1 June 2017

Comment

Fasting and furious The “do’s” and “don’ts” of Ramadan

News

Coming together

sports

U of M launches Indigenous Institute of Health and Healing Page 4

Page 7

New Era for Canadian Soccer Professional soccer coming to Canada in 2018 Page 14 Comment

Sorry, not sorry Our politics have nothing to apologize for Page 9

Vo l 1 0 4 · N o 1 · J u n e 1 4 , 2 0 1 7 · w w w.t h e m a n i to b a n .co m

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Index

VOL. 104 NO. 1 June 14, 2017

Editor-in-Chief Garett Williams

editor@themanitoban.com / 474.8293

Business manager Sohni Tappia

accounts@themanitoban.com / 474.6535

Advertising Coordinator Ryan Catte

ads@themanitoban.com / 474.6535

Editorial

Managing Editor Malak Abas

me@themanitoban.com

News Editor Imreet Kaur

news@themanitoban.com / 474.6770

News Editor Shaden Abuselah

levi@themanitoban.com/ 474.6770

Comment Editor Shawn Garbutt

comment@themanitoban.com

science & technology Editor vacant

science@themanitoban.com

arts & Culture Editor Seamus Hamilton-Pattison

arts@themanitoban.com

Sports Editor Ryan Stelter

sports@themanitoban.com

Copy Editor Evan Tremblay

copy@themanitoban.com

Design

Design Editor Bram Keast

Editorial

Make Pride political again

Don’t let revisionists straighten out queer history

design@themanitoban.com

Graphics Editor Kelly Campbell

graphics@themanitoban.com

Photo Editor Asha Nelson

photo@themanitoban.com

Design associate vacant

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graphics associate vacant pHOTO associate vacant pHOTO associate vacant pHOTO associate vacant

Reporters

sports

News vacant News vacant Columnist vacant Columnist vacant arts & culture vacant arts & culture vacant Sports vacant Sports vacant Copy vacant

Green Bay goes Gray Bison signs with NFL's Packers page 15

Volunteer Contributors

Jason Pchajek

comment

Rapidly diminishing transit

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Budget cuts affect city in the long term

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News

News Editors: Imreet Kaur & Shaden Abuselah Contact: news@themanitoban.com / 474.6770

University of Manitoba passes balanced budget for the 2017-18 fiscal year Following successive years of cuts, all faculty units see increases Imreet Kaur, staff

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he University of Manitoba is projecting a balanced general operating budget for 2017-2018, with a tuition increase capped at the 1.3 per cent rate of inflation the province experienced last year.

The budget was approved by the board of governors in May and includes $648.1 million in revenue, with expenditures amounting to $597.8 million, and net fund transfers that stand at $50.2 million.

For the first time in years, the budget does not mandate that faculties, departments, and other academic groups cut operating costs, which had been a consistent trend over the past three years when departments were made to trim expenses by as much as f our per cent.

John Danakas, the University of Manitoba’s executive director of public affairs, said balancing the budget is allows for investments in academic units.

“One positive aspect is that investments were possible in all academic units, with increases to baseline funding as well as the fiscal funding,” he said. “They will see increases in funding to make it easier for them to deliver their programs for the students .”

In the operating budget, baseline funding is anticipated ongoing funds, while fiscal funding represents a onetime only cash allocation.

The increase in investments will allow academic units to address failing to prioritize education in lieu will not come into effect until 2018. issues critical to the university, such of capital projects.

The university has signalled that it as maintaining program quality Critics of the cuts claimed they expects to increase fees. through faculty and staff renewal, resulted in a reduction both in the Tanjit Nagra, president of the enhancing the student experience number of courses offered throughout University of Manitoba Students’ by increasing experiential learning, the academic year and in a number Union, said she is happy with the and furthering the university’s com- of tenured faculty positions, which budget. mitment to Indigenous achievement, combined to force some students to according to a university release. prolong their studies awaiting manDanakas said the budget repre- datory credits. The impact was felt to All academic faculties sents the first time in a number of some degree by all departments and will “see increases years that baseline funding saw an programs, regardless of size. increase, even as fiscal constraints Danakas said the budget also in funding to make remain present. The university benefitted from a public sector wage learned in April that its provincial pause mandated by the province. it easier for them operating grant for the coming year “The provincial government to deliver their will be held to 2016-2017 levels. requires that there be no increases The provincial grant allocations in salary compensation for two years programs for the to the U of M total more than $363.1 for public sector employees and there million. Overall provincial spending is four-year program of relative pause,” students” - John on post-secondary rounds to $704.6 he said. “In compliance with the Danakas, U of M million. province, the University of Manitoba executive director Faculty units will see an increase didn't increase salaries and it was able of more than $12.5 million over last to in its budget invest directly into of public affairs year’s budget. Libraries will see an the faculties.” increase of $430,500.

The increase in tuition for the fisIn the 2016-2017 fiscal year, the U cal year 2017-2018 is limited to the 1.3 of M cut $11 million from its operat- per cent rate of inflation. However, She said she has experienced ing budget. It was the third consecu- the provincial government passed first-hand how the previous budgets tive year that the university's budget Bill 31 this spring, which replaces the focused on cost-cutting affected included cuts, drawing criticism from existing legislation that caps tuition programs: slimmer course selecthe student body and faculty. increases at the rate of inflation. Bill tions available, and more sessional The faculty and student body at 31 allows for tuition hikes of five per instructors. large argued that the university was cent above inflation each year. This “The budget cuts were quite the

photo provided by carolyne kroeker

strain and it is a fight we have to She said she believes investing in continue on and lobby for students, students and post-secondary educaespecially the international students, tion is essential, and said CFS-MB as they are not protected under any will continue to fight for affordable, [tuition] cap,” she said. accessible, high-quality public educaCommenting on the expected tion for all. five per cent increase in tuition, Nagra observed that the Progressive A trim off the top Conservatives “have a majority govThe Progressive Conservative ernment and have said that the cost leadership has instructed some public of education to the province has sectors to cut management positions increased and they want it reflected by 15 per cent, signalling that these in the legislation.” reductions will eventually be sought Nagra said she wants to ensure at post-secondary institutions as well. that her advocacy efforts are directed The university contends that it toward the University of Manitoba remains committed to prudent manrather than the provincial govern- agement of its purse. ment, as the Board of Governors is Danakas said “the current budultimately responsible for approving get is proof of the fact that the the university budget.

University of Manitoba has been Canadian Federation of Students- a leader in fiscal prudence and has Manitoba (CFS-MB) chairperson been cautious in its spending over Carlen Comegan-Ronke said she the past several years, so any cuts to views Bill 31 as engendering a lack staff along the scope of 15 per cent of commitment to post-secondary wouldn’t be in the best interest of the education on the part of the province. province that the university serves.”

“It’s no secret that this government has been reducing the deficit on the backs of students and their families, as demonstrated in the recent cut to the tuition fee rebate program and the introduction of Bill 31 [which] will increase tuition and completely deregulate tuition fees,” she said.

