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$2.6M lawsuit takes new turn as Penn-co responds to counterclaim allegations
Iyanda Ajuwon, staff
Penn-co Construction has responded to U of M’s statement of defence and counterclaim in the ongoing $2.6 million lawsuit related to the construction of the Churchill Marine Observatory (CMO).
The CMO is a multidisciplinary research facility located in Churchill that celebrated its grand opening on Aug. 27, 2024. The facility is dedicated to studying oil spills and related contaminants, climate change, extreme weather and fresh-water marine studies.
The university and Penn-co entered the agreement for this project in two different phases.
The phase one contract, signed in 2017, was worth over $14.6 million, while the phase two contract was signed in 2019 with a value over $5.8 million. Together, the contracts brought the total project cost to approximately $20.5 million.
In a lawsuit filed on Aug. 30 in the Court of King’s Bench, Penn-co claims that it is entitled to compensation for costs incurred due to compliance with COVID-19 protocols, delays in acquiring
necessary reviews from the department of fisheries and oceans (DFO) and issues with inadequate design plans.
The university filed a statement of defence and counterclaim on Sept. 20, stating that “Penn-co breached its obligation under the phase one contract and/or phase two contract, including any deficiency repair work and the common law duties it owed to the university.”
Penn-co responded to the university’s statement of defence and counterclaim on Nov. 22, submitting that the university’s counterclaim “should be dismissed, with costs.”
The construction firm denied all allegations made by the university in its statement of defence and counterclaim. In its reply, Penn-co stated that its request for compensation related to COVID-19 protocols had been properly adjudicated by the consultant.
The company further asserted that the university failed to adequately consider, or consider at all, its entitlement to compensation under the phase one contract.
Furthermore, Penn-co explained that a different drilling method would have
been selected if the phase two contract document, specification and geotechnical reports accurately described the subsurface conditions at the project site.
This was in response to the university’s claim that the geotechnical report prepared by KGS group — the university’s engineering consulting firm — in the phase two contract entailed the accurate representation of the construction site, and that Penn-co selected the method by which it would complete the drilling that formed part of the phase two work.
Penn-co also debunked the university’s allegation that its contractors were demobilized from the job site and refused to continue the phase two work after encountering difficulties completing the drilling that formed part of the phase two work.
The company stated that it promptly sought guidance from the university’s consultant and continued on-site drilling efforts unsuccessfully.
After another week of unsuccessful attempts, its contractors halted operations and demobilized, awaiting instructions from the university or its consultant on how to
proceed given the on-site subsurface conditions, according to the lawsuit.
Penn-co further explained that it was not responsible for the delay in the performance or resumption of the phase two work. It said that the delays are attributable to the university’s and consultant’s failure to provide timely direction with respect to the on-site subsurface conditions.
Lastly, Penn-co replied to the university’s claim that the construction company did not reach out to them, their consultant or KGS group to know whether the self-assessment of the job site had been finalized or if a review of the job site by DFO was necessary.
According to the reply, Penn-co denies unilaterally deciding that a DFO review was necessary or proceeding with the review process without informing or getting approval from the university or the consultant.
The construction firm stated that, since the university did not respond to its notice about moving forward with a DFO review, the university cannot now argue against the reasonable expectations and reliance created by its lack of response.
Penn-co’s defence to U of M’s counterclaim
According to Penn-co’s defence to the U of M’s counterclaims, the company “denies each and every allegation contained in the counterclaim.”
The company denied the allegation of failing to complete phase two work or the construction of the pumphouse in a good, workmanlike manner.
Penn-co said its contractors properly constructed the pumphouse and all related components in accordance with the phase two contract documents and the specifications and designs prescribed by the university and/or the consultant.
Penn-co also mentioned that it addressed the deficiencies that the university pointed out, and that it “completed the remedial work properly in a good, workmanlike manner and free from defects or deficiencies.”
The construction firm debunked allegations from the university of deficiencies that they were not made aware of, and that they are not responsible for any additional remedial work.
Canada Post strike disrupts deliveries nationwide
Strike halts over 55,000 workers, disrupting millions of parcels
Sylvester Delali Agbado, staff
Over 55,000 Canada Post workers went on a nationwide strike on Nov. 15. The strike centres on issues affecting workers’ wages, contract terms, job security, benefits and working conditions. Union leaders and employers remain at odds as negotiations continue. The strike has disrupted several industries, drawing nationwide attention.
The impact of the strike continues to be felt as Canada Post has missed the delivery of an estimated 10 million parcels. The timing of the disruption, just ahead of Black Friday, has intensified the impact. Talks between Canada Post and the workers’ union remain unresolved as the strike continues.
Information on the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) website stated that it has been in negotiations with Canada Post for a year without significant progress. The union stated that the strike was a necessary step after
exhausting other options.
CUPW emphasized that workers’ demands focus on clear issues. The labour dispute highlights ongoing tensions over unresolved workplace concerns.
“Our demands are reasonable: fair wages, safe working conditions, the right to retire with dignity and the expansion of services at the public post office,” the union stated. The union also believes that a settlement can be reached but urged the corporation to address workers’ concerns and issues, as reported by the Star Phoenix Canada Post has confirmed that there have been prior talks with the CUPW, supported by a special mediator who has currently suspended his work, citing that the parties involved were too far apart.
The corporation proposed an 11.5 per cent wage increase over four years, added paid leave and retained the pension and job security provisions. The union countered
with a demand for a 24 per cent wage hike and proposed full-time staff deliver weekend packages, while Canada Post suggested hiring additional part-time workers.
Canada Post has stated that there are temporary layoffs, with spokesperson Lisa Liu stating the move complies with the Canada Labour Code. Liu explained that employees were informed that the collective agreements no longer apply and their employment terms have changed under provisions related to lockout notices.
The CUPW has accused Canada Post of using layoffs as a “scare tactic” as the strike by over the 55,000 workers entered its second week. CUPW announced it is investigating the matter and criticized the Crown corporation’s actions.
The union representing Canada Post workers has filed a complaint with the Canada Industrial Relations Board over the layoffs of striking employees. The CUPW claims
the layoffs violate the Canada Labour Code and act as an intimidation tactic.
According to CTV News, labour experts view the layoffs done by Canada Post as an unusual move. “Given that the workers aren’t being paid while they’re on strike, it’s unclear why they’re doing it,” said labour and employment lawyer, Deborah Hudson to CTV News. Hudson added that the Canada Labour Code prevents employers from laying off workers due to their involvement in a strike, and this might result in legal action.
According to CTV News, there have been calls by several organizations for the impasse to be resolved and one of such is from the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. The Canadian Chamber of Commerce has urged the federal government to act on the Canada Post strike, citing harm to the retail sector and disruptions in rural, northern and remote communities.
In a letter to Labour Min-
ister Steven MacKinnon and Public Services Minister JeanYves Duclos, chambers of commerce from across the country described the nationwide strike as “yet another blow to our supply chains.” The letter highlighted challenges faced by entrepreneurs and small businesses in e-commerce and noted the greater impact on areas lacking alternatives to Canada Post.
Canada Post says the strike is affecting its revenue as customers switch to other delivery services due to concerns over holiday package delays. The Crown corporation also stated that retailers are moving shipments to other companies, seeking certainty during this peak season. Customers have also cancelled marketing campaigns to avoid delays in the postal network. The volume of mail and parcels continue to decline, and Canada Post warns that the strike threat will worsen its financial challenges.
Official fall term enrolment statistics released
New international student enrolment decreased 30.1 per cent from last year
Milan Lukes, staff
The U of M has released finalized enrolment statistics for the fall term 2024 which mention a “significant decrease in the number of new international students.”
As of the official reporting date, Nov. 1, overall enrolment for the fall term was 31,334 students — marking an increase of 1.8 per cent from the previous year. Full-time enrolment increased 2.6 per cent to 26,787 from the previous year, while part-time enrolment decreased by 3.9 per cent to 3,996 students.
The fall term enrolment summary report, prepared by the office of institutional analysis, indicates a “significant shift in the makeup of the student population.” Domestic enrolment increased 3.6 per cent while international enrolment decreased by 4.5 per cent.
Self-declared Canadian Indigenous enrolment increased by 9.5 per cent to 2,994 students in the fall term. “Indigenous students currently make up 9.6 per cent of the overall student popu-
lation,” according to the summary report.
Significant decrease of new international students
The report indicates a decline in new international students of 30.1 per cent, a decrease of 560 students to 1,303 for the fall term. International enrolment overall stands at 6,675 students as of the reporting date.
In September, the university’s president and vice-chancellor Michael Benarroch told the Manitoban that the university is anticipating a loss “somewhere in the nature of seven to nine million dollars,” following the release of a preliminary student enrolment summary. Benarroch did not rule out the possibility of a student tuition hike in the future.
New international student enrolment is down across the country following the federal government’s announcement in January 2024 to set an intake cap on international student permit applications.
Student Enrolment
The cap is expected to result in approximately 360,000 approved student permits for 2024 — a decrease of 35 per cent from the previous year — according to the federal government.
To implement the cap, effective Jan. 22, 2024, every study permit application submitted to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) also requires an attestation letter from a province or territory. A portion of the cap is allocated to each province and territory based on population, who will then distribute the allocation among their designated learning institutions.
Provincial attestation letters still available, intake cap not reached
In a statement from a provincial spokesperson, the federal government originally allocated 15,081 Provincial Attestation Letters (PALs) to Manitoba, which was increased to 18,652 PALs following advocacy from the province.
“As of mid-October, the Manitoba government has issued 8,008 PALs to prospective international students applying for study permits to attend universities and colleges in Manitoba,” read the statement.
