All classes and exams were cancelled on Nov. 19 at the university’s Fort Garry campus following reports of a man with a large knife.
At approximately 6:30 a.m., the Winnipeg Police Service (WPS) was notified of an adult male armed with a knife in the Allen Building (30 Sifton Road), according to a press release. Members of the WPS general patrol units, the tactical support team and the canine unit responded and established a perimeter of the building and the surrounding area.
Gordon Perrier, director of campus Security Services, indicated that there was a fire alarm report and a call to Security Services, and that Security Services was on the scene within minutes.
An Alert Ready broadcast was issued through the province’s emergency management organization at
News 3
New fish facility
Facilitating healing and disease prevention
approximately 8:28 a.m. with a message indicating that the WPS had issued a dangerous person alert. The suspect was said to have last been seen in the area of the Allen Building.
“If you see this individual, do not approach and call 911,” read the alert. “Leave the area immediately if safe to do so.
The suspect was described as a Black male wearing black clothing.
Around a dozen marked and unmarked police vehicles could be seen near the building that morning.
Nearly an hour after the Alert Ready broadcast, at 9:24
Comment 12
Get a room
Limiting public displays of affection
a.m., the university notified all students and employees of the incident, adding that all classes, exams and activities were cancelled for the day and that a shelter-in-place advisory was in place.
“For your safety, if you are not on campus, remain where you are, stay in place and lock
A classic morality tale
The Magic Flute adapted by the Desautels faculty
all doors,” read the email. “If you are not on campus, please do not come to campus.”
At 9:44 a.m., the majority of police officers and the tactical support team left the Allen Building. By 10:15 a.m., individuals in the lobby were
Cont’d p. 3 / told <
Bisons beat Cougars
One win, one loss for men’s basketball
photos / Milan
Lukes / staff
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Suspect armed with large knife seen inside the Allen Building
Cont’d from front page told they could enter the building.
In an update, the WPS reported that the incident at the Fort Garry campus had been resolved. “It has been determined that there is no imminent threat to public safety. The major crimes unit continues to investigate this matter.”
Perrier said in an afternoon news conference that “we have provided all the information that the university has, including reports, CCTV and availability to our staff for [the police] investigation.”
When questioned on how this incident was communicated to students, Perrier referred to the university’s app (UM Safe) and a tower sys-
tem notification on campus, “which is essentially a loudspeaker that indicates what we want people to do.”
Perrier also commented on the nearly one-hour delay between the Alert Ready broadcast and the university email sent to all students and employees informing them of the incident.
“Initial information came from Security Services and the police services giving people direction to stay away from the area, and that’s the information we’re relying on initially for initial direction,” said Perrier. “The follow-up email from the university is of course not that emergency direction. That emergency direction came much earlier.”
When questioned why the
university did not put out a statement immediately, Perrier responded, “if people were being actively hurt […] we would activate those things immediately. In this case, the information isn’t exactly that. So, in this case, we work in conjunction with the police who are the lead at that event.”
At 11:07 a.m., the university notified all students and employees by email that “all regular campus activity should proceed,” and that in-person classes and exams would resume the following day.
No arrests have been made as of that afternoon, according to the WPS press release.
Students protest for safety following recent incidents
Students demand a review of safety measures after knife incident and assaults
Taycie Adeoti, staff
Following recent crime incidents on campus, U of M students have begun organizing a group to propose a motion and protests for safety that will demand better communication from the university.
Olivia Macdonald Mager, a teaching assistant and the organizer for the newly formed group stated, “I think students are feeling stressed and confused. I think they’re feeling let down by the administration.”
These incidents have reignited concerns about the efficacy of the university’s security services and the adequacy of its communication measures. Macdonald
Mager feels the university has handled previous safety incidents insufficiently and that a re-evaluation of safety protocols is necessary.
“I think that they need to review their protocols but also consult with the students and the staff and the faculty about what to do in [these] cases,” Macdonald Mager said.
On Nov. 19, the Winnipeg Police Service were notified of an adult male armed with a knife at the U of M campus. Although the incident occurred at approximately 6:30 a.m., statements from the university and notifications to all students and staff, as well as to regular civilians, were not released until hours later.
“Civilians who are not stu-
dents, staff or faculty need to be aware because there are people on campus who did not know what was going on at the time, and that can be really scary,” stated Macdonald Mager.
Macdonald Mager acknowledged that complete safety on campus is unrealistic, but she stressed the importance and need for better communication from the university to students and faculty members when safety breaches occur.
“Students need to be more aware about where to go in cases like this. There needs to be push notifications to all phones,” Macdonald Mager said.
Macdonald Mager also wants staff, faculty and stu-
dents to know that they have rights that can be exercised, such as the right that staff can cancel classes and the right that students do not have to attend classes if they feel their safety is jeopardized.
Macdonald Mager stated that “there were a lot of staff and faculty who were locked down in their offices but didn’t know if they had the right to email their students and tell them that classes were cancelled until the administration themselves cancelled all the classes.”
According to Macdonald Mager, faculty members, including the head of her department, have acknowledged that the university’s communications were a failure.
The group is committed to making sure that recent incidents are dealt with transparently and that student input is heard and prioritized. They hope that their demands can be met and declare that a simple review of policies is not enough.
Ideally, a safe campus to Macdonald Mager consists of swipe cards, key fobs, more security and more cameras. Macdonald Mager expressed “there’s no magic bullet. I think it has to be a comprehensive look at how we’re treating security.”
U of M launches new biomedical research facility
New $2.5M facility at the Bannatyne campus to study fish for biomedical research
Ngozi Okose, staff
The U of M unveiled a state-of-the-art biomedical fish facility on Nov. 18, showcasing zebrafish and Mexican tetras as cost-effective models for advancing human health research due to their genetic similarity to humans and regenerative capabilities.
Located in the basement of the Chown Building on the Bannatyne campus, the $2.5 million facility is a home to 2,000 zebrafish and 250 Mexican tetras. The fish tanks are in a multi-rack holding unit that automatically controls all aspects of water quality, ensuring optimal living con-
ditions for the fish.
This cutting-edge equipment supports a range of studies, from genetic pathways to behavioural research, unlocking insights into development, healing and disease prevention.
The initiative is co-led by Dr. Devi Atukorallaya, an associate professor of oral biology at the Dr. Gerald Niznick college of dentistry, and Dr. Benjamin Lindsey, an assistant professor of human anatomy and cell science at the Max Rady college of medicine. Both professors emphasize the transformative potential
of this facility for Manitoba’s research community.
“We encourage other Manitoba scientists to learn about the potential of these animals for health research and collaboration. One advantage is that fish are more cost-effective for research than small mammals, such as mice,” Atukorallaya said to UM Today. “The developmental genetic pathways in these fish are remarkably similar to those in humans. About 70 per cent of the genes are the same as human genes,” she added.
The facility represents a significant investment in the
future of biomedical research.
The Rady faculty of health sciences contributed around $1.5 million to renovate the space.
Joint grants of $843,000 and $90,000 were received by Atukorallaya and Lindsey, respectively, from the Canada Foundation for Innovation’s John R. Evans Leaders Fund, Research Manitoba and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council to fund the equipment.
“We are honoured to be part of this world-class research facility,” said Jennifer Cleary, CEO of Research Manitoba, which contributed to funding
the new equipment. Key features of the Rady biomedical fish facility include incubators for fish eggs, a high-end confocal microscope that captures fluorescent images of fish and a micro-injection station for injecting fish or larvae with tiny volumes of chemical solutions.
Additionally, it will include a behavioural research system equipped with video cameras and analysis software to monitor swimming speed, memory and responses to stimuli like bitter food.
U of M researchers receive SSHRC grant funding
Six Asper school of business researchers secured over $300K in funding
Iyanda Ajuwon, staff
Six researchers from U of M’s Asper school of business have secured over $390,000 in funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) to support their diverse projects.
SSHRC, a Canadian federal research funding agency, is dedicated to promoting and supporting post-secondary-based research in social sciences and humanities.
This agency offers various funding opportunities through three programs, such as the research training and talent development program, the insight research program and the research partnership programs to support research that contributes to the growth of Canada and the world.
