mask or that they are legally not allowed to be gathering, I often received responses such as “none of us are sick” and/or “I won’t let the govern-
helping in the effort to stop the spread of COVID-19. Allowing people to go shopping for the holidays and get anything other than the bare necessities is extremely irresponsible on behalf of those in charge. The Saskatchewan government has not taken this pandemic seriously enough, and that is reflected in high case numbers and a large number of anti-mask rallies across the province. Premier Scott Moe was spotted not wearing a mask, while “appropriately distanced” in a store, and he has failed to
message are the politicians and leaders in Saskatchewan sending to the people? This holiday season was different to say the least, and if the government does not implement stricter guidelines while people follow precautions, we’d all better start preparing for COVID holidays 2021. Be safe, stay home, wear a mask, and be kind.
reese estwick staff writer
january 14 - 20, 2021
carillonregina.com | the carillon |
op-ed
17
Who takes advantage of the system?
In light of the Canadian income gap, it’s not the working poor
Pixnio
Hand grazing overbundles of $100 bills stacked in a black briefcase.
Folks, make sure you’re sitting down for this news, because it’s quite the doozy. On January 4, while mindlessly scrolling through Facebook, I was ambushed by the headline of a Narcity article: “Canada’s Top CEOs Will Earn an Average Worker’s Yearly Salary Before Noon Today.” It was published shortly after noon on the fourth, mere hours after the “yearly salary earnings” actually took place. The piece cites the report “CEO compensation in Canada,” by David Macdonald at the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives. It was written using data “from the mandatory disclosure of pay for the Named Executive Officers (NEO) of public Canadian companies, (which are) generally the five highest paid people in a company […] The list does not include chief operating or chief financial officers, of which there are several that would otherwise make the list.” Essentially, it’s a top-100 list of Canada’s highest-paid CEOs. The average wage of people on that list was $10,800,000 in 2019 (2020 averages have yet to be reported). For a fun little comparison exercise, the Canadian average individual income in that same year was $53,482, which the average top-100 CEO made by 11:17am on the fourth. Let’s do a little more math to make sure you really understand the income gap here. One top-100 CEO’s 10.8 million dollar salary could pay for just over 200 average individuals’ salaries. But this isn’t a list of one, it’s a list of one hundred who collectively earned roughly $1,080,000,000 in 2019. One hundred people in Canada earned enough money in 2019 to pay the average wage of over 20,000 people. To help you visualize that amount of people, that’s the population of Swift Current plus
about half of Yorkton. That truly and deeply pisses me off, and I have a handful of reasons for feeling that way. To start, I want to talk about the fact that one of the reasons money has value is that there’s only so much of it to go around. Countries can’t just make more bills and coins whenever they want to because the more of it there is, the less it’s actually worth. That’s pretty common knowledge - it makes sense that money is worth something because it’s difficult to get. Being that there’s only so much to go around, one individual taking that much as their share directly deprives many more people of that resource. A handful of people deciding they deserve the compensation of 200 people in a single year means that
annual salary would seem like nothing to the CEO. Because to them it really is nothing, seeing as they can receive that much income from half a week’s work. The Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development defines middle-class as those earning between 75 per cent and 200 per cent of a median household income, which according to Statistics Canada in 2019 was within the span of $45,000-$120,000. What’s most disturbing to me here is that the gap between middle-class and extreme wealth is to the degree that our average is half a per cent of the income of the most wealthy, but the gap between the average income and the poverty line is terrifyingly small in comparison.
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The idea that those in poverty could ‘take advantage of the system’ has been around as long as poverty has. – Holly Worby
that money is not around to go to the people who it’d actually make a difference for. I say “make a difference” because for the people who have multi-million dollar annual salaries, the $50K made by an average Canadian would have virtually no impact on their year since $50,000 is half of a per cent of their average annual salary. For comparison, that same percentage of the average Canadian’s annual salary would be roughly $270. The income gap from your average Canadian to the top-100 CEO is large enough that the average Canadian’s
I remember back when I hit middle school and began to be included in some of the more “adult” conversations; I witnessed the generation that raised myself and my peers get wound up to near-aggression, talking about “all those poor people taking advantage of the system and driving up what us hard working folk pay in taxes so they can sit around.” The idea that those in poverty could “take advantage of the system” has been around as long as poverty has, and it is one of the most disgusting uses of victim-blaming mentality that I’ve seen.
