Legal action over Churchill Marine Observatory
Milan Lukes, staff
The U of M is being sued by a construction firm that was contracted to build the Churchill Marine Observatory — a multidisciplinary research facility located in Churchill.
In a lawsuit filed on Aug. 30 in the Court of King’s Bench, just three days after the facility’s grand opening, Penn-co Construction is seeking nearly $2.6 million. The company claims it is entitled to compensation for costs associated with compliance with COVID-19 protocols, inadequate design plans and delays in acquiring a necessary review by the department of fisheries and oceans.
According to the lawsuit, “the university has been unjustly enriched to the detriment of Penn-co.”
“It is the university’s position that all legitimate and eligible costs to Penn-co have been paid. In addition, the university has a significant claim against Penn-co for deficient work that will be set out in our statement of defense and counterclaim,” said the university’s general counsel
in a statement.
The university and Penn-co entered contracts in 2017 and 2019 for phase 1 and phase 2 of the construction project, respectively. Altogether, contract work for the project was to amount to approximately $20.5 million.
The lawsuit mentions that Prairie Architects Inc. was hired to serve as a consultant during the construction. The architecture firm was responsible for providing administration “in an impartial and fair manner,” according to the lawsuit.
Penn-co alleges that requirements introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic led to significant costs and delays. The lawsuit states that Penn-co incurred approximately $400,000 to implement and comply with pandemic protocols. In April of 2020, the lawsuit mentions that Penn-co notified the university of cost and schedule impacts, with the intent to claim these additional costs.
The project’s consultant disputed entitlement to these costs.
Penn-co is also seeking
approximately $43,000 for an electrical control panel that was required but was allegedly absent in the phase 1 contract documents.
During phase 2 of construction, Penn-co and its drilling subcontractor encountered underground sand pockets which stopped drilling that was necessary for the project. The lawsuit claims that these sand pockets were not identified in the geotechnical report and the contract advertised the site as entirely dominated by bedrock. The university later directed Penn-co to proceed with a different drilling method which was completed in-part during winter months. The company claims it is entitled to nearly $2 million in additional costs.
Lastly, the lawsuit alleges that the university did not obtain a Manitoba conservation work permit which would require a review by the department of fisheries and oceans. This led to a delay which Penn-co is seeking an additional $167,000.
As of Sept. 12, the university has yet to file a statement of defense.
U of M researchers elected to Royal Society of Canada
Sylvester Delali Agbado, staff
Two U of M professors, Dr. Lori Wilkinson and Dr. Juliette Mammei, have been elected to the Royal Society of Canada (RSC), one of the country’s highest academic honours. The RSC recognizes excellence in arts, social sciences and sciences, while promoting knowledge and innovation both in Canada and globally.
Alain-G. Gagnon, president of the RSC, commented to UM Today that “the RSC is proud to welcome these inspiring scholars, artists, and creators whose peers have recognized their exceptional contributions to the world of science and culture and the well-being of Canada.” He added, “the impact of their work will continue to be felt in the development of public policies for years to come, while contributing to the well-being of our society.”
Dr. Juliette Mammei is an associate professor in physics and astronomy and holds a Ph.D. in nuclear physics. She is an international leader in subatomic particle research, advancing knowledge in nuclear and nucleon structure. She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Texas at El Paso and her M.Sc. and Ph.D. from Virginia Tech, and at the U of M, she has taught introductory physics courses in addition to some upper level physics courses.
Her current research focuses on nucleon structure and testing critical theories of the standard model of particles and interactions.
“I think that the recognition is partially from my research, I am a world-known researcher in subatomic physics or nuclear physics, but I think it’s also partially because of my outreach work,” said Mammei.
Mammei actively engages
in outreach programs aimed at introducing Indigenous students in Canada to nuclear physics and broader science concepts. One of her main goals is to increase Indigenous representation in science by addressing a significant barrier — meeting the requirement to entering the physics program. According to her, many rural high schools lack teachers for physics, math and science as they “have a hard time keeping teachers.” Her proposed program aims to substitute high school physics requirements with university-offered alternatives to help students overcome this hurdle.
“One of my goals would be to increase the numbers of Indigenous students particularly in science because I am a scientist,” said Mammei, reflecting on her passion for the field.
Mammei’s interest in science was sparked early, influenced by her parents’ love for science fiction, especially Star Trek. “I’ve always wanted to be a scientist,” she said. Despite her passion, financial support was not available.
Mammei also highlighted the gender imbalance in her field, specifically noting that within the MOLLER collaboration of around 100 collaborators, she is one of only two female professors.
Currently, Mammei is working on a major experiment totaling US$60 million — largely funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, the National Science Foundation and the Canadian Foundation for Innovation. Mammei said that the experiment intends to measure the weak charge of the election, which has previously been measured, but the experiment will measure it five times more precisely.
Cont’d p. 3 / Further >
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U of M researchers awarded nation’s highest academic honour
< Cont’d from front page
Further reflecting on her journey, she credits a high pre-SAT score that earned her a full tuition scholarship as a key turning point. “I was quite lucky to score very high on a test in the U.S. called the pre-SAT […], I scored so high on that and got a full tuition scholarship to a college and if that hadn’t happened, I am not sure where I would be.”
Balancing a busy personal life with her career, she acknowledges the challenges but emphasizes the importance of pursuing one’s dreams. Mammei also encouraged Indigenous students to seek support, follow their passions, reach out for guidance while living their dream.
Dr. Lori Wilkinson, a professor in the department of sociology and criminology, also received the RSC recognition. As the Canada Research Chair in Migration Futures, Dr. Wilkinson is widely celebrated for her work in immigration and refugee resettlement over the past 25 years. She also serves as the director for Immigration Research West, a multidisciplinary group that educates Canadians about the contributions of newcomers.
it, but it’s humbling to be part of a community of scholars who have contributed so much to not only the development of Canada and academ-
individuals and organizations committed to improving the lives of newcomers, I am very grateful to be part of this community.”
“These UM scholars have demonstrated leadership in the world of science and to the well-being of our society”
— Dr. Mario Pinto, U of M’s vice-president (research and international)
In an interview with the Manitoban, Wilkinson reflected on the honour of being elected to the RSC. With characteristic humility, she expressed her appreciation, stating, “it’s a huge honour, I don’t feel like I really deserve
ics in Canada, but their worldwide output and knowledge.”
Recognizing this accolade as a shared achievement, Wilkinson highlighted the collective efforts behind her work.
“This recognition indeed not only represents my work but also the tireless work of many
As someone deeply committed to community engagement, Wilkinson emphasized the importance of her connections with various organizations.
“I am a person who works very hard to link with the community and to connect with different organizations so that my research can help make lives better for refugees both here in Canada and elsewhere.”
Wilkinson’s journey into immigration research was shaped by her personal experiences growing up. She explained how her childhood curiosity about global conflicts sparked her interest in refugee issues. “When I was a kid, I used to watch the news a lot because my mom and dad watched the news, and when I was seven or eight years old, I remember one of the first questions I asked my mom and dad about world events was actually around the Israeli-Palestinian conflict,” she said.
In addition to her academic and professional accomplishments, Wilkinson credited her family, especially her husband, for being an essential source of support throughout her career. She expressed deep
gratitude for their unwavering encouragement, acknowledging that their strength has helped sustain her work.
