14 August 2019

ARTS & CULTURE

A place for people to connect South Osborne Farmers’ Market brings community together

NEWS

Solidarity on sacred lands

Students call on U of M administration to divest support for project PAGE 4

NEWS

Talking priorities UMSU meets with provincial parties PAGE 3 FEATURE

Real Love Festivalgoers soak up the summer sun PAGE 15

VO L 1 0 6 · N O 3 · AU G U ST 1 4 , 2 0 1 9 · W W W.T H E M A N I TO B A N .CO M

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Index

VOL. 106 NO. 3 August 14, 2019

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Malak Abas

ARTS AND CULTURE

editor@themanitoban.com / 474.8293

New ideas, same setting

BUSINESS MANAGER Alice Teufack

accounts@themanitoban.com / 474.6535

ADVERTISING CO-ORDINATOR Pauline Calinisan

ads@themanitoban.com / 474.6535

Gimli Film Fest brings the world to Manitoba

EDITORIAL

MANAGING EDITOR Matthew Doering

me@themanitoban.com

PAGE 12

NEWS EDITOR Garett Williams

garett@themanitoban.com / 474.6770

NEWS EDITOR Ty Brass

ty@themanitoban.com / 474.6770

COMMENT EDITOR Kenny Ingram

comment@themanitoban.com

ARTS AND CULTURE EDITOR Emelia Fournier

arts@themanitoban.com

SPORTS EDITOR Jason Pchajek

sports@themanitoban.com

COPY EDITOR Matthew Doering

copy@themanitoban.com

ASSOCIATE COPY EDITOR Megan Pietrus

megan@themanitoban.com

SPORTS

Looking ahead

Bisons squads have much to prove

DESIGN

DESIGN EDITOR Kellie Huynh

design@themanitoban.com

GRAPHICS EDITOR Evan Tremblay

graphics@themanitoban.com

VISUAL CONTENT COORDINATOR Quincy Houdayer

photo@themanitoban.com

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MANITOBAN ARTS AND CULTURE

Bold, beautiful and bodacious Burlesque fest celebrates uniqueness PAGE 13

109 HELEN GLASS U N I V E R S I T Y O F M A N I TO B A WINNIPEG, MB R3T 2N2

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News

News Editor: Garett Williams and Ty Brass Contact: garett@themanitoban.com ty @themanitoban.com / 474.6770

UMSU raises priorities with provincial parties Union president calls meetings with NDP and Liberal Party “very productive” TY BRASS, STAFF

PHOTO BY QUINCY HOUDAYER

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ith the Manitoba provincial election less than a month away, UMSU has been meeting with parties to ensure students’ voices are heard.

So far, UMSU has met with the leadership and some other MLAs of both the New Democratic Party of Manitoba (NDP) and the Manitoba Liberal Party.

UMSU president Jakob Sanderson said he will be meeting with the Green Party of Manitoba soon and has reached out to the Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba.

“We have not gotten a meeting yet with the Conservative party, but we very much would like to, to let them know where those student priorities are at ahead of a very important election,” he said.

Sanderson, who noted UMSU will not be endorsing any party, said the union has been focusing on the four “primary” parties in the election and has not reached out to the other registered parties, the provincial arm of the Communist Party of Canada or Manitoba First.

He listed 10 asks UMSU focused on promoting to the parties during the meetings, including the restora-

tion of healthcare funding for inter- out to all the different parties, and the “discussion was extremely posinational students, the reinstatement as soon as parties are incorporating tive” and that UMSU was “expecting of funding for the Access program some these asks to their platforms, that a vast majority of our asks are bursaries — a bursary aimed at dis- we’ll be indicating that on all of our going to be reflected.” advantaged students — which was social media releases, so we hope that Sanderson said he believes the cut by the provincial government we’ll be able to get a lot of the stu- meetings had a “big impact” in makearlier this year, increasing grants dents out to the polls and to do so in ing sure students and their priorities for Campus Manitoba to create an educated fashion.” are considered by the parties. a “credit transfer “I can’t speak for database and more what would be in open educational a platform if we “I think we had very positive resources,” restordidn’t have those discussions with both parties” — Jakob ing universit y meetings, but I operating grants can definitely say Sanderson, UMSU president that we brought to pre-2017-18 levels across the forward a lot of province and the issues that I think, retention of interest-free student Sanderson called the meetings some of which parties were already loans. “very productive,” and noted that thinking about, but others I don’t Other priorities included the NDP has included a “number of think were really something that the increased mental health supports, the different things” in its platform parties were giving a lot of active conincreased sexual violence supports, that UMSU brought up. He said the sideration to,” he said. expansion of eligibility for scholar- union also expects the Liberal party’s “I think the fact that we brought ships and bursaries to part-time and platform to incorporate most of its these up has been really, really mature students, freezing inflation- priorities. influential.” ary tuition increases and increased The NDP platform, revealed Aug. funding for Indigenous-related 8, states the party would keep stu- Get out to vote course offerings. dent loans interest-free, freeze tuition The provincial election voting day “We feel confident that these do increases to the rate of inflation and is Sept. 10, just a week after new stureflect key student priorities with the restore the Access bursary. dent orientation day on Sept. 3.

University of Manitoba,” he said.

Sanderson said that while the Sanderson said UMSU program“And so we have been getting these Liberal program has yet to be released, ming during both the provincial and

federal election — for which voting is set for Oct. 21 — will include a focus on getting students out and voting.

“We're going to be running our Get Out to Vote campaign, for both the provincial and federal [elections] starting right from the first day of school, in that during all of our tabling and all of our orientation sessions we're going to be collecting vote pledges for students,” said Sanderson.

