vol 106 iss 28, April 1, 2020

T H E

M A N I T O B A N

THEMANITOBAN.COM

APRIL

1,

2020

VOLUME

106

ISSUE

28

U-PASS TO CONTINUE AFTER CONTRACT APPROVED BY UMSU PAGE 3

THE OFFICIAL UNIVERSITY OF MANITOBA STUDENTS’ NEWSPAPER

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Index

VOL. 106 NO. 28 April 1st, 2020

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Matthew Doering

editor@themanitoban.com / 474.8293

BUSINESS MANAGER Alice Teufack

accounts@themanitoban.com / 474.6535

ADVERTISING CO-ORDINATOR Pauline Calinisan

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EDITORIAL

MANAGING EDITOR Garett Williams

me@themanitoban.com

NEWS EDITOR Garett Williams

garett@themanitoban.com / 474.6770

NEWS EDITOR Ty Brass

ARTS AND CULTURE

ty@themanitoban.com / 474.6770

COMMENT EDITOR Kenny Ingram

Taking responsibility in the present

comment@themanitoban.com

ARTS AND CULTURE EDITOR Grace Paizen

New film a hilarious PSA against time travelling

arts@themanitoban.com

PAGE 10

sports@themanitoban.com

SPORTS EDITOR Jason Pchajek ASSOCIATE COPY EDITOR Megan Pietrus

megan@themanitoban.com

COPY ASSOCIATE Ursula Chojko-Bolec

DESIGN

DESIGN EDITOR Joshua Wesey

design@themanitoban.com

GRAPHICS EDITOR Evan Tremblay

graphics@themanitoban.com

DESIGN ASSOCIATE Kellie Huynh GRAPHICS ASSOCIATE Ernest Zarzuela

AUDIO AND VIDEO

VISUAL CONTENT EDITOR Quincy Houdayer

visual@themanitoban.com

AUDIO EDITOR Joseph Gonzales

audio@themanitoban.com

PHOTO ASSOCIATE Alex Decebal-Cuza PHOTO ASSOCIATE Ally Gonzalo VIDEO ASSOCIATE Nish Joshi VIDEO ASSOCIATE Paul Stabell

ARTS AND CULTURE

AUDIO ASSOCIATE Tino Hove

A welcome return

The decade wait is over for Sarah Harmer’s new LP

REPORTERS

PAGE 11

NEWS Damien Davis

NEWS Gillian Brown

NEWS Amira Tekle NEWS (INDIGENOUS AFFAIRS) Kayla Lariviere COLUMNIST Cam Cannon COLUMNIST Meagan Hughes ARTS & CULTURE Kaelen Bell ARTS & CULTURE Zachary Sigurdson SPORTS Isaiah Wagner

VOLUNTEER CONTRIBUTORS

Samantha Nicole Tumlos Evan Friesen

A “volunteer staff” member is defined as a person who has had three volunteer articles, photographs, or pieces of art of reasonable length and/or substance published in three different issues of the current publishing year of the Manitoban. Any individual who qualifies must be voted in by a majority vote at a Manitoban staff meeting. Elected representatives and non-students may be excluded from holding votes as volunteer staff members in accordance with the Manitoban Constitution.

The Manitoban is the official student newspaper of the University of Manitoba. It is published monthly during the summer and each week of regular classes during the academic year by the Manitoban Newspaper Publica-

tions Corporation.

The Manitoban is an independent and democratic student organization, open to participation from all students. It exists to serve its readers as students and citizens.

The newspaper’s primary mandate is to report fairly and objectively on issues and events of importance and interest to the students of the University of Manitoba, to provide an open forum for the free expression and exchange of opinions and ideas, and to stimulate meaningful debate on issues that affect or would otherwise be of interest to the student body and/or society in general. The Manitoban serves as a training ground for students interested in any aspect of journalism.Students and other interested parties are in-

vited to contribute to any section of the newspaper. Please contact the appropriate editor for submission guidelines. The Manitoban reserves the right to edit all submissions and will not publish any material deemed by its editorial board to be discriminatory, racist, sexist, homophobic or transphobic, ableist or libellous. Opinions expressed in letters and articles are solely those of the authors. Editorials in the Manitoban are signed and represent the opinions of the writer(s), not necessarily those of the Manitoban staff, Editorial Board, or the publisher.

All contents are ©2020 and may not be reprinted without the express written permission of the Editor-in-Chief. Yearly subscriptions to the Manitoban are available for $40.

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News

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

U of M to allow selective exclusion of grades Petition garnered over 6,000 signatures GILLIAN BROWN, STAFF

scenes on ,” said UMSU vice-president advocacy Sarah Bonner-Proulx.

Individual faculties are considering changing their grading systems because of the academic changes rather than adhering completely to a university-wide decision.

Bonner-Proulx reported in a recent UMSU meeting that the faculty of law has implemented this pass/

PHOTO BY QUINCY HOUDAYER

F

ollowing a petition urging the U of M to adopt more flexible course assessment methods because of academic changes made to limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus, the university announced that students will now be given the choice whether to include individual final grades in their GPA. The petition, started by U of M student Andrew Sadik, urged the university to follow the actions of the University of Calgary and implement the option of a pass/fail system for any courses.

In the four days the petition was online prior to the university’s announcement, it gathered more than 6,000 signatures.

“We did not get exactly what the petition requested, but it’s definitely helpful,” wrote Sadik in a recent update.

U of M vice-provost students Laurie Schnarr said in an email to students March 26, “For any course completed at the University of Manitoba in winter term 2020, you can choose whether or not to include a grade received in your GPA calculation.”

“This option will apply to all winter term 2020 courses or spanned courses that you completed over the fall 2019-winter 2020 terms for which a standard letter grade is received (A+ to F).”

Schnarr also said that although

these grades would not be included in students’ GPAs for the purpose of program progression or overall GPA requirements, they will still appear on transcripts and will be used to satisfy pre-requisites for entry into other courses and to satisfy other program requirements.

Grades that students choose not to include in their GPA will be flagged with a notation on their transcripts indicating the grade was excluded due to the COVID-19 situation.

Students will have seven days after receiving final grades to give the university their decisions.

“This has been something that UMSU is in support of, [something] we’ve been advocating behind the

“We did not get exactly what the petition requested, but it’s definitely helpful” — Andrew Sadik, U of M student fail model on its own.

Canadian Federation of Students Manitoba chairperson Brenden Gali says the organization is also in support of this change for all Manitoban institutions and believes the petition was the driving force behind the university’s decision.

“Anything that garners a number like over 6,000 supporters, administrations take notice,” said Gali.

“They feel that pressure, so I think the actions taken by the University of Manitoba administration has a

direct link to this petition and actions started by students.”

“COVID-19 is affecting many people, different communities of the country,” he added.

“We represent students, so there’s just a lot of things that we hope we can see our governments doing to support students specifically.”

“A lot of our calls to action included the provincial government following the steps of the federal government and deferring student loan repayments until the fall 2020, extending appeal options for students, taking care of international students so that they have the rights to work and study here,” he said.

Gali said he believes this petition “is just one step” in the direction of getting provincial administrations and governments to take better care of students.

For him, Manitoba’s response to COVID-19 is “actually kind of disappointing.”

“We’re going to need more services, we’re going to need more staff at universities to support students for their appeals for services like health care,” said Gali.

Gali added that with “this one per cent reduction in government grants to universities, and post COVID-19, I think we’re going to see students suffer, and it’s a huge disappointment.”

UMSU board approves universal transit contract

Price set at $200 per term for next four years AMIRA TEKLE, STAFF

term and students voted in favour of the increased rate in a referendum.

After a lengthy battle between the city, students and other advocates after the U-Pass was not included in the preliminary budget, the inclusion of the U-Pass was approved in the final budget.

PHOTO BY ALLY GONZALO

T

he U-Pass will return to the U of M this fall at $200 per term.

UMSU’s board of directors voted March 26 to approve the newly increased U-Pass rate recently passed

in the City of Winnipeg’s multi-year budget for four years.

Currently, students pay $136.25 per term for the U-Pass. Council initially approved the new rate at $160.75 per

Sanderson called the U-Pass’s inclusion in the city’s budget a “major positive” despite the unprecedented increase in cost Even at $200 per term, the U-Pass remains the cheapest Winnipeg Transit option for students.

The post-secondary pass offered

by Winnipeg Transit comes at a cost of $81.65 per month — $126.60 more expensive than the U-Pass per term — and the U-Pass will be approximately $85 cheaper than the low-income rate being introduced this month.

Not all students would qualify for the low-income rate. Despite its restrictive parameters, it was an option city council touted as the solution to the cancellation of the U-Pass proposed in an early draft of the city’s budget.

The board chose not to put another referendum to the student body, instead deciding to unilaterally approve the increase without student input.

Sanderson called the U-Pass’s inclusion in the city’s budget a “major positive” despite the unprecedented increase in cost.

Sanderson said improvements to the terms of the contract were in the works, including “expanded opt-outs”

for students who live in areas with little to no reasonable access to public transit.

All opt-out options in the current contract will continue to exist, possibly with one addition.

“Everyone outside the transit service area, not just outside the city limits [being eligible to opt-out] — that would be something new that would be a positive.”

“There’s a certain designated amount of metres from a bus stop where if it’s unreasonable that you could walk to a bus stop, then you’re considered outside the transit service area,” added Sanderson.

“Now, if those people [who reside outside of the transit service area] wish to maintain their U-Pass [...] and don’t want to pay for a parking pass and they simply want to drive up somewhere close to the U of M then do park and ride [...] they are absolutely still U-Pass eligible.”

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News

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

Blue skies ahead QUINCY HOUDAYER, STAFF

As winter snow and ice melts, the river levels in Winnipeg have begun to rise. The U.S. has seen higher than normal precipitation and U.S. reports predict a risk of major flooding for the Red River. Last week the province announced $8 million for flood protection, with about $2 million targeted for the Winnipeg region.

