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Recognition in Canada’s top 100 Most Powerful Women
U of M women claim top spots in Canada’s 100 Most Powerful Women
Sylvester Delali Agbado, staff
Five U of M community members are listed among Canada’s 100 Most Powerful Women of 2024, recognized by the Women’s Executive Network (WXN) for their leadership, vision, mentorship and contributions. The annual list by WXN celebrates Canadian women’s achievements, and U of M honourees are featured in STEM, emerging leaders and professional categories. The recipients will be honoured at an awards event in Toronto on Nov. 27, 2024.
BMO-STEM award honourees
Dr. Neeloffer Mookherjee
Dr. Neeloffer Mookherjee is a professor of internal medicine and immunology at the Max Rady college of medicine and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) sex and gender science chair in respiratory health.
In an interview, Mookherjee said, “I’m really grateful [for] the support from colleagues, my learners, the students I work with for supporting the nomination and thinking that I’m worthy of this recognition.”
She added, “I feel that this award by WXN really opens doors for women across the country to be recognized from different expertise and workplaces and really creates role models for other women.”
She stated that recognition like this encourages and gives hope to the next generation of scientists, particularly those from underrepresented communities in science and leadership. “I think one of the big impacts of a recognition like this is it gives a lot of encouragement and hope to the next generation of female scientists who look like me,” she mentioned.
Mookherjee stated that her science journey aims to support and encourage female scientists and trainees, giving them the courage and path forward to pursue leadership roles in science, become professors and enter any STEM field they choose.
She revealed that about five years ago, she created an organization called Women in Science, Development, Outreach and Mentoring (WISDOM) due to the lack of support for female scientists.
“WISDOM is now initiated and integrated within the Rady faculty of health sciences at the U of M. And the vision of this WISDOM net-
work was to provide mentoring, professional development as well as connect female scientists at different career stages, whether they are coming from a clinical background or non-clinical background,” said Mookherjee. “We were also highlighting the achievements of female scientists by organizing seminars and talks. I think WISDOM has now grown. We have an annual Equity Symposium. We run a very large mentoring program,” she added.
Mookherjee also stated that her academic research, which impacts public health, especially on how air, allergens and air pollution affect lung disease and possible solutions, was the second factor that led to this recognition.
She advised young students to persevere and not get discouraged by different barriers. “Perseverance is really an important thing. And don’t get discouraged by the different barriers. But another thing I tell them, and I don’t think young women hear that a lot, is own your ambition,” she said. “It is all right to be ambitious, […] I think it’s important. Own your ambition,” she added.
Finally, Mookherjee emphasized the importance of having good mentors who can come from various fields beyond one’s educational background. She said, “we need different mentors for different things in life. So go seek out good mentors who will listen to you. You might need more than two or three different mentors for different aspects.
“But these individuals will really help in navigating the path forward to meet your goals, meet your ambition and also provide that encouragement and support when one feels really discouraged. Because to persevere in anything, you need encouragement,” she added.
Dr. Kristine Cowley
Another BMO-STEM award honouree is Dr. Kristine Cowley, Canada’s research chair and associate professor in physiology and pathophysiology who directs the Spinal Cord Research centre for health, balance and motor control. Cowley’s research in biomedical neurosciences and spinal cord injury (SCI) has earned international recognition. Her work includes community-based translation efforts to improve SCI patients’ health outcomes.
Since joining U of M, she has mentored over 40 undergraduates, graduates and postdoctoral trainees and 24 women.
Emerging Leaders award honourees
Dr. Melanie Lalonde
Dr. Melanie Lalonde is a proud Red River Métis woman and an active member of the Métis community. She serves as the volunteer-elected treasurer of the Seven Oaks Métis Council, a member of the Infinity Women Secretariat and the program development specialist for the Wawatay program in the faculty of science at the U of M.
Lalonde said it was an honour to be nominated and believes this recognition came as a result of her focus on improving the community rather than seeking personal gain.
She and her colleague navigated new grounds together, shaping every aspect of the new Wawatay program despite the challenges. “We’re doing everything together to shape it. […] There’s continuous learning, and we’re doing professional development quite often, trying to figure out what it is we need to learn to be able to do our jobs. It’s kind of a lot of on-the-job training,” she disclosed.
She revealed that the Wawatay program brings Indigenous students together every summer for four weeks in the faculty of science. The program allows students to connect, learn from one another and build a sense of community.
She said, “out of all of the things that my job is, I think that’s the most important thing is having that sense of community for students on campus.”
Lalonde added that, in addition to the Wawatay program, she mentored extensively as a graduate student and helped discover a new
butterfly species, which she believes also contributed to this recognition.
She also shared her involvement in her Indigenous community as treasurer, a volunteer-elected position. She said, “it’s a four-year term, but you learn a lot. You get to be a good part of the community and try to get other people to be part of that community that might not know that they quite belong to it.
“It’s a little complicated, but I can use my knowledge that I’ve gained there to help students here.”
Sharing her thoughts about support for women, she said, “I haven’t had any problems with having support. So, I’ve had a really great support system. I had a great PhD advisor who was fantastic and supported me my entire time going, and I worked with him for eight years.”
“And it’s been the same in the dean’s office. It’s just total support,” she added.
She also advised women to step out of their comfort zones. “Some of the best things come out of stepping out of that comfort zone or doing things that are hard or asking hard questions,” she said.
“My secrets [are] just to focus on not necessarily making yourself better but being open to continually learning to make yourself better, I guess, better at what you do. You might not realize it at the time when you’re doing it, but you become able to voice your opinion better,” she advised.
She stated that people should avoid seeing themselves as competing against others. She added that healthy competition supports success, as long as it does not hinder the progress of what members aim to achieve.
Dr. Leigh Michelle McClarty
Another honouree for the Emerging Leader’s category for the WXN is Dr. Leigh
Michelle McClarty, an assistant professor at the Institute for Global Public Health in the department of community health sciences, Max Rady college of medicine, Rady faculty of health sciences and serves as president on the board of directors for Nine Circles Community Health centre in Winnipeg. She researches ways to optimize public health programming for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. Driven by a commitment to reduce global health inequities, McClarty works to improve health outcomes for marginalized and criminalized populations, including sex workers, gay, bisexual, other men who have sex with men, people who inject drugs and transgender people, who face barriers to safe and inclusive health services. Her focus spans populations in Manitoba, Kenya, Nigeria, Pakistan and Ukraine, linking scientific research with public health programs to achieve better health outcomes. Governments and program partners will use her findings to make incremental adjustments that enhance these outcomes.
Professional Category award honouree
Dr. Hope Anderson
Dr. Hope Anderson is the vice-dean of graduate and postdoctoral studies at the Rady faculty of health sciences (RFHS) and a professor at the college of pharmacy. As a member of the executive leadership team for the RFHS, she contributed to developing its strategic plan, which is captioned MOMENTUM: Envisioning Our Future. Anderson conducts research in cardiovascular health and disease and leads programs supporting graduate students and postdoctoral fellows in the faculty. She works to prepare them as future thinkers and problem solvers. Anderson also advocates for promoting women in academia.
photo courtesy of / University of Manitoba
Left to right: Melanie Lalonde, Leigh McClarty, Neeloffer Mookherjee, Hope Anderson and Kristine Cowley
Revolutionizing antibiotic drugs using AI technology
U of M researchers discover how to improve the development of antibiotics using AI
Iyanda Ajuwon, staff
Two researchers from the U of M, Rebecca Davis, an associate professor in the department of chemistry, and Hunter Sturm, a PhD candidate, are pioneering a new approach to antibiotic drug development using artificial intelligence (AI).
Davis leads the U of M’s Davis Research Group, located out of the Parker Building on the Fort Garry campus.
The group utilizes computational and physical organic chemistry to develop predictive models that address problems pertaining to synthetic method development. Also, the group hopes to contribute to efforts in antibiotic discovery.
Davis and Sturm’s research
focuses on how Explainable AI (XAI) can be applied in AI models for antibiotic drug development.
XAI is a subset of AI that helps to justify the reasons behind a machine learning algorithm’s decisions and predictions.
Unlike traditional AI, this AI makes complex AI decisions more transparent by offering clear insight into how it arrived at its predictions.
Sturm emphasized the importance of transparency in AI, stating that they intend to teach the AI models to show the steps they take to arrive at a conclusion, rather than just assuming the steps they took are accurate.
He stated that, “we know that AI is only as good as the
information that is fed into it, so we want to remove the mystery and train the AI model on what it should look for and understand the steps it has taken.”
Davis also clarified that it is not their first time working with this AI model.
She mentioned that they have previously used this model to classify molecule aggregators — a type of false positive in activity screens — and that success is their main inspiration to believe that XAI can also be useful in the development of drugs.
According to Davis, they will be “using both deep learning models and XAI to identify molecular scaffolds that can be druggable for this research.” Their goal in this
research is to lower the cost and the time it takes to bring drugs to market.
Sturm said, “we are going to be able to speed up the drug discovery process so finding new antibiotics will happen at a faster rate, meaning that we would have more antibiotics in the market in a faster time frame.”
The team believes that XAI would promote a safer and more ethical application of AI in drug development.
Davis expressed that the XAI’s interpretation of the explanations can improve the model’s validation and refinement, as it allows them to evaluate if the AI predictions align with experimental known mechanisms of the drug.
In addition, this project is a part of a broader international collaboration that includes experts from various fields, such as microbiology, bioinformatics and computer science.
This multidisciplinary team is dedicated to refining the antibiotic discovery pipeline, which could lead to more effective and timely drug development.
Davis and Sturm also presented their work at the fall meeting of the American Chemical Society, as they are among a small group of researchers in North America who are trying to inform the science community around XAI and encourage an open mind toward new methodologies.
