vol 107, iss 14, November 25, 2020

Strike action avoided

Less than 55 per cent of UMFA members voted to ratify deal AMIRA TEKLE, STAFF

T

he University of Manitoba Faculty Association (UMFA) voted Nov. 20 to ratify the deal reached on Nov. 15 as a result of mediation between UMFA and U of M administration. This ratification means there will be no strike action from UMFA over this labour dispute.

Mediation took place over the course of four days, with the strike deadline being moved once to facilitate further talks.

UMFA’s Nov. 19 special general meeting to discuss the deal saw a turnout of more than 600 UMFA members. UMFA’s full membership consists of 1,240 professors, lecturers, librarians and instructors employed by the U of M. Less than 55 per cent of UMFA’s voting members voted in favour of the offer. Multiple UMFA members have expressed disappointment and frustration over social media channels regarding the deal.

“UMFA’s professors, instructors, librarians and archivists have expressed widespread anger at the university president, Michael Benarroch, as well as the [Progressive Conservative] government and know they deserve better,” said UMFA president

Michael Shaw in a statement.

The deal accepted by UMFA’s $1,950 and guaranteed discussions membership is far from what it on salary equity during 2021 collecasked for. tive bargaining talks. The deal also UMFA bargained for “a more allows UMFA to retain its right to equitable salary grid, a modest legal action for losses incurred by increase to wages this year (2020- the PSSA. 21) and extra supports during the UMFA held two honk-a-thons pandemic for those caring for chil- this fall to protest the lack of movedren and other dependents,” said ment in negotiations and governUMFA in a Nov. 5 release. ment intervention in the collective The release said that UMFA “is bargaining process via the PSSA. also asking that the wage offer that The PSSA — provincial legislawas taken off the table in 2016 be tion passed in 2017 — was declared restored, and the wages that were unconstitutional earlier this year denied be paid to UMFA workers.” after it was found it illegally interIn 2016, U of M administra- fered in the fair collective bargaintion proposed a seven per cent ing process. salary increase over the course of UMFA had been bargaining four years. This deal was scrapped over salary — a period of its coldue to government interference lective agreement called a salary by way of the Public Services or wage reopener — with U of Sustainability Act (PSSA), and M administration since August.

UMFA members were given a Despite repeated calls for binding four-year deal. This deal consisted arbitration, the administration of a two-year wage freeze with refused binding arbitration but increases of 0.75 per cent and one agreed to mediation. per cent in the final two years of “UMFA will continue to fight the deal. for post-secondary education and The salaries of UMFA mem- for investment in public services in bers are scraping the bottom of the months that come,” said Shaw. the U15, ranking in the bottom UMFA’s current collective three for assistant, associate and agreement expires March 31, 2021. full professor salaries.

The ratified deal includes a onetime COVID-19 relief stipend of

Following a strike vote earlier this month, UMFA held a honk-a-thon rally at the Manitoba legislature Nov. 5 to push for fair bargaining and arbitration.

ARTS AND CULTURE

Performance and protest Vagina Witchcraft’s Kayla Fernandes in conversation

ARTS AND CULTURE

Mandi Inspiration Publishing House

The future of publishing is in our hands PAGE 16

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VO L 1 0 7 · N O 1 4 · N ov e m b e r 2 5 , 2 0 2 0 · W W W.T H EM A N I TO B A N .CO M

Index

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VOL. 107 NO. 14 November 25, 2020

Arts & Culture

15

PAGES 13-15

A politically charged debut Reviewing Vagina Witchcraft’s self-titled EP

13 A fresh take on fantasy

Reviewing the first issue of ‘Shimmering Basin’

Features PAGES 5 4

Turning community into home History professor receives outreach award

3

Strength in numbers Student academic groups cope with remote learning

Features PAGES 5 5

Strength in numbers Student academic groups cope with remote learning

Diversions

Sports PAGE 16

16

All-Rookie Bison Koskie talks training during COVID

Editorial 8

PAGE 8

Different worldview, same game Secularism should not mean a ban on religious expression

Comment

PAGES 10-11

11

The age of conspiracy Misinformation is fuelling the COVID-19 fire

10

Do the popular wobbly Make the rich pay their dues

PAGE 7

3

News

News Editors: Gillian Brown and Amira Tekle Contact: gillian@themanitoban.com amira @themanitoban.com

Sweeping changes coming to UMSU board

Adjustments expected before year’s end CAM CANNON, STAFF

PHOTO BY MEGAN COLWELL

O

ver the last few months, Scott said.

UMSU’s governance com“The biggest thing we wanted to mittee has been working on devel- look into was our board structure. oping and proposing changes to While [Rogers] touched on basically UMSU’s governance structure as a every aspect of our organization, to part of efforts started by last year’s us the board was the biggest thing.”

UMSU board of directors, which saw In 2018, what was then called UMSU commission a report from UMSU council approved a motion Susan Rogers of Rogers Leadership to change its name to the UMSU Consulting. board of directors.

According to UMSU vice“She said [the board] was too big. president finance and operations Usually, boards are only [roughly] Brendan Scott, the changes are being 12 people — ours was 56,” said Scott. implemented later than planned as “Ours was a very representative the process was interrupted by the board as in we had people from difCOVID-19 pandemic. ferent councils, and they would rep“The governance [committee] took resent [the interests of] those councils it upon themselves to kind of take on whereas usually […] the board is just the recommendations [from Rogers],” supposed to vote on what’s best for

the union.” to five in a year or three consecutive Other concerns raised by Rogers meetings as well as the banning of included problems posed by the proxies attending meetings on behalf annual turnover of the board, prob- of board members. lems with the potential need to train The implementation of motion 56 board members every year and 0495 also means that UMSU commuproblems arising from having a board nity and council representatives will which isn’t “very engaged” — accord- no longer have voting rights in board ing to Scott, there has rarely been meetings, but will be “encouraged to greater than 70 per cent of the board come, weigh in on debate, present, attending any given meeting. report to the board and report back So far, the UMSU board of to their respective councils,” as per directors has passed three motions the document outlining the changes instructing the governance committee — the committee handling the “The board is just work of proposing and implementing the changes — on which changes are supposed to vote on to be made.

Motion 0492 tasked the governwhat’s best for the ance committee with implementing union” — Brendan the abolition of the use of slates in UMSU elections — once impleScott, UMSU vicemented, all candidates running president finance in UMSU elections must do so independently. and operations Motion 0495 tasked the governance committee with implementing a number of structural changes to the board, including the reduction of to be made.

“The only difference is that at the board membership to 11 directors to be elected in the week following the end of the day, when it comes time elections of UMSU representatives to vote, it’s based on the 11 people and executives. There will also be that have been voted in [as directors],” new rules capping permitted absences said Scott.

With the passing of motion 0496, from board meetings for members

the governance committee is also responsible for the creation of a new position on the board, a Black students’ representative.

This motion was the product of collaboration between the University of Manitoba Black Students’ Union (UMBSU) and UMSU. The UMBSU will be appointing an interim representative once the position is created.

Scott said he expects the changes to be implemented before the end of the year, prior to the next round of UMSU elections.

Future changes, according to Scott, will be focused on making the division between governance and operational duties more clearly defined — figuring out what duties are in the purview of elected representatives and which should be handled exclusively by UMSU staff.

“If [the governance committee] can kind of just really go hard, for lack of a better term, we’d be able to change everything this year […] the problem is with all the writing of the actual bylaws […] that’s the slow part,” he said.

“For sure the board structure can get changed this year, and I’d actually see it as a failure if I didn’t get it done before January.”