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

Editorial Editor-In-Chief: Matthew Doering Contact: editor@themanitoban.com / 474.6770

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No, COVID-19 was not made in a lab

The damage of social media conspiracy theories and why doctors should be listened to GRACE PAIZEN, STAFF

GRAPHIC BY EVAN TREMBLAY

I

n season six of the popular animated series King of the Hill, veteran Bill Dauterive is led to believe the U.S. army was experimenting on him to make him into a walrus super soldier.

Though this plot is ridiculously hilarious, in hindsight, the misuse of social media has led to rumours about COVID-19 that parallel or even trump the imagination of the King of the Hill writing staff.

Authors have been writing about pandemics wiping humans off the Earth since Mary Shelley’s The Last Man. The nearly-200 years since have given us science fiction tropes of plagues, alien viruses and government-created diseases used as bioweapons against the perceived enemy.

These tales can be misused through the human condition of paranoia.

Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube have given rise to the pseudo-expert.In short, if you have a blue checkmark beside your name or have the most followers, you are given power that, quite honestly, should be reserved for researchers in their fields.

Instead, we are now living in a time where science fiction fantasies

are being stripped from novels, short The Yellow Peril was rampant in udices and one of the oldest human spiracy theory — during the same stories and the screen and warped the 19th century, when the predom- tropes: the fear of the unknown. week scientists finally found the into social media conspiracies that inantly-white Western countries The most frustrating part of the Moustached Kingfisher alive in the spread faster than COVID-19 itself. feared that people from East Asia conspiracy theory in the case of the wild for the first time in decades — Some of these conspiracies are — hired for cheap labour — were COVID-19 virus is that it isn’t fun- seems ludicrous. spread by people with a great deal going to invade their countries. If this damentally unknown.

What is the antidote to the panof authority — from a California sounds familiar, it’s because this fear Researchers know more and more demic of social media fear then? congressional candidate saying that merely mutated into the 21st-century about the virus every day.

Simply don’t listen. the virus was man-made to the U.S. version of outsourcing labour to East They have been communicating Listen to doctors, researchers and secretary of state refusing to say he Asia, creating the fear of jobs being strategies to help prevent the spread scientists. doesn’t believe the virus is entirely “taken away” from white Western of infection to the general public for They have gone through rigorous a hoax. labourers. months now and have been busy schooling and training to help us Today, Asian people in countries developing techniques to fight the understand disease as well as to find No, the coronavirus was not made in a lab. Scientists have already virus. solutions and vaccinations to mitidebunked that theory.

Researchers at McMaster gate spread and, hopefully, eradicate In fact, humans have been living University can now isolate the virus infection.

That’s the biggest These people are experts in their with coronaviruses for millenniums. from biological samples, a technique problem with that will help in the development of fields and should be treated as such.

Human coronaviruses cause illnesses like the common cold. First identified vaccines.

In fact, we may never know the name conspiracy theories: by scientists in the mid-1960s, four of Doctors also know how COVID- of every researcher who contributed they are rarely new the seven types of coronavirus that 19 transmits from person to person to the vaccination when it comes out. are known to infect people cause the — through respiratory droplets or This should be enough for you to common cold. touching an infected surface. take what the research community Just because the COVID-19 virus The fact that the virus has an offi- says seriously. is classified as “novel” doesn’t make like the U.S. are reporting more and cial classification in the phylogenetic They are not doing this to become coronaviruses new. It simply means more racist attacks ranging from family tree signifies that the scientific TikTok famous, they are doing this the COVID-19 virus is a new type subtle prejudice — like a decrease in community knows what this disease because it is their job and their pasof coronavirus. sales from Chinese restaurants and is — that it’s not some alien virus sion to help eradicate disease.

This isn’t some science fiction Chinatowns across the country — to brought to Earth from the unknown.

It is time to put aside our overacfantasy where a foreign government physical assault.

It can be frustrating that science tive imaginations and listen to scibrought a biowarfare plague upon The biggest problem with conspir- moves slowly, but there is so much of entific facts. the Earth. acy theories is that they are rarely new. the organic world left to document And if you’re going to redistribute By stitching together classic rac- that automatically skipping to the such falsehoods, call it what it is — a ism with misinformation, conspiracy conclusion that COVID-19 is part second Yellow Peril. theorists prey on age-old human prej- of some government biowarfare con-

Blakely unfettered Prince George captain pipes up in finale BERT LITTLE

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t was a performance to remember, in a game to forget.

With a hat trick and a pair of assists in an 8-5 loss Saturday, Prince George Silverbacks captain Brantley Blakely bid adieu to his junior hockey career. The Penticton-born winger will leave the British Columbia Major Junior Hockey League for the professional ranks next season, and with the Silverbacks missing the post-season, it was the last time he would suit up in black and silver.

Usually not one for words, Blakely’s stall was packed after the game, as reporters gathered around for one last chance to speak with the club’s leader for the past four seasons. The attention made Blakely laugh.

“Well this is new,” he said.

“You’d think I was Connor McDavid or something. Not sure what you guys are going to get out of me here.”.

TOM KAY

oming this May is a batch of lurid and violent short stories with the tagline “On the Wrong Side. Nothing is right anymore.

These are the Veiled Sagas.”

Z. F. Sigurdson is a new

Winnipeg author self-publishing his first short story collection, titled Bloodied — The Veiled Sagas.

Continued A thinly veiled | Page 5

Debut an homage to fantasy forbears BJORN AJOKE

C

oming this May is a batch of lurid and violent short stories with the tagline “On the Wrong Side. Nothing is right anymore.

These are the Veiled Sagas.”

Z. F. Sigurdson is a new

Winnipeg author self-publishing his first short story collection, titled Bloodied — The Veiled Sagas.

Continued Bloodied | Page 5

Blakely unfiltered Prince George captain speaks out in finale MARKUS SPECTRAL

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RALPH DERMER

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he year since city council’s pivotal U-Pass decision has seen dramatic and profound changes to the city — and none more pronounced than experienced at the U of M. =Council’s decision marked a turning point in public transportation policy not just in the city, but in the province as a whole as Winnipeg took on a leadership role and charted a path followed

by most other municipalities.

But it is the students, faculty and staff who commute to the university every day who have been most directly affected as the decision not only upended transportation but campus politics for years to come.

Continued Free transit | Page 3

Continued Unfortunately | Page 7

Gothic clichés gone wild C

Transit program goes provincial

t was a performance to remember, Usually not one for words, in a game to forget.

Blakely’s stall was packed after With a hat trick and a pair the game, as reporters gathered of assists in an 8-5 loss Saturday, around for one last chance to speak Prince George Silverbacks cap- with the club’s leader for the past tain Brantley Blakely bid adieu four seasons. The attention made to his junior hockey career. The Blakely laugh.

Penticton-born winger will leave “Well this is new,” he said. the British Columbia Major Junior “You’d think I was Connor Hockey League for the professional McDavid or something. Not sure ranks next season, and with the what you guys are going to get out Silverbacks missing the post-sea- of me here.” son, it was the last time he would suit up in black and silver.

Continued Despite | Page 7

Parking profits to pay for programs GEORGE PLIMPTON, III

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he year since city council’s pivotal U-Pass decision has seen dramatic and profound changes to the city — and none more pronounced than experienced at the U of M. Council’s decision marked a

turning point in public transportation policy not just in the city, but in the province as a whole as Winnipeg took on a leadership role and charted a path followed by most other municipalities.

But it is the students, faculty and

staff who commute to the university every day who have been most directly affected as the decision not only upended transportation but campus politics for years to come.

Continued Prices soar | Page 2

WPF announces 2020 headliners Fans criticize that artists ‘arnet punk’ CYRIL MAGEE

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ast week, Punk Winnipeg “really recapturing that Blink-182 and Bad Religion have begun to go announced the headliners for feeling.” by the wayside in exchange headthe 2020 RBoC Winnipeg Punk Some fans of the festival were not liners like Christina Aguilera, Ed Festival. so impressed. On Punk Winnipeg’s Sheeran and NSYNC. The lineup includes such eclectic Facebook page, long-time fans Festival organizers claimed that selections as John Legend, Taylor expressed disappointment with the they were “bewildered” and “flumSwift, Wiz Khalifa and the recently- choice of artists. moxed” by the backlash but intended revived Jonas Brothers. Festival “Those arnet (sic) punk artists” to rectify the situation. organizers said they had hoped to said one commenter.

They have since released a bring a diverse group of punk artists “Stop wasting good money on statement going over the plan to to the city for the upcoming series bullfrick music like that” said appease concerns from many fans. of concerts. another.

This includes the plan to hire more University of Manitoba student Fans have expressed discontent in classic punk bands — like Weezer, Allan Blondie decided to order tick- recent years over the festival’s RBC Coldplay and Panic! At The Disco ets upon hearing about the lineup. sponsorship, with many complaining — as well as a new contract for local This year’s will be the first Punk Fest that the company’s influence over bands to be paid a “living wage” of she has ever attended. lineups has resulted in a change in $15 per hour-long show, or $7.50 per “It feels like they’re really mak- artistic direction. In that time, head- half hour. ing punk cool again,” said Blondie, liners of years past like The Misfits

VO L 1 0 6 · N O 2 8 · A P R I L 1 , 2 0 2 0 · W W W.T H E M A N I TO B A N .CO M

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

Sparks fly as rival fundraisers face-off

‘If he knew who my dad was, he wouldn’t treat me like this’ BILL EDWARDS

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series of ugly confrontations at the Bougie Nights fundraiser last week saw the whole thing — and a small section of the university — go up in flames.

The fundraisers, “board” members of the Winnipeg Junior Achievers Club who had been sleeping outside the UC in a makeshift camp since Monday, were raising money for local youth poverty initiatives.

The annual campaign has long been criticized as token liberal dogoodery — a gross and depraved

I felt I should make the most of it and give them a more honest experience,” said Stake, who organized a rival campaign collecting money for him to serve as private security charged with policing the “squatters.”

The ugliness began overnight Monday when Stake was reported to have sped his rented SUV up over the curb, honking the horn and shining bright lights on the campers and keeping them awake most of the night with Hager-era Van Halen tracks. Several were seen catching sleep during their classes the next day.