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News

News Editors: Imreet Kaur & Shaden Abuselah Contact: news@themanitoban.com / 474.6770

University of Manitoba launches Indigenous Institute of Health and Healing Opening of Rady Faculty of Health Sciences’ Ongomiizwin marks “historic” moment Shaden Abusaleh, Staff

photo by garett williams

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he University of Manitoba’s Rady Faculty of Health Sciences celebrated the official launch of the Indigenous Institute of Health and Healing - Ongomiizwin - on June 2 at the Brodie Centre.

The university called the launch “historic” and U of M President David Barnard commented that the creation of Ongomiizwin reaffirms the university’s commitment to providing a space for Indigenous students to thrive and begin addressing colonialism.

The full-day event started off with a pipe ceremony, followed by remarks from university officials; a keynote address by Carrie Bourassa, the scientific director for the Canadian Institute of Health Research's Institute of Aboriginal Peoples’ Health (IAPH); and a panel discussion on the subject of Ongomiizwin’s three pillars: education, research, and health services.

The afternoon program included breakout sessions that covered a range of topics including traditional knowledge, math and science outreach, admissions policies and processes, and Indigenous health care quality .

Speaking on her work at IAPH and of the significance of an institute like Ongomiizwin, Bourassa said, “we have to be really clear that the disparities in health exist on the

basis of race in Canada. Racism, “The fact that we’re talking about oppression, historical legacies and healing and not just reconciliation, government policies that continue healing is something for all of us,” he to perpetuate the ongoing state of said. “And too frequently, reconciliIndigenous peoples’ health […] We ation is used as a term that implies can’t hide our heads in the sand and Indigenous people must do all of the pretend this doesn’t exist.” educating, all of the heavy lifting and Bourassa also discussed the all of the work, as well as heal themimportance of sharing knowledge, selves and their land and the people saying “we have tons of assets in our surrounding them.” communities. And I’ve said this a million times, if I’ve said it once, our communities have the answers. We “We’re talking about have to start listening. It’s that simple.” healing and not Michael Redhead Champagne, founder of Aboriginal Youth just reconciliation, Opportunities and master of cerhealing is something emonies at the launch, reminded the audience of the power of intergenerafor all of us” tional love.

Asked to elaborate, he said “I Michael Redhead think, to me, there is a consistent Champagne, opening acknowledgement across Indigenous and non-Indigenous academic and ceremony MC. community circles discussing the intergenerational trauma that is inflicted by colonialism and Indian Ongomiizwin - which in Residential Schools. And I think Anishinaabe means “clearing a path the fact that our languages and our for generations to come ” - will bring teachings and our ceremonies are still together three units at the faculty alive today is evidence that intergen- of health sciences: the Manitoba First Nations Centre for Aboriginal erational love is stronger.”

Champagne added that the Health Research, the Centre for Indigenous Institute of Health and Aboriginal Health Education, and Healing itself is a form of intergen- the J.A. Hildes Northern Medical erational love.

Unit, making Ongomiizwin the larg-

est Indigenous education and health menting the faculty’s Reconciliation unit in Canada.

Action Plan, which was developed “This really does build on decades in response to health-related calls of work,” explained Marcia Anderson, to action made by the Truth and Ongomiizwin’s executive director of Reconciliation Commission.

Indigenous academic affairs. “We are The Action Plan includes themes fully committed to training a rep- such as honouring traditional knowlresentative cohort of First Nations, edge and practices; providing safe Métis and Inuit physicians, nurses, learning spaces and improving pharmacists, dentists, and rehab Indigenous student support, mentherapists.” torship, and retention; educating stuThis includes, as Anderson elabo- dents and faculty on how to provide rated, increasing outreach to address culturally appropriate health care serbarriers faced by potential Indigenous vices; and closing the gap in admisstudents; changing structural policies sions in health-related professional that disadvantage Indigenous peoples education through addressing and such as funding gaps in education and removing the social and economic child welfare; and providing an envi- barriers faced by potential First ronment that is safe and supportive Nations, Métis and Inuit students for Indigenous students.

Anderson said this entails taking “We don’t want to just bring our steps towards educating health care students in, we want them to be safe students, both Indigenous and nonwhen they get here, to learn, to be Indigenous, on providing culturally fully qualified Western practitioners appropriate health care; building and but to have strong Indigenous iden- maintaining strong relationships with tities in the context of community, diverse communities, knowledge connections, and mentors.” keepers and elders; and respecting Ongomiizwin will collaborate and fulfilling the right of Indigenous with First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples’ access to traditional healing communities in research, education practices as well as Western health and health services and the institute’s care practices without discrimination. work will be done with the guidance of Indigenous knowledge keepers and elders.

The Indigenous Institute of Health and Healing will also lead in imple-

VOL. 104 NO. 1 June 14, 2017

News

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Residence fees climb by five per cent Increases part of five year plan to move housing services into self-sustaining position Garett Williams, staff

photo by garett williams

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esidence fees at the University more than 300 last year and while Arthur V. Mauro, built in 2003 - but of Manitoba will climb by five director of student residences Barry Stone said the majority of the capiper cent across the board in 2017-18 Stone acknowledged that the list is tal expenses over the five-year plan as the university follows through on not a perfect indicator, he said no stem from investments into the older a five year plan to make the facilities formal complaints have been lodged buildings. financially self-sustaining. arguing the increases are creating Over the next three years, resiThe increases apply to four uni- hardship. dence development plans include versity-run buildings – Pembina “We have never received any for- the ongoing replacement of winHall Residence, Arthur V. Mauro mal complaints or concerns regarding dows in University College, furniResidence, Mary Speechly Hall, these increases from individual resi- ture replacement, electronic access and University College – and were dents, groups, residence councils, or upgrades and a community kitchen approved by the U of M board of gov- UMSU,” he said in an email. in Arthur V. Mauro, new carpeting ernors in May. The rate for a 12-day “However, we continue to see a in Mary Speechly Hall, and laundry extended stay over the holiday break small but steady number of students equipment upgrades throughout all withdraw from residence each year residences. will also increase by $5 to $105.

More than 1,300 students reside who cite financial restrictions as the University of Manitoba Students’ in six buildings on campus each year, primary reason for wanting to leave Union president Tanjit Nagra, who including the independently run St. residence.” sits on the board of governors as a John’s College Residence and St. Stone said a new online with- student representative, said breakAndrew’s College Residence. The drawal process will more accurately ing up the increases over a five year fees at the independent residences track and report students’ reasons for period softens the impact on students. are not set by the board of governors. pulling out of residence.

She noted that U of M residence The five year plan, which began “This is something we are watching rates are competitive with other in 2015, calls for five per cent annual closely so that we don’t price ourselves Canadian universities, and said no increases until 2020, when raises will out as a viable option for students - concerns were raised by the Residence be held to 2.5 per cent. According particularly those relying on student Students’ Association Council in to the submission to the board, the loans,” he said. consultations. previous rounds of increases have A large percentage of residence “We want to make sure fees, such not resulted in vacancies by causing services’ operating expenses come as residence fees and other fees, are students to seek cheaper housing off from servicing the debt of the two accessible to students,” she said. campus. most recently constructed facilities “You could easily increase a lot The wait list for a space peaked at - Pembina Hall, built in 2011, and of things but it’s important that we

make it inclusive and accessible for those here now. And by raising fees, it’s just increasing the amount of barriers for students. We want to make [sure] it’s affordable.”