Faculty of engineering appoints first-ever female dean Marcia Friesen aims to grow enrolment and diversity in faculty GILLIAN BROWN, STAFF

Qualification (IEEQ ) program, where recent immigrants holding engineering degrees outside of Canada would be able to certify to work in Manitoba.

Part of what Friesen aims to do as dean is grow enrolment and to

M

arcia Friesen is paving a new road in the Price Faculty of Engineering as its first female dean.

Even though female enrolment has increased since Friesen’s time as a student in the faculty, she said that the faculty still has a way to go when it comes to diversity and representation in the different specializations that the faculty offers.

“When I think about my own experiences in engineering, I have to say that, although at times there were instances of true discrimination, I would say that a lot of what I felt was not necessarily outright discrimination or bias, but rather, just an

PHOTO PROVIDED BY MARCIA FRIESEN

“No matter what your interests are, there very likely is a place for you to foster that interest in engineering” — Marcia Friesen, faculty of engineering associate dean (design education)

ongoing sense that I didn’t necessarily see myself in the faculty as an undergraduate student,” she said.

In the past 30 years, Friesen has been able to act as a role model to female engineering students through her career in engineering, education and activism.

After working for different engineering companies in Manitoba, she went on to receive a doctorate in biosystems engineering and currently “reach groups that typically haven’t works in the faculty as associate dean been represented in our programs.” (design education).

Friesen begins her term amid a At the university, she served for pandemic, and the second part of her 14 years as director of the faculty’s aim is to make sure that staff and stuInternationally Educated Engineers dents feel supported both academi-

cally and personally through their education and research efforts.

Previously, Friesen worked as a director for the Canadian Engineering Memorial Foundation, a foundation that worked to support female engineering students across Canada financially while completing their undergraduate and doctoral degrees through scholarship awards.

In more national efforts to increase female representation in the field, she has been involved in Engineers Canada’s 30 by 30 campaign and initiative to increase the percentage of female engineers to 30 per cent of all engineers by 2030.

As of Dec. 31, 2019, 17.3 per cent of all newly licensed engineers in Manitoba were women.

At the U of M, 23 per cent of undergraduate students and 30 per cent of graduate students are female.

According to Engineers Canada, “30 per cent is usually held as the tipping point for sustainable change.”

Friesen said she believes that to increase enrolment among both gender and racial minorities, the faculty needs to “ensure that we do a better job in showing the society around us all the different opportunities that exist in engineering.”

“No matter what your interests are, there very likely is a place for you to

foster that interest in engineering.”

Not only is having more female representation in the faculty a step forward for women, but according to Justice for Women president Marni Russell, “it’s also good for males to see as well.”

“It creates an environment [of] more respect for women in a position of authority, specifically in these traditionally male-dominated positions.”

Michéle Rochette, executive member of the Women of Manitoba Engineering Network (WOMEN) is currently completing her master’s in civil engineering.

She noted the importance of having female representation in the faculty for “hopefully inspiring younger generations.”

As a student, “we want to see people who look like us to know that we can do it, and [we want to see] people that we relate to.”

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News

News Editors: Gillian Brown and Amira Tekle Contact: gillian@themanitoban.com amira@themanitoban.com

History prof awarded for Chinese community outreach Why understanding different experiences is key to creating lasting relationships SARAH DORAN, STAFF

Tina Mai Chen (right), pictured above with Joseph Du, was recognized earlier this month for her community involvement.

U

niversity of Manitoba history professor and department head Tina Mai Chen was announced as the recipient of the 2019-20 Dr. and Mrs. Ralph Campbell Award for community outreach on Nov. 10.

The award is presented annually to a U of M staff member who has shown “particularly meritorious service in outreach activities” as nominated by staff, alumni and members of the university.

Chen became involved in Winnipeg’s Chinese community almost immediately upon starting her job at the U of M in 1999. She credits the late Joseph Du and former lieutenant governor Philip Lee as mentors, whose openness to new ideas and devotion to community relationships were pivotal to her understanding of what outreach could be.

In her time here, Chen has served as ambassador general for Folklorama, been on committees for the Canadian Museum for Human Rights and promoted discussions between different local ethnocultural populations.

She also helped co-ordinate the centennial of Winnipeg’s Chinatown in 2009 and chairs a yearly street

PHOTO PROVIDED BY TINA MAI CHEN

festival. it’s been from mainland China, from cussion of what that meant for her sion of it.”

“The street festival is not only about Taiwan, from Hong Kong, from what community and connections with Still, the amount of enthusithe event itself, which is fun and we we now call Vietnam, at these differ- discrimination faced by other groups. asm and drive people of all ages in love it, but I think for me I’ve really ent moments, and the experiences are “I was participating both in dia- Winnipeg’s Chinese community have logues across Asian communities for celebrating who they are and what just grown to embrace the way that really different.” the planning, through it I can learn Noticing variations in commu- [and] into the broader public dis- their city means to them is inspiring so much more about what’s happen- nity experiences is far from a casual to Chen. ing and people’s experiences here,” interest. Chen’s academic work is in “There’s always that kind of local Chen said. intellectual history — understanding particularity, which I’ve come to “There’s always Those experiences are remarkably how ideas gain power and mobility, really appreciate,” she said. that kind of local diverse across the city and province. and how people use them for various “Certainly within Winnipeg, doing “In many ways, the Chinese com- purposes — with a historical focus on that kind of work allows a much particularity, which greater appreciation of the differmunity is premised upon a kind of modern China and its relations with I’ve come to really both intergenerational and, I would Soviet Russia. ent moments of immigration into say, a kind of multicultural basis,” “The types of questions that motiWinnipeg of Chinese communities, appreciate” — Tina Chen explained. vate me in research have to do with of the different ways in which they “We’re a community where cer- the ways in which people understand relate to the space of Chinatown Mai Chen, professor tainly there isn’t an assumption of themselves as having a place within and even their different experiences ethnic identity as the basis of belong- society,” she explained. of what it means to be Chinese in ing to the Chinese community, nor “Everyday interactions and cultural Manitoba and Winnipeg.” is there a privileging of any one lan- processes have the potential to either course of saying, ‘Here’s the issues Chen is a mainstay in Winnipeg’s guage position or place of origin. empower people to see things differ- we see at hand,’” she said.

Chinese community, but she relishes “The Chinese community, in ently, or they have the possibility to “How do we actually intervene, or her role as a participant in the comparticular the Winnipeg Chinese limit the realms of expression and understand this as the way that fear munity rather than an acknowledged Community and Cultural Centre, therefore the possibilities for chang- opens up spaces for expression of anti- leader. has been built upon a recognition ing social relations, power relations.” Asian racism?

“I gain probably more from any of that those who identify as Chinese A current example is increased “I think that most of us in the the outreach that anybody [else] gains in Canada, in Manitoba, come from a anti-Asian racism as the COVID-19 community also wanted to argue the from having me around.” variety of places, they speak a variety pandemic continues to disrupt the message, though, that it wasn’t that of languages and there are these dif- world.

[COVID-19] created anti-Asian racferent waves of immigration, whether Chen was part of a broad dis- ism, but it sanctioned people’s expres-

VOL. 107 NO. 14 November 25, 2020

News

5

Student academic groups keeping community alive

Zoom events, social media play big role in staying connected SARAH DORAN, STAFF

D

uring a year of entirely remote learning, maintaining a sense of connection with the university community is much more complicated than usual. The University of Manitoba’s academic student groups have taken it upon themselves to keep students in touch with others in their faculty, but it definitely has not been easy.

For example, some executives had no idea what they were getting into when they were elected.

Nick Noonan, the president of the Manitoba Law Students’ Association (MLSA), was elected just before the pandemic started wreaking havoc in Manitoba.