“Everyone who pledges to vote, we're going to be able to keep them up to date with individualized contact in terms of what to do on voting day, where to go.

“In terms of every time one of the parties updates a platform based on something towards education, we’re able to communicate that information right to them.”

Sanderson added UMSU had been “in talks” with Elections Manitoba to set up polling stations on campus and hoped students would take part.

“It’s not just about getting students to vote, it’s about educating them on why to vote.”

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News

News Editor: Garett Williams and Ty Brass Contact: garett@themanitoban.com / ty @themanitoban.com / 474.6770

Controversial project has campus connection Students oppose U of M support of telescope on Indigenous sacred lands MALAK ABAS, STAFF

PHOTO BY STEVE HALAMA

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telescope being built in Hawaii with connections to the U of M has Indigenous students on campus calling on administration to divest its support.

The Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) project in Mauna Kea has brought out protesters worldwide, who say the mountain the telescope is being built on is sacred land to Indigenous people in Hawaii.

The U of M has a personal connection to the telescope’s construction — the university is one of 20 members of the Association of Canadian Universities for Research in Astronomy (ACURA), a research organization actively involved with the TMT project.

Then-prime minister Stephen Harper pledged $243.5 million to the US$1.5 billion project over 10 years in 2015, guaranteeing a viewing share for Canadian researchers.

The University of Manitoba

Indigenous Students’ Association Alicia Kubrakovich said she first (UMISA) and the Indigenous wom- heard of the conflict, and the U of xn’s council published a letter through M’s connection to it, through social social media July 29 expressing soli- media. darity “with our relations who are “I was kind of shocked,” she said. fighting to protect their sacred lands.”

She then brought up the idea It also calls on the U of M admin- of expressing public solidarity to istration to revoke its support of the UMISA and the womxn’s council, a

“The womxn’s council and UMISA are hopeful that the U of M and UMSU will both take a stance similar to ours” — Amanda Fredlund, Indigenous womxn’s council organizer project as a part of its commitment decision womxn’s council organizer to honouring reconciliation efforts, Amanda Fredlund said was easy to adding that the “sacredness of our make. land and waters should never be “We obviously supported it,” compromised by corporate greed Fredlund said. and advancement of western science.”

“I think that the movement and UMISA female co-president the action that the Indigenous

people in Hawaii are taking is very similar to Standing Rock, and the Oka Crisis, and all these instances in Canada where Indigenous people and Indigenous women have stood up against institutions that were trying to take advantage of them.

“So there’s a solidarity that’s just kind of inherent.”

“I know a lot of people that are students who have connections with Hawaii, out there, too,” Kubrakovich said.

“It’s all over. We have connections all over the place.”

Annie Beach, a student and UMISA member who shared the letter through social media, said the situation in Mauna Kea “draws pretty close to home for a lot of Indigenous people in Canada.”

“Because even here, there are these projects that have been […] destructive as well, such as the Keystone pipeline, all these other pipeline

projects that have been announced recently in Canada.

“So I think there’s similarities not only between our cultures, being Indigenous people, but also this idea of wanting to protect sacred land, and how we see things, are very similar.”

While Kubrakovich said the letter had yet to receive any public support through UMSU or the U of M administration, there have been talks with both groups scheduled to address the issue.

“The womxn’s council and UMISA are hopeful that the U of M and UMSU will both take a stance similar to ours,” Fredlund said.

UMSU president Jakob Sanderson told the Manitoban the executive was “in full support of their efforts” and said there were plans to press administration further on the issue.

Beach said she hopes university administration will acknowledge the letter and that the U of M’s commitment to reconciliation needs to be “reiterated.”

“It’s so easy for the university to invest [in] something like that, and it can easily just get away with it, because it’s so behind-the-scenes that people aren’t going to be aware of it firsthand,” she said.

The letter published by UMISA and the Indigenous womxn’s council says the university’s connection to the TMT project “counteracts their promise to support the Indigenous community and uphold reconciliation,” something Fredlund said was disappointing to the students working to promote those efforts.

“It’s very discouraging at the same time when things like this come to light, where we hear that our institution, which talks a big game, is actually putting money and investments toward a project that is violating the rights of Indigenous people,” she said.

A spokesperson from the U of M was not available for comment by press time.

The University of Toronto published a statement July 23 by vice-president of research and innovation and strategic initiatives Vivek Goel which stated that while Goel understands “the TMT project is committed to being good stewards on the mountain and inclusive of the Hawaiian community,” the university did not “condone the use of police force in furthering its research objectives.”

Both Kubrakovich and Fredlund said they were waiting on UMSU and U of M administration to take the next step and would be meeting with other UMISA members in the beginning of the school year to discuss how the group would move forward.

No matter the response, Kubrakovich said the focus would be on expressing support for other Indigenous peoples.

“We’re still going to continue to fight, we’re going to continue standing in solidarity.”

VOL. 106 NO. 3 August 14, 2019

UMSU delays Frosh Fest artist announcement TY BRASS, STAFF

GRAPHIC PROVIDED BY UMSU

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MSU has delayed the artist announcement for its annual September Frosh Fest event, with no word on when the announcement will come.

Frosh Fest, hosted by UMSU and events co-ordinator Blueprint University, is scheduled for the evening of Sept. 14.

The event has taken place every September since 2013 as part of UMSU’s orientation programming.

Artists featured in previous years have included Tiësto, Dillon Francis and Childish Gambino.