The Manitoba government has allocated 6,540 PALs to the U of M and 2,000 PALs to the International College of Manitoba (ICM) in 2024, according to the statement. The ICM offers a direct path for international students into post-secondary studies.
As of Oct. 16, the U of M has accessed 2,513 PALs and the ICM has accessed 847 PALs — less than half of the PALs allocated for 2024.
When questioned why the university had not fully accessed all of their allocated PALs, Greg Smith, the university’s vice-provost (academic planning and programs) stated that changes introduced by IRCC in January 2024 resulted in “a lot of uncertainty for many international students.
“[The changes] placed a significant challenge on UM,
other post-secondary institutions and potential international students considering studies in Canada and here in Manitoba,” stated Smith.
“Changes included doubling of the proof of funds amount a potential student needs to have beyond their first-year tuition, which increased from $10,000 to $20,635, freezing the permit processing for several weeks and changes made to the post-graduate work permit regulations.”
Smith stated that international students either deferred their applications or looked at their next choice for institutions in other international markets. He added that the university will continue to offer remaining PALs to all eligible applications that are applying for 2025.
Canada’s intake cap on international student permit applications is set to remain in place until 2026.
That Elusive Spark comes to stage on campus
Performance by THTR 3000 students focuses on themes of mental health
Milan Lukes, staff
Presented by the department of English, theatre, film and media, students in THTR 3000 (special topics in theatre production) are bringing That Elusive Spark to life in the John J. Conklin Theatre on campus.
Dr. Katrina Dunn, an associate professor in the department and coordinator of the theatre program, served as the director of the production. Dunn admitted that it is difficult to summarize the 95-minute production into a soundbite but mentioned that the production is about “people struggling with brain change and personality change — which sometimes we might call mental health issues.”
That Elusive Spark follows three throughlines which all intersect on that theme, according to Dunn.
One throughline, the contemporary story, follows neuropsychologist Dr. Helen Harlow who has a new university teaching position, but who has recently lost her father under tragic circumstances.
Dunn explained that Harlow is walking into her first job without being in her best place and finds the pressure too much to bear. The story is about the struggles of an instructor who also encounters students that are dealing with mental health issues. Harlow struggles to assist the students as she herself attempts to manage her own mental health challenges.
The second throughline, set in 1848, entails Helen Harlow’s ancestor whose research on Phineas Gage forms the basis of her research. The story follows the true story of Gage, a blasting foreman on railway construction projects in the United States. Gage was tasked with tamping down explosives in the ground to blast away the rock with a tampering iron — a large iron rod.
Following an accident, the iron rod was shot through Gage’s cheek and exited through the top of his head — destroying much of his left frontal lobe. Gage could walk and talk within minutes after the accident, and would survive for another 12 years, described as a medical marvel, but was noted to have undergone a profound personality change. Dunn stated that the production follows his accident, how his relationships were impacted and the remainder of his life.
The third and final throughline pertains to Shakespeare’s
play Hamlet
Dunn mentioned that Harlow’s father was also a researcher, professor and an expert of Hamlet. “Because of him and his research, there are echoes of Hamlet all throughout this play,” stated Dunn.
She mentioned that the story of Ophelia in Hamlet stands out in particular, who was also someone that had a mental health crisis and who ultimately took her own life.
That Elusive Spark was written as a play originally in 2005 by Janet Munsil for an acting class at the University of Victoria. Dunn mentioned that she collaborated with Munsil to “decompress” the play up to a bigger cast and update it with information that we now know.
“We did the redrafting of the script and the set design all through May-June. I contacted the students the week before school started and asked them to read the script and voice which characters they were interested in potentially playing and what production roles they wanted to
do,” said Dunn. “That’s kind of all that happened in advance.
“Once classes happened, we auditioned very quickly in the first three days of the first week. By Monday of the second week, we had everything cast and all the roles assigned and we just started rehearsing,” she stated.
“So, it all kicks off pretty quickly […] in order to actually fit the rehearsal time required to get a show like this ready for opening night, we really have to be economical with our time.”
Dunn indicated that for years, productions at the U of M were mainly done as extracurricular activities, though this is the first time it was tried as a course on campus.
“In the last couple of years, the university has been asking that we turn that into course work. So, this year, we did,” said Dunn. “What you see on stage there is a course […] they’re all enrolled in a threecredit course [THTR 3000] whose only task is to produce this play.”
Dunn noted that unlike
other courses, continual in-person attendance is critical to ensure that scenes can be rehearsed. “If you don’t come to rehearsal, it becomes really tricky for the other people who are trying to work.”
Kezia Obaseki, a student who plays Helen Harlow’s ancestor during the 1848 timeline, Dr. John Harlow, described the production as “an amazing show that also speaks on student mental health.”
When asked about the production’s takeaway message, Obaseki said, “your mental health matters to everybody around you, and it’s okay for you to want to be in your shell. It’s okay for you not to understand what you’re going through.
“Just know that there’s resources, especially here at the U of M, there’s resources that have been put out and are set in place to help every student […] there are people out there who care and want to listen to what you have to say and who are willing to help
you.”
Dunn indicated that one of the most rewarding attributes of the production is knowing how engaged and resourceful students become.
“And also the teamwork, it teaches you to collaborate, because every aspect of theatre work is collaborative,” said Dunn.
“I think regular coursework is not normally like that. It’s usually pretty singular and individually driven. Everything you do in a theatre course is with someone else. I think those are really good skills that we need to keep top-of-mind as we get more and more isolated in our online kind of world.”
That Elusive Spark is showcased in the John J. Conklin Theatre located in the Taché Hall Arts Complex. Showtimes are Nov. 27-29 at 7 p.m., Nov. 30 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. and Dec. 2 at 2 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online through Eventbrite for $10 plus fees.
photos / Zulkifl Rafah / staff
U of M Security Services report on campus incidents
September campus incident statistics released
Ngozi Okose, staff
he U of M ‘s campus sec-
Turity statistics and details of reported incidents for September are now accessible.
These figures have been published in the latest edition of the Security Services monthly, the university’s newsletter that offers a glimpse into the daily operations of its security services.
During the month of September 2024, Security Services responded to 52 suspicious calls involving reports of suspicious people and vehicles on campus. The team completed 56 safe walks and four safe rides, helping those who did not feel comfortable walking alone.
Additionally, 16 medical emergencies were handled, with Security Services often being the first responders and guiding emergency respond-
ers to the correct location.
Security Services also processed 49 unscheduled access requests to help students and staff access buildings or rooms.
They responded to 191 alarms, including fire, code blue, elevator, emergency phones and panic alarms. Parking services, which work closely with Security Services, also received eight calls for service.
The U of M’s Fort Garry campus reported multiple incidents across various categories. A total of 59 incidents were reported, including 25 theft cases with bicycle and personal thefts on the high, two harassment cases, two disturbances, 13 mischief incidents including damaged vehicles across multiple lots, graffiti found at several locations and vandalism at the
crop technology centre and the art studio building. There was also one break and enter, three liquor control violations involving intoxicated individuals on campus, nine driving offences consisted of vehicle collisions, dangerous driving and multiple hit-andrun incidents at various locations. Additionally, two trespassing incidents at St. John’s College and two City of Winnipeg by-law violations for unauthorized skateboarding were also reported.
The U of M’s Bannatyne campus reported five incidents, including thefts of bicycles on campus. Harassment was reported at the Brodie Centre and a by-law violation for unauthorized skateboarding was noted at the Chown Building. Liquor Control Act violations included an intoxicated indi-
vidual on campus.
Security Services continue to address these incidents to maintain a safe and secure environment for the campus community.
Security Services can be contacted at 204-474-9312 on the Fort Garry campus and at 204-789-3330 on the Bannatyne campus.
New Indigenous health-care program at U of M
Training targets culturally safe care for Indigenous patients in health system
Ngozi Okose, staff
A training program aimed at ensuring culturally safe care for Indigenous patients by Manitoba health-care workers has been created by Ongomiizwin, the Indigenous Institute of Health and Healing within the U of M’s Rady faculty of health sciences, in collaboration with health system organizations across Manitoba.
The initiative, titled Giga Mino Ganawenimaag Anishinaabeg, which translates to “we will take good care of the people” in Anishinaabemowin was officially launched on Nov. 26 during an event that featured a traditional pipe ceremony and feast. It aims to equip up to 3,000 health-care professionals annually with the knowledge and tools to provide culturally safe care, as reported by UM Today.
The training includes 10
online modules, totaling approximately 10.5 hours, followed by a two- to three-hour in-person workshop to support the learning. The topics cover the impact of colonization on Indigenous health, strategies to address systemic racism and the health-related calls to action outlined by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
The training, funded by a grant of nearly $1 million awarded to Ongomiizwin through Health Canada’s Addressing Racism and Discrimination in Canada’s Health Systems program, will be done in collaboration between the U of M and Manitoba’s health regions.
Participants ranging from health-care workers to decision-makers will access the training through various platforms, including UM Learn and the shared health learn-
ing management system. Private clinicians and external organizations can enrol via the Max Rady college of medicine’s continuing professional development system.
The program’s launch follows growing national and provincial commitments
addressing Indigenous-specific racism in health care. These include pledges and apologies from the Canadian Medical Association and the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba for their role in perpetuating harm against Indigenous peoples.
While cultural safety training for health workers has been offered in Manitoba since 2015, this marks the first program of its kind developed locally, tailored specifically to the province’s unique context.
photo / Milan Lukes / staff
Launch of the new Indigenous cultural safety training program at the Bannatyne campus.
photo courtesy of / University of Manitoba to
Sororities on campus and life in the sisterhood
Alpha Gamma Delta and Alpha Phi leading community impact for women at U of
Taycie Adeoti, staff
Alpha Gamma Delta and Alpha Phi, the two sororities at the U of M, value sisterhood, academics, leadership and supporting the community.
