18 October 2017

news

A day for remembrance Oct. 4 marks first official MMIWG day

arts

Revisiting the North End Photo project explores diversity of Winnipeg neighbourhood Page 15

Page 3

Editorial

Rev up Winnipeg Transit Lack of funding constitutes class warfare Page 8 Comment

A troubling symptom Anti-vaxxers a sign of a public distrust in science Page 10 Vo l 1 0 4 · N o 9 · O c to b e r 1 8 , 2 0 1 7 · w w w.t h e m a n i to b a n .co m

Index

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VOL. 104 NO. 9 October 18, 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

news

Tale as old as time Pro-choice vs. pro-life

shaden@themanitoban.com/ 474.6770

Comment Editor Shawn Huberdeau

comment@themanitoban.com

arts & Culture Editor Olivia Michalczuk

arts@themanitoban.com

Sports Editor Ryan Stelter

sports@themanitoban.com

Copy Editor Evan Tremblay

copy@themanitoban.com

page 6

Design

Design Editor Bram Keast

design@themanitoban.com

Graphics Editor Kelly Campbell

graphics@themanitoban.com

Photo Editor Asha Nelson

photo@themanitoban.com

Social Editor Carolyne Kroeker

social@themanitoban.com

Design associate Kellie Huynh graphics associate vacant pHOTO associate Chantal Zdan pHOTO associate Quincy Houdayer

Reporters

General Assignment Qudus Abusa

General Assignment Diana-Abasi Ubokudom Columnist Levi Garber Columnist Kenny Ingram arts & culture Jen Doerksen arts & culture vacant Sports Jason Pchajek Sports vacant Copy vacant

Volunteer Contributors

news

sports

And then there was one

National champs in town

UMSU fills controversial, amalgamated position page 4

Bisons split against reigning champs page 22

Will Gibson Scott Lercher Austin Frame Michael Bell

Ryan Ginter Jeff Miller Anthony Labonté

Mitchell van Ineveld Erin Meagan Schwartz

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• A video interview with Senator Marilou McPhedran • The final installment of the Propandhi video series

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News

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

Province remembers missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls Bernadette Smith becomes the first MMIWG family member elected to Manitoba Legislature Imreet Kaur, staff

M

ore than 200 people gathered in the rotunda of the Manitoba Legislative Building on Oct. 4 as Manitoba observed its first legislated day devoted to remembering missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls (MMIWG).

The event started with an opening prayer and pipe ceremony led by an elder in recognition of MMIWG families.

“It’s an opportunity to uplift the families,” said Nahanni Fontaine, NDP MLA for St. Johns.

“The only reason why we are here today, the only reason why there is a national inquiry, the only reason why there are monuments across the country, is because of the work of families, right? Families have never stopped seeking that justice or raising awareness.”

“It’s also a day to be able to show families the amount of support and love that’s out there for them as they continue to seek justice for their loved ones,” she added.

Fontaine introduced Bill 221, the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Awareness Day Act, in 2016. It received unanimous support in the legislature in May. Since 1980, more than 1,200 Indigenous women and girls have gone missing or been murdered in Canada, according to a 2014 RCMP report.

Recognizing this with a legislated day of observance aims to spread awareness on the “tragic issue of MMIWG” in Canada.

Further, the legislation aims to use Oct. 4 as an opportunity to educate Canadians on the issue of MMIWG, which Fontaine referred to as a “national crisis.”

“The spirit behind the bill was to acknowledge that these women and girls are Manitoba citizens, they are Canadian citizens, and they deserve to be honoured and recognized,” she said.

“Today, here in Manitoba, is an opportunity, a moment for us to honour them and to stand in solidarity and to support them,” Fontaine added.

First MMIWG relative takes seat in legislature

Bernadette Smith, the NDP MLA for Point Douglas, was elected in a June by-election, becoming the first MMIWG family member elected to the Manitoba Legislature.

Smith was sworn in on Oct. 4.

Claudette Osborne, Smith’s sister, has been missing since 2008. Smith is a long-time advocate on behalf of MMIWG families and is the cofounder of the Manitoba Coalition of Families of Missing and Murdered Women in Manitoba.

Smith said it is crucial for Canadians in general to see themselves reflected in buildings where

photo by imreet kaur

important decisions are made.

“That position solely supported Fontaine maintained that the “I think it is super important as a families and brought [their] voice to inquiry’s timeline of two years was woman, as an Indigenous woman, as the Manitoba legislature,” Smith said. “unrealistic” from the start. a family member of missing and mur“With this new government, we dered [Indigenous women and girls], have seen no support” Smith added, that they know that they have a voice emphasizing the need for continued “It is also a day to inside the legislature,” said Smith. support for family members. be able to show “I’ll bring their message and their voice into that space and will stand National inquiry plagued families the amount up against this government in ensur- by controversy of support and love ing that there’s supports for families.” Under Prime Minister Justin Fontaine, expressing her feelings Trudeau, the federal government that is out there on Smith’s swearing-in, said, “It’s launched a national inquiry into quite something extraordinary that MMIWG in 2015. Since its launch, for them as they today, on Oct. 4, we will have our the inquiry has been plagued by continue to seek first MMIWG family member ever controversy as families have said elected, certainly to the Manitoba hearings have shown a lack of justice for their loved Legislature, but probably across the interest in engaging them, and ones" - Nahanni country. So how fitting that today more than a dozen staff members, she takes her seat for the first time.” including commissioners and Fontaine, NDP The former NDP provincial gov- researchers, have resigned.

MLA for St. Johns ernment appointed Fontaine as spe“After serving on this commission cial advisor on aboriginal women’s for the past 10 months, I realized the issues in 2010 in preparation for the vision I hold is shared by very few National Inquiry into Missing and within the national inquiry,” Marilyn “Anybody that understands Murdered Indigenous Women and Poitras, a professor at the University national inquiries knows that at a Girls. That position has remained of Saskatchewan, who resigned as a minimum you need five years to set vacant since Fontaine was elected commissioner, told CBC News this up the infrastructure and then all the in 2016. summer. supports and structures you need to

be able to execute this really traumatizing work on a myriad of different levels,” she stated.

Smith commended Canada's Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs, Carolyn Bennett, for her work during the pre-inquiry hearings and the emphasis she placed on using a families-first approach.

“Right across the country, families were saying that they wanted to be involved in it, that they wanted a families-first approach. I don’t think with this current inquiry that we’re seeing that,” she said.

“They need to go back, listen to the families and take the information from the pre-inquiry gatherings” and “they need to ensure that there’s supports before, during, and after, and I know that that is not happening, and that is the most important thing,” she added.

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News

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

UMSU hires new services coordinator Community groups cautiously optimistic, and concerned Imreet Kaur, staff

photo by Asha Nelson

T

he University of Manitoba Students’ Union (UMSU) has hired Mubo Llelaboye as the new full-time coordinator for community groups.

At the beginning of the 2017-18 academic year, UMSU introduced structural changes to the functioning of community groups that include hiring one full-time coordinator to work with its four community groups, replacing the four part-time coordinator positions which had previously worked with each individual group.

The Manitoban reached out to Llelaboye for comment, however she insisted the queries be forwarded

to UMSU president Tanjit Nagra. gamation of the part-time positions Nagra said she is very excited to have into one full-time position in “a few Llelaboye onboard. different ways.”

“She comes from a not-for-profit “The upside is that we do have a background as well. So I am very full-time coordinator dedicated to excited to have her as a part of the helping us now along with the other UMSU team,” Nagra said. three groups, where in the past it has The four community groups under just been a part time” coordinator, UMSU are the Womyn’s Centre, the along with a “larger budget now as a University of Manitoba Aboriginal smaller portion of it is going to the Students Association (UMASA), new coordinator,” she said.

Rainbow Pride Mosaic (RPM), and Echoing the concern of the the Student Accessibility Centre.

Womyn's Centre Collective, Amanda Fredlund, UMASA co- Fredlund said it is unfair that one president, maintains that there are person is now in charge of multiple upsides and downsides to any situa- groups. tion. UMASA is viewing the amal“The downside is that one person

is now responsible for more organi- is looking forward to working with zations, so she’s kind of spread thin,” the new coordinator. she said.

“We have already spoken a few “Our big worry is that we might not times and I firmly believe that we be represented,” Fredlund added, but will be able to continue the tradition called the arrangement an opportu- of community outreach and support nity for allyship. that RPM was founded on,” White “Having allies at all levels, espe- said. cially with UMSU, is definitely a benThe Womyn’s Centre Collective efit for us,” she said. “I think that our issued a statement saying it believes concern as we go forward is to see if the position should be filled by somethe new coordinator has an under- one who identifies with the respecstanding of our student group, as well tive communities, otherwise it will as the others. Our past coordinators “compromise the needs, values, and have been Indigenous.” mandate” of all the community group “We are hopeful that this will be an spaces that the coordinator oversees. opportunity to educate and learn as "Condensing each paid coordinator well as support each other,” she added. position into the new and single comNagra acknowledged it would be munity groups coordinator position difficult for the union to hire some- is a very harmful and problematic one who identified as a member of approach,” read the statement. all four communities represented by According to the collective, the its groups, but said it was crucial to annual budget of the Womyn’s find a candidate with an open mind. Centre is $26,000, with $12,000 dedi“The biggest thing I think the cated to the coordinator's wages. The [hiring committee was] looking for, statement said the collective is skeptiobviously, is an understanding that cal of how UMSU will “employ” the it is very difficult to have someone resources under the new structure. who can check off all those boxes or Representatives from the Student identify within all the communities Accessibility Centre declined to combut we were looking for someone that ment on the story. was ready to listen and ready to work, essentially,” Nagra said.