Mario Pinto, the U of M’s vice-president (research and international), praised the scholars by telling UM Today that “these UM scholars have demonstrated leadership in the world of science and to the well-being of our society. I congratulate the honorees on this well-deserved recognition by their peers and the Royal Society for their advancing their respective fields in Canada and around the world.”
The RSC will be celebrating new fellows, members and award recipients at the 2024 Celebration of Excellence and Engagment from Nov. 7 to 9 in Vancouver, British Columbia.
photos provided / University of Manitoba
Dr. Juliette Mammei (left) and Dr. Lori Wilkinson (right).
U of M gets $7.6M for sustainable solutions in agriculture
Grant to support sustainable agriculture for four years
Sylvester Delali Agbado, staff
he U of M has received
Ta $7.6 million grant to embark on a transformative journey in sustainable agriculture.
Funded by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) and Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) sustainable agriculture initiative, this grant will support four years of research into the Canadian agriculture sector. The funding will support research to develop strategies to enhance economic competitiveness, ensure food security and drive environmental innovation in Canada’s agriculture sector.
U of M researcher and project lead Martin Entz, Jarislowsky Chair in Natural Systems Agriculture for Climate Solutions, and his team will use the grant to study net-zero farming systems. The NSERC and SSHRC have recognized the potential of this research and awarded the grant to pave the way for a hopeful and optimistic future in sustainable agriculture.
The project will unite stakeholders from agriculture, environmental stewardship, First Nations communities and academia. Their collective efforts will focus on achieving sustainable agriculture production targets in Canada.
Each partner has outlined potential net-zero pathways for agricultural sustainability, which the team will study. Researchers will use advanced farm modeling tools to track progress and explore various net-zero scenarios. These practices will help address gaps and support the goal of reducing emissions.
Entz said to UM Today that, “this project would not be possible without the spectrum of our research collaborators and partner organizations, all of whom are approaching this challenge with a commitment to developing practices that not only reduce impact but also build resilience into our food production systems.”
Entz continued, “working together, partners, trainees, farmers and researchers will advance profitable, netzero agriculture in a participatory, dynamic and democratic manner, yielding crucial information to policy-makers and business leaders and preparing Canada for the uncertainty of climate change.”
Entz has advocated for sustainable agriculture for over three decades. He has focused on ecologically integrated farming systems through Canada’s longest-running organic-conventional farming systems comparison study, the Glenlea long-term rotation study. His work spans international borders and
improves both productivity and environmental health. Entz has collaborated on projects that ensure food security and ecological restoration in East Africa, Asia and Central America and helps farmers adopt sustainable mechanical practices.
Meagan King, a lead researcher of the project said the project is about transforming agriculture in Canada. The team is “focused specifically on the prairies and transforming it to a more sustainable place.” In addition, the project combines sustainability, soil science and plant science and will involve Indigenous engagement and engagements with settler farmers.
The project is also looking at changes farmers could implement to make the Canadian agriculture sector more sustainable. Some changes that are included are perennial crops, inter-cropping, cover cropping and grazing livestock.
King said conducting surveys across Saskatchewan and Manitoba by going to farms that are already doing the required changes and taking samples of the soil will also be incorporated as part of this research project.
Funds for the project will be divided over four years and each portion will go into different activities, such as train-
ing the next generation of scientist and researchers, policy makers, farmers and students that will also take part in the project.
King said she hopes the research project can help advance and support farmers to make certain decisions about changing some of their practices.
She concluded by saying that the team of researchers have a privilege and a duty to do this work and to also share it with the rest of the world.
Mario Pinto, the U of M’s vice-president (research and international), shared
New mural decorates UMSU University Centre
Community-inspired artwork to embody university’s strategic plan
Iyanda Ajuwon, staff
The second floor of UMSU University Centre was recently decorated with a mural that serves as a beacon of inspiration and community spirit.
This mural, soon to be replicated at the Bannatyne campus and William Norrie Centre in the upcoming weeks, is a vibrant embodiment of the university’s strategic plan 2024-29 known as MomentUM: Leading Change Together.
Community collaboration: A mural that speaks volumes
In April, faculty, staff and students were asked to contribute to a community mural by answering the prompt, “my UM will be …”.
The prompt received nearly 200 responses, which ranged from expressions of inclusivity and opportunity to messages in Hindi and Ojibwe. It also included a response from the four witnesses from the
his thoughts about the project to UM Today. He said, “this visionary project allows researchers to work toward common goals that will bring their expertise together to reimagine net-zero farming systems for climate change adaptation.” Pinto stated, “by collaborating with producers and academic experts, different perspectives can help find solutions for sustainable agriculture in the future. Partnerships funded by NSERC alliance grants provide excellent opportunities for large scale sustainable change in Canada.”
university’s Indigenous community, which reads kweyasktetotamak, meaning, “to do the right thing” in Cree.
The painting and design of the mural was a collaborative effort between students from the school of art and the uni-
versity’s strategic marketing communications team. It has the bison as its focal point, representing the university’s strength, determination and leadership, according to UM Today. Diane Hiebert-Murphy, the U of M’s provost and
vice-president (academic)
said that “this new mural brings to life the vision of our vibrant community to be a university of positive change in our province and the world.
I hope it will inspire people as they see it and remind them
of the goals we established together.”
For more information about the university’s strategic plan 2024-29, visit umanitoba.ca/ strategic-plan.
photo provided / University of Manitoba
photo / Nischal Karki / staff
Research & Technology
Diving into paleontology U of M researcher studies dinosaurs and biomineralized tissues
Rhea Bhalla, staff
As a child, Kirstin Brink loved dinosaurs.
Today, she is a vertebrate paleontologist and assistant professor in the U of M’s department of geological sciences. Her research involves studying living animal models to better understand extinct species. She has worked with living animals, fossilized dinosaurs and plants.
tebrate species, each adapted to a specialized mode of life.
“I took some earth sciences courses in my undergrad […] and I remembered the excitement that I had for dinosaurs when I was a kid,” Brink said. “It just led to a career as a paleontologist which is, I think, every six-year-old’s dream.”
Brink’s research program explores the evolution, development and ecology of biomineralized tissues. Biomineralization is the process by which living organisms use minerals to form the tissues and structures of their bodies.
Bones, teeth, and otoliths — the ear stones of fish — are examples of biomineralized tissues. They are the most common fossils found in the fossil record. Their evolution led to an explosion of new ver-
One interesting aspect of biomineralized tissues, Brink noted, is that they grow incrementally.
“Every day, there’s a little bit of tissue added, and it forms lines in the tissue,” she said. “You can cut them open, cut open a tooth or cut open a bone, and you can actually count the lines and figure out how old that animal was, or how fast that bone or tooth was growing, or the fish otolith was growing.”
One study co-authored by Brink examined an extinct species of lambeosaurine hadrosaurid dinosaurs - a lineage of the herbivorous duckbilled dinosaur family. Lambeosaurines can be identified by large crests on their heads. Several functions
for these crests have been proposed. Some researchers suggest that the extended breathing passage in the crest resonates and amplifies sounds the dinosaur produces. Others believe the crests serve as expanded olfactory membranes that improve the animal’s sense of smell. Theories that the crests may have been used for air storage, snorkeling or combat are less supported by the evidence.