“We want to make sure fees, such as residence fees and other fees, are accessible to students” - Tanjit Nagra, UMSU president Under the increases, the Pembina Hall room rate will climb to $3,573 from $3,403 per term. Arthur V. Mauro rates with increase to $3,821 from $3,639 and Mary Speechly rates will rise to $2,729 from $2,599. The University College single room rate will climb to $2,779 from $2,647 and the double room rate with increase to $1,776 from $1,691.

Meal Plan Changes

Residence meal plans will also see some changes in the coming year.

After consultations through the residence dining advisory committee, which includes student and university representation, the meal plan offered at University College will see the Super Saver meal plan eliminated.

According to the proposal to the board of governors, 70 per cent of students opted for the Premium plan over the Super Saver, and a quarter of those who did opt for the lower cost plan had to put more money into their plan before the end of the term.

The Premium plan has been rebranded as UC FoodBucks. A hybrid scheme has also been introduced to University College that will allow FoodBucks and dining hall meals at Fresh Food Company through one plan.

Meal plan rates at Mary Speechly Hall and Pembina Hall Residence will remain the same, with an increase of three per cent reflecting an expected increase of food costs in Manitoba.

Editorial Editor-In-Chief: Garett Williams Contact: Editor@themanitoban.com / 474.8293

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Pride has lost sight of queer liberation We must return to radical roots or wilt in the light of straight society Shawn Garbutt, staff

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n the afternoon of June 3, two groups just happened to be in the same place at the same time.

One, the organizers of Winnipeg’s first ever Trans March, slated to start in hours: a rally preceding the city’s annual Pride Parade. The Trans March and rally formed in response to the critique that Pride has failed to represent queer people of colour and gender-nonconforming members of the LGBTTQ * community.

The second group had assembled to protest Motion 103, a federal condemnation of Islamophobia and religious intolerance at large in Canada. Critics of the motion have erroneously likened it to an attack on free speech, failing to grasp the legislative processes of parliament.

Drawing the groups together was a coalition of anti-fascist demonstrators, opposing the Motion 103 protest.

When the anti fascists approached, conflict spawned. Police arrived on the scene and began speaking with the anti-M-103 group. A participant of the Trans March identifying as non-binary, which is to reject both male and female gender identities, started to film the police. What followed is a hard lesson learned for the future of queer organizing.

Mere hours before the Trans March began, a police officer seized the trans activist and bent them facedown on the hood of a patrol car and placed them under arrest. They were subsequently brought to a police station for temporary detainment – all because they refused the officer’s request to back up while filming.

This is the state of relations between the marginalized queer community and the police, the latter serving as the enforcing arm of heteronormative society. This is a classic relationship, echoing a conveniently forgotten past of state-sanctioned terrorization, when police raided queer spaces with impunity and acted as the foot soldiers on ground zero when it came to executing a legal system intent on the destruction of queer as a category. Homosexuality and gender nonconformity were pathologized, criminalized, demonized, and ultimately hunted.

I write that this past is conveniently forgotten given that Pride Winnipeg has allowed for the presence of ununiformed police members in the annual Pride parade, ignoring the trauma this agent of the state has imprinted on the queer community.

The latest in a series of revisionist events, modern day Pride Parades have increasingly been severing their ancestral roots, planted at the infamous Stonewall Inn by gender non-conforming people of colour at the radical fringes of the LGBTTQ* movement. Perhaps most importantly, the seeds of queer rebellion were laid not only by the unapologetically queer, but in reaction to an epidemic of police brutality targeted at our community, concentrated along racial and class lines. As is seen by the contemporary embrace of an, albeit

graphic by kelly campbell

disguised, police presence at Pride, continued to delegitimize its role as a what has become of this serves only political force, ignoring a rich history the interests of complacent liberal of activism in favour of embracing apologists. meek incrementalism. Indeed, the Failing to present a coherent behaviour exhibited towards the rejection of the status quo, Pride has detained trans activist by a member of become a forum in which power is the Winnipeg Police comes at a time embraced instead of challenged. No when Pride marchers have, tragically longer does Pride act as a site of queer , become party-goers. This is the endactivism: once a place where soci- point of any movement that rejects a ety faced the burden of guilt over its principled history for trendsetting barbaric treatment of and attitudes and popularity, one which swaps out toward the queer community, Pride substance for style. has culminated as a mass apology To be fair, this year’s Winnipeg from oppressed to oppressor over Pride made concerted efforts to revithe oppression at hand. talize Pride’s political trappings with the theme “Resurgence: Taking Back Space” following a pointed critique The seeds of queer much like the one I am currently presenting, that being: Pride has lost rebellion were laid touch with the most marginalized of not only by the the groups it is meant to represent.

The critique is sound, and so is Pride’s unapologetically response. queer but in reaction Representation is vital for affirming the validity of queer experiences to an epidemic of in ubiquitously straight spaces. Yet police brutality representation alone is not enough: for beyond the acknowledgment of targeted at our existence, we need support for that existence. In its bid for increasing community general acknowledgment of the LGBTTQ* community - through Organizing, in Pride parades, is making its events overwhelmingly no longer a political act with accom- straight and thus diminishing its panied political demands. The crux of queer presence - Pride has lost the its modern vision is to be successful in political capital to demand necessary the extension of a harmless invitation: supports for its core constituencies that society spend one day out of 365 due to its increasing focus on appealdancing instead of vilifying the queer ing to the non-queer. In other words, experience. Pride as it is observed Pride’s capacity for change has been today has shelved - shafted, even - the severely diminished due to its anchororiginal insight of queer liberation: ing in straight comfort. It must now that society is foundationally shaped toe the line allies deem fit or risk by structures upholding a narrative losing relied upon support – support exclusive to the queer experience, and that comes from a place alien to the that liberation therefore requires its queer experience. Ultimately, this abolition. Resistance, then, does not is a course which sees political slotake the form of carving out a space gans replaced by feel-good hashtags for those who have been crushed, but as are chants drowned out by the rather through the radical transfor- steady rhythm of pumping EDM mation of society at large. crowd-pleasers.

By effectively rubber-stamping the It is quite clear that Pride, by presence of police in what was once abandoning its radical bona fides, has the most radical political formation of embraced the political centre for the queer radicals and activists, Pride has sake of publicity. But this move to the

centre is one that focuses exclusively on the issue of representation. To do this is to fall into modern liberalism’s identity politics trap. This is an identity politics that cares not for the materiality of lived queer experiences - one which abstracts away and distances itself from the socioeconomic realities faced by the most marginalized.