IMAGE BY QUINCY HOUDAYER, YOUTUBE Some time after noon Tuesday, Stake — remarkably confident performance of poverty cosplay — while brandishing a blackjack, obvibut has largely been tolerated by the ously new aviator sunglasses and a university community because it black uniform with “security” unedirected some money toward good venly spray painted across the back causes and the so-called “campers” — raided the camp and was heard were well-meaning enough. demanding the campers “pack their But Chuck Stake, an unaffiliated shit,” pointing to discarded cardboard delinquent “with nothing but time on strewn about the site. my hands,” said he wanted to guide “This is a public area,” he shouted this year’s participants through a through a bullhorn to the campers more meaningful experience. who were about eight feet away. “For “It’s a rare opportunity to meet your own safety, and the security of these folks on something even others, I cannot allow you to remain remotely resembling my territory, so here. Beat it.”

“They should get back into the classroom where they’re less of a threat to the rest of us” — Chuck Stake, counter philanthropist

Stake was seen throwing personal property into a dumpster, including a speaker that was playing music throughout the day to keep the campers’ spirits up. He refused to comment directly on reports that some items were seen in his vehicle. “That seems unlikely,” he said.

“That guy is an asshole,” said Brad Chadford, an executive-stream business major participating in his second camp out.

“He tossed my speaker into a pud-

dle and then threw it out, mumbling some nonsense about only tolerating Crass or Discharge ‘on cassette.’ Then he followed me inside and wouldn’t let me use the washroom. Where am I supposed to go?

“If he knew who my dad was, he wouldn’t treat me like this.”

Hours later, the entire camp was engulfed in flames after a discarded cigarette lit up the untidy cardboard that remained about the area. There were no injuries and the camp was empty as the fire spread to sections of the university causing significant damages.

Stake, who was first on the scene and called in the fire department, said he wasn’t surprised the week ended in disaster.

“I told them. I told them to pack that shit up,” he said.

“You can’t just leave your things lying around out here, hoping someone will come behind you and clean up.

“They should get back into the classroom where they’re less of a threat to the rest of us.”

Prices soar for black market parking stalls as university expands lot operations Continued from Page 1 After city council would only agree to support the universal transit program if students increased their contribution to what amounts to savings of less than $5 per month over a regular transit path — a deal Coun.

Al Mattered called a “great achievement that students must respect me for securing” — the U-Pass was effectively dead.

UMSA council moved to sidestep its own policies and accept the deal without engaging students through

“I saw a guy yesterday driving from the roof of his car, steering with some ropes and pulleys — and he was on his God damned phone” — William Morrow, aggrieved student

a referendum but failed to satisfy its own bylaws by erroneously holding the vote in closed session after forgetting to re-open the meeting following

an allegedly boring in-camera debate.

Council’s failure marked the death knell not only of the program but of public transit in Winnipeg, as the dramatic drop in ridership inspired the city to sell its entire fleet to ride hailing service Rebu.

By the summer, a black market emerged to trade, rent and sell parking passes for the Fort Garry campus. After the market value of a single stall increased by more than 2,000 per cent, the university brought the underground market to daylight by auctioning off five-year leases on individual spaces to the highest bidder.

“This has been an incredible boon to the university,” said U of M spokesperson Dan Johnson. “We raised enough funds to cover paving over the golf course area and buy up some additional property near the university, which will all be converted to additional parking stock.”

“Within a year, the U of M will be among the top lot operators in the city,” he added, failing to explain why additional parking is called for as the university moves to deliver all undergrad programming online.

Documents uncovered by the Buffalo indicate the university has also invested in developing lots near the U of W and at Brandon University.

Johnson said the long-term vision will have the university “free of the shackles of provincial funding” by 2030.

A stark division has emerged as students who can afford a city rapid transit licence — which grants access to the Southwest Transitway that was

recently converted into an exclusive toll road direct to campus — and those who weather the roadways, which became an increasingly highrisk exercise after safety regulations were pulled back to allow anyone willing to accept all associated liabilities to construct their own vehicles so long as they have at least three wheels.

William Morrow, a fourth-year faculty of arts student with what looks like black soot covering all of his face but small round circles where goggles shielded his eyes, said his car hasn’t had a windshield since November — and that’s not even the worst part of his commute.

“Man, I saw a guy yesterday driving from the roof of his car, steering with some ropes and pulleys — and he was on his God damned phone,” he said, lugging a jerry can and hose toward the football field, which was recently converted into another U of M private lot.

“I liked it better when I could listen to a podcast on the bus on the way to campus.

“Now I’m out here sucking gas through a hose.”

IMAGE BY QUINCY HOUDAYER

VOL. 106 NO. 28 April 1, 2020

News

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Chaos on campus

Loose Bisons, Cougars, Pronghorns and Dinos overrun Fort Garry RALPH DERMER

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here was a mad scene on the Fort Garry campus last week after the country’s top university sports teams — already stoked to a frenzy following the cancellation of the National Sporting Championships — were set loose from their pens and wreaked havoc for several hours.

It was the U of M’s own Bisons that first broke free after being sprung from Indebtors Group Field by an anonymous — and currently wanted — individual. The Bisons were followed by the Cougars, Pronghorns and, surprisingly, the Dinos as “All hell broke loose,” according to one more or less confused bystander.

According to witnesses, the

Bisons stampeded through the pack of Cougars toward the quad. After charging through the Drake Centre and the ARTlab, the Bisons met the Pronghorns back outside but did little to slow the momentum of the stampede.

It wasn’t until the Dinos appeared on the scene that the suddenly confused Bisons were brought to a standstill and mounted something of a defence formation in the quad.

By this point, fire, police and animal rescue personnel were on the scene awaiting backup from the Canadian reserves.

All four teams were eventually rounded up and returned to their

respective pens by the field. Early estimates of the cost of the damages range between upsetting and destabilizing but by any measure, the event was significant.

“I don’t get paid nearly enough for this shit” — Mike Harvey, former security chief

“We were wholly unprepared for who seemed entirely unaware that this,” said now former campus secu- the stampede was not, in fact, the rity chief Mike Harvey, putting out a national championships. The Buffalo’s cigarette while immediately lighting own Ricky Attenburrow suffered non-serious injuries trying to another. He didn’t look good.

“I’m in my little hatch-back here organize some sort of post-rampage chasing a stampede of Bison as it interviews. marches through a pack of Cougars “I think it’s a good sports story, and then I get a call on the radio really,” he said from the hospital. that Dinos — Dinos — are mak- “People expected the Bisons to put up ing their way toward this crazy scene. a strong fight against the Pronghorns, What am I to do about that with a but the Cougar win was a Cinderella flashlight? story — a total upset.”

“I don’t get paid nearly enough for this shit.”

In a curious development, much of the chaos was broadcast with play-by-play by laid off sports guys

Free transit sparks social transformation across city and province-wide but also developing a province-wide, publicly funded transportation network on top of a broad package renewing public investment.

“I don’t know what the hell happened down on Broadway,” said U of M spokesperson Dan Johnson, “but after the U-Pass vote and the quick success of truly public transit, they completely shifted course and began seriously investing in public services — from education to healthcare.”

“It’s like they’ve seen the light,” he added. “The libraries are open five days a week again. It’s magical.”

“It’s like they’ve William Morrow, a fourth-year faculty of arts student with a fine seen the light. The tan, said his commute has become libraries are open five so stress-free he took up embroidery on his way to classes just to spice up days a week again. the ride.

“This isn’t easy,” he said, “espeIt’s magical” — U cially when you hit that one last of M spokesperson pothole down by Jubilee. It can get pretty exciting if you’re in the middle Dan Johnson of a French knot when we bounce through that one. But apparently the city plans to fill it next week and there will only be about three or four left in town.” successful that activist networks once “I used to be such an angry dude,” bent on upending capitalism full-stop he said from what was formerly the have retreated entirely into non- parking lot on the southeast end of political folk rock of a vein few can campus but has since been transstomach, but fewer yet can strongly formed into an open, grassed area brimming with gentle wildlife. argue against.

In fact, it has been so successful “Now I’m just out here in the sun, that even the provincial government relaxing and breathing in clean air. has jumped on board with not only I’m almost bored.” supporting the Winnipeg program,

Close to 80 per cent of the vehicles in the city have been taken off the road through a municipal buyback program, which was inspired

by Australia’s gun buyback efforts in the ’90s after the value of a used car in Winnipeg fell below $100, regardless of make.

The rapid transit program, which is in the process of being extended to all areas of the city, has been so

IMAGE BY QUINCY HOUDAYER

Continued from Page 1 When city council shocked everyone last year by not only supporting the U-Pass program but extending free public transportation to

the entire city — a deal Coun. Al Transit ridership has increased Mattered called a “great achievement 3,000 per cent as tolls to run a vehicle that he is proud to have even a small inside the perimeter highway have part of ” — even UMSA council made passage safe enough for grade couldn’t have projected the transfor- school students to resume cycling to mation it would inspire. school in safety.

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

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Nationalization of companies needed to combat crises JONESTON ALEXANDER

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orkers around the world have the treatment they need In an age been undermined throughout of populism around the world, where history. From the general strikes of autocratic leaders are being elected the early 20th century that were bro- one after another, it makes the worldken by big business to the modern wide pandemic an even bigger threat. catastrophes of the Great Recession From Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in that saw workers have their com- Turkey to Jair Bolsonaro in Brazil to pensation cut or be fired altogether. Donald Trump in the U.S., the world Although few seem to understand is full of leaders who are ill-equipped it yet, what is required to adequately to deal with or unwilling to properly protect the entire world from the dan- address the COVID-19 pandemic gers of COVID-19 is a mass mobili- due to an antiquated ideology. zation of the working class of every This ideology believes that the country to ensure every person gets health and life of the stock market

must be put before the life and health Instead, they need to understand of the average person. While elected that in an economy that is totally officials and public figures in the U.S. unprepared to fight a crisis like this argue that the economy must not be — where car makers are making up for halted, instead endangering the lives a shortage of ventilators and luxury of working people for the prices of jacket makers are making up for a shares, more and more people are shortage of nursing scrubs — the only continuing to get sick. response is a very swift and abrupt In Canada, Prime Minister Justin move for the government to nationalTrudeau has gone in a far more sane ize all industries. and different direction — providing Once representatives of the people Canadians with monetary relief. But gain control over these services, the the working-class of the world must country will be in a far better position think beyond $2,000 cheques.

to combat crises like COVID-19 that the 21st century brings.