In her study, Brink looked at a lambeosaurine discovered in 1968 and initially named Procheneosaurus convincens The species is known from the first and only full dinosaur skeleton from central Asia and Kazakhstan. The skeleton belongs to a young individual of helmeted dinosaur. Comparisons with other juvenile hadrosaur species allowed Brink’s study to rename the species to Kazaklambia convincens
Kazaklambia convincens and others in the hadrosauridae group were
highly successful and influential herbivores due to their large size, broad diet of plants and unique ability to feed at heights up to five meters above the ground, letting them access plants not available to other herbivores.
Following a catastrophic asteroid impact, all dinosaurs, including Kazaklambia convincens, were extinct 66 million years ago.
Brink explained that the fossil record provides information on how extinct animals adapted and failed to adapt to their environments, which is valuable when making projections for the future.
As climate change causes the planet to warm, these projections become especially important. Many fossils that Brink examined belonged to a time in the earth’s history
with extremely high temperatures. In that period, a seaway covered Manitoba due to heat melting away the ice.
“Looking at how animals survived in an environment like that, and then why they ultimately went extinct, is pretty interesting,” Brink said.
Examining how extinct animals reacted to their environments, what conditions they could tolerate and how structures in their bones and teeth helped them adapt to their changing world helps researchers like Brink understand how animals react to environmental changes today.
Brink encouraged the university community to take time to enjoy the complexity of the natural world.
“There’s millions and millions of years of change that has happened on earth, and so much of it is preserved in Manitoba that we can actually study,” she said.
“Everything we see now is constantly changing. So take time to appreciate that.”
graphic / Fumnaya Ifeadi / volunteer
Researching Rett syndrome
U of M researcher aims to improve the lives of those with disorder
Rhea Bhalla, staff
Rett syndrome is a rare neurological disorder that occurs in 1 out of every 10,000 female births. Infants with the syndrome generally develop normally for the first six months of their lives. Then, they begin to lose skills they previously had, such as the ability to communicate, crawl and use their hands.
As they grow up, children with Rett syndrome find their use of muscles increasingly compromised, and struggle with movement, coordination, and speech. They may also experience unusual hand movements, such as repetitive clapping, as well as seizures and intellectual disabilities.
Mojgan Rastegar is a biochemistry and medical genetics professor at the U of M. She has spent over a decade researching Rett syndrome’s mechanism of disease.
“The more I studied the underlying mechanism of disease for this severe neurodevelopmental disorder, the more I became determined to understand the causative molecular basis of impaired neuronal function,” she said.
Rett syndrome is caused by a mutation in the Methylcytosine-binding protein 2 gene (MECP2) gene, which makes a protein necessary for the nervous system to develop. When mutated, the MECP2 gene makes insufficient or damaged proteins. Lacking the protein and unable to form a fully functioning nervous system, Rett syndrome develops.
Virtually all cases of Rett syndrome occur randomly, as the MECP2 mutation is generally spontaneous rather than inherited and passed on through generations.
Almost all people with Rett syndrome are women, because the MECP2 gene is found on the X chromosome.
Women with Rett syndrome typically have two X chromosomes, one of which is normal and softens the effects of the mutated X chromosome.
As men have a Y chromosome and an X chromosome, a mutation in their only X chromosome is frequently lethal. Boys with Rett syn-
drome are usually stillborn or pass away in infancy. If a boy has Klinefelter syndrome, which is when a Y chromosome and two X chromosomes exist (one of which may be normal, softening the effect of the mutated chromosome), or if the specific genetic mutation in his MECP2 gene is less severe, he may survive to grow up.
Currently, there is no cure for Rett syndrome. But researchers like Rastegar are paving the way for treatments and a better understanding of the disease.
“My ultimate goal is to help the affected patients and their families for better quality of life,” the professor said.
In 2019, Rastegar established the Human Rett Syndrome Brain Bio-Repository,
a unique laboratory in Manitoba that receives donated brains of Rett syndrome patients across the country.
To date, the laboratory has acquired dozens of postmortem brain tissues. Through extensive research, Rastegar’s team has identified certain molecular pathways that are abnormally activated when Rett syndrome patients produce new proteins. Additionally, they have found specific cell-types of origin in areas of the brain that play an important role in Rett syndrome symptoms.
The studies undertaken in the lab have determined that the MECP2 gene functions differently in human brains compared to the animal brains that are frequently used in Rett syndrome research.
“Animal models of disease have been quite instrumental,” Rastegar said. “They are very valuable in addressing basic scientific questions in a controlled environment with the potential of being biologically replicated and tested for reproducibility and significance of results.”
“However, it is a known fact that the human brain is an extremely complex organ, and one cannot expect a direct translation of studies from model systems.”
The lab’s research addresses key differences between human and animal models, and investigates their differences and similarities with the goal of ultimately producing treatments for patients with Rett syndrome.
Rastegar stressed the lab’s
research as critical not only for Rett syndrome but also for other incurable disorders like fetal alcohol spectrum disorder and autism.
She noted that this research would not be possible without the selfless donations of those whose lives have been claimed by Rett syndrome and the people supporting them.
“As parents, we know that our children and young adults engage with life with everything they’ve got,” stated a mother of a son with Rett syndrome whose death initiated the development of the brain donation protocol. “They would be the first ones to want to find a cure for Rett. And their postmortem brain donation might just provide the key that researchers need to find that cure.”
graphic / Teegan
Gillich / staff
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Overcoming obstacles and garnering global attention
Beyond boundaries: How disability is transforming societal norms
Sylvester Delali Agbado, staff
I
n today’s world, doors of opportunities that were once closed for persons with disabilities are rapidly being broken down with each achievement accomplished. From scientific and technical achievements to the spheres of arts, sports, and leadership, individuals with disabilities are making remarkable contributions to their respective fields and gaining recognition worldwide. Their stories portray resilience, determination, and the unmistakable fact that disability does not translate to inability.
Living with a disability is surviving in a world that has not been built for it, for example, access barriers, ingrained stigma, and low opportunity. These all can seem at times insurmountable, yet people with disabilities rise to the occasion and succeed now where failures were once common. Their achievements mark the
start-up—people with disabilities are showing what they are capable of. Thanks to assistive technologies, blind, deaf, or physically challenged individuals can participate in cutting-edge research and sometimes even take the lead in shaping human history by the discoveries they make. They are not just participants. They are leaders within their fields. In certain cases, researchers with disabilities have made contributions that changed the course of science and proved that having a disability is no boundary to intellect and human creativity. The adaptation to their surroundings has made it possible for them to bring forth their best and provide unparalleled viewpoints to expand the scientific as well as technological horizons of societies.
For instance, Dr. Stephen Hawking, despite being diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis at a young age, made pioneering contributions to theoretical
set records many would not have deemed possible. These achievements are not just personal triumphs, they also indicate the changing world in sports, where talent and effort are recognized over physical appearance.
Let us take a look at fivetime Paralympic and ninetime world champion Ellie Simmonds, who has won many medals in swimming. Simmonds is also a role model for athletes with disabilities. She has helped elevate Paralympic sports on a global scale, encouraging billions of people who have disabilities to work hard and pursue athletics.
With more than 4.25 billion people worldwide tuned in, the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games broke all previous viewing records. This increase in interest reflects a shift in perceptions regarding disabilities and global interest in athletes with disabilities.
Athletes with disabilities are redefining success and inspiring millions worldwide.
People with disabilities
representation in the arts. Performers with disabilities have continued to transform traditional stereotypes by taking center stage in mainstream media, demonstrating that anyone can be a creator, regardless of physical or cognitive challenges.