“It’s tradition for the previous president to pass on a handover package of notes, thoughts, challenges, goals and things on your radar as the next president,” he said.

“In mine, which I received in early March, I remember my predecessor noted, ‘And your challenges as a leader might even include this crazy COVID-19 thing if it persists.’ The craziest part to me, though, isn’t that she had the foresight to recognize that [COVID-19] might be a concern — it’s that I vividly remember reading that and scoffing, thinking that there was no way that [COVID-19] would be a concern through the summer, let alone into the school year.

“Oh, for the innocence of early March.”

Other groups finalized their executives over the summer or in the fall, with a better idea of the challenges they would face. Still, they all agreed not being able to see their classmates and professors in person puts a damper on the university experience.

President of the Biological Sciences Graduate Student Association (BSGSA) Tommy Pontbriand said the isolation is particularly difficult for graduate stu-

GRAPHIC BY JENELLE MCCANN

dents because even virtual academic interaction is now almost entirely limited to their lab cohort, which makes it hard to feel like part of a larger department.

“You cannot just put [...] 30 people on Zoom and hope that they’re going to connect as much as they would do in person,” he said.

“I think it’s just the interconnections between the different research groups that is just not as present, and it’s such a shame because it’s such a fun part.”

For the U of M Engineering Society (UMES), the biggest loss by far was their faculty-specific orientation, lovingly dubbed EngO. Every year, the committee begins planning in May, and senior stick Braden Ganetsky said the 15-hour event is the group’s second-biggest event for the entire year on the budget.

While there was an online EngO in September, the in-person event is such a strong bonding experience for engineering students that UMES decided it wasn’t enough.

“At this point, actually, we are planning on having a double EngO next year, because to us it is such an important event that we can’t let people miss that,” Ganetsky said.

“We are still going to remember to not just have that whole experience just put to the side. We want to make sure that all our frosh end up experiencing that at some point, even though they didn’t this year.”

Nevertheless, online interaction isn’t all bad. Whether on Slack, Discord or Facebook group chats, students are making the effort to stay in touch, and everything from themed movie nights to impromptu video game sessions goes a long way toward recapturing the feeling of community. Alanna Johnson and Katharine Kalinowski, co-presidents of the Graduate Association

of Students of Psychology (GASP), Meanwhile, the U of M said while planning events is more Anthropology Student Association difficult during the pandemic, it is (UMASA) has taken advantage also more rewarding. of the pandemic to make new con“I think in some ways there’s less nections outside the university. competition for fun events that are Communications director Bailey happening right now,” Johnson said. Palamar co-ordinated and presented “Normally in a busy fall term, there a virtual tour of the St. Boniface would be tons of different things Museum, which drew not only competing for our time, so in some anthropology students, but also a ways just having less going on gen- smattering from other departments. erally I think encourages people to Steven Smeltz, the social and come together.” fundraising director, said seeing “I find that now I crave social inter- diverse academic areas is exciting action so much, so when these events for UMASA. are available — oh my goodness, I “The increased collaboration with can interact with people!” Kalinowski agreed.

Some groups have held or are “There’s a sense of planning to hold Bob Ross-style camaraderie that art nights over Zoom as a relaxing, wasn’t there before” non-academic activity. In fact, GASP used part of their budget to purchase — Alanna Johnson, and deliver paint supplies for their participants.

GASP co-president “The turnout was better than most in-person events that we’ve had, and just to be able to sit down with a group of people just felt so comfort- other student groups has definitely ing to me,” Kalinowski said. been the greatest benefit by far,” he “I’m like, ‘OK, these are people said. that I can socialize with that are “Working with the University of here to support me.’ It was just a very Manitoba’s history association has inclusive experience.” been great for trying to organize a Two of the graduate student collaborative trivia night, probably groups in particular have also focused in January. Then we’ve also reached on keeping students active. GASP out a lot more to the University of is planning a virtual Zumba class in Winnipeg’s anthropology association, December and the MLSA is cur- which I don’t know if we would have rently running a Robson Hall fitness done otherwise.” challenge.

The BSGSA is in a similar posi“It’s been a great way to help people tion of finding unexpected benefits stay active, build community and has in virtual events, with opportunities even led to some friendly competi- popping up that previously would tion,” Noonan said. have been impossible.

“I’m presently beating acting dean “We organize big guest lectures David Asper, and while he is arguing usually, and so having it online we that there should be some sort of a have actually [much] less restrictions,” modifier for age, I’m not going to let Pontbriand said. him forget it.”

“Usually what we would do [is] we

would send out nominations for those guest lectures, but we were limited because we were taking the money from the student association to fly the speakers to come, and for them [to stay] in a hotel or something.

“So usually we’re keeping [to] people that were not too far, but now that it’s online on Zoom, the sky is the limit. We can decide to have any guest speaker if they’re up for it.”

Most importantly, however, knowing everyone else is in the same situation has made people more enthusiastic about interacting with people they may previously have taken for granted. Ganetsky is proud of the UMES Discord channel, where nervous freshmen and seasoned fifth-year students alike can hang out as friends, and Pontbriand enjoys the BSGSA’s weekly “Crackerjack” seminars in which students and faculty gather to listen to practice thesis presentations and other short talks.

“It’s a little bit of an equalizer,” Johnson explained.

“As students, we’re all going through something that we can each understand even though it looks a little bit differently for each person […] There’s a sense of camaraderie that wasn’t there before. Even some of the staff and faculty have reflected the same things — [we’re] seeing some of them come to the events because they really are craving that interaction with students.”

These students have put in a lot of hard work to help their peers feel like part of a community, and they aren’t done yet. Despite the challenges remote learning has thrown at them, all the groups expressed pride in their executives’ ability to adapt.

Noonan put it best: “As a great saying I once heard goes, ‘Thank you for flying the plane with me whilst building it together.’”

Features Contact: features@themanitoban.com / 474.6520

6

A journey to junior epidemiologist

Grad student Margot Henry shares her experience with the science co-op program CAM CANNON, STAFF

M

argot Henry started her postsecondary academic career studying biology at the University of Winnipeg while playing as a goalkeeper on the school’s women’s soccer team.

A few years and a few degree changes later, she holds a bachelor’s degree in statistics from the U of M, is pursing her master’s degree and is working as a junior epidemiologist amid the greatest pandemic the world has seen in a century.

Henry began her work with Manitoba Health last May as a junior epidemiologist.

She credited the job opportunity to the University of Manitoba’s science co-op program.

The science co-op program at the University of Manitoba is a program

PHOTO PROVIDED BY MARGOT HENRY

which students generally apply for in their second year of undergraduate studies.

Students accepted to the program are then able to get paid work experience in their fields as part of their degrees.

Initially, Henry had come to the U of M to pursue genetics.

“While taking genetics classes, you have to take quite a bit of stuff.

[I found] I really enjoyed the stats classes.”

“So, I just dropped everything else and took only stats.”

According to Henry, her position at Manitoba Health “was very disease, biology-related and stats-related.”

“I didn’t know what really I wanted to do, but luckily I did have some [biology] under my belt because I

started off that way, so why not just associated with the hospitalization try some bio-stats?” she said. outcomes due to COVID-19,” she Since May 2019, Henry has said. worked as a junior epidemiologist The study is expected to be pubfull-time in the summer and part- lished in the journal Health Promotion time during the academic year. and Chronic Disease Prevention in Now, she added, the position is Canada: Research, Policy and Practice “kind of full-time now, because it’s a which is an official publication of the pandemic. They need you.”

Public Health Agency of Canada.

“Right now, everything is On the topic of stress factors and problems in the face of the COVIDCOVID-19-related.”