Pride has continued to delegitimize its role as a political force, ignoring a rich history of activism in favour of embracing meek incrementalism Liberal identity politics call for roles for cis gender, gay, white men in Hollywood blockbusters while giving trans roles to straight, white, cis gender men. Liberal identity politics assert that to spend a day dancing in a Pride parade is itself a sign of victory, of unity, of alliance. It is this which the queer community must challenge, for unlike our right-wing foes, these fallacies present themselves under the guise of friendship. But to ignore the structures which produce queer hardship, and to focus exclusively on the abstract notion of a queer identity isolated from its material context, is to cripple the capacity for the agitation, organization, and mobilization necessary for queer liberation.

We cannot allow a foundational queer rally, at its inception commanded by trans radicals, to be strangled by the hold of a complacent, white, upper-middle class. The way forward is through the creation of a manifesto that future parades will serve as a vessel for, one which will speak to the individual lived experiences of marginalized queer individuals by addressing the societal structures that produce them.

Skeptics will say that my words are extremist and uncalled for. But what is truly extreme is that queer identities are still linked at disproportionately high rates to the onset of mental illness. What is uncalled for is that to be queer is to be a more likely statistical candidate for homelessness, where experts speculate 25-40 per cent of homeless youths identity as LGBTTQ*.

Skeptics will say that to implement the political measures I advocate for, those which will alienate the general public, is unacceptable, especially for the allies who have advanced our cause. But what is unacceptable is that queer youth are one of the highest at-risk demographics for committing suicide. What is unacceptable is that Pride parades, once both unapologetically and politically queer, are now neither.

While Pride is, to be crass, a fun time, it is not enough to suspend a year of bigotry for a single day and expect justice to be served. Queer existence must be shown, yes, but it also must be supported, reaffirmed, and normalized in a way that does not alienate queer individuals whom straight society finds most threatening.

And so, to achieve justice requires that Pride returns to political ground zero. The origins of Pride are those of bricks being thrown through windows, both physically and ideologically. The Gay Liberation Front, for instance, was a revolutionary queer coalition born amid the riots and months after organized commemorating marches along principled anti-capitalist, feminist lines while espousing public support for the Black Panthers. This is the political paradigm contemporary Pride parades ought to follow, should queer organizing ever convey anything more than the bland message that gay is okay.

For starters, parades could make a series of demands that would go far in reducing the institutional harm queer youths face: a robust public model of subsidized housing, to fight the homelessness crisis; a new paradigm of mental health services, one friendly to the queer community, starting with increased access to mental health services; and a total revamp of the education system, especially at the elementary level, in order to increase queer visibility.

Pride must cut ties with its complacent politics or face defeat.

Welcoming police offers among our midst and catering to establishment interests amounts to swallowing a political cyanide pill. It is a return to radical roots, not an unholy alliance with bland defeatism and polite incrementalism, which is necessary if queer liberation is ever to come about.

Unrelenting political demands are the next step - not tokenized tangos on the street with part-time allies.

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Comment Comment Editor: Shawn Garbutt Contact: comment@themanitoban.com

A non-Muslim’s guide to Ramadan If you’ve ever wondered about Ramadan etiquette, look no further Malak Abas, staff

graphic by kelly campbell

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amadan is here, and for millions of people around the world, this month in the lunar calendar marks what Muslims believe was the revelation of the Qu’ran to the prophet Muhammad. Many Muslims fast or abstain from food, drink, smoking, and sex - from sunrise to sunset, which here in Winnipeg translates to about sixteen hours per day. Muslims also attempt to avoid negative behaviours, while aiming to increase their time spent with family and given to charitable causes.

There are over 10,000 Muslims in Winnipeg, and many of them are about halfway through Ramadan right now. While this practice has become second nature to many adult Muslims, if you are on the outside looking in, it might call to mind some questions.

If you’ve been wondering about the practice of Ramadan and Eid alFitr (the celebratory end of Ramadan) as a non-Muslim, here’s a basic guide to the “do’s and don’ts” when approaching Ramadan.

Don’t: Ask “not even water?”

This is the most common question every Muslim gets when bringing up fasting to their non-Muslim friends.

It’s unbelievably pervasive. While to

say that it is annoying would defin- respectful and open on both ends, and inspire fear in Muslim-majority itely qualify as a negative behaviour, it is encouraged. Be wary, however, of countries, even during Ramadan. might be fair to say that the question simply relying on Google, as Islam This flawed association also seems has been asked enough. So, let me is particularly susceptible to web- to permeate the views of politicians state for the official record: no, not sites created by Islamophobic hate and authority figures worldwide - just even water. It is possible, even in sum- groups, many of which use academic before Ramadan began, U.S. presimer, and even in places like Finland, language to mask their attempts to dent Donald Trump spoke in Saudi where the time between sunset and spread malignant misinformation. Arabia, placing the monumental sunrise in summer can last for less If you are looking for information responsibility of “driving out terrorthan an hour . online about Ramadan, or Islam in ists and extremists” on people in the More importantly, if it is not general, just keep an eye on what sites Middle East . possible, an individual is absolutely you’re using and make sure they’re a exempted from fasting. This reli- reputable source. Pro-tip: the Rebel Discourse with gious exemption includes, but is not Media is not a reputable source. limited to, people with chronic illpeople in your nesses, pregnant or nursing people, Don’t: Use Ramadan as an and those who are travelling. So, to opportunity to bring up life observing recap: not even water, if you are able your political “hot take” Ramadan, as long to do so without negatively affecting Especially for a person whose your health. main source of interaction with as it’s respectful Muslims is the news, it may seem difand open on both Do: Educate yourself ficult to separate Ramadan and those There are so many opportun- practicing it from the heated political ends, is encouraged ities in Winnipeg to be a part of climate in much of the Middle East, Ramadan activities, even if you are and its repercussions. This, while not a practicing Muslim. Here on frustrating to many Muslims, is a While there is never a “right” time campus, the University of Manitoba’s reality. However, the truth is that to spread misinformation, Ramadan, Muslim Student Association is offer- Ramadan as a holy practice exists which is typically a time of reflection ing “Ramadan Talks” throughout completely outside the realm of hate and peace for those practicing it, is the entire month, wherein speakers groups, no matter what they claim absolutely not an appropriate time will be on campus exploring various to believe. to force uneducated, controversial, or aspects of Ramadan and Islam.

Terrorist groups such as ISIS, accusatory political opinions on the Discourse with people in your life despite attaching themselves to Muslims in your life. If your stateobserving Ramadan, as long as it’s Islam, continue to destroy mosques ment starts with “I’m not racist/

Islamophobic/xenophobic, but…”, this is most likely not the time to bring it up. This “don’t” relates to the one preceding it: respectful, consensual, educated discourse is usually welcomed with open arms. Like just about any interaction you have with the people around you, respect is key.

Do: Use Ramadan as an opportunity to volunteer!

Volunteering and charity work is a huge aspect of Islam. So huge, in fact, that giving to charity in proportion to your annual income is one of Five Pillars of Islam, or one of the five mandatory aspects of being a Muslim. Even if you’re not practicing Ramadan this year, this month is a great chance to help the many charities in Winnipeg that need volunteers and donations. This year help is especially needed, given the influx of Syrian newcomers to Winnipeg, and institutions such as the Canadian Muslim Women’s Institute, the Manitoba Interfaith Immigration Council, and the Rainbow Resource Centre all offer ways for you to help not only Muslims in our community, but to strengthen our community as a whole.

