vol 107, iss 16, December 9, 2020

U of M senate approves ‘compassionate grading’ plan Students now able to exclude one course per semester from GPA GILLIAN BROWN, STAFF

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he U of M has seen nearly a year of remote learning and, though time has passed, the university’s student senate caucus found that students still face the same issues they did in the winter 2020 term.

Students who went into the fall 2020 semester reported that despite believing that online learning would improve from last winter, they experienced more difficulties, including anxiety due to Respondus software and webcam monitoring and trouble finding a quiet study place.

In an effort to ease some of students’ academic concerns during the pandemic, the student senate caucus’s proposal advocated for the implementation of the alternative grading options that were used at the end of the last winter semester but dropped for the summer 2020 and fall 2020 semesters.

According to Todd Mondor, chair of the COVID-19 recovery steering committee, the system used last winter was implemented because of the “unexpected and abrupt transition” from in-person to remote learning.

The reason that the grading approach reverted back to the original scheme was because “stu-

ARTS AND CULTURE

Winding down the year Some of the best Canadian music releases of 2020

dents were advised in advance how the course would proceed and so they knew what they were signing up for. There was no abrupt transition.”

Mondor said the steering committee acknowledged the negative impacts that online learning has on students.

“We felt that [accommodations would be] fair and compassionate.”

The student senate caucus is made up of elected representatives from each faculty and is co-chaired by the University of Manitoba Graduate Students’ Association’s vice-president academic Rubel Talukder and UMSU’s vice-president advocacy Kristin Smith, who said that after hearing from students about concerns throughout the semester, the compassionate grading scheme is “truly, widely needed.”

“I actually wish we’d started doing it a little bit sooner if I’m being honest,” Smith said.

See ‘Ultimately’ | Page 4

SPORTS

Through the tough times

Bison veteran leads during pandemic PAGE 16

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Index

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VOL. 107 NO. 16 December 9, 2020

Arts & Culture

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PAGES 12-14

Freedom and frustration Winnipeg rapper on his artistic journey

14 Season’s eatings

The Manitoban staff’s favourite festive desserts

News PAGES 3-5

Diversions

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UMSU annual general meeting update

Student finances, healthcare, Bill 33 all discussed

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Knock one down Students may drop one grade from GPA

Sports PAGES 15-16 3

Health at home

Active Living Centre provides remote programming

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Growing the herd Bisons take on seven new athletes

Editorial 8

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Anyone can cook Independent TikTokers compete with the best musical producers out there

Comment

PAGES 10-11

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Count the tallies New regulations will hopefully make election days easier and busier

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The powers that be Winnipeg’s preliminary budget pumps more resources into police force

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News

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

UMSU annual general meeting recap Student healthcare and finances, Bill 33 among topics discussed AMIRA TEKLE, STAFF

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he UMSU executive informed membership of its activities and projects at its 2020 fall annual general meeting (AGM) Dec. 3.

The AGM did not meet its quorum of 200 members.

Campus and provincial advocacy

She said the caucus had made another proposal that is seeking to make “adjustments to online learning.”

“For example, banning widgets that prevent students from going back and forth between questions,” said Smith.

“We spoke to some professors within the faculty of education, and they were able to confirm what our research had also suggested, that there’s no good basis in pedagogy for practices like that.

“Others request that professors post their lectures online, or give students the proper instructions before online exams, so there isn’t any issue with academic integrity.”

Smith spoke about the #SaveTheSemester campaign — the social media campaign that was run by UMSU to try to ward off a strike by the University of Manitoba Faculty Association.

“I think I would be naive to say students singlehandedly warded off a strike, but I would also be naive to say we had no impact at all.”

In her report, UMSU president Jelynn Dela Cruz said advocacy at the provincial level regarding COVID-19 has been ongoing since June, when she and UMSU vicepresident advocacy Kristin Smith first met with Finance Minister Scott Fielding and Minister of Economic Development and Training Ralph Eichler.

Her report went on to discuss the asks UMSU had of the provincial government, including “reinstating the ACCESS program to assist mature and parttime students, funding of Campus Manitoba’s credit transfer database and high-speed broadband and internet access for rural Manitoban communities.”

The ACCESS program provides supports — such as academic advis- Student healthcare ing, smaller classes and personal and finances Healthcare for international stucounselling — to students faced with unique situations and barri- dents was another big topic brought ers upon entering post-secondary up by UMSU to the province. Dela Cruz said the rate for international education.

Smith spoke about campus student healthcare increased due to advocacy with the student senate “a projected decline in enrolment.”

In her report, Dela Cruz stated caucus in her report, noting the recent success of the compassion- “international student healthcare premiums should be brought in line ate grading proposal.

with domestic student rates” as an Bill 33 advocacy ask from UMSU to the province Smith said “a lot of students” of Manitoba. have been worried about Bill Dela Cruz said UMSU saw 33 — the Advanced Education some “good successes” regarding Administration Act. Bill 33 would the U of M’s 2020-21 budget but increase the power of the minisacknowledged an “average of a 3.75 ter of economic development and per cent increase” in tuition for training to “issue guidelines in students. respect of a tuition fee or a student “We tried our best at that time fee set by a university board.” to direct the attention and direct The bill has drawn comparisons the pressure toward the provincial to Ontario’s student choice initiagovernment,” she said, while also tive (SCI), which was a directive noting that the province “didn’t issued by Ontario’s provincial govbudge” on the issue. ernment that allowed students to Dela Cruz also spoke about opt out of what were called ancilU-Pass contract negotiations, say- lary fees — including student union ing UMSU hopes costs do not con- fees. tinue to rise beyond the currently The SCI was struck down in approved $200 per term rate. court in November 2019. Smith’s According to Dela Cruz, the report touched on a variety of iniCOVID-19 UM student tech- tiatives UMSU is taking regarding nology fund — which provides the bill, including “communicating money toward a laptop from the with student unions who have faced Fort Garry bookstore for students similar bills, preparing a campaign who are without and require one and education effort for this issue for remote learning — has been alongside [the Manitoba Alliance recently replenished with a dona- of Post-Secondary Students], planning a multi-partisan stution of $50,000.

She said the fund has “gone on dent forum event to help students to help […] hundreds and hundreds reflect on the implications of the of students.” bill, undertaking an independent Smith said that “lots of people” review of UMSU fees with increashave had concerns surrounding fall ing affordability as a top priority and winter fees. and retaining legal counsel in “The fee for [recreation] was regard to the bill.” reduced for 30 per cent off.

Smith said that due to the bill, “All other fees, despite percep- “compulsory student fees at our tion which might be an unpopular union could become obsolete.” sort of opinion, actually remained “We remain vigilant on that relevant during COVID-19.” front.”

Active living centre launches remote health programs Programs prioritize both physical, mental health DAMIEN DAVIS, STAFF

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of M recreation services is striving to keep people motivated regardless of a global pandemic.

After the closure of the campus Active Living Centre and Joe Doupe Recreation Centre, the service’s programs have moved online with the goal to promote and motivate people to maintain and improve their physical and mental health from home.

According to Tanya Angus, director of recreation services, a

PHOTO BY BASEL ABDELAZIZ

focus for the program is ensuring accessibility for those utilizing the services.