Henry works to produce reports 19 pandemic, Henry said, “the bigger that look at the numbers and risk fac- stressor for me with the [COVID-19] tors of different demographics in the pandemic is school.” province.

“The work, I can do from home.

“For example […] looking at the School from home? age groups getting COVID-19, “That one’s a pain.”

For Henry, one of the greater chalwhich age groups are more affected, how we can stop this specific age lenges she’s facing amid the pandemic group from getting it.” is communication with her team Henry has also been working on while working remotely, and “makreports on unintentional outcomes ing sure everyone’s on the same page and we’re all working properly on the related to COVID-19.

“We’re looking at not just COVID, same project. but everything else in Manitoba that “I’m sure half of Manitoba is having that challenge.” could’ve changed because of that.”

Her reports consider doctor and She expressed her frustrations ER visits along with mental health regarding the public’s responses to and substance usage. provincial safety recommendations.

On top of that work, Henry is also “I wish everyone would listen to set to have a study published in a jour- public health orders, but you can’t nal for the first time in her career. force people to do something they “At the beginning of the summer, don’t want to do,” she said. [my supervisor and I] decided to do “I just wish people listened.” a survival analysis on the risk factors

Anti-masker rally at legislature ALEXANDER DECEBAL-CUZA, STAFF

In response to increased restictions in light of rising COVID-19 cases in the province, people gathered in protest at the legislature Nov. 21.

U of M COVID-19 update GILLIAN BROWN, STAFF

Cases of COVID-19 are increasing across Manitoba, and U of M campuses are no exception.

As of press time Monday evening, there are 51 total reported cases spanning from the beginning of the academic year to Nov. 17, the latest reported date.

From Nov. 10 to 17, four positive cases were confirmed

by Manitoba Public Health on the Fort Garry campus and two were confirmed on the Bannatyne campus, creating a total of six active cases for the week.

According to Todd Mondor, chair of the university COVID19 recovery steering committee, there have been no outbreaks on campus, in classrooms or in laboratories and almost all cases were contracted off-campus.

“I think it’s a reflection of the city and province situation,” he said, drawing attention to the fact that the majority of students fall into the age demographic of 19 to 34, the age bracket that currently holds the highest number of positive COVID-19 cases in Manitoba.

“They’re seeing increased levels particularly in that demographic, whether it’s at the [U of M] or not.”

U of M health and safety regulations are as recommended by the COVID-19 recovery steering committee and Manitoba Health to the university’s president and vice-presidents.

Mondor said these recommendations also include conduct of in-person activities. He also confirmed that, like this semester, some winter courses will be taught in person.

The safety requirements on campus are updated by the steering committee as needed.

The current safety measures on campus require all visitors to wear a three-ply disposable mask while visiting. All recreation facilities are closed and it is asked that visitors limit their time on campus.

7

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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 the current publishing year of the Manitoban. Any individual who qualifies must be voted in by a majority vote at a Manitoban editorial board meeting.

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GRAPHIC BY JENELLE MCCANN

court appeal of Bill 21 in Quebec started Prime Minister Justin Trudeau summed it up legislation.

Government should not be imposing laws Nov. 2. A group of civil rights activists and succinctly, saying in 2019 that it is “unthinkable” religious advocates are trying to repeal what to legislate state-sanctioned discrimination of that will ultimately quell diversity in the pubthey view as a unconstitutional infringement religious beliefs in a supposedly democratic lic sector. Further, government should not be of their civil liberties. society. legitimizing discrimination in employment.

Bill 21 is a Quebec law passed in 2019. It bans All Canadians should be able to enjoy a right This law is an instrument of division. public sector workers from wearing symbols of to wear a symbol of their religion without losing State-sponsored religious discrimination their religion in the workplace. It exhibits clear such as this will only serve to justify and fuel bias against populations that often wear more xenophobia and racism. visible symbols in order to adhere to the tenets Bill 21 also exposes the disarray that In a country where of their faith — like a hijab, a turban or a kippah.

Canadian secularism and religious freedom everyone is supposedly The bill seeks to create a state of secularism finds itself in. Huge policy differences between and equality in Quebec. However, although it provinces makes it difficult to see the point of afforded the right to appears to put people on equal footing, in reality the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, seeing as it does the exact opposite for some members of the freedoms the document outlines should be freedom of conscience its society. Secularism does not mean abolish universally adhered to. and religion by Canada’s all symbols of religion, but rather the separation For example, in three provinces — Ontario, of religion from state practice and influence.

Alberta and Saskatchewan — the only faithconstitution, this attack Although appearing to be separated from religibased schools that receive full funding from on basic freedoms should osity, secularism is as much of a belief system as the public purse are Catholic schools. These any other religion. The government of Quebec provinces endorse Catholic schools as though be enthusiastically is forcefully imposing its own worldview on its Catholicism were worthy of full government citizens as it seeks to diminish the worldviews funding while simultaneously neglecting other rejected by our lawmakers of others. religions. and legislators In Manitoba, Catholic, and all other faithAs an ardent supporter of the secular state, I believe this is the wrong approach and that it based schools, are private, independent institumasks prejudice with the appearance of equaltions. As such, they receive no capital funding ity by disadvantaging and ostracizing many from the province. Instead, religious schools Muslim, Jewish and Sikh Quebecers. receive funding that is determined by their A person wearing a hijab working as a public out on opportunities such as working in public compliance with the rules set out for private school teacher, for example, should not be con- service. These individuals should not have to schools within the Public Schools Act. sidered a threat to secularism. These symbols of sacrifice their religious convictions to do so.

No faith-based schools should be receiving When asked about the risk of people being full public funding, full stop. This is especially faith should not be a violation of a workplace dress code, never mind a provincial law. barred from employment or losing their jobs true given the unjust, inequitable treatment of In a country where everyone is supposedly due to Bill 21, Quebec Premier François Legault, different faiths in this country. afforded the right to freedom of conscience and leader of the Coalition Avenir Quebec, said The full funding of Catholic schools in some religion by Canada’s constitution, this attack “there are other jobs available.” provinces begs the question as to why basic on basic freedoms should be enthusiastically This callous comment is only one reason why religious freedoms are not being respected in rejected by our lawmakers and legislators. Under religious minorities in Quebec may feel ostra- Quebec. the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, cized and unwelcome in their own province.

It exposes a fundamental inconsistency Canadians’ freedom of religion is codified as the There are many people in Quebec who may in how religious freedoms are treated and right to practice and teach religion without fear have had dreams of working as a public school respected in Canada. of incrimination. teacher, public defender, prosecutor, judge or When it comes to Christianity, it seems Bill 21 utilizes the notwithstanding clause, police officer. provinces are less threatened by a lack of seclegally referred to as section 33 of the Canadian As a result of Bill 21, many individuals who ularity. But when religions such as Islam or Charter of Rights and Freedoms, that allows wish to continue practicing the tenets of their Sikhism are publicly visible, the state acts to the Quebec government to avoid charter chal- faith may have to change their education and repress their religious expressions. lenges of the bill for up to five years. The bill career paths to accommodate the prejudice that The state-sponsored religious discrimination has, and continues to face, numerous legal has been enacted upon them. Those who cur- that is being upheld by the Quebec government challenges. rently work as teachers, and do not comply to is shameful. No person should be barred from Due to Bill 21, religious freedom and reli- the bills demands, cannot be promoted or move wearing a symbol of the religion they practice gious pluralism in Canada is in grave danger. school boards under a grandfather clause in the in their workplace. Secularism is a worthy cause,

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Comment Comment Editor: Lucas Edmond Contact: comment@themanitoban.com

10

Workers have sacrificed too much, tax the wealthy

Progressive tax plans and public expenditure has historically dug economies out of crises LUCAS EDMOND, STAFF

GRAPHIC BY DALLIN CHICOINE

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anada’s New Democratic Party In post-Second World War soci(NDP) proposed a new wealth ety, the rich were used to paying tax plan in parliament Nov. 16. The higher tax rates than other socioecoplan was to implement a one per cent nomic statuses. As a matter of fact, by tax on peoples’ wealth that exceeds 1948, individuals making more than $20 million. The NDP also advo- $250,000 annually — $2.37 million cated for a plan to tax capital gains in today’s standards — were taxed at a higher rate, which now sits at roughly 80 per cent on their incomes.