Ramadan Mubarak!

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Comment

Comment Editor: Shawn Garbutt Contact: comment@themanitoban.com

Provincial government owes transit more than cuts Transit budget cuts stunt Manitoba’s growth Evan Tremblay, Staff

Photo by Miguel Yetman

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ou may have heard: the provin- efits are most enjoyed by people of ardly accounting trick – forced the beyond that. It has been announced cial government is on the warpath. lower income, immigrants, students, city itself to make cuts to one of its that this de-facto budget cut for the The books will be balanced, come and the elderly. Expanded networks vital functions. city may extend into 2018. hell or high water. This goal, laudable of public transportation will be frontSimply put, the province has Funding will automatically in and of itself, becomes senseless and-centre in efforts to combat car- divested itself of the responsibility decrease for Winnipeg Transit, since fetishization when it causes cuts in bon emissions and climate change to match the city’s budget contri- even if it receives the same proportion services that citizens rely on, not only , offering an alternative to private butions to Winnipeg transit. It has of the city budget as last year, the to maintain their quality of life, but usage of automocity will have less as part of a framework that can sup- biles. As young money to give out. port the generation of future wealth. people increas- Robust, well-funded public transit is essential The province preThe case of Winnipeg Transit offers ingly choose urban viously matched to the health of any city; in Manitoba, it is a poignant example of the damage over suburban lifefunds 50-50 for the entire province will suffer under styles , cities with some of Winnipeg essential for the health of our province this penny-wise, pound-foolish brand extensive transit Transit’s budget, of austerity. networks will be but under the Winnipeg plays host to the major- attractive places to live. Public trans- announced that funding to munici- new system, all funding for the city ity of the provincial population. The portation is essential to encouraging palities will be based on a lump sum, will come in the form of one “basket” majority of Manitobans are urbanites infill development, and discouraging rather than additional funds being from the province . : our quality of life is synonymous sprawl. provided for specific programs in To maintain transit funding at last with the health of our city. Robust, Public transit offers social benefits addition to a general operating bud- year’s level, some other city program well-funded public transit is essential to the city – and province – at large, as get. The funding the city receives would suffer. As Brian Bowman to the health of any city; in Manitoba, well as being an essential lifeline for from the province next year will be put it, there will be “some pain for it is essential to the health of our those too poor to afford cars. Rather the same as last year, which works Winnipeg’s infrastructure.” province. than come out and denounce transit out to less, when inflation is considIn order to balance the provincial Public transit is a panacea. Its ben- itself, the province has – by a cow- ered, with no guarantees of funding budget, we need to attract businesses,

people, and investment. It is difficult to imagine that a city without a modern transportation system will remain competitive. It is also difficult to imagine how decreasing the long-term resilience and urbanity of the city most Manitobans call home is worth saving a few million dollars in the short term.

This is a short-sighted and disappointing decision by the provincial government, though unfortunately, not at all out of character.

VOL. 104 NO. 1 June 14, 2017

Comment

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Radical activist movements ought to be applauded, not condemned Label of “divisive politics” used to stifle change, preserve the status quo Seamus Hamilton-Pattison, staff

Graphic by kelly campbell

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great deal has been made of their message to be heard at political seemed to show the event built noth- Morgan’s Trans Mountain pipeline. Following mass mobilization of the political climate in North functions as well as on the frontlines ing but unity amongst people standAt a later event on the same tour, protestors and immigration lawAmerica over the last year or so. with picket signs. ing together in opposition to rhetoric the Manitoban covered the disruption yers alike, a judge in Seattle filed Throughout the spring and summer and an agenda so blatantly morally of Trudeau’s town hall in Winnipeg an injunction against the executive of 2016 - by no coincidence coinciding reprehensible, with individuals pres- by a grassroots group of young pro- order, and similar injunctions were Radical, outspoken with the lead-up to Donald Trump’s ent stating that their collective intent testers who forced a complete halt of issued over a second executive order official nomination as the Republican was to protest “the normalization of the event in order to press Trudeau with the same goals as the first. The opposition to the presidential candidate - contemplaracism and misogyny and sexism.” on the disconnect between his state- White House has now filed with the status quo should tive, cautionary thinkpieces have The same goes for Trudeau’s cam- ments and actions concerning his Supreme Court of the United States sprung up from major publications paign promises regarding Indigenous commitments to Indigenous rights. in the hopes of restoring the ban. never be viewed such as Time and the Washington issues. During the Liberal governIt’s easy to see Trudeau’s perforThere’s resistance everywhere now.

Post, bemoaning the current lack of ment’s town hall tour of Canada mance under pressure reflected in What’s more, it’s working. Radical, as a symptom of a political unity, and even blaming in January, two Dalhousie univer- polls; a survey conducted shortly after outspoken opposition to the stadivisive, unhealthy their media peers for finding “consity students stopped the prime the tour saw the Liberal leader’s ballot tus quo should never be viewed as flict more interesting than harmony.” minister at a coffee shop to press support fall below 40 per cent. While a symptom of a divisive, unhealthy political climate What articles such as these forget Trudeau on his commitment to the this doesn’t necessarily reflect the political climate. Instead, it should is that public demonstration of grievprinciples outlined in the United effect the aforementioned incidents be seen as the solution. These days, ances and peaceful protests are inteOn January 21, as opposed to Nations Declaration on the Rights had on Trudeau’s popularity, young it seems to be the only one we’ve got. gral to a democratic government that striving for unity with their new of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) voters’ dissatisfaction with the prime properly addresses the problems of, Republican majority and president, and to obtaining consent for natural minister became palpably visible on and represents the will of, its people. protesters in Washington, DC num- resource projects on Indigenous land the national stage.

Considering the U.S narrowly bering more than one million - joined in a surprise video.

Whether their actions are elected a president whose approval in solidarity by individuals across the While Trudeau responded that directly influenced by the public or rating currently sits at 59 per cent, US and worldwide - participated in he would implement UNDRIP not remains to be seen, but North vocal opposition to those in power the historic Women’s March against guidelines in Canada, the students American government officials are shouldn’t be ignored, particularly Trump’s rhetoric surrounding issues - when interviewed about their social following in the same footsteps as considering its role as a major force like women’s rights, reproductive media stunt - wasted no time in the public - which is to say, rather, in the current political climate. rights, and his stance on immigration. telling the press they believed him that they’re putting their foot down.

Across Canada and the US, proFar from promoting divisiveness to have already broken this promVocal public protests accompatesters have successfully pushed for in politics, coverage of the event ise through his approval of Kinder nied Trump’s infamous travel ban.

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Dog-savvy south Winnipeg startup

Arts & Culture Arts & Culture Editor: Seamus Hamilton-Pattison Contact: arts@themanitoban.com

Local trainer emphasizes personalized time with you and your pooch Seamus Hamilton-Pattison, staff

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avvy Hound is a multipurpose canine service and training business in Winnipeg’s south end .

The relatively new venture is independently owned and operated by local trainer Taylor Drummond, 24, who has been providing private dog training and boarding, alongside other services, to Winnipeg for 10 years.

