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Union president states that administration has “reached the end of the rope”
Iyanda Ajuwon, staff
The University of Manitoba Faculty Association (UMFA) held a rally on Jan. 23 in front of the university’s Administration Building amid ongoing contract negotiations.
The collective agreement between UMFA and the university expired on April 1, 2024, and despite making progress on new contract negotiations, UMFA president Erik Thomson expressed that the administration “has reached the end of the rope” on certain issues.
UMFA is the certified bargaining agent for approximately 1,200 full-time academic staff at the U of M, established in 1951. The primary objectives of the association include promoting the interests of teachers, researchers and librarians at the university, advancing professional standards and enhancing the quality of higher education in Canada, according to their website.
Thomson indicated that UMFA has been in active negotiations over a new contract with the university’s administration since October 2024, but that “there are some monetary and workplace issues” that have yet to be rectified.
“We had a negotiating session on Friday where they presented a new monetary offer, and so the rally on Thursday was to demonstrate that we needed a little bit more from the board of governors — who has the authorization to make those monetary offers,” said Thomson.
Since the rally, the university has proposed adjustments to salary caps, including an $8,000 increase for full professors, $2,000 for associate professors and $1,000 for assistant professors, said Thomson.
As part of the resolution to the 2021 strike — which lasted 35 days — Thomson stated that the university’s administration expressed the goal to get the U of M to the 25th percentile in salary amongst the 15 leading research universities across Canada (U15).
“Essentially, they have made a salary offer that by the end of the contract would get us to the current 25th percentile,” he said. “We are at the bottom of the U15 in salary currently, and for certain ranks like our full professors, the top of our rank […] is below the starting rank of other U15 institutions.”
Thomson stated that he is not expecting UMFA members to be compensated like the University of British Col-
umbia or the University of Toronto, “which clearly offer a lot more but also [have] very much higher costs of living.”
However, he referenced other universities such as Dalhousie University and the University of Calgary which he stated are much more ahead of the U of M.
“We’re not looking to be where the 25th percentile would be now in four years, but actually get a lift up so we’re always maybe a little bit ahead of the bottom,” said Thomson. “And we think
that’s important so that we can recruit good faculty in all areas and make sure that the faculty that are here are receiving appropriate compensation.”
Thomson also expressed that “there really hasn’t been any action” on the childcare agreement of UMFA members in the collective agreement which has been there since 1991, he stated. “We’re looking for a little bit more commitment to actually [live] up to the promises that the university has made.”
Article 29 of the expired collective agreement states that “the university is committed to the goal of ensuring quality childcare for the children of members.”
“We had a couple of proposals that tried to get some spaces opened up,” said Thomson. “There’s a new childcare centre being built up at Health Sciences and there’s a childcare centre on Fort Garry, and there’s all sorts of resistance to opening up for childcare for faculty members.”
Thomson acknowledged
that inadequate childcare can hurt recruitment efforts for those that don’t have family in Winnipeg or a history here. “Having childcare close […] is often a real relief. Childcare is hard to get in Winnipeg,” said Thomson.
UMFA is now exploring additional ways to pressure the administration, though specific strategies have not been finalized. “We’ll have to see what our members want,” said Thomson.
A call for more campus awareness about the Kirpan
Religious sword no reason for concern, says Sikh students
Milan Lukes, staff
S
tudents at the U of M are calling for greater awareness on campus around the Kirpan — a blade that resembles a dagger or sword that is constantly worn as part of the Khalsa Sikh religion.
Isham Singh, Jasvir Kaur, Gurnoor Singh, Gurkaranbir Singh, Devkarn Singh and Manvir Kaur are executive members of the University of Manitoba Sikh Students’ Association (UMSikhSA) and state that incidents on campus have made it clear that many students lack understanding about the Kirpan — and they would like the university to help with an education initiative.
Devkarn Singh explained that during one of his 2024 summer term final exams, he was pulled out of the exam room by a campus peace officer following concerns from one of the students over his Kirpan. “[The peace officer] said that one of the students complained that he was wearing a knife. He was basically telling me to conceal it,” said Devkarn Singh.
The officer recommended that he hide the Kirpan, “so that the students can continue their exam without being scared,” according to Singh. In the end, he did not hide it, but acknowledged that the officer was understanding of the situation.
Another incident occurred
on Nov. 4 during the Celebrating Oneness event in the multi-purpose room of UMSU University Centre. The event was jointly organized by the UMSikhSA along with other faith groups on campus and focused on educating different communities on religious rituals and cultures. A threefoot Kirpan was present on a table to raise awareness.
“[Campus officers] were like, ‘just hide the bigger Kirpan, because we don’t want to create trouble,’” said Devkarn Singh. “They were worried that the students would take the Kirpan and try to harm someone.
“If the university and security do not want to raise awareness about [the Kirpan], the least they can do is not stop us while doing it, right?”
Gurkaranbir Singh stated that at the request of Security Services, the Kirpan was placed away out of public sight “because we did not want that to jeopardize the rest of the event.”
In a statement from Security Services, they indicated that security previously met with an organizer and declined the request for a three-foot Kirpan at the event following discussions “for general safety reasons.”
“Security was informed on Nov. 4 that a three-foot Kirpan sword was at the event. The organizer was contacted on site and reminded of the
meeting and decisions prior to the event. Organizers were directed to remove the sword from campus and do so in [a] manner where the sword was not visible. It is our understanding it was removed.”
Executive members of UMSikhSA stated that Security Services never reached out to the association directly, but spoke through organizers of other groups of the joint event. “The only thing we were informed through that person was that there was a suggestion that you’re not allowed to wear the three-foot Kirpan,” they wrote in a joint statement. “We followed this suggestion and only displayed it securely and took all the precautions with two members at the display the entire time.”
“kirpa” meaning mercy, and “aan,” meaning honour and self-respect.
Baptized Sikhs must commit to the code of conduct of the Khalsa, a Sikh order created in 1699 by the 10th Sikh guru — a term used to define a spiritual master. The Khalsa was established as a group of
Kaur. “The energy of God is the energy to create or destroy, that’s how we are all alive. In our faith, we believe that God is the one who creates the world and God is the one who ends the world. So same with the Kirpan, the Kirpan has the power to save somebody’s life, but […] it can also take somebody’s life.
“If the university and security do not want to raise awareness about [the Kirpan], the least they can do is not stop us while doing it, right?”
—
Devkarn Singh, executive member of the University of Manitoba Sikh Students’ Association
warrior Sikhs to defend any victims of aggression or injustice.
The Khalsa entails wearing the “five Ks” at all times: Kara (a steel bracelet), Kes (uncut hair), Kanga (a small wooden comb), Kachhera (cotton undershorts) and the Kirpan.
“We cannot remove them at any cost,” said Gurnoor Singh.
The significance of the Kirpan
The Kirpan is a religious sword which is to be worn at all times by a baptized Sikh — meaning a Sikh who has undergone the Amrit Sanchar initiation ceremony. An individual may be baptized at any age, but must be willing to do so on their own will.
The word Kirpan is derived from two Punjabi words,
Khalsa Sikhs must be TyarBar-Tyar, stated Gurkaranbir Singh, “which means you have to be ready at all times for any situation that comes to you. You need to be able to handle and fight back and tackle the situation.”
The Kirpan is worn in a sheath on a strap or a belt and must be made of iron.
“It’s a manifestation of the energy of God,” said Manvir
“The Kirpan holds that power that when injustice arises and there’s no other way to get justice it can save someone’s life,” explained Kaur. “As Sikhs, it’s our responsibility to uphold righteous duty.”
Gurkaranbir Singh stated that originally, the Kirpan was typically three feet long. The length of the blade was eventually reduced due to British colonial policies and laws and can now vary considerably.