By focusing on the U of M community and its inclusivity, these sororities have created a unique space for connection and empowerment.
The Manitoban spoke with both sororities to learn more about their history, values, member life, goals, contributions and the challenges they may face.
Alpha Gamma Delta
Alpha Gamma Delta was originally founded in 1904 at the Syracuse University in New York, and they have been at U of M since 1930.
Next year will mark the chapter’s 95th anniversary.
Alpha Gamma Delta values sisterhood, academics, leadership, philanthropy and community, according to Briana Oliver, the current chapter president. Events and how the women live their lives are based around these pillars.
Events include retreats, bonding activities, dinners, coffee runs, movies, volunteering and more.
Oliver said, “we also host philanthropy events. So, volunteering in the community, volunteering on campus, anything that embodies our pillars, we try to have events focused around that.”
Alpha Gamma Delta’s philanthropic focus is fighting hunger. They typically volunteer with organizations such as Harvest Manitoba and Siloam Mission.
In September, for Alpha Gamma Delta’s Hunger Action Month, the sorority set up a table in the Fletcher Argue tunnels, accepting non-perishable items for donations.
During Halloween, each year for their annual food drive called Trick-Or-Treat, the sorority will choose a neighbourhood that a member lives in and go door-todoor asking for non-perishable items. They then choose where to donate the food, which is typically Harvest Manitoba. These are just a few examples of how Alpha Gamma Delta contributes to the Winnipeg community.
Alpha Gamma Delta also fosters leadership through democracy.
Once a year, each member of the sorority has a chance at being elected for a council position, or chapter president. Through these roles, members get hands-on leadership
experience.
Alpha Gamma Delta prides itself on being a sorority that is accepting, embracing everyone who identifies as a woman.
The sorority also has a zero-tolerance policy for hazing, which Oliver feels is a major stereotype surrounding sororities. Members go through anti-hazing programs that teach skills surrounding the topic.
“We don’t tolerate any racism, or anything like that. We’re wanting to be a safe environment for anyone who would want to be a part of the sorority and then treating everyone with respect,” Oliver said.
Oliver feels that the biggest challenge their sorority faces is visibility.
She said that “half the time, when people come up to our events, they’re like ‘oh, I didn’t even know sororities were at the U of M, I didn’t know they were in Canada.’” Oliver would like for Alpha Gamma Delta to become more recognized, and for people to know they are active and doing good things for the community by empowering women.
Ultimately, Oliver expressed how life-changing being part of a sorority was and is for her.
She said, “my university experience would not be what it is without being a part of Alpha Gamma Delta.”
She continued by emphasizing how the hands-on experience will help her further her career in business, and how exciting it will be moving forward.
Alpha Phi
Alpha Phi was founded at Syracuse University in 1872 and opened at the U of M in 1928.
Nara Barbari, the current chapter president stated, “there were 10 members and originally, they had no sororities, they were just fraternities. So, the girls were like, ‘we want something. You know, some sisterhood.’”
Their sisterhood values innovation, generosity and character.
Alpha Phi hosts various events such as the Red Dress Gala that takes place once a year in October and Heart Week, which occurs throughout every February.
These events are based on their philanthropic focus which is women’s heart health. The chapter also hosts fun events like photoshoots, wellness nights, sisterhoods and semi-formals where all
the girls will have a night out for dinner.
Alpha Phi also raises funds and awareness for the Heart and Stroke foundation and the Alpha Phi foundation. The Alpha Phi foundation has the Heart to Heart grant that supports universities and students in women’s heart health research.
Alpha Phi helps foster leadership among members through their democratic leadership positions such as president, vice-president of recruitment, health, wellness and accountability, finance and more.
Barbari stated that “I know for myself, I was really big on the director of social media, and I got to see the insights in not only marketing but also finance through budgeting and recruitment, reaching
out to girls, and you get to put your hands in all these different pots, which is really nice.”
Josephine Busch, the current vice-president of health, wellness and accountability for Alpha Phi believes that one of the biggest misconceptions about sororities is that they are not academically focused.
Busch expresses how the sorority is indeed very academically focused, by hosting study groups and study hours that help motivate members to do better in classes.
Alpha Phi promotes diversity and inclusivity through their vice-president of diversity, equity and inclusion, as well as volunteering opportunities to see what is happening in the community.
Barbari expressed, “having someone in executive and in a high position definitely brings
awareness to everyone in the sorority.”
The girls also host potlucks as a fun way to share cultural differences.
When asked how being in a sorority has shaped her university experience, Busch answered, “I think Alpha Phi really shaped my confidence.” She continued, “It’s really opened up who I am, and I feel like it’s strengthened who I am as a person, as a leader and I’m really appreciative of that”
More information on both sororities can be found on their websites, umanitoba. alphagammadelta.org and alphaphimb.org, and their Instagram pages, @manitobaalphagam and @manitobaalphaphi.
photo courtesy of / Alpha Phi
photo courtesy of / Alpha Gamma Delta
Indigenous youth research fosters health and heritage
U of M professor works with northern communities to improve wellness and housing
Divyata Gosai, staff
Linda Larcombe is an associate professor of internal medicine in the U of M’s Max Rady college of medicine and a trained anthropologist specializing in Indigenous history, health and collaborative research.
Her research explores how gene polymorphisms influence immune responses to infectious diseases, focusing on their interaction with environmental and socio-cultural factors within Indigenous communities.
“I’ve always been interested in working with First Nations communities and building capacity in the communities,” she said. “That’s taken different research avenues over the course of my career, whether it was cultural heritage management or working with the communities directly for health research.”
Her current research is interdisciplinary and it emphasizes enhancing youth mental and physical wellness by collaborating with Indigenous First Nations, Inuit and Dene communities in and around Churchill to explore effective strategies.
Instead of waiting for infectious diseases and physical or mental health issues to emerge, she has developed a research program focused on exploring potential uses of local cultural heritage. This includes investigating evidence of Indigenous land use from the past, which has been uncovered at archaeological sites in and around Churchill. The technologies and software employed are also from different disciplines utilized to expose youth training in these fields of cultural heritage and land management.
ities in northern Manitoba to address specific infectious diseases.
Her previous research involved studying tuberculosis (TB) by examining the biological and environmental
mission and not being able to provide a really good immune response for TB.”
Northern communities wanted to explore how housing in the region could be redesigned to better support health.
“Community-based research is a priority for Indigenous health research in Manitoba, it’s a priority having community involved in the research, and not only involved but leading the research”
“Youth [are] involved in discovering, documenting, recording and doing some research around these archeological sites, and doing some innovative knowledge transfer, so [we’re] developing software or using software to develop different ways of seeing the sites,” she explained. “So, 3D and virtual reality we’re exploring so that people can visit these cultural heritage sites without actually being there.”
— Linda Larcombe, associate professor at U of M’s Max Rady college of medicine
risk factors associated with TB in two northern Manitoba communities: Deni First Nation and Northlands Dene First Nation.
“The community asked us about the risk factor associated with housing conditions,” she said.
Larcombe has been collaborating with other commun-
“Some time ago, we knew that there were things about the houses that were increasing people’s risk or changing the risk factor for TB trans-
The existing three-bedroom bungalows, which reflect Euro-Canadian architectural styles, often do not accommodate the multigenerational living arrangements. These homes may fail to provide space for processing wild game brought into the house and may not effectively utilize or reflect local resources.
“There are lots of considerations about how homes were built and the style that they were built in,” Larcombe said.
The department of architecture, along with its students, participated in an exchange program involving youth from
these communities to collaboratively design culturally appropriate housing aimed at improving health.
This initiative began with addressing TB, focusing on its biological factors while also considering the social and environmental impacts of the disease within the community.
The goal was to create housing solutions that not only reduce the spread of TB but also promote overall well-being, addressing other concerns like influenza and broader public health challenges.
Larcombe has conducted nutritional studies in northern communities focusing on vitamin D, examining dietary intake from both store-bought foods and traditional foods sourced locally through hunting, fishing and gathering.
The research also explored genetic variations in immune system responses related to vitamin D receptors.
She is leading the Northern HIV Journey Mapping project, which explores how Indigenous individuals in
Northern Manitoba navigate the healthcare system with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
The study aims to develop strategies and policies that enable individuals to access care and live well with HIV while remaining in their communities. By engaging with patients and healthcare providers, the research seeks to make the healthcare system more accessible and responsive to the needs of Northern residents.
“Our role as researchers is to share the knowledge that we have about the specific research we’re doing, but also hear from them about what their priorities are and what their interests are and help them develop those in a way that can help them for the future,” she said.
“Community-based research is a priority for Indigenous health research in Manitoba, it’s a priority having community involved in the research, and not only involved but leading the research.”
graphic / Fumnaya Ifeadi / staff
The intersection of Indigenous knowledge and AI
How ancestral wisdom fits into the evolving technological landscape
Rhea Bhalla, staff
Artificial intelligence (AI) is a machine’s ability to perform tasks associated with the intelligence characteristic of humans, such as reasoning, finding meaning, generalizing and learning from past experience. Today, AI completes diverse tasks from medical diagnosis to voice recognition to chatbots.
Michael Yellow Bird is a professor in the U of M’s faculty of social work and member of the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation in North Dakota, USA. His work spans a range of Indigenous and decolonial topics.
Yellow Bird’s current research looks at the use of AI to build critical literacy in Indigenous youth and support interactions between people and dogs on reservations.