Recalling permanent war memorials on campus
Memorials on campus honour those who served and fell during war
Milan Lukes, staff
Featuring over a hundred buildings and spanning hundreds of acres, details may by easy to miss on the Fort Garry and Bannatyne campuses — including the several war memorials on display.
The U of M features several permanent war memorials on campus, many of which have been erected for over a century. Together, these memorials display the names of hundreds of students, graduates and staff that risked or lost their lives in combat — spanning from early conflicts such as the North-West Rebellion (1885) to the more recent Korean War (1950-53).
Avenue of Elms Memorial
Located at the at the east entrance of UMSU University Centre and the west end of Chancellor Matheson Road are memorial plaques that span the Avenue of Elms.
On May 14, 1922, two hundred saplings were planted along Chancellor Matheson Road that extended from the Manitoba Agricultural College (now the Administration Building) to Pembina Highway. The Avenue of Elms was originally dedicated as a living memorial to the men of the Manitoba Agricultural College that gave their lives for freedom during the First World War. Planting of the saplings was made possible by graduates, staff and students of the Manitoba Agricultural College, as well as staff from the provincial agricultural department. During the war years, the first of the memorial trees were planted by students in home economics.
In 1998, the memorial was extended with another plaque to include former agriculture diploma and degree students, in addition to academic and support staff of the faculty of agricultural and home economics who were killed during the Second World War and the Korean War.
Situated in front of one of the elms at ground-level is a plaque in memorial of Wilfrid John Rae, B.S.A., M.Sc. (18991979), who is said to have thought of the Avenue of Elms idea. The plaque reads in-part, “whose cremated remains are buried under the elm tree he planted in 1923 opposite the south west corner of the Administration Building site.”
Manitoba Agricultural College War Memorial
Located on the boulevard of Chancellor Matheson Road and facing University Crescent, a memorial commemorates the 52 students and staff members of the Manitoba Agricultural College that were killed while serving in the First World War.
The monument, made of granite from British Columbia, was first unveiled on Nov. 11, 1923 by Brig.-Gen. Hugh Dyer at the start of the Avenue of Elms near the Manitoba Agricultural College. An article from the Manitoba Free Press estimates that approximately 600 people gathered for the occasion on the lawn of the college. The monument had since been relocated due the construction of UMSU University Centre.
The service included singing of Rudyard Kipling’s “Recessional,” reading of scripture and playing of “Dead March” from Saul One minute of silence was observed followed by “Reveille.” The hymns “For all the Saints” and “Benedicton” were performed. Among those that attended the service and unveiling was Premier John Bracken and president of the college, faculty members and relatives of the men who were honoured by the memorial.
Engraved on the monument are the words, “in faith and gratitude, this avenue of elms is dedicated as a living memorial to the men from M.A.C. who laid down their lives in the cause of freedom, 1914-1918. Nothing is here for tears, nothing to wail — nothing but well and fair, and what may quiet us in a death so noble.”
Manitoba Agricultural College Roll of Honour
Painted on the walls near the west entrance of the Administration Building — formerly the Manitoba Agricultural College — are the names of 310 members of the college that served overseas during the First World War. These names are painted on two walls directly across from one another and also denote the 52 college members that were killed in action or died of wounds during the war.
Engineering Students Memorial Tablets
Two memorial tablets are
mounted on the south wall of the engineering atrium to commemorate those that were killed in the First World War. One memorial tablet was erected by the engineering society of the university to honour 17 undergraduate students that lost their lives, while the neighbouring plaque by the university’s engineers alumni association commemorates three graduates that fell during the war. The idea of a memorial tablet for the engineering graduates was proposed in 1922 by President A. J. Taunton of the Engineering Alumni Association, as reported in the Manitoban
The tablets were unveiled on April 4, 1924 by Maj.Gen. Huntly Douglas Brodie Ketchen and were originally placed outside the entrance to Lecture Theatre “A,” according to the Winnipeg Evening Tribune
11th Canadian Field Ambulance War Memorial
A Tyndall-stone pillar stands on a raised plaza between UMSU University Centre and the Helen Glass Centre for Nursing. It reads, “in memory of our comrades of the XIth Can. Field Ambulance (Western Universities) who gave their lives in the War 1914-1918.”
Originally, the pillar was located directly across from the Manitoba Agricultural College War Memorial near the Avenue of Elms and featured a bronze sun dial at the top — now marked with a commemorative plaque. It was later moved when a new wing of the Engineering Building was built in 1950.
The XI Canadian Field Ambulance was a field ambulance unit that consisted of men from the Manitoba Agricultural College and others from universities in western Canada. The unit tended to casualties at various battles, including the Battle of Vimy Ridge and the Battle of the Somme. Three sides of the pillar feature the 30 faded names of the fallen led by Lt. Col. H. H. Moshier, while the western face bears the Red Cross emblem.
The memorial was unveiled on Oct. 16, 1927, by Maj.Gen. Huntley Douglas Brodie Ketchen who was accompanied by Col. George Randolph Pearkes, Col. Snell and around a hundred members of the
Avenue of Elms Memorial at the east entrance of UMSU University Centre
Manitoba Agricultural College War Memorial
photos / Nishcal Karki / staff
Avenue of Elms Memorial near the west end of Chancellor Matheson Road
Wilfrid John Rae memorial plaque
unit, as reported in the Winnipeg Evening Tribune. Dr. H. D. Kitchen, president of the 11th Field Ambulance Association, provided opening remarks, followed by the hymn “O God Our Help in Ages Past” and a dedicated prayer by former members of the unit.
Manitoba Medical College Memorial Tablet
Located just outside the entrance of the Manitoban Medical College (770 Bannatyne Avenue) is a memorial tablet engraved in stone.
The tablet reads, “in enduring remembrance of the gradu-
ate and students of this school who laid down their lives in wars of the empire. Their names are here inscribed by the Manitoba Medical Alumni Association.”
The tablet features the names of Alexander M. Fergusson who was killed during the North-West Rebellion (1885) and Andrew Blyth
Byng, who lost his life during the South African War / Boer War (1900). On April 30, 1922, a tablet for those that lost their lives during the First World War was unveiled by Maj.-Gen. Huntley Douglas Brodie Ketchen, with a summary of the unveiling reported by the Winnipeg Evening Tribune. The tablet features seven names: St. Clair Dunn, James Blain Haverson, George William Hepworth, Ethelbert Eldrige Meek, Daniel Fleming Pack, Harry Adolph Sharman and Thomas Hazel Whitmore.
A portion of the poem “In Flanders Field” is inscribed below the names: “To you from falling hands we throw the torch; Be yours to hold it high.”
Milan Lukes is the Editorin-Chief of the Manitoban for the 2024-25 publishing year. His relative is honoured on the Menin Gate Memorial to the Missing in Belgium. If you are aware of a permanent war memorial on campus not featured in this article, email editor@themanitoban.com.
Engineering Students Memorial Tablets
11th Canadian Field Ambulance War Memorial
Manitoba Medical College Memorial Tablet
Manitoba Agricultural College Roll of Honour
Remembering the Canadian Officers’ Training Corps
Military program on campus trained U of M students as officers
Milan Lukes, staff
Housed by the U of M Archives & Special Collections, the Canadian Officers Training Corps (COTC) fonds recall the university’s military efforts — during both war and peacetime.
Following the outbreak of the First World War, meetings were held at the U of M starting in September 1914 to discuss the best means of providing military training to students. A committee of military instruction was formed, and after correspondence and consultation with the department of militia, it was decided that training could best be fulfilled by organizing a contingent of the COTC — which was established on March 1, 1915.
“The object of the Corps is to give university men a specificized amount of military training, and if they so desire, the necessary instruction to lead the qualifications for lieutenants and captains,” according to a report from the committee of military education.
Members of the COTC who successfully completed training could earn certificate “A,” qualification for the rank of lieutenant in the militia, and certificate “B,” qualification for promotion to the rank of captain.
McGill University was the first in Canada to organize its contingent COTC in 1912, based off of the equivalent University Officers’ Training Corps in the United Kingdom.
The U of M’s contingent COTC originally consisted of eight companies with professor E. P. Fetherstonhaugh serving as adjutant and captain.
the district office to be properly qualified to instruct their units.
The university board of studies had decided that every student who became efficient in the contingent COTC would be granted a 10 per cent
“Training during the first winter was carried on almost entirely out of doors in a rigorous winter, without uniforms, and with only one hundred rifles for the whole Corps ”
According to a committee report dated May 4, 1915, “a large majority of these [enlisted men] have now a sufficient knowledge of the handling of men in the various formations, and of the use of the rifle, to make them valuable men in the event of their enlisting for active service.”
— Lt.-Col. Clark Reid Hopper, Commanding Officer of the U of M’s contingent COTC during the Second World War
The companies were organized as follows: A Company, graduates; B Company, arts and science students of the third and fourth years; C Company, arts and science students of the first and second years; D Company, engineering students; E Company, students from St. John’s College; F Company, students from the Medical College; and G and H Company, students from Wesley College. Captains of each company were R. F. MacWilliams, N. B. MacLean, R. C. Wallace, H. P. Armes, W. A. Ferguson, J. Halpenny, N. R. Wilson and R. F. Argue, respectively. Officers of the Corps received instructions by military authorities and
bonus on their examinations and term work. To qualify, a student had to attend at least 40 drills of 45 minutes each, complete the required course and pass the end-of-term inspection.
During the first year, 474 men were enlisted. “Training during the first winter was carried on almost entirely out of doors in a rigorous winter, without uniforms, and with only one hundred rifles for the whole Corps,” read notes by Lt.-Col. Clark Reid Hopper, commanding officer of the U of M’s contingent COTC during the Second World War. “Much of the instruction was carried out by an officer and three sergeant instructors from the active militia.”