This year, six Asper school of business researchers — Xiumei Li, Namita Bhatnagar, Muhammad Kabir, Jie Yang, Jieying Chen and Changqiu Yu — received various grants under the insight research program to support their projects in different areas.
Li, Bhatnagar, Kabir and Yang secured Insight Development Grants worth over $230,000, while Chen and Yu received Insight Grants worth over $170,000.
The Insight Development Grants program support research in its initial stages, facilitating the development of new research questions, methods, theoretical approaches and ideas in the social sciences and humanities.
The Insight Grants program provides substantial support for social sciences and
humanities research, encouraging both established and emerging scholars to contribute to advancing knowledge in their fields. This support is catered toward research that is in its later stages.
Li stated the importance of the received grants on UM Today, saying, “these grants are crucial for transforming promising ideas into actionable research projects.”
However, she also expressed that the path to success for researchers is beyond just that funding.
She emphasized the importance of the strong research culture at Asper, stating that “[it] is both supportive and collaborative. I have benefited from formal support, such as funding programs, as well as informal opportunities, like stimulating discussions with my colleagues.”
Li’s research project, “Entrepreneurial Success in Crowdfunding: The Art and Science of Sensemaking,” focuses on how entrepreneurs craft impactful referencing strategies to captivate audiences and acquire essential resources for crowdfunded projects.
Li intends to examine popular crowdfunding platforms like Kickstarter, with a focus on entrepreneurs’ sensemaking around the nature of novelty and other reference points.
She also mentioned that her project is a collaborative effort with a colleague from her department, Jie Yang.
Kabir’s research project is titled, “Auditor Liability, Firm-level Audit Quality, and Investment: The Effect of
the Livent Case on Canadian Firms.”
The project investigates how changes in auditors’ litigation risk influence audit quality and investment decisions among Canadian firms, providing empirical evidence that can inform regulatory practices.
By examining the implications of increased auditor liability, Kabir aims to understand whether such changes positively or negatively affect audit quality.
Additionally, the research will explore how firms adjust their investment strategies in response to variations in their auditors’ liability.
Kabir also expressed why the received funding is an important achievement for researchers.
He said, “getting an external grant offers early-stage researchers a level of validation of their research, as they work to navigate the peer review and publication process in the first few years of their career.”
Yang’s research project is titled, “My Turf, my Rules: Investigating the Roles of Customers in Product Categorization.”
With this project, Yang aims to deepen the understanding of product categorization by examining how individual customers influence this process.
Traditionally, literature has emphasized the role of producers in defining product categories primarily for monetary gain.
Yang intends to shift this perspective by exploring how customers participate in cat-
egorizing products, thus reframing the relationship between product categories and economic outcomes from a customer-centred perspective.
Bhatnagar‘s research project, “Sensitive Women and Rational Men: Bridging the Gender Divide in Consumer and Employee Green Behaviours,” intends to address the gender disparities in pro-environmental behaviours among consumers and employees.
It focuses on de-stigmatizing strategies that can encourage both men and women to engage more actively in environmental sustainability efforts.
The research highlights the stereotypes that may inhibit participation.
Bhatnagar proposes a multi-phase exploration that examines these gender stereotypes within both traditional homemaking contexts and the modern green technology sector, aiming to foster greater inclusivity in environmental initiatives.
Chen’s research, “Immigrants’ Proactive Socialization Tactics, Adaptation and Career Success,” explores the challenges faced by immigrants in Canada, particularly their employment outcomes which are often poorer compared to Canadian-born individuals.
The research investigates the psychological and behavioural factors that affect newcomers during their initial adaptation process.
Chen intends to use a lens of individual proactivity to understand how immigrants
can utilize socialization tactics to enhance their workplace experiences.
Her findings are expected to provide insights into effective intervention programs that can support immigrants in achieving career success.
Yu’s research, “Carbon Emissions, Environmental Transition Risks and Firm Valuation: Evidence From Financial Analysts,” addresses the pressing issue of climate change by examining how carbon emissions impact firm valuations.
As companies face increasing pressure to transition toward a low-carbon economy, Yu’s research will analyze how financial analysts incorporate emissions data into their evaluations of firms.
The research aims to fill a significant gap in understanding the relationship between environmental transition risks and firm valuation, particularly focusing on how analysts factor in cash flow and discount rate forecasts when assessing companies with varying levels of carbon emissions
In regard to the received funding, Yu explained that the funding promotes knowledge mobilization, as it enables her to acquire datasets, hire research support and participate in knowledge exchanges at Canadian and international conferences.
She said to UM Today, “in order to advance understanding of how environmental factors are integrated into firm valuations, I need access to a large amount of data.”
Canada research chairs announced at the university
U of M welcomes four newly appointed Canada research chairs to its community
Taycie Adeoti, staff
The U of M recently announced the appointment of four Canada research chairs (CRC), with three new chairholders and one renewal.
The CRC program consists of chair-holders that work across diverse fields such as engineering, natural sciences, health sciences, humanities and social sciences.
The university has a total of 50 CRCs that support innovative research initiatives.
The CRC program acknowledges outstanding researchers to strengthen academic research and quality, attracting top talent.
Appointments of the new chairs not only support individual research projects, but also intend to correspond
with U of M’s priority research areas identified in the Change Through Research: Strategic Research Plan 2024-29. These research spheres include health, well-being and foundations.
The newly appointed chairs include Ji Hyun Ko, Mina Nouredanesh and Amani Hamad. The renewed chair is Jorg Stetefeld.
New Canada research chairs and their research initiatives
Ji Hyun Ko, associate professor of human anatomy and cell science in the Max Rady college of medicine, is now also the CRC in neuroimaging and neuromodulation.
His focus is to develop artifi-
cial intelligence (AI) programs that will help in the diagnosis, prognosis and treatments for brain disorders. His aim for the AI programs is to transform clinical use of non-invasive brain stimulation techniques.
Ko expressed his gratitude to UM Today, stating, “I’m humbled and I really appreciate that I was selected as a Canada research chair. Now there’s a lot of work to do.”
Mina Nouredanesh, assistant professor in the department of community health sciences in the Max Rady college of medicine, is now also the CRC in AI for complex research.
Nouredanesh’s focus is on developing AI-powered tools to treat complex age-related
conditions such as dementia and Parkinson’s disease to help improve the lives of Canadians.
She stated to UM Today that her goal was to create innovative AI-powered personalized tools that will help understand and treat the factors contributing to these complex age-related conditions to improve the lives of older adults and their caregivers.
Amani Hamad, assistant professor of community health sciences at the Max Rady college of medicine, is now also the CRC in population data science and data curation.
She is currently studying multi-generational cases of mental illness and other chronic conditions. Her focus
is on researching and analyzing administrative health-care data to develop family health profiles for Manitobans.
Renewed Canada research chair and his initiatives
Jorg Stetefeld is the renewed CRC in structural biology and biophysics. The main goal of his research is to understand the specifics of structure-property relationships of protein-protein interaction networks that will aid in developing therapeutic approaches to treating human disease.
Research at the U of M is supported in part by funding from the Government of Canada research support fund.
Research targets cancer and genetic diseases detection
U of M leverages AI for cancer and genetic disease research
Sylvester Delali Agbado, staff
U of M researchers have developed a genomics method that can possibly reveal the genetic mechanisms affecting human health and disease. The latest publication in the journal Genome Biology presents a new approach to studying the root causes of diseases such as cancer and dementia, with the goal of enabling early detection.
Dr. Athanasios Zovoilis, an associate professor of biochemistry and medical genetics in the Max Rady college of medicine told UM Today that “[his] lab applies what we
call next-generation sequencing and bioinformatics to magnify the impact of recent advances in AI algorithms. We collaborate with researchers across the country to position Canada at the forefront of this important new field of study.”
Zovoilis also leads a bioinformatics research program at the Paul Albrechtsen Research Institute at CancerCare Manitoba.
Researchers use next-generation sequencing daily to find clues in the non-coding segments of DNA, previously called “junk DNA.” These segments reveal information about disease presence. The
Zovoilis team aims to transform lab equipment, originally built to read messenger ribonucleic acid — the coded parts of genetic material — to analyze the non-coding portion, known as non-coding ribonucleic acids (RNAs).