“I’m working with a team that’s going to use the AI with youth to learn more about their culture, more about their language, more about their identity, their health and well-being, and then at some point, use AI to design and imagine their future,” he said. “I’m doing it to help raise the
empowerment and the critical literacy of Aboriginal youth for self-sufficiency and sovereignty.”
Yellow Bird explained that many current advances made by the western research sphere stem from ancient knowledge.
He collaborates with a group working to introduce psychedelic medicines to British Colombian Indigenous populations to address complex trauma.
stances, Indigenous groups have used psychedelic drugs for thousands of years.
“Humans have always used technology,” he said. “A few million years ago, humans had created the use of fire, and they had used that as a technology. They used different stone tools and implements as technology. And for them, at that point, it was like
stuff that’s happening now really hasn’t gone so far outside of the box of understanding and creativity,” Yellow Bird said. “It’s just that people, at some point, find a little more creative way to do something.”
“Learn as much as you can about everything. Don’t fear it, but learn how you can use everything that you know that exists out there”
Psilocybin, the active ingredient in “magic mushrooms” is a psychedelic drug that, despite being 100 times less potent than LSD, can alter perceptions of reality to create hallucinations and euphoria.
— Michael Yellow Bird, professor in the U of M faculty of social work
AI technology is to us — it’s unknown.”
According to Healthline, research shows that psilocybin may be used to treat mental health disorders such as depression and addictions.
Yellow Bird noted that while western medicine is just beginning to understand the complex uses of these sub -
The domestication of animals, such as chickens, turkeys, horses, dogs and cats were another form of technology that altered early humans’ perceptions of the world, allowing them to engage in their environments in new ways.
“It’s very important to remind people that a lot of
He emphasized the fact that, despite our lives in the 21st century, our bodies are designed to function in environments hundreds of thousands of years old. Our neural networks, cells and genes are adapted to a very different lifestyle.
Yellow Bird explained that the “five Fs” — fight, flight, fear, feed and fornicate — are basic behaviours we often fall back on that may prevent us from acting benevolently.
“We’re not like the ancients, like our ancestors once were, where they could take time to do some deep meditation every day and not have to be punching clocks or reading their email or looking at their
cellphones,” he said. “That’s very, very hard on the brain.”
Yellow Bird added that exploring the wisdom of our ancestors thousands of years ago, who had different understandings of the earth, plants and animals is beneficial, especially as technology continues to progress at breakneck speed.
Previous advances in technologies, while they may have allowed people to flourish, have sometimes led to destruction, harm and war. Our current slate of technologies has even greater implications for the future of the planet.
“Learn as much as you can about everything,” Yellow Bird said. “Don’t fear it but learn how you can use everything that you know that exists out there.
“People talk too much about existential threats […] I would like to hear people in the university community talk a lot more about existential opportunities, to use these [technologies] in a good way, to use that creativity.”
graphic / Teegan Gillich / staff
A year in review A deep dive into positive news coverage
India Schlegel, staff
Throughout the year we’ve covered difficult topics in the Manitoban’s comment section. Inflation, food insecurity, corporate greed, Donald Trump’s re-election, global conflict and many other stories that, while important to discuss, may bring feelings of impending doom.
I thought I would take a moment to look inward at positive and negative news coverage, and how we can approach it.
In news television there’s a saying, “if it bleeds, it leads,” which is to say that the more horrifying and gruesome the content, the higher up it will move in the news cycle. This is a business choice, informed by the data received from news consumption. Negative words in a headline show a 2.3 per cent increase in clicks. We click on negative news more, we remember it better and we’re more likely to share it with friends and family.
I’ve been hearing folks around me talk more and more about the impact of negative news, linked to anxiety and severe stress. Since the burst in news coverage and consumption during the pandemic, folks around me have been wagering about how to take a step back, be more conscientious about news consumption and look at taking in more positive news.
But it isn’t just on the consumer. We, those of us working in the press and journalism, have a responsibility to take the impact of negative news into account. And many already have.
The movement toward positive news has been apparent, with many news sources including it as a subsection within their news sites, and
others fully dedicating their coverage to solely positive news.
Positive news can be seen in two avenues: entertaining, lighthearted coverage of feelgood news stories and constructive journalism.
Constructive journalism emphasizes balance in news coverage, rejecting the sensationalization of news. The main goal is to contribute to democracy by focusing on solutions, covering nuances and promoting democratic conversation.
The way I see it, constructive journalism seeks to empower the writers and readers of news media — showing that we have a role
in the world around us and it is not insignificant. We don’t need to bury our heads in the sand about negative things happening in the world, but we can approach them differently.
Whether it be a feel-good story or empowered coverage of something that doesn’t feel so good, a focus on positive news coverage should be in the back of all readers’ and writers’ minds.
Here are some positive stories the comment section could’ve covered in 2024.
China, accounting for 31 per cent of the world’s total carbon dioxide emissions, has decreased their output by 3 per cent in March 2024 com-
pared to March 2023. This is due to an astounding uptick in renewable energy implementation. China is constructing more renewable energy than the rest of the world combined. There is still an issue of the opening of new coal plants, which will increase carbon emissions. Yet, experts expect China to uphold its deadlines to halt carbon emissions, which they urge can be even more ambitious.
Cambria Harris, daughter of the deceased Morgan Harris who was murdered by Jeremy Skibicki, has been calling on the provincial government to find her mom and other Indigenous women in the Prairie Green Landfill —
leading to nationwide protests in 2023. At the time of the protests, the provincial progressive conservative government told her a definitive no. However, the now-in-power NDP government has now brought the search to its third stage, and material has begun to be moved as of October 2024.
Positive news reminds us of progress, resilience and the power of collective action. By balancing necessary hard truths with constructive stories, we can stay informed without losing hope. Let’s strive for journalism that empowers, engages and uplifts — showing that even amidst challenges, change is not just possible but already happening.
graphic / Fumnaya Ifeadi / staff
Are we doing Christmas right?
Christmas corporate greed and spending time with family and friends
Quinn Mayhew, staff
Every Christmas for me is always spent trying to find the perfect gift for friends and family. The anxiety mounting daily to find a gift that everyone will love is a stressful situation.
Although I always try to find the perfect gift for everyone a month in advance, it never actually turns out that way.
I always find myself in some department store running around trying to find gifts for everybody that I love.
With shopping on Christmas Eve, there’s always that holiday shame that accompanies you whenever you step into the department store, with the workers staring at you almost saying with their eyes, “you’re cutting it close here.” Take this from someone who works retail, we are indeed thinking this.
Although that holiday anxiety is at an all-time high on Christmas Eve, instead of spending time with family it’s always spent running around in a frenzy.
On top of the holiday stress, there’s always the copious amount of money spent on everyone you have to buy for, leaving you with next to no money left to spend on your-
self over the holidays.
Although Christmas is supposed to be spent with family and friends, I always seem to miss out on that quality time with the people I love by trying to find them the perfect gift.
After every holiday season, I am always left with the question of what is the meaning of Christmas? Why do I feel this immense pressure to find the perfect gift for everybody who I know won’t always appreciate the effort?
There’s always pressure to find a gift, coming from every single source of media I consume — from television ads, ads on Instagram telling you to buy the perfect pair of leggings for your mom, to texts from companies you gave your email to in order to get a discount.
I have always enjoyed repeatedly watching the Christmas classic A Charlie Brown Christmas, where Charlie Brown, the main character, is tasked with finding a Christmas tree for a play.
Although he does not find an adequately large tree, he finds a scraggly little one with character.
Despite it not being the best Christmas tree, Charlie grapples with whether he is doing
Christmas right. Ultimately the movie ends with everyone embracing the Christmas tree while singing Christmas carols.
Although I know Christmas isn’t anywhere near this ideal, I can never shake the standards I have of Christmas from this movie. Are we, as people, doing Christmas right?
I feel like society is more entangled with receiving gifts than trying to spend time with one another. The commercialized aspect hits an alltime high with the amount of waste coming from Christmas wrapping gifts, and the overconsumption of pretty much everything.
Perhaps instead of overconsuming on everything, we spend time with one another, make paper snowflakes, make gifts instead of overbuying and live in the moment instead of idealizing what Christmas could be and missing out on it.
Although Christmas is supposed to be about giving, the Massachusetts Daily Collegian states “in today’s society, Christmas is used simply as a marketing ploy so that greedy corporations can take consumers’ money. In 2016, the total expected holiday sales were expected to exceed
$1 trillion, and this number is projected to keep rising every year.”
Even though Christmas is supposed to be about goodwill toward others, it’s a commercialized scheme to get you to buy things that you and your family ultimately don’t need.
Although I seem to be criticizing people who overconsume, I do all these things too. I love buying wrapping paper, gifts and spending copious amounts of money on holiday festivities. In short, I give in to
Academic warriors assemble!
What Avengers: Endgame can teach us about the upcoming finals
Thandeka Katsika, staff
In 2019, Marvel Studios released the film Avengers: Endgame as a direct sequel to their 2018 film Avengers: Infinity War. The 2018 film ends with all hope lost. The Avengers fight but are unable to beat Thanos, the antagonist, who succeeds in wiping out half of all life forms in the universe. For a few characters, this sense of hopelessness carries over into Endgame. It appears they did all that they could to save the world, but what they were up against was just too overwhelming and failure was inevitable. Despite this, with collaboration, faith and a bit of luck, they manage by the end of the movie to kill Thanos and restore the other half of the universe.
I believe the weeks leading up to finals can feel like an infinity war. The workload is outrageous, the pressure is mounting up and there just isn’t enough time to get everything done. This can leave students feeling hopeless,
stressed and anxious about how they will perform in their final exams. And although it might not be a life-threatening situation, failing a final can feel like the end of the world.