And to ensure that a situation like the current one never occurs again, it is imperative that the government of the people introduces legislation to bar capitalist-sympathizing political opponents from running in future elections and jails all those who disobey.

It is only when we perfect a system of the dictatorship of the proletariat that we will be prepared for the next COVID-19.

Coronavirus can’t foil Trump’s presidential campaign CYRIL MAGEE

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n the past, the left has brought you Soviet Union dictator Joseph Stalin and North Korean communist Kim Il-sung. But the recent coronavirus outbreak outweighs anything the left has ever done before. While U.S. President Donald Trump has been doing his best to keep America and the whole world safe since we first discovered the coronavirus, leftist leaders around the globe have been undermining him at every turn.

Liberals from every country have made this pandemic worse. From the moronic millennials crowding

the beach in Florida to the socialists want to do nothing but criticize him. around the world who are still probFrom his use of language, to his ably meeting in their underground denying of ventilators to various bunkers every evening, as we know states, to his — as they call it — “slow” they love to do. response time by declaring a national But it’s not the incompetent emergency on March 13. people on the left that conservatives While Trump is working his tail like us need to be worried about. It’s off in the Oval Office, being sure the ones plotting the destruction of to positively reinforce staff with the planet that we should be paying handshakes and pats on the back, attention to.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin While Trump has been doing Trudeau has been in hiding at his almost everything in his power to lavish estate — something no one stop the spread of the virus since half- seems to be talking about. way through March, liberals seem to It’s obvious that liberals are just

trying to bring down Trump before the beginning.

Liberals in every country around the 2020 presidential campaign begins, which is why they’re attempt- the world made the virus and ing to spin Trump’s constant wins on attempted to release it at once, to not the pandemic as losses. When the only defeat Donald Trump in 2020, country returns to normal on Easter but to create a one-world government Sunday, workers return to work and as countries band together to fight the the stock market shoots back up virus while using it as a cover for their higher than it ever has in history sick and bad agenda. they will understand that they’ve lost.

This plan was doomed to fail from But the leftist deep-state plan is the very beginning and as the church even more sinister than what’s even bells ring and hundreds of people in being reported on centrist outlets like every church hold hands and shout Rebel News or Fox News because the “Happy Easter” together, we will entire coronavirus was a ploy from know that we have won.

On my absence and a prelude to my triumphant return How SJW neo-Marxists forced me to become a benzo-addicted hospital patient HORTON STEPHENSON

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couple of months ago you may Marxist-types attempted to end my have seen a video posted by my life as I know it. daughter on YouTube updating you, I now know, through my own my fans, on my whereabouts and con- inside information, that a person on dition. I am writing to you now to the left crashed one of my events on give further perspective on where I’ve the tour and offered me — what I been over the past few months, how I thought — was water. He told me got there and what I’ve done in order “Drink this, it will help to digest all to turn my life around. that meat you’ve been eating.” And A year ago, I was on tour with my being that I’m not afraid of the ideas friend Blaze Newman, where we of the left, I drank the whole thing. were not only discussing my bestBut I later found out that the drink seller 21 Laws for Living and the new he gave me was laced with the drug authoritarian left that has been so benzodiazepine. prevalent in the last many years.

The issue wasn’t the drug. It was But on one of the stops, one of the fact that I stopped following the these SJW, postmodernist, neo- 21 laws.

It wasn’t the fact that I grew tired of the all-meat diet, or the fact that I have crippling personal issues. It was the fact that I stopped pulling myself up by the bootstraps every single day.

I turned into the person I had always hated: a drug-taking SJW postmodernist neo-Marxist.

I began taking the drug more and more, not because of myself but because doctors kept prescribing it to me for no reason, which led to a situation where I couldn’t grip the bootstraps strong enough to pull up on them.

But my daughter never wavered.

In line with the 21 laws, she boot-

strapped me all the way to Russia to get treatment.

Nothing was easy. From lying in that hospital bed all day, to the hundreds of thousands of dollars I was forced to spend to be there, it was a hard journey for me.

After I awoke from a alleged four-month-long coma, hospital staff attempted to further help with their gadgets and doodads, but I wasn’t interested. I was going to recover on my own.

That is where I’m writing to you from now. Almost completely recovered, entirely on my own — through hard work and meticulous room

cleaning — and all because of the 21 laws that I meticulously followed.

My story proves not only that anyone can fall into a terrible leftist lifestyle of drugs, but that anyone can recover if they follow the 21 laws.

I am excited to be announcing my memoir on the last year of my life, and a brand new book tour with Newman.

I hope that you will learn from my mistakes and understand that the only way to live a productive life is with the 21 Laws for Living, that can be purchased now on my website.

The Van Cats are answer to all of Canada’s problems GEORGE HENNESSEY

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usic has long been praised for its ability not only to bring people together, but to heal their wounds. Macklemore ended racism, Bono ended world hunger, John Lennon ushered in an era of unprecedented peace and prosperity — all through the power of music.

Now, more than ever, Canada needs somebody to step up.

In the last year alone, the Wexit movement began to take root, there

was the Wet’suwet’en crisis, and now we are experiencing the turmoil of a global pandemic. And worst of all, the price for a barrel of oil has hit rock bottom.

The challenges are tremendous.

Canadians are worried about their futures.

Only the sweet croon of one man can guide us through such troubled waters. That man is none other than homegrown music legend and former

prime minister who we all know and Just imagine it: sold out stadiums, love, Stephen Harper.

Canadians locking hands and realOf course, Canada is home to izing everything will be okay. many incredible musicians — John It is the birthright of every K. Samson, Fred Penner, Trooper, Canadian to get to see Stephen Unkle Adams, the list goes on. But Harper and the Van Cats play their none of them match the incredible hits one last time — “Sweet Caroline,” rawness, the luscious tones and sweet “Sweet Child O’ Mine,” “Take Me melodies of Stephen Harper and the Home, Country Roads (West Van Cats.

Alberta).”

What this country needs right Beyond the spiritual and moral now is a Van Cats reunion tour. benefits of such a reunion tour, there

is the possibility of this sparking an economic recovery.

Thousands of Canadians, spending thousands of dollars, travelling hundreds of miles to see music legends. All the hits.

Just imagine the glory, the patriotism it would inspire.

Your time is now Mr. Harper. If not you, then who?

VOL. 106 NO. 28 April 1, 2020

Arts & Culture

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Documentary a labyrinth of unfathomable behaviour

'Inside the Secret World of Humans' confirms koi are a superior species ANNE BADEN-BADEN

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fter an entire lifetime of being can’t help but feel some pride that this streaming behaviour, finishing told humans are the dominant humans depend on water for not only a series before dinner and then startspecies, a koi can only believe that drinking, but also for hygiene. ing another immediately after. might be true. Humans appear to be After a questionable breakfast Staying up well after the sun had smarter than us — they can breathe of something called “peanut but- descended, it’s no wonder why the air without aquatic respiration and ter” and some murky brown liquid human is unable to awake from their we’ve all heard the arguments that a fish wouldn’t dream of breathing, slumber in the morning — they all they are the more adaptable species. the human congregated with other seem fixated on these tiny handheld However, watching Inside the humans on a long journey to their screens emitting the radiance of colSecret World of Humans changes own type of coral reef, an intricate our so familiar in our underwater everything. landscape of tall objects reaching up world.

The docuAfter viewmentary highing such an lights a normal eye-opening They all seem fixated on these tiny handheld day in the life film, one can’t screens emitting the radiance of colour of a human help but wona nd t he i r der how these so familiar in our underwater world dominance humans conis called into trol so much? question from the very beginning.

Would humans be prepared to defend to the sky.

Thinking the human would After they arrive to work on some themselves if another animal shows awaken with the all-holy orb of light part of this reef, it was shocking to up on their coral reef? But more — the object they refer to as the “sun” see that the human not only binged fundamentally, one has to wonder: — the human instead hit some sort of some bodily vibrations on their com- would the human even notice in their weird chiming object repeatedly and mute, but they would also pretend to hypnotic, bingeing state? went back to sleep. Surprise shark work, only to stream content all day This film ultimately raises more attacks are apparently beyond the ken on the very screens they pretended to questions than it answers and is sure of the daily human experience. use for work. to be used as evidence to help us After this procedure happened In fact, when the human returned defeat the humans in the koi uprising. several times, the human rose and home from their day on the reef, they went to shower. At this point, a koi immediately indulged in more of

A thinly veiled saga of mashed-up fantasies past

‘Bloodied — A Veiled Saga’ worth the read Continued from Page 1

Continued from Page 1 A nonsensical title for a nonsensical book, it consists of seven dark fantasy short stories with loosely connecting characters and concepts.

Sigurdson seems to be drawing from the same handful of gothic ideas — Lovecraftian monsters, sea-side towns, badass warrior women and Tolkien-esque fantasy clichés.

It’s as if someone tried to do 2017’s Bright, but without the hamfisted attempt to discuss race rela-

Sigurdson seems to be drawing from the same handful of gothic ideas

IMAGE SUPPLIED BY AUTHOR

nothing more than an excuse for spectacle with a female protagonist who seems to be only concerned with her looks.

The final story, “Attack of the Terror,” may be the most egretions and told with the format of gious attempt to pad out the word the Witcher books, but without the count with nothing but genre charm. tropes. A giant monster attacks a The longest story, “Sacrifice,” town — how original. Then, get follows four friends going to a this, it breathes fire. A 10-page music show when they are attacked attempt to recreate the horror of by creatures. the 1954 Godzilla with an excuse While mostly being a retread to paint the last story with a “to be of 2017’s The Ritual or a gender- continued.” flipped homage to Neil Marshall’s If you like juvenile, bloody and The Descent, there are no redeem- thoughtless dark fantasy schlock, able female characters and the this book will be for you. obvious misogyny that is palpable when men are left alone becomes apparent.