Zovoilis revealed to UM Today that “the right equipment for this new field of study has been in our lab for some time, but we lacked the tools to use it to its fullest potential, until now.
“The impact of employing AI and novel genomics approaches is that researchers across the world can now leverage next-generation
sequencing in the new field of epitranscriptomics, exploring the genetic interactions of non-coding RNAs.”
Over the past two decades, researchers have used precise tools to examine non-coding RNAs and identified about three per cent of coded sequences.
Through the Canadian Epitranscriptomics Project, Zovoilis applies this technology to build the “Epitranscriptome Atlas” to cover the remaining 97 per cent of the genome and understand how changes in non-coding RNAs contribute to disease.
Zovoilis mentioned to UM
Today that “if we imagine the human genome as an atlas of the earth, with each gene represented by one satellite image, we have so far revealed fewer than 36,000 of the necessary 1.2 million images to complete our atlas.
“The mapped RNA sequences represent specific human tissues, and we are now able to begin filling in large sections of our atlas to pinpoint the genomic locations of diseases and other important biological functions for the first time.”
Helping older adults meet their nutritional needs
U of M professor works to improve mealtimes for older adults
Rhea Bhalla, staff
According to the American Geriatrics Society, more than half of older adults in hospitals or longterm care (LTC) homes experience malnutrition. Malnutrition includes both under- and over-nutrition and can result in health issues, functional disability, impaired immune function, poor quality of life, hospitalization and increased risk for morbidity and mortality.
Christina Lengyel is a professor in the U of M’s department of food and human nutritional sciences. Her work focuses on examining the nutritional and health challenges faced by baby boomers and older adults living in residential care settings, as well as those in community residences in both rural and urban environments.
Lengyel’s passion for working with older adults took root early in life. During her childhood, she formed close relationships with her older adult neighbours, whom she considered to be like family. At 14 years old, she began volunteering with older adult residents in LTC homes.
“Growing up with older adults in my community as a child, I realized the different needs they had,” Lengyel said. “I just loved working with older adults. I had a passion for that. I knew there was a need for helping out.”
Lengyel emphasized the variety of factors that affect an older adult’s dietary intake, explaining that “a lot of people think it’s just the type of food that someone consumes, but it’s so much more than that.”
Meal accessibility, meal quality, mealtime experiences and environmental factors impact the amount and type of food a resident in a LTC home consumes.
One study co-authored by Lengyel found that when family members assist an older adult with eating in LTC, they consume more protein and energy than when they do not. The study demonstrated that residents who have difficulty eating independently can greatly benefit from dedicated help from family members during meals.
graphic / Teegan Gillich / staff
family care partners and four residents in LTC. The study solidified the “indispensability,” of a present family. The study re-emphasized the
“[Older adults] are a vulnerable group, and I think that we have to be aware of how we can ensure that they are meeting their nutritional requirements and quality of life”
her team revealed the struggles of LTC staff in Canada managing mealtimes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Constant changes in public health mandates disrupted routines, negatively affecting residents’ physical and emotional well-being.
— Christina Lengyel, professor in the U of M’s department of food and human nutritional sciences
Another study Lengyel co-authored interviewed 17
importance of mealtimes in LTC and family inclusion at meals, and why eating alone, as happened during COVID19, was so detrimental to residents. “Effort needs to be made to value this communal activity for the well-being of residents,” the authors reported. In a 2023 study, Lengyel and
While infection control measures aimed to ensure safety, they often limited social interaction and engagement. With communal dining largely restricted, the importance of mealtimes as sources of connection and nourishment was highlighted.
The research team stressed that future pandemic measures should balance safety with residents’ quality of life
by developing protocols that consider their physical and emotional needs, especially when it comes to valuing mealtimes as a social event.
Currently, Lengyel is working on a study exploring emergency food service preparedness in Canadian LTC homes. During emergencies, such as natural disasters and pandemics, effective food delivery and nutritional support for older adults in LTC is essential.
When evacuating during an emergency, relocating residents in LTC homes can be challenging. Sheltering in place may be more practical, yet providing food, water, supplies, sleeping areas and power remains difficult. The food supply chain may also have been disrupted, leaving residents unable to meet their nutritional needs.
“Given all the changes we
see with climate change and things that can happen just very quickly, how do LTC providers quickly make decisions about how to engage when there is some kind of [emergency]?” Lengyel said. “Are they preparing themselves? What guidelines do they have? Are they following guidelines?”
Ultimately, the project aims to assess current emergency food service practices in LTC homes and develop a template manual to support facilities in this crucial area.
Lengyel emphasized the importance of supporting the nutritional well-being of older adults.
“They are a vulnerable group, and I think that we have to be aware of how we can ensure that they are meeting their nutritional requirements and quality of life,” she said.
Improving welfare for farmers and farm animals
Research explores connections between animal care and farmer well-being
Divyata Gosai, staff
Recent research highlights the important connection between farmer well-being and animal health, indicating that farmers with greater stress levels are more likely to have animals with health difficulties. This emphasizes the necessity for supporting farmers’ mental health to improve animal welfare.
Meagan King, an assistant professor in the U of M’s department of animal science, is at the forefront of this research.
In high school, she considered pursuing veterinary school. However, during her undergraduate studies in environmental biology, she worked at the humane society and in labs at Queen’s University, conducting biology and ecology research. She realized that her passion lies in working with animals and exploring science through research, rather than veterinary studies.
“I’ve always loved animals,” she said. “I like science and research and work-
ing with animals, so it kind of combines the two things that I’m very passionate about and enjoy doing.”
King’s research focus is farm animal health and welfare.
Her work explores strategies to provide housing that ensures animals are comfortable, healthy and productive. Additionally, it focuses on using precision technologies to enhance animal health, as well as the quality of life and mental well-being of farmers.
One of King’s current projects on animals includes the study of piglet performance, behaviour and welfare focusing on how to reduce their stress level. Another study focuses on dairy cows and heifers, employing scientific methods to evaluate whether the animals are experiencing
“We should respect their [farmer] knowledge and experiences and work with them and support them to raise animals”
farmers and its impact on their animals, exploring whether barn management practices could support both. She questioned whether stressed farmers might have animals with more health issues and if farmers with strong support systems and good relationships are better equipped to provide quality care to their animals.
— Meagan King, assistant professor in the U of M’s department of animal science
positive or negative emotions.
“All my work with dairy cows was using robotic milking systems and the collars that the cows wear that record how much time they spend chewing their cud, which is like a sign of a healthy, relaxed cow,” she explained. “How can we use all this data to understand if a cow is getting sick and then maybe detect it earlier?”
King later realized that her research mainly focused on farm animals, while the farmers who took care of those animals remained understudied.
“If I really care about how farm animals are doing, I should also care about how farmers are doing,” she said. “So that leads me into some of my current research.”
In her research work, King examined the well-being of
“I do have some research projects where we’re serving farmers, asking how they’re doing, looking at physical and mental health and social supports and their working environment, and then also looking at animal outcomes,” she explained. “So are the animals healthy, or do they have certain diseases?”
King expressed her excitement about expanding into social sciences, despite her primary focus as an animal scientist.
She also emphasized the multidisciplinary nature of
research within the faculty of agricultural and food sciences, where projects often involve collaboration across diverse fields such as soil science, plant science, animal science, psychology and veterinary medicine.
In addition, King reiterated the importance of qualitative research in her work. Rather than solely relying on data and spreadsheets, she focuses on understanding farmers’ perspectives by analyzing their experiences and knowledge.
“[Farmers] are the ones who know the most about farming,” she said. “We should respect their knowledge and experiences and work with them and support them to raise animals.”
“It’s good to remind everyone to just be kind — not like nice — but truly kind and genuine, and to support each other, because everyone has things going on in their lives, good and bad.”
graphic / Fumnaya Ifeadi / staff
The fall of Assassin’s Creed
How the franchise took a turn for the worst
Zulkifl Rafah, staff
The Assassin’s Creed series has been a cornerstone for Ubisoft since its debut in 2007.