50 per cent.

Now, the highest tax bracket is Unfortunately, the Liberal Party roughly 33 per cent for individuals of Canada (LPC), Conservative making over approximately $215,000 Party of Canada (CPC) and the — this includes all taxable incomes Bloc Québécois (BQ ) formed a from $215,000 and up. united front to block the motion in Accompanied by extremely high parliament despite the fact that an involvement of the government overwhelming majority of Canadians in public spending, employment support the NDP’s proposal. and taxation on the wealthy, this According to a poll done by period witnessed unprecedented Broadbent Institute, a Canadian growth without an economic crisis think tank, roughly 91 per cent of for nearly 30 years — a massive feat NDP voters, 70 per cent of CPC vot- for an economic system that had a ers, 87 per cent of LPC voters and 66 reputation of collapsing after coming per cent of BQ voters are in favour of out of the Great Depression. This taxing the rich to pay for Canada’s type of economics, formally called economic recovery. Yet, only the the Keynesian economic consensus, NDP and Green Party of Canada managed to dig a world decimated voted in favour of the motion. by decades of gruesome crises into This should be considered a trag- a period that experts often refer to edy to Canada’s so-called represent- as the “Golden Age of Capitalism.” ative democracy — very rarely are Economists and government policies so universally favoured in technocrats thought they figured such a bipartisan way. And histori- out the perfect balance between cally, high taxes on the wealthy was government and capitalist enterprise not abnormal. However, there is an — Keynesianism was the best thing explanation as to why these political since sliced bread. Their strategy was parties chose to align themselves with to spend before they saved, rely on the wealthy instead of the democratic high inflation with high growth and consensus of Canadians. increase wages to the liking. The pri-

vate sector was following the lead of a dynamic public sector and their high wages. More of the pie was being divided for the working classes, and the ultra-rich were paying for it.

This should be considered a tragedy to Canada’s so-called representative democracy — very rarely are policies so universally favoured in such a bipartisan way But, in recent decades, there has been a markedly noticeable tendency of government bodies to advocate for cutting, privatizing and deregulating the public sector, instead of spending, investing and expanding the role of government. So, what happened?

Many historians have argued that the rapid change of global governments’ attitudes in spending was directly correlated to a political coup that the rich subtly made on the very institutions that kept their profits in check.

Notably, the mechanisms that kept the international liquidity of the

rich’s capital flow restrained. wealthy seem to be making more The mechanisms enforced by the than ever. international Bretton Woods finanThe government has gone bilcial systems required investors to go lions of dollars into deficit. The through a lengthy application pro- Parliamentary Budget Officer, a cess in order to pull their money out public financial advisory office, preof any given national economy. But, dicted in April that the deficit left through political lobbying, gradual from 2020-21 will be roughly $252 bilreform and watered-down legislation, lion. Currently, the deficit is sitting these mechanisms were deteriorated at approximately $343 billion — over in North America and, later, globally. $100 billion more than one of the govNow, investors are able to move ernment’s key financial institutions their money around, pretty well and predicted. And, given the unpredictas they please. This means that gov- ability of the COVID-19 pandemic, ernments’ interests are not simply expect the deficit to grow further. aligned with its citizens — instead, The current debt situation is a governments must compete for capi- striking seeing as the Canadian tal investment with other nations. government ran a $25 billion deficit If governments adopt unwanted in 2019-20. If Canada’s parliament legislation that reduces the profits rejects a tax plan to raise taxes on the of investor, those investors could wealthy, the majority of Canadians simply pull those investments and will likely pay for the crisis in the leave the economy in disarray. In a form of austerity — a move that could way, large corporations and the very impoverish more Canadians. rich act as a “virtual senate” that can Expecting everyday people — strike down legislation in unrelenting who are struggling to get by durfashions. This is largely why many ing this unprecedented crisis — to governments choose to adopt policy pay for the economic devastation of to attract private direct investment as COVID-19 will not do. opposed to taxing and redistributing Wealthy individuals making inorwealth through public infrastructures. dinate gains while the majority of But, like the post-war world, Canadians continue to make sacriCanadians are going to need a fices for namesake public health is progressive tax plan again. The deplorable. Make the rich pay their COVID-19 pandemic has impov- fair share. Make the rich sacrifice, erished thousands, and thousands just as the rest of us have. It has been more are likely toeing the poverty done before, and it is not a radical line. Simultaneously, however, the idea.

VOL. 107 NO. 14 November 25, 2020

Comment 11

Anti-mask protests are misguided, irrevocably damaging Protests highlight the need for stronger regulation to reduce misinformation MATTHEW AVERBECK, STAFF

GRAPHIC BY DALLIN CHICOINE

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ith COVID-19 cases in bad considering the region only has Manitoba currently spiking 204,274 residents. and increased restrictions being Many of the protesters, of course, imposed by the provincial govern- did not social distance or wear masks, ment, it has been a challenging time thereby putting themselves, their for many Manitobans as we all pre- families and the entire community pare to attempt to navigate a diffi- at risk of exposure. cult winter. Most of us are complying Attendees carried signs that with the emergency orders and trying espoused debunked conspiracy theoour best to keep ourselves and people ries that have been prevalent on social around us safe. media over the last few months.

The RCMP was in attendance to However, there is a small portion of the population that is attempting apparently “keep the peace,” but by to subvert government authorities and large, did not hand out fines.

— a portion that seems to believe Premier Brian Pallister said this COVID-19 is not as serious as scien- week that fines would potentially be tists and public health officials warn. sent in the mail to attendees based On Nov. 14, news of a “Hugs on license plates seen at the protest, over Masks” protest in the city of but it’s questionable how many fines Steinbach, Man. filled media outlets. will actually be issued. Instead, this A group of roughly 200 people from may be an empty threat to appear as around the area flooded the small though the government is being stern city to protest the government’s mask with regulations. mandate and other code-red restricIt is shocking and disheartening to tions. All this despite the current see so many Manitobans protesting limit of gathering sizes. government restrictions — especially As of Nov. 22, the southern health considering that after eight months, region — which includes Steinbach the novel coronavirus has killed more — has over 1,000 active COVID-19 than 200 Manitobans. cases and 37 deaths. This is shockingly It seems social media has a large

role to play in the demonstrations.

Misinformation has been spreading like wildfire across the country.

In August, Canadian researchers warned that this misinformation could lead to Canadians putting themselves and others at risk.

In fact, these researchers found that the more someone relied on social media to obtain information about COVID-19, the more likely the same individuals would believe conspiracy theories about it.

Many Canadians, especially younger people, rely on social media for news.

In another study, researchers found that nearly half of Canadians believed at least one conspiracy theory about COVID-19.

Misinformation, by design, is meant to confirm our own biases or beliefs. Sometimes it’s obvious that something shared by a family member or former classmate is false information, but research has shown that when something shared aligns with our own beliefs, we are much less likely to question the integrity of the source. In other words, no one is

immune from this.