When trying to manage all the exam pressure, it is important to first acknowledge that you should be feeling the pressure. Exams are designed to be difficult. So, if you are worried that the finals for your courses are going to be tough, then that worry is probably valid. If the Avengers had underestimated Thanos, they would not have brought their full force to the fight and victory would have been impossible. Similarly, to prepare adequately for any exam, you have to recognize that it will most likely be challenging.
However, I think this should just be a starting point for your exam preparation. Spending too much time contemplating the complexity of upcoming exams can rob you
of both joy and time. It may leave you feeling helpless and that is not what we want. I believe that once you have a clear idea of what you are up against, you need to embrace collaboration. It took an army to take Thanos down and the same is true for these finals.
In high school, many people think of academics as an individual competition, but in university, academics are a team sport. In my experience, there have been concepts that other people understood instantly that took me a while to fully comprehend and vice versa. So, I think it is essential to be a part of study groups so that you can get help from other people on topics you might be weaker in and affirm your understanding of the topics you know well by assisting others.
And finally, have some faith in yourself!
Just like in Endgame, the Avengers did not learn everything they needed to win the war in that one fight. Instead,
consumer greed more often than I would like to admit. Still, it makes me happy because it is Christmas. I am well aware of my overconsumption and am intentionally working to change by buying less. Before the winter holidays start, I would say enjoy your winter break and be mindful of how much you are spending during the holiday season.
it was an accumulation of everything they had learned previously that gave them the victory. Yes, they fought their hardest on that day, but they had to trust that all their previous training and smaller battles had prepared them enough to win the war.
It is highly unlikely that in the next two weeks anyone is going to be able to go through every note from every lecture or every course and practice every variation of questions that can be asked in their finals. In my opinion,
it is impossible to do everything, but you must trust that what you are able to do will be enough. Have faith, not in what you can accomplish in two weeks, but in all the work you have put into your courses since the beginning of this semester.
I think we often put so much pressure on ourselves to do something miraculous during finals season but forget that consistent work throughout the semester is the gamechanger.
graphic / Teegan
Gillich / staff
graphic / Teegan
Gillich / staff
The common good
Why cyclists have a better understanding of the
Adam Johnston, volunteer
Today, I am going to tell you a well-known secret that should not be a surprise. Despite all the false narratives mainstream media and social media can put on cyclists (such as cranky, entitled brats who are an annoyance to society), cyclists show greater interest than motorists in their community. Yes, scientific analysis backs this up.
Cycling magazine Momentum recently wrote an article on their website about a 2023 study in the Journal of Environmental Psychology The study done in Germany confirmed what many knew — cyclists were more likely to be concerned about their local community than motorists. I find this to hold true in Canada as well. Momentum said the study looked at four variables: participation in politics, organizational participation, solidarity in neighbourhoods and helping neighbours. Researchers found that with other variables held equal (income level, gender, home ownership and education), being a cyclist predicted
participation in each of the four variables, which are all related to the common good.
Momentum also noted that cyclists often have more opportunities to engage with people and neighbourhoods, which heightens their sense of awareness of what is happening in their communities and contributes to their sense of the common good.
From my experience, I can share why this study is highly accurate and how this should lead to further community engagement.
world
than motorists
tion, like the impacts of many issues from systemic racism and sexism on our transportation system, to urban sprawl, poverty, environmental degradation and Indigenous reconciliation with our lands through our trails. You see all these challenges facing a city with a more precise context
Those life experiences on two wheels versus being behind the wheel of an automobile can give people more appreciation for the world, the simpler things in life and why it’s worth fighting for the common good in these dark times
versus a motorist through our daily struggles.
As a cyclist participating in the cycling community, there is a higher sense of community concern, strengthening empathy toward the problems plaguing our city, province and country. We understand the needs of what is necessary to lift people. As a cyclist, you see more of your neighbourhood and city. You see more than those who drive as their primary mode of transporta-
It is not surprising from all these life experiences that cyclists are more likely to be active politically and volunteering in our community to make it better. Many are actively involved with various progressive politics, advocating and supporting policies boosting active transportation.
In 2022, a poll commissioned by CTV and the Winni-
peg Free Press before the civic election showed the most support for increases in public and active transit came from supporters of the two major centre-left parties (including the cyclist demographic). Even those in the cycling community who may not support major progressive parties frequently lead on key political activities, including organizing and leading monthly Critical Mass rides, vocally wanting the loudest change in our car-centric transportation system. Many cyclists are frequently engaged in volunteering, whether on the board of a bicycle advocacy group, community bike shop, food bank, arts group, environmental organization or hosting community radio shows. Dr. Syed Muhammad Zeeshan Hussain Almashhadi said it best, “volunteering is the ultimate exercise in democracy. You vote in elections once a year, but
Do we truly remember at the U of M? A call
to bring back campus Remembrance Day services
Milan Lukes, staff
Lest we forget all the university students and staff that paid the ultimate sacrifice in the name of freedom, and lest we forget the days when the U of M honoured their service with campus Remembrance Day ceremonies — which no longer occur.
Canadians observe Remembrance Day, a federal statutory holiday, every Nov. 11 at 11 a.m. which signifies the end of hostilities during the First World War. At that time, in 1918, an armistice — a formal agreement to stop fighting — took effect between the Germans and the Allies.
Remembrance Day now serves as an opportunity to remember the service and sacrifices of all those who defended our freedoms and protected our way of life, but do we truly remember at the U of M?
Remembrance Day, originally known as Armistice Day, was inaugurated and first observed in 1919 throughout the British Commonwealth.
In 1921, the Canadian Parliament passed the Armistice Day bill, recognizing the Monday in the week containing Nov. 11 as an annual legal
holiday. This led to Armistice Day being combined with the Thanksgiving Day holiday, which led citizens to push for a separation between the dates. In 1931, the federal government ruled that on Nov. 11 citizens would observe the newly named Remembrance Day, and Thanksgiving Day would be moved to a different date.
Though numerous Remembrance Day services were held across Manitoba this Nov. 11, I could not help but notice that our campuses were void of services that day.
A search through past issues of the Manitoban reveals many write-ups of Remembrance Day ceremonies on campus on Nov. 11 throughout the years, with a particular emphasis on commemorating the university’s contribution during the war efforts. Articles recall ceremonies on campus which were led by university personnel, where “the student body turned out en masse,” “the theatre was filled to capacity,” wreaths were laid next to campus war memorials, parades were held and where speeches were plentiful.
An issue of the Manitoban from 2006 provided cover-
age of the university’s “annual Remembrance Day ceremony” which included readings, remarks from dignitaries and placement of a wreath. When the university’s “annual” Remembrance Day ceremony ceased to exist at some point after that is unclear.
For perspective, numerous universities across Canada continue to observe Remembrance Day on Nov. 11 with campus ceremonies. The University of British Columbia recently concluded its 74th Remembrance Day ceremony, whereas the University of Saskatchewan marked its 96th annual ceremony. To the east of our province, many continue the same practice –including Western University, McMaster University, Carleton University, McGill University, the University of Toronto (on all three campuses) and the list continues.
At the end of the Great War, now commonly known as the First World War, a total of 1,160 students and 14 faculty and staff from the U of M enlisted. Of those who enlisted, 123 were killed or died during the war, while 142 were given military honours. Several monuments were erected on both
when you volunteer, you vote every day about the kind of community you want to live in. We all want this for the communities we live in.”
However, many drivers can be considerate, and some cyclists are not. I know some days I am not perfect. But, in general, the study Momentum discussed is correct in suggesting that cyclists view the world differently versus motorists and are more likely to be committed to the common good. Those life experiences on two wheels versus being behind the wheel of an automobile can give people more appreciation for the world, the simpler things in life and why it’s worth fighting for the common good in these dark times.
Adam Johnston hosts Not Necessarily The Automobile on Thursdays at 11:30 a.m. on UMFM 101.5. He can be reached at notnecessarilytheautomobile@gmail. com.
campuses at the U of M to honour their service, yet we do not honour the names on these monuments with wreath-laying or ceremonies of any sort on campus. We should remember and honour the university students and employees who sacrificed their future, dreams and time with loved ones so that we can enjoy a world of peace and freedom. Regardless of how long ago they served — whether that be over a century ago or more recently — that is no justification for forgetting. Remembrance Day is a time
to acknowledge the bravery of those who served their country to create a better world. The ceremonies do not glorify war, nor do they seek to recruit attendees into combat.
It is up to us to ensure that we do not forget the sacrifices of those who served and honour their contribution to freedom — with some giving their lives for the cause.
Just because the U of M has ceased annual Remembrance Day ceremonies on campus (contrary to the popular phrase, “lest we forget”), that does not mean that we should forget.
photo / Milan Lukes / staff
Re: Re: Words from Arij Al Khafagi’s appeal hearing
Walter Wai Tak Chan
Dear Editor,
I am responding to R. Spivak’s letter of February 2024. I respect R. Spivak’s opinion regarding Jewish students feeling comfortable and accepted on campus. However, as one would be advised to be critical of Canada’s history and politics, one should also be highly critical of the Israeli government at this time — especially when the prime minister of Israel has an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court for war crimes and crimes against humanity. As well as Yoav Gallant. Anything less would be tantamount to siding with apologists for war crimes and crimes against humanity. This message not only applies to Israel but to many other great powers.
Health-care policy proposals for older adults
Suggestions from nursing students following personal care home clinical rotations
Mikka Gauthier, Alexa Bresler, Sharon Mutambwi, Olatunbosun Oluwatunmise, Saif Rehman, Sidnee Morgan and Hailey McIsaac
We are second-year nursing students at the U of M completing our personal care home clinical rotation. We would like to share our experiences and suggestions to improve the quality of care for older people based on our research and clinical experiences.