In Canada, Kirpans are permitted with blades of 6 cm or less on domestic or international flights — excluding the United States. Longer blades should be packed in checked luggage, according to the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority.
“Just like in the Canadian Parliament, the mace, which is used for a ceremonial use and holds its own special meaning, the Sikhs have the
photo / Rafah Zulkifl / staff
Kirpan which holds its own special meaning as well,” said Gurkaranbir Singh.
Kirpans allowed on campus, no specific university policy
Kirpans can legally be worn in most public places in Canada, including on campuses — according to a 2006 ruling from the Supreme Court of Canada.
In an email thread obtained by the Manitoban from Christopher Bohonis, assistant director of Security Services, Bohonis acknowledged that “it does not appear that the university has specific policy pertaining to Kirpans.” This was later confirmed in a statement from the university’s administration.
“Without a policy, this is what we have been following/ recommending generally,” wrote Bohonis, followed by several conditions.
The conditions listed by Bohonis include that the wearer must be a Khalsa Sikh or that it is part of their religious beliefs, that they may be required to provide a letter from the gurdwara — a Sikh place of worship — con-
firming that they are Khalsa and that the Kirpan is not to be worn visibly, but under the wearer’s clothing.
Other conditions listed include “the Kirpan must be sufficiently secured to render removal difficult, but not impossible” and that the Kirpan should not exceed 17.8 cm in length, while “smaller Kirpans are preferable.”
“Within our policies, including RWLE (Respectful Work and Learning Environment), members of the UM community, including every student and employee, are entitled to a respectful work and learning environment, free from discrimination and we provide for reasonable accommodation,” stated the university’s administration.
“Should a situation develop where the visibility of a Kirpan, its overall size or an allegation of misuse is made, the matter would be addressed in a private and sensitive manner. To date we have not encountered a situation of misuse.”
Bohonis also noted that the university has not encountered a situation where the Kirpan was misused, but stated that Security Servi-
ces has “attended a few calls respecting Kirpans in the past.”
Manvir Kaur hopes that if the university does adopt a policy specific to Kirpans in the future, that at least five baptized Sikhs are present when the policy is being created. Kaur indicated that during her Amrit Sanchar, they told her to never conceal the Kirpan which goes against the procedure that the university is following.
“These guidelines do not align with the Rehat Maryada — which is the code of conduct that all Sikhs follow,” said Gurkaranbir Singh.
Calls for more Kirpan awareness on campus
Devkarn Singh said that he would like others to know what is a Kirpan, why it is worn and that it is completely legal. “I think that is the very least that I want all students to know […] or even professors.”
“If one of us is walking and our Kirpan is visible, and then someone reports it to security, they are going to come running and they might even call the police,” said Jasvir Kaur, citing a lack of awareness on
the religious item. “It just blows my mind that our institutions are so behind, whereas in terms of research and other things, they are keeping up and leading but not in this case.”
Isham Singh mentioned that he and other baptist Sikhs are ready to host workshops, lectures or whatever the university needs to educate others on campus, but stated that “we can only do so much with the limited resources.”
“It’s more so about sustainability. Yes, we are all here doing this work, but once we graduate, who is going to take over?” he added.
The UMSikhSA has been trying to raise awareness through videos and events, but Isham Singh acknowledged that the students’ association is low on funding.
“There’s been many times where some of our people just put in money from our own pockets because we don’t want to use up the fund,” said Manvir Kaur.
“We’ve talked to a lot of different people in positions of authority and we’ve sent a lot of emails, but have yet to receive a response from most recipients,” said Isham Singh.
“We hoped there was an easier way to reach out.”
Despite this, Singh indicated that there are university personnel helping UMSikhSA with educational outreach, naming Edgar French, university coordinator of the Spiritual Care and Multi-Faith Centre (SCMC) and vice-provost (equity) Tina Chen.
Isham Singh said that he would also like to see a religious representative position added to the University of Manitoba Students’ Union board of directors that works directly with the SCMC on campus. “The representative doesn’t have to be Sikh but they should follow their own religion to the highest standard,” said Singh.
“If anyone has any questions, they can just come to us without any fear and we can answer all questions they have in their mind,” said Gurkaranbir Singh.
The University of Manitoba Sikh Students’ Association can be reached at umsikhsa@ gmail.com or by Instagram at @umsikhsa.
New legal instructor joins the faculty of law
Dr. Bello to teach commercial law, contracts and labour-management relations
Sylvester Delali Agbado, staff
D
r. Opeyemi Bello has joined the faculty of law at the U of M, teaching commercial law, contracts and labour-management relations. His research focuses on the political complexities of international tax cooperation and the challenges developing countries face in negotiating tax agreements.
He received his legal training and practiced commercial law in Nigeria before pursuing a PhD at Dalhousie University in Halifax. While completing his doctorate, he taught at Dalhousie University as part of his role as a Purdy Crawford fellow, which also involved conducting research.
Bello subsequently joined the U of M in Sept. 2024, and his decision to join the university was driven by its collaborative and supportive learning environment, as well as the opportunity to engage with experienced faculty members. He mentioned, “if you want to know the particular factor that inspired me, motivated me to be at U of M, I’ll say it is the special characteristic of the learning environment the school has in terms of the faculty and the other things.”
He began teaching in Jan. 2025, focusing on courses such as labour law, commercial law and contracts, in addition to his expertise in international tax law, particularly digital taxation. He emphasized the importance of integrating practical knowledge and critical thinking into legal education, stating that his teaching philosophy centres on understanding the purpose of laws, their practical applications and identifying areas for reform to align with societal needs.
Reflecting on his transition from Dalhousie University, he
noted the differences in climate and urban environment between Halifax and Winnipeg, as well as the collaborative atmosphere within the faculty and student body. He expressed his commitment to sharing his expertise while learning from his colleagues and students.
His ongoing research focuses on international tax policy, particularly monitoring evolving developments and responding to changes in the field. While he currently does not have research assistants, he expressed openness to involving students in future projects.
He has outlined his longterm goals of fostering a collaborative and dynamic learning environment to train super-talented and result-oriented lawyers equipped to address real-world challenges. His vision includes working alongside colleagues to prepare students for societal and business-related legal issues, contributing to the faculty’s mission of producing impactful professionals in the province.
Bello prioritizes applied knowledge in his teaching, ensuring that students gain practical skills that go beyond theoretical concepts. He incorporates real-life examples to prepare students for immediate application of legal principles in professional settings. His approach aims to leave a lasting impact on students by blending academic theory with actionable practice.
In addition to teaching, Bello is keen on interdisciplinary collaborations, particularly with the business school. He plans to start initiatives that address the university community’s challenges while benefiting the
broader community. He views research as a key responsibility of educators, emphasizing its role in driving community development and generating practical solutions to pressing issues.
He also shared some insight on the differences between legal education systems in West Africa and Canada. He highlighted that in some parts of West Africa, law is offered as a first degree, which sometimes leads students to pursue it due to societal or parental pressure rather than genuine interest. This dynamic often results in individuals abandoning the legal practice after graduation. In contrast, the Canadian model, where law
is pursued as a second degree, attracts committed students who demonstrate readiness and dedication to the program, having already completed a prior academic journey. He emphasized that adopting a similar approach in West Africa could ensure that only genuinely motivated individuals enter the legal profession, potentially raising the quality and commitment of graduates.
He has affirmed that his role at the university involves commitment to supporting students in achieving their academic goals. He also expressed his willingness to collaborate with colleagues, emphasizing teamwork and
learning from more experienced faculty members. He said, “I know the students are in this school for a particular objective, and that’s to pursue [their] academic journey. I just want them to know that I’m willing to do my best. I’m willing to give my commitments so that the student can achieve their aim.”