The franchise, based on historical events, gripping narratives and innovative gameplay, captured the hearts of millions. It was Assassin’s Creed Unity that marked a turning point for both the company and fans. Its launch in 2014 was flooded with game-breaking bugs and performance problems that overshadowed its artistic achievements. This eventually led to a decline in the reputation of the franchise. Subsequent titles after Unity diverged from the roots that harboured the series and made it unique.
Set during the French Revolution, Assassin’s Creed Unity aimed to revolutionize the series with a new stealth and fluid parkour system. The richly detailed recreation of Paris was an undeniable technical achievement.
I spent most of my time in the game parkouring through the rooftop of Notre Dame, admiring the beautiful cityscape of 18th-century Paris.
Unity’s combat was overhauled compared to the previous titles, making battles much more engaging for those who sought a challenge. Others had the option of taking a stealthier approach to reach their targets. Facial animations in the cinematic cutscenes were flawless and contained more emotions in contrast to the recent title releases from the franchise. Moreover, the inclusion of co-op missions introduced a new dimension of multiplayer experience, emphasizing teamwork and strategic planning.
Narratively, the origin story of Arno Dorian felt rather dull. His personal arc, intertwined with the political disruption of the French Revolution had potential for exploration. The game touched on keen philosophical and moral questions such as loyalty, revolution and the price of freedom — concepts that could have elevated the series to greater storytelling heights if explored more in-depth.
Following Unity, Ubisoft steered the franchise to a brand-new direction, starting with Assassin’s Creed Origins in 2017. While the newly introduced RPG mechanics revitalized the series for some, it fundamentally stripped the franchise of its identity, leading to the downfall of the franchise.
Stealth and parkour ele-
ments, which were the defining features of Assassin’s Creed, became secondary to enormous maps, loot systems and endless grinding. These bloated open worlds emphasized repetitive objectives, sacrificing the narrative-driven focus that made the earlier games appealing. The facial animations deteriorated and lacked emotion and even the dialogue became monotonous. Playing the recent titles
felt like it was not about assassins anymore.
series’ evolution. If only Ubisoft had committed to fixing its flaws and building on its strengths, Unity could have become a blueprint. With the return to stealth-focused gameplay in Assassin’s Creed Mirage, released in 2023, there is still hope for the franchise to reclaim its identity and rediscover what made the series resonate with players in the first place. However, the lessons of graphic / Teegan Gillich / staff
Assassin’s Creed Unity remain clear.
There is still hope for the franchise to reclaim its identity and rediscover what made the series resonate with players in the first place
Looking back, Assassin’s Creed Unity was a game ahead of its time.
Unity’s small yet densely packed immersive world, ambitious mechanics and emphasis on historical authenticity could have been instrumental in refining the
Innovation should build on a franchise’s strengths rather than replace them. By learning from the failures and successes of Unity, Ubisoft can create a path back to the heart of what made Assassin’s Creed a groundbreaking series in the video game industry. Unity may have stumbled but its ambition and potential deserve recognition.
Canada in Donald Trump’s second term
How will Canada react to consequences from the return of the president
Karl Pulver, volunteer
Canadians need to look in the mirror as we are not off the hook with Trump.
The election of Donald Trump earlier this month was an immense shock for many. In the wake of the results, uncertainty seems to be the word on everyone’s mind. But are we really uncertain?
Clearly this is not the outcome people were assuming, and one thing that is for certain is that polls may have lost all their reliability this time around. Even major outlets like CNN touted pollsters with near perfect histories as practically assuring a Harris victory.
These types of predictions echo those of the 2016 election, in which a win on the Democratic ticket seemed ensured. All those who followed the elections were totally blindsided by the sheer inaccuracy of the polls compared to the results, especially those based in the North, who can only watch in shock and horror as these things play out. Regardless of how uncertain we were of the results, we need to acknowledge the reality that the character of American culture has shifted toward favouring Donald Trump. Now, Canadians need to be aware of how this will affect our own lives and politics. There will be no honeymoon phase.
Here in Canada, Donald Trump’s policy proposals, for example, his proposed tariffs on all foreign imports, including those from Canada, could, if not resolved, take a major toll on our industries and economy.
The Canadian natural resources industry, the bulwark of the Canadian economy, is already showing signs of concern.
One study from Oxford Economics proposes that such tariffs, in the years to come, could lead to greater inflation and uncertainty in non-oil and gas natural resources like lumber.
Knowing the potential effects of a second Trump presidency is key to navigating the challenges ahead.
Of course, many Canadians and Americans are not only concerned about the economic ramifications for our nation but the political and social implications as well.
Donald Trump marks an undoubtedly historic shift in the American character. Not only does this election mark a second victory, it also
is the first time Trump has won an electoral victory after the Jan. 6 riots, an event that scarred his last presidency. Trump’s promises during the election campaign this time
ter lives.
Trump’s rhetoric scapegoats immigrants for society’s problems and blames a fabricated invisible enemy for the many ills of American society.
adian and American culture, would be a mistaken characterization. Canadian society has proven more than capable of echoing “Trumpism” and could very well adopt that
around have been the most overtly fascistic, promising mass deportation of immigrants and threatening political opponents.
These reflect America’s appetite for radical social and economic change, fueled by hopes that swift anti-establishment policies will disrupt the status quo and lead to bet-
Many Canadians will point at these issues and label them as phenomena exclusive to American society. It is often framed that Canadian society, oh so mythologically polite and timid in its character, is completely incapable of such problematic actions.
This, beyond a mild eye-rolling analysis of Can-
kind of Trumpian thinking. Canadian politics have already begun to shift towards a Trumpian character in the form of scapegoating immigrants, and populist culture war issues are taking centre stage in various provinces across the country. It would not be surprising if soon these Trump-like issues take the
spotlight in federal politics as well.
To be clear, it is doubtful that Canada’s major political parties, the NDP, Liberals or even the Conservatives, will have a sudden turn to Trumpism in the coming weeks and months, but the process isn’t as unlikely as many would like to assume.
Canada’s Conservative party leader Pierre Poilievre has teetered between favouring Trumpian style populist conduct and outright opposing Trumpian policies. This makes Poilievre an interesting character in the coming days of Canadian politics, as one of the greatest strengths Canada may have in resisting the near fascist politics of right-wing populism just may be figures like Poilievre.
Right-wing opposition to Trump in Canada has yet to become a silent voice, as it has become in the U.S., and watching the character of the Conservative party will be necessary in the coming years as a likely revival of Trumpism comes to Canada.
This doesn’t unburden the left in Canada, as the NDP and especially the Liberals, should learn from the campaigns of the Democrats in the United States, and acknowledge that solely being in opposition to Trump is not the election winner they wish it to be.
The strategy adopted by the Democrats in the past three elections evidently does not have a great track record, and if the left wants success in the future, it is time to adopt alternative policies that can combat right-wing populism with equivalent fire.
Trump’s popularity as a figure is growing in Canada, and this fact should not go unnoticed. During the previous Trump term, an effectively Trumpian party was established in Canada in the form of the People’s Party of Canada, and now with approval ratings rising for Trump, it is not unlikely that these ideologies return stronger than before.
A second Trump term in America effectively starts a countdown in Canada to an unknown date when our politics begin to follow the same course. The key question for Canadians now is how receptive we will be when a candidate of similar calibre comes and how we will act now to ensure that Trump’s rhetoric does not become prevalent in Canada.
Public displays of irritation
Please “get a room”
Quinn Mayhew, staff
ublic display of affec-
Ption, or PDA, immediately makes me think, “get a room.” Why flaunt an intimate moment in a public space and make everybody widely uncomfortable just for a little lip-locking?
Everywhere I go, I cannot escape the confounding amount of PDA around campus that I see daily, which makes me want to crawl into a hole.
Last week while on the bus, minding my own business, I saw a couple on public transit. At first, it was just some innocent handholding which soon turned into a full-on makeout session within the blink of an eye. One was sitting on the other’s lap, making out, on public transit at 7 p.m.
I immediately felt uncomfortable and bothered by this very public display of affection. I couldn’t understand why this couple chose a very busy and very public bus line to share a private moment — anywhere but the bus, would have been a better choice.