We have come up with five priorities with suggestions
that should be considered by health-care policy decision makers.
First, it is important to improve education for everyone working with the older population in health care. This would benefit all health-care staff by eliminating ageism, stereotypes and judgment that can impede care, and create a culturally safe community for the older population, for nurses, health-care staff, aides and support workers.
Second, mandatory education and training on cul-
tural safety, cultural differences and resources for minority and marginalized older people. All health-care staff must be equipped to provide adequate care for all people. This would also include providing accessible translators and translation programs in health-care settings.
Third, social isolation must be addressed by implementing accessible and culturally appropriate social activities and interactive community socialization in all living situations. This would
help older people who have minimal family or community support and reduce health decline associated with social isolation.
Fourth, increasing the affordability and accessibility of home care and support services, such as giving a grace period for older people and their families to find funds and/or financial support. This could also look like tax breaks or financial programs for families and older people who need it.
Lastly, since there is a
Possible health-care policies
Second-year nursing students propose health-care policies
Olivia Batenchuk, Tikristi Adeniyi, Boluwatife Akindele, Blessing Anayo, Ralph Cristian Arenas, Daksh Jhanji, Zoe Nonato and Khushi Rajeshkumar Patel
After reading through multiple articles on various topics related to the health and wellness of the elderly population, here are some policy suggestions we would like to share. We hope that they may help patients and their families receive better care as well as lessen the fear and dislike of the health-care system.
The first suggestion is implementing more mandatory cultural education and education on the older population for all health-care professionals. The goal is to fight against the culturally insensitive care and ageist and non-inclusive beliefs that continue to appear in our healthcare system today.
Second, is that health-care related research be completed on a more diverse group of people. We ask that research
be carried out on wider age, race and gender ranges.
The third suggestion is for funding for a wider range of living possibilities and education of staff so they are better able to inform patients of resources available to them. Canadians would rather spend their years in comfortable and familiar living situations than personal care homes, but there are limited affordable options.
Our fourth policy is providing on-site anonymous feed-
back boxes that can be used to voice feedback and concerns. These boxes would be locked with limited access. The boxes would not leave the facility or unit to maintain privacy.
The final policy is to increase inspections in care facilities. These would be random and completed by healthcare-trained staff so the most accurate information could be collected and issues remedied to high standards. The range? From observing mealtimes to ensure care is being pro -
growing population of older people, additional personal care homes, aging in place and alternative methods of assisted living must be added to meet the demand. These can include programs for co-living and additional communities for assisted living.
This letter was written by second-year nursing students at the University of Manitoba.
vided correctly, to the cleanliness of the facility, including proper cleaning of machinery and furniture. Inspections would be completed to catch lax care before it can have larger effects.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
This letter was written by second-year nursing students at the University of Manitoba.
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.
Rainbow Resource Centre builds Place of Pride
Local community centre constructs Canada’s first 2SLGBTQ+ campus in Winnipeg
Boris Tsun Hang Leung, staff
Awhile ago, Rainbow Resource Centre in Winnipeg unveiled its latest project, Place of Pride — a campus designed to provide 2SLGBTQ+ individuals with access to affordable housing, program spaces and community services.
Recently, the project reached a milestone with the completion of its first phase, allowing residents to move into apartment units specifically for 2SLGBTQ+ seniors in September. Work on the second and final phase is underway, focusing on modernizing the existing centre, enhancing accessibility and connecting it to the new apartments.
In an interview, Patrick O’Reilly, chair of the Place of Pride fundraising campaign, said the project came into being several years ago in response to the housing discrimination faced by seniors in the 2SLGBTQ+ community in Winnipeg.
“Rainbow has been hearing from seniors, elderly 2SLGBTQ+ folks, about some
experiences they’ve had when they try to find affordable living or seniors-type buildings that they can move into in their elder years,” he explained.
“They had to go back in the closet because they felt unsafe, either from other residents in the housing or from staff in areas where it was more of a care home. They’ve had trouble accessing affordable housing for couples if they’re not married as a couple.”
The $20 million project has received funding from both provincial and federal governments, with $8 million allocated to the first phase.
The Manitoba government recently expressed support for the second phase in its throne speech.
“The government of Manitoba, amazingly, wonderfully, we’re so thankful, included reference to their support for this Place of Pride (phase two) in the speech from the throne,” O’Reilly said.
“That speech from the throne is a commitment from the government of what their
plans are, what they intend to do over the next term of the legislature […] It doesn’t finalize the precise deal on the amount and that sort of thing, but we’re very happy the provincial government committed that,” he said.
Place of Pride is Canada’s first 2SLGBTQ+ campus, underscoring Winnipeg’s role as a pioneer in creating gathering spaces for the community.
“The concept of having a queer centre started in Winnipeg, Canada. In fact, it started on the U of M campus, it’s where Rainbow started,” he said.
The Rainbow Resource Centre, located at 545 Broadway, currently serves around 4,500 people each year, offering programs such as free counselling sessions and crafting workshops. This number is expected to increase to the tens of thousands with the completion of Place of Pride.
Despite the centre’s outreach efforts, there is still much progress to be made. According to a study conducted by the government of
Canada, factors such as not being in a conjugal relationship, living alone and being discriminated against can put LGBTQ+ seniors more at risk of being socially isolated.
Sadly, few existing 2SLGBTQ+ spaces and services cater specifically to seniors — an issue that deeply concerns O’Reilly.
“In North American society, we seem to sometimes overlook our elders and our seniors, but yeah, it’s true in our 2SLGBTQ+ communities as well,” he said.
“These folks are like our pioneers, right? The people who are in seniors’ buildings now are the folks who started pride parades. They’re the folks who started queer community centres. They’re the folks who stood up — out, proud — to their employers in the 70s when it wasn’t safe to do that,” he adds.
O’Reilly stresses that 2SLGBTQ+ people still face hurdles in Canada including schoolteachers refusing to accept students’ preferred pronouns and “outing” students to their unsupportive parents. He
then re-emphasized the need for a safe space where community members can just exist. “We’re not there yet. There’s still fear, and there’s still danger, there’s still crisis.
But also, equally important, we need a big, happy, safe gathering place for our communities.
“Right now the only thing we have for 2SLGBTQ+ folks is the Rainbow Resource Centre and right now because it’s limited in its size, it’s mostly crisis focused. [However] you can just stop in and have a coffee and that’s important for all of us in the community, just a nice place to gather,” O’Reilly said.
“[It] probably sounds a little sappy, but those things are so important.”
To learn more about Place of Pride, visit placeofpride.ca. For information about Rainbow Resource Centre’s programs and services, visit rainbowresourcecentre.org.
Rendering of bubble connection space
Rendered view from across Broadway
Rendering of rooftop patio
Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre presents Little Women
Adaptation of the classic novel by Louisa May Alcott features local artists
Carrington Dong, staff
L
ouisa May Alcott’s classic novel, Little Women, loosely based on the lives of her and her three sisters, was first published in 1868. After it gained great popularity, Alcott quickly wrote a sequel, published in 1869 under the title Good Wives in British editions. Today, the two books are often published together as one volume.
Little Women tells the stories of sisters Margaret (Meg), Josephine (Jo), Elizabeth (Beth) and Amy March, who live in 1800s Massachusetts during the Civil War. Living in genteel poverty with their mother, Marmee, the sisters navigate the challenges of coming of age. It has been adapted to the screen and stage numerous times since its publication.
The Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre (MTC) will stage a new production of Little Women from Nov. 20 to Dec. 14. Adapted for the stage by Jordi Mand and directed by Katie German, the production features local artists, including Winnipeg-born artist and U of M alumna, Bailey Chin.
Although Chin always loved theatre, she had not planned on pursuing a performing career. In her words, “it kind of happened by accident.” When she began her studies at the U of M, she was enrolled in University 1, taking any classes that piqued her interest, including Introduction to Theatre.
“I found myself in all of my other classes wishing I was enjoying myself as much as I was in [Introduction to Theatre],” she recalled. “And so I took another one, and then I took another one, and I was like, ‘well, at this point, I should probably just make this my major.’”
During her time at U of M, Chin was a member of the Black Hole Theatre Company, an experience she expressed gratitude for.
Chin also emphasized the importance for actors to understand backstage production, from lighting design to stage management, not only to grasp the process but to appreciate the vital role of the backstage crew.
Since graduating, Chin has appeared in two previous MTC productions: Sexual Misconduct of the Middle Classes and Network. She has also worked with Prairie Theatre Exchange and performed at the Winnipeg Fringe Festival.
In Little Women, Chin plays Jo March, the second-eldest sister in the family, an aspiring writer known for her head-
strong and determined personality. The role of Jo has been played in past adaptations by notable actresses such as Katharine Hepburn, Winona Ryder and Saoirse Ronan.
Being cast as Jo was “a dream come true” for Chin, who grew up loving Little Women and admiring Jo, though she did not always see herself reflected in the character.
“I feel like a lot of people gravitate to whichever sister they most identify themselves with, but if I were to be fully honest with myself, I did not grow up as a ‘Jo,’” she said. “I think the reason I gravitated towards her and why I loved her so much is she embodied so many things that I wanted to be […] She is so fiercely independent, and goes after what she wants and doesn’t take no for an answer.”
Chin explained her approach to playing Jo involves physical and vocal care to manage the demands of being onstage almost constantly. She also focused on the playfulness of performing, crediting her castmates for creating a supportive environment.
“You can lose the fun in it sometimes in all of the stress, and we were very lucky to have an incredible room full of incredible people who showed up for each other every day,” she said. “As a result, it was such a safe space for us all to just play with these characters and really find them and really develop them.”
According to Chin, the cast members bonded immediately when rehearsals began.