The global recognition of people with disabilities does not remain within the sciences, technology, or even arts. So many people with disabilities are coming forward as powerful advocates and leaders in the fight for disability rights. More recently, they have used their voices to influence accessibility, reduce stigma, and promote equal-opportunity policies. Globally, disability rights advocates are advocating for changes in educational, health, employment, and political lives.
Today, the rights and legal protection of people with disabilities have been greatly improved so that they obtain the same chances and provisions
reported a rise in workers with disabilties, with 25.5 per cent employed in 2023, the highest ratio since 2008 and 1.2 percentage points higher than the previous year. However, unfair treatment persists, particularly for women and people of colour with disabilities.
Whether in the arts, sports, science, or advocacy, the participation and successes of individuals with disabilities across the globe have been invaluable. Ensuring that no barriers exist and equal opportunities are given to people living with disabilities is what will make us a better society. It is only when we embrace talents and viewpoints from all people, regardless of ability, will the future look brighter and innovative.
We continue to raise our glasses high as we advocate for people with disabilities to live life equally and be included in everything...
beginning of a more inclusive future, and their success is not just a personal win but a win for the whole of society. Despite facing significant professional and occupational challenges in the fields of science and technology, individuals with disabilities have made substantial contributions, overcoming what were considered some of the highest barriers.
Building new software, pushing the barriers of scientific research, or leading a team at an innovative
phys - ics like his work on black holes. His life shows that having a disability does not stop you from being smart and innovative.
Sport is another field where people with disabilities outperform. The Paralympic Games, by now a worldwide spectacle, is an event where they showcase their skills and dedication. These athletes train with the same dedication as able-bodied athletes, demonstrating immense physical and mental strength. From swimming to track and field events, these athletes with disabilities have
have long been pushing boundaries in the arts and cultural sector. Artists, musicians, writers, and performers have proven that creativity knows no limits. In fact, through global exposure, their work shifts perceptions of disability.
For example, Marlee Matlin, the only deaf actor to win an Academy Award proves to the world that physical disability does not hinder talent. “I am only living with disability if I choose to let people treat me as if I have a disability,” she said. Marlee continues to advocate for greater
as all other members of society. This is to secure a future where no one is left behind.
From global summits concerning disability rights to movements of grassroots origin pressing for local changes, people with disabilities actively shape policy and lead initiatives that impact future generations. Their leadership is not just in changing laws but changing mindsets. A society recognizing the potential and power of any individual, irrespective of abilities, is clearly to be achieved.
More so, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
Let us keep pushing for more accessibility and inclusion in all areas of society so that people with disabilities can continue to have their accomplishments celebrated. We can all do our part to make the world a better place for people with disabilities, whether it is through attending the Paralympics, speaking up for more equitable treatment of people with disabilities, or just being more self-aware. Lastly, let us embrace diversity in all its manifestations as a united front.
graphic
/ Teegan Gillich / staff
To complete Sudoku, fill the board by entering numbers 1 to 9 such that each row, column, and 3x3 box contains every number uniquely. In Straights, like Sudoku, no single number 1 to 9 can repeat in any row or column. But rows and columns are divided by black squares into compartments. Each compartment must form a “straight.” A straight is a set of numbers with no gaps but it can be in any order, eg [7,6,9,8]. Clues in black cells remove that number as an option in that row and column, and are not part of any straight. Glance at the solution to see how “straights” are formed.
The craziness of a double-name
A double name always consists of a double meaning
Gurnoor Gurnoor, volunteer
“D
id your parents just really like your last name?” is the question I got whenever my second-grade teacher would call my name for attendance: Gurnoor Gurnoor. “No, I don’t know why it’s like that,” I would always respond. Not knowing why my parents had decided to give me a double name, I would answer every question with this inner annoyance of why my parents set me on a path of answering a billion questions a day about my name.
My mom also had a double name, and I now wonder if her adult education classmates asked her the same questions. Of course, I only wonder this now because back then I was solely concerned with my own question.
“It’s just a last name, it’s just a couple of questions, it’s just… how it is” was the school of thought I followed as I grew increasingly angry and confused as to why I did not have the sense of belonging to a family history. A name that could carry the stories of all who came before me, a name that was clear, and a name I could be proud to hold.
I would ask, “Mom, why do I not have a last name?”
She would dismiss me with, “It’s just complicated and messy, and we just had to.”
Eight years later, I found out my mother had lied. It was never complicated, it was just hard to explain to people who were from a different culture. My name is of Sikh origin. It means the light of the guru (the teacher of god’s words). My family, who is not heavily religious, still lived in a place where Sikhism was very present: Punjab, India. For this reason, my name was Sikh without a last name.
An immense number of Sikhs like my family believed that last names prompted discrimination through the caste system.
or low class I belonged to. As much as my parents wanted to show me to the world as Gurnoor, they never intended for me to be Gurnoor Gurnoor.
My dad moved to Canada when I was five to explore the world and live somewhere new. My mom and I stayed back in India as our life was pretty settled, but a five-yearold can only spend so much time apart from her dad before she is in a puddle of tears cry-
your first, as I have experienced this firsthand. My mom filled in the name section in the form and left the last name line blank because, legally, I had no last name. My birth certificate didn’t have one. The forms sent to Canadian immigration services were “corrected,” and my name was then doubled for their legal reasons, as I could not be a human in Canada without a last name.
Where had my name’s meaning gone? It had become solely a joke
India’s attitude on caste is a slow step forward and just three years ago 30 per cent of the population still saw value in the system. This was the only reason I did not have any last name in India from the ages of zero to six. My parents wanted me to go through life without people associating me to a certain box.
It could have been in a job interview or just the kindergarten annual festivities like a dance performance, but any instance where my name was known, my parents wanted it known as just me. Not the high
ing after hearing her dad’s voice over the phone. So, my mom left her career as a college lecturer and began filling out immigration forms. This is where my name got crazy.
A strange thing about India is that your last name is not as legally important as it is societally, with a grain of salt of course. For identification purposes, your parents’ names can be used, thus making your last name not the only form of name verification.
Canada is a country where last names are of utmost importance, far greater than
All this stopped bothering me when I realized it was not my parents who set me up. I understood what my mom meant when she said, “We just had to.” They weren’t about to put up a fight with the Canadian government before even getting into the country.
Many years later, after my dad and I had gone to our citizenship ceremony, the next step was to apply for our Canadian passport. This passport was something that symbolizes my citizenship beyond countries, an ideal piece of identification which stated my name as XXX Gurnoor Yes, my first name had com-
pletely vanished because the need for a surname was more important.
I still do not understand why my name was not repeated like in every other document.
“Can… Uhm… One second… X…Gurnoor? Come to the service counter,” said the airport worker.
It was 2022, and I was on my way back to India after seven years when this happened. It was not the poor man’s fault. I mean, who is walking around with XXX on their passport. His hesitation and confusion about my name brought up every memory where my name was either an issue or topic of discussion. People gave me this strange look, and their eyebrows went up, “Seriously, girl, what is wrong with you?” Where was the family I belonged to? Where had my name’s meaning gone? It had become solely a joke. XXX wasn’t a name. It was like an untitled object.
My neighbourhood street in India is close-knit, and when I returned, they all told me how they remembered me and how young I was. I had not seen these people in YEARS, and
they could recite the day I was brought home from the hospital.