The narrative that demonizes those under the poverty line for something out of their control ignores factors like institutionalized racism, generational trauma, physical and mental disabilities, and systemic issues that have been in place for centuries. That narrative tells individuals with a low income that if they just worked harder they’d be able to pull themselves out of that situation, that anyone can become wealthy if they put in the effort, but how true is that when there’s only so much income to go around and the average Canadian income is half of a per cent of what the wealthy earn? How true is that when the people at the top can earn the income of over 200 people in just one year, which would expand to the income of a thousand over five years when an average individual would have only made the income of one? I understand that without these CEOs to run the companies there would be far less work for average Canadians, but it is just as true that without the average Canadian these CEOs would have no employees, business, or income because no one would be doing the lower-level work for them. In this system each is essential for the other, and should be treated as such. Here’s one last fact for you. In Macdonald’s report, he states that rather than taking a personal pay cut or going without their bonuses, over 1/3 of the CEOs on the top-100 list applied for and received government assistance during the pandemic last year to pay for their employees wages. Tell me again, who’s taking advantage of the system?
holly worby staff writer
january 14 - 20, 2021
carillonregina.com | the carillon |18
op-ed
Trump’s alt-right supporters are found here, too He should be impeached, but canada isn’t off the hook gillian massie web writer Trump has proven time and time again that he is not fit to be the commander-in-chief of the United States. The attack on Capitol Hill by his supporters, an attack that he incited through his tweets and addresses, shows it is time that he is officially impeached by the Senate and removed from office. The events that unfolded in Washington happened after Trump continued to promote false allegations of election fraud. He encouraged supporters to go to Capitol Hill to fight against election results, and his speech encouraged violence. White supremacist groups such as the Proud Boys follow Trump’s commands and whims, driven by oppressive ideals. The Three Percenters, an anti-government organization, were also present at the seige – they support Trump for his anti-immigration policies, for his Islamophobia, and for his open hatred of the political left. Swastikas, confederate flags, and the flag of “Kekistan” which is an alt-right symbol originating on internet spaces like 4chan, all appeared at the siege. In other words, it was a gathering of the far-right. The internet has been out in
full force since the event, making mocking posts and jokes about the Trump supporters bombarding the building. The remarkable difference in response, from the heavily violent policing during Black Lives Matter Protests to the recent mob being allowed easy access into the United States Capitol, shows where the government’s loyalties lie. Those involved in the BLM protests are pointing to the insurrection as another instance of white supremacist anger prioritized over Black people’s human rights. Many Canadians have demonstrated their relief that we live away from the corrupt American policing system, but they forget that white supremacism, racism, and the same “alt-right” we saw at the Capitol are deeply ingrained within Canadian ideals and policing. Only a few months ago, as a recent example, a horrific fire in Halifax destroyed a Mi’kmaq lobster fishery – an event suspected to be an arson. Ongoing disputes between commercial fisheries and Mi’kmaq fisheries have been clashing for months. Harsh criticisms of the RCMP’s reaction to the fire and handling procedures have been under fire ever since the incident. Policing systems are not only corrupt in the United States, but in Canada as well.
Wikipedia Commons
In the foreground, a man waves an American flag. Behind him, a crowd gathers around the Capitol Hill building in Washington.
Canadian hate groups are often overshadowed by Canada’s stereotype of being polite, which conceals the hatred and bigotry that exists here. Underestimating the power of a group of ignorant people was what led to the events that occurred on Capitol Hill, where the perpetrators of the siege were not taken seriously either. We need to be on the lookout for similar events. Support for Trump was even active in various Canadian cities such as Toronto, Vancouver, and Calgary on the same day as the siege.
The riots occurring on Capitol Hill are an offense to democracy. But could we say that they were not predictable? No. Trump has proven that no matter the cost, he refuses to be wrong. His proclamations of election fraud discredit democracy and demonstrate how he needs to be right because his ego cannot take the blow of losing. While the end of Trump’s Presidency approaches, I think the United States government must impeach Trump before his time is up. By enacting the 25th
Amendment, it makes a more legitimate statement from the United States Government that they do not condone Trump’s actions. While this will cause an uproar from MAGA supporters, terroristic, violent behaviors mustn’t be underestimated. After Trump’s almost full presidency, it is a shame that the United States government is only now finally seeking action to remove Trump from a position of power. Meanwhile, we need to be alert in seeking the same patterns at home.