Despite my immense irritation towards this couple, I couldn’t help wondering why I was so bothered by this. Perhaps it was my feelings of annoyance and jealousy, as I am not in a committed rela-
tionship and cannot partake in any form of affection towards a significant other.
I don’t mind seeing individuals or couples hugging or giving a quick kiss in public. I do mind witnessing a full-on make-out session or the holding of hands that are swinging back and forth which could be found in some Disney fantasy dreamland.
Just because I was on the bus didn’t mean I had to look at this very intimate and unnecessary lip-locking.
As I was scrolling through my phone, trying to look anywhere else but the couple who were in the throes of making out, I lifted my head to see what other people on the bus thought of this display. To my delight, they looked equally or more horrified as I did.
My question to the couples that participate in this type of PDA is, why do you feel the need to be so intimate in public places? Are you not feeling vulnerable or embarrassed? Or are the people around you absorbing all that embarrassment for you? What are you ultimately trying to prove by doing this?
Although I do not believe all forms of PDA are too much, I believe that there is a line that people walk between PDA being cute and being irritat-
Scurvy’s return
ing. I think if you are participating in PDA, you should be aware of the people and surroundings around you as well as socially acceptable boundaries that you should probably not cross.
No matter where you are, you can’t escape the influence of public displays of affection. Stylist magazine says it’s impossible to escape PDAs. Whether it’s in your daily life or on the internet, you are constantly being introduced to news about these displays of affection.
From Pete Davidson’s relationship with Kim Kardashian on social media and in news articles to Oliva Wilde and Harry Styles’s PDAs, we simply cannot escape the bombardment of couples making out anywhere in our lives.
The real questions are, why do some people hate PDA with a burning passion and why are others okay with it?
Grace McMahon, a life coach interviewed by Stylist, said “a lot of our reaction to a PDA comes down to the way we were raised. If our parents displayed affection in the home while we were growing up, it becomes quite normal to us, and the way they viewed PDA depicts the way we view and judge it as we get older.”
Perhaps the reason I hate
PDA boils down to the fact that affection was not common among my parents and especially was rare within my family. We often quietly spent time together as a family. My parents chose to keep hugs few and far between one another, but opted to spend quality time with one another, which was their form of love language.
Despite upbringing playing a major role in how we view public displays of affection, the discomfort is widespread enough and has reached a
Earlier this November, a community in Northern Saskatchewan had 27 residents diagnosed with scurvy.
Scurvy is caused by a severe lack of vitamin C. It is a disease most famous for its association with 16th to 18th century pirates who had insufficient access to fresh foods. It is now being found at higher rates in Canada, and doctors are being told to be aware of scurvy as a potential diagnosis moving forward.
Scurvy cases are meant to be incredibly rare and seeing a large group of cases, such as the phenomenon in Saskatchewan, is even more alarming.
Multiple CBC articles point to food insecurity as a potential factor in these scurvy cases. Food insecurity is on the rise in Canada.
Using Statistics Canada’s data from ten provinces, the food insecurity research program PROOF states that a whopping 22.9 per cent of Canadians lived in food-
insecure households in 2023. In 2020 and 2021, food insecurity had been falling until it began to rise to 15.6 per cent in 2022. And it has yet to be seen what the data holds for 2024.
However, with food prices rising even higher than inflation, a pain we’ve all been feeling this year, we can make an educated guess that food insecurity will be in an even worse position once we have the numbers.
These increases in food insecurity are largely seen in households with tighter budgets. And poverty is on the rise across Canada.
But what makes northern communities especially vulnerable to a rare disease like scurvy? In a nutshell, corporate greed and colonization.
Northern communities are among the most food insecure. This is in part due to colonization and its depriving Indigenous folks of traditional food systems, such as traditional knowledge of plants and hunting. Communities
who once had independent food systems now, at best, rely on a hybrid of traditional food and southern import. This new reliance, brought on by colonization, is a significant factor in northern food insecurity.
Additionally, the ecosystems on which northern communities rely are deteriorating due to climate change. Harvesting, hunting and fishing are difficult and sometimes impossible. Making reliance on retail grocers more and more prevalent.
It’s long been known that northern communities experience higher grocery costs than their southern neighbours, and inflation, as well as rising food prices across the board, are no doubt hurting these communities further. While corporate greed isn’t exclusive to northern groceries, there’s a particular question of government subsidy given to northern grocery retailers, that’s meant to offset the high cost of food transportation.
critical point within the arts department that the Arts Student Body Council (ASBC) has banned PDA within the arts lounge on campus. I hope this article makes you aware that the people participating in PDA should be aware of the individuals around them and their surroundings. I also hope you agree that there is a time and place for PDA which should never be public transportation.
Researcher Tracey Galloway did a study tracing subsidy dollars given to companies and whether they end up benefiting the consumers, as they are meant to. Galloway said that more than onethird of the subsidy can’t be accounted for. We can presume that this high gap can most likely be accounted for in the company’s pockets, or profits. That’s millions of dollars unaccounted for. There must be accountability. To prevent further cases of
scurvy and any other diseases that may arise, Canada must take urgent action to address food insecurity. Without meaningful intervention, scurvy will not remain an isolated phenomenon but a symptom of a much larger, preventable health crisis. The question now is whether Canada will continue to overlook these communities or take the necessary steps to amend their previous neglect.
graphic / Teegan
Gillich / staff
graphic / Teegan
Gillich / staff
Left in the dark
Why hasn’t the university told us more about the knife incident?
Thandeka Katsika, staff
I am sure most U of M students are aware of the incident that occurred on Nov. 19. The Winnipeg Police Service issued an emergency alert to notify the public of a dangerous person on the Fort Garry campus with a large knife.
The suspect was described extremely vaguely as being a Black male in black clothing — a description that could probably fit hundreds of university students on a random Tuesday.
The exact time the university’s administration or police department was first made aware of this situation is unclear.
For the first hour of the morning, I had to make judgements based on Telegram group chats, news articles and social media. CBC News Manitoba posted an article concerning the incident at 7:56 a.m., but I received the alert from the police department at around 8:28 a.m., and an official email from the university at 9:57 a.m.
While I do not expect every party to deliver critical news at the exact same time, I find it strange that for about two hours, a suspected dangerous person was on campus, and the university gave no official statement or clear instructions for students to follow to ensure their safety.
The haziness of the university’s communication was furthered when I received an email at 11:11 a.m. notifying students about the Winnipeg Police Service report which stated that the situation had been “resolved,” there was no longer an “imminent threat to public safety” and life on campus could go back to normal.
I know many students are still not satisfied with this response.
It lacks critical information and sounds somewhat cryptic. It is like an enigmatic clue you might find in a Sherlock Holmes movie that has to be decoded and then followed to the truth. What does it mean that the situation has been “resolved?” Why do I, as a student, feel like I need to solve this email?
Although it was supposed to be informative, the university’s insufficient communication left students with even more questions than answers. The only resolution I can see from an emergency alert about a dangerous person is that this person has been apprehended, but the email stated no such thing. This makes students wonder what is being kept from them. Why do they not have all the facts
concerning an incident that threatened their safety?
Additionally, the email stated that life on campus could resume, but how can any student be expected to roam the halls of our campus and feel safe doing so when we still do not know the status of this dangerous person? Did the police catch him or not? If not, where is he now? And how can they guarantee that he is no longer a threat to public safety?
The information we have been given just does not add up. As a student at this university and a member of the public, I deserve to know what is really going on. We all do
It seems that we are in the dark about much of the information surrounding this incident, and as students at this university, I believe we deserve better. This matter affects us and so we are entitled to the truth about it. I understand that the responsibility does not lie solely with the university.
The administration is probably not privy to all the information and must rely on the police report. However, whatever they know, we should know. Both the police department and university administration owe it to the public to be honest about the knife incident. Clear and transparent communication is critical, especially in a situation where the safety of the students at this university is under threat.