An UMSU Facebook post from Aug. 2 said an artist announcement would likely be made Aug. 7 at noon, though it was subject to change. On the afternoon of the expected unveiling, UMSU announced only a further

delay.

“Due to reasons beyond our control we will be delaying our official artist announcement until further notice to ensure the best possible lineup for the UMSU Centennial Frosh,” reads the post. The event’s Facebook page states the “official artist announcement coming soon.”

While UMSU president Jakob Sanderson said Frosh Fest will be exciting, he added, “We’re still working out some details right now with the artists but look forward to an announcement shortly.”

Tickets for Frosh Fest were to go on sale Aug. 9, but have also been delayed until the lineup is announced.

“We can’t wait to keep celebrating this monumental year this September,” said Sanderson.

Man convicted in transit slaying sentenced MANITOBAN STAFF

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he man convicted of killing a fighting outside the bus when Fraser Winnipeg Transit driver on the was stabbed multiple times.

U of M Fort Garry campus in 2017 He was taken to hospital in critical has been sentenced to life in prison condition, where he later died. with no chance of parole for 12 years.

Joyal said “uncomfortable and Irvine Jubal Fraser died in hospital serious questions must be raised” after being stabbed 12 times on Feb. about the driver’s actions, noting his 15, 2017. Brian Kyle Thomas, 25, was participation in the confrontation convicted of second degree murder “significantly diluted” the Crown’s in January. argument that he was attacked while In handing down the sentence performing his duties at work.

Aug. 7, Justice Glenn Joyal said, The court acknowledged Thomas’s “The offence in this case was brutal upbringing and diagnosis of fetal and the impact on the community alcohol spectrum disorder in issufar-reaching.” ing the sentence, with Joyal saying it Thomas was asleep on the bus “diminishes his moral blameworthiwhen it reached the end of service in ness in a way that I am obliged to the early morning hours. take note.”

The two men eventually began

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News Editor: Garett Williams and Ty Brass Contact: garett@themanitoban.com / ty @themanitoban.com / 474.6770

Over $2.5 million in funding announced for research Additional $1 million awarded for graduate student scholarships TY BRASS, STAFF

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eventeen U of M projects have received over $2.5 million in funding through the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC).

The funding was announced July 17 in Fredricton, N.B., by Kirsty Duncan, minister of science and sport. Over $1 million for U of M graduate student scholarships was also announced.

Réal Carrière, an assistant professor in the faculty of political studies, received over $70,000 in funding over two years through the SSHRC Insight Development grant for his project “Nistotumowin Nehinuwak

Okimahin: Developing a Deeper communities,” he said. goals of what you want to do with Understanding of Swampy Cree Carrière described the grant — your career,” he said.

Political Theories and Practices.” and other similar awards — as being Carrière also spoke about what The fundresearch ing he received grants of this w i l l a l low sort can mean “Grants of this size allow you to pursue your Carrière to for students research agenda and the goals of what you expand on the by creating work he started opportuniwant to do with your career” — Réal Carrière, in his doctoral ties for gainassociate professor, faculty of political studies research into ing research Swampy Cree experience. political theory.

“The way I “I’m going to be able to continue key for new academics in determining designed the grant, and most grants that work to go into several more the path of their career. are, is to get students, grad students communities outside of my home “Grants of this size allow you to or undergraduate students, to do territory and to other Swampy Cree pursue your research agenda and the research and [gain] career experience.”

“You’re probably not going to be successful if you’re not hiring any students, that’s kind of what they want to see, the Social Sciences [and Humanities] Research Council, they want to see that you’re supporting students and that you’re contributing to, they call it ‘knowledge production,’ that’s the official language that they use, and part of knowledge production is mentorship of new students,” he said.

“As a faculty, the grants themselves, recipients are successful for a lot of different factors, and one of the main factors too is, how are you going to support development of students.”

The battle over buses QUINCY HOUDAYER, STAFF

The Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) has vowed to fight recent changes to shift trading and vacation time for bus drivers made by the city in the midst of contract negotiations. The ATU has voted to reject three offers from the city and began voting on the latest offer Sunday.

Editorial Editor-In-Chief: Malak Abas Contact: Editor@themanitoban.com / 474.6770

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Protecting the integrity of the game Loss of captaincy after table kicking appropriate JASON PCHAJEK, STAFF

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hat a world we live in, where grainy footage of a man kicking a table exemplifies the frustration and misfortune of a fledgling soccer franchise.

In the 89th minute of an Aug. 8 game against the HFX Wanderers, Valour FC captain Jordan Murrell pushed referee Filip Dujic and was tossed from the match. Instead of walking off the pitch and taking out his frustrations away from prying eyes, Murrell delivered a swift kick to the scorer’s table, sending paper and equipment flying.

Following the incident, Murrell announced he would be vacating the captaincy due to his poor behaviour. The club awaits further discipline from the Canadian Soccer Association (CSA).