“Duel of the Giants” remains

GRAPHIC BY EVAN TREMBLAY

If you like dark fantasy, this book is for you. While self-indulgent — the forward describes the author’s experiences with depression and the support structure that helped him through — it remains sincere and inspiring for those with similar struggles.

The author confesses a love and reverence for the era of pulp fantasy that included Robert E. Howard and Edgar Rice Burroughs, elaborating on the process of attempting to wrestle the excitement and imagination without the racism and misogyny built deeply into the genre.

Through the use of dark fantasy tropes, the author attempts to build some semblance of control in his darkest time and the violence of the stories are reflective of that state of mind.

T h ro u gh t he s tor ie s “Beachcomber” and “Sacrifice” we follow male characters through the aimlessness, loss and trauma inflicted upon them by societal expectations and a culture of toxic masculinity.

Sigurdson’s female-led stories — comprising the remainder of the book — remain fast-paced, imaginative and gloriously entertaining adventures.

Understanding the difference between the meaningless use of tropes for pure entertainment and the profound use genre-tropes to explore themes and ideas, the female-led stories remain violently

fun and the characters intriguing, while the male-led stories are bleak and more grounded.

This allows for a compellingly basic space for empowerment narratives and room for more critical pieces.

IMAGE SUPPLIED BY AUTHOR

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Arts & Culture

Arts & Culture Editor: Grace Paizen Contact: arts@themanitoban.com / 474.6529

It’s a Bisons world and we’re all just living in it

Experimental band is just as ground-breaking and politically driven in person WITHERSPOON CARLSON

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he smell is almost unbearable as the Bisons crowd into the coffee shop we’ve agreed to meet at. The band is more than 30 minutes late, knocking over chairs and dragging mud across the linoleum. All four members ignore the barista’s greeting as they gather at our small corner table.

It’s an electrifying experience to be in the presence of such intellectual and artistic titans This reckless, devil-may-care attitude will be nothing new to the Manitoban four-piece’s legion of fans.

Bisons shows are now infamous for their wild disregard for fan expectation and safety, often consisting of the band wandering slowly across the stage for several hours, accidentally destroying instruments and leaving radical, anti-capitalist dumps for the custodial staff to clean afterward.

Their new record, the nearly threehour Grazing the Grasslands, is a further assault on good taste and musical form. A fundamental deconstruc-

tion of sound, the album consists of — under late capitalist structures, long stretches of dead space, guttural it seems to suggest that we are all chewing and the occasional clatter as smeared dumps unintentionally actimembers knock over a drum set or vating the automatic door of our local guitar stand. coffee shops.

It is music for our times, an Some songs on the new record intentional middle finger to vam- express the group’s crucial politics piric streaming services, right-wing more directly than others. The wordextremism and neo-liberalism. It’s a less “Eating Sticks (They’re Dry)” disorienting piece of political abstrac- and the 17-minute “Being a Bison tion that demands to be digested in is Hard Work but Being a Cop is full, much like a piece of grass, or that Unforgivable” speak plainly to the small rock you swallowed by accident. issues of food scarcity and bloated The band members reject the con- police budgets. cept of capitalistic individualism by It’s an electrifying experience to refusing to use names, wear clothes be in the presence of such intellectual or bathe, preferring to be indistin- and artistic titans, to watch their big guishable from one another and travel wet eyes drift in separate directions in a small group as they make their as they chew a napkin. way across the country, playing their Described as being “at the foregenre-dissolving shows and begging front of this new wave of rumination” for scanty meals of grasses and woody by Pitchfork, they seem in a state of shrubs. constant contemplation, digesting They also refuse to speak, often pieces of ephemera — including the turning away from me or laying down sleeve of my jacket — only to transas I ask questions. mute them into towering works of One member, a guitar slung confrontational art. across his wide back, has left one of In what can only be understood as the band’s now legendary dookies an act of feminist protest, or perhaps beside the entrance. The genius of commentary on the act of feminist the move is difficult to deny. protest itself, one band member is The scrape of chairs as our fellow blocking the women’s bathroom as patrons scramble to move away and I ask her what it’s like to be a female the shouts of the employees who are ungulate in music. She refuses to helplessly watching combine to cre- answer, instead grunting loudly at ate a piece of living musical protest a woman attempting to get through

GRAPHIC BY ERNEST ZARZUELA

the door.

As I’ve clearly struck a nerve, I end our conversation. The Bisons gather together and move toward the exit, leaving me to consider what they’ve wordlessly told me.

And as I watch the band wander into traffic and cause several minor accidents, I can’t help but marvel at

their transformational instincts — creating art from the machinations of the everyday, they continue to expose the rot of society through an assault of caustic sound and smell.

March out like a lion with record-setting snowfall LEWIS BROO

The record-setting metres of snow falling this week have closed Winnipeg streets and businesses for the foreseeable future. At press conferences this morning, the mayor, premier and prime minister all said “People are likely to be forced to stay indoors for weeks.” A state of emergency has been declared.

7

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

League says players were ‘just not feeling it’

World Dunks League cans season citing solely fatigue and travel BERT LITTLE

GRAPHIC BY ERNEST ZARZUELA

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very young athlete grows up dreaming of the day they finally win the “ship” — lifting their sport’s great chalice aloft to the cheers of millions — but sometimes it just isn’t worth it.

At least that’s how members of the World Dunks League (WDL) felt after the league announced Friday it would cancel the remainder of the 2019-20 season, along with the league playoffs.

“We did not make this decision lightly,” WDL president Trey O’Bryan said in a livestream press conference from his living room.

“After careful consultation with our member teams, the league has decided that outright cancelling

the season at this point is the fairest about the virus right now. We are were just not feeling it.” option. We held a vote — nine teams too, but let me assure you, this has The Manitoba-based WDL has wanted to cancel and seven didn’t — nothing to do with that.

16 member teams, with at least four so it’s done.” residing in Winnipeg.

When Few players were able asked if the to comment, with most “Plus, we’re expanding to Kenora next league canreplying they would season. What are they going to say when cellation had respond after a nap, but anything none could be reached by they see that on the schedule?”— Jameson press time — or at all. to do with the ongoBernadette Jordeen, Harden, Brandon Stone Throwers centre ing global mother of Gimli Fjord pandemic, guard Mikkel Jordeen, O’Bryan — dressed in blue basket“Listen, the season is a long grind, answered for her son, calling the ball pyjamas throughout the entire we play twice a week, there’s lots of WDL’s decision the “right thing to press conference — was adamant the travel and it starts to wear on guys. do.” league had other worries in mind.

We’ve had numerous players com“Our boys work so hard every week, “No, absolutely not,” he said. plain about how tired they are and they really deserve a break,” she said “I know a lot of leagues are worried how badly they want a break, they Those not happy with the deci-

sion were adamant the league had made the wrong call, and that players were overreacting. Among them was Brandon Stone Throwers centre Jameson Harden.

“It’s crazy, absolutely crazy,” he said.

“They’re out here complaining about travel, when we’re the furthest team away — and we voted to keep going.

“We were in first, cruising to a title, then they pull this. I think it’s insane, we got robbed.

“Plus, we’re expanding to Kenora next season. What are they going to say when they see that on the schedule?”

Bisons rampage brought down by Dinos

Streak ends under Dinos bite RICKY ATTENBURROW

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he Bisons broke free and went on a rampage last week, stomping past the Cougars and Pronghorns before finally being brought down by the Dinos.

The U of M was turned into the sight of mayhem as the unexpected emergence of the herd took even the most ardent spectator by surprise.

“It was crazy,” one unnamed fan said.

“They just came out of the gate screaming, everyone was yelling and I didn’t know what was going on at first. Thought it was going to be pretty quiet and all, but boy did the Bisons prove me wrong.

“First thought was that the

“At least stand there, lock horns momentum the Bisons had built.

Cougars would have to get them, but — wow — didn’t see that coming.” and give them a challenge. But no, The emergence of the Dinos left The Cougars stood wary, meet- they just rolled over and let them one fan almost speechless. ing the Bisons charge with ferocity. through. Very disappointing — sad.

“I didn’t even know they existed Despite scratching and to be perfectly clawing, bringing the honest,” she Bisons to heel momensaid.

“That’s some movie type tarily, the Cougars “ I mean, stuff” — anonymous fan could not bring down Bisons, the herd.

Cougars, From there, the Pronghorns, Bisons squared off against the They could’ve stopped this.” those make sense, but [Dinos]? That’s Pronghorns, who offered no chalGoing through the Cougars and kind of out of left field right? You can lenge, stepping aside to let the herd Pronghorns with relative ease, the see the rest of those animals out in through.

Bisons then faced the most ferocious the wild, but to have [Dinos]? That’s “I expected so much more from opponent next. The Dinos stepped some movie type stuff.” the Pronghorns, honestly,” another out of nowhere, bared teeth and When asked how he felt about the spectator said. sank deep into the herd, killing all performance, U of M communica-

tions director Jonny Dunkus was incredulous.

“A game? I have absolutely no idea what you’re talking about,” he said.

“We had a bunch of animals break free of their enclosures and rampage through campus. Millions of dollars in damage, and while I can’t speak to injuries, I’m sure people were quite scared.

“I honestly think you’re missing the mark here. This actually happened.”

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Sports

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

‘Unfortunately the only team better than us was the one we played today,’ Centennials captain Continued from Page 1 When asked about the loss, where Prince George was thumped by the visiting Penticton Centennials, Blakely was diplomatic.

“We definitely could have won that game,” he said.

“I think we did a great job from the drop of the puck, keeping good tempo and generating high quality shots. If you look at our expected goals for we were in the 98th percentile in the league, and unfortunately the only team better than us was the one we played today.