All these people knew nothing about my name issues. Some only called me by my nickname, not knowing my real name. These people unknowingly made me feel human again by reminiscing about the days of my childhood, the stupid little things I used to do, how I loved certain foods or would get mad at dumb things as kids do.
Telling me that they remembered who I was just because I was once a part of their community. I was reminded that I had grown. I had a life whether I had a last name or XXX as a first because none of these people said anything about my name. The only thing they remembered were the memories they held of me. My question: why did my parents set me on a path of answering a billion questions about my name had a simple answer. They wanted people to know me greatly for the memories I once lived through with them, never for the few syllables of a last name.
photo provided / Gurnoor
Gurnoor
Gurnoor pictured with her parents after arriving to Canada (2013).
Podcast by two poets provides comforting conversation
How the Say More podcast says more about
Samantha Glesby, volunteer
S ometimes, when I am walking my dog, driving to campus or cleaning my room, I turn on an episode of the Say More podcast. I have been following Olivia Gatwood and Melissa Lozada-Oliva since I was in high school and they were still performing on the Button Poetry stage. When they talk to each other about their lives, careers or political opinions, I feel that I am having a conversation in tandem with them. That I too, am living a life, experiencing the beginnings of a career, and am forging strong political opinions.
In middle school, my English teacher introduced me to spoken word poetry through a video of Phil Kaye, a Button Poetry legend, in my opinion, performing “Repetition.” At 13, I was already passionate about words and literature. Kaye became my hook into spoken word, just as Mrs. H sparked my love for literature.
As the years passed, I followed Button Poetry’s YouTube channel, especially drawn to Gatwood’s “An Ode to the Women on Long Island,” with her vocal delivery replaying in my head for days.
Discovering Gatwood changed my life. Watching her spoken word performances changed the way I read liter-
ature pieces aloud in class, and watching interviews on her writing changed the way I thought about poetry as a form. Following Gatwood’s poetry, I discovered the Say More podcast, co-hosted with fellow Button Poetry alumni poet and novelist Melissa Lozada-Oliva. The hook remained.
Through COVID-19, while navigating the first two years of my degree solely online and transitioning into adulthood, I listened to the podcast. I have thought about menstrual products and the impact they have on the environment, about Roe v. Wade and the popularity of birth doulas and midwives, about prison abolition and Angela Davis and whether rehabilitation is universally possible, about literature and food and the emerging popularity of autofiction as a genre form and whether one’s early thirties is too late to have biological children.
The Say More podcast has made me think about it all –Gatwood and Lozada-Oliva have made me think about it all.
The podcast, which started in late 2018 and has released episodes as recently as June 2024 (albeit with a prolonged two-year hiatus in between), is one of a kind in how it provides information. The hosts discuss topics in ways that
things I am still learning about
encourage their audience to engage with their conversations critically and reflect on them in terms of their own lives. The way that Gatwood, a 2015 graduate of Pratt Institute’s fiction program, and Lozada-Oliva, Columbia University’s 2024 Our Word Writer in Residence, provide information is not only accessible to their listenership but thought-provoking too.
When the hosts say more, it makes me think more.
When Gatwood talks about learning how to garden and cultivate plants from frequently watching her mother work in the garden, I think about helping plant pansies in small wooden pots with my own mom while growing up. I think about what it might look like to grow herbs in a kitchen windowsill, to grow tomatoes, carrots and potatoes in a garden — to have a home of my own one day.
When Lozada-Oliva talks with interviewee Tamara Santibañez about the comfort of watching something so formulaic as Law and Order: Special Victims Unit (SVU), I think about the inherently exploitative nature of the show, of how I had to stop watching it because the content made me paranoid for my own safety. I think about relating to the comfort Lozada-Oliva and Santibañez find in watching a
show they have already seen, but at the same time, I wonder if consuming a show like SVU inherently requires the viewer to engage in more layers of critical thought than a re-watch marathon of The Office might. By structuring their conversations in this way, I believe Gatwood and Lozada-Oliva are creating a space for their listeners to, in turn, reflect on the episode topics themselves. This opens up avenues for listeners to consider these conversations in terms of their own lives, to think critically about what they are listening to, to make me think about
whether I agree, whether I don’t, whether I have additional relevant information to add to the conversation, whether I have similar (or dissimilar) lived experiences. So, sometimes, when the nights are long and the days pass by all too quickly, I turn on an episode of the Say More podcast. Gatwood and Lozada-Oliva chat with each other, and with me. And while they do, while I think about what they are saying and what I would say back, I am learning not only about what they think, but about what I think too.
The cost of fast fashion and losing tradition to trends
Fast fashion threatens to replace traditional textiles and timeless craftsmanship
Vanshika Patel, volunteer
I watched an interview with Ratna Pathak, a renowned actress and theatre artist in India. She mentioned “we are going to lose [the textile], maybe in a generation, and it is getting bastardized so quickly that only design will stay.” This evoked concern within me especially about how the world is now engulfed in fast fashion.
I come from a city renowned for its hand-crafted and readyto-wear textiles. Textiles deliver the essence of culture in different forms. They are an art, important for religious or ethnic presence, a symbol of self-reliance, and a generational representation. The handicraft is unique, even if the textile is the same. Now, it is being replaced by fast fashion, where our wardrobe changes not only due to season but
also media trends.
So, what do you like? “Mob wife,” “coquette,” or “old money?” and for how long?
The most beautiful is the intricate pattern woven with threads and stories. Traditional cotton sarees are as expensive as Lululemon but much more vibrant and timeless.
ern clothing is easily disposable with low-quality fabrics, referred to as “fast fashion.”
The clothes/textiles are produced in excess, low quality and influenced by trends and overconsumption in the name of fashion. But is it worth harming nature? Every textile art I mentioned previously is not made through a machine. We are forgetting the old art of handcraft.
Traditional cotton sarees are as expensive as Lululemon but much more vibrant and timeless.
If I pick up my grandma’s saree, I cannot tell if it is ten years old or thirty-five-years old. The cotton, bandahni, the silk, kanievaram, among many others, are made to last. Textiles represent the ethnic, linguistic, topographic, climatic, religious, and cultural nature of a region. The handicrafts and textiles are reliable as well as sustainable.
The contrast is that mod-
Overconsumption and underconsumption are now the trends. The danger the modern textile industry poses is unimaginable. Globally, 92 million tons of textile waste is generated per year with 134 million tons per year expected by the end of 2030. These fast fashion clothes dumped into dump yards, contaminate the environment.
Fast fashion is driven by
internet trends and various aesthetics. Many people, including my friends, frequently switch styles, from “soft girl” and pastels, to “mob-wife” and “Y2K” animal prints. This leads to extensive wardrobes with rarely repeated pieces. The result is significant clothing waste, with discarded items often ending up in landfills, where they release harmful dyes and chemicals into the environ-
ment. The ecosystem is harmed when these happen. This shift toward trendy, low-quality garments threatens traditional handicrafts and quality textiles as societal trends prioritize appearance over quality. I leave you with two questions: Do you think there is a way to balance staying fashionable with being environmentally conscious? What is at risk if we cannot find a way?
graphic / Fumnaya
graphic / Teegan Gillich / staff
Arts & Culture
Avril Lavigne rocks Winnipeg with nostalgia
Pop-punk icon delivers an electrifying performance at Canada Life Centre
Thandi Vera, staff
Avril Lavigne’s Greatest Hits Tour electrified a packed crowd at Winnipeg’s Canada Life Centre on Saturday night, delivering a nostalgic, hit-filled performance that had fans singing along from start to finish.