In my opinion, this entire situation seems far too ambiguous. From the description of the man to the time we received the news and even the resolution itself. The information we have been given just does not add up. As a student at this university and a member of the public, I deserve to know what is really going on. We all do. After all, our safety and well-being were under threat on Tuesday, and without transparency from both the university and the police department, how can we feel safe on our campus?
graphic / Teegan Gillich / staff
Diversions
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.
15 by 50 orthogonal maze
Straights Puzzle by Syndicated Puzzles Puzzle by Syndicated Puzzles
Sudoku Sudoku Solution
Straights Solution
Provided by: Teegan Gillich
Nine Circles to host World AIDS Day cabaret
Community health centre commemorates World AIDS Day with music and comedy
Boris Tsun Hang Leung, staff
Since 1998, communities around the world have observed World AIDS Day on Dec. 1 to show solidarity in the fight against HIV and remember those who have lost their lives to the disease.
The impact of AIDS remains sobering — in Canada, Manitoba reports the second highest HIV transmission rates after Saskatchewan, with Indigenous peoples in the province disproportionately affected. However, discussions about the disease do not have to be all doom and gloom.
On Nov. 29, the Nine Circles Community Health Centre will host a cabaret night to commemorate World AIDS Day. According to Chance Dupuis, the centre’s community engagement coordinator, Nine Circles started as an HIV clinic around 40 years ago. Currently, it continues to provide care and treatment for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.
“[Nine Circles] also delivers comprehensive primary care, social support, education, prevention and wellness services. Really, our goal is to create healthier communities for Manitobans,” Dupuis said.
The cabaret will run from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., featuring comedy, burlesque and live music from eight different performers. Dupuis said the event was developed with input from the HIV Lived Experience Advisory group, a diverse collective of people living with HIV.
“[The group] really wanted to start, once we were able to gather in person again, [to] do an event that centered World AIDS Day, however, doing it a little bit differently. So, World AIDS Day, obviously recognized in the 80s to really bring attention to the AIDS epidemic, and now World AIDS Day has kind of taken on […] acknowledging all the strides that we’ve made in the realm of HIV and AIDS,” Dupuis said.
“So really, we’re taking this event to build community around, and really show that there is laughter and joy and community while you’re with HIV.”
ceeds will support Nine Circles’ social programs, such as the Pit Stop Harm Reduction
“So really, we’re taking this event to build community around, and really show that there is laughter and joy and community while you’re living with HIV”
— Chance Dupuis, Nine Circles’ community engagement coordinator
In addition to performances, the cabaret will feature two silent auction prizes and ten raffle baskets. The pro-
program, Indigenous Cultural Support programming, the HIV Lived Experience Advisory and Harm Reduction Peer Advisory groups.
“Our support groups, even our social support drop-in really heavily relies on donations for things like refreshments, bus tickets, making sure that people can participate in an equitable way, and they don’t have to stress out about coming and enjoying programming and knowing that that stuff will be covered when they attend,” Dupuis said.
“We’ve had people get mas-
tectomy products, work boots, background checks, really just help participate in day-to-day life, getting themselves following really their own journey into health and wellness and creating the life that they want to create. That fund really supports that as well.”
Dupuis emphasized a key message of the event — that people with HIV can still live long, fulfilling lives.
“You can live a long and happy, healthy life while living with HIV, and I think that’s also a big take home message. You know, there’s U=U (undetectable = untransmittable) where once you’re on
steady medication, you can’t pass it on. And that’s a really, relatively new thing for the general community,” Dupuis said.
“Life doesn’t end after an HIV diagnosis […] That’s something that I think is going to be my hope, a big take-home message from this event.”
The cabaret will be hosted on Nov. 29 at the Winnipeg Art Gallery-Qaumajuq. Tickets can be purchased at ninecircles.ca.
photo courtesy of / ninecircles.ca
Skye Wallace releases fifth album, The Act of Living
Alt-rock singer-songwriter explores themes of death, life and rebirth
Carrington Dong, staff
S
kye Wallace describes their music as rock, but not typical rock. While they refer to it broadly as “alt-rock,” they avoid defining themselves by a single genre. Their music incorporates elements of punk, folk and other styles.
“It’s always changing,” Wallace said, with a laugh.
Wallace’s family exposed them to a great variety of music from a young age, inspiring their career in music.
According to Wallace, much has changed since releasing their first extended play (EP) in 2009. They took a somewhat unconventional path to the music industry, something they look back on fondly.
“I did a tour that was very, looking back on it, very punk rock, it was very DIY [do-it-yourself],” Wallace recalled. “Nobody would book me because I hadn’t been booked, so I booked myself in places that were kind of alternative venues […] I took the train and stayed with family across the country.”
Wallace released their fifth studio album, The Act of Living, in November 2024. Pro-
duced in collaboration with Hawksley Workman, it was their first experience co-producing an album. Wallace described it as a concept piece inspired by the recent death of their grandfather.
“It’s all about death and cycles and rebirth,” Wallace said. “It’s not just the idea that death is a thing, and we should look at it and talk about it […] Death is what propels life ever forward, and the death of fear, the death of anxiety, all these things can be good things.”
The album is intended to walk the listener through a process, from fearing death to finding peace with it. Each song reflects on the metaphorical death of something, such as fear. Wallace’s personal favourites from the album include “Momentum,” co-written with Workman, where they felt they broke from their self-imposed confines.
“On Your Way,” a “cathartic” song about Wallace’s grandfather written with Matt Mays, is another favourite. “You Don’t Still Have a Hold On Me,” stands out as a triumphant, but bittersweet breakup
song with anxiety.
Producing the album was a healing process for Wallace, who found themselves exploring their relationship with death. Wallace noted that in North America, the subject of death is often avoided, leading to a fear of it — something they sought to overcome.
“I was always kind of petrified with the fear of death, and I realized that that wasn’t something that I really wanted […] so when I had this experience with my grandfather that was so intimate […] I was fearing it less,” they reflected.
Wallace feels that all humans share a connection and proximity to death, and they believe that everyone could benefit from looking inward to overcome their fear of it.
The horror-inspired music video for The Act of Living’s title track, described by Wallace as “campy” and “gory,” was produced by Blind Luck Pictures — known for horror-inspired productions. Wallace connected with the team at a festival in 2023, as their goal for the music video was to incorporate aspects
of 1970s horror films into the video.
“It was great. It was a match made in heaven,” Wallace said of the filming experience. “Horror heaven!”
Wallace toured The Act of Living before its release, which they enjoyed as it allowed the songs to evolve live. Looking ahead they plan
Striker tours in Winnipeg Nov. 28
Juno-winning heavy metal band tours across North America
Carrington Dong, staff
Heavy metal band Striker, originally from Edmonton, started from humble beginnings. Each member began playing music in their teens and came from similar backgrounds. Before forming Striker, the bandmates played in other various groups before meeting and creating their signature sound.
“We’re just a bunch of filthy long-haired metalheads who like old-school metal,” guitarist Tim Brown said with a chuckle.
Describing Striker’s eclectic style, Brown said, “I would sum up our sound as the sound of a monster truck jumping over an explosion […] it’s just a lot of fun, a lot of pyrotechnics.”
During their nearly 15-year career, Striker has achieved major success. In 2020, the band won the Juno Award for Metal/Hard Music Album of the Year, after being nominated the previous year. This significant milestone took place during the COVID-19 pandemic, which made the experience of winning different from what it could have been.
“So, it was a little bit anti-climactic to win […] watching it on TV with everyone else […] you don’t get to really make a statement or anything like you normally would.”
Another major career highlight was winning an Edmonton radio contest to open for legendary band Metallica in Edmonton.
“Bands from all around the world applied to get that opening slot, and we were lucky enough to win,” Brown recalled. He also noted that as part of the experience, the band “got to hang out and meet everyone from Metallica.”
Striker released their latest album, Ultrapower, in February 2024. The album was recorded in Michigan with producer Josh Schroeder. Most of the music was written fully before they arrived at the studio.
“We just kind of just sat down and got to work,” Brown said. “It’s a lot of work to put together an album, but it was a lot of fun.” The album’s latest single, “Live To Fight Another Day,” ventures into the synthwave genre and features the
to return to touring and performing in spring 2025, with hopes of touring Western Canada and Europe.