Sarah White, LGBTTQ* representative for UMSU mentioned that the changes to the coordinator position were surprising but said she

UMSU reports first budget surplus in nearly a decade The student union’s year-end audited budget includes a $211,932 surplus, the first since the 2007-08 fiscal year Shaden Abusaleh, staff

T

he University of Manitoba Students’ Union (UMSU) approved its 2016-17 year-end audited budget at its regular meeting Oct. 12, which, for the first time since the 2007-08 fiscal year, reports a surplus.

The budget shows a surplus of $211,932. UMSU first announced the surplus in the spring but did not provide an exact figure until the audited statement was returned this fall. The 2015-16 audited budget saw a $1.3 million loss.

UMSU president Tanjit Nagra

seeing how it benefits students,” she added.

Nagra also credited the surplus to the success of UMSU’s businesses Degrees, The Hub Social Club, IQ’s Café & Billiards, Answers, GPA’s Convenience Store, and the Digital Print & Design Centre - which together employs more than 75 students each year.

“Last year’s the first time The Hub actually made a profit,” she said. “A lot of it is due to great management from Brandon Whyte, our manager, photo by Carolyne Kroeker and also because we were able to explained that when councillors negotiate a new lease for The Hub.” were presented with the more than The Hub Social Club is currently $1 million deficit a year ago, many the only UMSU business located were concerned that UMSU would in university-owned space, and face another loss. therefore requiring a leased space.

“I assured council we would do our A 10-year lease was signed with the best to ensure that we’re spending university for the space in March. The money wisely,” she said. “I remember agreement will not require rent or having very lengthy executive meet- utility payments and will save the ings whenever we received any sort union an estimated $70,000 per yer. of sponsorship request.”

The budget notes a 19.57 per cent “It was just a matter of reducing increase in revenue from fees stuhow much we were giving or just dents pay into UMSU. The budget really looking at it analytically and also indicates the union's expenses

fell by more than $4 million, which Nagra credit to reduced costs associated with transit services provided to students trough Answers.

Health and dental plan

The audit noted UMSU was charged an additional $130,000 in health plan premiums after the university failed to meet a deadline to forward the plan’s administrator the number of students who opted-out of the program for the 2015-16 academic year.

Under the health and dental program, all students enrolled in at least six credit hours are automatically signed up for the plan.

The union has been compensated by the U of M. The audit recommends that UMSU develop processes and controls alongside the university to minimize the risk of such errors occurring in the future.

Further recommendations

Nagra said that in order to keep operations running smooth, UMSU will ensure that when funds are spent,

proper receipt collection and reporting takes place and that budgeting is discussed regularly through biweekly financial meetings.

“And we’re still asking the tough questions,” she added. “If we do receive any funding sponsorship packages, is it worth us funding it?

Is it a benefit of the students?”

The auditors' recommendations for UMSU include a regular payroll review to ensure employees’ pay is accurate and to reduce risk of fund misappropriation. The auditors also recommend formal approval and revision of executive committee reimbursements are made by the finance committee.

Nagra said that these are changes UMSU will look into implementing.

“We are going to take all these recommendations seriously and ensure we’re doing our best to ensure we’re meeting the standards and the recommendations of the auditors,” Nagra said.

VOL. 104 NO. 9 October 18, 2017

News

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Nuclear prohibition: Why was Canada not in the room?

Over the summer, 122 member states in the General Assembly voted to adopt the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. Canada was not there.

Qudus Abusaleh, Staff

S

enator Marilou McPhedran long-celebrated for being a pioneer in the inquisition and advocacy to promote human rights through systematic reform in law, governance, and education - visited the Canadian Museum for Human Rights Thursday.

She presented a keynote address questioning the Canadian government's disregard of joint-efforts of UN member states to implement the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.

The address was part of a twoday conference held at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights Oct. 12 and 13 to examine the human dimensions and political, economic, and social impacts of developing nuclear weapons both in peacetime and times of armed conflict.

The conference was hosted by the University of Manitoba’s Robson Hall Faculty of Law, in conjunction with the International Law Association (ILA) and the Round Table Strategic Forum on Nuclear Non-Proliferation.

What should Canada's position be?

Starting on Sept. 20, the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons began securing ratifications from the 122 countries that were signatories. Canada, in alliance with the nuclear-NATO members, primarily the United States, was not even in the room.

The treaty, passed by the General Assembly of the United Nations in July, would prohibit the production, development, testing, and possession of nuclear weapons. The minimal presence of opposition to the treaty was unsurprising given the deliberate absence of the nine countries known to possess some form of a nuclear arsenal - the United States, Russia, Britain, China, France, India, Pakistan, North Korea, and Israel.

Canada would be in opposition to NATO’s doctrine and the alliance by supporting the treaty, said Alyn Ware, founder of Parliamentarians for Nuclear Non-proliferation and Disarmament.

However, Canada’s decision to not attend the negotiations on the treaty could jeopardize its bid to win a temporary seat on the UN Security Council in 2019.

Canada’s dedication to NATO has been contested recently. In 2014, Stephen Harper’s Conservative government failed to meet the minimum spending quota - two per cent of GDP, which translates to $38 billion annually for Canada - for military spending set by NATO leadership. In April, Justin Trudeau’s Liberal government further curtailed defence spending to 0.88 per cent of the GDP. Canada’s NATO membership

Senator Marilou McPhedran

does not need to lead to a conflict Korea’s current advancements, negotiations for a nuclear weapons in opposing the treaty. An example coupled with American president convention. can be taken from the Netherlands, Donald Trump's response and the McPhedran - who is not entirely which, though a NATO member, potential impact of a fallout between critical of this step-by-step approach attended the General Assembly’s the two nations, McPhedran was - said she believes that, coupled with negotiations but was the only nation quick to point to the revival of dip- continued diplomacy, Canada could to vote against opening the treaty for lomatic skills. begin moving in the right direction. ratification.

“If we were to just continue this McPhedran questioned the integso-called step-by-step approach, we rity of disregarding the efforts of 122 “At minimum, Canada just need more steps in the direction non-nuclear member states and sid- should be a friend of of a prohibition of nuclear weapons,” she said. ing with its nuclear-armed allies that that treaty" - Senator are against the complete prohibition McPhedran stressed the need to of the weapons. revisit the role of ambassador of disMarilou McPhedran.

“For us to be saying as a country armament, created under the Liberal that we actually don’t think there's government of John Turner in the really much value at all to 122 coun“The kind of responses that are 1980s, as an essential step forward tries reaching an agreement about going to be required is either no and a reminder that, “If we are not prohibition of nuclear weapons, that’s response, because there is no one left ready to actually sign on to the treaty, not what Canada should be doing,” to respond, or they are responses that that doesn't mean that we can't be McPhedran said. “At minimum, are to a large extent non-nuclear," she going back to quite a proud history Canada should be a friend of that said. that we have as a country to show our treaty.”

“The simple fact is that to stop very deep concern about the devastaCritics of the treaty, including someone from doing something tion of the use of nuclear weapons.”

Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia really bad, [they are] usually stopped The role of this position was to Freeland, suggest the ban on nuclear much earlier in a process of what we provide regular reports on all develweapons is ineffective because none of would typically call diplomacy.” opments pertaining to the ongoing the nine nuclear powers have signed She emphasized the need for implications of past treaties and to on. “the activation of diplomatic means, maintain a strong Canadian position Only in recent years, through con- which is basically talking, dialogue, in the General Assembly against the ventions held in Mexico, Austria, and building relationships, getting to the proliferation of nuclear weapons.

Norway, has the international discus- place and reminding over and over sion on nuclear proliferation shifted again we’re human."

The generation of today from nuclear weapons as a deterrence The Canadian government has McPhedran emphasized the to the humanitarian impacts of their taken a step-by-step approach to role young citizens have in pushing presence and potential risks. nuclear disarmament. their governments to address certain Still, the Canadian government This is highlighted by various ini- issues. In this case, making sure that and its NATO allies maintain that tiatives supported by Canada, such as Canada’s absence from the treaty is nuclear weapons must remain at the 1996 Comprehensive Ban Treaty, not permanent. the core of their defence policy. Canada’s call for NATO leadership For example, the Netherlands was Proponents of this argument point to review its nuclear policy through- heavily pushed by its young citizens toward the seemingly unpredictable out the latter stages of the 20th cen- to attend the General Assembly nature of the nuclear-armed North tury, the Fissile Material Cut-off negotiations.