“We’re looking at ways to make sure that it’s easy for the users, and because we have such a wide range of users, we want to make sure that there’s something for everyone.”

The centre launched its virtual platform at the end of November and is offering four different programs.

Through the centre’s website,

users will be able to follow along to full-length pre-recorded exercise classes in the “follow along” program or complete workouts at their own pace through detailed written routines and proper techniques in the “workout warriors” program.

The centre’s “movement and mobility” option provides a video guide to adding some movement into a day spent sitting at a desk.

Angus said that given the circumstance of remote learning and working, the short breaks are “just something good for people to make sure that they’re [taking] care of their bodies.”

The final online program the centre provides is called “learn from the pros,” a page of articles written by professionals in the field to allow for more informed decision making when it comes to both physical and mental health.

“We wanted to tap into some of their knowledge and share that with students, staff and the com-

munity members that we have,” she said.

Angus said that users can expect to see the programs updated weekly and will continue to be uploaded through the winter term.

In the new year, Angus is hoping to be able to conduct seminars on health topics like stress, nutrition and sleep habits.

Recreation services virtual health and fitness online resources can be found on the recreation services website as well as their Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

Angus is encouraging students to “go to our website, take a look at it, get involved, get active.”

“We’re looking at different ways, not only that are physical fitness, but just engagement and physical activity to help people connect with others during this time.”

UMSU lobbies provincial, federal governments

UCRU, MAPSS hold November campaigns CAM CANNON, STAFF

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hroughout the week of Nov. 23, UMSU participated in a federal lobby week as part of the Undergraduates of Canadian Research-Intensive Universities (UCRU). UMSU also participated in the first-ever provincial lobby week with the Manitoba Alliance of Post-Secondary Students (MAPSS).

UCRU is a federal lobbying organization founded in 2015 that represents some 250,000 students across 10 U15 universities in Canada. It holds an annual lobby week during which each member student association — including UMSU — sends two representatives to meet with federal government representatives and advocate for students.

UMSU vice-president advocacy Kristin Smith was one of the representatives sent by UMSU. “It was a really great week of lobbying, we had around 70 meetings in total […] we presented on four key lobbying priorities […] had engagement with folks across the aisle, and we’re really pleased with how it went,” said Smith.

The four priorities being advocated for as part of UCRU’s lobbying week include more financial supports for students, the inclusion of international students in the Student Work Placement Program, further investment in undergraduate research awards and an expansion of the Post-Secondary Student Support Program, which assists Indigenous students.

“This is definitely a tricky time, and no one wants to commit to anything,” said Smith.

See ‘Always seeking’ | Page 5

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News

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

Community Projects program teaches through experience Transformed alternative reading week program allows action with funding DAMIEN DAVIS, STAFF

training that they go through, [par- “a distinct project.” ticipants] learn how teamwork takes “Usually when community outplace.” reach organizations come in place, “How, once you have the knowl- they just want to take over something edge, you can design your own project that is already built and has its own depending on the needs of the com- space,” he said. munity, whether this is a community “Our approach is, ‘What can we that you belong to or somewhere that learn from you?’” you see and want to be a part of and “‘This what we have, this is what give back to them.” you have, is there any space for us to Participants have the opportu- come in and work together?’”

The program is not only available nity to learn to “identify community needs,” and how to use those needs to for undergraduate and graduate stupartner with funding in community dents but for youth in general from organizations to meet those needs.

Students learn the ins and outs of community outreach by learning how “You really won’t to form their own ideas, how apply for learn this in a lecture” grant money to carry out those ideas and how to manage their projects.

— Amin Montazeri, “You really won’t learn this in a co-ordinator of lecture.”

Montazeri referred to ARW as Community Projects “sort of short-term student community organization involvement,” compared to the new program.

PHOTO PROVIDED BY AMIN MONTAZERI In a typical year, students would shadow mentors and conduct small ven in the midst of a pandemic, Community Projects, a program “the program is now designed for stu- projects over three days in an assigned community engaged learning that sprouted from its previous dents to come in and not just read placement. high school students to university (CEL) at the U of M has main- program, alternative reading week […] the theory of this community “It might be Winnipeg Harvest, alumni. tained its goal of providing students (ARW), is one of the programs from engagement.”

Big Brother Big Sisters or West “We try to get community engageand community members alike with CEL that is striving to get people Rather than being taught about Broadway Youth Outreach, or wher- ment as much as we can.” education that combines “community involved in helping the community. the concept in a classroom, Montazeri ever your placement.” service with activities designed to The program is co-ordinated in emphasized the new independence According to Montazeri, this year, develop intercultural competence, part by fifth-year kinesiology student that comes with the practical aspect in addition to parts of the experience critical thinking and reflection and Amin Montazeri, who explained that of the program. that came with ARW, participants civic engagement.” the difference between the two is that “Through their placement and the are provided with funding to develop

E

‘Ultimately this is an advocacy win for both of the students’ unions the University of Manitoba’

GRAPHIC BY DALLIN CHICOINE

Continued from front page The caucus’ proposal asked that, rather than leaving no option but to take the letter grade they receive at the end of their course, students should have the opportunity to either choose to accept the letter grade but exclude in from their GPA or use a pass/fail option for their transcript.

The proposal was passed on to and approved by senate with their own recommendations.

UMSU president Jelynn Dela Cruz said that even though the grading scheme approved by senate was

not the exact same as the version proposed by the student senate caucus, “ultimately this is an advocacy win for both of the students’ unions at the University of Manitoba.”

“Already and prior to COVID-19, being a post-secondary student in Manitoba was a balancing act,” said Dela Cruz.

“Now, in the middle of this code red, remote learning and an institutional labour dispute, the scales have certainly been tipped, and it’s about time that they tip in the favour of student success and wellbeing.”

The version of the proposal that

“While remote learning will never replace pre-COVID learning, our goal is to bring the quality of learning that the university offers us, students, as close to that standard as possible” — Jelynn Dela Cruz, UMSU president

will be implemented does not include a pass/fail option but allows all students the opportunity to choose to exclude one grade in fall 2020 and one grade in winter 2021, or the grade from one course spanning both terms, from their cumulative GPA (CGPA).

A grade excluded from a student’s Students have until the end of the CGPA will remain on their transcript winter 2021 semester to decide to drop with an asterisk beside it but a CGPA a grade from either semester. without that grade will be calculated.

An already existing option for This recalculated CGPA will be students is to drop all courses in a used for progressions in undergradu- term or to potentially appeal for a ate and graduate programs and will tuition refund for medical and comallow students to maintain any per- passionate reasons is by Authorized formance-based financial aids.

Withdrawal (AW).

Smith said the proposal used the term “compassionate grading” to not only allow for more grading options but to “also encourage the university to undertake and encourage professors to exercise a culture of compassion in every scenario.”

“There are some students that might need consideration on a caseby-case basis, and that obviously can’t be mandated from the top down, but calling the proposal compassionate grading helps get that message across.”

In addition to the compassionate grading proposal, UMSU, along with UMGSA, is currently working on advocating for five other items to improve student experience that, if approved by senate, will be implemented for the upcoming semester.

The unions are aiming to address concerns regarding the environmental scan from Respondus during exams and are advocating for a more fair student appeal process and workload along with more flexibility with deadlines in the case of technical troubles.