In the spring and summer of 1915, members of the contingent enlisted in oversea units. It was concluded that it would be preferrable for men to go as members of a battalion entirely composed of university men to retain their collective identity. In December, Capt. N. R. Wilson and Capt. R. F. Argue visited other western universities to propose the idea, and by 1916, the 196th (Western Universities) Battalion and the XI Canadian Field Ambulance (Western Universities) came into existence.
The U of M was responsible for raising “A” Company of the 196th Battalion, originally quartered in the Manitoba Agricultural College.
The 196th Battalion arrived in England where it was described by Brig.-Gen. J. P. Landry as “well officered, well organized and well disci-
plined and undoubtedly one of the best sent over from Canada.” Recognized for its potential as a source of officer material, the battalion was broken up as members were sent to Officers’ Training Centres and other depleted battalions.
By the end of the First World War, the U of M’s contingent COTC trained over 2,000 students and university graduates. The Corps was reorganized afterwards, but continued during peacetime to provide officers for the Canadian Militia. During the interwar years, the unit operated under the command of Lt-Col. N. B. MacLean (192027), Lt-Col. E. P. Fetherstonhaugh (1927-32), Maj. H. P. Armes (1932-38) and Capt. W. F. Riddell.
Amid the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939, enrolment of the U of M’s contingent COTC increased. An article from 1943 in the Manitoban indicates that the training syllabus consisted of squad and platoon drill, small arms training, physical training, map reading, field craft and fundamental training. Training was reported to be carried out at Minto Armoury, with the requirement of six hours of military training per week.
In an undated promotional brochure addressed to prospective undergraduates, the
U of M’s contingent COTC is described as offering benefits to those who enrol. “You may qualify as a lieutenant or 2nd lieutenant in the Corps of your choice! By qualifying for the Queen’s Commission you demonstrate to a future employer the very important assets of leadership, character and ability!”
The brochure continues, “you have an opportunity to receive financial assistance during the winter, and $200.00 a month and all found while attending one of the many army schools across Canada during your summer months! After you have registered next September, we would be very pleased to have you call on the resident staff officer, Room 224, UMSU Building, for further information. Don’t pass up this splendid opportunity!”
In 1962, the U of M’s contingent COTC was reported by the Manitoban to still be active on campus. For eighteen Tuesday evenings throughout the academic year, approximately 45 students were noted to train in the Services Wing of the Students’ Union Building under the direction of the university contingent officers.
A few years later, in 1968, all university-based officer training programs were discontinued by the federal government.
photo courtesy of / University of Manitoba Archives & Special Collections, the Canadian Officers Training Corps fonds, UA 41, PC126 (A1991-035)
Arts and Science Company of the U of M’s contingent COTC on the Broadway campus (September 1914)
photos courtesy of / University of Manitoba Archives & Special Collections, the Canadian Officers Training Corps fonds, UA 41, PC126 (A1991-035)
Members of the U of M’s contingent COTC in training
Members of the U of M’s contingent COTC in open-order formation at Minto Armoury (1940)
Members of the U of M’s contingent COTC at Manitoba Agricultural College campus, now the Fort Garry campus. Pictured on the first observance of Armistice Day / Remembrance Day (1919)
Members of the U of M’s contingent COTC on the Broadway campus on Armistice Day / Remembrance Day (1937)
Roll of the Fallen
Graduates, students and staff of the U of M that were killed in action or died in service during the First World War
Archer, Howard Allen
Baird, Andrew Stuart
Barnes, Fred Gerald
Bellhouse, Richard Wynyard
Blair, Kenneth Campbell
Bolton, Wilbert G.
Bousfield, Harold Wilfred
Bradford, Frederick William
Bridgman, Fred Willard
Bright, Clarence
Briggs, Thomas Lewis
Broadfoot, Daniel James
Brown, George Steel
Brown, Ralph Russell James
Bryan, Charles
Butchart, Thomas J. Logie
Cameron, John Scott
Campbell, Harold Reid
Clipperton, William Henry
Code, Edward J.
Cooper, George
Crawford, James Tyson
Creighton, George Gillespie
Crummy, William Taylor
Cunningham, Robert Alexander
Davis, Paul Webster
Daw, Frank
Dickson, William Francis
Dunn, St. Clair
Dutton, Edward M.
Duxbury, Charles Bruce
Einarson, John
Evans, Albert Ethelbert Aylward
Ferguson, Frank Willard
Ferguson, Herbert Stanley
Fisher, John Thompson
Forbes, Frederick Anthony Gordon
Fraser, Allan Walton
Gane, F. E.
German, John Howard
Graham, Hamilton C.
Grisdale, Percy John
Guild, William Forbes
Hamber, Harold Bellemy
Haverson, James Blain
Hawthorne, Ernest Hermon
Hepworth, George W.
Hetherington, Francis Martin
Hobbs, Morley William George
Hoskins, Ronald
Hughes, Robert Oliver
Irvine, Wesley Williams
Jameson, Charles Inglis
Jameson, George Willis
Jamieson, William Francis
Jenkins, Morgan Jones
Jenkins, William Eric
Jonsson, Hallgrimur
Kelly, Magnus Sigodur
Kerr, James Duncan
Kruspe, Maxwell George
Lane, Radford Shuter
Latchford, John Clendon
Lewis, Rowland
Loft, Arthur
Logan, John William Gow
Long, Einar Stefansson
Lothian, James Fulton
Lothian, Robert Ingles
Lovatt, Charles Wesley
Lyttle, Charles W.
Magnusson, Gudmundur
Marchbank, Ogilvie James
Markle, Frank A.
Martin, Benjamin Charles
Mather, Carl
McIntyre, Stuart Scott
McKee, William Carey
McKnight, Oliver Franklin
McMillan, Clifford J.
Meek, Ethelbert Eldridge
Menzies, Allister Forbes
Miller, Arthur F.
Mitchell, Jared Carl Moir, Clifford James
Morris, Harold Irwin
Mundell, David
Nason, Henry Bert
Nelson, John Ernest
Newman, Harold Arthur
Nicholl, Christopher B. Norton, Glen
Norton, John Frederick
Olive, Alfred Sidney
Oliver, Francis Claude
O’Reilly, Richard Hamilton
Pack, Daniel Fleming
Parrott, Reginald Elsworth
Partridge, Charles Grover
Paterson, Lamont L.
Patience, Herbert Lorne
Pigott, Henry Alexander Dayne
Pilling, Harold Hudson
Pulford, Fred Meikle
Ramsay, Emerson Coatsworth
Reedman, William Edward
Rice, Robert Stacey
Richardson, Blaine
Richardson, Charles Douglas
Rose, Arthur
Ross, George Huntingdon
Ross, James John Alexander
Ross, Roderick Arthur
Sanderson, Perry Hooper
Sayer, Charles Melville
Sharman, Harry Adolph
Sharman, William Wilson
Sheldon, Charles S.
Shirriff, Frank N.
Simpson, Fred Irwin
Skinner, Morden Earle
Smith, Douglas
Smith, John Cochrane
Stewart, Garnet Kelvin
Stewart, Meno Rossmund
Stone, William John
Streat, Stanley
Summerscales, Robert Wilfred
Swain, John Stewart Sutton
Thomas, Norman James
Thompson, Edward Payson
Thompson, Harry Nelson
Thompson, John Alexander Selter
Thomson, Robert McDonnell
Toye, Glenn H.
Uhrich, Charles Philip
Verner, Jack Douglas
Walsh, Edgar W. Wilton, Walter Barron
Worsey, Thomas Arthur
Names retrieved from University of Manitoba, Roll of Honour, 1914-1918. This book, edited by D. C. Harvey in 1923, indicates that some names may have been overlooked.
Advancing maternal and infant health globally
U of M epidemiologist improves health outcomes for mothers and infants
Rhea Bhalla, staff
Epidemiology is a branch of medicine that deals with the causes, frequency and pattern of diseases in a population. It examines how diseases can be tracked, predicted and prevented. Epidemiology is considered the foundation of public health.
Dr. James Blanchard is an epidemiologist and director of the U of M’s Institute for Global and Public Health.
He was first trained as a physician, practicing for two years in the U of M’s northern medical unit with rural and Indigenous populations. He later completed a PhD in epidemiology at Johns Hopkins University.
“It was a bit of a circuitous route to working in global health, but I guess it started when I was still working in clinical practice,” Blanchard said. “I wanted to focus more on public and population health.”
Partnering with the government of Uttar Pradesh, India, Blanchard led a research team aiming to decrease maternal and neonatal mortality rates in the region. At the project’s inception in 2014, more than 45 out of every 1,000 newborn babies died under one month of age.
of life. Birth complications, such as trauma and suffocation, infections and birth defects are among the leading causes of death. The vast majority of these deaths occur in developing countries as poverty increases maternal risk factors and reduces access to care.
To ensure better health outcomes, the WHO recommends that all babies receive thermal protection (often through skin-to-skin contact with a parent), umbilical cord and skin care, a breastmilk-only diet early in life, examination for health problems and preventative treatments such as vaccinations.
Blanchard’s project involved deploying a team of over 1,100 healthcare providers across the state, district and village levels. The team also developed systems such as human resources planning, supply chain management,
“I think this project is an example of how the U of M has made a commitment to orient our research, as well as our service and our clinical services, to really provide better services for underserved populations around the world”
—
James Blanchard, director of the U of M’s Institute for Global and Public Health
training and mentorship to help healthcare providers offer accessible, high quality patient care.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), three-quarters of neonatal deaths occur in the first week
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Blanchard’s team also tracked COVID-19 tests, allowing the government to
collect data that could help track outbreaks and respond to emerging public health crises. Following the success of the system, it was expanded to collect data on twelve other diseases, including malaria, which causes an estimated 20,000 deaths in India annually.
The project has since proven successful.
Over the past 15 years, neonatal mortality rates in Utter Pradesh have decreased by 40 per cent, saving approximately 99,000 infant lives annually.