“You have to go up there and play family every night, right? And that can be tough when you are meeting people for the
first time,” Chin remarked. “But we found a way […] and now have connected in such a gorgeous way, that it really — as corny as it sounds — feels like I am with my family up there every day.”
When asked about her favourite parts of working on the show, Chin praised the many women involved in producing the play, including director Katie German, assistant directors Rayna Masterton and Rochelle Kives and stage manager Karyn Kumhyr. The strong “feminine energy” in the production was something she valued, especially given the play’s subject matter.
According to Chin, audiences can expect “magic” from the production — from the story’s adaptation to the set design by Jawon Kang, lighting by Hugh Conacher and costumes by Joseph Abe-
tria.
“I think there is magic in the show no matter who you are and why you’ve come to see it, and there’s beauty in every tiny detail of it,” she said.
Chin finished by encouraging other aspiring performers.
“Go for everything, even if you don’t think you’ll get it […] trusting that if you get [the role], you get it, and if you don’t, that’s okay. Keep going,” she advised.
Little Women runs from Nov. 20 through Dec. 14 at the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre’s John Hirsch Mainstage. Tickets are available at royalmtc.ca. For information on accessible performances, visit royalmtc.ca/News/Accessible-Performances.aspx.
Megan Fry, Ava Darrach-Gagnon, Jan Skene, Bailey Chin and Julia Davis in Little Women. Set Designer Jawon Kang, Costume Designer Joseph Abetria, Lighting Designer Hugh Conacher.
photos
courtesy of / Leif Norman
Bailey Chin, Ava Darrach-Gagnon, Julia Davis and Megan Fry in Little Women. Set Designer Jawon Kang, Costume Designer Joseph Abetria, Lighting Designer Hugh Conacher.
The prevalence of media and death to streaming
The convenience we love, the classics we are losing
Aaliyah Balogun, volunteer
I have a confession to make — I really love movies.
I belong to the group of people who can quote every line in Shrek (2001) or passionately explain why Interstellar (2014) is the greatest space film ever made (yes, I will die on this hill).
Movies, to me, are more than just a form of entertainment. They are time machines, offering a glimpse into historical moments, or occasionally, just a great excuse to avoid finishing an assignment.
Lately, though, I have been thinking about something that is hard to ignore, and that is streaming. The technology that once freed us from rummaging physical stores for DVDs is now erasing a part of our cinematic history.
Streaming is killing movies. And I am not just talking about the latest Marvel flop. We are losing timeless classics, culturally significant works and hard-to-find gems, all vanishing into the digital void.
According to a recent article in Forbes, “the future of Hollywood changed forever in August 1997,” when two entrepreneurs came up with an idea for a subscription-based mail-order DVD rental business.
That business? Netflix.
Mailing DVDs to subscribers who wanted to avoid Blockbuster was groundbreaking at the time. By 2009, Netflix was shipping 900 million DVDs annually to more than 10 million subscribers. But Reed Hastings, Netflix’s co-founder, had an even bigger idea — streaming.
In 2007, Netflix launched its subscription video on demand (SVOD) service. Back then, streaming movies directly to TVs seemed futuristic, but Hastings knew it was the next big thing.
catalog was limited to just 1,000 films compared to 70,000 available on DVD. But as broadband technology became widespread, the streaming business boomed.
Today, Netflix has over 282 million subscribers globally, making it the world’s most valuable media company.
Sounds like a dream, right? Well, not quite.
Here is the issue, while streaming platforms have made accessing movies easier, they have also intro -
the next big thing. This is not just inconvenient, it is dangerous.
You know the saying that a picture is worth a thousand words? Well, a movie is worth a million. Movies have the ability to capture the essences of a specific period in time, a feeling or even a movement.
Take Schindler’s List (1993) — it is not just a film, it is a visceral lesson in American hist-
unlikely friendship between Bruno, the young son of a Nazi commandant, and Shmuel, a Jewish boy imprisoned in a concentration camp. Through the innocent eyes of these two boys, the film powerfully shows the horrors of prejudice and war.
It is a reminder of how movies preserve our history, victories and losses. But what happens when these stories are no longer accessible?
Imagine your favorite movie for a second.
Renowned director and filmmaker Martin Scorsese has also voiced concern on this issue.
“We can’t depend on the movie business, such as it is, to take care of cinema,” he wrote in Harper’s Magazine Scorsese went on to say that in the streaming world, “everything is presented to the viewer on a level playing field, which sounds democratic but it isn’t.”
At first, the streaming
duced a huge problem. Movies are not treated like the cultural treasures they are. They are treated like disposable content.
One day you are rewatching The Sound of Music (1965), and the next day it is gone.
And do not even get me started on indie films or documentaries — they often do not even make it to streaming in the first place.
Streaming platforms only push what is trending. Once the hype dies down, the movie is removed to make room for
ory. Or The Godfather (1972) — it is not just a film about gangsters but details immigrants’ experiences in America. Films like these do not just entertain us. They educate and preserve stories that shape our collective identity. I hate to admit this, but I have learned more about the Holocaust from The Boy in the Striped Pajamas than in my history class. Directed by Mark Herman and based on John Boyne’s novel, the film tells the story of an
Now imagine a future where no one can watch it because a streaming platform decided it was not “profitable” enough to keep. That is the reality we are heading toward.
As Forbes pointed out, the move from physical media to streaming means we do not actually own movies anymore. Back in the day, buying a DVD meant you had that movie forever. Now, we are just renting access, and when a film leaves the platform, it is gone. It is like your favourite book being thrown out by the library because it was not “popular” enough.
And I completely agree — movies are being treated like disposable products, and timeless classics lose their importance over time. As this happens, audiences also lose access to these cultural treasures.
But what is the solution? First, let us revive our love for physical media. Owning a DVD or Bluray means you have it forever — no subscription needed. Plus, there is something deeply satisfying about building a collection of movies that shaped you. Second, I think we need to hold streaming platforms accountable. If Netflix and Disney+ can spend billions on new content, they can also invest in preserving classics.
Streaming is convenient, but it is erasing something irreplaceable. Movies are fragments of our collective soul and losing them feels like losing a part of ourselves.
So, next time you are watching Netflix or Disney+, think about what that movie represents — the effort it took to create it and the story it tells. Then ask yourself, “will I be able to rewatch this in 10 years?”
If the answer is no, it is time to take action. Because if we do not, we will lose not just movies, but the stories that define who we are.
graphic / Teegan Gillich / staff
The Thunderbirds soar to victory, dominating the Bisons
Bisons women’s hockey team defeated by the Thunderbirds’ weekend sweep
Israel Adeogo Abejoye, staff
The University of British Columbia Thunderbirds secured a sweep of their weekend series against the Bisons, winning 3-1 and 10-2 at the Wayne Fleming Arena on Nov. 29 and Nov. 30, respectively.
On Friday, Nov. 29, the Thunderbirds drew first blood, scoring their first goal at 11:02 by defender Meadow Carman in the first period. They dominated the shots on target, outshooting the Bisons 10-3.
The second period saw the Thunderbirds earn a power play at 7:33, but they could not capitalize on the opportunity. The Bisons came out stronger, creating more chances to equalize, but ultimately could not convert.
The game came alive in the third period, with three goals scored. The Thunderbirds extended their lead early on, courtesy of forward Grace Elliott’s goal. The Bisons responded with a beautiful attempt that ricocheted off the bar, but the Thunderbirds scored their third goal on a power play soon after. The Bisons finally found the net with a goal by forward Evangeline Hill at 6:52, but it was
too little, too late.
Despite a stronger second and third period, the Bisons could not overcome the deficit, ultimately falling 3-1. The final shots on goal were 21-20 in favour of the Thunderbirds.
In a post-game interview, the Bisons women’s hockey team head coach Jordy Zacharias said, “I thought we really got into it. First period, I didn’t think we started horribly, but they started to push the pace a little bit more than us. And then we made a good push back in the second and third there,” she said. “And not that it was a bad game, but there’s a couple of things I think we can improve upon, which is the good news for tomorrow.”
and getting pucks on net and not trying to be too pretty with things. And I think that’s something we can build off of for tomorrow.”
the next day.”
Zacharias also acknowledged the outstanding performance of the team’s goaltender, stating, “[Emily Shippam] is very calm in the net. She keeps us in a lot of games, and she’s able to control rebounds really well, which helps us from scrambling in front, but just kind of her calm demeanor to bring up the back end is what helps us a lot.”
“We’ve been able to find a lot of offence recently, but the game of hockey isn’t always on your side, and sometimes you’ve got to face some of this adversity”
— Jordy Zacharias, head coach of the Bisons women’s hockey team
Regarding how the team can improve, Zacharias said, “I think just wanting it more than [the Thunderbirds] do. Being a little bit harder on our 50/50 battles. Being a little hungrier and making more of the simple plays. We started to find a lot more success when we were getting pucks deep
Zacharias further spoke on some unfavourable conditions being faced by the team and how they can make an improvement. “We talked about not over-complicating plays. Not taking too long to make the plays. Just keep it simple. Stick to our game plan and force teams to play to our level.”
From a confidence standpoint, she said, “we’ve been able to find a lot of offence recently, but the game of hockey isn’t always on your side, and sometimes you’ve got to face some of this adversity. I’m glad that we’re having some of those games so it doesn’t always just come the way that you want it, and it makes you want it even more
On Saturday, Nov. 30, the Thunderbirds dominated the Bisons again, winning 10-2 in their second matchup. The Thunderbirds set the tone early, scoring three goals in the first period. The Thunderbirds forward player Karine Sandilands opened the scoring at 7:49, followed by forward Mackenzie Kordic at 16:38, and forward Jacquelyn Fleming at 19:23. The Thunderbirds outshot the Bisons 13-3 in the first period.