“Creating music is such a joy for me,” Wallace said.
The Act of Living, is available for streaming now on skyewallace.com.
band’s first green screen based music video.
“We’re all fans of that kind of music, so we just were looking to be a little bit more experimental,” said Brown. “There was already lots of synths and stuff on that song, so we were just like, ‘hey, what if we just leaned into it?’ And it turned out that it was just a really fun sound, and we all liked it.”
Brown commented that over time, the band has
become more open to experimenting with new sounds, while still retaining signature metal-based elements such as heavy guitars.
Striker will be performing at Winnipeg’s Sidestage on Nov. 28. The concert is part of their Shredding North America tour, alongside fellow heavy metal acts — Seven Kingdoms and Lutharo.
Brown said that the band has high hopes for the future, including dreams of becom-
ing the first band to perform in outer space. For now, though, they plan to keep making music simply for the joy of it.
“We’ll just keep making music because it’s lots of fun, and that’s really what we’re all about, is just having fun with it,” he said.
For tickets to the Winnipeg show and to learn more about Striker, visit striker-metal. com.
photo courtesy of / Taija Grey
photo courtesy of / Tim Brown
The Magic Flute, but make it Manitoban
U of M students and faculty reinterpret iconic Mozart opera on campus
Boris Tsun Hang Leung, staff
A while ago, a friend invited me to watch Mozart’s The Magic Flute performed by U of M voice students and the university’s symphony orchestra. I did not know what to expect since I had never seen an opera before, but I was thoroughly impressed by the production.
The Magic Flute tells the story of Tamino, a prince who tries to rescue his beloved Pamina, a maiden kidnapped by the king Sarastro. However, Tamino soon discovers that Pamina was taken by the king to protect her from her mother, an evil queen.
Equipped with a magic flute, Tamino and his bird-catching sidekick, Papageno, go through several trials to prove they are worthy of reuniting with their true love.
The performers were exceptional — the cast members sang beautifully, and I was blown away by Tessa Hartl’s rendition of the “Queen of the Night” aria which is fiendishly difficult due to its high staccato arpeggios. The orchestra was superb and helped set the atmosphere for many of the scenes.
While the opera explores themes such as good versus evil and finding true love, Tracy Dahl, the production’s stage director and an instructor at the Desautels faculty of music, thinks there is more than meets the eye.
“[This is] the classic morality tale of good versus evil, with familiar tropes. But is it as simple as it seems?” she wrote in the concert pamphlet. “The characters are not black and white, good or bad, as not all our characters’ motives are in full view.
“The queen, usually interpreted as an angry, manipulative woman […] is a complex figure; this ‘vengeful shrew’ is also the person, we learned, who took Papageno under her wing after his mother, (who had been one of her ladies) passed away.”
Instead of casting the queen away, like in the original libretto, this adapta-
Ifeadi / staff
/ Fumnaya
tion reunites her with Pamina at the end, allowing her to make peace with Tamino and Pamina’s union. In addition to tweaking the plot to tell a more palatable story, the production is also made familiar in other ways. For example, the set design incorporated Manitoban elements such as aspen forests, Tyndall stones and the Manitoba Legislative Building, commonly known as “the leg.”
There is an interesting connection between The Magic Flute and the Manitoba Legislative Building as well. The
opera prominently features Masonic ideology and the symbol of three. For instance, it features three sisters, three spirits and Tamino has to go through three trials before reuniting with Pamina. Even the overture is set in a key with three flats and begins with three triumphant fanfares.
Similarly, the Manitoba Legislative Building constructed during a Freemason-dominated provincial government, is laden with Masonic symbols, including two sphinxes that echo the
opera’s references to the Egyptian deities Isis and Osiris. Despite common perceptions of opera as stuffy and outdated, this interpretation of The Magic Flute was anything but.
In the original, one scene shows Tamino playing his magic flute and charming various forest animals. Hilariously, one of the animals charmed by the flute in this production is the infamous Canada goose, and the actor did a convincing job imitating its honk. Papageno also delivered witty, self-aware lines
that had the audience roaring with laughter. Overall, I was impressed by the adaptation of The Magic Flute because of its high production quality. It cleverly incorporated elements that made Mozart’s magnum opus feel more relatable and accessible to those who may not be opera connoisseurs.
Keep up with performances by the Desautels faculty of music at U of M by visiting umanitoba.ca/music/concert-hall-events.
graphic
Bisons basketball fall short in close match
Women’s basketball team loses
Faiyaz Chowdhury, staff
T
he Bisons women’s basketball team lost to the Regina Cougars with a final score of 80-67 at the Investors Group Athletic Centre on Nov. 22.
The game kicked off with both teams playing at a high pace, exchanging baskets early. The Cougars took an early lead, thanks to sharp shooting from their guards, including a couple of quick three-pointers. Both teams traded fast-break points and the game remained tight throughout the first quarter. With solid bench contributions from the likes of Emily
after a tight
offensive execution early on, missing several open shots. However, they remained competitive by staying aggressive on defence, which helped them limit the Cougars’ lead.
The Cougars’ players heated up in this quarter, making several clutch shots. The Bisons answered with timely mid-range jumpers from their shooting guard and effective rebounding, Sydnee Harris and Autumn Agar. The game remained close as the second quarter finished 43-42.
After halftime, the Bisons came out with renewed energy, playing tighter defence and executing offensively. They
Mandamin and rebounds by Avya Khan, the Bisons capitalized on a few of the Cougars’ turnovers, allowing them to close the gap. The first quarter ended 25-21.
The second quarter saw the Cougars adjust defensively, coming out with more pressure on the Bisons’ shooters. Their defence forced several turnovers, leading to easy points in transition. The Bisons struggled with
managed to regain the lead quickly, capitalizing on fast breaks and free throws after drawing fouls. The Cougars had a few turnovers, which the Bisons took advantage of, but the Cougars’ players kept them in the game with some tough baskets and punished any mistakes made by the Bisons. The Bisons’ defence improved in this quarter, limiting the Cougars’ shooting opportunities. The quarter
finished 63-59.
match against the Regina Cougars
In the final quarter, both teams played with urgency. The Cougars came out strong, forcing turnovers and pushing the tempo, which led to several easy points in transition. The Bisons fought hard, but they struggled to match the Cougars’ intensity in the second half. Despite a few great plays from the Bisons, including a couple of key three-pointers by Agar and Emerson Martin, the Cougars’ players continued to dominate, getting to the basket and converting free throws.
The Bisons had trouble keeping up with the fast pace
wake of their recent game.
“I just thought we were composed for like 30 minutes, and then we just kind of lost it. We know that this group has put together some better 40 minutes, maybe not this year. So, I think we’re still chasing that 40-minute mark,” said Sung.
Regarding turnovers, the coach was pleased with the team’s ability to force them, but noted that the game had been marked by runs from both sides.
“I was really happy that we kept them to the points and transitions that we did until that last five minutes, and
ing to coach through that and give them confidence when they come off or after a game or after practice. So, I think it’s very much still a work in progress.”
She also reflected on the positive of the competitive finish against one of the top teams, stating, “it’s a weird start to the season. So, for us, I felt like this was our first week to prep for a Canada West matchup. So, in terms of the amount of information, video, and that, in terms of our prep, I was really pleased.”
The Bisons played against the Cougars the following day, Nov. 23, which ended in
and ultimately allowed the Cougars to pull away in the final minutes. Despite strong individual efforts from the Bisons such as Anna Miko and Mandamin, the Cougars’ consistent offence and defence secured the win. The final score was 80-67 in favour of the Cougars.
The Bisons women’s basketball coach, Michele Sung, reflected on several aspects of the team’s performance in the
then [the] floodgates opened, and we kind of knew that that was a possibility […] that we weren’t going to be able to close it out.”
In terms of player development, Sung noted that work is still on the horizon. “I think we’re not even at probably our max capacity with it. We’re still waiting for a couple of people to really be excited about their role and feel confident in it, so we’re just try-
another loss of 87-60. With one win and four losses, the Bisons are eighth on the Canada West Prairie league standings.