“To my colleagues, I’m also willing to work with them, be a good team player and also learn from the seniors. And for the broader community, I’m just a stakeholder in that community, and I’m committed to the development of that community. So, it’s going to be a mutually benefitting relationship,” he added.
photo courtesy of / University of Manitoba
Gajra workshop to unite cultures and empower women
Event celebrates South Asian bracelets for community and cultural appreciation
Taycie Adeoti, staff
O
n Jan. 23, the U of M’s Women Centre and Manitoba Laadliyan hosted a Gajra-making workshop in the Science Students’ Association (SSA) lounge.
The workshop celebrated the art of making traditional South Asian bracelets, while promoting community engagement and cultural appreciation for students.
The suggestion to host the Gajra workshop in pursuit of enhancing community engagement came from Ifra Shami, a Women’s Centre executive.
“Gajra’s are traditional South Asian bracelets worn by women,” explained Shami. “And I’ve always loved the idea of bringing arts and crafts that have been cultivated by women traditionally for generations to the university.”
Shami further explained that she believed the workshop would help individuals connect with their culture and was a way for students to take a break from academics and relax.
She added, “I’m personally a really artsy, crafty person, and I just wanted to spread that.”
Manitoba Laadliyan’s primary goal with the Gajra workshop was to empower all South Asian women, but they were happy to find that many non-South Asian women participated and were interested in learning about the craft.
Sehgeet Thind, co-president of Manitoba Laadliyan, said “that’s something that means a lot to both clubs, that people are coming out of their comfort zone and then trying something that maybe they haven’t learned before.”
The Women Centre’s main goal was to bring all sorts of people together from different walks of life.
The Women’s Centre is located in 190 Helen Glass. Educational resources, hygiene products and safe sex supplies are available for those in need.
Heaven Kaur, the Women’s Centre representative, stated that their biggest goal was to bring the community together by hosting community assemblies.
“We bring people together by collaborating with different student groups on campus.”
According to Thind, Manitoba Laadliyan is part of the Laadliyan organization that is active in Ontario, Vancouver and now Winnipeg. The organization strives to celebrate and empower South Asian daughters through engagement, education and
awareness, by providing resources and career insights to women on campus.
“So either connecting them with mentors in their field or them just becoming mentors themselves.”
Jasmine Dhalla, Manitoba Laadliyan co-president added, “basically, a big goal of ours is to create safe spaces for
the South Asian female community.”
To register and participate in the workshop, the donation of a feminine hygiene product was required.
The donations are in collaboration with the One Billion Rising initiative, which is a call to action in response to the statistic that one in three
women will endure a form of abuse in their lifetime. Volunteers at the Women’s Centre will later assemble the donations into care packages and the World Sikh Organization will deliver them to women’s shelters on Valentine’s Day.
Donations can be dropped off at the designated bins in the SSA lounge, the human
ecology lounge, the Women’s Centre and the arts lounge.
Donations of shampoo, conditioner, body wash, pads, tampons, baby formula, diapers, toothbrushes, toothpaste, lotion, lip balm, mini Kleenex packs, deodorant and Q-Tip packs will be collected by the Women’s Centre until Feb. 7.
photos courtesy of / Alayna Shami
Bisons men’s volleyball captain hails program impact
Grahame shares experience in playing for the Bisons and national team
Abdul-Jalilu Ahmed, staff
The Bisons men’s volleyball left side and team captain, Spencer Grahame, praised the Bisons volleyball program as a spectacular and rewarding experience that has significantly contributed to his development.
Grahame was selected for the Canadian National Youth team and shared that he enjoys the unique balance of playing volleyball while studying engineering.
The Manitoban: How is the season going so far?
Grahame: The season’s going well. I’m really enjoying playing with the team. It’s my fourth year on the team now and the guys that I play with are my best friends and the environment that we have is really good. Right now, we’re at a 500 record. So, the same amount of losses as wins. I always hold our team to a higher standard than we are right now, and I wish we won a couple more games, but we’re here now and we’re in the playoff race. So, yeah, it’s all good.
M: You indicated that this
is your fourth year or you have spent four years with the team. How would you describe that experience?
G: It’s been great. The Bisons sports program and everything that Gene, our athletic director, has laid out for us is really spectacular and it’s experience that I love and it’s really changed me as a person and really helped me develop who I am. I wouldn’t regret it for a second. It’s a great experience.
M: Before the end or close to the end of 2024, you excelled in one of your games. You did a lot for the team. You did well for the team. How do you feel coming up with those numbers and those performances for the Bisons?
G: I think that opportunity was good. I think my teammates really put me in good situations and I think our game plan was really focused on those. Our left sides needed to kill the ball and I was happy to produce for the team and like I said, Alex was our setter for that game and he really put us in good situations and I always felt supported. And
when I wasn’t killing the ball, my team was covering me and I definitely did a good job, but everyone else was there to help that performance.
M: I’m looking at you being a student-athlete. You are learning and at the same time, you have to go for training and you have to prepare for game days. How are you able to combine that?
G: It’s a challenge for sure. The volleyball schedule that we have is very competitive and very challenging physically and mentally and time constraint wise and then engineering has the nature of being kind of the same way. Not physically demanding, but very mentally and time constraint demanding on lots of labs and everything, but I truly love doing both. And every single day I wake up and I know exactly where I’m going in life and maybe it changes day-to-day, but I know I love going to study engineering and I love going to play volleyball with all my best friends and when I have that opportunity every day to do those two things that I love, I make
it work and I just do it. Sometimes I have to sacrifice other aspects of my life including maybe seeing old friends or seeing family as much which is sad for me, but I really know that these two things are very special to me and everyone else that is in my life understands that.
M: Talking about some of the sacrifices that sometimes you need to make, I’m interested to know what motivates you to play volleyball?
G: What motivates me is like I said before, every single day I know where I’m going like when I play volleyball. I know that it’s a very challenging situation for me and I get to work on something every single day that is a very unique experience. You know being the captain on the team I really get to refine my leadership skills in a unique way that you don’t get from a course. You can’t learn that.
A professor can’t teach you that. So, these are skills that maybe aren’t traditional, but I’m gaining them in a kind of a unique way. So that’s something that I love to do.
M: I read you are part of the Canadian team as well.
G: Yes. So two years ago, I played on the U21 national team. We traveled to Bahrain in the Middle East to play at the U21 Worlds. That whole summer I was in Ottawa practicing with the national team and kind of doing that experience, so that was really cool. I played with all the best guys at my age group in Canada.
M: That was a profound experience. Do you intend to take volleyball to the highest level?
G: I take it day by day. I know that at some point I won’t be able to do volleyball and engineering at the same time. They don’t really complement each other past this school, but I think maybe looking at doing a year of pro and seeing how it is. But then also I want to make sure that my engineering career is intact, and I can still go and be a contributing member that way. In the next couple years of those are decisions that I’m going to have to make, but I’m not totally locked in either way.
photos courtesy of / Spencer Grahame
Nominations Open: February 3-13
Voting Days: March 6-7
Wednesday, February 12 | 4:30-7:30pm
MPR, 2nd Floor - UMSU University Centre
✦ Join us February 12 for our multicultural event on campus to learn and engage with the different communities we have at the University of Manitoba.
✦ Featuring cultural dances, fashion show, cultural market & different cuisines!
✦ Everyone is welcome!
LOCATION: Council Chambers (176 Helen Glass) + Community Room
DATE: JANUARY 31ST ✦ TIME: 12-7PM
Research & Technology
Exploring climate change through ice core research
U of M professor studies 1.2 million-year-old Antarctic ice core
Divyata Gosai, staff
An international research team, including U of M professor Dorthe Dahl-Jensen, has achieved a remarkable milestone in a remote location in Antarctica. The team successfully drilled a 2,800-metre-long ice core, reaching the bedrock beneath the Antarctic ice sheet. This accomplishment has resulted in the retrieval of the oldest ice core ever, providing valuable insight into earth’s climate history spanning the past 1.2 million years.