“I’ve always been kind of obsessed with dogs, ever since I was a little girl,” said Drummond of her early aspirations to the field.

“My uncle used to breed and train Cane Corsos [also known as Italian Mastiffs] [...] so the second I had any interest in dogs, he pretty much showed me the world.”

Though Drummond has worked with dogs both privately under various names over the years, she said her decision to stick with the name Savvy Hound - coupled with a move to a larger facility, and a subsequent expansion of services - has been positively received.

“People were happy I was still con- or pick up their dogs for day training. every day,” said Drummond.

“If you are looking to get into the tinuing, a lot of people thought [othFor boarding services, Savvy “It’s a lot more intimate [than com- business, it’s best to find a mentor,” erwise] when I was moving. When Hound charges a daily rate of $20 mercial boarding facilities], if you explained Drummond.

I was at my mom’s I was mostly for a single dog, $35 per day for two. want to put it like that. I’m a single “I would recommend finding a baldoing training, person so the peo- anced trainer, one who uses all sorts taking the odd ple get to know of methods, doesn’t just stick to one.

“I’m a single person so the people get to dog for babysitme a lot better. Read about the breeds as much as you ting or whatever,” know me a lot better. They know that I know They know that I possibly can, learn about the breeds, Drummond said . know their dogs, I their body language, stuff like that. their dogs, I know my [clients’] dogs’ names know my [clients’] Honestly, these days, entrepreneur“When I moved I started to do it dogs’ names more ship is pretty intense, so it’s pretty more than I know their owner’s names” – a lot more fullthan I know their easy to get into the business.”

Taylor Drummond, owner, Savvy Hound time, the volume owner’s names,” For young adults considering increased [...] but she joked. the responsibility of dog ownership, people were happy Drummond Drummond hard-lined one simple they could drop their dogs off reliably, A “doggy day care” service is emphasized a “family-oriented” thing above all else : research. and I could come out to them more also offered, in which Drummond approach to her business, citing the “Prepare for the worst with dogs,” reliably.” advertises a “fun and exercise-filled ease with which she establishes a rap- she said. “They’re not easy, but they’re Savvy Hound offers a variety of day with me and my dogs,” offering port with her clientele by providing definitely worth it.” packages for training. Behavioral a day camp of sorts to clients with updates and photos of the dogs at Learn more about Savvy Hound online at www.thesavvyhound. training rates begin at $100 and “never dogs in need of consistent socializa- play/work “whenever they want.” exceed $400 for basic private behav- tion and activity. To ensure the dog As far as big names in the dog- webs.com or www.facebook.com/ ioural work.” in question receives full attention, training world go, Drummond said SavvyHound For those wishing to accommo- Drummond only takes on a single she looks up to ex-Navy SEAL and For more information, or to inquire date sufficient training within a busy client per day for this service.

K9 trainer Mike Ritland , as well as about a discounted package of services, work schedule, Savvy Hound also “When they stay with me they stay the “dog whisperer” himself, Cesar contact Taylor Drummond at 204-230gives clients the option to drop off at my house, so we get to go for hikes Millan.

2857 or savvy-hound@hotmail.com

’Toban turntable Want us to review your band? Email arts@themanitoban.com today!

Seamus Hamilton-Pattison, staff

Beach House B-Sides and Rarities 2.5/5

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or many bands and artists, the release of an odds-andends compilation such as this is often perceived as an attempt to unload a group’s leftovers on the general public - one can point to the wavering quality and unwieldy length of releases like Nirvana’s Incesticide as major-label proof of this phenomenon.

Beach House’s upcoming compilation, however, feels and listens a lot more like, say, The Killers’ Sawdust in the sense that, while being something of a hodge-podge of misfit songs, the record still flows with ease, and maintains a standard of quality throughout.

This is likely due to the group’s her confident yet saccharine vocals. decision to remaster several of the The rest of the album is a little album’s tracks, and bring them hit-and-miss. “Baby” is another “up to date.” Whatever this means, dreamy lounge gem like “Baseball B-Sides and Rarities actually does Diamond,” and “Equal Mind” sound like a logical successor to blends beautiful guitar arpeggios Depression Cherry and Thank Your with a low synth progression almost Lucky Stars. reminiscent of electronic duo B-Sides and Rarities does include Ratatat; a slowed-down, trippedtwo previously unreleased tracks: out remix of “10 Mile Stereo” just “Chariot,” and “Baseball Diamond” wasn’t necessary, and the duo’s – and these end up being the stron- cover of Queen’s “Play the Game” falls pretty flat compared to the gest on the album.

“Chariot” can best be described grandiose original. as “majestic.” The dreamy synth If you’re already a Beach House soundscapes opening the track fan, it’s unlikely that this new sound positively regal, and nail release is going to change that. In the highly sought-after dream fact, it may not even serve as a bad pop/shoegaze trope of gradually introduction for those looking for a growing more all-encompassing as more song-oriented sampling that the song progresses, while retain- spans the band’s career. ing a serene, benign atmosphere.

Even if this is one of the more Oh, and (co-vocalist/multi-instru- coherent b-side comps out there, mentalist) Victoria Legrand’s vocals Beach House has, by their own on this one are just gorgeous, and admission, always been more about arguably some of her best to date. the album than the song. So you Though the band insists these should probably just throw on Teen songs are only considered b-sides Dream or Depression Cherry instead. because they did not fit on any offiwww.beachhousebaltimore.com cial releases, “Baseball Diamond” wouldn’t sound out of place on Beach House’s 2010 opus, Teen Dream. Once again, Legrand steals the show, as she milks any latent Lana Del Rey comparisons with

cut with full-throttle lo-fi garage rock, à la Iggy and the Stooges’ Raw Power. Cecilia Schlemm’s bass playing deserves special mention: it’s bouncy and trebly, in contrast to the pedal-to-the-metal aggression of every other instrument/ vocal, and much like The Clash’s Paul Simonon, Schlemm sits at the forefront of the mix, leading the majority of the tunes here.

Lyrical standouts on the album include the title track and “Shout The Shiverettes Your Assault,” both of which Dead Men Can’t Cat Call express simple viewpoints – like 5/5 leaving women alone once in a while, and I don’t know, actually Snotty feminist punks! Riot believing sexual assault survivors grrrl punk-rock!

– with firm conviction, tongues Playing this record to someone firmly in their cheeks, and middle with no prior knowledge of Calgary fingers in the air. punks The Shiverettes , it would As long as the patriarchal traplikely be hard to convince them that pings of modern society remain it was released in 2017. This group intact, this type of music will clearly isn’t trying to reinvent the never lose vitality or relevance. This wheel on Dead Men Can’t Cat Call, record is flawless for what it is and and they don’t need to when they intends to be, and hopefully punks can perfectly execute their own take across Winnipeg will get a chance on what made bands like Sleater- to raise some Standard Lagers and Kinney and Bikini Kill so great in fists in solidarity to this powerful their heyday. outfit soon.