“While remote learning will never replace pre-COVID learning, our goal is to bring the quality of learning that the university offers us, students, as close to that standard as possible,” said Dela Cruz.

VOL. 107 NO. 16 December 9, 2020

News

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U of M hosts commemoration, human rights roundtable Local memory, international effects among discussion topics SARAH DORAN, STAFF

PHOTO BY ALEXANDER DECEBAL-CUZA

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he University of Manitoba’s versations about history, about comCentre for Human Rights memoration and human rights, took Research (CHRR) hosted a round- significant turns,” Perry said while table Dec. 4 titled “Commemoration opening the discussion.

“Prompted by social movements, Matters: History, Human Rights, and the Politics of Commemoration.” including Black Lives Matter and History professor and CHRR direc- Land Back, people have engaged tor Adele Perry moderated the the ways that commemorative pracroundtable, while Sean Carleton, an tices on both sides of the Atlantic, in assistant professor in the history and spaces both colonized and colonizing, Native studies departments, was one refract and kind of calcify the politics of anti-Blackness, of anti-Indigenous of the panellists.

The other panellists were Laura racism and of colonialism.”

Madokoro of Carleton University, Wāhpāsiw pointed out some of the Melanie Newton of the University troubling statistics about Indigenous of Toronto and Omeasoo Wāhpāsiw treatment in Canada’s court system, of the University of Prince Edward including a November 2020 CBC report that found the Canadian Island.

“I think we will […] remember government spent $3.2 million since this year as one where ongoing con- 2013 as the defendant in a case from a

group of residential school survivors from a single school in Ontario.

“Yet it is the commemoration of Sir John A. Macdonald that has many Canadians concerned over the destruction of his legacy, through some various creative approaches to a statue,” she said.

She then contrasted the legal situation with progress toward completing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s calls to action, released in 2015.

“This is really a microcosm of the last four years of the federal government’s relationship with Indigenous people,” Wāhpāsiw said.

“Hard work on the symbols while avoiding the substance.”

Carleton and Newton both a joke, my friends at the time who expanded on the Macdonald dis- were Canadian-born taught me ‘O cussion, offering non-Canadian Canada’ as ‘our home on native land,’” perspectives. Carleton spoke about Madokoro said.

Macdonald’s British ties and the “And that’s genuinely what I international and political connec- thought it was for years. I should tions behind every commemoration. have known better, but in some “I think we need to be aware that ways, the more truthful reimaginwhen we’re looking at these com- ing of our relationships, again, with memoration debates that there are these symbols sometimes happens in threads that go beyond the local,” he very unexpected ways. When I hear said.

‘O Canada,’ that’s what I hear.”

“What was going on in the United A common thread throughout the States over the summer had impacts discussion was histories that have all around the world, as we saw. There been forgotten or repressed, and the was sort of a cascade effect — all of ways our perception of the past is a sudden, people were wanting to affected by what we can see. reckon with those colonial roots, “I think it’s important when whether it be in Bristol or British we debate, say, statues like John Columbia. And I think that con- A. Macdonald and so on, just as versation is both a local and a global [Wāhpāsiw] mentioned, there are one, and I think it’s important to pay these other forms of commemoration, attention to those roots.” and these silences […] that are invisMany of the current debates about ible and precarious precisely because commemoration in Canada revolve of the way that they’re debated,” around restoring previously repressed Newton said. histories and conversations about “It’s important that the debate [is] what Canada fundamentally is as a not just framed about the statues that country. Madokoro talked about a are already there, but what kinds of folk song about a man who was commemoration would actually pay ordered to be deported in 1958, a tale real respect to the past and speak which would otherwise have been lost more to who we would like to be in to historians, during a conversation the present.” about music as commemoration.

“When I first came to Canada as a student to Montreal, I was at McGill […], and I think partly as

‘Always seeking to find a middle ground that helps students now’

Continued from page 3 “No one is promising anything at this point, but the reception was positive.”

The officials UMSU met with throughout the week included Minister of Diversity, Inclusion and Youth Bardish Chagger and Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Carla Qualtrough.

“We frequently speak with Minister Qualtrough’s office […]

they’re keeping their ears to the ground when it comes to what UCRU has to say,” said Smith.

MAPSS is an “informal” provincial lobbying group that first began meeting this September. The organization counts UMSU, the University of Manitoba Graduate Students’ Association and the Red River College Students’ Association as members.

“MAPSS seeks to take a more professional, pragmatic, relationshipdriven approach to advocacy, [lever-

and Training Ralph Eichler and the them of [his actions],” said Smith on department’s deputy minister Tracey the FIPPA ask.

Maconachie, among others.

“We don’t feel that that should be “The idea was for it to be a week, left on survivors.” but just due to scheduling, it turned Smith also mentioned that as out to be more so a month of meet- a result of their lobbying efforts, ings scattered throughout,” said the office of Manitoba Minister of Smith.

Finance Scott Fielding requested that In its lobbying efforts, MAPSS MAPSS produce a budget proposal advocated for five recommendations, for four of the five recommendations including increasing funding to the — the FIPPA recommendation not ACCESS program — which helps requiring a budget proposal due to provide support to students who need it being “more of a policy change,” it throughout their degrees, especially according to Smith. for low-income and Indigenous “We always strive to be aspirational students; more funding for open in our goals, but it’s how you get there educational resources as well as the […] How you get there is ensuring establishment of a provincial credit your relationship with government transfers database; allowing inter- is strong, that you take incremenPHOTO BY ALEXANDER DECEBAL-CUZA national students to “buy-in” to the tal measures that help students […] aging] campaigns and activism where provincial health system at a cost- where they’re at and then build the appropriate while also exercising a ‘no neutral rate to the provincial govern- issue to a point where real change surprises’ policy with government,” ment; a more equitable approach to can be made.” said Smith. performance-based funding for postSmith continued that MAPSS secondary institutions and amendis “always seeking to find a middle ing the Freedom of Information and ground that helps students now as Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA) to opposed to sort of fighting for meas- enable institutions to share the results ures that bring you to a standstill and of internal investigations into sexual leave students with nothing.” misconduct.

Over the last month, MAPSS “This came directly out of the met with the provincial Liberal and [Steve] Kirby case and how basically New Democratic Party caucuses, the it was left to survivors to contact Minister of Economic Development Berklee [College of Music] and tell

Diversions Graphics Editor: Jenelle McCann Contact: graphics@themanitoban.com

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TikTok musical a game changer for theatre ‘Ratatouille’ musical inspires next generation of artists GILLIAN BROWN, STAFF

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GRAPHIC BY DALLIN CHICOINE

usical theatre can be enjoyed almost uni- production.

Chamberlin wrote a song for chef Gusteau that versally through cast recordings and comThe fact is, generation Z can’t afford Chamberlin titled “Anyone Can Cook.” Others munity performances, but live musical theatre Broadway, and most likely will not be able to have posted covers of songs that amateur songon Broadway is only accessible to those with afford Broadway in their lifetimes if the indus- writers on the app have performed. the resources to visit New York and ability to try continues to be as exclusive as it is. The worst Patton Oswalt, the voice of Ratatouille’s afford expensive tickets to see the newest shows. part, though, is that younger generations may main character Remy, along with the film’s director and writer Brad Bird, have taken notice However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the lights of Broadway have gone dark and musical of, and support, the phenomenon.