Home births have decreased from 80 per cent to 11 per cent. Thirty-eight per cent more women now access healthcare services during pregnancy.
Currently, Blanchard is involved in a project examining the barriers faced by underserved communities in accessing family planning services and maternal, newborn and child health. The project is funded by a US$12.5 million grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to the U of M’s Institute for Global and Public Health.
“The research is really focused on systematically trying to understand what the gaps are and what the opportunities are,” he said. “We’ll be taking those analyses and working with local government public health pro -
grams and other health service delivery organizations to help them map out ways they can improve the coverage and availability of those services.”
Blanchard emphasized that the work focuses on urban environments, where gaps in service availability for underserved and excluded populations are rampant.
“I think this project is an example of how the U of M has made a commitment to orient our research, as well as our service and our clinical services, to really provide better services for underserved populations around the world,” Blanchard said.
“It’s been a priority for the university for a long time now, and I think it’s a terrific part of the U of M.”
graphic / Fumnaya Ifeadi / staff
Social robots designed to improve mental health
Research explores robots as companions to improve daily life and emotional support
Divyata Gosai, staff
Imagine a future where robots are not only tools but also serve as companions in our daily lives, providing emotional support and enhancing well-being.
James Young is a professor in the U of M’s department of computer science.
Young studied computer science, which involves learning algorithms for programming computers.
“Honestly, it kind of just happened,” he said. “I just worked hard at school and took opportunities that came up.”
At the beginning of his research career, Young realized that people often wasted a lot of time arguing with computers to perform what they wanted.
He was interested in how humans could program computers to be more userfriendly and began researching new ways to interact with and use computers.
“Robots provide very different ways that we might interact with them, instead of a keyboard or a mouse,” he said. “We can use a smile or talk or point and use our bodies in different ways. So, I got my hands on some robots very early in graduate school and have done a lot of work with programming them.”
Young’s recent research is in domestic robots, or robots for homes.
“There’s a lot of research now that shows how these social robots, they can help you feel better, they can reduce anxiety,” he said. “They can be kind of like a fake companion, kind of like a pet, but not quite.”
However, Young explained that there are no social robots in people’s homes yet; every time a startup firm is formed, it fails or does not become a product.
“I’m very interested right now in what’s stopping these [social] robots from becoming regular use,” he said. “I have PhD students and masters students who are making robots and programming robots, and we’re putting them in homes.”
Young added that his PhD student, Danika Passler Bates, is interviewing robot owners to explore when individuals lose interest in their robots, the reasons behind discontinuing use and how to promote continued usage.
Young’s current research focus is on how to create these robots for sustained usage in people’s homes, so that they may realize the benefits that we learned from research.
“I think it’s very interesting
to think about not only what we can do with cutting edge technology, but what can we do [that’s] new with existing technology,” he said. “I really try to take a step back and use existing technology more cleverly.”
“I see myself kind of as a designer that way where we want to redesign interaction or redesign these devices so that we can save money, make them more robust. For example, my student, Danika, her masters project, she made a robot called SnuggleBot.”
cuddled and squished.
A competitor robot named Peril is also in the marketplace. Peril is a steel robot, and it can recognize people’s faces.
“I think there’s a lot of potential for social robots to add just a little bit of improvement to our everyday lives”
— James Young, professor in the U of M’s department of computer science
“[Peril] can remember details about you and can do scheduling, and it costs $10,000,” Young said. “A SnuggleBot we made for less than $200 in-house, and it’s very robust.”
[Peril’s] computer-driven experiences like it’s remembering your face, it’s giving you a schedule, the data designed it to make the person have to take care of it.”
He elaborated, the robot must be kept warm to avoid colour changes or freezing.
To do this, one must remove the pouch and microwave it. This strategy encourages the user to take responsibility for the robot, making it a natural part of their daily routine.
you feel better,” he explained. “So, we’re trying to encourage interactions that help you feel better and bond with the robot without requiring all this expensive or high technology.”
Social robots may need hugs. They can get lonely and turn purple. When you go up and hug it, it may make you feel better as well.
“I think there’s a lot of potential for social robots to add just a little bit of improvement to our everyday lives,” Young said. “We’re just trying to find ways that actually work for people in their everyday lives.”
SnuggleBot is a “very cute” narwhal robot which can be
“We know from psychology research that caring for a pet, caring for another person, caring for plants even can help graphic / Teegan Gillich / staff
“But instead of having
The future of our urban forest
The best time to plant a tree is now
Teegan Gillich, staff
When someone plants a tree, they are not planting it for themselves — they are planting a gift for the future. For many people, trees are a nice feature in the background, but how often do you consider the impact of trees on your life? Now, I don’t mean in a metaphysical wishy-washy hippie-dippy way. The trees in your neighbourhood will directly affect your health, commute, quality of life, energy bills and more. In a world facing climate change, trees are essential.
Over 100 years ago, the city of Winnipeg began planting American elm trees on boulevards because they are hardy, native and their arching structure creates a lovely cathedral-like canopy over the street. With over a quarter of a million elms planted in the city, Winnipeg became North America’s largest urban elm forest. In 1975, Dutch elm disease was recognized in Winnipeg, and the city has struggled to keep up with the spread. Dutch elm disease is a fungus spread from tree to tree through bark beetles, whose larvae tunnel under the bark of elms and carry the fungus with them.
The main issue with planting a single type of species in an area, also known as planting monocultures, is that they are incredibly vulnerable to disease. Nearly all landscaping plants are clones of one another, cultivated for specific desirable features. It’s easier — and more profitable — to sell a plant if you can guarantee it will look exactly like it does in the catalogue picture. Urban landscaping has very little genetic diversity, so pests and diseases can be devastating. Winnipeg, among many cities, has encountered this problem several times with many different trees.
tree candidates, resulting in the city creating a new monoculture in our neighbourhoods. Unfortunately, the emerald ash borer beetle has begun wreaking havoc on ash trees, and they are also threatening to disappear from our streets. In 2020, ash and elm trees composed 58 per cent of Winnipeg’s urban trees. With our two largest tree populations sitting on the chopping block and the city overwhelmed with managing their removal, Winnipeg faces a frightening possibility. Unfortunately, the solution is more complicated than randomly planting more trees. Out of Manitoba’s 24 native tree species, few are adaptable to boulevards with heavy traffic, salt spray and generally poor soil conditions. Additionally, trees must be available in nurseries to be planted in the city, and shortages are an issue. The reality is that city resources are limited, and change is slow.
there will be trees later.
I would challenge you to download a plant identification app and look up the trees you see the next time you take a walk. Each tree you see is a gift for you because it absorbs carbon from the air, soaks up water that would otherwise flood, cools your surroundings, increases
perhaps centuries, as part of your legacy to the people who come after you.
Planting a tree is a gift for the future
Sticking to native species in urban areas is not as essential as in natural areas. Urban forests do not behave the same way natural forests do. Due to a lack of genetic diversity and ecosystem support, urban trees are more vulnerable to pests and disease. The best defence we can offer our trees is diverse planting and spreading new species. With a changing climate and warmer temperatures in the future, we can plan for new trees that were not previously capable of surviving in Winnipeg’s climate. For instance, you may have spotted young Ohio buckeye trees sprouting where old elms have been cut down.
your property value and is also just lovely to look at.
If you’ve ever considered adding a tree to your yard, I encourage you to do so. Look up what trees suit your area, consider how much sun there is and where the water will flow. Perhaps you won’t be able to appreciate it right now, but as I stated before, planting a tree is a gift for the future.
Most notably, ash trees were considered good boulevard
In my study of landscape architecture, it has been drilled into my very soul to pay attention and care about trees. The amount of carbon stored in a mature tree is exponentially higher than in a young tree. This is why it’s essential to plant now, so
Some of Winnipeg’s oldest trees live in Rivergrove, where a group of cottonwoods have grown for over 160 years. If all goes well, the tree you plant will live for decades,
graphic / Teegan Gillich / staff
A tight budget is not the end of the world
Students can still enjoy low-cost activities with friends
Quinn Mayhew, staff
Have you ever gone to a restaurant and had your debit or credit card declined when it was your turn to pay? Your face turns red in embarrassment, and you look down and stare at your friends to spot you the cash or beg your mom for an e-transfer because you have zero dollars to your name.
Being broke is common among many university students — where many have at least experienced little to no funds and attended free functions, so they eat for free.
Having negative money has almost become funny for me at this point. Despite working three jobs, I am always left with no money. When it comes to general life, paying for school and recreational activities with my friends, by the end of the two-week period, I am always left with negative funds.
Sustaining money as a full-time student who is mostly self-sufficient and pays for school is a rough go of things. Life problems require expenses, food needs to be paid for and recreational activities when hanging out
with friends often involve money, as most things in Winnipeg do.
When going out with friends, it is a hard experience when you don’t have a lot of money and your friends suggest something that requires the funds necessary to have a “good time.” Or when you go out to a restaurant and have to order the cheapest thing on the menu or the only thing you can afford is water, and you just sit there with your group, making excuses about how you just aren’t hungry.
Despite the fun of sometimes going out to dinner or going to bars and spending a tad of money, I have always enjoyed activities that are free and fun to do.
One might say that sometimes free activities are boring ones, but I disagree. Going to the gym or swimming pool may not be as exciting as going to the bar with friends. But it’s free if you are a full-time student at the U of M.
The U of M offers a multitude of clubs to join, like the Bhakti Yoga Club, U of M Parks Club, UMSwing (the university’s swing dance club) and the University of Manitoba
Women in Computer Science. There is a magnitude of clubs to choose from out of many fun activities on campus.
There are also other fun, free activities to experience throughout the city. These activities in Winnipeg include the farmers markets, such as the Le Marché St. Norbert Farmers’ Market on Saturdays, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., which is great for browsing.