The Bisons women’s basketball will play against the Lethbridge Pronghorns on Friday, Nov. 29 at 6 p.m. CT and on Saturday, Nov. 30 at 5 p.m. CT at the Investors Group Athletic Centre.
photos / Nischal Karki / staff
Bisons men’s basketball split games against Cougars
Bisons lost in game one, but claimed an overwhelming victory in game two
Abdul-Jalilu Ahmed, staff
T
he U of M Bisons men’s basketball team split their weekend series against the Regina Cougars at the Investors Group Athletic Centre.
On Friday, Nov. 22, the Bisons were edged out 62-59 in a tight contest, but secured a spectacular 81-57 victory on Saturday, Nov. 23.
In game one, the Bisons had a slow start as Cougars fired a two-point lead through Ben Kamba’s jump shot at the 9:26 mark. This lead did not distract the Bisons as they mapped up a team play to take a 19-17 lead by the end of the first quarter.
The Bisons were composed in the early minutes of the second quarter, taking a 25-17 lead at the 7:57 mark, when Samuel Jensen earned three points with a jump shot, assisted by Mason Kraus. As the clock ticked, the Cougars adjusted their approach as Kamba made a layup for two points, bringing the score to 27-27 at the 5:08 mark. That became a turning point for the Cougars as they held on to their dominant position to end the quarter at 37-32.
In the third quarter, the Bisons did not hesitate for a comeback after taking a 45-44 lead at the 1:38 mark, following Taven Vigilance’s layup, assisted by Cieran O’Hara. But that could not thwart the Cougars’ strength of character as Arinze Emeka-Anyakwo rose to the occasion with a remarkable layup for his team’s 46-45 lead in the end.
The Bisons and the Cougars had resounding takeoffs in the fourth quarter. The Cougars’ Christian Tabiri came in with a layup for two points, assisted by Zachary Hillis at 9:50, while the Bisons’ Vigilance raked in a three-point jump shot with an assist by Mayang Tong to set the score 48-48 at the 8:55 mark.
As the game’s dynamic changed, players on both teams threw air balls and glass balls leading to few bricks. With the Bisons getting behind 60-51, Kraus made a layup for 60-55 score at 1:56, followed by a steal and dunk by Darren Watts at 1:11. Tong’s layup at 0:38, assisted by Kraus, elevated the score to 61-59. Kamba’s last free throw earned a point and won the game 62-59 for the Cougars.
The Bisons men’s basketball head coach Kirby Schepp noted that his team did not provide enough shots which affected their ability to score.
“I thought we really struggled offensively. We just didn’t shoot it well, we didn’t get great shots and as a result, we struggled to score. They played very physical and I
don’t think we dealt with that physicality very well,” said Schepp.
Schepp looked forward to an improved performance.
“There’s lots of things to look at. We’ll definitely watch film and try to adjust and see if we can come back better tomorrow.”
Despite the defeat, it was a memorable night for the Bisons guard Kraus as he set a school record for career steals. His 154 steals smashed a 13-year school record set in 2011 by Eric Garcia.
Kraus explained what led to his team’s defeat in the game.
“I think [the Cougars] out-rebounded us. We forced,
I think, 11 or 12 more turnovers than them. But if they get, I think it was 18 more rebounds, then you can’t win games. Even though we lost by three, like that’s even if we cut it down to like 10, we win the game by like 10 points. So we just got to clean up the gas. They’re physical on the glass. They just bullied us tonight. So we just got to react with that energy,” said Kraus. He continued, “it’s just like we all know we’re playing for each other. So if I don’t dive, why should anyone else dive? If [Tong] doesn’t hustle, why should anyone else hustle? So we all just know we keep each other accountable. We all fight
for loose balls. Now we just got to fight for rebounds. We just know it’s our accountability for each other.”
The guard recounted how events unfolded in the closing moments of the fourth quarter.
“Honestly, I thought it was in, but I missed I think like five or six easy ones in a row. I thought that one was going to go in. They all looked good. They felt good. I would shoot them all again. I just got to knock them down next time.”
The Bisons turned things around in game two on Saturday to beat the Cougars 81-57.
The Bisons took a 26-10 lead in the first quarter, an 18-15 lead
in the second quarter and a 21-11 lead in the fourth quarter, while the Cougars took charge of the third quarter with a 21-16 lead. With four wins and one loss, the Bisons men’s basketball team are fourth on the Canada West Prairie league standings with a winning percentage of 0.800.
The Bisons will host the Lethbridge Pronghorns on Friday, Nov. 29, at 8 p.m. CT and Saturday, Nov. 30, at 7 p.m. CT in the Investors Group Athletic Centre.
photo / Nischal Karki / staff
The Bisons lose to Winnipeg Wesmen in close match
Wesmen women’s volleyball edge past the Bisons in a non-conference game
Israel Adeogo Abejoye, staff
O
n Thursday, Nov. 21, the
U of M Bisons women’s volleyball team hosted the University of Winnipeg Wesmen women’s volleyball team at the Investors Group Athletic Centre in a non-conference match.
The Bisons only used two of their usual starters, libero Julia Arnold and left-side/ right-side Ella Gray, thus the reserves team had a chance, even though the game finished in favour of the Wesmen with set scores of 25-14, 20-25, 12-25, 26-24 and 15-11.
The Wesmen outperformed the Bisons in the opening set due to the herd getting off to a slower start, giving Wesmen a vulnerability to exploit.
The Bisons women’s volleyball head coach Ken Bentley decided to call the game’s first two timeouts in an effort to rally his squad. Despite Bentley’s encouragements, the herd was unable to improve in the first set, losing 25-14 to the
determined Wesmen.
As the second set got underway, the Bisons overtook the Wesmen, who had been controlling the game from the beginning. The Wesmen’s head coach Phil Hudson was forced to call his first timeout of the game as a result. However, Gray’s killshot right after the timeout further weakened the Wesmen and allowed the Bisons to take a larger lead.
play, taking a significant lead when coach Hudson called a timeout. This had no effect as the Bisons continued to dominate, thus, Hudson called his second timeout in the set. Nevertheless, the Wesmen were unable to contain the Bisons who won the set 25-12.
The hardest set of the even-
“We were out to win, and winning matters to us, so this isn’t a light loss”
— Julia Arnold, libero for the Bisons women’s volleyball team
The Wesmen made a fantastic comeback shortly after the Bisons’ dominant moment, nearly tying the Bisons’ lead before coach Bentley determined his side needed to alter their approach to avoid losing the set. Fortunately for the Bisons, this paid off as they won the set 25-20 after four points in a row.
In the third set, the Bisons maintained their fantastic
ing was the fourth one, with the Wesmen vying for a tie and the Bisons aiming for a win. In the last two games, the Bisons became more formidable, displaying excellent skills and dexterity. After consistent close scores in the fourth set, both teams were tied at 24-24. Hudson called his team’s second and last timeout of the set as a result.
That gave the Wesmen the motivation they needed to win two points, bringing the score to 26-24 and taking the set away from the Bisons. With two sets won each by both teams, the match went to a tiebreaker. The close points continued further in the final set and again, the Wesmen were successful in scoring two points in a row after both teams returned from a Hudson-called timeout. In the end, the Wesmen won the game with a final set score of 15-11.
In a post-game interview, Arnold stated that, “we are a really good team with anybody on the court, so I didn’t approach [this game] any differently. I always know what I need to bring to the floor, and that doesn’t change whether or not it’s our starters or
whether or not it’s this lineup. I didn’t approach it any differently. […] We were out to win, and winning matters to us, so this isn’t a light loss. We are not going to take it like, ‘oh well.’ So, we were out to win, and that’s what we do every time we play.”
Hudson noted that “[the Bisons’] libero played great again. She gets defensible and crazy. It was hard for our outsides. She just kept digging her. It was good. It was fun. Great to play a bit before we have a weekend off. It’s hard to get in a rhythm. It’s just hard to get in a rhythm because you’re playing and then you’re doing well and then you’ve got to sit out a weekend. […] We got a chance to get a match in against each other just to make sure we didn’t go two weeks without playing.”
The Bisons will face the Regina Cougars in a conference league game on Friday, Nov. 29 and Saturday, Nov. 30.