For anti-mask protesters, when they see a video such as Plandemic, or posts that claim that most of the COVID-19 deaths are due to other underlying health conditions instead of COVID-19, it confirms their beliefs that the government is lying and that their lives should not be

Misinformation, by design, is meant to confirm our own biases or beliefs

upended by the precautions in place.

However, these protesters should not be given a free pass just because they are being manipulated by bad actors on social media. Everyone has the capacity and agency to think rationally and question the sources they see.

Although individuals have the

agency to problem solve, social media companies such as Facebook must do better at finding and removing misinformation from their platforms.

While these companies have claimed that they have been quick to act on disingenuous information about the novel coronavirus, one study found that nearly 90 per cent of reported posts were still visible with no warnings or fact-check notifications attached.

Even though it’s hard to understand how people could believe such conspiracies, there are many Canadians who do and it is starting to affect communities.

The provincial government must implement stronger enforcement during these protests. Anti-maskers are putting Manitobans at risk, and fines should be given out immediately in order to deter needless exposures.

The next few months will undoubtedly test each and every one of us, but as Manitobans see the light at the end of the tunnel with vaccine approvals nearing, we must do everything we can to protect ourselves and our communities.

Comment Comment Editor: Lucas Edmond Contact: comment@themanitoban.com

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VOL. 107 NO. 14 November 25, 2020

Arts & Culture

13

From back of the merch table to front of the stage Vagina Witchcraft vocalist describes the band’s beginnings and what metal means to them KAELEN BELL, STAFF

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early everyone, at some point, dreams of becoming a rock star.

Or, perhaps not a rock star but a supermodel, an acclaimed actor or a comedian — plucked off the street or pulled onstage, a bit of cosmic serendipity suddenly shoving you into what you were always secretly meant to be.

Kayla Fernandes knows this origin story well — it was the first night of 2018’s Manitoba Metalfest and they were front row for the Cancer Bats at the Park Theatre when vocalist Liam Cormier’s hand reached out into the crowd.

“I’ve always wanted to do something with music, I just didn’t know that I had this inside of myself” — Kayla Fernandes, vocalist “Liam pulled me up onstage to complete the lyrics to ‘Pneumonia Hawk,’” Fernandes said.

“I can’t even tell you what I was thinking in that moment […] I think

it was the first time in a very long — Fernandes said it felt like things time that my mind went completely had suddenly fallen into place. blank.”

“I’ve always wanted to do someIt was only while working the thing with music, I just didn’t know Metalfest merch table the following that I had this inside of myself,” they day that something began to shift. said. An activist and poet, Fernandes People started approaching and sug- is no stranger to unleashing their gesting Fernandes start their own power and fury on a crowd — their band. speech at June’s Justice 4 Black Lives “So, I came home very, very stoned rally was both spoken word perforand very, very excited and I was rant- mance and call to action, a sort of ing and raving to my boyfriend, who harbinger for the throat-shredis now the guitarist in the band, ding exorcisms found on Vagina telling him what had happened,” Witchcraft’s debut.

Fernandes said.

“I feel like the anger that comes Soon enough, Fernandes received from the performance and the anger a message from Cancer Bats and that goes into the protests are basiAgapito drummer, Mike Peters, cally one and the same,” they said. inviting the newly formed band — As a Black, queer, gender nonwith Fernandes on vocals, Dylan conforming metal fan, Fernandes Sellar on guitar, Seppel Saünlust on said that, prior to Vagina Witchcraft, bass and Julien Riel on drums — to they’d always felt like an outsider in open for them. their own scene.

The band name came a week “I’ve had racist comments thrown before the performance. at me and racist slurs thrown at me at “It was completely Dylan’s idea,” shows when I was in my early twenFernandes said. “He was like, ‘Why ties,” they said, “but I think that to be queer and Black in 2020, a not Vagina Witchcraft?’ And I was now, presently, everything has really manifesto for survival and another like, ‘That is so stupid, nobody will changed regarding my own personal step toward changing the face of Winnipeg’s metal and punk scene. ever, ever, ever take us seriously. I’m experience.

The band’s ferocious self-titled “Doom is for everyone, hardcore is in.’”

And so, Vagina Witchcraft came debut — recorded live at the UMFM for everyone — last time I checked, up from the basement. The band’s studio with engineer David Dobbs cis white men don’t have a monopoly inaugural show went by in an anxious, — is grounded by Fernandes’s poetry. on being angry,” Fernandes said. edible-and-excitement induced blur It’s an excavation of what it means And though Fernandes has plenty

IMAGE PROVIDED BY VAGINA WITCHCRAFT

to be angry about, they describe their love for the scene as being about healing as much as it is rage.

“I will forever be a fan of doom and hardcore and punk because it helped shape the person that I am and it helped me get through so much in my life and I owe it everything.”

’Toban turntable Vagina Witchcraft — ‘Vagina Witchcraft,’ 4/5 KAELEN BELL, STAFF

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agina Witchcraft’s debut record doesn’t open with a scream or

love. I am unfinished. I am not your fucking sassy black friend.” Kayla Fernandes’s voice — touched by feedback and echoed by the screams of their audience — builds with rage and hope like gathering storm clouds, piling into the black.

After four-and-a-half minutes of growing tension, the pressure breaks — a shriek of “Black lives matter” catapults over a filthy riff, and the band descends into the grinding “Mercury.”

This is Vagina Witchcraft — vocalist Kayla Fernandes, guitarist Dylan Sellar, bassist Seppel Saünlust and drummer Julien Riel thrashing and pummeling their way through the darkness, primordial doom-metal hardcore purists with a political fire that sets them a thousand scorched miles from their peers.

The band’s brand of pitch-black onslaught is equal parts destructive, swirling fantasy and deeply felt political protest. Fernandes is a Black, queer, gender non-conforming IMAGE PROVIDED BY VAGINA WITCHCRAFT poet and activist, and the fury that they release feels less like theatrical metalhead doom than it does life or sludgy riff, but a missive, spoken with on the back of your neck stand up: death sonic liberation. Every throatsuch raw feeling as to make the hair “I am an entity, I am courage, I am shredding scream feels earned and

true — a performer exploding open a space for themselves in a scene that, historically, has made little room for them.

The album is a nonstop attack, no gothic piano ballads or moments of quietude to break up the rage — the foursome conjures the lo-fi seething of Converge circa Halo in a Haystack, no studio glimmer or slick effects.

The band’s sound is elemental and heaving, a swirling blackness over which Fernandes screams of insecurities and power, of destruction and healing and rage in the name of transcendence.

Each song spreads like sludge over at least four minutes, with the final two epics, “No Sinners” and “ALVVAYS,” raging like wildfire, each over eight minutes of noise.

The glacial force of closer “ALVVAYS” is perhaps the record’s greatest moment, an unrelenting shapeshifter that refuses to let up.

Vagina Witchcraft is an electrifying, powerful and painfully relevant debut and it marks the arrival of an undeniable new scream on our city’s metal scene.

14

Arts & Culture

Arts & Culture Editor: Shaylyn Maharaj-Poliah Contact: arts@themanitoban.com

U of M student launches publishing company

A conversation with the founder and owner of Mandi Inspiration Publishing House ZOË LEBRUN, STAFF

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third-year student studying global political economy at the University of Manitoba has founded her own independent publishing company.

The Mandi Inspiration Publishing House promises “to be the soul of […] creativity.” The company initially launched in January, with a public release date of Nov. 1. Founder Mandipa Shumba christened the company with two of her own works and has since published two other projects. Shumba does not only publish local work, but also works by overseas authors.

“We are registered here in Winnipeg and in Zimbabwe, but we are looking forward to getting registered in more countries as well,” she said.