Wolseley Wool, a yarn and knitting place, offers free weekly stitch group classes on Wednesdays from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., no matter your skill level, located at their store in Wolseley. Grandma core activities are some of my absolute favourites.
The Pavilion within Assiniboine Park offers free admission to see multiple art galleries consisting of the painting in the Time Tracer: Recent Paintings by Allison Moore exhibit, which will be on from Aug. 25, 2024 to Nov. 23, 2024. Another exhibit within the gallery is called Snapshots: Our Phantom Nostalgia by John P. Crabb from July 30, 2024 to November 2024.
Even though it may seem
like you are surrounded by people with a lot of money, trust me when I say that’s often not the case and you’re not alone. I’ve had my card declined more times than I can count. My debit card has even declined a breakfast sandwich at Tim Hortons because I had just paid my tuition, so trust me, we’re in this together.
Even though you may feel like there is no place for you
The growing irrelevance of school surveys
Why survey culture is seeing a decline in participation
Thandeka Katsika, staff
Every once in a while, I receive an email encouraging me to take a survey. Whether it is from the faculty of science or of kinesiology and recreation management, someone always claims to be keenly interested in my thoughts and feelings.
I am sure many U of M students can relate to the constant urging from the university to express their views. Sometimes the university even offers the chance to win prizes to incentivize students to take these surveys. Ordinarily, people are more than happy to share their perspectives, especially if there is a perceived positive result that comes from doing so. However, I believe that now, fewer and fewer people are inclined to take surveys because of the growth in the general feeling that they are a waste of time. Surveys, simply put, are “an examination of opinions.” The survey givers gather questions to ask the public to examine their thoughts on a matter, and the survey takers answer the questions the way
you would an exam, except instead of answering based on academic information, your response is based on your experience.
Universities generally use surveys to better understand their students because of the useful nature of surveys. They collect primary data, often regarded as one of the more effective and accurate methods of collecting extensive information from university students. Despite this, I think surveys are not useful because of the growing sense that survey givers are disingenuous and do not really intend to use our input. This belief gives students the impression that participating in a survey is ultimately just a waste of time. After all, what is the point of giving your
opinion if it is not going to be considered?
Many people feel that surveys are a way for those in charge to pretend that they
care about what the public thinks when, in reality, people’s responses are of no value in any major decision-making discussions. It is as if some surveys are given for the sake of falsely embracing the democratic practice of placing importance on the
voice of the people. Universities get to tick the box of caring about the opinions of the public by giving out surveys but then seemingly do nothing with the information they have gathered.
This criticism is further supported by the poor design of some surveys accused of having leading questions. Questions that prompt responders to move toward a certain response.
For example, if I asked, “how do you feel about my amazing article?” the question is structured in a way that makes responses lean toward a certain bias, in this case, a positive outlook on my article. Questions like this result in responses that are not honest representations of people’s thoughts and instead only support the intended biases. Additionally, some ques-
among your friends because you simply cannot afford the same lifestyle or living expenses as them, there are always fun alternatives to do to curve spending that do not make you feel like you’re breaking the bank and always remember that in university there is an understanding that most university students do not have the funds to often go out.
tions limit the responses people are able to give. Questions with any form of multiple-choice answers tend to restrict the feedback survey takers can give. The provided options are not extensive enough to encapsulate the true feelings of people and, in turn, limit the options on a survey. This allows the survey givers to have some control of the outcome. While I acknowledge that it is not always possible to have surveys with only open-ended or closed-ended questions, it is important that if options are provided, they are as wide-ranging as possible and have the intention of understanding the people and not controlling the outcome of results.
I believe surveys are a great way for students to give their input on different areas of our university. However, it is highly unlikely that students will see them as a useful way to spend their time until they are convinced survey givers truly care what they have to say.
graphic / Fumnaya Ifeadi / staff
graphic / Fumnaya Ifeadi / staff
India-Canada tensions
How recent tensions bring further concerns to international student issues
Karl Pulver, volunteer
S
ince the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in 2023, the deterioration of relations between Canada and India has sparked shock, anger and above all, confusion among many Canadians and Indians alike. The situation has developed rapidly, stoking strong emotions across the globe.
Within Canada, many are quick to take rigid, accusatory positions, eager to
adian citizen who officials believe was murdered by a foreign government from within Canada. If proven true, this is an unacceptable development and a blatant violation of Canadian sovereignty. This issue has led to a rapid deterioration of relations between the two countries, showing no signs of improvement in the foreseeable future.
International students bear the brunt of these developments, and the answer remains to be seen to what degree tensions could further affect life in Canada. Applications to come to Canada to
It is important to not forget that it is our collective recognition of universal issues that will be invaluable in supporting each other and taking action
Canada and India, despite being on opposite ends of the globe, have a deeply historical and important relationship that has
study have already dropped by four per cent from India in 2024. It is therefore paramount to be knowledgeable of what further effects this could have on students as Canada’s own policy failures have already led to a crisis in many areas of daily life.
forget the issues being faced by immigrants and international students — especially when facing the same issues themselves, but this is a crisis affecting nearly every aspect of Canadian life. Forgetting an entire sector of the population, or worse, blaming them for the problems only entrenches us within a broken situation. Finding solutions will require the collective effort of all.
out of control. These attitudes are not constrained to social media. Racially motivated attacks on South Asians have increased massively across the country. According to Statistics Canada, the number of hate crimes targeting South Asians increased by 143 per cent from 2019 to 2022. This number is shocking and reveals the already turbulent nature of the situation and the potential for further violence if
push potentially harmful narratives onto South Asian communities caught in the clash. Misinformation, racism and Canada’s own mismanagement of pivotal issues have all contributed to a hailstorm of issues for Canada’s South Asian population.
On June 18, 2023, Canadian Nijjar was assassinated in British Columbia by three men. The RCMP suspected that the three men are connected to the Indian government. The men have been charged but further investigations into additional suspects are still being made. Nijjar was a Canadian Sikh leader who was designated a terrorist by India for his alleged links to the Khalistan Tiger Force, a banned militant group in India.
Regardless of the accusations made by the Indian government, Nijjar was a Can-
endured for over a century. Apart from sharing a legacy of British rule, since the 19th century, India and Canada have established diplomatic relations. Many Indian immigrants have come to Canada since the late 19th century but this is the first time Canada’s relationship with India, the world’s largest democracy, has deteriorated to such a degree. If relations continue to plunge, the ramifications could be devastating for the South Asian population in Canada.
The clash between India and Canada comes at a terrible time. Already across Canada, South Asian Canadians have faced heightened challenges, as misguided Canadians blame immigration and housing policy failures on recent immigrants who are facing the same challenges. Many across Canada note their worry that this deterioration of relations will affect their work or study in Canada and additionally spur community tensions to an even greater degree.
Recently, Canada’s welcoming image is dimming as it becomes increasingly inhospitable to international students. International tensions only stoke these flames, making studying in Canada more challenging. The government’s approach to many issues being faced in Canada has been reckless and left Canadians, immigrants and international students behind. Major policy failures led to a plethora of issues impacting students majorly, from out-ofcontrol housing rates, hiring shortages, workplace exploitation and racist attitudes. The situation between Canada and India only amplifies these already prevalent issues.
Nearly 37 per cent of international students who were granted study permits to come to Canada in 2024 are from India. At the U of M, where just over 22.7 per cent of our students are international, issues affecting the community are massively important to the university. It is easy for Canadians to
Canada, in response to these issues, has amended the post graduate work permit (PGWP) rules to terminate student visas upon graduation. International students, primarily from India, across Canada have protested this amendment. Still, the Canadian government is unlikely to budge on this amendment. None of this is helped by the deterioration of international relations, as South Asian international students are misconsou trued as the symbol of Canada’s policy failure and receive the greatest consequences as a result.
Racism against South Asians in Canada has spiralled
the issue of the South Asian community is not addressed. As South Asian immigration and especially relations with India become focal points of the Canadian political subconscious, it is paramount to recognize these issues facing a major portion of the Canadian population. It is especially important for domestic students and international students in general to recognize their responsibility to be aware of these issues, because misinformation permeates throughout the Canadian media landscape. Lastly, it is important to not forget that it is our collective recognition of universal issues that will be invaluable in supporting each other and taking action.
graphic / Teegan Gillich / staff
Friendship breakups hurt as much as romance
It is time we acknowledged and addressed friendship heartbreak
Francisca Ehileme, volunteer
In our society today, it feels like we have somehow been conditioned to think of heartbreak only as the end result of a romantic relationship — one that failed to work.
I understand that we live in a hierarchical society where one thing trumps another. However, we must not ignore those other events that, no matter how insignificant, still cause heartbreak among people.
One of these somewhat atypical, or dare I say, unconventional heartbreaks, is the friendship breakup. It seems to me, from my interaction with people around me and on social media, that friendship breakups — compared to romantic breakups — are often overlooked or treated with less importance. I feel they should, in fact, be given the same level of attention, if not more.
“Maintaining high-quality friendships is a key predictor of well-being during emerging adulthood, yet factors leading to friendship dissolution — defined here as actions that may decrease friendship quality or end the relationship completely — are poorly understood.” This direct quote from a research article conducted by Thomas Khullar, Miriam Kirmayer and Melanie Dirks in “Relationship dissolution in the friendships
of emerging adults: How, when, and why?” supports the notion of friend breakups.
So, what is it about friendship breakups that make them seem not that big of a deal to us or make us not want to talk about them as much as we randomly talk about our latest crush?
From my experience with a significant friendship breakup in the summer of 2022, I realized friendship breakups can be complicated. They’re full of ambiguous feelings and unresolved issues—whether due to betrayal, growing apart or physical distance. Or, in my case, discovering a close friend’s true character just did not sit right with me anymore. Friendship breakups often resemble romantic ones but differ in the support we receive and provide. The support we get from those around us, plus the support we give when going through a friendship breakup differs from that of a romantic relationship breakup.