Even further, Playbill, a prominent magazine theatre is witnessing a renaissance through the The high price of social media platform TikTok. based in New York, shared artist Jess Siswick’s supporting luxury theatre Broadway performers, composers, musicians, playbill art, and Pixar’s Instagram posted a photo of Remy acknowledging the musical-indancers and producers are all creating content isn’t sustainable among the-making, quoting Jacobsen’s lyric, “the rat on TikTok, allowing anyone with a smartphone younger generations, of all our dreams,” in the caption. to duet videos accompanied by the corps d’elite of musical theatre. Now, the average TikToker What happens now that the companies and the quality found in that created and own the rights to Ratatouille can join the tempo of Andrew Lloyd Webber, originality is declining have noticed the TikTok musical? As seen, the composer of the Phantom of the Opera, or sing with Kristin Chenoweth, the original Glinda response from the corporations have been posiin favour of revivals in Wicked. tive, but that may not be as much of a good thing Rather than writing and composing original as it seems. and remakes TikTok users have worked independently shows, producers have adopted the plot of poputo put together what could be a theatrical perlar films and applied it to the form of musical formance worth real production value — their theatre. Films such as Mean Girls and Beetlejuice, along with a variety of Disney movies, have been lose interest in supporting the industry as a work is good. However, these creators don’t performed theatrically. whole. legally own the rights to the material and cannot Decisions to continuously churn out shows Most recently, musical theatre fans have protect their content. In the event that Disney like these could be understood as an effort to taken accessibility to a new level by com- ever decides to take Ratatouille: The Musical bring musical theatre to a more mainstream ing together to create their own production, to Broadway, the content is already there and audience rather than meet the niche demands Ratatouille: The Musical. available to use. of musical theatre fans.

On TikTok, the unofficial musical adaptaTo have a production company as big as Often, however, these renditions end up as tion of the 2007 Disney-Pixar film Ratatouille Disney use your song or your set design could shallow versions of the classic source material made some major changes to the game. The be understood as a compliment to those who and remain inaccessible to the audience they creators make no profit, there is no affiliated produced the material for the sake of it, but the try to reach. company limiting what the artists can do and creators may not receive anything of concrete Recycling old plots displays a lack of creativ- any person with a smartphone can contribute, value in return for their work.

Rather than encouraging the new talent ity, and it comes with a cost. This material is view and support the creation process. produced at the expense of what could be new Originating as more of a joke than anything that is emerging on media outlets like TikTok, and original art, demonstrating that Broadway else, the song “Remy the Ratatouille” was writ- Disney could steal the independently-produced producers value income over quality. The indus- ten by TikTok user Emily Jacobsen as an ode content from TikTokers and run its own try is becoming yet another avenue of creativity to the film’s main character and as a closing Ratatouille: The Musical. A move that may seem all too familiar. lost to consumerist demands. number for the show.

If anything, TikTok has proven that there is Broadway theatre is dying. The high price The song quickly snowballed and has of supporting luxury theatre isn’t sustainable inspired generation Z artists across the plat- talent to be found beyond the micro-universe among younger generations, and the quality form to write their own songs for characters, of Broadway elitism. If professional producfound in originality is declining in favour of choreograph dance numbers, create costumes ers want musical theatre to survive, they must revivals and remakes. and sets, compose overtures and design playbills. expand the accessibility of Broadway and attract Further, stunt casting is being used as an The trend has been adopted by professionals new demographics. effort to draw younger fans, rather than employ- in the industry as well. Broadway performing younger talent in both performance and ers are writing their own songs. Actor Kevin

WWW.UMSU.CA

@MyUMSU

From the UMSU Executive Team

Good Luck on Finals & Happy Holidays!

Brendan Scott Vice-President Finance & Operations

Savannah Szocs Vice-President Student Life

Jelynn Dela Cruz President

Tino Dogo Vice-President Community Engagement

Kristin Smith Vice-President Advocacy

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

10

New voting regulations improve accessibility

Elections Manitoba taking steps to ensure all have equitable access to voting stations GRACE GYOLAI, STAFF

D

emocracies around the world This improved model is a muchutilize many different methods needed update to the current voting for conducting elections. Some coun- system. Accessible voting should tries have made voting compulsory, be of top priority for the province while citizens in other nations con- — Manitoba has one of the lowest sider it to be an optional civic duty. voter turnout rates in Canada. In the There are notable benefits with both 2019 provincial election, only about 55 these approaches, but one thing is per cent of eligible voters participated. key regardless of election laws — the After the last election cycle, overall health of our democratic sys- Statistics Canada reported that 22 per tem relies on voter participation. cent of non-voters refrained because Elections Manitoba is proposing they were too busy. Additionally, 13 a new voting model that will give per cent cited disability or illness as Manitobans the flexibility to vote their reason for not voting. at any given polling station in their Statistics Canada also found that electoral district instead of assigning only 36 per cent of single parents with voters to a specific location. The goal children aged five or under voted. In is to decrease the number of obstacles contrast, 60 per cent of couples who faced by Manitoban voters to help raised their young children together encourage local democracy. voted. This indicates that busy schedTo implement this new system, ules are large factors that impact every voter will receive a voter infor- Canadians’ likelihood to cast a ballot. mation card. This card will list the It also shows that people who are dispolling station that is nearest to their advantaged have a tougher time repregistered address. resenting themselves democratically.

But, due to the new regulations, The integrity of the democratic anyone with a form of identifica- system only holds if a high percentage tion can cast their ballot in a vari- of eligible citizens are voting and, in ety of different stations across their turn, are influencing public policy registered district. Experts believe and political elections. this will reduce lines and give those Overall, immigrants, renters, the with structural restraints the ability unemployed and people with chilto maneuver themselves and their dren are all significantly less likely schedules enough to make time to to vote than citizens with fewer vote. restraints or structural hurdles. As

GRAPHIC BY JENELLE MCCANN

a result, wealthy, highly-educated homeowners are more likely to vote, and elections tend to over-represent these groups.

By allowing voters the option to

By allowing voters the option to select the most convenient polling station on election day, Elections Manitoba is taking a step in the right direction select the most convenient polling station on election day, Elections Manitoba is taking a step in the right direction and facing the pressing issue of civic engagement. If more Manitobans are able to vote, our political landscape will better reflect constituents’ needs.

It is refreshing to have a government agency that actually tries to meet the specific needs of Manitobans. But, apart from making voting locationally easier, there

are still concerns that Elections mon-sense reform if the province’s Manitoba must address. priority is to increase voter turnout Disinterest in politics also plays and gain a better understanding of a significant role in preventing voter the constituents’ needs. Optimal turnout. Disinterest accounted for 35 representation should always be a per cent of all non-voters in the coun- top priority for Elections Manitoba, try in 2019, and lack of engagement and easy accessibility seems like a is another sizeable obstacle that must basic first step. be addressed by Elections Manitoba In order to serve the province and representative of political parties. at the highest standard, Elections One possible interpretation is that Manitoba should continue to conthere are festering feelings of dissatis- sult with outside organizations and faction with our political options and groups to formulate even more the system in general. Individuals drastic reforms to the voting system. who feel none of the political parties What exactly those reforms look like represent their interests may ignore should be determined by Manitobans elections altogether. themselves.