Korea.

Treaty that was first proposed in McPhedran said she is certain that When asked about the response 1993, and most recently, Parliament’s today’s youth possess the means to needed to the risk poised by North unanimous decision to encourage become the game-changers in the

photo by quincy houdayer

arena of international affairs and governance.

“This notion that your generation will be the leaders of tomorrow is simply wrong," she said. “The vote alone in 2015 is a clear demonstration that that's wrong to frame your generation as waiting, suspended for some tomorrow.

“You're leaders today. And the kind of Canada you want, the kind of world you want [...], where we are going is actually hugely influenced by what youth leaders do today and the many different ways in which youth find a voice, articulate their voice, mobilize together.”

“Youth are no more monolithic than any other demographic group,” McPhedran added. “There is strength in that diversity.”

Through understanding the richness of that diversity, McPhedran noted, “the power of there being a consensus coming out of youth leadership in this country, consensus for example on the prohibition of nuclear weapons, has the potential to actually pivot and shift what the government says and does. I truly believe that.”

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News

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

Pro-life student group workshop met with protest Students express disapproval of University of Manitoba Students for a Culture of Life Diana Ubokudom, staff

Students disrupt Pro-Life 101, a workshop held by University of Manitoba Students for a Culture of Life.

U

niversity of Manitoba Students for a Culture of Life (UMSCL), a student group that aims to educate and advocates for an end to abortion in Canada, held a Pro-Life 101 workshop Oct. 12 which was disrupted by a group of student protesters.

The protesters interrupted the workshop and chanted slogans announcing that abortion is a woman's choice while handing out pamphlets.

The workshop included a discussion on the science of conception and prenatal development, information on the group's pro-life position, and what UMCSL is doing to support students who are parents or pregnant on campus.

Emily Haakman, former president of the student group, who also spearheaded the workshop, explained that UMSCL was born out of the need for the recognition of human rights in Canada through education.

“The group was started over five years ago by a group of students who believed in human rights and they recognized that not all human beings have human rights in Canada,” said Haakman.

“We do try to meet our goal of trying to end abortion in Canada and making abortion unthinkable in Canada through educating on abortion, and what abortion does to pre-born children.”

Haakman said that UMSCL is a secular group which engages in various projects, such as Q and A sessions aimed at fostering dialogue about abortion legislation in Canada.

“This is a project just to have dialogue with other students and get to know what the culture is like on campus, and kind of have a starting board for conversations about abortion,” she said.

“I think it’s really important that we talk about it openly.”

U of M students Elizabeth McMechan and Maya Martinez, who were among the pro-choice protestors who interrupted the workshop, argued that the group is promoting a harmful environment for many students.

“We think that they intimidate women on campus who have had abortions and who are looking to have abortions,” Martinez said.

“They’re spreading material com-

paring abortion to the Holocaust, to slavery, to Cambodian genocide,” she added.

Haakman said students like McMechan and Martinez, who oppose the UMSCL group, have simply misunderstood their intentions.

distributing graphic images depicting aborted fetuses.

Haakman said that although their right to freedom of speech were upheld by UMSU, such imagery should make others uncomfortable.

A complaint was made to the University of Manitoba Students’ Union (UMSU) regarding the tabling and distribution of graphic We think that they materials by UMSCL beside the beer intimidate women gardens during this year’s Orientation Week. UMSU president Tanjit Nagra on campus who said the group was let off with a have had abortions warning.

“During orientation, there was a and who are looking student that came to the office that did file a complaint about this group to have abortions” in particular handing out materials – Maya Martinez, that were sensitive,” Nagra said.

"We asked them to stop handing U of M student out those materials, otherwise we would have to take their tables away.”

“What we [aim] to do is to educate, To address issues like these, support and advocate,” she said. “So, Haakman stated that dialogue is a in no way are we threatening or try- priority of the group, and that they ing to make anyone uncomfortable are very open to engaging in respectbut I think it’s important to know ful debates on the topic. the truth.”

“That’s our number one priority In 2014, UMSCL was nearly to dialogue with students," she said. disbanded as a student group after McMechan and Martinez reiter-

photo by Chantal zdan

ated their position that they had no intention of debating or engaging in dialogue on the issue of abortion.

“We’re not going to debate with people who disagree with the right for women to choose their own existence, choose their livelihoods,” Martinez said.

“I think that there can be debates on abortion but it’s just that they actively support - not only through ideological, but financial measures ways that will prevent women from getting abortions,” she added. “I oppose that they are a student group.”

Nagra said that the safety of students is of utmost importance and students should come forward if they have concerns regarding the group.

“I would never want anyone to feel uncomfortable with any of our student clubs,” she said.

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

8

The model for Winnipeg Transit needs to recognize class Shawn Huberdeau, staff

Winnipeg Transit buses picking up passengers on Graham Avenue, a busy and well used junction in downtown Winnipeg.

W

e need to talk about Winnipeg Transit, and untraditionally.

Often, the reasons motivating discussions on funding public transit has to do with broadly intra-city concerns.

One such example is that an efficient, accessible, and universal public transportation network is a necessary public good in any major urban centre. A means of connecting large cities into smaller parts made traversable by discrete transit networks, public transit allows for all denizens to engage with their entire city. Between cities, then, there exists a question concerning the quality level of one’s public transit which acts as a quantifier for a city’s status as an attractive, competitive urban centre.

Bracket these concerns. What has been missing from the broader conversation so far is one crucial fact: that public transit allows for low-income residents to remain mobile within their city.

More importantly, universal and accessible transit is necessary for lowincome individuals to remain mobile in their daily lives: to go to the grocery store, get to their job - or, more likely, jobs - make it to university, visit a recreational centre, check in on their family, and so on.

It should now be clear that lowincome indivudials rely on a robust system of public transit in order to engage in the cultural life of their cities. But in Winnipeg, our system of public transit is under attack by the provincial and municipal government, all for the interest of a group of people whose lives go on even if the buses do not.

photo by Quincy Houdayer

In its most recent budget, the - while debt is tackled. The ideology the face of funding cuts to Winnipeg not want to pay higher taxes, which Manitoba government ended the of the provincial government conve- Transit, he does not want to – so pre- could support an acceptable standard practice of matching municipal niently obfuscates this fact by denying sumably will not – keep its financial of public transit. Simultaneously, operations stable by raising taxes. spending on certain elements of a simple possibility: raising taxes. funding cuts eat away at the present public transit on a 50/50 basis. This The province, like the municipal standard, while possible action to is part of the less progressive, more government, seems to have a preferimprove or barely maintain the status conservative agenda of the provincial ence for continuing the neoliberal quo are explained away as a political Our system of government to reduce spending in trend of transforming public services impossibility due to the sway of the public transit is order to settle debts. That is, cut back into commodities funded by user fees. self-identified “taxpayer” class – all on material benefits for the sake of While the former pontificates on the at the expense of the economically under attack by abstract credit gains. benefit of health-care premiums, city and thus politically disenfranchised. the provincial councillors have taken to mulling over Importantly, this is the class of “taxthe prospect of hiking transit fares payers” who are both of sufficient and municipal above the standard yearly increases. economic standing - middle-class Defunding public In both cases, the government offi- and whose political capital consists at government, all transit constitutes a cials have de facto refused to seriously least in part of utilizing the “taxpayer” for the interest of consider the prospects of developing mantle as justification for lowering subtle but impactful the pre-existing Manitoban progrestheir own tax burden. a group of people sive taxation scheme, even as it misses “Taxpayer” is the operative political structural attack on whose lives go the money bags before its very eyes. construction here. It is weaponized by the dispossessed Currently, rates of taxation for a large portion of the voting populaon even if the personal income hit the ceiling before tion as a means of getting the attenbuses do not salaries even hit six digits, specifically tion of various levels of government The province has justified its cuts at 17.4 per cent for an annual income when it comes to the latter’s respective by claiming high debt levels are of $69,000 and above. Proportionally, tax purviews. Governments further Governments are only truly dem- take this self-interest as both premise costing Manitobans now and into then, artifically low limits on taxathe future at the expense of produc- tion allow the wealthiest among us to ocratic for the middle- and upper- and conclusion when making funding tive investment of public funds. But evade the efforts of the taxman more classes that have the finances to back decisions. Accordingly, the refusal of reducing money flows into public easily than the least wealthy, whose their politics. This is an economic governments to implement heavier transit by ceasing to match munici- tax rate of 10.8 per cent represents a incentive structure for governments rates of taxation on the wealthy is the pal spending - while simultaneously much larger share of their income. to kowtow to monied classes, one function of an ideology built off of failing to commit to increasing proMeanwhile, the corporate tax rate opened up by the fact that money safeguarding the interests of political vincial grants to meet the rate of infla- in Manitoba 12 per cent. Although provides points of access to politics blocs of society whose power stems tion - has that very same effect: it small corporations may receive proper, or the practice of governing from their money. costs Manitobans now and into the exemptions, this percentage does through the state. Stratified segments Framing the debate on Winnipeg future, not only at the expense of, but not increase for juggernaut con- of the population who can afford to Transit around urban competition, by direct cause of, the government glomerates that take up business in be democratically engaged possess as popular discourse does, and taxes, refusing to productively invest public the province and reap massive profits. a disposable income, which allows as our municipality has, obfuscates funds.