A letter of support for the Saskatchewan prisoners’ hunger strike Solidarity on behalf of the Carillon sara birrell, marty grande-sherbert, and staff carillon team
As we continue to reckon with the effects of rising COVID-19 cases in homes, hospitals, businesses and our university – and realizing how flawed the response to these cases has been – we cannot forget about those whose health and safety is most dependent on the government’s response. Some of the most vulnerable to new cases of COVID-19 are incarcerated people, who cannot move freely or isolate themselves beyond the terms set by law enforcement and government policy. If we want to know how the Saskatchewan government is truly responding to keep us healthy, people experiencing the pandemic inside prisons are a crucial indicator – and simply put, it is doing a shameful job. On Wednesday, January 6, prisoners in Saskatoon Correctional Centre (SCC), Prince Albert Correctional Centre (PACC), Pine Grove Correctional Centre (PGCC), and Regina Correctional Centre (RCC) began a hunger strike in protest of institutional conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Scores of prisoners in Saskatchewan have been diagnosed with COVID, with 62 active cases in RCC alone as of January 6. On January 8, another person died while under the province’s care in a prison, this time
at PACC where over 200 people tested positive for COVID. Prisoners and advocates, like organizer Cory Cardinal, are calling for swift action for this vulnerable population. The demands include: the immediate release of all prisoners possible, including the medically vulnerable and those being held without conviction; the immediate resignation of Christine Tell, Minister for Corrections and Policing, who has shown gross negligence and apathy towards these conditions; immediate and ongoing investment in community supports over prisons; and an apology from the Saskatchewan government to prisoners and staff for failing to prepare for and prevent the spread of the virus. The undersigned Carillon staff support the prisoners and their advocates in this brave fight for justice. We believe that all people are deserving of dignity and security of person, and that this right becomes more, not less, important during a pandemic. We recognize that in Saskatchewan, as elsewhere in so-called Canada, prisons are disproportionately populated by Indigenous people (making up a 75 per cent population of provincial jails) and, as such, they are a crucial component of ongoing settler colonialism. We understand that allowing a deadly illness to spread unchecked in these institutions is an act of violence and inhumanity towards incarcerated people,
most of whom are Indigenous. We add our voices to the hundreds of people calling for the release of prisoners. We demand the resignation of Minister Tell, and the immediate redirection of funding away from prisons and policing – which are not keeping us safe – and towards the communities we live in. It is important for us to remember that a set of iron bars or the slam of a wooden gavel do not take away a person’s humanity, nor their right to service by this government. Criminalization cannot and should not rob a person of their inherent complexity, nuance, and rights, nor erase
them as a member of our communities. It is far past time we accept prisoners as worthy of basic human dignity and proper treatment under the law, and to deny them any further on grounds of race or systemic apathy is a crime not only against them, but the very values for which we as human beings must hold. To support the strikers, please sign this letter to the Saskatchewan government, call or write for the resignation of Christine Tell, and write or speak to your MLAs about the importance of safe conditions in prisons and divestment from police.
for ms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeCuYtyt 1 9 A f C TO J T g M r q z u t e AU 0 b 0 g N X F yc s i d A c d Z Z M u z OA / viewform?fbclid=IwAR0j3NweoO8exQ-nSDf2ArdCwz5vDDhaz_ Wtmj_IInrFf8VjnjimAoyuNZE
Signed, Marty Grande-Sherbert, op ed editor Sara Birrell, news editor Matt T, news writer Shae Sackman, technical editor Morgan Ortman, production manager Taylor Balfour, editor-in-chief Hannah Sennicar, copy editor Gillian Massie, web writer
h t t p s : / / d o c s. g o o g l e. c o m /
Wikipedia Commons
An empty prison cell block in black and white.
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editors: sarah carrier, kate thiessen graphics@carillonregina.com the carillon | january 14 - 20, 2021