This incident does more than show how difficult the inaugural Canadian

Premier League (CPL) season has but the one thing you can control is smashed a water bottle or snapped been for Valour FC — who finished where outbursts happen. In front of a stick in frustration? last in the spring season, and sit 0-2-3 cameras and young fans, though? Not But as the captain and face of a in the fall season. It shines a light the best look. young franchise, he should know eyes on the delicate line professional athProfessional athletes, actors, musi- are always on him. letes must walk when it comes to their cians, politicians and any other public He is allowed and expected to demeanour. feel things, to They are react passionately human beings, to what occurs on Their behaviour is imprinted on the people prone to emothe pitch, but he who watch them, no matter their age tional outburst still has to keep in and poor judgemind the impact ment, but they are he has on those also public figures and role models. figure are role models. Their behav- watching. Contacting a referee and, Anyone who has played sports iour is imprinted on the people who in essence, attacking a league offiseriously in their lives has undoubt- watch them, no matter their age. cial are not actions that belong in the edly gone through a rough stretch, Whether they like it or not, these game, and players need to know when not to mention an abysmal sea- people are cultural influencers, who and when not to react. son. Losing sucks, especially for a normalize behaviour in the people Losing the captaincy and any furprolonged period, so you cannot who follow them. ther punishment from the CSA then begrudge Murrell for snapping after Murrell’s frustration is under- serve a more symbolic function in this yet another loss. standable and his reaction genuine. case. They show how high the standEmotions run high, people snap, What athlete among us has not ards of conduct are in the CPL, with

the game’s top authority in Canada taking a stance to show the impressionable masses what behaviour is and is not appropriate.

When players act out of line, it is up to leagues and other governing bodies to step in and be the arbiters of good judgement. With a new league like the CPL, this action is even more important as the league works to set its tone and identity moving forward.

Yet the biggest impact will be felt down at the grassroots level. If behaviour like Murrell’s does not draw a negative reaction, and negative consequences, that behaviour sets the bar for what is acceptable and reasonable.

Murrell needed to be punished for kicking a folding table so nobody after him does worse.

I mean, have you seen what Buffalo Bills fans do to those poor tables?

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Comment Comment Editor: Kenny Ingram Contact: comment@themanitoban.com / 474.6529

Province’s fate lies in the hands of Wab Kinew Bold policy and new direction necessary in driving voters to the polls KENNY INGRAM, STAFF

GRAPHIC BY EVAN TREMBLAY

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anitoba’s 2019 provincial elec- rely on, he managed to use this slogan tion will be historic in deter- to grift his way into a landslide vicmining the direction of the province. tory — with the PCs winning 40 of After over three years of reck- the 57 seats in the legislature. less governance from a party that The power of a positive campaign has waged a war on unions, govern- run on the concerns of the electorate ment employees and working-class cannot be understated.

Manitobans, the electorate has a It is widely understood that a chance to change course. campaign run on negativity results This change rests solely in the in an electorate that is not motivated hands of the leadership of the New to turn out to the polls. This should Democratic Party (NDP), which be obvious. has all too often made the mistake Instead of showing up to support of relying on tactics of negativity and the candidate they like the most, votfear, rather than its own direction for ers’ motivation is instead to show up Manitoba. and vote against the candidate they In the massacre that was the 2016 hate the most. provincial election, the NDP — in Even after the PCs gained conan effort to distract from its own trol and began slashing the services failures — ran its entire campaign Manitobans rely on, the NDP conon Progressive Conservative (PC) tinued the trend of focusing on insigleader Brian Pallister’s track record nificant issues and negativity. of cutting public services.

This included extensive marketing This included ads featuring of the fact that Brian Pallister spent Pallister with a crazed look on his a notable portion of the year at his face while scissors ran across the vacation home in Costa Rica. The screen showing all the services he party even held a raffle for two tickets could potentially cut accompanied to Costa Rica with the sentiment: by the attempt at a clever line, “he’s “Don’t miss your chance to live like running with scissors.” part-time Premier Brian Pallister for The PCs instead ran a campaign a week in sunny Costa Rica!” around the slogan “Better Plan.

The NDP even went so far as to Better Manitoba.” Despite the fact create and mail out fake postcards on that Pallister had no legitimate plan behalf of Pallister with “Greetings aside from cutting the front-line, from Costa Rica” plastered on the essential services that Manitobans front.

These attacks not only delegitimize the NDP, but also force voters to shut down and ignore substantive criticism.

With under a month before election day, and the NDP and PCs being the only two parties that could mathematically win a majority, the NDP is likely Manitoba’s only hope at

In the few remaining weeks before the election, the NDP leadership must make a conscious decision to fight Pallister’s negativity with bold ideas gaining a leftist-governing majority government.

Over the past several weeks, however, it seems that the NDP has taken a sharp turn toward the beginning of a new, positive vision for Manitoba’s future. In his campaign kickoff speech, NDP leader Wab Kinew focused on healthcare, jobs and climate change — outlining an entirely new vision for Manitoba that includes

the creation of 50,000 jobs.

At the very same time, the PCs have resorted to personal attacks on Kinew’s past and regressive tax-cutting proposals — like ending probate fees on wills — that would disproportionately benefit the wealthiest Manitobans.

In the few remaining weeks before the election, the NDP leadership must make a conscious decision to fight Pallister’s negativity with bold ideas.

This means not only talking about reversing the detrimental policies of the PCs and promoting a new vision, but also directly responding to the new regressive proposals put forward

by Pallister.

While Pallister has committed to eliminating “death taxes,” Kinew must similarly pledge to lower or eliminate Manitoba’s probate fees on those who inherit very little, while simultaneously increasing the rate on those inheriting more than $1 million.

Pallister has allowed for tuition to be raised significantly for postsecondary students. Kinew must draw a stark contrast by pledging to make public post-secondary institutions free.

The PCs have ignored the epidemic of families and single mothers who cannot access affordable child care. Kinew must pledge to make

access to regulated daycare centres universal.

Pallister has raised the minimum wage by pennies — not even keeping up with the rate of inflation.

Kinew must not only raise the entirely inadequate minimum wage but also tie it to the rate of inflation and cost of living.

Pallister has entirely ignored the province-wide meth epidemic during his first three years in power. Kinew must immediately pledge to build the many necessary government-run supervised injection sites and longterm drug rehabilitation clinics all around the province.