On the municipal side of things, the particular people to fill their spare the economic reality of the times.

Of course, public funding need city has shelved raising property taxes time not only with leisurely hobbies Defunding public transit constitutes not be made the financial bogeyman. above a previously planned 2.3 per but the business of dressing up and a subtle though impactful structural Public services may remain well run - cent increase. Winnipeg mayor Brian participating in formal politics. attack on the dispossessed. by consequence of being well funded Bowman has explicitly stated that, in The middle- and upper-classes do

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

In Kinew scandal, few are without guilt Downplaying assault points to principled problems in the NDP Mitchell van Ineveld

I

n the lead-up to the long-awaited Manitoba NDP leadership convention, a controversy emerged: leadership favourite and rookie MLA for Fort Rouge Wab Kinew had been accused in 2003 of assaulting his then-partner Tara Hart and her story was brought back to the surface - just in time to hurt Kinew’s chances at the leadership.

Kinew was charged with two counts of assault in June 2003. After several court appearances by his attorney, the charges were stayed in the summer of 2004. Hart told the media the two had been living together for about a year before the incident prompted her to move out.

Kinew has repeatedly denied the accusations.

This opportunism on the part of Kinew’s opponents, as evidenced by the timing of the allegations resurfacing brought about a flurry of damaging reactions within and outside the party, at once re-traumatizing Hart and completely discrediting most Manitoban political constituencies that claim to believe survivors of domestic abuse. While a call to action for so-called feminists across the province to convert their words to action is needed, it is worth first naming how exactly specific parties went wrong.

A group particularly in need of calling out is the significant cohort of NDP supporters who were quick to close ranks around their new leader in light of the accusations. Employing the hashtag #ImWithWab, these individuals cynically manipulated the solidarity that built up around a candidate who has faced - and still faces - a slew of attacks on his character from politicians and journalists, and marshalled that support the when he was faced with accusations from the family of an Indigenous woman.

victim. Survivors of abuse typically fundamentally harmful act. only turn to the criminal justice sysWhile Kinew and his entourage tem when all other resources have are legally entitled to deny allegafailed to put a stop to an abusive or tions of abuse, doing so as a first line violent dynamic. They make them- of defence sends a clear message that selves vulnerable by turning to a sys- some victims who come forward are tem that questions and denies their not to be believed. In so doing, they experiences. have permanently damaged their Whether deliberately or not, credibility among survivors and those Kinew and his team are taking who stand with them. They have also advantage of this dynamic, denying made it much harder for the NDP to Hart’s allegations in hopes that the be an organization people can trust media – and voters – will eventually at a time when the party sorely needs the trust of the community. stop paying attention.

The second point is as misleading Political and cultural leaders such as Kinew and his fellow MLAs tend as it is problematic. That the charges to set the parameters of accept- were stayed does not mean Kinew able discourse among their base just was acquitted, let alone found not outside the reach of positions that guilty. Charges are often stayed in may “hurt the cause.” In this case, domestic assault cases due to the they have failed to do so responsi- appearance of inconsistencies in the bly, and have allowed profoundly plaintiff’s testimony. This is emblemregressive rhetoric to further sully atic of the way the deck is stacked Kinew has certainly their already-problematic rebuttlas against survivors - the justice system grown, and that creates an "ideal victim" who reacts of Hart’s accusations.

Those readily accepting the Kinew to being assaulted exactly how the growth should be team’s narrative that we do not need court expects them to, who is able to to worry about these allegations - re-traumatize themselves by testifyapplauded. But either through claims it did not hap- ing over and over again without ever you can’t hope to pen or because Kinew says he has missing a detail. This kind of logic changed - please do better. Those of is why someone like former CBC heal and move on us on the political left need to be the superstar Jian Ghomeshi - charged from the pain you ones who set the example of standing with multiple counts of sexual assault with survivors - even when the rest - can walk free, and it is why many caused someone of society fails to, as is so often the survivors go without justice. while denying you That Kinew is seeking public absocase. If we do not unwaveringly stand behind Hart and those like her, no lution based in part on the decision of ever caused it a justice system that overwhelmingly matter the political cost, who will? betrays, silences, and re-traumatizes victims is both regressive and morally To make a case Conflating these two situations Kinew and company’s rhetoric reprehensible. This also shows how, ignores a fundamental shift in power has focused on a few key points: that despite some rightfully celebrated dynamics between groups. Kinew the accusations aren’t true, that the progress, Kinew and the NDP still has generally been in a position of charges having been stayed by the have far to go in their understandmarginalization due to, among other Crown exonerates him, and that ing of issues of gender-based violence. things, opponents exploiting the elec- Kinew is a changed man. There is The treatment of the repeated testorate’s racial prejudice to hamper his little that needs to be said about timony of an accuser as something political success. the harmful nature of denying such that can be dismissed as untrue is a But in the framework of a court allegations. Specifics of Kinew's case reproduction of the violence carried system that rarely succeeds in bring- aside, accusing someone who comes out every day on survivors by a patriing those accused of abuse to justice, forward with accusations of domestic archal system that actively refuses to an abuser holds power over their abuse or sexual assault of lying is a believe their stories.

photo provided by the winnipeg free press

The final line of defence is the idea that Kinew is a changed man who has put his past behind him, and that this personal growth should absolve him from guilt for the past wrongs he is accused of. The premise holds a kernel of truth - Kinew has certainly grown, and that growth should be applauded. But you cannot hope to heal and move on from the pain you caused someone while denying you ever caused it. Until he demonstrates an understanding of this fundamental point, as he has on past personal controversies, the change he has undergone is just not good enough.

We must always listen first not to those with power but those without it It is worth noting that many voices driving this conversation are incredibly compromised, and their appearance of genuine concern for Hart should be met with a deep skepticism. Free Press columnist Gordon Sinclair Jr’s apparent personal dedication to dragging Kinew’s name through the mud borders on the obsessive. Similarly, both failed NDP leadership contender Steve Ashton and the Progressive Conservatives have been actively seeking out every recorded misdeed of Kinew’s in order to defame him - behaviour that ought to be condemned by anyone with a conscience.

All of these parties are exploiting the criminalization of young Indigenous men to portray Kinew as unfit for office. They are employing the full force of colonialism to further marginalize an Indigenous political leader, behaviour that puts their political practice firmly in line with white supremacy.

However, as despicable as the above behaviour is, none of it should have a bearing on whether we believe Hart’s story. She did not ask for these white men to speak for her, and now her credibility suffers at their hands.

Principles first

This is a heartbreaking situation.

Kinew's election is an important and historic moment in Manitoba politics, and it would be a tragedy for the first elected Indigenous party leader's career to be torpedoed so quickly.

Kinew would be best to take a leave of absence as leader until this matter can be investigated and a path to justice can be clearly laid out - anything else would be political suicide, and utterly immoral.

Let this case also serve as a reminder to all those within movements that claim to be feminist that we can have abusers within our ranks.

Whether they are a mentor, a comrade, a political leader, or a friend, we must maintain a relentless commitment to hold them accountable.

In particular, men on the left must reject examples such as the one federal NDP leader Jagmeet Singh set with his continued support for Kinew, and do as much as they can to keep their peers in check, as too often that work falls entirely on the shoulders of women and trans people.

We cannot expect people to put their trust in our movement - in the world we seek to build - if we are not consistent in applying principles of emancipatory politics. We must always listen first not to those with power but those without it. We must struggle in service of victims - victims of patriarchy, of abuse, of exploitation - above all else.

To sacrifice the most vulnerable victims for the sake of preserving our movements’ political gains betrays these movements’ very spirit.

10 Comment

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

Growing “anti-vaxxer” community a symptom of a deeper societal problem Vaccine “truthers” are what happens when scientific research is misrepresented Malak Abas, staff

themselves more skeptical of medical professionals.

This disrespect of scientific research presents itself in more subconscious ways, too. American President Donald Trump recently appointed Robert F. Kennedy, Jr, a known anti-vaxxer, as the head of a commission based on vaccine safety.

The president himself once tweeted “healthy young child goes to doctor, gets pumped with massive shot of many vaccines, doesn't feel good and changes – AUTISM.”

Experts have pointed to the relatively new trend of parents exempting their children from vaccinations out of fear of what they believe are the side effects vaccines cause

graphic by Ryan Ginter

I

n December of 2014, “the happiest place on earth” found itself in an uncharacteristically unhappy situation. An unvaccinated 11-year-old boy was hospitalized with a rash and soon diagnosed with measles.

He had recently visited Disneyland in Orange County, California. This was not an isolated case, but rather a symptom of a growing trend.