Dorthe Dahl-Jensen is a Canada excellence research chair and professor in the U of M’s Clayton H. Riddell faculty of environment, earth and resources.
“I’ve always been very fascinated by snow and ice,” she said. “I love being outside in the wilderness. And I started doing that when I was a high school kid through scout activities, and when I learned you could work with it as your profession, you know working with ice and climate, I decided that would be the way I wanted to go.”
Dahl-Jensen pursued her education at the University of Copenhagen in Denmark, where she became a professor in 2001.
Her research career has been centred on ice core drilling, beginning with the Greenland ice sheet during her tenure in Copenhagen. Later, she joined the European Commission-funded Beyond EPICA (European Project for Ice Coring in Antarctica)-Oldest Ice project, which focuses on drilling ancient ice cores in Antarctica using advanced drilling technology.
“It’s been super fascinating to be able to drill these ice cores,” Dahl-Jensen said. “Where you kind of start at the top, and then as you go down, you get through layers of ice that’s older and older until you reach the bedrock, normally two to three kilometres down, and there the ice is very old. In Greenland, [the ice is] 150,000 years old, and now in Antarctica 1.5 million years old.”
She explained that researchers can gain valuable insights from the longterm climate records into how the climate has behaved over time.
Modern weather stations have provided data for the past 150 years. These ice core records reveal a broader history of warmer and colder periods, along with significant natural atmospheric changes
that have occurred independently of human activity. Understanding the record of history, she emphasized, is crucial for learning about the climate.
Research indicates that ice cores dating back 1.2 million years reveal a period when greenhouse gas levels and temperatures were significantly high. These findings offer valuable insight into what our future climate may look like in a warmer world with increased greenhouse gas.
Currently, Dahl-Jensen’s team is continuing their work on the Beyond EPICA-Oldest Ice project in Antarctica while also preparing to begin a new ice core drilling initiative in Nunavut.
“This spring, we will drill an ice core up in Nunavut, in Canada,” she said. “It’s closest to Grise Fiord along the Baffin Bay, but it’s up on Axel Heiberg Island and the ice cap is called the Müller ice cap. And here we will drill 600 metres and learn about the history of the sea ice in the Arctic Ocean.”
The Nunavut project will involve collaboration among several universities across Canada, with her vision of working together with a diverse group of researchers. She also hopes to include community members from Grise Fiord in the initiative.
“I’m trying to bring my expertise in drilling ice cores to Canada and form more Canadian projects, which I
think is really great,” she said.
Dahl-Jensen emphasized that this project offers students a unique opportunity to participate in impactful research and build networks across Canada.
She is currently seeking graduate students to join the Müller ice cap project and encouraged interested individuals to reach out via email to collaborate on upcoming initiatives.
“[Manitoba] reaches right up to the Hudson Bay where Churchill is,” she said. “In that way, we are also a very Arctic university and do a lot of research up there.”
Dahl-Jensen discussed the importance of Arctic research, emphasizing current conversations about the impact of diminishing sea ice on polar
bears and the broader consequences for Canada’s lake systems, especially in Manitoba.
“I really enjoy being at the University of Manitoba and also being in Canada,” Dahl-Jensen said. “My background is in Denmark, but I feel it’s really nice to come to Canada.
“I love the work, which brings me more in contact with communities in the Baffin Bay area.
So, not just drilling ice cores, but also what happens when the ice melts, and when we have more fresh water? And what does it mean for the communities? I think it’s important and I really enjoy the work.”
photos courtesy of / PNRA/IPEV
Aging in solitude as a Black older adult
U of M researcher explores loneliness among Black older adults
Rhea Bhalla, staff
Social isolation and loneliness significantly affect older adults’ longevity, physical health, mental health and overall quality of life. Racialized older adults experience loneliness in unique ways, with Black older adults being nearly twice as likely as white older adults to report having no close friends.
Blessing Ojembe is an assistant professor in the U of M’s faculty of social work whose research focuses on loneliness and social isolation among Black older adults.
Her interest in the aging experiences of Black older adults was sparked while living in Nigeria.
“People were leaving the country, migrating abroad, leaving their older adults alone behind in Nigeria,” Ojembe said. “It got me thinking […] how are these older adults dealing with this experience of being alone, having all their children leave them and living alone and the impact of loneliness?”
Despite stereotypes that racialized older adults are protected from loneliness due to being more likely to live in multigenerational families with traditional family customs and intergenerational supports, a study of older adults in the U.K. from 2021
found that 11 per cent of Black African older adults and 16 per cent of Black Caribbean older adults experience loneliness.
In her PhD thesis, “Aging Black and Lonely: A Narrative Experience of Black Older Adults in Canada,” Ojembe found that Black older immigrants may struggle to integrate and adapt to their new country, leading to loneliness. They may have lower social capital, the support and resources gained from relationships and networks, leading to reduced socioeconomic status, a key determinant for loneliness.
Ojembe said. “There’s this lack of a sense of belonging when they come to those programs.
“There’s a yearning for
their identity, the things they can identify with.”
Currently, Ojembe is working to develop an adult day program for Black older adults in Winnipeg.
“We need more activists in aging that would help to take on this message and pass it across and help to improve the overall health and well-being of older adults, because they depend on us”
— Blessing Ojembe, assistant professor in the U of M’s faculty of social work
something that specifically speaks to their culture, something that touches on who they are,
Ojembe’s current research focuses on existing programs and their inclusivity for Black older adults.
“A lot of the programs are not culturally adaptable to Black older adults,”
Adult day programs offer older adults social activities, recreation, exercise and health monitoring, while also providing respite to their caregivers. These programs are crucial in helping older adults remain in the community for as long as possible, as opposed to formal care facilities, by supporting their well-being.
Ojembe also recommends creating mentorship programs for Black older adults who are new immigrants to Canada. Such a model would aim to help older adults build skills, navigate their communities and develop a sense of belonging, especially those who migrated alone.
In a 2019 study, Ojembe examined the use of televisions, radios and telephones as tools for reducing loneliness among Nigerian older adults. She explained that prior to 1990, older adults in Nigeria had extensive and rich relationships
with family members, often in traditional communal living settings, and rarely experienced loneliness. The movement of Nigerian young adults to urban centres and the popularity of cell phones among youth have reduced older adults’ opportunities to engage with others and potentially increased loneliness.
In this modern landscape, televisions, radios and telephones play an important role in facilitating interaction. Nevertheless, Ojembe highlighted the potential of technology to further combat loneliness by adapting to the needs of older adults, suggesting age-friendly devices, workshops teaching older adults to use smartphones and television and radio programs targeted at older adults.
“It is important that we give attention to aging research,” Ojembe said. “Especially in social work, you see a lot of researchers focus more on children, women, young adults, but again, the older adults are oftentimes relegated to the background.
“We need more activists in aging that would help to take on this message and pass it across and help to improve the overall health and well-being of older adults, because they depend on us.”
graphic / Fumnaya Ifeadi / staff
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Finding a perfect balance between academics and social media in our digital age
Sylvester Delali Agbado, staff
The increased use of social media over the last 10 to 15 years is enough proof that social media has come to stay. As the spearhead of the digital age, social media not only exists as a mirrored version of our physical communities and social spaces, but it is also a core part of our day-today activities which facilitates the conduct of business and commerce, communication, politics — especially over the last year of major national elections globally — and a general source of information for many.