Grief is a feeling we all experience after the loss of something, and in this case, someone. Everyone grieves differently, it is true, but we all require a support system while we go through our different stages of grief.
In our society today, social media plays a big part in our expression of self. Usually, we share life experiences
online with multiple strangers hoping to get some sort of relatability from them. The norm with romantic breakups as I have noticed online, is that you are either boldly thrashing your ex-partner or amicably sharing public statements of your mutual reason to go your separate ways. This was the case with Sophie Turner and Joe Jonas, whose news of their divorce was confirmed through a post made on Sophie Turner’s Instagram page.
Rarely do I see people publicly stating that they are no longer friends with that one person. Everyone would always see you together on your Instagram story. When that stops, the public is left to speculate and “investigate” using your past and most recent posts. This is all to say I have noticed that friendship breakups are just not shared much, and I think it is because the shock and, frankly, the embarrassment never leaves us.
In most cases, we get into romantic relationships having in the back of our minds that there is the possibility of it ending one day, but I don’t think we ever look that far ahead when we choose to become friends with someone. That is if the intention of friendship was ever clearly stated.
This is why we try our best
to conceal the breakup by avoiding bringing it up in conversations or making the excuse that “oh, we were just friends so it’s not a big deal,” when it is, in fact, a big deal. It is a big deal because you have just experienced an emotional loss, someone who you have constantly shared a lot with is suddenly no longer in your life, and it is not because they died.
So, we need to talk about it and grieve properly from it because if we do not, how then are we supposed to heal from it, learn from it, and more importantly, how else do we get the information across that friendship breakups are normal? They are just as important as going through a breakup from a romantic relationship.
To further kick this stigma, the media need to step up their game in playing their part in making us more aware of friend breakups. There are
Re: Journeying into school psychology
countless books written, movies and television shows made about romantic relationship breakups and only a handful of friendship breakups.
The last two seasons of the HBO series titled, Insecure, which explored the dynamics of two female best friends and a buildup of issues that eventually led to them parting ways, is an example I can provide after seeing it in 2021. Friendship breakups deserve more recognition, as the losses can be just as impactful. Portraying them in more books, films and television shows can help normalize the experience, offering us young adults who are very new to this a roadmap for navigating the complex feelings that come with them. This will help people better understand, process and find support for the emotional fallout that often accompanies these indeed significant endings.
Letters
Supporting holistic approaches to early childhood education programs
Meisha Campbell
I was sincerely engaged by the article “Journeying into school psychology: U of M researcher works to improve the lives of those with autism.”
This article shows Janine Newton Montgomery’s remarkable work in improving our understanding and support for children with autism. As an early childhood education student, I agree with Newton Montgomery’s perspective on identifying the strengths of children with autism and creating ways to boost their emotional intelligence and social skills, as mentioned by Bhalla.
Newton Montgomery coordinates with the increasing focus on early interven-
tion in early childhood education. Studies have shown that early support can significantly enhance the development of social and emotional skills for children with autism. Early intensive behavioral intervention (EIBI) is a proven treatment method for young children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It aims to offer intensive, personalized and structured support to help children with ASD reach their full developmental potential. Newton Montgomery recommends helping these children understand and express their emotions, strengthening them to use their environments more confidently. To gain the full capacity of
this, educators need the training to identify and support children with autism. Early childhood educators play an essential role in creating inclusive environments where every child, despite their ability, can develop. Newton Montgomery’s focus on emotional intelligence highlights the need for educators to go outside standard academic measures and support the holistic development of every child.
I advocate for all stakeholders to realize the benefits of programs like those created in the Social Cognition Lab. By ensuring that programs focus on emotional intelligence and social cognition in
early childhood education, we can improve the lives of children diagnosed with autism and support an inclusive community that appreciates and honours diversity in abilities.
Newton Montgomery’s research reminds me that with the right aid, children on the autism spectrum can conquer many setbacks. Let us give children the support and tools they need to look forward to a brighter future.
Sincerely, Meisha Campbell Humber College, early childhood education program
graphic / Fumnaya Ifeadi / staff
graphic / Dallin Chicoine / 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.
by: Teegan Gillich
Bon Cop, Bad Cop unites Ontarians and Quebecers
A review of one of Canada’s fully bilingual films
Boris Tsun Hang Leung, staff
Quebec and the rest of Canada have been at odds for many years over issues such as Quebec separatism and perceived encroachment by Canada on the only francophone-majority jurisdiction in North America. More recently, the Quebec government has made amendments to toughen existing language laws to further protect the province’s French heritage.
These changes have sparked numerous protests throughout Quebec, drawing pushback from businesses and individuals alike. Some have even coined the term “language war” to describe the situation. All of this led me to wonder — can anglophones and francophones in Quebec and Canada ever set aside their age-old rivalry?
In my search for answers, I was reminded of the 2006 Canadian thriller-comedy Bon Cop, Bad Cop, a movie about
two police officers forced to work together to solve a series of murders in Ontario and Quebec.
The movie explores linguistic and cultural differences between the provinces while also touching on Canadian themes like hockey. It is one of the best examples of bilingual films in recent Canadian film history, winning seven awards and earning 22 award nominations.
In the film, Martin Ward (Colm Feore), a well-dressed and stern anglophone detective from Ontario, is ordered to solve the murders with David Bouchard (Patrick Huard), a rugged, younger francophone detective from Quebec who constantly breaks protocol. Spoiler alert — The victims were all involved with selling Canadian and Quebecois hockey teams to the U.S. and then were killed by a disgruntled hockey fan.
At the start of the film, the
two detectives clash. David is determined to use his own methods — breaking into houses and throwing suspects into his car trunk. This frustrates Martin, who insists on following rules and protocol. Although both detectives are fully bilingual, they even argue over which language to use, staying true to the rivalry.
However, as the murders continue and the gravity of the case becomes apparent, David and Martin begin to bond. They find common ground in their shared experiences as divorced fathers to rebellious teenagers.
Facing dangerous situations, the two narrowly save each other from death several times. I enjoyed watching the film because of its nail-biting fight scenes, but also because it is fully committed to the art of physical and absurd comedy.
As the title’s bilingual play on the phrase “good cop, bad
cop” suggests, the dialogue constantly bounces back and forth between English and French. I was amazed by the actors’ ability to switch between the two languages seamlessly, sometimes in the middle of a conversation or sentence.
One memorable scene has David teaching Martin the art of “les sacres” — Quebecois profanities — while wrestling an uncooperative suspect. As someone interested in languages, Quebec French is certainly a fascinating dialect —
it preserves many words and phrases that are now obsolete in France, and has a distinct, musical accent.
Given the historic contention between francophone Quebec and anglophone-majority Canada, it is sometimes fun to find elements that unite the rivals, like hockey in this instance. Though Bon Cop, Bad Cop might be considered outdated by today’s standards, it is successful in using absurdist humour and banter to relieve tensions that continue into the modern day.
Finding common ground despite religious differences Edgar French highlights the importance of interfaith dialogue in universities
Boris Tsun Hang Leung, staff
Throughout history, religion has driven conflicts, from the crusades in medieval Europe to the Rohingya crisis in modern-day Myanmar. According to the United States Institute of Peace, religious restrictions and hostilities, including violence toward minority religions, have steadily increased worldwide over recent decades.
Over the past year, U of M has been a place for students to express their views on the Israel-Hamas conflict, including events like the Students for Justice in Palestine encampment on campus this past summer and October vigils to honour Israelis and Palestinians lost in the war. Despite tensions, efforts are being made to encourage mutual understanding between religions. The U of M Spiritual Care and MultiFaith Centre, for example, has hosted Common Grounds, which are interfaith student gatherings, on campus for the past few years.
According to Edgar French, the U of M Spiritual Care and Multi-Faith Centre coordinator, the goal of these meetings is to deepen students’ beliefs and value systems and to provide a space for people with different religious back-
grounds, and viewpoints, to be heard and understood. The result is dialogical expression.
In an email interview, French explained that these gatherings typically consist of a small group of students from diverse religious and spiritual backgrounds who wish to improve on their communication skills and develop a deeper understanding for different belief systems. Discussions are often based on topics of interest suggested by students.
“Gatherings typically start with a sampling of a coffee blend from a particular region of the world/country, and a discussion around a related topic that students have expressed interest in,” said French.
The first couple of sessions include introducing participants to one another and re-emphasizing respectful and effective dialogue. Though sessions are student-led and flexible, a structured discussion model helps facilitate effective conversations.
“The dialoguing methodology employed is described as reflective structured dialogue (RSD), a model of dialoguing designed to lessen emotional reactivity, enhance self-awareness and lead to
more productive communication,” he said.
According to a literature review conducted in 2019, the RSD model reduces polarization and improves relationships among participants by encouraging thoughtful speaking, careful listening and reflection.
When asked why interreligious dialogue is especially important on university campuses, French highlighted that being able to talk through disagreements is a crucial skill in the workplace and in our daily lives but is often relegated to the margins of educational programs.
“Learning to dialogue is an essential human skill that not too many people learn in intentional and active ways […] Look at most professional job postings and you will find expectations that people be good communicators, problem solvers and address inter-personal conflict. But how often are students given the opportunity to actively learn and put into practice such skills before employment?”
He also noted that it is imperative for us to find common ground with each other given how groups are increasingly radicalized against each other in the modern era.
“I think it goes without saying that our society, university campuses included, is in desperate need of finding ways to communicate and understand each other better. The degree of polarization that shapes our perspectives, on a host of matters, seems unprecedented,” French said. “It’s our isolation from one another that is also a big part of the problem. As historian and philosopher Hannah Arendt once said, ‘isolation breeds radicalization.’”