Outbreaks like these are a new reality in North America - despite the measles vaccine being one of the most effective today, there were more cases in the United States in 2014 than in the previous four years combined.

Some experts have pointed to the relatively new trend of parents exempting their children from vaccinations out of fear of what they believe are the side effects vaccines cause. This group of people - quaintly referred to as “anti-vaxxers” - point to vaccinations as the “true cause” of a myriad of illnesses, from a weakened immune system to autism. They theorize and speculate on the mercury present in vaccines, and point to Big Pharma as the “Wizard of Oz”-esque villain behind the curtain.

Following that child’s diagnosis, slowly, but surely, more and more Disneyland visitors were diagnosed with measles, and an outbreak was born. Between December of 2014

and February of 2015, 125 people were diagnosed with measles connected to the Disneyland patient zero. 45 per cent of them were not vaccinated.

The question I struggle with is just why are people so deeply distrustful of vaccines, an institution of scientific research that has such obvious proof of its benefits?

Be it measles, mumps, chicken pox, or whooping cough, illnesses once all but eradicated from North America thanks to vaccines have found their way back into its communities. In Manitoba, where less than 10 cases of mumps are typically diagnosed a year, 176 confirmed cases were found in the months from September 2016 to February 2017 – an outbreak that hit the U of M Fort Garry campus especially hard.

Despite the claims of vaccine’s

most vocal opponents - opponents who include former Playboy model Jenny McCarthy and former The Apprentice contestant Katie Hopkins - being dubious at best and the vast majority of actual experts confirming that vaccines are in fact safe, antivaxxers and their collective voice have only grown in recent years.

I am not here to argue that antivaxxers are wrong in their beliefs, because those facts are unbelievably easy to find on the internet – a simple Google search will do. The question I grapple with is just why are people so deeply distrustful of vaccines, an institution of scientific research that has such obvious proof of its benefits? And why more-so now, within the last 20 years, has the movement grown exponentially?

To smugly say that this growing minority of people are somehow inherently unintelligent or ignorant is a cop-out. While there are a lot of reasons why parents are suddenly so resistant to what are very obvious studies proven by educated researchers, the connection I want to focus on here is that in the last 20 years, as people slowly became distrustful of science, science’s public face has become equally easy to distrust.

Note that I refer to science’s public face, not research itself. This public

face is the “professionals” that your average anti-vaxxer, who is almost definitely not a healthcare worker or scientist, is most likely to encounter on a daily basis.

Consider the power of television.

Television has been a driving force in changing the public face of scientific research. Programs like The Doctors, The Dr. Oz Show, and a wide range of daytime talk shows regularly throw half-baked and misleading “studies show” headlines at viewers that one week uncover some miracle prevention, and the next week report the same product causes the disease.

The Dr. Oz Show in particular, hosted by Ivy League-educated medical doctor Mehmet Oz, has been exposed several times for hawking products with no proven value as “miracle cures.” He has also, on at least one occasion, featured an anti-vaxxer on his show.

To reiterate: a person with the highest level of medical education is willing to go on television and knowingly make untruthful claims – and when he does, he faces no severe repercussions and is allowed to continue recommending products to the public. It isn’t hard to understand where a viewer, who does not have this level of education, is coming from after they see this and find

It is important to note that most anti-vaxxers are not people knowingly spreading false information. Most are not the anti-vaxxers organizing marches and lobbying public officials. The vast majority are hesitant consumers of scientific information, and based on the information passed on to the average person, it is hard to blame them for their reluctance.

I am not saying that this is the sole reason the anti-vaxxer movement has gained such traction. There are many reasons. Word of mouth is a powerful thing. Some people truly are just willfully ignorant.

Neither is it my intent to be entirely sympathetic -ß it has been proven that vaccine refusal is dangerous not just to the unvaccinated individual, but also to everyone around them. But it is human nature to question what is given to us, and to ask people to blindly accept the knowledge they are given would be a crime.

While you would hope that the myriad of studies disproving antivaxxer’s claims would be enough for the widespread public to accept that vaccines are safe and necessary for a healthy society, we have created an environment of societal distrust through the professionals we choose to keep on pedestals and those we choose to ignore.

VOL. 104 NO. 9 October 18, 2017

Comment 11

Congratulations Mr. Singh, now earn yourself a seat NDP needs its leader in Parliament if it wants to take back Quebec Levi Garber, staff

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n a recent visit to the House of Commons at the beginning of October, my attention was focused on the banter of question period until a well-dressed man in a bright red turban walked into the chamber and took a seat. In the visitor’s gallery.

Jagmeet Singh, who had won the NDP leadership with a decisive 53 per cent of the vote just two days earlier, looked down on his MPs as they pressed the government on the issues of the day. He could only watch quietly.

Although it is not unheard of for a major federal party to elect a leader who does not hold a seat in Parliament - the ranks of which include three former NDP leaders: Tommy Douglas, Alexa McDonough, and Jack Layton - it is more uncommon for one to show little interest in campaigning for one.

During his leadership campaign, Singh said he was comfortable not running for a seat until the 2019 election, saying he wanted to travel the country on a sort of outreach tour first.

Then, following his momentous victory, Singh hinted that he might be open to campaigning for a seat before the election, but only if he finds a riding that he holds an “authentic connection” to.

I suggest he find that authentic connection sooner rather than later.

At Queen’s Park, the Ontario provincial legislature where Singh

worked as deputy leader of the provincial NDP, the politician and lawyer proved himself a formidable member of the opposition and orator.

Singh has effective questioning skills and a knack for parliamentary debate.

Canadians need to see that in the House of Commons.

If the new NDP leader wants to be seen as a viable leftwing alternative to Justin Trudeau by 2019, then he has to take the prime minister head-on.

And Singh can only do that from the opposition benches of parliament Singh needs to fill the gap former leader Thomas Mulcair left behind after being voted out as party leader following a decisive defeat of the NDP in the 2015 federal election. As leader of the official opposition during the Harper years, Mulcair grilled the prime minister trenchantly dur-

ing question period.

The most memorable example of such questioning unfolded during the Mike Duffy Senate scandal in 2015, when Mulcair lifted the NDP to its highest level of public approval.

Going into the 2015 federal election campaign, the NDP were favoured to unseat the ruling Conservatives, or at least increase its share of seats in Parliament.

That dream fell to pieces for Mulcair and the NDP on election night, when the party lost 59 seats, primarily in Quebec, and saw itself demoted back to third party status.

To most NDP supporters and political observers it is clear: Singh needs to win back Quebec.

A national outreach tour will not be enough for that.

As leader of the NDP, Singh needs to prove he has the interests of progressive voters in Quebec at heart more so than the prime minister, who is himself a Quebecer.

As soon as he can, Singh should be standing across the aisle from the government benches on Parliament Hill, grilling the prime minister on issues left-leaning Canadians - and especially Quebecers - care about.

As a conciliatory measure, Singh did appoint Guy Caron - former leadership opponent and proud Quebecer - as the party’s parliamentary leader while he crisscrosses the nation. This move may keep Quebec’s NDP mem-

Photo from Wikimedia commons

bers satisfied in the short term, but it will not garner the party any new support in that province, or across Canada for that matter.

That job is for the leader.

And if Singh wants to go to Quebec to hear the concerns of the people and bolster his brand with francophone Canadians, then he need not worry. Ottawa is right across

the river from Quebec, so he won’t be far.

If the new NDP leader wants to be seen as a viable left-wing alternative to Justin Trudeau by 2019, then he has to take the prime minister headon. And Singh can only do that from the opposition benches of parliament.

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Diversions Graphics Editor: Kelly Campbell Contact: graphics@themanitoban.com

comic by scott lercher

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Arts & Culture Arts & Culture Editor: Olivia Michalczuk Contact: arts@themanitoban.com

The North End Revisited 40-plus years of capturing the spirit of the North End Asha Nelson, staff

Photos provided by John Pashviech

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More than four decades later, on A following the book launch. hen John Paskievich returned journalist and the second speaker to his family home in the Oct. 4, Paskievich stood in front of a Perhaps what draws his enthusi- at the book launch, said that North End, he wasn’t quite sure the large crowd packed into the back of asts in deeper are the elements in his Paskievich’s photographs are “not stodirection his career would go. Having McNally Robison Booksellers for his photos they do not recognize. The rytelling exactly, it’s more like being recently completed his studies in book launch. child clinging to the street sign, the dropped in the middle of a story and photography and film at Toronto’s The North End Revisited fea- Ukrainian grandmothers gossiping wondering what the heck is going on.”