Meltwater’s Digital 2024 Global Overview Report offers a crystal perspective on how much social media dominates the world’s population — that out of over 8 billion global citizens, the global internet user total is 5.35 billion people, with active social media user identities clocking the 5 billion population mark. This staggering milestone is a testament to how much the world currently identifies social media as a concrete addition to livelihood.
Albeit the immense benefits of social media within the current age of digitalization, there is the need to smartly weigh the charms and harms that come with social media. Especially since our entire lives do not centre absolutely on social media, there is the need for individuals to build up a structure that engages an almost austere regime of balance where social media use is adequate within a time.
More especially for students
whose academic demands are large, social media usage must be brought under a certain subjection in a balanced sphere. It is in this balance that students can appropriate not just their time in terms of the use of social media, but what exactly they use social media for.
It is no secret that social media, in recent times, is surely one of the favourite pastimes of students across all levels. After a hectic day of class work, piles of assignments and exhaustive reading of scholarly papers, a scroll on TikTok looks like an opportunity to relax. A few reels on Instagram, reading some funny updates on the X trends and joining a Facebook live are a means to simply refresh one’s mind.
However, that charm of social media to keep one hooked and glued and consuming content for hours without end is real. It is in this regard that social media has become an addictive staple for many persons, especially for students. In the extremity of such addictiveness, social media could upstage attentiveness to academic work, leading to a loss of balance due to lack of boundaries.
There is also the reality of simply consuming entertaining content without specifically focusing on content that offers good information in relation to one’s academic work.
Thus, in the face of a plethora of quality and relevant information on social media networks that could equip an
graphic / Teegan Gillich / staff
individual in their academic quest, there is a diversion to focus on the entertaining and fun aspects.
Two hours of scrolling, of which an hour could be spent watching videos that discuss one’s academic field, would be simply lost to texting friends, commenting on posts and scrolling reel after reel, which can undermine the balance one must establish with academic work and the use of social media.
The most important thing is for everyone engaged in these academic activities to understand the need to strike a balance between that and the use of social media. The uttermost
step is to prioritize academic responsibilities above social media use, at all costs.
A good balance between academic work and social media would be to clearly set the priorities right, and that would mean books before the socials. Exploring the concept of a digital detox, which is abstaining from social media periodically, is also a fine strategy to help.
One must deliberately take breaks from social media to help them focus more on that which is the main priority of their lives. This will help a student to easily focus on academic work. If these remain a hurdle, it is worthwhile that an
individual will set boundaries and goals with accountability partners in place who would help guide these boundaries where one gets to achieve what they must achieve and not waste time.
Social media use is inevitable, and we cannot be evasive about how much it has become an impactful part of our lives. Therefore, for anyone who is engulfed in academic work, it is only necessary that they control the extent to which social media dominates their lives in order to sustain a balance that keeps them winning at all fronts without being distracted.
Chad from Asper is not your soulmate
We accept the love we think we deserve
Quinn Mayhew, staff
Have you ever had a partner or significant other who turned out to be downright diabolical? In my opinion, having an evil ex or someone you were interested in who turned out to be a loser is a rite of passage.
I’ve always sat and listened to my friends list out all the things they like about the person or someone they are talking to, saying things like, “he’s just so kind and thoughtful. He remembered that I was deathly allergic to peanuts and remembered to get me peanut-free cookies.” While I’m listening, I silently think to myself, “when did not killing you become something that makes you kind?”
In my experience, I fear that there is a specific group of people or a specific flavour of toxic men that exists at the U of M. I like to call them the Alpha Chad wannabes. This figurehead of existing as a “Chad” must meet a certain level of toxicity to embody what it truly means to be a “Chad.”
As I have observed, Chad usually has some level of rage problems, often punching holes in walls or blaming everyone but himself for creating issues in his life. Chad also must try to put no effort into dates or looking nice because why would you want
to dress nice for a night out with you partner? And finally, Chad follows a slew of Instagram models that he claims he doesn’t know “how they got into his following section.” Also, somebody stole his phone overnight and decided to kindly return it the following business day, because why else would he be ignoring your messages?
The embodiment of the Chad mentality isn’t always a man in general, it’s just a person that makes the above personality traits their life mantra.
Others may have differing opinions, and they’re probably right. This article is based on my experience and listening to the experience that my friends went through with dating and or dating at the U of M.
One of the most unhinged experiences I’ve had the pleasure of listening to and now putting in this article is when my best friend was explaining how she was seeing a man from Asper and described how he was carless, jobless and had no aspirations in life but to be a pro gamer on Discord and how he was her soulmate and that she was so lucky she found him.
I remember distinctly replying, “Chad, who drives his mom’s minivan, doesn’t have a job, doesn’t want to do
The TikTok ban
anything but sit in his mother’s basement and religiously eat hot Takis, is not your soulmate girl.”
One may ask why we accept the love we think we deserve. Well, that isn’t an easy answer to explain. Simply Psychology explains that “your early experiences determine the love you know, seek and believe you deserve. These experiences allow you to develop an image of yourself. This self-image reflects how you are perceived and treated by those around you.”
Your self-image directly links back to accepting the love you know isn’t good for you or attracting a partner you think is good for you but feel in your gut isn’t right.
I’ve always had a harsh opinion of partners that I know just aren’t good for my friends, and that’s to eliminate them from your life. Harsh, I know, but very efficient.
In high school I would hear my friends say, “he’s just so attractive and dreamy,” and I’d sit there thinking, “are we talking about the same person? Because I see a teardown and rescue operation.”
I would like to state for the men or individuals reading this who do this, buying those microwavable dinners titled Hungry-man and eating them religiously on the floor of your apartment or mom’s base-
What is up with the ban and un-ban?
Thandeka Katsika, staff
A few days ago TikTok was banned in the United States following a unanimous decision made by the Supreme Court. This verdict came as the concluding factor in a trial where American senators highlighted concerns about national security and the fear of users’ data being given to the Chinese government. Opposing this decision was Shou Zi Chew, CEO of TikTok, who argued that the app promotes people’s right to free speech.
Ironically, I first found out about the trial on TikTok. I watched the clips of what I interpreted to be a poorly handled trial. The U.S. senators seemed more interested in having a “moment” than understanding Mr. Chew. They ran with a line of questioning about his citizenship
ment is not a date! Google has some ideas, it’s not that hard. I always return to one question, why do we date people we know are bad for us? Dr. Ilona Jerabek, president of PsychTests states, “‘Saviors’ often have hero complexes; they believe their love can help someone or change them for the better. Second, dating a person who has problems is, oddly, a safer choice, in the sense that if this person leaves you, it will still hurt but you can save face by blaming it on their addiction, bad relationship history or whatever their issue is.”
I’d like to finish this article with the following thoughts — you are not mysterious and misunderstood if you act poorly and hang out smoking under a bridge. Just because you have a car doesn’t mean you should drift it in a parking lot to impress your partner or decide to text while driving. Want to know what is impressive? Driving safely. And finally, drinking alcohol every other day and claiming, “this is what all college students do,” will not attract a partner. Get off the alcohol pacifier and stop partying. You need sleep, not more shots.
despite him repeatedly stating he was from Singapore. The questions were asked in a very aggressive manner, and the TikTok CEO seemed to be often cut off mid-sentence. While the U.S. senators did raise some substantial points, I think in the eyes of the public they were ultimately overshadowed by their behaviour during the trial.
ban of TikTok without speaking about the reaction of the users.
The ban of any app that promotes free speech and the expression of opinions is a problem
The ban was upheld by the Supreme Court but then swiftly reversed a few hours later by President Trump. On Jan. 20, he signed an executive order that stopped the ban for 75 days. The point of this pushback is to give his administration time to decide their next move.