Also, Canadians are more likely Increased attention to accessibility to vote if they think that their ballot is a great start, but in order to engage has influence. citizens who are disinterested in the After the last election, it was political system, new and creative reported that 68 per cent of election reform and public policy Canadians would support electoral should be considered. reform. In order to salvage the As Elections Manitoba continremaining trust in Canada’s democ- ues to implement new measures, they racy, it is crucial that the supermajor- must remember that voter participaity of Canadians’ collective opinion tion takes many forms. The ability be taken into account. of people to come together and vote Voter turnout is dwindling. on the issues we face as a province is If approximately 68 per cent of crucial to the health of democracy.

Canadians support election reform, While accessibility issues are being it is not enough to simply allow voters addressed, the province must also to cast ballots at their most conveni- consider why more citizens are disent location. engaging and how it will reverse this Accessibility seems like a com- concerning trend.

VOL. 107 NO. 16 December 9, 2020

Comment 11

Mayor Bowman’s lack of resolve on display

After a summer of discontent with policing, city increases police funding in preliminary budget LUCAS EDMOND, STAFF

I

GRAPHIC BY DALLIN CHICOINE

n response to the Black Lives community and social services. vices have historically beared the on in the budget. Of the 25 sectors lith of policing in Manitoba. But I Matter rallies across North In June, more than 25,000 people brunt of budget cuts while police listed in the survey, policing ranked had hoped, as many others likely did, America this spring, Winnipeg signed a petition to abolish or dra- spending and wages rise faster than one of the least important services that the city would at least consider to Winnipeggers, just behind golf defunding the police force gradually.

Mayor Brian Bowman claimed, matically defund the city’s police ser- inflation.

“Winnipeg is listening.” vice. Recently, a study indicated that Although the City of Winnipeg services and parking.

Unfortunately, naivety may be the The next Friday, on June more than one-third of Winnipeg managed to balance its budget this Over 50 per cent of participants best way to describe this unfounded 5, Winnipeg had its own rally. residents support slashing police year due to significant funding voted that policing was not important. optimism.

Organized by the local movement funds. from the federal government, valu- According to the survey, the most As Winnipeg enters its winter Justice 4 Black Lives Winnipeg, over Why wouldn’t they? The police able resources were lost to police important services were community months, it feels like the momentum 15,000 Winnipeggers marched from budget has grown approximately 163 overfunding. projects like livability, libraries, pub- to defund or abolish the police, that the Manitoba Legislative Building to per cent since 2000. And since then, In contrast to cities with similar lic transit, waste collection, medical was built this spring and summer, the Canadian Museum for Human the investments made have not con- population sizes like Edmonton or response and so forth. has slowed down to a crawling pace.

Despite palpable community Fewer and fewer people are talkRights. tributed to community safety. Instead, Hamilton, Winnipeg’s budget more The point was to signal to those funding police services to exorbitant than doubles the proportion of annual resistance, Winnipeg continues to ing about it. As a pack, everybody situated within privilege and power levels has the ability to prolifer- spending on policing. Hamilton ded- invest the largest portion of its budget jumped into the discourse at once that Winnipeg would not stand for ate crime by channelling needed icates approximately 10 per cent of in police services. and energized the city’s resistive spirit. the police abuse of Indigenous and resources away from social services its budget to police, and Edmonton But, just as fast as the discourse had Black lives. Those who attended and communities and continuing to commits less than 15 per cent. opened, it closed again.

Despite palpable may or may not have been aware of further inequality. Martin Daly — In contrast, roughly a third of Bowman may have been telling Bowman’s claims but, let it be known, professor emirtus of psychology and Winnipeg’s annual budget is dedithe truth when he told the world community Winnipeg’s preliminary 2021 budget neuroscience at McMaster University cated to its police force. that he was “listening.” But this does not indicate he was listening — argues in his 2017 book Killing the If Winnipeg funded its police like resistance, Winnipeg does not necessarily mean he cared. at all.

Fundamentally, this budget is a Competition: Economic Inequality Edmonton, approximately $150 milcontinues to invest Quite the contrary, really. It and Homicide that inequality is a key lion could be saved and redirected bureaucratic message to constituents indicates that the municipal gov- variable in predicting homicide rates. to programs and efforts to reduce that their desire to defund the police the largest portion ernment is politically tone-deaf to Daly is not alone in this observation; inequality. Investments in producdoes not resonate with those that rest of its budget in the demands of a large portion of the dozens of research papers have con- tive services like daycare facilities, with power. public. In the preliminary budget, the firmed the same thing. Investing public transit, non-profit organizaWinnipeg’s discontent may police services city notes that record investments in heavily in police and prisons makes tions with equitable social goals, or have been heard loud and clear, but police services will continue to be communities less safe, especially mental health care could raise the Bowman lacks the resolve to do anymade. when Indigenous and Black people standard of living and simultaneously thing about it.

The police budget will purportedly continue to be persecuted by them. reduce levels of crime without taking Early in June, Smyth asserted Winnipeggers cannot rely on rise two per cent annually until 2023. that ripping large portions of funds their leaders for radical and equitable After the anti-police brutality pro- coercive measures.

This will see investments in police test, Winnipeg police chief Danny Before publishing the prelimi- out of the police budget in such a change. This is a project that requires services bloat from roughly $294 mil- Smyth claimed that the budget of nary budget, the City of Winnipeg rapid fashion would contribute to an unrelenting energy from outside the lion to $312 million — maintaining police, social services and other com- did a public engagement summary unsafe environment. Although it is political hierarchy. The preliminary one of the highest police budgets munity services are “not mutually — a study to help determine what desired, anybody that expected the 2021 budget displays that if citizens across the country. This is a far cry exclusive.” priorities the people of Winnipeg city to defund the police right away quiet down, the status quo and their from the demands of activists to But this argument is tough to have and, hence, what services the was perhaps dreaming. It will take far grey-shaded political imagination divert funding from the police into make considering community ser- municipal government should focus greater resistance to crack the mono- will take advantage.

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

12

Practicing the art of living

In conversation with local designer and artist Lennard Taylor about life, art and his debut book ZOË LEBRUN, STAFF

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n this year of uncertainty, local designer and artist Lennard Taylor hopes to bring a smile to people’s faces with his debut book, The Art of Living.

Taylor was born in Winnipeg to a family of artists and art has always been a big part of his life. After working with Freed & Freed, a local garment manufacturing company, for a number of years, he decided to open his own boutique in 2015 and has been thriving as a designer and artist ever since.

“It’s a combination of everything that I am,” Taylor said.

“So, it’s my art, it’s my clothing, I’ve got local makers, I’ve got makers from across Canada to cultivate a really […] classic, clean shop that caters to all sorts of people from all over the gambit.”

Taylor’s goal in life is simple: “to make people smile and feel good.”

This idea is part of what led him to write The Art of Living, another vehicle through which he hopes to spread positivity.

The Art of Living was a project already a couple of years in the making when a surprise gift inspired him to finally finish it.