“That’s been the story all year, generating a lot of high-quality chances — despite our record as a team we had a positive Corsi-for percentage — we just couldn’t keep it together in our own end.”

Asked what his team could have done to better prepare for Penticton’s solid offence, Blakely took a longterm view of the problem.

“Like I said, it’s been a problem all year,” he said.

“Even when we were in a playoff spot and had a winning record before Christmas, we had these issues. We let too many shots come from highdanger areas and we were awful in terms of blue-line stops.

“We were somewhere in the bottom quarter of the league in terms of blue-line breakups, and even worse at D-zone breakups. We just didn’t get it done, and a lot of that comes down to our defensive formation.”

Now, Blakely is off to Europe, where he will attend a top-flight analytics program in Oslo, Norway, before returning to North America for his first pro season.

“I’m incredibly excited to go to Norway,” he said.

“There are so many great things to learn, I heard there was a class on regression models which will be very helpful once I go pro. The team I’m going to is very analytics-savvy so I’ll fit right in.”

Despite ‘bangs’ and ‘bounces,’ Blakely at a loss for the loss Continued from Page 1

“We threw our weight around all night, left them pretty banged up, When asked about the loss, where but still they didn’t want to go. Don’t Prince George was thumped by care that I got the hatty, I was going the visiting Penticton Centennials, for that Gordie Howe hat trick, and Blakely was at a loss. then they had other ideas.”

“It’s insane,” he said.

Now Blakely’s plans are to head “We did everything right, every- south for a brief vacation in Mexico thing we could. We banged bodies, before travelling up to join his brother got pucks to the net, gave it our all, in California for summer training. but the bounces just didn’t go our Connor Blakely has spent the last way tonight. three seasons playing in the minors “I feel bad for the boys. Missing out in Stockon, California, and playoffs again hurts, and like this was Brantley is excited to join his brother my last shot, only made it once in four in the same organization. years and even then we got bounced “Oh it’s going to be great, let me early. It’s wild, like the hockey gods tell you,” he said. just don’t want us to play in April.”

“Lots of sun, take some time off Asked what his team could have with the bro, then hit up the beach. done to better prepare for Penticton’s We play a similar style of game, we solid offence, Blakely felt leaning on have the same killer mentality, so his club’s superior size could have definitely going to bulk up while I’m given them the edge — if Penticton down there. would have engaged.

“That club obviously knows what “Yeah sure they’ve got wicked it’s looking for. If they’ve got both of shooters out there — the one guy us, it’s going to be hard to get in and with the dusty visor thinks he’s Ovi out of that building — Philly flu 2.0.”

— but we’ve got brawn,” he said.

GRAPHIC BY ERNEST ZARZUELA

• Keep in touch with friends & family. Touch base and engage through phone calls, online games, video chats and virtual happy hours.

• Stay connected with your social networks participate in online games. Hosting an online Houseparty is a great option!

• Read or pick up a new hobby. Hobbies are great ways to increase your skill set. They can also be fun!

• Create career and educational goals, and learn how to improve your time management.

• Communicate your thoughts, feelings & ideas.

• Seek information updates and guidance at specific times during the day from health professionals and WHO website.

• Reflect on yourself and your social needs. What aspects of your social life do you enjoy? What parts would you like to improve?

• Avoid being over exposed to the pandemic news and take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news stories, including social media.

• Eat healthy and keep regular exercise and sleep routines. Try downloading a strength workout app to your smart phone, such as the 7-Minute Workout (no equipment necessary).

• Tune-in to your thoughts and feelings and practice stress management techniques. Seek/accept help or support from others when needed.

• Make time to unwind and take a deep breath to remind yourself that strong feelings will pass. Try to do activities you usually enjoy.

• During times of stress, pay attention to your own needs and feelings.

• Take an online course, workshop, or learn/perfect a foreign language - try Duolingo for Free!

• Do yoga, dance to your favourite music, walk briskly around the house, or go up and down the stairs for 10-15 minutes 2 or 3 times per day.

• Go outside for a walk or jog. Wash your hands when you get home, avoid crowded spaces, and practice social distancing.

• Don’t sit all day! Stand during commercial and video lecture breaks, etc.

@MyUMSU Follow us for more Wellness Tips & Suggestions!

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

8

Students’ needs deserving of university’s attention

COVID-19 forcing students to cope with inadequate resources SAMANTHA NICOLE TUMLOS AND EVAN FRIESEN

GRAPHIC BY EVAN TREMBLAY

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espite what the University of Manitoba administration believes, academics are the least important thing on students’ minds in this time of global pandemic. The threats to their financial well-being, mental health and their families will always take priority over university courses — a service that students have paid for as customers, not clients.

Over the past week, domestic students across campus were evicted from residence and international students were left to fend for themselves amidst global travel restrictions separating them from their families. Business closures have caused employers to cut pay, furlough, or outright layoff employees, with students losing their jobs and fearing for the well-being of their families. And yet, the university has given students inadequate resources to combat this situation.

Not only that, but in spite of a state of emergency being declared for 30 days in Manitoba, the U of M has doubled down on making the remainder of this year as stressinducing as possible.

Few allowances have been made in regards to coursework — instructors expect students to carry on with

no issue — and there has not been home, the weight of the consequences any talk of students receiving course brought about by the pandemic is refunds if they cannot participate all-encompassing. in school anymore. An extended Throughout this time, students voluntary withdrawal date without have been left to wonder what the limited access penalty, while gener- rest of the academic term might look ous, should be considered the lowest like and are expected to wait patiently met expectation. for updates from the university, their The COVID-19 pandemic has professors and their faculties. Despite prompted schools and post-second- the steps taken, the accommodations ary institutions to suspend in-person that have been made so far have been classes and explore alternative teach- unclear, ineffective and inadequate ing methods such as moving to an — failing the very people they aim to e-learning environment. The U of help: the students.

Some units within the university M cancelled classes on March 16 and 17 to allow professors, instructors have made the move to place the burand other academic staff to transfer den on students in a more direct way. classes to an online environment and The faculty of science reached out to decide on course syllabus changes to its student groups asking that they accommodate students. create one- to two-minute videos for Numerous departments and students in order to encourage studyunits that offer support services to ing online. students have also started to impleIn this email, there was no referment alternatives such as switching ence to compensation for these stuto online appointments and webi- dents’ labour in creating these videos nars. Considering that the logistics and a complete implication of shifting of these methods are complex and the burden of this online transition require training, staff have expressed completely onto students. concerns on the availability and This led to students feeling like effectiveness of their services. From they were being asked to solve the technological crashes and errors to university’s problems for it. inadequate equipment and trainThe expectation to still submit ing to limitations of working from deliverables such as presentations,

papers, research and lab reports passing grade in their current courses despite the lack of access to resources and releasing them for the time being is making students feel more dis- to better handle the pressures in their tressed than they already are. lives. There is ample reason for the And these cases are not isolated U of M to assign a passing grade issues. It seems students from all for specific courses that would not faculties are feeling the crunch of an directly affect grade point averages. administration that is not responding This solution would grant students the opportunity to more adequately manage their personal situations, as Despite the well as relieve the burden on countless faculty members and staff who steps taken, the no doubt have their own worries in accommodations this time of crisis.

As it stands, the U of M’s action that have been made plan unfairly punishes students. so far have been Students are being made casualties in a time of pandemic, and their unclear, ineffective grades will follow them for years to come, regardless of the circumstances. and inadequate Students are among the most vulnerable citizens of Winnipeg and the university’s response has caused anxito the direct needs of students in a ety, grief and dread across the board. time of crisis.

It is important to remember Issues that affect different groups that students at the University of in the community have been and are Manitoba are customers paying continuously brought to the fore- for a service, a service that is being front, but solutions have been few shoddily and inadequately presented. and slow-moving.

When customers are not satisfied Something the university might with the service they are paying thouconsider doing under these circum- sands of dollars for, they deserve to stances is granting existing students a have their needs met.

VOL. 106 NO. 28 April 1st, 2020

Comment

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Mental health in the age of COVID-19

How the novel virus has fuelled Canada’s mental health crisis and what can be done MEAGAN HUGHES, STAFF

have profound effects on our lives for years to come.

There are also risks associated with social isolation which are made worse when coupled with existing mental health issues.

Social isolation can cause a variety of psychological disturbances such as depression and increases the risk of suicide. For people suffering from issues such as social anxiety, symp-

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he COVID-19 pandemic has had been experiencing a growing numprofound effects on our nation. ber of phone calls for support. Many Our daily lives have been completely Canadians report feelings of helplessdisrupted and our routines have dis- ness and anxiety.

The rapidly changing situation is solved as we proceed into social isolachaotic and unpredictable, leaving a tion and quarantine.

Canada was already experiencing lot of people at a loss for what will a mental health crisis which has now happen next.

Many people rely on their daily become greatly amplified by the wave of uncertainty and panic brought on routine for a sense of normalcy and

by COVID-19. sanity, especially those who struggle The number of Canadians who with mental health issues. Going to have died from contracting COVID- work, attending school, socializing 19 has also already surpassed that of — these normal activities are things the SARS outbreak in 2003. The seri- many rely on. We can sometimes take ousness of this pandemic has been the simplicity or predictability of our weighing heavily on Canadians and daily lives for granted. We may not citizens around the globe. realize what a luxury some of these Mental health crisis hotlines have things are until we lose them.

experiencing homelessness during this crisis may have been advised to self-quarantine or self-isolate, but lack viable means to do so. People who are experiencing homelessness and poverty, the elderly and immunocompromised individuals are unfortunately some of the people most at-risk of experiencing complications due to COVID-19.

Local shelters such as the Main Street Project remain open with precautions taken and need all the It is important available support from our communities to help see them through this to reach out to difficult time. friends, family or T he A n x iet y Disorders GRAPHIC BY EVAN TREMBLAY Association of Manitoba has other supports launched a new support line for people who need help coping at this time.