It is hard to speak about the
Many users, believing the app would be banned made “self-exposing TikToks.” Prominent users shared secrets with their fans, under the impression that it would not matter since the app was going to be banned anyway. But since the ban only lasted 12 hours, the next flood of TikToks from American users were humorous. It was refreshing to see everyone making fun of how dramatically they acted or how many secrets they spilled before the app was banned.
While I am not a big fan of social network apps, especially ones with short-form content like TikTok due to how they affect users’ mental health and productivity, I believe a TikTok ban could potentially do more harm than good. But there are still concerns. According to a study done in 2023, 11.6 million Americans make a fulltime living off of creating social media content on platforms like TikTok. This means without the app these people will have lost their source of income. Another issue surrounding the ban of the app is the concern raised by CEO Shou Zi Chew. What does the banning of the app mean for the First Amendment rights of U.S. cit-
izens?
The ban of any app that promotes free speech and the expression of opinions is a problem. However, the Supreme Court ruled that the decision did not violate the First Amendment because of the argument made that this ban is for national security. It is unclear what will happen at the end of the 75 days. I think the current hope of the Trump administration is that wealthy American investors will buy out a portion of the app. I have also heard that Mr. Beast, a popular YouTuber known for making content using large sums of money, has made a bid for the app as well. I hope that the ban will not be permanent. I would like to see people continue to express their thoughts and opinions freely on the app.
graphic / Teegan Gillich / staff
To complete Sudoku, fill the board by entering numbers 1 to 9 such that each row, column, and 3x3 box contains every number uniquely. In Straights, like Sudoku, no single number 1 to 9 can repeat in any row or column. But rows and columns are divided by black squares into compartments. Each compartment must form a “straight.” A straight is a set of numbers with no gaps but it can be in any order, eg [7,6,9,8]. Clues in black cells remove that number as an option in that row and column, and are not part of any straight. Glance at the solution to see how “straights” are formed.
U of M welcomes new writer-in-residence
A chat with Sonja Boon on family history research and creative writing
Boris Tsun Hang Leung, staff
O
n Jan. 22, U of M officially welcomed Sonja Boon as this term’s writer-in-residence at the Centre for Creative Writing and Oral Culture.
A welcome event took place in St. John’s College where Boon read one of her poems and an excerpt from her memoir What the Oceans Remember: Searching for Belonging and Home. Other speakers included arts faculty members Nancy Kang and Jocelyn Thorpe, as well as secondyear arts student Aevan Caples, who read a short story she had written.
Boon is originally from the U.K. where she was born to her Surinamese mother and Dutch father. She moved to Canada at the age of five and has lived across the country, from Vancouver to St. John’s. Before relocating to Halifax in 2023 to focus on her writing, she worked as a professor of women’s and gender studies at the Memorial University of Newfoundland for 15 years.
Given her complex ethnic background, Boon published her memoir in 2019 exploring her transcontinental lineage. Boon explained that she will continue to work on the project as the writer-in-residence.
“In my memoir, two of the people that I follow are my great-grandfather and my great-great-grandmother,” she said. “They both came from what was then Calcutta, to Paramaribo, Suriname, in South America. And they left in 1873, they arrived in 1874 where my great-great-grandmother took up a position as an indentured labourer.
“They left nothing in their own hands because they were both illiterate […] There are very few first-hand accounts of what those journeys were like for people […] What does exist is a ship’s log, so the captain kept the ship’s log, and then immigration records.”
While this story may seem like a personal inquiry into one’s heritage, it sheds light on the global political economy of the early 19th century. According to the Rijksmuseum, labourers were recruited from India to work on plantations after the abolishment of slavery in the then Dutch colony of Suriname.
Many Indians accepted contracts to provide relief to their famine-stricken families back home, but were met with poverty and violence upon arrival. In her book, Boon writes that Calcutta suffered droughts and poor harvests at the time, making her greatgreat-grandmother’s trek
from India to South America difficult and lonely.
Boon may never find concrete details about her ancestors’ lives, but she plans to create her own narratives to make sense of this part of her lineage.
“I’m going to draw on those [sources] to create what I see as imagined conversations between this mother and this very young child as they try to find meaning in terms of what’s happening, about what is this big journey that they’re taking? Why are they leaving India, and what happens when they arrive in Suriname?” she said. “That’s my big, my main writing project that I’ll be working on while I’m here.” In addition to creative writing and academic research, Boon is a professional flutist and music teacher who served as the principal flutist of the Portland Baroque Orchestra until
2007. She is also a visual artist, blending her genealogical and archival research with textile arts to create “research-based artwork.”
Boon said her academic and creative endeavours all bleed into each other in one way or the other.
“Honestly, they’re all creative sparks, right? Each feeds the other. So, if I’m writing, then I’m also thinking about, like in my memoir, music came into there too, of course, right? Because I’m doing the research, like what kind of concerts were going on there? So I went looking through the historical newspapers and [thought] about concerts,” she said.
“Then I pulled out my flute to play some of the flute music that was being played, because they listed the program, which gives me, then, a sense of the sound of the period. What were people listen-
ing to at the time? And then thinking about audience, who was allowed into the audience? Who wasn’t?”
During her residency at U of M, Boon will host workshops on writing, stitching and quilting, as well as hold private sessions with students.
“I have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with folks every week […] I have called those ‘creative conversations,’ so people can, if they want, send me up to 10 pages of writing in advance, but it could be that they just want to brainstorm together,” she explained.
“It could be that they’re thinking about a project, and they just want to bounce ideas off someone, right? Or it could be that they’re thinking of bringing this together with that in a unique way, and they just want to chat about it.”
Finally, Boon emphasized
the need for aspiring writers and creatives to trust themselves.
“If I had to give myself some more advice […] I would want my younger self to trust myself more,” said Boon.
“Trust yourself, trust that you know what you want to do, trust that you know that you will work out the way that you want to get there and trust that even if where you end up is not where you first expect it, it is where you were meant to be.”
Visit umanitoba.ca/arts/ centre-creative-writing-andoral-culture for details on upcoming workshops hosted by the U of M’s Centre for Creative Writing and Oral Culture. Learn more about Sonja Boon and connect with her at sonjaboon.com.
Sonja Boon spoke at St. John’s College during a welcome event on Jan. 22.
photo / Zulkifl Rafah / staff
ArtsJunktion celebrates reopening
Non-profit rebounds from fire damage with renewed focus on creativity
Carrington Dong, staff
O n Jan. 19, Winnipeg’s ArtsJunktion celebrated its grand reopening. The nonprofit organization’s mission is to redistribute reusable art supplies and other materials, with a “take what you need, pay what you can” policy.
According to board chair, Hafiz Jatto, ArtsJunktion was founded in the late 2000s by a group of art teachers, who noticed that many art supplies went to waste at the end of each school year.
“They thought to start a depot, a repository where teachers can go access creative materials on a ‘pay-what-youcan’ basis, using the power of […] mutual aid and communal mindset to ensure that folks are pulling the resources they have to provide them to folks
with limited access,” Jatto said.
The initial focus was for teachers in more affluent neighbourhoods to donate unused supplies to those working in areas with fewer financial resources for art supplies.
ArtsJunktion had been closed since March 2024, after a fire broke out at an adjacent building and destroyed it.
Smoke from the fire and water used to extinguish it caused damage to ArtsJunktion’s basement, forcing the organization to temporarily close.
Jatto expressed gratitude for the landlords and others who supported them during the challenging situation. “They really have been accommodating and tried, so I think that definitely helped,
because right away when it happened, we didn’t have a lot of information. We’re flooded, we can’t safely go into a space where there’s two metres of water in the basement,” he said. “It was really a bunch of waiting and just seeing what we could do by operating externally.”