The eight-time Grammy nominated and diamond-certified singer kicked off the Canadian leg of her 2024 tour with a sold-out show, leaving no seat empty and no fan disappointed. The atmosphere was electric even before the show began, with fans pouring into the arena as early as 6 p.m., eager to catch a glimpse of the pop-punk icon.
Lavigne’s performance was part of her 27 date North American headline tour, Avril Lavigne: The Greatest Hits, produced by Live Nation. Her setlist promised some of the biggest hits from her two-decade career, including chart-toppers such as “Complicated,” “Girlfriend,” “Sk8er Boi,” and “Here’s To Never Growing Up.”
By the time she hit the stage, it was clear that Winnipeg was ready to relive the early 2000s in all their poppunk glory.
However, before Lavigne took the stage, the crowd was treated to opening acts by Fefe Dobson and Simple Plan. Dobson, whose own career spans nearly two decades, brought out some old-school hits like “Bye Bye Boyfriend” and “Take Me Away.”
Though Dobson’s set sparked some nostalgic moments for a few fans, it did not fully ignite the crowd. The energy seemed to lag, especially as Dobson’s face was rarely seen on the venue’s big screens, and the stage design left much to be desired.
Simple Plan, on the other hand, managed to turn things around. The Canadian rock band, well-known for hits like “I’m Just a Kid” and “Perfect,” brought the energy of a mini-concert to their performance. The crowd roared as the band took them on a trip down memory lane, their upbeat sound filling the arena with palpable excitement.
“I’m Just a Kid,” a song that recently found new life as a viral TikTok trend, had the crowd on their feet and belting out lyrics. The nostalgia was undeniable, and the band made sure their final night on tour with Lavigne was unforgettable.
Still, despite Simple Plan’s energetic set, the production value was notably less than Lavigne’s. Both Dobson and
Simple Plan’s performances felt like they were operating on a lower budget, with minimal visuals to fully engage the audience. The opening acts were enjoyable, but the real anticipation was for Lavigne herself.
After a bit of a wait, Lavigne finally made her grand entrance at 9:10 p.m. — a little later than expected, given the show’s 10 p.m. scheduled end. The delay did little to dampen the crowd’s excitement, and as soon as the opening notes of “Girlfriend” blasted through the speakers, the audience erupted.
Lavigne wasted no time diving into her most iconic tracks.
After “Girlfriend,” she powered through “What The Hell” and “Complicated,” setting the tone for the night as a celebration of her biggest hits. The crowd, ranging from longtime fans to new listeners, responded with enthusiasm, shouting along to every word.
There was a palpable sense of
joy in the air as Lavigne performed the songs that defined many audience members’ teenage years.
The set design for Lavigne’s performance was a noticeable step up from the openers, with vibrant visuals, fun videos, and an array of effects like confetti and balloons filling the stage between songs. These elements allowed for seamless set changes and kept the momentum going throughout the evening. The stage became a visual feast, complementing the music and giving the concert a polished, professional feel that had been lacking earlier in the night.
One of the standout moments of the evening came toward the end of Lavigne’s set when she invited both Dobson and Simple Plan back on stage for one final song. It was a true collaboration, with all three acts coming together to deliver a high-energy performance that felt like a fitting farewell to Simple Plan, who
were performing their last show of the tour with Lavigne. The band members even brought up three lucky fans from the audience to meet their favorite artists, adding an intimate touch to the night.
Lavigne then closed out her main set with a powerful rendition of “Sk8er Boi,” leaving the crowd roaring for more. Though it seemed like the concert had come to an end, the show wasn’t quite over yet.
A video played on the screens, showing Lavigne clothed in white, surrounded by water. The video appeared to symbolize a rebirth, and when Lavigne reappeared on stage, dressed in white, the audience knew they were in for a treat.
She performed “Head Above Water,” a newer song that brought the emotional energy in the arena to a high. The performance was both heartfelt and deeply resonant, showing a more vulnerable side of Lavigne that contrasted with the playful poppunk anthems she had been
belting out all night. The crowd, many of whom were visibly moved, swayed along to the ballad.
Finally, Lavigne ended the night with “I’m With You,” one of her most beloved hits. It was a perfect closer, with the audience singing along in unison. Though the concert ran overtime, wrapping up at around 10:30 p.m., most fans didn’t seem to mind. Lavigne had delivered a full-circle experience, blending nostalgia with her newer material in a way that felt cohesive and satisfying.
In the end, the night felt like a three-part mini concert, with Dobson and Simple Plan serving as appetizers to Lavigne’s main course. Despite the early technical hiccups, the concert’s latter half more than made up for it, proving that Avril Lavigne remains a force to be reckoned with on stage.
photo provided / Instagram @avrillavigne
Avril Lavigne performing “Head Above Water” in Winnipeg on Saturday, September 14, 2024, as part of her concert tour.
Aberdeen: A powerful story of survival and resilience
Gail Maurice shines in this raw portrayal of family, trauma and systemic challenges
Thandi Vera, staff
Aberdeen, the feature directorial debut from Ryan Cooper and Eva Thomas, made waves at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) with its gripping portrayal of survival and intergenerational trauma.
Filmed in Winnipeg, the movie star Gail Maurice, known for her work in Bones of Crows, in an impactful performance as Aberdeen, an Indigenous woman battling systemic failures and fighting to reclaim her family.
Set against the familiar backdrop of Winnipeg’s streets, Aberdeen tells a story that resonates deeply. The film centres on the eponymous character, whose life of hardship has left her homeless and disconnected from her grandchildren.
Through her struggles, the audience is exposed to the harsh realities many face within a system that is meant to support but often only serves to strip individuals of their dignity and identity. Maurice’s portrayal of Aberdeen is both heartbreaking and empowering, offering a raw depiction of a woman fighting for her place in the world.
While the film touches on universal themes of survival and resilience, it is distinctly grounded in the Indigenous experience. Aberdeen’s childhood with her mooshum and kookum, or grandparents, in her Peguis First Nation community, is a distant but cherished memory that contrasts starkly with her present-day reality.
As she battles homelessness and the bureaucracy that comes with lacking proper identification, Maurice’s character feels increasingly disconnected from both her past and her family.
The film does not shy away from confronting the intergenerational trauma that continues to plague Indigenous communities today. “Holding back our identity, holding back our grandkids, stealing our children,” Aberdeen says, capturing the essence of a painful cycle of loss that is both personal and communal.
Cooper and Thomas present Aberdeen as a fully realized person, flawed yet resilient. The direction allows Maurice to shine, her emotional range giving depth to a character who could easily have been reduced to a symbol of hardship.
The film’s authenticity is further bolstered by its setting. Winnipeg’s streets and shelters are not just a backdrop but an integral part of
Aberdeen’s story. The city’s harsh winters, bleak social services, and lack of support for the homeless are captured with stark realism.
The film’s narrative is propelled by Aberdeen’s search for stability. When her reliable brother Boyd (Ryan Black) becomes ill and can no longer care for her grandchildren, Aberdeen’s life spirals even further.
The loss of her identification card, a seemingly small detail, becomes a monumental barrier in her ability to access services, keep her family together, or even assert her basic humanity. The film illustrates, in painstaking detail, how a lack of proper identification can render a
person invisible to the very institutions that are meant to help.