And to pay for the new proposals and balance the budget, Kinew must raise taxes on the wealthiest Manitobans — whose taxes currently cap out at 17.4 per cent on income above $67,000 — by creating several new tax brackets for those making well over six figures a year.

While many are already speculating that low voter turnout may be the best way for Pallister to maintain power, the NDP must give voters a reason to turn out to the polls.

Real, bold policy proposals that tackle the serious issues facing Manitobans are the only way that the NDP will win a majority government and lead Manitoba into a positive future.

Diversions Graphics Editor: Evan Tremblay Contact: graphics@themanitoban.com / 474.6775

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Arts & Culture Arts & Culture Editor: Emelia Fournier Contact: arts@themanitoban.com / 474.6529

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The many wonders of a fleeting trip to Winnipeg A Kiwi mulls his trials, tribulations and joys while in the heart of the Canadian Prairies VINCENT RHODES

having the chance to attend some local music events in the Manitoban woods. They combined the quaint and life-affirming aspects of camping with the excitement and interesting exchanges of a music festival.

Our first weekend we attended Rainbow Trout Music Festival in St. Malo, Man. I was able to float on the river, attend a quick pottery workshop, dance until 5 a.m. two nights in a row, try a smokie for the first time, skinny dip, listen to some great

I have made lasting friends and memories during my brief time in Manitoba PHOTO BY JEN DOERKSEN

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s a well-travelled New Zealander, Winnipeg has become one of my favourite places to visit.

When I first arrived in Winnipeg, around this time last year, it was on the back of a very stressful escapade through Canadian customs at the Vancouver airport.

Same as everyone else, I had always been told that Canadians were the friendliest people on Earth, but I was impeded at the border for seemingly no reason. The border agents took me to a separate room, went through all my things and grilled me

until they were satisfied that I wasn’t trying to cause trouble or stay in the country illegally.

The difficulty began when I told the agents that Winnipeg was my final destination. I was going to spend 10 days hanging out with a friend that I met while travelling in Guatemala a few years prior, who insisted that I come to these small music festivals in the woods.

They found that suspicious.

Many people I had told about my plans to visit Winnipeg, or to whom

I’ve since relayed my experiences, have been mystified by this decision.

My response to these people has been to return to Winnipeg not even a year later to experience another wonderful summer on the Canadian Prairies.

My exposure to Manitoba last year was an unforgettably magical adventure. My time was spent with my friend, her friends and a lot of strangers. They all welcomed me with open arms and very quickly all became my friends.

The main draw for my visit was

music and participate in ongoing art projects, all in just a couple of days.

The following Thursday we headed to Kerry, Man. to Hoot Owl Festival of Music and Art. What I found was the first incarnation of the former Shine On. We were in it for the long haul, Thursday to Sunday, and well in the woods this time so no river or showers to wash off in. We compensated by completely relaxing into each others company.

This festival was more about soaking up the music and enjoying our down time doing very little.

I read a lot more after being recommended some fantastic Winnipeg authors, played cards, helped the enviro team to pick up trash around the festival grounds, had a fancy western dress up evening, sat in many hammocks and around many fires and really got to enjoy a wide range of musical styles.

I was so grateful to be able to get involved in part of the awe-inspiring and just totally cool local music scene that has such strong roots in the community. It produces some incredibly evocative and universally enjoyable music and given more exposure it could be an even bigger draw for people visiting the area.

Within Winnipeg itself I was able to spend some time relaxing, and heartily enjoyed the carefree vibe that seems to pervade the whole town in summer. We rode bikes through some cute neighbourhoods and parks, went shopping through vintage stores and boutiques, and fed my passion for trying local delicacies as well as getting to cook with quality local ingredients.

I have made lasting friends and memories during my brief time in Manitoba. I even met up with some of them a few months after my first visit during my further travels into South America.

I wholeheartedly enjoy Winnipeg and Manitoba. I really hope that I have the opportunity to spend many more summers here in the future.

A new cinematic world in small town Manitoba Gimli Film Festival brought a new perspective to an attendee's second home ZACHARY SIGURDSON, STAFF

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PHOTO BY LAINA BROWN

lthough I grew up and live in Winnipeg, Gimli is my second home.

Summertime, to me, means regular trips to Gimli for evenings on the boardwalk, nights at Brennivins, Ship & Plough Tavern or the pier and lunch at Kris’ Fish & Chips.

The Gimli Film Festival (GFF) has always been at the periphery of my life there. I kept putting off attending the festival to the following summer. This year, I finally got the chance to attend the GFF and see what I had been missing.

The GFF began in 2001 and is now Canada’s largest rural film festival, showcasing films and shorts from both Canadian and international creators.

Of the 141 films showcased this year, 62 were made in Manitoba.

The showings boasted a diverse crowd, filled with locals and visiting retirees, young film students, educators and tourists.

Even with a beautiful sunny day and the breeze coming off Lake Winnipeg, GFF attendees chose to spend their weekend indoors in dark

galleries and churches for no other reason than the love of film.

This year’s films included Future Work, an anthology of Canadian and international short films related to the past, present and future of labour.

This included local director Rowan Gray’s debut Alternating Current, which was up for Best Manitoba Short.

The anthology also included a silent look into Chinese sweat shops with Foreign Quarters by Rajee Samarasinghe, and the story of Greenland sled dog hunter Martin Madsen in The Hunter by Frederik Wolff. Future Work also featured a Black Mirror meets The Office mockumentary, Couleur du Moment by Jeremy Sandor.