“The catalyst for putting the book out was one of my clients actually came to my shop and gave me a hardcover book of my quotes and paintings and stuff she’d taken from social media and various different channels […] I just looked at that and [thought], ‘Well, if that’s not the universe telling me to get my book done, I don’t know what is.’”

The Art of Living is intended to stick to Taylor’s ultimate goal of making people happy — containing images of his artwork, inspirational quotes, meditations and musings about life, Taylor wanted his book to be a pick-me-up for readers on down days and an inspiration to look at life from a more positive perspective.

The book’s title was a way for

“Right now, especially, a lot of people are suffering from the mental highs and lows of life and people need that pick-me-up, that little self-starting thing that will make them smile and feel good” — Lennard Taylor, artist

your whole life.

“When we strip it down and look at to keep its publication as local as it for what it is, we need food, water, possible. space, shelter and air to live. Those “The reason I wanted to self-pubare the key points of life that we need,” lish the book is just to get it out there Taylor said. and get people experiencing it,” said “But then there’s also all these Taylor. other aspects like balance and medi“Right now, especially, a lot of tation […], appreciation, gratitude people are suffering from the men[and] all these other things that will tal highs and lows of life and people enhance your life if you’re more aware need that pick-me-up, that little selfof them, so those are […] things that starting thing that will make them you’ll see in the book and hopefully smile and feel good.”

Taylor to express the lack of distinc- feel as well.”

A portion of the proceeds from tion between art and life — how each The Art of Living was indepen- The Art of Living will be going to person’s life is an art form and that dently published with FriesenPress two charities of Taylor’s choosing, changing your mindset can change in Manitoba because Taylor wanted Artbeat Studio and Tree Canada.

IMAGE PROVIDED BY GINNIFER COLLINS

my tracks of what I do,” he said.

Artbeat Studio is a non-profit “Sustainability is at the core of who organization in Winnipeg that helps I am and what I do, so therefore evepeople dealing with mental health rything I do has to be in that sustainissues engage in artistic expression ability aspect.” by providing access to studio space, Since the book’s release, Taylor exhibition opportunities and like- has been met with overwhelmingly minded peers. It promotes recov- positive reactions and hopes to organery, empowerment and community ize a virtual book discussion soon through mental health education and with those who purchased The Art of advocacy.

Living in lieu of a book launch, which Taylor chose Tree Canada as the was prevented by COVID-19 social second charity he wanted to donate to distancing restrictions. in order to offset the carbon footprint he created by publishing his book.

“I wanted to give something heartThe Art of Living can currently be felt to the community and also cover purchased through lennardtaylor.com.

VOL. 107 NO. 16 December 9, 2020

Arts & Culture

13

Turning to tunes through trials and tribulations

Local rapper, Nabeel Khan, on the freedom and companionship music provides during dark times KAELEN BELL, STAFF

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aking music is often as much of a business venture as it is an art form — a conduit for unspeakable feeling warped by an industry that’s only growing more cold-blooded and cutthroat.

Nabeel Khan, who raps under the moniker NABZ, can attest to the feeling of freedom that comes with making music for yourself, outside of industry pressures — he describes his work as a necessity more than anything else.

school, basic necessities, all that fun stuff,” he said.

“I’ve had nights where I didn’t eat anything […] and I just didn’t know what to do […] there was no solution.”

“Music was there when no one [else] was.”

So, in 2018, he started to write.

Khan said that while he had friends who’d been rapping and making music for years, he had no clear idea of what he wanted this writing to reflect — he only knew that he needed a way to express himself.

“I started writing, and a few of the things that I wrote rhymed,” he said.

“It kind of gave me “And I just made a project out of it.” a way to release That project would eventually result in his debut single, aptly titled [...] everything that “The First Chapter.”

I felt” — Nabeel “It took me a year to write my first song because I just gave up on myself Khan, rapper in between,” Khan said. “I [thought], ‘I should probably not do this.’”

Khan stuck with it, continuing “I needed an outlet, because I was to write and record with the help getting depressed,” Khan said. “I had of friends and local producers. He nothing to do.” describes rapping as freeing, a way An international student, Khan to express the frustrations he’d been arrived in Winnipeg with no family trying to understand. and little support.

Khan said there are “a lot of “I had to struggle, I had to work a restrictions, coming as a Muslim boy lot […] two jobs, trying to pay off my coming from Pakistan — my parents

’Toban tracks

PHOTO BY SHERAB RABZYOR-YOLMO

were pretty strict on things.”

Although making music wasn’t meant to be priority, he found solace in it nonetheless.

“It kind of gave me a way to release […] everything that I felt.”

That sense of freedom has driven

him to release a steady drip of singles, though he says it’s been difficult to find his muse amidst the lockdown.

“Finding inspiration in your bedroom 24-7 is really not that great,” he said, laughing, adding that you have to “go out and explore the world a bit.”

Still, Khan said he doesn’t plan to stop any time soon. He’ll keep writing, rapping and sending beats around, trying to pull himself up out of the dark.

Celebrate 2020 coming to an end with some of the best Canadian music released this year KAELEN BELL, STAFF

some might have you doing both. The Spells — Backxwash feat. Devi moods and energies are as varied as McCallion, God Has Nothing To Do the artists themselves, but they all With This Leave Him Out Of It point to one undeniable truth — in How Did You Know? — Austra, a year defined by loss and upheaval, HiRUDiN Canadian artists continued to make Sideways — TiKA, Soothing Love vital, necessary music. Hopefully, Susie Save Your Love — Allie X with this playlist as a jumping-off & Mitski, Cape God point, you’ll discover a record you I Will Not Return As A Tourist — Boniface, Boniface didn’t know you needed.

New Low — Sarah Harmer, Are Robber — the Weather Station, You Gone Ignorance Jesus Cocaine Ketamine Christ — This year delivered Amos the Kid, Mountain View Where Are You Judy — Andy a near-endless Shauf, The Neon Skyline stream of beautiful, High School Feeling — Mise En Scene, Winnipeg, California challenging, lifeCount Me Out — Chiiild, affirming songs Synthetic Soul Midnight: Ghosts (feat. Chad Price) — Odario, Good Morning Hunter Barb 217 — Julien’s Daughter, The GRAPHIC BY JENELLE MCCANN Center of the World (Kotti Blues) Static That Caries Over — Marie Davidson & L’Œil Nu, Riverbank — Danny Bell and His n a year that felt like an endless Vagina Witchcraft, the serpentine lection of some of the best and most Renegade Breakdown Disappointments, Songs for the Town series of rugs being pulled out from jazz of the Weather Station, the exciting new music to come from our ALVVAYS — Vagina Witchcraft, Reliever — William Prince, under us, the one thing you could horror-rap of Polaris Prize winner home province and beyond. There Vagina Witchcraft Reliever always rely on was the music. This Backxwash or the searching indie are ’80s-pilfering glitter bombs from Woodstock ’99 — U.S. Girls, Crown of Leaves — Mellifera, year delivered a near-endless stream rock of Amos the Kid. Boniface and Mise En Scene, wild- Heavy Light Crown of Leaves of beautiful, challenging, life-affirmThis playlist barely scratches the eyed, joyful art punk from Hut Hut Hey Strangers — Hut Hut, Hut Pale Blue — Basia Bulat, Are You ing songs — escape hatches to new surface — there’s no way to capture and Crack Cloud, blooming pop Hut Hut in Love? worlds and maps to help us better every worthy piece of new Canadian songs from Lido Pimienta and The Next Fix — Crack Cloud, Eso Que Tu Haces — Lido understand our own. music in a single list.