Since she is an author herself, Shumba was initially drawn to the world of independent publishing when she was looking into finding ways to publish her own writing.

When she saw how expensive it was to self-publish, she realized that there was something she could do to make the publishing process more accessible to others as well.

When deciding whether or not to

go forward with publishing a book, Mandi Inspiration follows a jury-like procedure.

“We have a number of editors […] [and] we have to agree unanimously if we should publish the book,” Shumba said.

“We want to publish things that we all approve of.”

There are two routes that authors

Shumba was initially drawn to the world of independent publishing when she was looking into finding ways to publish her own writing can go through Mandi Inspiration to publish their work: going through a complete editing process with the publishing house or self-publishing.

“If you give us the rights [to] the book and we publish it for you […]

the whole process is ours,” Shumba said.

“We edit the book, we design the book cover, we print the book, then we see if [the author] want[s] to sell it.”

This process gives the rights to these writings completely to Mandi Inspiration Publishing House, with authors receiving roughly 30 to 40 per cent royalties from all sales.

The self-publishing route is slightly different — this process occurs when an author is looking to print a book with the publishing house that is already written and edited.

“We try to accommodate selfpublishers a lot because traditional publishing is going out of style,” said Shumba.

“Nowadays, everyone wants to do things their own way.”

The Mandi Inspiration Publishing House looks toward other publishers, such as Pearson, for inspiration because Shumba is interested in venturing into education in the future. In Zimbabwe, where Shumba is from, educational publishers don’t have as expansive of a reach as what she would like to see in Africa.

“I really like the idea of having [Mandi Inspiration] be like what

IMAGE PROVIDED BY MANDIPA SHUMBA

Pearson has [because] I want educa- For more information on Mandi tion to be more accessible to African Inspiration Publishing House, please children the way it is here to us in visit mandiinspiration.com.

Canada,” she said.

VOL. 107 NO. 14 November 25, 2020

Arts & Culture

15

Winnipeg comic book creator dishes on his debut series New comic from U of M alum offers memorable characters and relatable adventures SHAYLYN MAHARAJ-POLIAH, STAFF

IMAGE PROVIDED BY BRAEDAN HAFICHUK

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hen someone brings up the [a] 2000-page commitment for payfantasy genre, what typically off,” said Hafichuk. comes to mind? Long epics, power“That’s when I started getting the ful, righteous heroes and a great evil, idea for the more character-focused often in the form of a dragon. world that Shimmering Basin inhabits.

These tired tropes are exactly what “Rather than tell the story of musU of M alumnus Braedan Hafichuk is clebound heroes on quests for the fate seeking to subvert with his fledgling of the world, I wanted to focus on the comic book series Shimmering Basin. backwater parts of the fantasy world, Hafichuk —originally from parts that are filled with people more Manitoba and currently based focused on the personal struggles we out of Saskatoon, Sask. — said all face and not the fights of good the inspiration for the work came and evil.” from an exhaustion with the tradiHafichuk has always been intertional sagas and epics that currently ested in the fantasy genre — spendmonopolize the fantasy section in ing many childhood hours playing most bookstores.

Dungeons & Dragons, Warhammer and “I was just looking for a nice, con- World of Warcraft — and the comic cise, one-off read that didn’t require book bug bit him after he picked up

’Toban cornertable

a copy of Amazing Spider-Man #503 Basin was the first time he exclusively “My day job […] has been comin the Walmart checkout line. managed the process from start to pletely hectic because of COVID“Becoming a comic artist was finish — “from writing, to drawing, 19 and between all the writing I do always my goal as a kid, as I would to editing, to crowdfunding, to print- there and trying to keep up my menspend hours doodling my favour- ing and to selling.” tal health at home, I haven’t done as “Kickstarter was absolutely key to much writing.” ite heroes in class and sneaking any opportunity to go to Galaxy the success of this comic and I have However, Hafichuk can confirm Comics after I moved to Winnipeg,” no doubt I wouldn’t be here talking there is another issue of Shimmering Hafichuk said.

Basin on the way.

“The love only grew from there as “[I] have hired an artist to do the I spent more time at the comic shop, art for it, just so I can focus on creat“An imperfect story debating stories with the employees ing more scripts for future issues […] while also making critical connec- you’ve finished there’s no end in sight for the stories I tions with the independent artists want to tell with this small-town cast.” writing is infinitely who would set up shop to sell their For those aspiring to become own books.” comic book writers, Hafichuk said more fulfilling The advice of these individuals it’s important to accept that a first than the perfect was instrumental in the creation of project will have flaws. It’s easy to Shimmering Basin. Published ear- story that’s stuck get hung up on sections that aren’t lier this month and primarily proup to snuff, but it’s more important to in your head” — duced with a Huion drawing tablet get the words out and work on editing later. and MediBang Paint, the story Braedan Hafichuk, follows the adventures of Shjema “An imperfect story you’ve finished (pronounced “shem-uh”), a young writing is infinitely more fulfilling author and artist girl from the fictional Kingdom of than the perfect story that’s stuck in your head.”

Harrow, who finds herself out of her element in the titular small town.

His other piece of advice is that After rescuing two of the locals, to you without the unique opportuni- there is nothing wrong with startHobby and Zackz, she discovers that ties that the platform and my backers ing small. there is more to her new home than have provided,” he said.

“We all have our 1000-page epics meets the eye.

“It has never been easier to be your we want to write and sell, but it can “The kids who star in Shimmering own publisher.” be incredibly daunting and time Basin won’t be fighting evil overOn the worldwide pandemic situ- consuming to do, so spend your time lords hellbent on domination,” said ation, Hafichuk said it hasn’t been working on smaller stories of a couple Hafichuk, “but will instead expe- particularly kind to his creative drive pages, just so you can find your own rience the triumphs, heartbreaks, and, nowadays, he spends most of his voice and feel the thrill of finishing romances and fights of childhood, time at the gym, playing with his cat, a story.” all while coming to terms with the catching up on his reading and “tryhistories and imperfect-but-still- ing to rein in a budding video game beautiful humanity of their parents.” addiction.”

Though Hafichuk is familiar with “As much as I’ve gotten a lot more Interested parties can wait for the independent publishing from his first down time because of it, quarantine Shimmering Basin website to launch foray into the literary world, 2015’s has been absolutely killer for my crea- to secure their copy of the comic or reach out to Hafichuk directly to purchase one.

Stalvorhal, the process for Shimmering tivity,” he said.

Braedan Hafichuk — ‘Shimmering Basin’ ZOË LEBRUN, STAFF

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t’s been a month of firsts for Ominous Walrus Publications, whose debut offering is the first issue of a fantastical action-comedy comic book series by Braedan Hafichuk titled Shimmering Basin.

Hafichuk, who has loved fantasy his whole life, began his writing career with a book titled Stalvorhal and has taken what he learned from writing his first book into his newest project.

This independent comic series follows a girl named Shjema (pronounced “shem-uh”) as she moves to her new home of Shimmering Basin and embarks on adventures of a smaller scale than those of traditional fantasy with her new-found friends in this magical town.

In the first issue of Shimmering Basin, we learn more about Shjema’s past, get acquainted with the supporting characters and are introduced to the Kingdom of Harrow.

Compared to the seriousness of some fantasy series, Shimmering Basin

is a lighthearted adventure story that Another unique part of Hafichuk’s presents an alternative plotline that story is that the main characters in focuses “on the everyday adventures Shimmering Basin are children, meanand lives of the ordinary people often ing that we get to watch these charforgotten in those 1,000-page sagas.” acters grow throughout the series.