Initially, Jatto said they expected the closure to last only three months. However, the timeline was extended due to the need to pump water out of the basement and repair the damaged wall shared with the adjacent building. During this time, ArtsJunktion collaborated with the community to continue operations.
“It was hard for us not being able to do the core things we do, which is accepting donations, reducing material going
to the landfill,” he said. “But besides that, we were still operating, we were still meeting as a board and we were still able to provide programming.”
Similar to their activities during the COVID-19 lockdown, ArtsJunktion provided take-home crafting kits and virtual craft sessions on Zoom to stay connected with the community during the closure.
The re-opening party was organized by volunteers and staff, Jatto said. It celebrated ArtsJunktion’s resilience, provided a safe space for people to connect with like-minded individuals, and reaffirmed the organization’s presence in Winnipeg.
Now that ArtsJunktion is open again, Jatto and the
Chaeban Ice Cream celebrates 7th anniversary
Local ice cream and cheese maker has achieved success over the years
Carrington Dong, staff
Chaeban Ice Cream opened its doors on Dec. 21, 2017 — the first day of winter. Seven years later, after weathering the COVID-19 pandemic and launching Chaeban Artisan cheese, the family-owned company remains beloved by Winnipeggers and continues to thrive.
The company’s origins trace back to 2015, when Joseph Chaeban, a second-generation dairy scientist, and his wife, Zainab Ali, moved to Winnipeg’s South Osborne neighbourhood from Ontario. At that time, Ali’s family was scattered across Lebanon and Turkey due to the Syrian humanitarian crisis.
“I didn’t know anyone here in Winnipeg, and just by chance, I found the South Osborne community refugee initiative,” Chaeban said. “They wanted to help Syrian refugees, and I asked them if they could help my wife’s family come to Canada, and they agreed.”
The group raised enough money to bring 13 people to Winnipeg, and the experience made Chaeban fall in love with the city. Despite receiving better job offers in other provinces, he chose to stay and suggested to Ali that they start a business in South Osborne as a way of giving back to the community.
Initially, the couple planned to open a Lebanese restaurant. However, their plans shifted when Chaeban learned from his friend and eventual business part-
ner, Darryl Stewart, about a location for sale on Osborne Street. The property was the former home of Banana Boat Ice Cream, which sparked an idea.
“I said, ‘you know, it would be really cool if we get raw milk from the farm, pasteurize everything on-site, have a whole new take on ice cream, being super premium, locally sourced, all natural.’ And that’s how it got born,” Chaeban recalled.
Community remains a core value of the company. All of the raw milk is sourced from a family farm in Stonewall, while other ingredients are locally sourced whenever possible. In March 2023, the company expanded its focus on community with the launch of the “community champion” initiative. Under the program, seasonal flavours are named after local community heroes, with a portion of proceeds donated to a charity of their choice.
In 2022, Chaeban Ice Cream gained national recognition at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, where four of their flavours placed in the competition. Two flavours — Rocky Ricardo, their take on rocky road, and Salty Carl, a salted caramel flavour made with homemade caramel sauce — won first place in their respective categories. Salty Carl went on to win the overall Grand Champion title. When entering, Chaeban did not expect to win, he only hoped that they would at least place in the top 10.
board have established strategic goals to strengthen the organization’s future. Some goals include working more closely with Indigenous organizations, accepting more donations and reducing waste sent to the landfill. While ArtsJunktion plans on building a more stable organizational structure, it remains committed to being community-driven and accessible to those who need its services most.
“At the core we still try to tune our services and make sure that we are barrier-free for the people who face more barriers in society,” said Jatto.
To learn more about ArtsJunktion, visit artsjunktion. mb.ca.
“Having all the flavours place in the top 10, and two of them were first prize, was astonishing. I was really shocked,” Chaeban said. “That was really cool, and it got us a lot of exposure behind that […] It helped our business and our ice cream site really grow.”
The journey has not been without challenges. The winter months brought a decline in ice cream sales. The COVID-19 pandemic threw a further wrench in their plans, and Chaeban feared that they would go bankrupt.
He decided to return to his family roots in cheesemaking, having learned it from his
father, Daham, he launched Chaeban Artisan Cheese.
Some of their cheeses include two varieties of feta, halloumi, ricotta and cream cheese.
Following their 2022 success at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, Chaeban entered their cheeses into the 2024 fair. Four of their cheeses placed, with their firm feta and soft creamy feta taking 3rd and 4th place respectively, in the feta category.
“That was nice for a first time entry,” Chaeban reflected. “I had a lot of great feedback, and placing in the top three out of so many entries was pretty cool.”
After seven years of building the company from the ground up, Chaeban remains grateful to the Winnipeg community and their loyal customers for their continued support.
“We’re really grateful for Winnipeg and Manitoba to get behind our company […] I love Winnipeg, I love Manitoba. I love Canada,” he said.
For more information on Chaeban, visit chaebanicecream.com (ice cream) and chaebanartisan.com (cheese).
photo courtesy of / chaebanicecream.com
Joseph Chaeban and Zainab Ali
Men’s basketball split weekend series with Golden Bears
The Bisons secure thrilling 88-82 win and a narrow 71-69 loss in rematch
Abdul-Jalilu Ahmed, staff
The Bisons men’s basketball team had a split result in their weekend series against the Alberta Golden Bears. The Bisons secured an 88-82 victory in overtime on Friday, Jan. 24. However, the Golden Bears rebounded in Saturday’s matchup on Jan. 25, edging out the Bisons in a hard-fought 71-69 contest.
In game one, the Bisons and the Golden Bears got off to an exciting start, exchanging baskets early in the first quarter. The Golden Bears pulled ahead with a 10-5 lead following Kyle Varner’s threepoint jump shot at the 7:40 mark. The Bisons took a 13-12 lead after Daren Watts nailed a three-point jump shot, assisted by Taven Vigilance, at 4:56. The game remained close, with the score tied at 18-18 at 1:12. However, Barac Thon shifted momentum in favour of the Bisons with a crucial three-point jump shot at 0:56, assisted by Tito Obasoto, securing a slim 21-20 lead to close the quarter.
The Bisons and the Golden Bears maintained their intensity at the start of the second quarter. The game was locked at 29-29 at the 5:55 mark, but Manyang Tong’s free throw gave the Bisons a narrow 30-29 lead. The Bisons closed the quarter with a 44-38 advantage. In the final seconds, at the 0:12 mark, Thon sank a three-point jump shot, assisted by Obasoto.
The third quarter showcased the Golden Bears’ resilience after the Bisons established a commanding 57-38 lead at the 3:54 mark. Varner reignited the Golden Bears with a three-point jump shot at 3:44. At 2:16, Watts and Thon contributed crucial free throws, extending the Bisons’ lead to 59-44. The Bisons maintained control, ending the quarter with a slim 59-55 advantage.
The Bisons and the Golden Bears gave it their all in the fourth quarter. After Varner’s layup at 5:30, the Golden Bears took a 63-62 lead. They held onto the advantage until 1:38, when Brandt Lenz made a three-point jump shot, assisted by Mason Kraus, tying the score at 68-68. The two teams exchanged baskets, ending the quarter at 71-71.
In overtime, the Bisons adjusted their approach, and it paid off with a hard-fought 88-82 victory. Kraus sealed the win with free throws for the Bisons at 0:15.
The Bisons men’s basketball coach Kirby Schepp reflected on the positive aspects of the game and shared how the
team managed to secure the win.
“I mean, the positive is how we battled back when they made their run,” said Schepp.
“The game was on the verge of kind of becoming a blowout, and credit to Alberta, they really battled and came back in the game, made that huge run and took the lead. And when it kind of looked like we were cooked, guys really stepped up and made plays late just to get it to overtime.