One of my favourites of the festival, One Child Nation, follows filmmaker Nanfu Wang as she uncovers the intimate stories of China’s nowabolished one-child policy and the generations affected by it.

The film was horrifying, haunting and fearless in how it stared down the reality of the policy’s consequences.

It is a personal journey for the

creators, but also a vital piece of archival history that will ensure that these stories will not be forgotten or obscured by decades of government propaganda.

Due to limited time I was not able to see more of the GFF. There was a myriad of interesting films for a variety of interests, including the Indigenous Filmmakers Association’s short films, Penny Lane’s Hail Satan?

— a documentary about the Satanic Temple — and numerous foreign and indie films.

The festival’s executive director Aaron Zeghers told Global News that the GFF has made diversity a higher priority, showcasing 85 films directed by women and holding their second annual Future is Female* mentorship program.

The 19th GFF broke records with this year’s attendees reaching over 13,000.

I am already eagerly awaiting the 20th GFF. The GFF’s commitment to showcasing a diverse range of films broadened my view of the world and our place in it from the comfort of my second home.

VOL. 106 NO. 3 August 14, 2019

Arts & Culture

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Burlesque, nerdlesque, boylesque and more

Festival workshops and performances build niche burlesque community MEGAN PIETRUS, STAFF

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he fourth annual Winnipeg Carmen Murray ⎯ whose stage name According to Murray, the term International Burlesque Festival is Dixie Cups ⎯ said she was inspired burlesque often calls to mind the will be on at the Gas Station Arts to create the festival after attending “sassy, almost-nudity,” but the perCentre from Aug. 15 to 18. the Burlesque Hall of Fame weekend formance art is also about celebration, This year’s festival deviates from in Las Vegas. inclusivity and fun.

“It’s meant to titillate, to tease, to traditional burlesque performances, “Seeing the inspiration in Las and includes diverse styles of bur- Vegas, these amazing women includ- provoke thought, to bring joy, to lesque such as boylesque — which ing burlesque legends coming onto make you think,” she said. showcases male performers — and stage, they forged that whole indusBurlesque was traditionally pernerdlesque, which fuses cosplay with try, and to see them just honoured formed by women only, but Murray pop culture parodies. and brought onstage again was really said that burlesque “has changed a The festival features Canadian and amazing. great deal” and “is getting a little internamore difficult to define” tional peras different sub-genres “The world is craving diversity and formers emerge. including “It’s incorporating every burlesque offers that” — Carmen Murray, awardbody and every gender or festival producer and co-founder winning non-gender,” she said. headlin“Diversity is really key. ers Gogo There is no ‘should’ in Incognito — an Ivy League-educated “That showed me what a supportive burlesque.” cosplayer and nerdlesque performer, community it is.”

Murray attributed burlesque’s will be doing a Fresh Prince of Bel-AirMurray also said that the body recent rise in popularity to increas- themed act and Gogo Incognito will and Zyra Lee Vanity, who is known for high energy routines that combine positivity in the community attracted ing demand for diversity and body be doing a Twilight meets Star Wars Afro-Caribbean culture with vintage her to burlesque. positivity. performance. Other performances burlesque.

“You can take what might have “I think people are just looking for include a The Lion King act called The festival is an 18+ event but been considered a flaw [...] something something different, people are tired “Circle of Life,” and a Hockey Night in boasts a diverse crowd of young and different about you, that maybe you of [the idea that] everything has to Canada-inspired performance. old. don’t love, and learn to love it and fit into a particular little box,” said This year’s festival offers eight The Winnipeg International honour it.”

Murray. workshops including pasties making, Burlesque Festival began in 2016 but Murray added that burlesque “The world is craving diversity and tassel twirling and a drop-in dance fundraising efforts for the festival also helps people with mental health burlesque offers that.” class. The workshops are open to all issues and “finding out who they are, began almost six years ago.

Both headliners will be perform- skill levels.

Festival producer and co-founder and letting that person flourish.” ing nerdlesque acts. Zyra Lee Vanity “We’re trying to focus on com-

PHOTO BY STUDIO D'ALISSIO

munity building and learning, and that’s why we’re bringing in all these workshops,” said Murray.

Murray said the festival promises to deliver audiences a unique experience.

“I want people to leave thinking they’ve seen something that they couldn’t have seen any where else,” said Murray.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit winnburlesquefest.ca.

Food for thought

South Osborne Farmers’ Market offers speaker series, sustainable programs EMELIA FOURNIER, STAFF

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he South Osborne Farmers’ Market (SOFM) brings its community-minded, ecologically sustainable vendors to Kylemore Ave. for its fourth year.

The SOFM is run by Farm Fresh Food Hub (FFFH), a volunteer-run community service co-operative spearheaded by activist network Transition Winnipeg. FFFH’s ultimate goal is to create a more sustainable, fair food system in Manitoba.

The SOFM has expanded from eight vendors in 2016 to over 40 vendors in 2019, now offering ecofriendly initiatives, live music, a children’s tent with child-minding and beer gardens.

Former Manitoban photo editor Asha Nelson, this year’s SOFM coordinator, described it as “a thriving community space [...] where people are coming together not just to purchase their food but actually to gather as a community and help each other out.”

The market also hosts a bi-weekly speaker series entitled “Chew on this!”

The informal lectures delve into issues surrounding food production, such as food justice, queering food spaces and Indigenous food.