At one point, a character tells Aberdeen, “You’ll have to live by the system, play the game, live by their rules.” This line encapsulates the bureaucratic indifference that people in Aberdeen’s position often face.
The supporting cast further enriches the film. Billy Merasty plays Alfred, Aberdeen’s steadfast friend, providing warmth and companionship as she navigates her challenges. Jennifer Podemski, as Grace, offers a moment of light as a former classmate who shows Aberdeen that kindness and human connection can still exist in her bleak
world. The supporting roles are handled with care, offering nuance and depth without detracting from Aberdeen’s central journey.
What makes Aberdeen particularly powerful is its refusal to give in to sentimentality. The film is not about easy solutions or redemptive arcs. It is about survival, and how one woman must reclaim her identity in a world that seems determined to strip it away.
When Aberdeen finally returns to her community of Peguis First Nation, she is reminded of who she is and where she comes from. This return home offers a glimpse of hope—her connection to her roots, and the possibility of breaking free from the
cycle of trauma. It is a quietly powerful moment that speaks to the strength of family and heritage.
At its core, Aberdeen is a film about the fight for identity, survival, and the power of community. Through Gail Maurice’s exceptional performance, the audience is taken on an emotional journey that feels deeply rooted in the realities of life in Winnipeg and Indigenous communities across Canada.
Cooper and Thomas have created a film that is as much about one woman’s personal struggle as it is a broader commentary on the systemic issues that continue to affect Indigenous peoples.
graphic / Teegan Gillich / staff
Legendary coach Brian Dobie speaks about retirement
Dobie shares personal experiences and post-retirement expectations
Abdul-Jalilu Ahmed, staff
Brian Dobie, head coach of the U of M Bisons football team, is set to retire at the end of the current season. The legendary leader has been serving as head coach of the U of M since 1996.
Dobie previously led the Churchill High School football program for 21 years, bringing his football coaching career to 50 years.
Dobie has the most victorious record of any coach in Bisons’ football history. He has won the Canada West Coach of the Year award five times (1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2006) and was U Sports Coach of the Year in 2001. In 2007, Dobie helped guide Manitoba to their first Vanier Cup in over three decades. Furthermore, Dobie was inducted into the Manitoba High Schools Athletic Association Hall of Fame Class of 2015.
Presently, Dobie’s record includes having coached 63 athletes drafted by the CFL and two athletes by the NFL. Following his decision to retire, Dobie spoke to the Manitoban about his tenure as head coach of the Bisons football team.
Abdul: The 28th season, entering your 29th season, all of a sudden, coach Brian says he is leaving. And I keep asking myself, what is pushing coach Brian out? Is there anything that we don’t know? So, what really is motivating you to leave Bisons football?
Brian: Boy, it is, and I hope people understand this if they read this. And do not take this the wrong way. Just take my words exactly as they are. I absolutely do not want to leave. Why would I want to leave a group of a hundred highly motivated, driven twenty-something-year-olds who are chasing their dreams?
Every day I walk in here, it’s invigorating. It’s motivating. I love the players, year in, year out. That’s why you’re here, for the student-athletes, for the players. I do not want to leave them. I cannot tell you how much. I don’t even like thinking about it, how much I will miss them and that environment. Why would I want to leave this incredible complex we have here within this incredible stadium? I don’t want to leave. But I want to retire. And the reason I want to retire is I still feel really enthusiastic. I still feel I’ve got a lot to give. I still feel energetic. I still feel full of life. And my wife’s name is Jackie. She and I have been together since we were in grade 11. Yeah,
we’ve been together pretty much our whole lives. And that girl, for the past 50 years, this is my 50th year of being a head coach at high school and at university combined. She has waited for me for 50 years to come home at night. I mean, and what people think, they think, well, football season, oh, it’s not that long. And there you go.
A: Now coach, I’ve been looking at your challenging moments and the fruitful days. Days that you may reflect and say, “ah, today was a happy day.” And there are days that you reflect and say, “today was a challenging day.” What are some of the challenging moments you’ve encountered so far?
B: When I first came into the program, there were a lot of challenges. We hardly had any scholarship money. So, throughout my whole career, it’s been non-stop trying to raise money. And I’m proud of where we are now. We’ve raised a lot of money. And
we’re now in a very, I think, good position, if not an enviable position. You know, I was the only coach on staff. Trying to run a football program and youth sports all alone was, for sure, beyond overwhelming for me. I could barely keep my nose above water. I was just surviving. That was my first nine or ten years in the program. And being able to hire a full-time assistant coach, Stan Pierre, he’s been amazing. So going through that on my own for all those years, when I look back, I can’t even believe that it happened. And then we got Stan, that changed everything for me. He’s the best football coach I’ve ever experienced. Not just coaching with, but coaching against. He’s an incredible football coach and a great person.
A: What message do you have for your successor?
B: I hope that the next Bisons football coach falls in love with this program and appreciates all the highs and all the lows for exactly what
they bring. Great experiences, that is what I wish. I wish that person all the best and that they embrace an incredible opportunity to coach in one of the best programs in the nation, one of the great venues in the nation, on one of the great campuses in the nation.
A: I look at Jackson Tachinski, AK Gassama and I ask myself, how are they able to combine academics and playing because they have maintained their spot in the team while maintaining their performance in the classroom. How are they able to do that?
B: When our players embrace not just being a football player but embrace being a student-athlete, that is a perfect formula to move forward in their lives out into the big wide world, and they bring so much with them in that situation.
A: I want your message on how student-athletes can stay disciplined across the board.
B: I think that the message
is pretty simple. The adversity is always there. The challenge is always there. Be true to yourself, just be true to yourself. And again, look in the mirror and if you really mean it, if you really want to be the best that you can be, that doesn’t just happen on the football field or the hockey rink or the volleyball court. It happens every day when you wake up in the morning. Wherever your day leads you to be the best person you can be, to learn something today, to give something today to someone else, and all the things that make us better. Invariably if that happens, you keep growing and that is what I think we all should be targeting in life. We all want to keep growing, we all want to keep getting better as people, and I think that’s really what this is about. It’s not just about winning games, losing games, it is far more than that. The student-athlete experience is everything.
photo provided / University of Manitoba Athletics
photo provided / Zachary Peters
U of M Bisons football team defeat Alberta Golden Bears
Team holds on to winning streak with three consecutive wins in grand style
Abdul-Jalilu Ahmed, staff
he sixth nationally
Tranked Bisons football team proved unstoppable following a five-star performance to defeat the nineth nationally ranked Alberta Golden Bears 24-23. This extends the Bisons’ winning streak to three out of three games in the new season.
The win not only marked an enviable start to the new season, but also served as the homecoming game for the Bisons and their fans at the Princess Auto Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 14. The Bisons held on to a precious victory, having won every homecoming game since 2017.
Head coach Brian Dobie led the team into his last homecoming game as head coach this year.
Over 7,000 spectators — the second-most in attendance at a Bisons game since Princess Auto Stadium opened 11 years ago — gathered at their home venue to catch a glimpse of the superlative displays by the talented Bisons players, as well as the tactical prowess of the technical team.
The first quarter was fiercely contested between the two teams, but the Bisons escaped with a narrow score of 8-7 over the Golden Bears. Mula Yitna was served a 40-yard pass by quarterback Jackson Tachinski which made a crucial turnover for the home side. There was a two point conversion rush by Tachinski to salvage the moment for his side. Duncan Critch had one yard run for the Golden Bears after Jonathan Giustini had gone out with a good kick.