And then, yeah, guys made big plays in overtime.”
Kraus shared his insightinto
how the team managed to overcome the opponent.
“They had all the momentum. They had it going. They had it going and we just had to keep fighting. We just had to keep going. Guys were making plays, Brandt hit a three, I got my shot scored, Daren got it. It was just us playing together at the end,” he said.
The guard spoke about the excitement and significance of winning a game of this magnitude.
“It’s awesome. Especially games like this. We thought we were going to win by
more, but games like this are scrappy. They’re a good team, they’re fighting for wins, they’re fighting to get a playoff spot. Games like this matter in the playoffs later on.”
The Bisons fell to the Golden Bears 71-69 in a tightly contested game two. With just seconds remaining, the Bisons were on the verge of victory but surrendered their lead after Nash Semeniuk’s layup put the Golden Bears ahead 70-69 at the 0:13 mark. Semeniuk then sealed the win with a free throw, securing the 71-69 final score.
With 11 wins and three losses, the Bisons men’s basketball team are second on the Canada West Prairie league standings, alongside Calgary, with a winning percentage of 0.786.
The Bisons men’s basketball team will play the Winnipeg Wesmen on Friday, Jan. 31 at 8 p.m. CT at the Investors Group Athletic Centre and on Saturday, Feb. 1 at 7 p.m. CT at the Duckworth Centre.
photos / Anthony Nardella / volunteer
Bisons face off against the Griffins
MacEwan takes Friday’s match 5-4, but Bisons bounce back with 6-3 win
Israel Adeogo Abejoye, staff
The U of M Bisons men’s hockey team faced off against the MacEwan Griffins in a thrilling weekend series at the Wayne Fleming Arena.
The Griffins took the first game 5-4 on Friday, Jan. 24 but the Bisons bounced back with a convincing 6-3 win in the rematch on Saturday, Jan. 25.
Friday’s game was a nailbiter, with the Griffins coming out strong and scoring the first goal of the game at 9:15 by forward Marc Pasemko. Another forward, Liam Ryan, made it 2-0 for the Griffins at 16:29, and defender Sean Comrie increased the lead to 3-0 on a power play before the end of the first period.
The Griffins continued to dominate in the second period, scoring two more goals at 10:39 and 11:04 to take a commanding 5-0 lead. However, the Bisons refused to give up, and forward Jonny Hooker scored their first goal of the game at 15:56. Despite their best efforts, the Bisons were unable to score another goal in the period, and the Griffins took a 5-1 lead into the third period.
The Bisons came out strong in the third period, determined to achieve a comeback. Forward Skyler Bruce scored the Bisons’ second goal of the game on a power play at 6:23, and Hooker scored his second goal of the game on another power play at 11:09. Forward Jackson Arpin raised the Bisons’ hopes even further with a goal at 11:45, but despite their best efforts, they were unable to tally the game. The Griffins held on for a 5-4 win.
The game was marked by a total of 12 penalties, with four in each period. The Bisons had five penalties, while the Griffins had seven. The Griffins also outshot the Bisons 28-26 in total, but the Bisons had more shots in the second and third periods.
Bisons forward Jonny Hooker shared highlights of the game.
“We just got a little bit of momentum, and we had full belief that we were going to come back and win that game. We came a little short, but we just got a little momentum going,” said Hooker.
“That was a really important game for us,” he continued. “It’s disappointing that we couldn’t come all the way back. I liked our fight and the way we came out in the end of the second and third, but we just couldn’t quite get all the way back.”
Saturday’s rematch was a different game, as the Bisons came out strong and determined to turn the tables. The Griffins scored the first goal
of the game at 4:43, but the Bisons tied the game on a power play at 16:01 by Bruce. Forward Carter Chorney gave the Griffins a 2-1 lead at the end of the first period, but the Bisons were just getting started.
at 11:03, but Pasemko tied the game on a power play of his own. The second period ended 3-3.
The second period saw the Bisons come out on fire, with Bruce scoring his second goal of the game at 2:00. Hooker gave the Bisons their first lead of the game on a power play
Bisons take control of the game, with defender Lucas Fry giving them the lead at 11:48. Forward Riley Stotts doubled the lead on a power play at 15:08, and Hooker sealed the win with a brilliant goal at 17:09. The Bisons took the game 6-3, splitting the
shot the Bisons 34-27, but the Bisons made the most of their opportunities.
As the Bisons look ahead to their next series they can take photos / Nischal Karki / staff
team will face the Regina Cou gars on Friday, Jan. 31 at 8 p.m. CT and Saturday, Feb. 1 at 6 p.m. CT in Regina.
Pandas outplay Bisons
Bisons women’s basketball team loses to the Alberta Pandas 45-70
Faiyaz Chowdhury, staff
T
he Bisons women’s basketball team played against thef Alberta Pandas at the Investors Group Athletic Centre on Jan. 24. The herd lost with a final score of 70-45.
The first quarter started with the Pandas establishing a solid lead, beginning the game with aggressive scoring while the Bisons struggled to find their footing, mainly attempting three-point shots due to the Pandas’ tight defence. Despite the coach’s efforts to redirect the Bisons with sideline instructions, the Bisons could only manage to score four points in the first quarter, thanks to Anna Miko and Paige Schatkowsky. The first quarter ended 15-4 in favour of the Pandas.
The second quarter began with a three-pointer from Emerson Martin of the Bisons, showing a spark of potential comeback. However, the Pandas responded swiftly, maintaining their scoring streak with Annacy Palmer adding a three-point jump shot. The game’s physicality escalated, with fouls contributing to the Pandas’ lead, finishing the half at 38-20. The Bisons showed better free throw performance but could not capitalize enough on drawing fouls to close the gap significantly.
With a daunting deficit, the Bisons started the third quarter determined to close the gap. The Bisons continued to struggle with shots bouncing off the rim. The Pandas exploited defensive gaps and extended their lead further to 59-30 with the help of Claire Signatovich, who scored six points alone. The quarter showcased the Bisons’ resilience but highlighted their inability to effectively disrupt the Pandas’ control.
The final quarter opened with a few fouls, setting a tone of continued intensity.
The Bisons tried to rally, scoring alongside the Pandas, but the gap remained too vast to bridge effectively. This was the only quarter where the Bisons outscored the Pandas by 15-11, with a three-pointer and a layup contributed by Martin.
The professionalism and level-headed plays by both teams marked the end of the game, with the Pandas securing a decisive victory with a 70-45 final score.
In the game between the Pandas and the Bisons, certain players stood out due to their contributions on both offence and defence. On the Bisons side, Martin was the standout offensive player, putting up 17 points. Miko supported
the offensive effort with eight points, drawing fouls effectively to earn free throws.
In a post-match interview, the Bisons women’s basketball head coach Michele Sung expressed disappointment in the team’s lack of energy despite playing at home, though she acknowledged moments of resilience.
When asked about where things went wrong, Sung
pointed out “we had a tough time getting to the free-throw line, which is usually a good source of some offensive scoring and gives us an opportunity to kind of anchor our defence as well.”
Sung stated ”we tried to switch up our defence a bit. I tried to get to some different looks offensively, but there wasn’t a whole lot that was successful.”
Inquiring into what challenges the Pandas presented, Sung said, “I thought they did a better job of competing in half-court. Like I said, I saw glimmers of us being able to do it, but we didn’t match it for the full 40 minutes.”
When asked about potential strategies for the next game, Sung emphasized the need to address turnovers and boost confidence in ball handling.
The Bisons faced the Alberta Pandas again the following day on Saturday, Jan. 25, and lost 96-50.
The Bisons women’s basketball team will play against the Winnipeg Wesmen on Jan. 31 at 6 p.m. CT in the Investors Group Athletic Centre.