“Although I don’t think our space ever came across as just a place to come and buy, like a space for com-

merce, this [speaker series] just fur- the organization’s first paid employee. ing out of an “idea jam” hosted Summer Jobs program. ther signifies our dedication towards “In the past it was all organized by Transition Winnipeg and the According to Daman, the city education around food issues,” said and managed by volunteer board Canadian Community Economic should be moving much faster on Nelson. members, and so they were doing Development Network of Manitoba. food sustainability and local food The SOFM is also taking envi- that on top of having full-time jobs, The idea was “to link rural and production in the face of climate ronmentally-conscious initiatives in which was exhausting and just not urban folks together to start talking change. accordance with FFFH’s sustain- sustainable,” said Nelson. about local food and start making it “We have the capacity and the ability ethos.

“Obviously a goal with hiring easier to purchase local food,” said capability to be producing way more “We’ve worked hard to make the someone was to free up their time Daman. food than we currently are in this market more ecologically sustainable, and to make the market run more The volunteer board is now com- province, and even in the city, but our so we’ve introduced a plastic-free pol- smoothly, but also they really wanted prised of seven people, including policies don’t support it,” said Daman.

Daman cited a technicality that icy, and then more recently we’ve also to start focusing on their long-term Daman, Kelly Janz, Nathan Enns, introduced a refillable jar program, or vision with the Food Hub and then Anna Sigrithur, Arianna Hildebrand, does not permit farming for comcontainer program,” she said. treat the SOFM as a separate project.” Jonathan Kroeker and Nick Rempel. mercial purposes within Winnipeg’s Nelson said “Ultimately, our city limits as well as the illegality of goal is really to sup- selling ungraded eggs at farmer’s the initiatives “It’s exciting to see that both the customers port our rural econo- markets as examples of the failings have been positively received. mies, support our of municipal legislation. and producers are very much on board and “It’s excitrural farmers, supWhile Winnipeg does have a food want to make these changes” — Asha Nelson, port our small farm- policy council, it is mostly volunteering to see that both the cusSouth Osborne Farmers Market co-ordinator ers that are using run. Daman and her fellow board tomers and sustainable practices member have put in countless hours producers are that aren’t always the of free labour to run the SOFM and very much on board and want to most cost-effective but are certainly other sustainable food initiatives in make these changes,” said Nelson.

Farm Fresh Food Hub very important for our environment,” Winnipeg.

This is Nelson’s first time working Katie Daman, co-founder and said Daman.

“They need to fund a position to with SOFM’s parent organization, co-chair of FFFH, said the SOFM She also said the organiza- have someone focus specifically on was the organization’s first initiative, tion operates “similarly to a social sustainable food, local food, food Farm Fresh Food Hub. policy,” said Daman.

“It’s really exciting to be a part of but their overarching mission is more enterprise.”

FFFH is almost completely selfthis sort of organization that has so ambitious.

“Our long-term plans are really funded, aside from some small grants The South Osborne Farmers’ Market much passion and energy behind it.”

This is the first year FFFH has around getting a food distribution from Assiniboine Credit Union and runs Wednesdays from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. been able to afford to hire a paid centre for local, sustainably-produced Manitoba Cooperative Association at 725 Kylemore until Sept. 25. To learn co-ordinator. All of FFFH’s board products,” said Daman.

Inc., with about a third of Nelson’s more about Farm Fresh Food Hub, visit members are volunteers — Nelson is FFFH started in 2016, emerg- salary coming from the Canada farmfreshfoodhub.ca.

Sports Sports Editor: Jason Pchajek Contact: sports@themanitoban.com / 474.6529

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New chapter, new page for Bisons Here are the storylines to watch for the 2019-20 season JASON PCHAJEK, STAFF

plenty of skill to go along with his own physicality.

Looking at the backend, the Bisons sport the more experienced Mackenzie Dwyer and Thomas Lenchyschyn, will get a full season out of Ryan Carlson and still have the veteran presence of Adam Henry for his final season.

The most intriguing and important addition will come in the crease, as Bisons fans will finally get to see Tyler Brown in action.

The rookie netminder was a sought-after commodity after a strong Western Hockey League career, and with surgery and recovery in the rear-view he will be ready for action come training camp.

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he 2018-19 season was one full herd finished seventh in the eight- Where will women’s of ups and downs for the U of team conference at 14 points, posting hockey land?

M Bisons. a 6-20-2 record.

After two fantastic seasons — The women’s hockey team made Yet as the old saying goes, “there’s including a national championship it to its second national champion- nowhere to go but up.” title in 2017-18 — the Bisons women’s ship in as many years, and the track Losing captain Brett Stovin, for- hockey team has hit a bit of a snag. and field team impressed as hosts ward Zach Franko, long-time goalWeeks after the team returned of a national tournament, while the tending tandem Byron Spriggs and with a fifth-place finish at the 2019 football team was one and done in Dasan Sydora and defensive stalwart U Sports women’s national hockey the playoffs.

Sean Christensen will certainly sting, championship, goaltender Lauren Heading into the 2019-20 season, but the club has a wealth of talent Taraschuk announced she was leavBisons fans will have plenty of rea- ready to take a step forward. ing the team. sons to watch their favourite squads.

Keaton Jameson showed flashes This move put an immediate hole From teams trying to regain former of brilliance in his first season with in the Bisons depth chart and left glory to others trying to stave off a Manitoba, filling in as the team’s Erin Fargey to shoulder the load fall from grace, there are more than number one centre more than once. heading into her second season. a few stories to watch from the Bisons A line featuring Jameson, Jeremey The loss of Taraschuk came on this year.