“Interfaith dialoguing, I believe, can become a means of affirming our unique experiences and personal beliefs while opening ourselves to that of others. In the
process one may be able to grow in empathy and compassion for others, develop connections and perhaps even friendships, while still holding to our deepest held values.”
Common Grounds interfaith student gatherings will pause for the fall term and are expected to resume in winter. For more information about the U of M Spiritual Care and Multi-Faith Centre, visit umanitoba.ca/student-supports/spiritual-services or follow them on Instagram at @ um.spiritual.care. If you are interested in participating, e-mail spiritualcare@umanitoba.ca.
photo courtesy of / Imdb
Colm Feore and Patrick Huard in Bon Cop, Bad Cop (2006)
graphic / Teegan Gillich / staff
Canadian comedian set to make directorial debut
Kevin McDonald will co-direct and star in a comedy film next year
Carrington Dong, staff
Kevin McDonald was drawn to comedy for simple reasons — he found out he was funny and according to him, he was not good at anything else. Though his father wanted him to become a lawyer, McDonald felt he was not “school smart.”
His comedic talent emerged early on, when he was just 11 years old. By age 13 he was confident comedy was what he wanted to do and the only thing he could do.
McDonald soon realized he was as much of a writer as he was a performer. It made sense, then, to write his own material — something he has done throughout his career.
Best known as a member of the sketch comedy troupe — the Kids in the Hall, McDonald starred alongside Dave Foley, Bruce McCulloch, Mark McKinney and Scott Thompson. The troupe was known for their television series — the Kids in the Hall — which ran on CBC from 1989 to 1995 and was revived in 2022 on Amazon Prime.
Originally, McDon-
ald planned to join Saturday Night Live and become a movie star by 24. To pursue his dream, he joined The Second City improv and comedy club, where he was the youngest, with everyone else being over the age of 30. He realized he was quite different from them, being thought of as “weird” by his classmates.
“I thought that I was […] the only funny person there and so it felt kind of lonely,” he said. “Eventually, a year later, one of the ‘kids in the hall’ who I didn’t know, Dave Foley, he came in the class and he just happened to sit next to me […] and we decided to start a comedy troupe.”
After meeting the other members, McDonald learned that they also often felt “weird.”
“We were all sort of in the same ballpark of thinking, and we all brought something different to it, but we were the only ones we knew who thought like us,” he said.
Working together allowed members to influence each other and develop as writers. Over time, McDonald said
they became “one big person” rather than five separate people.
Outside of the Kids In The Hall, McDonald is known for his roles in Seinfeld Lilo & Stitch, Friends and That 70’s Show. He previously ran the monthly variety show podcast Kevin McDonald’s Kevin McDonald Show
Now, for the first time, McDonald is in the director’s chair, directing, writing and starring in the comedy One Week Left
The film will follow an aging rock musician (played by McDonald) who commits fraud against his best friend (Foley). Knowing he has only one week before starting a prison sentence, he embarks on an “apology tour” across the country. McDonald describes much of the film as a “very exaggerated” version of his life, although he has never been to jail or been a rock star.
McDonald said he is excited about the premise of One Week Left, as he is experimenting with presenting people going through real things in a
“unreal” sketch comedy style. He hopes that audiences will empathize with the characters and hopes that he can make the tone of this movie work. McDonald hopes readers of the Manitoban will watch out for One Week Left when it releases, with plans to release it through streaming services. He wishes to do more films
and has begun working on a comedy rock opera based on his life. He plans to premiere the show off-Broadway and eventually bring the show to Broadway.
One Week Left will begin filming in 2025. The film will be produced by Winnipeg-based Farpoint Films.
Mia Kelly releases sophomore album To Be Clear
Versatile Canadian singer-songwriter explores vulnerable and honest storytelling
Carrington Dong, staff
At 21, Mia Kelly has already made her mark on the folk music scene.
Praised for her expressive voice and versatility by outlets such as Great Dark Wonder and the Ottawa Citizen, she was described by Americana UK as “one to watch out for.” She was awarded Emerging Artist of the Year by Culture Outaouais and has represented Canada at the 2023 Jeux de la Francophonie.
As a child, Kelly was very energetic, which led her parents to enrol her in musical theatre. There, she found her love for performing and being on stage, which inspired her to start taking singing lessons. It “unfurled” in high school, where she developed a passion for writing songs and for folk music.
Growing up in Gatineau, Quebec, Kelly speaks and sings in both French and English, something she does nt see as a conscious choice.
“It’s just how the songs come out” she said. “My life really happens in both languages, and so it would be really weird for me if I didn’t write in both languages.”
Kelly’s music is a mix of
genres, ranging from folk to rock and to blues.
For her, inspiration is drawn naturally during the songwriting process. “It doesn’t really feel like I’m steering the ship,” she said. “I’m a conduit for the songs and that’s just how they come out.”
Kelly is proud of her career progress, noting that she now makes a living from music and tours successfully.
“I’m really proud of myself, I’ve been working at this for many years, and so to be at a point where I’m crossing the country, it’s my first headline tour this fall […] It’s just such an incredible thing to see, people that you’ve kind of built over the years all come out to see the show after so much work,” she reflected.
Kelly’s success led her to be part of the Winnipeg Folk Festival’s Young Performers Program in 2023.
“I loved being a part of that program,” she said. “I got to meet so many friends during that program […] and musicians that inspire me.”
She added, “it was my first time at Winnipeg Folk Festival, so that was really just a humongous opportunity to be a part of the festival [...] One
day, I would love to play as part of the lineup.”
Kelly’s sophomore album, To Be Clear, was released in October and centres on vulnerability and honesty. “It’s definitely my most vulnerable piece of work,” she said. “It’s a collection of stories, some are my own, some are other people’s stories.”
Kelly said that the songs on To Be Clear range from soft ballads to rock and to blues, and are in both English and French, all connected by the theme of vulnerability. She credited producer Jim Bryson, who has worked with her on both of her albums, with being a “guiding light” for the creative process.
Outside of music, Kelly enjoys journaling, reading and river surfing.
“I think [my hobbies] are things that really help me process everything that’s going on,” she explained. “It just helps me kind of wash off everything and filter through everything, and it’s just a really healing moment for me […] I think it’s really essential to make the time for those things, or else I’d lose who I am.”
Kelly’s creativity even
extends to unique merchandise — Mia Kelly — a branded hot sauce. She was inspired by her friend and fellow musician who made and sold honey with much success. Kelly knew she could do something similar.
“I love hot sauce, I have hot sauce in my purse, that’s how much I love hot sauce,” Kelly raved. “I partnered with this Ottawa-based hot sauce company, and we started making this Mia Kelly hot sauce.”
The hot sauce label features Kelly river surfing with her guitar and has sold well. Kelly has said that it has been a
great talking point at the merchandise table. Coming up, Kelly has plans to record new songs over the winter and continue touring in Canada, with hopes to connect with new audiences in Canada and the United Kingdom.
“I’m really excited to just kind of keep it all moving,” she said.
Kelly’s sophomore album, To Be Clear, is available now. Information on upcoming shows can be found at miakellymusic.com.
photo
courtesy of / Kevin McDonald
photo courtesy of / Jen Squires
Mia Kelly, Canadian singer-songwriter
Kevin McDonald, Canadian comedian
The Bisons lose in shootout to the Huskies
The Bisons men’s hockey exhibited a fierce battle on home ice
Israel Adeogo Abejoye, staff
The U of M Bisons men’s hockey team went all out against the Saskatchewan Huskies on Friday, Nov. 1 at the Wayne Fleming Arena. The Bisons held the Huskies to a 3-3 draw in regulation time, with each period ending in a tie, before losing 4-3 in a shootout.
Prior to the game, the Bisons were only one point out from a top three spot in Canada West’s East Division, and five points beneath the Huskies. Although records show that the Bisons have not won a game in their encounters against the Huskies in the last two years, the Bisons were ready to break the winning streak.
The game began with great intensity as though both teams were playing their last. However, despite the intensity, no goal was recorded in the first period. At the end of the first period, the Bisons had 12 shots on goal while the Huskies had 11. The tie con tinued in the second period until Riley Stotts scored the opener at 6:04 minutes. The goal did not last long before Vince Loschiavo scored an equalizer at 7:56 minutes.
Less than three minutes later, Jonny Hooker made it two for the Bisons and they kept the lead until the final two minutes of the second period. Carter Stebbings scored the second goal for the Huskies to make the score 2-2. The Bisons were ahead of the Huskies twice in the game. The second period ended with the Husk ies making more attempts, having taken 16 shots while the Bisons took 12 shots.
The third period began with higher intensity, and at 13:10 minutes Ben Tkachuk made it three for the Huskies during a power play. For the first time in the game, they were ahead of the Bisons.
In the final two seconds of the game, Skyler Bruce flicked the puck to the back of the net to put the Bisons back into the game. Similarly, the third per iod ended in a 3-3 draw.
Five minutes of overtime was insufficient for the two teams to find a winner and the game proceeded to a shootout.
Ultimately, the Huskies reigned with a 2-1 win victory after the shootout.
In a post-game interview with Bruce, he commended the pass that led to the last second goal — earning the Bisons a very crucial point.
“I think [Saskatchewan] got a little disconnected with two seconds left,” said Bruce. “And
it was kind of a fumble play I had at the blue line, but luckily Jonny was there to help me out and then I think I won the battle in the corner.” He continued, “Jonny picked the guy and then I was fortunate. And then I got, I don’t know what happened to their [defenceman], but I kind of beat him off the wall, looked off Zapper and then a backhand pass to Hook who finished it.”