When a daily routine is disrupted, during this time especially for people who experiDetails can be found via their website. ence mental illness, it can deliver a It is within our best interest to do everything we can to make sure shock to mental health that can trigger many different responses, from toms can increase. that COVID-19 does not continue to depressive episodes, to panic attacks While we navigate through this spread and try to use this time to take and even relapses into addiction. crisis, it is important to reach out to care of ourselves and our families.

Support groups and addictions cen- friends, family or other supportive We must find it within ourselves tres have been forced to close drop-in individuals or support groups by to be patient and mindful during this centres and meeting places as we face phone, video calls and social media. time. Listen to your body and your more stringent regulations for social This is also important because it is not emotions and reach out for help if distancing. easy to reach out and ask for help, so you need it.

Over four million Canadians some people may need help and supWe are all in this together and we are expected to apply for emergency port even if they haven’t vocalized it. must unify in taking all proper prefunding as a result of job loss due It is important to bring aware- cautions but also in supporting our to the epidemic. This epidemic has ness to the fact that, while we are collective mental health to make it thrown the economy and the lives surrounded by the message to stay through the stress of this crisis. of Canadians completely off kilter home, this is a complicated demand and these huge waves of change will for some people. People who may be

Needs of renters pushed aside during crisis

Solidarity and organizing among tenants will bring about necessary change CAM CANNON, STAFF

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ent is one of the most common forms of unearned income, also known as “passive income.” It is income derived not from labour — not from producing anything of value — but from owning property and granting its use to others. In the most basic sense, rent is income earned from simply accumulating enough money.

Of course, the most obvious objections to this are either that landlords are responsible for upkeep, or that they provide a “service,” albeit, that service can be reduced to just owning property.

But those concerns need to be put aside because they amount to nothing but apologia for the institution of private property and the injustice inherent in it.

What specifically is it about accumulating enough wealth to own property that entitles somebody to the fruits of another’s labour?

What value does this add to a society?

With people facing increasing precarity in terms of their income amidst the COVID-19 crisis, there are groups and individuals attempting to organize rent strikes.

This effort is most notably being tenants in need and securing legal Given that many people are now put forward by Parkdale Organize support, as well as outward-facing out of work and in self-isolation, it is in Toronto, Ont., in its “Keep Your actions to influence public opinion highly likely that many people will Rent” campaign, which has spread such as pickets of the landlord’s prop- be unable to make rent. And even across the country. erties, speaking with journalists and without organized efforts, there is The main idea of a rent strike is holding rallies. going to be somewhat of a passive that by withholding rents, tenants This requires a fairly extensive rent strike. are able to exercise power over their network of dedicated activists and In many places including landlords and win concessions. This organizational infrastructure such as Manitoba, non-urgent evictions have has been done historically to pre- tenants’ unions. This is why, during been put on hold. This means that vent evictions and rent hikes and to times of relative peace and stability, evictions for non-payment of rent will demand repairs that have long gone the political left needs to be build- not be happening on a normal timeneglected finally be attended to. ing such infrastructure rather than line — reducing, or at least putting The campaign for a rent strike can scrambling to do so during periods off, one of the main risks of a failed include hundreds of hours of face to of crisis. rent strike campaign. face contact with other tenants in a Places such as Toronto have Big banks have offered relief to building, ensuring that everybody already established somewhat of a homeowners with mortgage payis on the same page and that the culture of tenants’ unions and rent ments — yielding over 213,000 applisolidarity necessary to withstand strikes, and as such, landlords in cations for mortgage deferrals. Ideally, whatever comes the way of the ten- Toronto face the strong possibility this means that a rent strike will be ants is present. Many choose to do of a rent strike set to begin on April 1. viewed by the public in a more symthis through establishing tenants’ In Winnipeg, the campaign is also pathetic manner — if the landlords unions — organizations of people present, but it seems to lack the infra- don’t need to pay for the property, coming together to fight for a bet- structure to reliably and successfully why should the tenants? ter life for themselves, because their be conducted.

It is difficult to organize in person power comes from such unity, similar Currently, it is still hard to say because of social distancing. There to labour unions. anything definitive about the out- is a great deal of activity happening However, a rent strike goes beyond comes of these campaigns. However, on the internet, but it is difficult to just not paying rent — this can be regardless of the outcomes, there are gauge the real level of support for a seen in the necessity of organizing some unique characteristics about the rent strike campaign through that. resistance to evictions proceedings, current crisis that are worth paying Activists will need to get creative to the gathering of funds to support attention to. reach out to the other tenants in their

buildings.

Given these unique circumstances, renters need to think strategically. Without infrastructure, it’s unlikely that a rent strike campaign will be successful in the short term in Winnipeg.

That being said, the struggle toward it may go a long way toward not only developing the infrastructure needed for future success, but will also provide a network of supports for those unable to pay rent who in the future may face the prospect of back rents and eviction.

Already, Winnipeg is seeing incredible grassroots organizations popping up due to the crisis — the Mutual Aid Society being especially noteworthy — which in the future, will hopefully continue to operate beyond the crisis and become a permanent feature of Winnipeg’s political landscape.

Let’s emerge from this crisis even more organized and prepared to fight for ourselves than ever before.

Arts & Culture Arts & Culture Editor: Grace Paizen Contact: arts@themanitoban.com / 474.6529

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New film a fun lesson about living in the present

'James vs. His Future Self' gives a delightfully modern twist on a classic sci-fi trope GRACE PAIZEN, STAFF

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rom the first notes of Ian LeFeuvre’s original song “Travel Through,” the theme of James vs. His Future Self is effortlessly established.

Accompanying the science-fiction-inspired font of the opening credits, LeFeuvre’s song brings to mind the Monkees’s “Daydream Believer,” situating James as the daydreaming scientist with lofty aspirations of time travel within the first few minutes of the film.

The brainchild of Jonas Chernick and directed by Jeremy LaLonde, James vs. His Future Self promotes appreciating what we have in the present instead of holding onto the past or being lost in the future.

As Jimmy, James’s older, time travelling self, puts it: “Don’t dwell on the past, don’t dream about the future, just — wherever you are — be all there.”

The comedic backand-forths work just as well as the serious moments because the film is so perfectly cast

— mainly the only way to identify Cleopatra Coleman as Courtney and Jimmy as, in fact, James’s future self the comedic relief of James’s sister — but it does open up the question Meredith played by Tommie-Amber of how would you be able to make Pirie, each actor immerses themselves certain the person claiming to be into their character. yourself is just that?

Even Tara Spencer-Nairn’s brief However, the film’s anecdotes appearance as Officer Walker is a perabout the future are hilariously off- fect addition, a nostalgic throwback The film’s plot falls into the Mary putting. Instead of a fantasy Jetsons to her witty Corner Gas days. And Shelley world of most sci-fi stories. world, there’s simply a tomato Frances Conroy’s performance as the Just like Victor Frankenstein, James shortage — “We seriously don’t overachieving, walking stereotype of is dangerously obsessed with his work, have ketchup in the future?” James the obsessed academic — Dr. Rowley isolating himself from those around questions.

— is impeccable. him. Even Jimmy warns that if James The comedic back-and-forths work Chernick’s comedic delivery is stays the course “You will end up des- just as well as the serious moments reminiscent of the Kids in the Hall perately alone, driven insane. You will because the film is so perfectly cast. cast member Kevin McDonald — end up losing everyone that you care From the overachieving James a strange marriage of playful and about.” played by Chernick, and the equal serious.

Some of the humour is more parts lovable and terrifying Daniel Most importantly, Stern is a treason the bro side of the spectrum Stern as Jimmy, to the wildly likeable ure. His comedic timing is perfect,

IMAGE PROVIDED BY NORTHERN BANNER RELEASING

easily portraying the lumbering Jimmy as a do-it-yourself crossbow maker, ingeniously constructing a crossbow using darts, a metal pipe and a bicycle seat.

It must also be said that Stern’s range as an actor is arguably underappreciated.

In the most intimate moments shared with James’s love interest, Courtney, Stern genuinely emotes Jimmy’s frustrations over his past decisions.

Called a “sci-fi rom-com” by Chernick, the main love story in the film first appears to be that between James and fellow scientist Courtney.

However, by the end of the movie, a case could be made that the film as romantic comedy is actually focused

on the relationship James has with himself — that only when he learns to appreciate how his actions affect himself in the present and in the future do things begin to fall into place for him.

To be released in a time where it feels as though it might be the end of the world, James vs. His Future Self is a much-needed remedy to our present isolation and a warm reminder to appreciate whatever we may hold dear in this moment.

James vs. His Future Self is available on digital and video-on-demand streaming services April 3.

Awake to a National Film Board of Canada dream

Free catalogue of Canadian film offers much-needed entertainment in time of self-isolation ZACHARY SIGURDSON, STAFF

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hile most of us are locked productions. Throughout that long documentary by Loïc Darses explor- runs a bevy of Indigenous content shorts by cartoonists-turned-filmaway due to the COVID-19 history, it has garnered more than ing Quebec youth and the continu- for all audiences — films, shorts, makers — and the True North Series pandemic, many of us are spending 5,000 awards including 18 Canadian ing questions following the 1995 documentaries and animations cover by Ryan Sidhoo, a nine-part docuour time watching streaming services. Screen Awards, 12 Academy Awards, referendum. dozens of topics including cultural series that focuses on Toronto’s youth One option — a Canadian 17 Webby Awards and over 90 Genie Additionally, the NFB is just identity, self-determination and his- basketball scene. option that is absolutely free — is Awards. finishing its three-year plan — tory, to name a few.

The NFB catalogue even includes the National Film Board of Canada There are also W h i le t he a “NFB at the Oscars” list, a full list of (NFB) website. several major new organization of nominated and Oscar-winning shorts A nearly endless catalogue of free releases featured its user-interface and documentaries such as Ryan and Films span the decades, from short content made for and by Canadians, on the website, can be cumber- The Danish Poet — Academy Award documentaries shot during the the NFB website hosts feature length inc lud ing Ice some, the NFB winners for Best Animated Short films, documentaries, animations Breakers, a 15-minmaintains play- Film in 2004 and 2006, respectively.