Ryerson University, Paskievich was tures 45 years of Paskievich entering a once-familiar place with Paskievich’s phosaid that the “The ordinary, extraordinary little things a fresh pair of eyes. What he found tographs, includlight-hearted, was a city much different from the ing some that sometimes dreary, which also go on, whether it’s old people, one he had left behind. were published sometimes The year was 1972, and Paskievich in his first book, humorous feel to young people, little kids, you know - just noticed that the North End was The North End, in his photographs ordinary life ” - John Paskievich, Winnipegundergoing a dramatic shift, demo- 2007, alongside 80 are qualities he graphic and cultural. This neigh- new images. strives for, and a based documentary photographer bourhood, which had long been For many, his part of showing occupied by Eastern European and work is nostalgic, the other side of Jewish immigrants was changing, as reminding the reader of a familiar, outside the Holy Ghost Church, the the North End. Indigenous peoples were moving in though faded, time and place. The CP young boy dressed as a bandit inside “Violence is only one side," he said. from reserves. This transition is what Railway tracks, the Arlington Street the local grocery store - these are the "It’s a small proportion, but when the first inspired Paskievich to take to Bridge, and Ted Baryluk’s Grocery, moments that leave the viewer lin- violence happens, it’s often nasty and the streets and photograph the peo- are all common backdrops to his gering, trying to make sense of this the media […] talks about it. ple and spirit of Winnipeg’s North work, which causes former North foreign familiarity.

“But the majority of the population End. From that moment on, he never End residents to beam with pride, as Describing Paskievich’s work, wants to do well, just that there are stopped. several expressed during the Q and Alison Gillmor, a Winnipeg-based forces – historical forces and present

forces – which work against that.”

“This is what I see,“ Paskievich added. “The ordinary, extraordinary little things which also go on, whether it’s old people, young people, little kids, you know - just ordinary life.”

The North End has a complex history of violence, poverty, and neglect.

But it is also a place of vibrancy, of community, and of the beautiful quotidian. As Paskievich’s work illustrates, it is time to refocus our attention on that image.

The North End Revisited is a part of the University of Manitoba Press’ (UMP) fiftieth anniversary celebration.

Visit the Dafoe Library in the University of Manitoba Archives section to view their exhibit which examines UMP’s history within the larger social and book-industry trends.

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Arts & Culture

Arts & Culture Editor: Olivia Michalczuk Contact: arts@themanitoban.com

Harnessing success in scraps of failures School of art alumna channels creative frustrations into competition-winning piece Olivia Michalczuk, staff

Chelsea Thiessen's pieces Monument, Relic II, and Relic III

U

niversity of Manitoba school of art alumna Chelsey Thiessen was selected as the regional winner for a national art competition.

The BMO 1st Art! competition is open to visual artists from art schools across the country. Over 100 postsecondary art schools are invited to pick three promising students to participate and are judged by a board of directors and curators. With 303 entries, the competition had the most

Photo by BMO 1st Art!

entries since its inception in 2003.

Thiessen said she is grateful that she was given the opportunity to participate in the competition and her unexpected win means a lot moving forward in her future artistic career as a recent graduate of the school of art.

“Winning this competition was something that I never expected, and is very exciting and overwhelming,” said Thiessen. “To have other people connect to the work that you are mak-

ing is every artists’s goal and to have that affirmed as a recently graduated student is amazing.”

Thiessen’s piece visually demonstrates failure through a familiar representation of failed attempts. A pile of ceramic pieces representing crumpled paper shows that failure can have value, if re-examined.

“The creation of this piece stemmed from feelings of disappointment with my work in the previous term," she said.

"I was struggling to find something that I enjoyed the process of making, but that also held significance for me conceptually and intellectually."

“The meaning in this work comes through the transformation of material, from something that is normally thrown away into something that is considered valuable. The repetitive process became sort of therapeutic as I took old sketches and notes, carefully making replicas and then crumpling them,” she added.

The University of Manitoba school of art shaped Thiessen’s creative process and artistic identity and prepared her for her future artistic practice.

“I learned to improve my use of

techniques and materials, but I find what has changed most in my artistic practice throughout my years at the school of art was striking a balance between the formal and conceptual aspects of my work, and the relationship that they have to each other,” said Thiessen.

“To have other people connect to the work that you are making is every artists’ goal and to have that affirmed as a recently graduated student is amazing” - Chelsey Thiessen, school of art alumna

Moving forward in her artistic career, she said she will be more inclined to put herself out there and take risks.

“I think learning to take chances and to not be afraid to put yourself and your work out there is something that is important for an artist,” she said.

“This competition was a good learning experience for what that process may look like in the future.

This has shown me the importance of taking chances, despite the probability of rejection, because there could be times when things work out and the risk will have been worth it.”

Thiessen’s work will be displayed at the University of Toronto from Nov. 16 - Dec. 16 alongside the 11 other regional winners and the national winner of the competition.

Thiessen said she was apprehensive about taking a risk with the competition, but is grateful for the experience and especially with the results.

A safe place to whine and complain Local femme zine developing international interest with first issue Jen Doerksen, staff

(Left to right) Jules Hardy and Christina Hajjar launched Whiny Femmes Vol. 1 at The Edge Gallery & Urban Art Centre on Saturday, Oct 7, 2017.

A

n upstart local zine is deliberately making space for the voices of people who identify as queer femmes.

Whiny Femmes is a submissionbased zine and creators Christina Hajjar and Jules Hardy said no contribution was turned away for the Vol. 1 that came out on Oct. 7.

"The only way we curated the zine was just in the order,” Hardy said.

“We didn’t reject any submissions and we felt that was really important to the multiplicity of stories.“ The zine received submissions from around the world, including from Mexico, London, Melbourne,

and places across the United States.

“This is a forum to complain about something and think about the power of voice,” Hajjar said.“ There’s a wide variety of submissions, both in form and content. They range from being sad to grumpy to loving and contemplative.”

The inspiration came during a set by local band Mulligrub.

“Our friend Kelly [Campbell] is the lead vocalist and we just admired this person a lot for screaming and crying into a microphone,” Hardy said. “We wanted to mimic it in a way but we couldn’t start a band.”

photos provided by Whiny Femmes

ing in an interview.

According to Trans Student Educational Resources, “femme” can refer to a gender presentation and a sexual orientation, sometimes simultaneously. For organizers, femme denotes a non-heterosexual orientation.

“We think that the word femme is a queer experience, but we include it because there can be misunderstanding and appropriation by het[erosexual] women,” Hajjar said.

Max Bronstein knows Hardy personally, and said he was happy to see the zine come to life.

“My friends and I made it a special event to go out and support them in their endeavour because we think that what they did was really cool.”

He agreed the space organizers created in the evening, and with the zine, is a positive environment.

“It was a very friendly space which you could tell was actively pushed in that direction by the organizers. Jules and Christina definitely succeeded in creating a space for femme positivity.”

Campbell, who is the Manitoban’s “We need more publications graphics editor, contributed to the devoted to queer femme voices,” Lytle inaugural edition. said. “Reading content created by Hajjar and Hardy put out a call other femmes is healing, inspiring, for submissions across Facebook, entertaining, and develops a sense and through friends and peers in of community.”

Winnipeg.

The launch event featured read“We would find femme healing ings from local artists that were collective groups and we kind of published, musical performances by launched our call for submissions À La Mode and Mirror Frame, exhiand just posted it in those groups,” bitions by Callie Lugosi and Jotika Hardy said.

Chaudhary, and a bubble machine.

Hajjar and Hardy are tabling the Emma Lytle, who identifies as a “The bubble machine was really zine again on Oct 24 at CanZine pansexual femme, attended the event. built up on Facebook and it definitely Winnipeg/The Winnipeg Anarchist She said she appreciated the space lived up to hype,” Lytle said, after Book Fair, in the Millennium Library that organizers created. praising the performers of the even-

Sports

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

Bison men’s hockey team has plenty of local talent Austin Frame

Byron Spriggs gets ready to make a save against the Alberta Golden Bears this past weekend.

I

t is no secret that the University of Manitoba men’s hockey program has been eagerly awaiting the start of the 2017-18 campaign.

Last season ended after a disappointing first round exit at the hands of the Mount Royal University Cougars. The Bisons finished with a 14-12-2 record, finishing fifth in the Canada West and earning a 10th straight post-season appearance.

After losing 6-1 in game one of the best of three series to Mount Royal, the Bisons rebounded with a 3-2 victory the next night to tie the quarter-final matchup at one game apiece. In game three, the offence of the Cougars proved to be too much for the herd to handle, who lost 7-1 to end their season.

But that was last season and the Bisons have been busy this fall.

Manitoba took their show on the road and across the pond this August – playing four games in Europe. The Bisons took on the Belfast Giants in a pair of games at the SSE Arena in Belfast, Ireland. Manitoba took game one 6-4 but dropped the latter of the two-game set 7-6 in overtime. To conclude the 2017 European tour, the

Bisons picked up victories versus the Edinburgh Capitals and Braehead Clan 2-1 and 7-1, respectively.

“I believe we’re right there, look at our results in the second half we beat both Alberta and Saskatchewan” Mike Sirant, Bison head coach Upon returning home from their European invasion, the herd travelled west to Regina for the University of Regina Cougars pre-season tournament. On Sept. 16, the Bisons took on the University of Calgary Dinos, losing 6-5 after dropping a game the previous night at the hands of the University of Saskatchewan Huskies, 5-2.

The Huskies were the class of Canada West last season, finishing

first place with a record of 21-5-2 and falling one game short of capturing a national championship. To the Bisons’ credit, they handed the Huskies two of their losses last season.