The Bisons men’s hockey coach Gordon Burnett
“Yeah, they have a really, really good hockey team over there,” Burnett said. “They’re deep. It’s a conversation going into every time we play them, how we’re going to match up against them. It’s a concern just with their depth. And they play a really good hockey game. They’re well coached. And for us, it’s just about trying to be above our check and make sure that we don’t give them too much. They created chances.”
for us and our confidence. And we’ll make sure that the guys know that, you know they have tomorrow night, it’s all about tomorrow afternoon now, we come back at one o’clock. They have seven fresh players coming in from the stands and we have two. So it’ll be a different game tomorrow. They’ll have seven fresh bodies in the lineup. But that doesn’t take anything away from tonight. We’re really happy to get a point against a
that took part, Burnett noted, “we’ve done a couple of shootouts at practice. So, we’re watching them. And we just feel we go with the guys that we feel they can score.”
The Bisons faced the Saskatchewan Huskies again the following day but lost 5-0.
The Bisons men’s hockey team will face off against the Mount Royal Cougars on Friday, Nov. 15 at the Wayne Fleming Arena.
Bisons edge past Bobcats in gritty battle
Bisons men’s basketball secure a win against the Brandon Bobcats
Faiyaz Chowdhury, staff
The Bisons men’s basketball emerged victorious over the Brandon Bobcats on Nov. 3 with the final score of 81-74 in a fierce match that tested both teams’ endurance and strategy.
The final score highlighted the Bisons’ offensive resilience and defensive consistency, ultimately resulting in a well-earned win.
In the game’s opening quarter, the Bobcats and the Bisons established a defensive tone, with Bisons just edging ahead, ending the quarter at 20-15. Bisons guard Daren Watts responded with accurate shooting, scoring seven points, including a threepointer. Both teams displayed scrappy defence that kept each other’s offense at bay, with the Bisons’ rebounding advantage contributing to their slight lead. Later, Bobcats’ Dewayne Thompson opened strong with two three-pointers, netting eight points in total and setting an early challenge for the Bisons.
The second quarter saw the Bobcats rally, bringing their team within two points. Sultan Haider Bhatti stepped up for the Bobcats, working hard on both ends and pulling down five total rebounds. Jack McDonald added a timely three-pointer, helping the Bobcats stay competitive as Bisons clung to their lead. For the Bisons, Cieran O’Hara and Manyang Tong showcased their versatility — each contributing two points, adding strong defensive play that limited Brandon’s scoring opportunities. At the half, the Bisons held on to a slim 35-32 lead, with their consistent free-throw accuracy proving a key advantage in such a close game. Coming into the third quarter, the Bobcats hit their stride, highlighted by Travis Hamberger’s explosive quarter, scoring 14 points with four three-pointers. The Bobcats’ three-point shooting began to pressure the Bisons’ defence, forcing the Bisons to adjust. However, the herd stayed resilient, with Watts and Mason Kraus each putting up critical points to keep the lead. The teams traded baskets, and by the end of the third quarter, Bisons’ had a tenuous 55-54 lead, reflecting just how tightly matched these squads were.
deep, answering the Bobcats’ challenge with a balanced team effort. The Bisons
“I mean, I thought we were inconsistent at times, you know, I’m happy with our efforts. I think at times we weren’t super disciplined”
The Bisons ultimately pulled away, finishing the game with a solid 81-74 victory, secured by their shooting accuracy and tenacious defence.
— Kirby Schepp, head coach for Bisons men’s basketball
As the game entered its final stretch, the Bisons dug
field goal accuracy climbed, with efficient plays from Samuel Jensen, who put up seven points, including a crucial three-pointer that shifted momentum. Tong maintained a strong presence on defence, while O’Hara added crucial rebounds and forced turnovers, slowing Bobcats’ offense in key moments. Despite valiant efforts from Bhatti and Jakarri Lindsey — who combined for 16 points in the final quarter — the Bobcats could not keep up with the Bisons’ precise execution.
The Bisons’ ability to hit free throws, particularly in the first half, provided a solid foundation for their lead. Shooting consistency proved critical, especially given the Bobcats’ offensive bursts. The Bobcats’ standout performer, Hamberger, proved to be a scoring powerhouse, but the balanced offensive strategy of the Bisons, complemented by their control on the boards, led them to victory.
The Bisons’ depth was another advantage, with six players contributing at least five points each, highlighting their ability to share the scoring load. Defensively, the
Bisons’ ability to pressure Brandon’s shooters in the final minutes made the difference, securing the game and showcasing the Bisons’ promising season start.
This victory reinforces the Bisons’ potential as a formidable team, showing their resilience under pressure and highlighting the importance of fundamentals in a close, competitive game. The Bisons will look to carry this momentum into their next matchup, hoping to continue their winning streak and solidify their place atop the standings.
In a post-match interview, head coach Kirby Schepp commented on the team’s performance. “I mean, I thought we were inconsistent at times, you know, I’m happy with our efforts. I think at times we weren’t super disciplined,” said Schepp. He added, “but that’s a process, and as we continue to build and get better, I think it’s going to improve as the
year goes on.”
When asked about standout players, “Daren Watts was very good scoring the basketball,” said Schepp. “He was very efficient. And Cieran O’Hara was phenomenal defensively, right. He was our anchor, defensively, blocking shots, rebounding — he was everywhere on the court.” Schepp talked about the Brandon Bobcats, attributing credit to their efforts. “They just kept clawing away and hanging around. And you know, this is a competitive league. Teams aren’t going to fold and pack it in on you, right? So, they’re going to stay with it all the way, and we know that. We just have to continue to be disciplined and do what we do.”
The Bisons will face the Saskatchewan Huskies next on Nov. 8 at 9 p.m. in Saskatoon.
photos / Anthony Nardella / volunteer
Bisons men’s football lose to Regina Rams in playoffs
Bisons played their hearts out but not enough to make it to this year’s championship
Abdul-Jalilu Ahmed, staff
The Bisons men’s football team have been eliminated from the 2024 season following a 28-25 defeat to the University of Regina Rams on Saturday, Nov. 2 at the Princess Auto Stadium.
The Bisons and the Regina Rams came all out in the playoff game, as they exhibited intensity, tenacity and strength of character. The game had an attendance of 2,300 fans.
The playoff game was the final game for the retiring head coach Brian Dobie who has been in charge for 29 years.
The visiting team made a purposeful statement in the first quarter as it ended with a 7-3 score. The Regina Rams started the game on a high note as Noah Pelletier had a one-yard run. The Bisons restored confidence into the game with Maya Turner delivering a 25-yard field goal.
The second quarter witnessed a different approach from the Bisons, ending with a 5-3 score. Turner showed resilience with an 11-yard field goal for the Bisons. Isaac Wegner earned a rouge point for the Regina Rams.
The game produced nostalgic moments in the third quarter as the Bisons and the Regina Rams remained tactful and dedicated to their ambitions. The third quarter ended with a 9-8 score with the Rams still in the lead. For the Bisons, Turner made a good kick for Jackson Tachinski to make an eight-yard run following a touchdown to earn seven points. At the Regina Rams’ side, D’Sean Mimbs came in with an 11-yard run after receiving a pass from Pelletier to earn seven points. Wegner came in with another rouge point.
The fourth quarter was a deciding moment for the two teams following a fierce performance throughout the game. The Bisons put up a remarkable display with a revamped strategy, but the Regina Rams stayed on track for victory, as the fourth quarter ended with a 10-8 score.
Wegner continued to dominate the headlines with a 30-yard field goal for the Regina Rams.
earning seven points with a 16-yard pass from Pelletier and a good kick from Wegner.
The Bisons football head coach Brian Dobie stated that he knew that there could be a moment of win or lose.
“It’s tough to express. I knew this moment would come. Intellectually I knew this moment would come, that
“These guys represented all the teams that I’ve ever coached, and that was my personal theme to them all year, and I stand by it.
I’m so proud”
—
Breydon Stubbs made a mark for the Bisons with a 58-yard run followed by a touchdown to earn six points. Nicholas Sirleaf propelled the Regina Rams to victory after
“But I didn’t know how I would feel. I thought I would feel the way I do, and I was right. Right now, that’s what I said to our team, I feel for all these kids. I’ve coached for 50 years and had been on teams that have had great wins and championships, but I’ve also coached for 50 years, teams that have [had] daggers pulled out of their hearts and this is one of those,” he stated.
Brian Dobie, head coach of the Bisons men’s football team
we’re either going to lose or we’re going to win the national championship. That’s exactly what you’re in when you’re in the playoffs,” said Dobie.
He praised his players for their performances in all games this season.
“They did all the right things all year. They are probably the most unselfish team. That’s the label I gave them about a week ago. I said, ‘every
team has a signature,’ and the signature I’m anointing on you guys is you’re the most unselfish team I’ve ever coached. For these guys, they’re just shocked and they’re devastated, and I’ve had my share of shocks and devastations.”
Dobie continued, “you know, I’m 71 years old. I had my share of elations, and it’s exactly how I thought I’d feel.
If and when it was to end, I knew how they would react, and yeah, that’s kind of all I’m thinking about right now.
“It’ll be weird getting up tomorrow morning and having coffee with my wife, and we’ll look at each other and go, ‘well, I guess we’re retired now.’ You know what? It didn’t end with a whimper, it ended with a bang. I mean, our guys fought to the end, [and] so did Regina.”
Recalling on the final
match, Dobie stated that “it was an awesome football game in terms of pure fight by both teams.” He mentioned that watching your team battle to the end was a great way to go out in anyone’s career.
“These guys represented all the teams that I’ve ever coached, and that was my personal theme to them all year, and I stand by it. I’m so proud. They fought to the last inch and the second, and that’s all you can ask for any team. They did it. Every team doesn’t have the capabilities to do that, but these guys did. I’m proud that they’ve represented all these decades of Bisons football by fighting the way they did.”
The Bisons men’s football team ended the 2024 football season at 0-1, 7-1.