Austra, among a dozen other vital PAIN OLYMPICS Pimienta, Miss Colombia Canadian artists in particular There will be unintentional snubs sounds and voices.

Cue Synthesizer — Destroyer, Both Of Us — Jayda G, Both Of have released some incredible music and dozens that simply couldn’t fit, Some will make you want to dance, Have We Met Us/Are U Down this year, from the righteous fury of but it’s a tasting menu of sorts, a col- some will make you want to cry and Fear — Begonia, Fear New Jade — Caribou, Suddenly

I

14

Arts & Culture

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

Treat yourself to something sweet this holiday season The Manitoban staff shares their favourite family recipes for some seriously scrumptious desserts STAFF

W

ith the rise of COVID-19 in Manitoba, this year’s holiday season is sure to look a lot different, but that doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate safely with some tasty holiday baking. Satisfy your sweet tooth with some of these delectable holiday delights this season, from our homes to yours.

Sharron’s Pumpkin Cheesecake

Matthew Merkel, sports reporter This recipe belongs to my mom, Sharron. One Christmas, she couldn’t decide whether to make a pumpkin pie or a cheesecake for our family dinner, so she combined the two. The resulting dish quickly became a favourite among my cousins and I, and now it’s a regular holiday dessert in my house.

Ingredients: For the crust: 1 1/2 cups Oreo cookie crumbs or graham cracker crumbs 6 tbsp (3/4 stick) melted butter 1 tbsp sugar 1/2 tsp cinnamon For the filling: 16 oz. cream cheese 1 1/2 cups brown sugar 15 oz. canned pumpkin puree 4 eggs 1/4 cup sour cream 2 tbsp all-purpose flour 2 tsp pumpkin spice 1/4 tsp salt 1 tbsp vanilla For the crust: Mix the Oreo cookie crumbs or graham cracker crumbs with sugar, cinnamon and melted butter in a bowl. Line the bottom and sides of a baking pan with the mixture. Bake at 176 C (350 F) for eight minutes.

After baking, let cool on a cooling rack while you make the filling.

GRAPHIC BY JENELLE MCCANN

For the filling: In a bowl, mix the pumpkin puree, eggs, sour cream, flour, salt, vanilla and pumpkin spice. In a separate bowl, mix the cream cheese and brown sugar together. Combine the two mixtures together, mix well.

Pour the mixture into the pie crust.

Tap the bottom of the pan or use a toothpick to pop any bubbles that may be forming in the mixture.

Bake at 176 C (350 F) for 60 minutes. After 60 minutes, turn off the oven and leave the cheesecake in the oven for 45 more minutes.

To check doneness, stick a toothpick into the filling. If it comes out clean, then the pumpkin pie cheesecake is done.

After baking, let cool on a cooling rack.

Serve cool or at room temperature.

Spiced Chai Sugar Cookies

Shaylyn Maharaj-Poliah, arts and culture editor Tender, delicious and so easy to make — these classic cookies paired with fragrant chai tea make for a warm and exotic treat that perfectly complements your favourite holiday drink. I like a little extra chai flavour in my cookies, so I add two tea bags worth of leaves, but feel free to dial it back.

Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 tsp baking powder 1/8 tsp salt 1/2 cup softened butter 3/4 cup granulated white sugar 1 egg 1 tsp vanilla extract 1 to 2 tbsp chai tea leaves (about 1 to 2 tea bags) Cream together the butter and sugar with a hand mixer until fluffy.

Add the egg and vanilla and beat well.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt. Cut

open the tea bags and add in the tea prefer my Christmas baking to be a leaves. simple set-and-forget situation that Mix the dry ingredients into the can be easily doubled or tripled and wet in increments until combined. sent away.

Turn out the dough onto a clean, This cranberry, white chocolightly floured surface so it doesn’t late and pistachio cookie recipe — stick. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap what my family inexplicably calls and let it rest in the refrigerator for “Christmas Bikkies” — meets the one hour. criteria.

After the dough has chilled, preheat the oven to 176 C (350 F).

Ingredients: Remove the dough from the plas1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour tic wrap and place on a lightly floured 1/4 teaspoon salt surface.

3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) salted butter, Roll out the dough using rolling softened 1/4 cup plus 2 tbsp granulated pin until you have a half-inch thick sheet of dough. Cut out circles using sugar a glass or some festive cookie cutters.

1/2 teaspoon finely grated fresh Transfer the cookies to a baking orange zest sheet lined with parchment paper, 1/2 cup shelled pistachios about an inch apart.

1/3 cup dried cranberries Don’t waste those extra dough 1/2 cup white chocolate chips or scraps, reroll them and cut out more chunks of white baking chocolate cookies. Bake for 15 minutes or until 1 large egg, lightly beaten golden brown. Let them cool com1/4 cup decorative sugar pletely and enjoy.

Makes approximately two dozen Stir together flour and salt in a cookies. bowl. Beat together butter, granulated sugar and zest in a separate large bowl at medium-high until pale and Satisfy your sweet fluffy.

Reduce to low and add dry ingretooth with some dients, mixing until dough comes together in clumps, then mix in of these delectable pistachios, cranberries and white holiday delights this chocolate.

Gather and press dough together, season, from our then cut into two equal pieces. Form homes to yours each piece of dough into a log about one-and-a-half inches in diameter using wax paper. Chill, wrapped in plastic wrap, until very firm, at least two hours.

Christmas Bikkies Preheat oven to 176 C (350 F).

Kaelen Bell, arts and culture reporter Line two large baking sheets with Christmas baking, much like parchment paper.

Christmas itself, takes on sinister Brush egg over the bars and sprinnew layers as you age. kle decorative sugar. Cut the bars into The veil slowly lifts, and all that 1/4-inch rounds. Bake cookies until effortless Christmas magic reveals edges are pale golden, about 15 to 18 itself to be a frenzy of stress and minutes. expectations. With this in mind, I

Great Grandma Klassen’s Ginger Snaps

Zoë LeBrun, arts and culture reporter This recipe is a holiday standard in my household — we use my great grandma’s recipe and, when I tell you these are the best ginger snaps ever, you better believe it. Unlike most store-bought ginger snaps, these ones are soft, spiced and sweet, but above all they’re simple. This makes them great for festive baking with family members of all ages. They’re great on their own or dipped in coffee or tea.

Ingredients: 2 cups flour 1 tbsp ginger 2 tsp baking soda 1 tsp cinnamon 1/2 tsp salt 3/4 cup shortening or oil 1 cup sugar 1 egg 1/4 cup molasses Sugar for rolling Cream shorting and sugar in a large bowl. Beat in egg and molasses. Mix dry ingredients together in a separate bowl, then sift into previous mixture gradually. Blend well. Form dough into small balls and roll in sugar, placing them two inches apart on a lightly greased baking sheet. The most vital step: bake cookies for 12 to 15 minutes at 176 C (350 F) and make sure to watch your first couple dozen cookies to prevent overbaking.