In the second period, the Thunderbirds extended their lead with goals from forward Chanreet Bassi at 9:43 and forward Mia Beird at 10:15. The
Bisons finally got on the board with a goal from forward Kylie Lesuk at 13:18. However, the Thunderbirds responded with two more goals from Bassi and Kordic, taking a 7-1 lead into the third period.
The Bisons tried to mount a comeback in the third period, with a goal from forward Norah Collins at 5:15. However, the Thunderbirds pulled away with goals from Sandilands, Kordic and Bassi, who scored her third goal of the game with just 0.5 seconds remaining. The final shots on goal were 36-19 in favour of the Thunderbirds.
Overall, the Thunderbirds won both games in with a dominant performance, showcasing their offensive firepower. However, despite the lopsided score, the Bisons showed some resilience in scoring three goals and trying to mount a comeback.
The Bisons will face the Regina Cougars on away ice on Friday, Dec. 6 and Saturday, Dec. 7.
On the Canada West women’s hockey standings, the Cougars are only one point above the Bisons who are currently ranked in sixth place out of nine teams.
photo /Nischal Karki / staff
photos / Nischal Karki / staff
Bisons break four-game losing streak
Bisons women’s basketball team wins against the Lethbridge Pronghorns
Faiyaz Chowdhury, staff
T
he Bisons women’s basketball team won against the Lethbridge Pronghorns at the Investors Group Athletic Centre on Nov. 29, putting an end to their fourgame losing streak. The Pronghorns faced the Bisons in an 81-59 hard-fought game, but the Bisons emerged victorious.
Despite efforts from the Pronghorns to catch up, the Bisons’ strong offence and defence ensured they held a solid lead throughout the match. The Pronghorns struggled with their shooting, especially from the threepoint range, which allowed the Bisons to build an insurmountable advantage by the final whistle.
As the game kicked off, the Bisons set the tone early, quickly jumping out to a lead. The Pronghorns struggled to get their offence going, particularly from beyond the arc, while the Bisons capitalized on their opportunities thanks to Emily Mandamin and Autumn Agar. The defensive pressure from the Bisons made it tough for the Pronghorns to find good shots, and their turnovers allowed the Bisons to push the pace.
By the end of the first quarter, the Bisons led by six points, taking a 23-17 advantage.
The Pronghorns tried to respond in the second quarter, but their shooting woes continued. Despite some good moments on defence from the likes of Kyra Collier, they could not convert their chances on offence. The Bisons, on the other hand, showed composure, playing smart basketball and staying aggressive on both ends of the floor. With key contributions from players like Agar in rebounds and assists, the Bisons extended their lead to 46-34 at halftime, putting them in a comfortable position.
After halftime, the Pronghorns’ struggles became more pronounced as their shooting percentage plummeted. Meanwhile, the Bisons kept up the pressure, with strong performances from Mandamin and Anna Miko, who scored efficiently and helped extend the lead. The Pronghorns failed to find a rhythm, and the Bisons’ defence stifled any chance of a comeback.
As the third quarter came to a close, the Bisons led 62-52, putting the game almost out of reach for the Pronghorns.
The final quarter saw the Pronghorns trying to fight, but it was too little too late. They showed brief flashes of
offensive spark from the likes of Courtney Mckee, but their inability to make shots from deep and take advantage of free throws meant they could not close the gap. The Bisons maintained their control, focusing on smart ball movement and free throws to keep their lead intact.
In the end, the Bisons cruised to an 81-59 win, securing a well-earned victory.
For the Pronghorns, Collier and Tobore Okome stood out with their hustle. Collier worked hard to get to the line and made an impact on defence, while Okome brought a fight to the boards.
For the Bisons, Mandamin was a key playmaker, hitting timely shots, especially from the three-point range. Miko also played a vital role, providing energy and finishing well. Agar was solid throughout and Paige Schatkowsky contributed off the bench, helping maintain the team’s momentum.
From start to finish, the Bisons dominated the game with consistent offence and
tight defence. The Pronghorns struggled to find their rhythm, particularly from the perimeter, and could not capitalize on free throw opportunities. The Bisons set the pace early, building a solid lead in the first half and never looked back. Despite Lethbridge’s efforts in the second half, their shooting woes continued, allowing the Bisons to maintain control. The Bisons’ balanced scoring and defensive pressure led them to a commanding victory.
The Bisons had a major advantage when it came to converting opportunities to points which was reflected in their three-pointers and free throws. The Pronghorns had a three-point shooting percentage of 10.5 per cent, while the Bisons shot 42.9 per cent from beyond the arc. In terms of free throw shooting, the Pronghorns converted 56.3 per cent of their free throws, whereas the Bisons were significantly more efficient, making 84.6 per cent of their free throw attempts. The game showcased the
Bisons’ depth and discipline, while the Pronghorns had moments of promise but ultimately could not overcome their offensive struggles.
When asked about their strategy, the Bisons women’s basketball head coach Michele Sung said, “I think [we] just wanted to be a bit more fluid going off defence this week and how we committed to it in practice. That was good. And we really knew that they had some people that could score in bunches, and we just wanted to try to limit that.”
Regarding the team’s offensive play, Sung mentioned, “it’s the same offence we’ve been running. I thought we were a bit more committed to sharing the ball, getting assists and getting some paint touches, so that just helps it feel like there are more options for everybody on the catch.”
When asked if the team had a fixed squad, she replied, “I think we’re still rotating. I think we played around with some depth options today and differently than we did last
weekend. I mean, when you’re losing, you always want to try to find a new solution. And I thought we had a game plan at the beginning of the week, and we committed to it, so we’ll see if it pulls up tomorrow.”
Finally, Sung explained the need for calling a timeout in the fourth quarter. “I think with that one, it was a situational play. We just had one second to get the ball over. So, we wanted to make sure — this was pretty critical. I think they had just scored six in a row — we wanted to make sure they didn’t get that eighth and kind of make it a more attainable game at the end there.”
The Pronghorns faced the Bisons the following day on Nov. 30, defeating the herd 78-64.
The Bisons women’s basketball will play against the Winnipeg Wesmen on Dec. 5 at 6 p.m. CT in the Duckworth Centre.
photos / Ebunoluwa
Akinbo / staff
Men’s basketball dominate Lethbridge Pronghorns
Bisons secure back-to-back wins over the Pronghorns in thrilling games
Abdul-Jalilu Ahmed, staff
The U of M Bisons men’s basketball team delivered a commanding performance over the weekend, winning their series against the Lethbridge Pronghorns at the Investors Group Athletic Centre.
The Bisons secured a decisive 79-63 victory on Friday, Nov. 29, followed by a dominant 77-62 win on Saturday, Nov. 30, showcasing their strength on the home court.
Game one was marked with excitement and dominance for the Bisons following superlative displays to claim a 19-11 score in the first quarter, a 21-18 score in the third quarter and a 17-10 score in the final quarter. The Pronghorns showed glimpses of brilliance in the second quarter as they wrapped it up with a 24-22 score.
In game two on Saturday,
the Bisons had an impressive start in the first quarter as Cieran O’Hara made a free throw at 9:41, but the Pronghorns announced their presence with a layup from JackHenry Fox-Grey at the 8:42 mark.
The Bisons appeared determined to maintain their lead but were denied the opportunity as the Pronghorns revamped their play to claim an 18-17 lead. Angelo Mbituyimana’s jump shot at 1:24 made the difference for the Pronghorns.
In the second quarter, Taven Vigilance delivered a three-point jump shot assisted by O’Hara at the 9:52 mark for the Bisons to take a 20-18 lead. Vigilance went for a dunk with an assist by Mayang Tong to take the Bisons to a 22-18 lead. The Bisons did not relent as they stayed on track to end the quarter with a 38-25 lead.
Barac Thon had a three-point jump shot assisted by O’Hara at 0:55 to seal the lead for the Bisons.
Fox-Grey hit the ground running for the Pronghorns in the early stages of the third quarter through a layup at 9:46, but the Bisons responded with a three-point jump shot from Daren Watts, assisted by Mason Kraus. The Pronghorns were left chasing shadows as the Bisons took a 60-37 lead at the end of the quarter.
The fourth quarter did not change the dynamics of the game despite a resurgence in the play and approach of the Pronghorns. At the 1:19 mark, the Pronghorns’ Mbituyimana had a layup to set the score at 75-60 for the Bisons, and Brandt Lenz had the remarkable layup for the Bisons at 1:04 to end the quarter with 77-62 score.
The Bisons men’s basket-
ball head coach Kirby Schepp assessed his team on both their defensive and offensive with the hope of improving in upcoming games.
“I mean, I thought we were very good defensively. I thought our energy and our compete level defensively was really good. There were still times when we struggled a bit,” said Schepp.
“Our offensive flow wasn’t great, I think. But it’s getting better. Every day, every game, it’s getting better. Hopefully we can just continue to improve every week,” said Schepp.
He indicated that there is work to be done on the offensive side of the team.
“I think we’re not quite there offensively. The way we move the ball is not quite there. Yeah, we just got to be just a little sharper in the way we execute things offensively.
The Bisons will play Winnipeg Wesmen on Thursday, Dec. 5 in a game that Schepp looks forward to while acknowledging the unbeaten run of the opponent. He stated that his players will be ready for the game.
“It’s always a huge game, right? Winnipeg is the top five team in the country. They’re undefeated in the league. It’s going to be a very tough test for us, but I know the guys will be fired up.”
With six wins and one loss, the Bisons men’s basketball team are third on the Canada West Prairie league standings with a winning percentage of 0.857.