As Hafichuk eloquently puts it, this allows us to witness these characters experience “victories and losses, Hafichuk presents us romance and heartbreak, comedy and horror and the crucial understanding with a fresh take on of our parents as complex, imperfect fantasy and a unique and beautiful people.”

Those acquainted with the genre storyline that has the of fantasy will be well aware of the potential to grow importance of worldbuilding in creating an engaging and believable and continue for fantasy world, and Hafichuk has set many issues to come Shimmering Basin cleverly, leaving opportunities for additional lore to be revealed as the project grows.

The result from this choice is For example, throughout the refreshing — many fantasy series story, we learn that Shjema is actutend to have a certain heaviness to ally the daughter of Missandra the them, whereas Shimmering Basin war maiden, who went on a quest leaves room for additional visual shortly after Shjema’s birth, never to appeal and humour throughout its be seen again. story.

It also hints at the background of

IMAGE PROVIDED BY BRAEDAN HAFICHUK

Shjema’s father, Svain.

Hafichuk has layered many paths through which to intertwine the stories of all his supporting characters into Shimmering Basin as Shjema and her friends venture further into the world.

Hafichuk presents us with a fresh

take on fantasy and a unique storyline that has the potential to grow and continue for many issues to come — but above all, Shimmering Basin gives us a story of connecting to one’s community, learning about those around you and the adventure of growing up.

Sports Sports Editor: Isaiah Wagner Contact: sports@themanitoban.com

16

Mental health a priority for Bison athletes

Bison athlete Koskie focuses on training after rookie season

Adrienne Leslie-Toogood highlights impact of pandemic on athletes’ mental health MATTHEW MERKEL, STAFF

o say the 2020 fall semester has looked different for students at the University of Manitoba would be an understatement.

For Bison athletes, the oddities extend past academics. With the Canada West and U-Sports decision to cancel fall and winter championships due to safety concerns from the COVID-19 pandemic, many student athletes’ goals for this year have been shelved for the foreseeable future.

Sports facilities have been shut down as well. Not only does this prevent athletes from practicing and working out, but it also is a major disruption in the routines and lifestyles of Bison athletes.

Thankfully, there are professionals to help athletes conquer the mental health challenges athletes

face.

One of these individuals is Adrienne Leslie-Toogood. The licensed psychologist is the director of sports psychology at the Canadian Sports Centre of Manitoba and an adjunct professor in psychology at the U of M. Leslie-Toogood often works with college and Olympic athletes to help sharpen their mental game and find success in their sport.

With the COVID-19 pandemic affecting the lives of all Manitobans, Leslie-Toogood highlights the unique difficulties student athletes faced at the beginning of the pandemic.

“I think all athletes are impacted differently depending on their sport, their year they’re in, etcetera,” said Leslie-Toogood.

“A great example from a Bison sports perspective would be the men’s volleyball team who were positioned to have nationals hosted locally, and you know that tournament was then canceled at the last minute,” she said.

The closure of fitness facilities has made it difficult for athletes to find a way to maintain their fitness level and work on their skills.

ISAIAH WAGNER,STAFF

T

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The closure of fitness facilities has made it difficult for athletes to find a way to maintain their fitness level and work on their skills

Award-winning season proving hard work pays off

PHOTO PROVIDED BY ADRIENNE LESLIE-TOOGOOD

Leslie-Toogood explains the impact of not being able to partake in one’s sport.

“By the time someone becomes a university athlete, they’ve really dedicated a lot of their life to it and a lot of their energy,” LeslieToogood said.

“It’s something they are pretty passionate about, and […] to take that away is a really big deal.”

“I think as well, athletes are learning to strive in other ways, because if you are an athlete at that level, you really are built a bit differently than a lot of people in terms of your competitiveness and your fire, and desires and drive, and when you take that away they are maybe figuring out how to utilize that in other spaces or ways,” she added.

Outside of the sports world, student athletes are also trying to tackle online school at home.

Leslie-Toogood illustrated how Bison athletes may handle academics without athletics in their daily routine.

“There is such a range in terms of what online learning looks like, and it is a lot to manage […] for some athletes, they may be immersing themselves more in academics now because they have more time and energy, and for other athletes, if they are feeling down about the sports stuff it might negatively

impact it,” she said.

With the winter break approaching, Bison athletes continue their studies amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, waiting for an eventual return to sport.

As athletes wait patiently, LeslieToogood offered strategies to stay mentally healthy and some words of encouragement from herself and a Canadian legend.

“When the Olympics were cancelled, Chris Hadfield from the Canadian Olympic committee came to talk to us,” she said.

“He said a lot that resonated, that everything is different right now and, if you are an athlete at this level to get there you became an expert in what you needed to try to be successful, you need to take that same skillset and learn what you need to be successful right now.”

As the code red restrictions continue, Leslie-Toogood emphasized the importance of having conversations during the pandemic about mental health, regardless of if you are an athlete or not.

“You have to do what you need to do to stay well and pay attention to who you are, and don’t hesitate to ask people when they can be of any assistance to you during this time.”

he U of M Bisons men’s vol“It’ll be tough, but as long as I’m leyball team finished the 2019- able to stay in shape by working 20 season with an 8-14 record, but out, the eventual transition back despite a rough record, rookie to training shouldn’t be too hard.”

Darian Koskie remained a bright Koskie came into last year as spot on the team. a rookie and experienced a lot of The Winnipeg native was named growth. to the Canada West men’s volleyHis year of experience and ball all-rookie team after starting advice could be very useful to an for the Bisons due to an injury on incoming rookie on the team. the court.

“My advice for an incoming Koskie had a great year for the player would be [to] work hard squad playing in all games and and stay humble,” Koskie said. was second on the team in blocks, “It’s really important to work hard a great accomplishment for a rookie. and focus on getting better, but as “It was an honour to be named you improve, don’t let it get to your to the all-rookie team,” Koskie said. head.”

“It’s always nice to be acknowl“I promise you, as a first-year, edged for your hard work and per- there are other players on your team formance on the court, so at the and in the league who are workend of a season that ended rather ing just as hard as you, and if you disappointingly with us missing the settle or decide that you’ve worked playoffs, the recognition served as hard enough, they will surpass you,” motivation to keep working hard Koskie said. and prepare for the national tournaEven after a great season, Koskie ment that got cancelled because of mentioned specifics about things [COVID-19].” he’d like to become better at.

Koskie was also awarded the “Personally, I’d like to improve Mark Tennant Award for the top on my blocking for the next season,” 20U male player of the year in he said.

Manitoba.

“When we play against the best “I consider the Bison sports teams in the league, their setters rookie of the year award to hold run an efficient offence that is often greater significance to me than hard to block. the all-rookie team,” Koskie said.

“I’d like to work on this by “I’m not one to always look forward getting reps in the gym, but also to individual awards and plan my watching film on other teams to success around them, so I didn’t help improve my reading.” really think much about it until the The Bisons have continued to nominees for the Brown and Gold improve the team and prepare for were announced.” the hopeful start of the next season Due to the COVID-19 pan- once restrictions in Manitoba are demic, there will be no 2021 winter loosened. national championships, and ulti“With no season and a new coach, mately this includes Koskie and the there has been a tremendous change Bisons. in the daily routine of the team,” Training is tough to do during Koskie said.

COVID-19 due to closures of rec“Not travelling and not playing reation centres and social distancing any games completely changes the procedures, and improvisation is training focus from what it was last necessary. year.”

“Now in code red [...] I have to “To put it simply, with no season, work out from home and have no many players on the team, includaccess to a court anywhere to train ing myself, have chosen this year to get stronger in the weight room.” on,” Koskie said.

PHOTO PROVIDED BY DARIAN KOSKIE