Do not overbake these cookies — this is the secret to keeping ginger snaps soft. They continue to cook when you take them out of the oven and they will have the texture of a hockey puck if overbaked. They’re ready to come out of the oven when the cookies begin to flatten, crack and their edges have set. Once out of the oven, let the cookies cool on a rack and enjoy.

Makes approximately 45 cookies.

VOL. 107 NO. 16 December 9, 2020

Sports

15

Seven new recruits for the Bisons

Young female hockey player highlights recruiting class MATTHEW MERKEL, STAFF

PHOTO BY BASEL ABDELAZIZ

C

ompetition at the collegiate level is the clear next step for many high school athletes and, like every move forward, takes tremendous effort from athletes, coaches and parents.

This semester, hard work has paid off for a select few athletes as the University of Manitoba Bisons Sports announced three signings and four commitments.

Elijah Lostracco and Tito Obasoto are the newest additions to the Bisons men’s basketball team.

Signing out of Redeemer University in Ontario, Lostracco comes to the herd after a year where he averaged 13.6 points per game.

Out of Halifax Prep, Obasoto commits for the 2020-21 season.

Before making the move out to Nova Scotia, the Winnipegger played with Fort Richmond Collegiate and also suited up for Team Manitoba in 2018.

For women’s volleyball, Andi Almonte and Eve Catojo are the newest recruits. Both are alumnae

of the Shock Volleyball Club out of Winnipeg.

Catojo signed out of Sisler High School, while Almonte commits out of Oak Park High School. The two join a young Bisons volleyball team that hope to build off last year’s 4-20 record next season.

“Eventually they’ll find their groove and get comfortable in their new home”— Sarah Zacharias, head coach of Balmoral Hall prep hockey On the men’s side, Jonah Dueck and Spencer Grahame are the newest members of the Bisons men’s volleyball squad.

Committing out of Rosenort school, Dueck — a six-foot-seven middle — also came up through the Providence Junior Pilots Volleyball Club.

Signing out of Lord Selkirk Regional Comprehensive Secondary School, Spencer Grahame joins the left side of the Bisons court. In 2019, he represented the Keystone province at the 2019 Western Canada Summer Games.

Highlighting this year’s class of recruits is Dana Goertzen.

The 16-year-old left winger spent the last two seasons with the Balmoral Hall Blazers Varsity Prep hockey team.

Sarah Zacharias, director of hockey and head coach of the prep team, has high praise for the young forward.

“Dana, or Baby G as we call her, is a star talent,” Zacharias said.

“She’s gritty and tough to get the puck from, she has an incredible shot with high accuracy, she has golden

gloves and slick moves, an incredible work ethic and great leadership abilities.”

Slated to join the Bisons in the future, Goertzen still has two more years with the Blazers Prep team.

Zacharias noted that the jump to the collegiate level is not an easy one.

Athletes face a huge adjustment in their sport and in the classroom.

“Grade 12 players leave their leagues being the [biggest, fastest and strongest] just to go right back to being the rookie, where they play against players that can be [five to six] years older than them,” Zacharias said.

“Most freshmen struggle with balancing school and sport requirements,” Zacharias said.

“That first semester they’re expected to do a lot both academically and athletically [and] it can be a bit overwhelming to start, but eventually they’ll find their groove and get comfortable in their new home.”

The time prior to joining the

Bisons women’s hockey team will be valuable to the incoming Bison in developing herself on the ice and in the classroom.

Although she has the opportunity to take time to develop, Zacharias believes Goertzen is ready for the rigours of a U-Sports season and has the maturity to adjust to university life.

Zacharias said Goertzen “is very different off the ice, she’s funny, considerate [and] conscious of everyone around her.”

“Dana is always aware of her teammates’ needs and is the first one to step in and help in any situation,” Zacharias said.

With U-Sports cancelling all fall and winter championships this year, these new recruits may have to wait a little longer than expected to represent the University of Manitoba.

Hopefully, once play resumes, this class of student athletes will be ready to represent the brown and gold proudly.

Sports

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

Bison athlete Masse finds positives in pandemic

Women’s hockey veteran continuing to lead ISAIAH WAGNER, STAFF

For the Bisons, COVID-19 has had many negative impacts this year, but Masse believes that some good has come out of it as well.

“Unfortunately, COVID-19 has put an end to our 2020-21 season,” Masse said. “We do still practice, however, within smaller groups based off of safety precautions.

“COVID has positively impacted our training this year as it has allowed us to meet prior to the season in June where we got to meet a bunch of the new incoming players through Zoom,” she added.

This is a great step to take for a young team that could use a little bit of chemistry and rebuilding to shake off the tough 2019-20 season.

“Honestly, our team is just taking it step by step and that’s really all we can do,” said Masse.

“We do communicate often and strive to motivate each other in any way possible, but it is in times like this that we must remind ourselves that you can’t really prepare for anything.”

Another way to have a better next season is to continue to train and better themselves as a team and as individuals.

Although this is not possible right

“Constantly observing my teammates and their composure through the past three years has allowed me to get a greater understanding on what it means to be a veteran” — Emilie Masse, Bison Athlete

IMAGE PROVIDED BY EMILIE MASSE

T

he women’s Bisons hockey team finished the 2019-20 season with a disappointing 10-18 record. This put the team one point above the University of Lethbridge for second last in the Canada West division for women’s hockey.

The team was filled with young players — it had 13 first-year or second-year players which made up over half of the overall team.

One bright spot on the squad last year was third-year player Emilie

Masse. The former Shaftesbury Titan tied for third on the team in goals and took the season as a chance to really become a leader for the young Bisons.

“Being a vet last year was kind of a similar experience of when I was in my first year, except switched,” Masse said.

“My first year, I was on a very veteran team that opened my eyes drastically to what it takes to be a great leader.

“Constantly observing my team-

mates and their composure through the past three years has allowed me to get a greater understanding on what it means to be a veteran,” she said.

Due to the decision from U-Sports to cancel the 2020-21 season because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Masse and the Bisons will not be lacing up their skates starting in January. It will end up being a longer off-season for the team and the Bisons will prepare them to come out better than ever when the 2021-22 season rolls around.

Masse, a leader on the team, knew that she had to step up during the pandemic and really help out the younger players on the team.

“Being a leader on a team during a pandemic isn’t much different besides just being more vocal on Zoom or social media,” Masse said. She said this means “coming up with different ideas on how to stay connected as a team and […] doing our best [to make sure] that we give the rookies that ‘Bison experience.’”

now due to the COVID-19 restrictions that the Manitoba government has set in place for its citizens, it will be possible once the restrictions are lifted, and Masse and the Bisons will be ready.

“Once restrictions are lifted, we will start to practice as a team while maintaining social distance,” Masse said. “This is important for us to get on the ice and train if we want to go into next season without missing a step.”

Nobody likes losing, but Masse takes those losses and wants to turn those into positives for any new young Bisons.

“My advice to any upcoming Bison player is to not take it to heart and get discouraged,” she said. “A lot of the time, you go from being top of your midget team playing many minutes to getting scratched often your first year.

“Everyone goes through it and, if anything, I believe it’s a very humbling experience that allows you to grow.”