“I believe we’re right there. Look at our results in the second half, we beat both Alberta and Saskatchewan as well as some of the other top teams,” said Bison head coach Mike Sirant.

“This year we’re going to have a more experienced team. I know our guys are very motivated based on the success from the second half of last season. What’s real important is that we have the confidence and belief that we can win.”

Sirant is heading in to his 21st season at the helm of the men’s hockey program. Sirant has recruited a crop of new players that will look to contribute in their freshman season including Victor Sharonov, Michael St. Croix, Geordie Keane, and Lucas Skrumeda. After two of their top four point-getters from last year, Shaq Merasty left for the ECHL and Jordan DePape finished his eligibility.

“We’re very excited by our recruiting year, with a number of our players returning we didn’t have that many

photo provided by don voaklander

roster spots open, we were looking to ation. In 2016-17, Manitoba finished fill specific needs and we believe we with a power play operating at just have filled those needs,” Sirant said. above 17 per cent and a penalty kill This season the Bisons will look at 77 per cent. Keeping out of the toward Justin Augert, Quintin box, killing off more penalties, and Lisoway, Brett Stovin, Remi converting on more man advantages Laurencelle, and Nick Zajac to cre- will be critical for the success of the ate offence in a tough Canada West Bisons this year. division.

There is no shortage of local tal“I think the addition of Michael ent on this season’s edition of the St. Croix and Zach Franko will be a herd, with 14 players hailing from huge addition to our offence,” Sirant Winnipeg, with an additional nine said. “I believe our offence this year players from rural Manitoba for a will be stronger this year. Our offen- total of 23 members calling the sive game will be stronger, last year Keystone Province home. we lost six games by one goal, we Four games in, Manitoba is curneed to improve in that area.” rently 1-3 on the season, splitting In between the pipes for the herd UBC at home and getting swept will be senior goaltender Byron by the nationally ranked University Spriggs, along with Justin Paulic of Alberta Golden Bears this past and Dasan Sydora. Spriggs led the weekend on the road. Manitoba faces way for Manitoba last season appear- another tough task in the University ing in 22 games finishing with a 2.82 of Saskatchewan Huskies at home goals against average, and a .913 save this weekend. percentage. Paulic finished with a 3.74 GAA and a save percentage of .878 while Sydora saw just over 17 minutes of action last season.

If the Bisons hope to improve on their record this season, special teams will need to be an area of consider-

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Farewell Odell Beckham Jr. Michael Bell

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ell, students, the Fantasy Prof teams, either through draft or trade. is back from his Thanksgiving To me, he is the epitome of an upside break. I hope you had a marvellous fantasy player. OBJ is not the boring, holiday, full of good cheer and great consistent player that can get you 10 food. I, myself, had a very enjoyable to 11 points per game. He may get you Thanksgiving. However, there was four points one week, but he may get one thing that tainted the festivities you 25 the next. Those are the kind of for me - the loss of my prized wide players I want on my team. And now receiver Odell Beckham Jr. Yes, the he's gone. heralded OBJ is now toast. I have him I actually watched the injury live. in two leagues. Well... had. Insert sad On my 45-inch television screen. In or crying emoji here. A few weeks high definition. I saw the whole thing earlier, in this very column, I dis- - the catch, the tackle, and then the cussed the coping mechanisms you broken ankle or fibula or whatever may implement when dealing with body part it was. Have you ever the loss of David Johnson. It appears watched your star fantasy player go I will now have to look in the mirror down right in front of you? Usually, and apply that same advice towards you may see it later in highlights or my own team.

PVR. But to watch the injury happen OBJ and I go back a long way. I in real time is a different experience drafted him when he first came into entirely. Remember when I talked the league, and I've always found about the five stages of grief? Well, a way for him to be on my fantasy I must have passed through those

five stages in an instant. When he Now some quick hits came down injured, it was the strang- from week six: est feeling. It was like I knew, in the Fly, Eagles, fly - Carson Wentz pit of my stomach, that something has gone from backup QB status to consequential had just happened. In possible QB1. The dude has looked other words, I had the sinking feeling really good. And Nelson Agholor is a Beckham was done for the season. possible sleeper for down the stretch.

Surely enough, he was.

Did you see his touchdown on But I felt at peace with the loss. Thursday? The burst was most notable.

Luckily, my team is covered. Usually, He passes the eye test. Think about what I like to do is draft four to five trying to acquire him. If Agholor is stud-ish wide receivers so that if some- on the waiver wire, snatch him up. thing like this happens, I have insur- He's worth a stash. ance. But you never like to see this.

Jonathan Stewart of the Panthers OBJ could ball with the best of them. had minus four yards rushing. Not I could do without the “dog relieving just on one play, but in total. Over himself on the football” touchdown the entire game. Think about that. I celebration. But I will miss his explo- didn't think that was humanly possiveness and the fear he could strike sible. You can start to think about into my fantasy opponents on any cutting bait on J-Stew. given Sunday. RIP OBJ. Until next Aaron Rodgers has a broken colseason. And given the chance, I will larbone. Deep breaths Rodgers ownprobably draft you again. ers. Start studying some relaxation

techniques. And possibly take some hot yoga classes. Downgrade the entire Packers offence.

Did the Saints-Lions 52-38 game actually happen? Or did I just play a Madden game.

Adrian Peterson clearly prefers the Arizona desert to the Louisiana swamp.

Is it just me, or does Leonard Fournette just score long touchdowns?

Deshaun Watson could be a fantasy league championship QB. Time goes so quickly. We're almost halfway through the fantasy season. Next week, we'll point out some out studs and duds one week from now.

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Bisons finish season at home with a pair of losses Manitoba has unbeaten streak snapped after losing to UNBC and MacEwan Ryan Stelter, staff

Bison midfielder #9 Florin Wagner attempts to make a shot against University of Northern British Columbia Timberwolves’ defense.

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he University of Manitoba women’s soccer program wrapped up their home schedule with two losses this weekend. On Friday Manitoba fell 1-0 to the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) Timberwolves and on Saturday lost by the same score to the MacEwan University Griffins.

Manitoba is now 3-6-3 heading into the final weekend of Canada West action, and are clinging on to the last playoff position in the Prairie division.

Friday

Timberwolves forward Sidney Roy scored the eventual game winner in the 20th minute, to snap Manitoba’s four game unbeaten streak on Friday.

Manitoba put the pressure on for an equalizer and came closest in the 29th minute when Bison midfielder Amanda Wong fired a low, hard shot from the 18-yard line but Timberwolves goalkeeper Brooke

Molby dived to make the stop.

Roy almost had another goal in the 32nd minute. Bison defender Kailyn Balfour mishandled a pass and Roy swooped in to take the ball on goal. With no one to beat but Bison goalkeeper Maddie Wilford, Roy chipped the ball just over the bar.

The second half was largely dominated by the Bisons, desperate to tie the game to keep their four game unbeaten streak alive. In the 74th minute, Bison forward Alyssa Daley forced her way into UNBC’s 18-yard box and dropped a pass for midfielder Rebecca Martin. Martin took a touch, and curled a shot just wide of a diving Molby.

“We need to be lethal, you have one or two chances you need to make sure you put it in, because if you don’t and the other team scores on their chances then you lose the game,” Bison head coach Vanessa Martinez Lagunas said of her team squandering their chances.

Saturday

A Suekiana Choucair penalty kick in the 68th minute was all this match needed for the Griffins to hand the Bisons a 1-0 loss on Saturday.

The Griffins dominated the early goings of the match, with Choucair forcing Wilford into a save off a free kick in the second minute. The match started to open up in the middle of the first half, with both teams getting chances off the counter. Bison fullback Hayley Ward had a good chance in the 14th minute, but Griffins goalkeeper Emily Burns was equal to the task.

In the 37th minute, Choucair sent Meagan Lemoine in on goal, but a sliding Wilford put an end to the scoring opportunity. Wilford made 13 saves in the loss.

Manitoba nearly broke the deadlock just before halftime when Bison midfielder Hailey Lavarias sent a through ball to Sara Schur into the MacEwan 18-yard box. Griffins defender Jamie Erickson made a

superb sliding tackle, however, to stymie Schur.

Choucair was at the centre for another MacEwan chance, when she sent a free kick just over the bar in the 50th minute. Five minutes later, Lemoine fed a beautiful cross to Raeghan McCarthy, but Wilford swallowed up the shot.

“We need to be lethal, you have one or two chances you need to make sure you put it in” – Vanessa Martinez Lagunas, Bison head coach A penalty which caused a stir on the Bisons bench was slotted home cooly by Choucair to give the Griffins a 1-0 lead. The Griffins almost dou-

photo by chantal zdan

bled their lead a few minutes later, but Kaylin Hermanutz chipped the ball just wide. Hermanutz had another chance to add insurance with a curled effort from the 18-yard box, but Wilford was there again to save it.