Musically, the band sticks to www.theshiverettes.bandcamp. their clearly well-honed blend of com the aforementioned riot grrrl staples

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Arts & Culture

Arts & Culture Editor: Tobi Nifesi Contact: arts@themanitoban.com

Sports Sports Editor: Ryan Stelter Contact: sports@themanitoban.com

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Top-tier Canadian league slated for 2018 debut Jason Pchajek

prompt a switch to grass, a poten- the MLS. tially costly project for many teams, Competition for the young but may aide the league long-term. league will be tough against the Since the initial announcement, eight already established MLS. Teams more groups from across the country in the primarily American league have expressed interest in setting up are based in much larger markets, teams and all are being evaluated by such as New York, Seattle, Chicago the CSA. -and soon Los Angeles, with the arrival of LAFC in 2018 - and thus higher higher paying contracts.

We know from hosting the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup that this community has a passion for the sport” – Wade Miller, Blue Bombers CEO and president

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occer in Canada took another Blue Bombers and Hamilton Tigermajor leap forward in May, Cats were offering to field clubs for thanks to a unanimous vote by the the league.

“The Winnipeg Football Club can sport’s governing body endorsing the creation of a new Tier 1 FIFA confirm they are working alongside sanctioned soccer league in the great the group that is committed to bringing a Tier 1 FIFA sanctioned socwhite north.

The league, which will be called cer league to Canada,” the Bombers the Canadian Premier League (CPL), ownership said in a statement posted will be a six to eight team league on the team’s website. starting in 2018, and is already gar“For the past 18 months, we have nering buzz. been working with the group that is Immediately following the spearheading this venture and have announcement of the league by the indicated our interest in founding a Canadian Soccer Association (CSA), club here in Manitoba,” Winnipeg reports began to surface that the Football Club president and CEO ownership groups of the Winnipeg Wade Miller said in the statement .

Orlando SC owns the most lucrative contract, paying midfielder Ricardo Kaká $7.16 million yearly, while Toronto FC’s Sebastian Giovinco comes in second at $7,11 million yearly. Estimates of CPL salaries have been in the area of between $60,000 and $100,000 per year, at least for the first season.

Despite having no teams, the league is already garnering support from soccer fans in interested cities. photo provided by Carolyne Kroeker A twitter account for supporters of Canada’s governing soccer body the proposed Winnipeg CPL club “We know from hosting the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup that this com- has indicated a quick turnaround on is slowly gaining followers. Similar these evaluations. The evaluations accounts for Kitchener-Waterloo, munity has a passion for the sport.”

The Winnipeg club would play will reportedly take 60-90 days, sift- Halifax, and Regina have popped home games out of Investors Group ing through offers from Winnipeg up as well.

With rapidly growing immigrant Field, the same venue which held and a variety of other Canadian cities.

As for Toronto, Montreal, and populations from soccer crazed counWomen’s World Cup games in the summer of 2015. This brings forward Vancouver, the cities which the coun- tries , and the continued success of a potential hurdle in the form of the try’s Major League Soccer (MLS) home-grown talent such as Cyle clubs play, only Toronto’s ownership Larin and Tesho Akindele, the crestadium’s artificial turf.

In the lead up to the 2015 tourna- has expressed interest in the new ation of the CPL seems to be coming ment, complaints were levied by many league. However, they were not will- at the perfect time. Soccer is the most players that the artificial turf they ing to put the MLS club in the CPL. popular sport in the world , and it were to play on posed a hazard. The They would rather have their second seems the Canada has finally decided damage done could be seen firsthand division, TFC II play in the CPL. to take part. by spectators, as players left the pitch TFC II currently plays in the United with cuts and abrasions. This may States Soccer League, a league below

Teaching the next generation Bison goaltender Byron Spriggs is rolling out a summer goalie camp Ryan Stelter, staff

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here’s a new goalie coach in town, Spriggs has worked with many with Bison men’s hockey goal- camps over the years, including the tender Byron Spriggs opening up his Starbuck Hockey Academy and the own camp this summer.

Rick St. Croix Goaltending Camps.

The Byron Spriggs Goaltender Spriggs has also worked as a goalie Development Camps will take place coach for numerous teams, including for one week each in July and August the AAA Bantam 2 Monarchs, winat the Seven Oaks Community ners of the 2016-17 city championship.

Centre. Each camp consists of four The Winnipeg native has been a full days of goalie-specific training, goalie for 15 years and has developed including two and a half hours on the a wealth of knowledge to share with ice, one hour of video analysis, and young goalies. He is coming off his one hour of dryland training. There best season with the Bisons, with a will be camps for two different age 12-8-2 record and a 2.82 goals against groups, 8-12 and 13-17 year olds. average and a .913 save percentage in Spriggs has an impressive resume 22 games. as a goaltender, having captured the For Spriggs, it has been a dream Manitoba Junior Hockey League title to run his own goalie camps since in 2014 with the Winnipeg Blues, and working at other camps in years past. a brief taste of professional hockey – He said he wants to take what he has Spriggs was the emergency backup learned working as a goalie coach for on two separate occasions this past the past eight years and teach what season for the American Hockey he thought was successful.

League’s Charlotte Checkers and One thing that Spriggs takes pride Manitoba Moose. in is a low instructor to goalie ratio,

which he believes makes his camp unique compared to many others offered.

“I take really great pride in seeing a goalie get better” – Byron Spriggs, Bison men’s hockey goalie “It gives the instructors a chance to know each kid,” he said. “When you have a camp with 18-20 goalies, instructors don’t really get to know each goalie and what their strengths are.”

Having gone to, and coached at, so many goalie camps, Spriggs has seen that the personal relationship built with goalies can really help them progress. “When you have the

nametag on the helmet and that’s on this or work on that,” he said. the only way [instructors] remember “It’s kind of interesting being on the you, it’s not as authentic as it should other side, offering up the little pieces be,” he said. of criticism or advice the way your The benefit of attending a camp coaches are doing it to you.” run by Spriggs will be the personWith so many different camps alized feel of it. Each day will have available to kids these days, the Byron a common theme, and instructors Spriggs Goaltender Development will have the freedom to tackle and Camps seems to stand apart from develop some of each goaltenders’ the rest, with their individualized weaknesses. training and the sheer passion and “I take really great pride in see- knowledge of a phenomenal goalie ing a goalie get better,” he said. “I’m like Spriggs. not just being the guy who sits at the Information on pricing and registracamp and does the drill and shoots tion can be found at byronspriggsgoalthe puck and says ‘next.’” tending.com Spriggs’ passion and love for hockey is a true indicator of how seriously he takes coaching. Running his own goalie camps is a nice change of pace for Spriggs, used as he is to being the one getting critiqued during the season.

“During the season you play so much, getting told you should work

VOL. 104 NO. 1 June 14, 2017

Sports

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Gray signed to Packers as a free agent Unselected through NFL entry draft, Bison lineman finds a home in Green Bay Ryan Stelter, staff

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ison offensive lineman Geoff Gray was not drafted into the NFL. years get on with NFL teams has Gray was signed as a priority It will be a big adjustment for the potential recruits taking notice of the undrafted free agent on April 29 by six-foot-six, 310-pound lineman, as Bison football program. the Green Bay Packers. his first exposure to American foot“It’s unbelievable, even with The 22-year-old native of ball was the East-West Shrine game Idonije who’s retired. Now you got Winnipeg had multiple teams look- back in January. Gray said he knows Onyemata and Gray, the number of ing at him toward the end of the NFL he has a lot to learn and is excited to comments you get from recruits [is draft, but elected to go to the Packers. get to playing. unbelieveable],” said Dobie.