Second World War to modern features and short films for a wide range of ute documentary lists tied together Films span the decades, from about contemporary issues audiences.

by Sandamini by themes, topics, short documentaries shot during Known internationally as one of Rankaduwa creators, film festi- the Second World War to modern the great laboratories of audio-visual following Josh vals or catalogued features about contemporary issues, creativity, the NFB is a public pro- Crooks, a promising teen athlete, Redefining the NFB’s Relationship by invited expert, an especially useful resulting in hours of absolutely free ducer and distributor of thousands of that shows his connection to the with Indigenous Peoples — to pro- function for finding specific content entertainment. audio-visual productions. often overlooked history of black mote Indigenous filmmakers and in a sea of films.

Since its founding in 1939, the hockey players in Canada. Another creators at all levels of the industry.

Highlights include Comic Strip To access the NFB catalogue, go to NFB has been involved in over 13,000 is Where the Land Ends, a 90-minute As a result, the NFB currently Chronicles — a series of animated nfb.ca.

VOL. 106 NO. 28 April 1st, 2020

’Toban turntable

Sarah Harmer — ‘Are You Gone,’ 4/5

Arts & Culture

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Nothing fishy about koi farming, show competitions

KAELEN BELL, STAFF

‘Inside the Secret World of Koi’ an educational glimpse into the life of the famous fish GRACE PAIZEN, STAFF

IMAGE PROVIDED BY SARAH HARMER

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he world looks much differThrough the gentle sway of ent than it did the last time “Squeaking Voices,” the blooming Sarah Harmer released a record. harmonies on “The Lookout,” the Ten years on from Oh Little Fire, buzzing synths of “Wildlife,” the Harmer returns with Are You Gone, LP plays with a variety of sounds a joyously melodic record that feels without ever feeling scattershot graciously at odds with the chaos it or half-baked, each subtle detour finds itself in. grounded by Harmer’s expressive voice and rich storytelling.

Are You Gone is at its strongest Every song feels where it plays with Harmer’s formula, eschewing the gentle acousgenuinely lived tics or brasher fare. The roiling in, a piece of “Shoemaker” is the record’s crown jewel, a masterclass in tension and personal history release that opens gradually over its four minutes.

Still, songs like the silvery closer Luckily for us, Harmer’s wit and “See Her Wave” show that Harmer sense of harmony remain intact. Are remains more than capable of craftYou Gone picks up where its prede- ing a simple country-folk song of cessor left off, though more muscu- uncommon depth. lar and dynamic than before.

Are You Gone is the kind of record The driving, clean rock of songs to lose yourself in, to acquaint yourlike “Take Me Out” and “New Low” self with its characters and weather, are exciting evolutions in Harmer’s to find some piece of yourself in its sound, taking the folk-pop of her rich Canadiana. previous work to tougher, more Even if it takes another 10 years, energetic heights. it’ll be worth the wait to be invited Harmer remains a consummate back into Sarah Harmer’s little storyteller, capable of clever turns worlds. of phrase and specificity that keep these songs from succumbing to facelessness — every song feels genuinely lived in, a piece of perWant us to review your band? sonal history.

Email arts@themanitoban.com today!

PHOTO PROVIDED BY NFB

IMAGE PROVIDED BY THE KOI PARTNER

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here are two worlds of pets: the world where your lovable companion provides comfort and entertainment and the world of show breeding and competition.

The documentary Inside the Secret World of Koi places the championed fish into the latter of the two categories. Nishikigoi — which translates literally to “swimming jewel” — are shown to be just that.

Filmed by Dutch koi enthusiast Yvo de Wal — better known as “The Koi Partner” on his koi hobbyist-dedicated YouTube channel — the nearly hour-long documentary catalogues glimpses into what the title of the film suggests.

De Wal follows Japanese koi farmers from several koi farms as they “harvest” their crop of koi for the year.

From the mud ponds the koi live in for most of the year, the transfer process is laborious.

Koi farmers use everything from inflatable kiddie pools to specialized transport trucks to cart the fish to their respectful koi houses where buyers can shop for a new “swimming jewel” to add to their collection.

This is also the time for koi owners — who are paying farmers to raise their koi on the farm — to check in on their prized fish.

This process is long, as the documentary details. First, the koi must be extracted from the mud pond using nets.

The koi are then placed in a kiddie pool before being transferred by plastic bag to a temporary zip-up aquarium on the back of a truck.

Once in the koi house, the fish are transferred into another space to be measured before being transferred into a bucket to have their picture taken for either the prospective buyer or for the koi’s owner.

This process is repeated through-

The film is methodically slow, showing each step in the harvesting process with long shots of koi casually swimming around

out the documentary as de Wal showcases different koi farms during the harvest. However, the documentary is not dull even with the repetition of the same process again and again — the koi truly are beautiful, and it is amazing how large these fish can be.

De Wal also takes the time to show how these koi farms are a family-run business, the children taking over the koi farming process

from their parents as well as helping their parents through the harvest.

The music in the film blends perfectly with the relaxing narrative of the documentary. The film is methodically slow, showing each step in the harvesting process with long shots of koi casually swimming around.

The documentary is also educational, explaining the many different varieties of koi — from colour to shape — as well as explaining which koi farms are known for their specific hybrid variety of the fish.

The viewer also learns about the different koi competitions taking place around the globe and how the variety of koi the hobbyist chooses may affect their results in these competitions.

Competitions — like the “All Japan Nishikigoi Show” which just celebrated its 51st year this February — take place annually and the fish in competition are mainly raised on the koi farms by the breeders even if they are owned by koi enthusiasts.

The film leaves you with a bevy of koi knowledge and a sense of amazement that so much care and love goes into breeding these beautiful fish.

It might just leave you wanting to start a koi pond of your own.

Inside the Secret World of Koi is available to watch for free on YouTube.

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

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Unfulfilled expectations as CHL cancels season

Krebs and Smallwood disappointed in ending, happy with first season in Winnipeg JASON PCHAJEK, STAFF

PHOTO PROVIDED BY WINNIPEG ICE

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he Memorial Cup is the pinnacle hard months of playing and doing each of Winnipeg’s 63 games, conThe Ice fared well in the club’s forward to next season.” of Canadian junior hockey, the everything to prepare for this time. tributing 14 goals and nine assists first season in Manitoba’s capital, Now left with an extended sumgreatest prize.

To have that vanish in front of our across that span. and for the Alberta-born Krebs and mer, the two can look toward trainBut like every other championship eyes with one look was really tough.”

Krebs meanwhile missed an early Smallwood, the transition from B.C. ing for the 2020-21 WHL season. in 2020, it too has fallen to cancellaFellow Ice forward Jakin chunk of the season due to injury, but to the Prairies was easy.

Though they are in different places tion following the COVID-19 viral Smallwood was similarly disap- upon his return racked up 60 points Krebs mentioned his billets and in terms of their professional aspiraoutbreak. pointed, thinking of the senior — 12 goals and 48 assists — in 38 how great things were in Cranbrook, tions, both players are still focused On March 23, the Canadian players for whom this was their last games. but called the move to Winnipeg “a on making the NHL. Hockey League (CHL) announced chance at playoff action and a potenfresh start for the organization and “The NHL is always a hockey it was cancelling the Memorial Cup tial shot at the Memorial Cup. the team.” player’s final goal,” Smallwood said. tournament, and subsequently each “Obviously it’s pretty disappointing “To have that vanish “Obviously there was some adjust“But just for moving forward I’ve of its member leagues’ seasons. for us and the whole league, especially ing to do for sure in terms of travel just got to keep working hard and in front of our and obviously the rink we’re playing training hard and take every opporThis chain of cancellations left the 20-year-olds who can’t continue eyes with one look Winnipeg’s newest hockey darling the rest of their [final] WHL season,” in,” he said. tunity that I get, and just take advan— the Western Hockey League’s he said.

“I think Winnipeg did a great job tage of it and make the most of it.” was really tough” (WHL) Winnipeg Ice — with unful“We’ve just got to be proud of what of kind of embracing us as much as Krebs — a 2019 first-round draft filled expectations. we accomplished this season so far — Peyton Krebs, they could and our management pick of the Vegas Golden Knights — With a 38-24-1 record at the time and just keep that momentum going everything they could to pro- is not sure about plans with the big Winnipeg Ice forward doing the WHL went on hiatus in response into next season.” vide us with what we needed to be club, due to the NHL’s current status, to the COVID-19 virus, the Ice had Krebs, too, had the 20-year-old successful.” but is heading into the summer aimlocked up a playoff spot for the first players on his mind, but knew that Smallwood, too, felt welcomed ing for a strong development camp time since 2014-15, when the club while it wasn’t what the players “Just tried to add as much as I could by the city, and is already looking and making the opening day roster. was still in Cranbrook, B.C. as the wanted, the decision to cancel the throughout the season,” Krebs said. forward to returning in the fall.

“I’m expecting to go in there and Kootenay Ice. remainder of the season was the right “We had a great group, everyone “Honestly [the transition] wasn’t do my best to make Vegas,” he said.

For Ice forward Peyton Krebs, call. got along really well. [I] thought at too hard for me,” Smallwood said.

“That’s the ultimate goal, is to play getting to the post-season was the “I think it’s for the benefit of eve- the end of the year we were playing “It was kind of like the same system in the NHL and that’s what I’ve got goal, and to have that chance taken ryone else around us and our families great hockey, and it’s a lot of fun play- — I mean being in Cranbrook the my sights on and I’m just going to away stung. that we’re safe,” he said. ing in Winnipeg for the first time and year before Winnipeg we were still work my hardest and do everything “Really the season you look for is Looking back on the 2019-20 cam- […] it was pretty special. pretty far from home — so I was kind I can to make that team […] I want the playoffs,” he said. paign, both Smallwood and Krebs “The city embraced us pretty well of used to it going into Winnipeg.” to play in the NHL next year and “Everything you’ve worked thought the team was in a great posi- and as we started winning more and “I enjoyed Winnipeg a lot […] the that’s my goal.” towards in the regular season, those tion to succeed. Smallwood played in more they showed the support.” fans were great there and I’m looking