Leipsic and Colton Veloso would top of a large graduating class for have all the pieces needed to domi- Manitoba. Captain Erica Rieder, Nowhere but up for nate in a tough and fast conference. forwards Alanna Sharman, Lauryn men’s hockey Jameson is skilled on the draw, can Keen, Karissa Kirkup, Natasha There are a lot of adjectives to play physically and moves the puck Kostenko, Erin Kucheravy and describe how rough the 2018-19 well, Leipsic is evasive, mobile and Courtlyn Oswald, as well as defender Bisons men’s hockey season was. The has a great finish, while Veloso has Alexandra Anderson, all closed out

Join the charge, support the Bisons Students, support student atheletes JASON PCHAJEK, STAFF

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here is nothing as quintessential to the image of the university experience as university sports.

Some support the Buckeyes, others the Longhorns, but at the U of M we have the Bisons. Bison Sports is the U of M sports program that gives athletes a chance to play the sports they love at the highest collegiate level in Canada.

If you are a hockey fan, you have two options to choose from. The historic Bisons men’s hockey program — producers of Barry Trotz, Stu Grimson and Mike Ridley — and the Bisons women’s hockey program — the 2018 U Sports national champions.

Is football more your speed? Then you have the Bisons football club — playing out of IG Field, formerly Investors Group Field — whose

alumni include Winnipeg Blue for free. Just present your student card Bombers Nic Demski and Geoff at the gate of any Bisons home game Gray. Three-time Vanier Cup win- and you can snag a front-row seat to ners, the herd will look to reclaim some high-quality competition. its championship glory with a squad A perfect place to get started is led by quarterback Des Catellier and homecoming and alumni day with helmed by head coach Brian Dobie. the Bisons football team on Sept. 21 at If you have caught basketball fever, IG Field. Come join members of our Bison Sports has you covered too with student residences as part of the Spirit the Bisons men’s and women’s bas- Cup and take in a showdown with ketball teams ready to defend their the University of British Columbia court in 2019-20. Then stick with the Thunderbirds. Students get in free hardwood for the Bisons men’s and with their student ID and kickoff is women’s volleyball teams. at 2 p.m. CDT. Or you could get outside and Come cheer on the herd all enjoy some fresh air with the Bisons throughout the 2019-20 season. women’s soccer team coming back to avenge an opening round playoff exit For more information check out gobiand improve on a seventh-place finish sons.ca, and to keep up with all your U of in the regular season.

M Bisons news, analysis and interviews No matter what sport you love, as check out the Manitoban, in print and a student you can see all the action online at themanitoban.com.

their Canada West careers in 2019. into his fourth year with the Bisons With them goes much of will be his health.

Manitoba’s top six up front, the top Catellier came out firing durdefensive pair, a chunk of the team’s ing the opening half of the season penalty kill and almost all of both its but was banged up heading into powerplay units. the bye week, and coming out of it, To say this hurts the herd would Manitoba’s offence all but dried up. be an understatement.

Outscoring opponents 171-158 before There is a silver lining to this situ- the Oct. 6 bye, the club only scored ation as head coach Jon Rempel is 20 points down the stretch in the two returning from a well-earned sabbati- games where Catellier was taking cal to lead the Bisons bench. Veteran snaps. netminder Amanda Schubert is also The quarterback missed the final returning to provide much needed game of the season due to an injury experience in the Bisons crease, as suffered against the University of well as the dressing room.

Saskatchewan Huskies, but played Jordyn Zacharias and Allison well in his playoff return against Sexton will be relied on heavily as a dominant University of Calgary the team’s only seniors, while Jenai Dinos squad.

Buchanan and Lauren Warkentin Catellier can get the job done — provide a strong top pair for the new and, when healthy, is among the best look of the herd. in the nation at his position. The main Kaitlyn Chatyrbok and Chloe issue is just that, his health.

Snaith will return more seasoned for Manitoba’s offensive line did little their second year in brown and gold, to help its quarterback, as Catellier and Mekaela Fisher will hopefully was among the most sacked quarsee an expanded role. terbacks in the conference, which This may not be the dominant could easily have led to him being Bisons team fans have become used so banged up during the latter half to over the past few years, but in a of the season. tight Canada West conference, anyThe club’s defence struggled as thing is possible. well in 2018, allowing 219 points in games where Catellier played.

How far can Catellier For the herd to return to its former carry Bisons football? glory on the gridiron, both units need Undoubtedly one of the most to be firing. important pieces to any football rosThe team simply cannot outscore ter is the quarterback, and the herd its issues, and if Catellier falls injured has a stud at that position with Des again, the defence will need to lock it down.

Catellier.

The Alberta-born player was Catellier can take his team far, but among the best at his position dur- a team is only as good as its weakest ing the 2018 Canada West season. link, and what that will be for Bisons However, a major question heading football remains to be seen.

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Features Contact: features@themanitoban.com / 474.6520

In search of a Real Love this summer QUINCY HOUDAYER, STAFF

Baseball Hero hit the stage at this year’s Real Love along with numerous other local, Canadian and American artists

Pop punk band Remo Drive had the crowd up on their feet when they headlined Saturday night

Blake Chapman shows off his paintcovered hand after making some art in the shady woods beside the main stage

Festivalgoers were lucky to have near-perfect weather in a shady birch forest near Teulon, Man.

PHOTOS BY QUINCY HOUDAYER

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Features

Contact: features@themanitoban.com / 474.6520

Painting the city from wall to wall QUINCY HOUDAYER, STAFF

PHOTOS BY QUINCY HOUDAYER

Last year’s Wall-to-Wall mural and culture festival saw people coming together to make art in Winnipeg. This year’s festival, running from Sept. 1 to 30, is ramping up to be another colourful month in the city with numerous art displays, murals and events planned