The Packers were one of the teams “No college player coming out of “I’ll explain to somebody about in attendance for Gray’s pro day on college is going to be at a [high] level Onyemata and they interrupt me.

March 30. Gray had visited Green technically,” he said. “Even if you A recruit in BC or in Toronto and Bay and said he liked his chances of were technically sound in college, just they’ll say ‘Oh yeah he’s with the playing against better level players is Saints,’ so they pay attention.” being able to crack the squad.

“I was a little more familiar and going to drive that up.”

Dobie talked about the quality of The Packers have a knack for Canadian college football, with U comfortable with them,” he told reporters before the intrasquad game signing undrafted college free Sports players heading into the NFL. agents, with 22 undrafted rookies Gray was not the only Canadian at Bison spring camp.

“When you’re in free agency, you making it onto their season opening university player to sign a deal, as have the luxury of picking what team rosters since 2010. In each of GM Laval’s Antony Auclair signed as an you’re going to. You want to go to a Ted Thompson’s 12 years with the undrafted free agent with the Tampa team where you feel you have a good Packers, at least one undrafted rookie Bay Buccaneers. chance of making the roster.” has made the 53-man squad.

“It says a lot about Canadian colThe signing comes a year after forBison head coach Brian Dobie lege football,” Dobie said. “People mer Bison defensive lineman David lauded Gray not only for his techni- that aren’t coming out to the games Onyemata was drafted by the New cal ability, but his intelligence as well. are missing out on a great product.

Orleans Saints in the fourth round in “It’s a proud day for Bison football,” I’m not just talking about Manitoba 2016. The Packers and Saints meet up he said. but there’s guys who will be churned in Week 7 of the NFL regular season.

“When I was talking to all the out every year to play in the CFL and Gray has the potential to be the third NFL guys trying to acquaint them the odd guy in the NFL.” Bison to play in the NFL joining the with Geoff I told them that he was As for Gray, he’ll be gearing up to likes of Onyemata and defensive line- a Stanford guy, he’s a Harvard-type get in shape for Green Bay’s training man Israel Idonije, who spent nine guy. That’s the kind of guy when it camp and purchasing a new printer seasons with the Chicago Bears and comes to [intelligence].” with his signing bonus as he was havone with the Detroit Lions, and like Having two players in the last two ing technical difficulties, delaying the

photo provided by jeff miller

actual signing of his NFL contract.

“My scanner wasn’t really working, it was a whole stressful nightmare,”

he said. “I’m going to buy a really reliable printer.”

Possible goalies the Winnipeg Jets should target this off-season Kellen Taniguchi

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inding a reliable veteran goal- tial of Hellebuyck and Comrie, Pittsburgh and that Fleury needs get return for Fleury instead of losing The 32-year-old is still a capable tender will be a main focus for Winnipeg needs a veteran goalie to find a new home. Fleury has two him for nothing to Las Vegas in the starter if the right team takes a gamthe Winnipeg Jets during the 2017 that can hold down the crease for years remaining on his contract, expansion draft. ble on him. Elliott was a force in the offseason. the next couple of seasons and help which would allow the young Jets 2015-16 season for the St. Louis Blues With Ondřej Pavelec hitting the develop their young back-stoppers goalies to learn under the veteran and Mike Smith, Arizona Coyotes with a 2.07 goals against average and Recently, Mike Smith submit- contributing a stellar .930 save perfree agent market this year, the Jets into future NHL starters. Below eventually take over, just as Murray are left with Connor Hellebuyck , are some of the goalies the Jets did in Pittsburgh. ted a list of eight teams he would centage in 42 games. If Elliott can Michael Hutchinson , and Manitoba should make a priority of targeting. not accept a trade to, so assuming return to the goalie that he was in St. Moose starter Eric Comrie at the that Winnipeg is not on Smith’s list, Louis, he would be a perfect fit for goalie position.

Marc-André Fluery , he would be an ideal fit for the next the Jets short-term future.

Winnipeg needs a Hutchinson has been given Pittsburgh Penguins Other options that Jets general couple of seasons. veteran goalie that numerous opportunities to take conWith the expansion draft looming The 35-year-old also has two years manager Kevin Cheveldayoff can trol of the Jets’ crease but never took the Pittsburgh Penguins find themremaining on his current contract and look at are veterans Ryan Miller can hold down the advantage of his chances. He gave selves with two capable starting goalis coming off a season where he was and Cam Ward. Both have strugcrease for the next up an average of 2.92 goals a game tenders. Last season, Matt Murray named to the NHL All-Star Game gled to find a home on their current and posted a low .903 save percentage took over starting duties, which left . In 55 games last season, Smith had teams – in Vancouver and Carolina, couple of seasons throughout his 28 games played in the veteran goalie Marc-André Fleury a .914 save percentage and allowed respectively – but could boost the 2016-17 season. out in the cold. While Murray led an average of 2.92 goals against . His experience the Jets are looking for to and help develop On the other hand, Hellebuyck Pittsburgh to a Stanley Cup in 2016, numbers weren’t out of this world, but develop their youth. their young backstarted the majority of the games in Fleury got his shot to prove he could neither are the Coyotes a stellar team.

A move like this would be a highgoal for the Jets this past season, post- still play with Murray suffering an Smith posting average numbers on a risk, high-reward wager if the Jets stoppers into future ing an only moderately better 2.89 injury at the beginning of the 2017 team like Arizona’s is impressive and are willing to roll the dice. If nothing NHL starters goals against average and a .907 save NHL playoffs. Fleury started the first it isn’t hard to believe that he could falls into place during the offseason, percentage in 56 games. Winnipeg 15 games for the Penguins this postcontribute more to a young team like Winnipeg can ride their young goalalso has the 21-year-old Comrie, who season, winning nine games, with a the Jets. tenders for yet another year. has consistently performed well for 2.56 goals against average, and a .924 Winnipeg has a lot of talent up the Jets’ AHL affiliate team over the save percentage before Murray took front and may be a stable goalie Brian Elliot, Calgary Flames past two seasons. Comrie got his first over the net once again. away from winning their first playoff Brian Elliott was acquired by the and only NHL start in 2016-17, where Fleury was one of the main fac- game since the team came over from Calgary Flames last off-season, but he allowed four goals, but showed tors in the Penguins advancing Atlanta. A trade for Fleury would he inevitably played his way out of promise by making key saves to help through the first two rounds of the make sense for both the Jets and the starting gig. In 49 games Elliott the Jets win the game.

2017 Stanley Cup playoffs, but it is Penguins, as Winnipeg would get had a .910 save percentage and a 2.55 With the youth and poten- clear that Murray is the future in their goalie and the Penguins would goals against average.