Manitoba threw numbers forward in the latter stages of the game to try to equalize. Perhaps their best chance came when Martin pounced on a loose ball at the top of the 18-yard box but volleyed it over the net. The Bisons were unable to come up with a goal, dropping their second straight game.

Manitoba will wrap up their regular season on the road against the University of Saskatchewan Huskies and University of Regina Cougars on Oct. 21-22.

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Sports

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

Manitoba splits Alberta in home opening series Jason Pchajek, staff

Dyck’s right pad, giving Alberta a 3-2 lead.

Another powerplay chance evened the game for Manitoba in the third.

Hovi dropped a pass to Alexandra Anderson at the point. She walked in and ripped a wrister through four Bisons - and as many Pandas - past Owen’s glove and in. Hovi finished the night with three assists.

Alberta came back to take the game off another goal by Boucher with eight seconds remaining. She walked in and ripped a shot over Dyck’s shoulder, giving the Pandas the win and spoiling the Bisons’ home opener.

Saturday

photo by chantal zdan

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he University of Manitoba Bison women’s hockey team opened their season at home this weekend with a two-game split against the defending national champion University of Alberta Pandas.

The Bisons dropped a 4-3 decision to the Pandas on Friday, but rebounded for a 4-2 win on Saturday.

Manitoba now holds a 2-2 record and sits in fifth place in the Canada West.

Friday

The Bisons played well on the powerplay and were even coming down to the final buzzer, but a lastminute goal gave the Pandas a 4-3 win on Friday .

Down 2-0 in the first, Manitoba got on the board later in the frame on a five-on-three powerplay. Venla Hovi sent the puck to Alanna Sharman, who fired a slapshot on goal. The puck was tipped in front

by Lauryn Keen and past Pandas

goaltender Dayna Owen, bringing the Bisons within a goal.

In the second period, the Bisons powerplay struck again. Jenai Buchanan took a cross-ice pass from Hovi and hammered a point shot home, tying the game at two.

Alberta got back ahead late in the second. The Bisons could not clear the zone and the puck found its way to the stick of Ashley Morin. She fired a shot from the high slot that snuck under Bison goalie Rachel

The Bisons were back on the ice Saturday night, ready to avenge their last-minute defeat by the Pandas the night before. Manitoba responded with a hard fought 4 -2 win, earning a weekend split.

Manitoba jumped out in front in the first, again on the powerplay.

Anderson sent the puck down low to Hovi and she set up Alanna Serhan for the tip, putting the Bisons up 1-0.

The Pandas tied things up early in the second. Hannah Olenyk was left all alone and walked in, ripping a shot bar down on rookie Bison goaltender Lauren Taraschuk. The

Bisons responded seconds later to regain their lead when captain Caitlin Fyten stepped up from the blueline and wired a shot past Owen’s foot, off the post and in.

Alberta came back once more, knotting the game at two midway through the second. Amy Boucher snagged a loose puck and carried it behind the net for a wrap-around goal.

Serhan nabbed her second of the game midway through the third. Just as a Bison powerplay expired, Serhan stepped into a heavy shot that flew past Owen to make it 3-2. Manitoba added another goal off an Allison Sexton breakaway and the Bisons took the game 4-2.

Taraschuk picked up the first win of her career - and first as a Bison turning away 20 of 22 Pandas shots and looked sharp throughout.

“Good, steady, made the saves she needed to,” said Bison head coach Jon Rempel. “Great experience for her, came in here and kind of steadied the ship a little.”

Manitoba will be in Saskatoon for a series against the University of Saskatchewan Huskies on Oct. 19-20.

Bison football lose close battle to Dinos, men’s hockey bested by Golden Bears Ryan Stelter, staff

A

couple of Bison teams were on the road in Alberta this weekend.

The University of Manitoba football team lost 36-27 in Calgary against #2 University of Calgary Dinos. The Bison men’s hockey team was a few hours north in Edmonton for a pair of games against the #2 University of Alberta Golden Bears. They lost both games to the powerhouse Golden Bears.

much for this plucky Bison team, ter, with the prehistorics tallying 16 scoring 16 unanswered points in the unanswered points to remain undefourth quarter. Bison wideout Jesse feated on the year. Manitoba drops Walker had his best performance of to 1-5, with #7 University of British his career, with six catches for 113 Columbia at Investors Group Field yards and a touchdown. on Saturday, Oct. 21 at 2 p.m .

Calgary got on the board with their first drive, a 15-yard Karl Hunter catch from Adam Sinagra. The Ultimately, the Dinos Bisons answered back with a 41-yard proved too much field goal to cut into Calgary’s lead.

The next Dinos possession, Brock for this plucky Bison Gowanlock forced a fumble to give team, scoring 16 the Bisons the ball back. Walker connected with Des Catellier for a unanswered points 20-yard score. Bisons led 10-8 at the end of the first quarter. in the fourth quarter Calgary scored a touchdown on their first possession of the second quarter to regain the lead. Each team photo by chantal zdan exchanged a couple safeties and field Bison men’s hockey goals to make the score 20-14 Calgary swept by Bears Bison football at the half.

The #2 Golden Bears are always surprise in Calgary On Manitoba’s second posses- a formidable opponent, as they have The last time the Dinos and Bisons sion of the second half, Theo Deezar won the Canada West championship took the field, it was a day to forget dived for a one-yard touchdown. That four of the last five years. Manitoba for Manitoba, as the Dinos beat up was set up by a 35 yard catch from has managed to have success against the herd 76-1 7. This time around, the Walker - his longest of the day. A pair Alberta the last couple years, howBisons managed to hold a lead late of Brad Mikoluff field goals made the ever. The Bisons and Bears have split into the fourth quarter but eventu- score 27-20 at the end of the third their last eight meetings since 2015-16, ally fell 36-27. quarter. with Manitoba winning the season Ultimately, the Dinos proved too It was all Calgary in fourth quar- series in 2015-16.

On Friday, Manitoba faltered late and lost 5-2. Bison forward Nick Zajac did all the scoring for the Bisons, with Justin Augert in on both tallies.

Zajac opened the scoring for Manitoba, but Alberta answered back a few minutes later to tie things up.

Alberta’s Jamie Crooks scored the lone goal in the second period, to give the home team their first lead of the day.

The Golden Bears outscored the Bisons 3-1 in the third period to give Alberta the two points. Bison goaltender Byron Spriggs stopped 32 of 37 shots he faced in the loss.

On Saturday, it was all Alberta in a 4-1 win, to sweep the weekend series.

Adam Henry scored the lone goal for the Bisons in the second period.

Spriggs was once again busy in the crease, making 33 saves in the loss.

Things do not get any easier for the Bisons, as national finalists the #3 University of Saskatchewan Huskies, come to the Wayne Fleming arena this weekend .

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Hailey Lavarias flourishing in her second year with Manitoba Ryan Stelter, staff

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anchester United has the tradition of superstar players wearing the number seven, with players like Cristiano Ronaldo and David Beckham donning the famous number.

The Bison soccer team has their own superstar wearing the number seven in Hailey Lavarias .

Recently named the U SPORTS female athlete of the week, the second-year midfielder is having herself quite the season with Manitoba.

On Oct. 7, in a game against crosstown rivals the Winnipeg Wesmen, Lavarias exploded for four goals in a 4-0 win.

“It’s not everyday you score four goals, I was pretty excited about that” - Hailey Lavarias, Bison midfielder Her fourth goal showcased the supreme talent of Lavarias, who dashed in taking on Wesmen defenders and slotted the ball home in the bottom corner.

“It’s not everyday you score four goals, I was pretty excited about that,” Lavarias said.

It was the first time a Bison had ever scored four goals in a single game, an achievement Lavarias has worked hard for. So far this season, Lavarias has five goals and two assists in 11 matches. In her first year, Lavarias redshirted for the majority of the season, and it wasn’t until the

Hailey Lavarias, centre in white, in action against the Regina Cougars.

final few games when she broke into the squad.

“I started rostering and got my starting spot right at the end of the season,” she said. “In the off-season I obviously had to work hard to keep my spot.”

Lavarias picked up the game when she was very young, after her parents got her into the sport to keep active.

“I started when I was five years

old,” she said. “My parents kind of just threw me in there to keep active and try it out and ever since then I’ve stayed with it and been really successful with it and I’ve enjoyed playing it.”

The big topic on everybody’s mind is the U SPORTS national championships Manitoba will be hosting this November. Lavarias already has experience at the national level, going to club nationals in Newfoundland

photo by jeff miller

with FC Northwest in 2014. There, Lavarias and her team earned a silver medal.

“I guess I’ve kind of been there but it’ll be different,” she said. “It’s higher stakes and the top university teams in the country.”

Like the rest of the Bison soccer team, Lavarias said she is excited for nationals, and will not be phased by the frigid November temperatures.

“As Winnipeggers, we’re pretty used to the cold, compared to the other teams around the country so it should be good for us,” she said.

“Our last game of the season last year we were playing Saskatchewan and it was snowing and hailing - it was really bad, probably the worst game I’ve ever played weather wise.

We have experience playing in that kind of weather.”