The Bisons showed class and dominance through a blistering attack to scale through the second quarter with 6-0 score. Maya Turner came in strong with a 21-yard field goal in six plays and 50-yards. Turner turned in another 24-yard field goal in 10 plays and 78-yards.The third quarter ended 7-7 for the Bisons and Golden Bears. Duncan Critch had a two yard run with a good kick from Giustini in seven plays, 65 yards. Breydon Stubbs made a three yard run with a good kick from Maya Turner.
Alberta Golden Bears strived for a memorable comeback following 9-3 score in the fourth quarter, but that was not enough to elevate them to the winning seat. Guistini recorded a 29 yard field goal in 9 plays, 53 yards, while teammate Duncan Critch made one run in 11 plays, 85 yards. Maya Turner had a 22 yard field goal for Bisons.
Jackson Tachinski, quarter-
back for the Bisons, said, “it was back and forth the whole game.”
“You saw the first half was pretty close, second half was pretty close. So, we kind of told ourselves in that locker room that’s probably going to come down to the last play. And, it pretty much did. And, we were on the lucky side of it. And, yeah, I’m just proud of the guys for not giving up and you know, giving their best effort the whole game,” said Tachinski.
He revealed how it feels to win a homecoming game for the outgoing coach Dobie, the team and fans.
“Homecoming’s a big deal, especially coach Dobie’s last homecoming. So, we really want to win this for him, and, you know, there’s so many fans out there today,” said Tachinski.
“I think that’s one of the most fans I’ve seen. So, it was a really awesome game, amazing atmosphere to play in, and it gave us a lot of energy. You see on that two-point convert that we got that stand on. The fans were so loud […] So, I credit some of the wins to the fans there, because that was awesome,” he added.
Coach Dobie – who retires at the end of the season – spoke
about his last homecoming game and how important the win was for him and the entire team.
“Oh, I mean, I was crying before the game. I think that says it all. I was so emotional at the end of the game. I was out of control emotional. I was walking in with Mike Still and I said in my whole career in 50 years, the feeling walking off that field wasn’t the same as winning the Vanier Cup. It was at the next level. That was, I’m pretty sure, maybe the second-best crowd in the history of our program. It was our homecoming,” said Dobie. He continued, “it was
against the top opponent in Canada West. All the stars were aligned. And to win like that, a one-point win defense held at the end and made it happen.”
“The best wins are always those kind of wins in any sport, anytime, anywhere, the ones that you have to grind it to the very end and win in the last moment. And that’s what we did today,” said Dobie.
The Bisons’ next game will be in Calgary on Saturday, Sept. 21 against the Calgary Dinos. A victory would propel the team to a four game winning streak.
photos provided / Zachary Peters
Sports teams’ schedules
Canada West 2024-25 — Women’s Volleyball
Manitoba vs. Calgary
Manitoba vs. Calgary
October 18 – 6:00 p.m. MDT
October 19 – 5:30 p.m. MDT
Thompson Rivers vs. Manitoba October 25 – 7:45 p.m. CDT
Thompson Rivers vs. Manitoba
Manitoba vs. Alberta
Manitoba vs. Alberta
Brandon vs. Manitoba
Brandon vs. Manitoba
Manitoba vs. Regina
October 26 – 5:45 p.m. CDT
November 1 – 6:00 p.m. MDT
November 2 – 5:00 p.m. MDT
November 15 – 7:45 p.m. CST
November 16 - 5:45 p.m. CST
November 29 – 6:00 p.m. CST
Manitoba vs. Regina November 30 – 6:00 p.m. CST
Canada West 2024-25 — Men’s Volleyball
Manitoba vs. Calgary
October 18 – 7:30 p.m. MDT
Manitoba vs. Calgary October 19 – 4:00 p.m. MDT
Thompson Rivers vs. Manitoba October 25 – 6:00 p.m. CDT
Thompson Rivers vs. Manitoba October 26 – 4:00 p.m. CDT
Manitoba vs. Alberta
Manitoba vs. Alberta
Brandon vs. Manitoba
Brandon vs. Manitoba
Manitoba vs. Saskatchewan
Manitoba vs. Saskatchewan
November 1 – 7:30 p.m. MDT
November 2 – 6:30 p.m. MDT
November 15 – 6:00 p.m. CST
November 16 - 4:00 p.m. CST
November 22 – 6:00 p.m. CST
November 23 – 3:00 p.m. CST
Canada West 2024-25 — Men’s Basketball
Brandon vs. Manitoba
Manitoba vs. Saskatchewan
Manitoba vs. Saskatchewan
Regina vs. Manitoba
Regina vs. Manitoba
Lethbridge vs. Manitoba
Lethbridge vs. Manitoba
Manitoba vs. Winnipeg
November 3 – 4:00 p.m. CST
November 8 – 8:00 p.m. CST
November 9 – 7:00 p.m. CST
November 22 – 8:00 p.m. CST
November 23 – 7:00 p.m. CST
November 29 – 8:00 p.m. CST
November 30 – 7:00 p.m. CST
December 5 – 8:00 p.m. CST
Canada West 2024-25 — Women’s Basketball
Manitoba vs. Brandon November 3 – 2:00 p.m. CST
Saskatchewan vs. Manitoba November 8 – 6:00 p.m. CST
Saskatchewan vs. Manitoba November 9 – 5:00 p.m. CST
Manitoba vs. Regina November 22 – 6:00 p.m. CST
Manitoba vs. Regina November 23 – 5:00 p.m. CST
Manitoba vs. Lethbridge November 29 – 6:00 p.m. CST
Manitoba vs. Lethbridge November 30 – 5:00 p.m. CST
Winnipeg vs. Manitoba December 5 – 6:00 p.m. CST
Canada West 2024-25 — Women’s Soccer
Regina vs. Manitoba September 14 – 12:00 p.m. CST
Saskatchewan vs. Manitoba September 15 – 2:00 p.m. CST
Manitoba vs. MacEwan September 21 – 1:00 p.m. CDT
Manitoba vs. Alberta September 22 – 1:00 p.m. CDT
Manitoba vs. Calgary September 28 – 1:00 p.m. CDT
Manitoba vs. Lethbridge September 29 – 1:00 p.m. CDT
Alberta vs. Manitoba October 5 – 12:00 p.m. MDT
MacEwan vs. Manitoba October 6 – 11:00 a.m. MDT
Winnipeg vs. Manitoba October 10 – 7:00 p.m. CDT
Manitoba vs. Winnipeg October 12 – 1:00 p.m. CDT
Manitoba vs. Saskatchewan October 19 - 1:00 p.m. CDT
Manitoba vs. Regina October 20 – 1:00 p.m. CDT
Canada West 2024-25 — Men’s Football
Manitoba vs. Alberta September 14 – 2:00 p.m. CDT
Calgary vs. Manitoba September 21 – 2:00 p.m. MDT
Manitoba vs. Regina September 28 – 5:00 p.m. CDT
Saskatchewan vs. Manitoba October 4 – 7:00 p.m. CST
Alberta vs. Manitoba October 19 – 1:00 p.m. MDT
Manitoba vs. UBC October 26 – 2:00 p.m. MDT
photo provided / Zachary Peters