6 November 2019

NEWS

Transit turmoil on the horizon Proposed fee increase could derail U-Pass program

NEWS

ARTS AND CULTURE

PAGE 3

Not a bang, but a whimper

Resilience in the face of hopelessness

Poster campaign dampened

Shoal Lake 40 doc premiers

PAGE 4

PAGE 9

EDITORIAL

Bumping and minding Moshers need better manners PAGE 8

VO L 1 0 6 · N O 1 2 · N OV E M B E R 6 , 2 0 1 9 · W W W.T H E M A N I TO B A N .CO M

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Index

VOL. 106 NO. 12 November 6, 2019

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Malak Abas

editor@themanitoban.com / 474.8293

BUSINESS MANAGER Alice Teufack

accounts@themanitoban.com / 474.6535

ADVERTISING CO-ORDINATOR Pauline Calinisan

ads@themanitoban.com / 474.6535

EDITORIAL

MANAGING EDITOR Matthew Doering

me@themanitoban.com

NEWS EDITOR Garett Williams

SPORTS

garett@themanitoban.com / 474.6770

NEWS EDITOR Ty Brass

Killing them softly

ty@themanitoban.com / 474.6770

COMMENT EDITOR Kenny Ingram

Bisons penalty kill needs aggressive overhaul

comment@themanitoban.com

PAGE 20

arts@themanitoban.com

ARTS AND CULTURE EDITOR Grace Paizen SPORTS EDITOR Jason Pchajek

sports@themanitoban.com

COPY EDITOR Matthew Doering

copy@themanitoban.com

ASSOCIATE COPY EDITOR Megan Pietrus

megan@themanitoban.com

COPY ASSOCIATE Ursula Chojko-Bolec

DESIGN

DESIGN EDITOR Kellie Huynh

design@themanitoban.com

GRAPHICS EDITOR Evan Tremblay

graphics@themanitoban.com

DESIGN ASSOCIATE Josh Wesey GRAPHICS ASSOCIATE Ernest Zarzuela

AUDIO AND VIDEO

VISUAL CONTENT EDITOR Quincy Houdayer

visual@themanitoban.com

AUDIO EDITOR Joseph Gonzales

audio@themanitoban.com

PHOTO ASSOCIATE Alex Decebal-Cuza PHOTO ASSOCIATE Ally Gonzalo VIDEO ASSOCIATE Nish Joshi VIDEO ASSOCIATE Paul Stabell AUDIO ASSOCIATE Tino Hove

REPORTERS

COMMENT

NEWS Gillian Brown

Resisting racism

NEWS Damien Davis NEWS Amira Tekle COLUMNIST Cam Cannon COLUMNIST Meagan Hughes ARTS & CULTURE Kaelen Bell ARTS & CULTURE Zachary Sigurdson

Canada’s legal system upholds a racist reality PAGE 11

VOLUNTEER CONTRIBUTORS

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The Manitoban is the official student newspaper of the University of Manitoba. It is published monthly during the summer and each week of regular classes during the academic year by the Manitoban Newspaper Publica-

tions Corporation.

The Manitoban is an independent and democratic student organization, open to participation from all students. It exists to serve its readers as students and citizens.

The newspaper’s primary mandate is to report fairly and objectively on issues and events of importance and interest to the students of the University of Manitoba, to provide an open forum for the free expression and exchange of opinions and ideas, and to stimulate meaningful debate on issues that affect or would otherwise be of interest to the student body and/or society in general. The Manitoban serves as a training ground for students interested in any aspect of journalism.Students and other interested parties are in-

vited to contribute to any section of the newspaper. Please contact the appropriate editor for submission guidelines. The Manitoban reserves the right to edit all submissions and will not publish any material deemed by its editorial board to be discriminatory, racist, sexist, homophobic or transphobic, ableist or libellous. Opinions expressed in letters and articles are solely those of the authors. Editorials in the Manitoban are signed and represent the opinions of the writer(s), not necessarily those of the Manitoban staff, Editorial Board, or the publisher.

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News

News Editor: Garett Williams and Ty Brass Contact: garett@themanitoban.com ty @themanitoban.com / 474.6770

Winnipeg Transit, committee recommend U-Pass fee hike UMSU Act dictates cost increase would trigger referendum, failed vote could end program TY BRASS AND MALAK ABAS, STAFF

T

he U-Pass at the U of M has a rocky road ahead of it, with either an increased cost or loss of the service on the horizon.

At a city hall standing policy committee on infrastructure renewal and public works meeting Monday, members voted to accept a Winnipeg Transit report recommending a price increase to the U-Pass. The report argues the increase is needed to alleviate budgetary constraints and fund an expansion of the shared student service to Red River College Students’ Association (RRCSA) members.

The U-Pass costs students $136.25 per term until the inaugural contract expires in May 2020. Transit recommended an increase of $24.50 per term and to index further increases to inflation, bringing the annual cost to $312.50 for the 2020-2021 academic year.

According to a 2018 amendment to the UMSU Act — provincial legislation that serves as the student union’s highest governing document — any increase to student fees must be put to a referendum. The changes were supported by the council of the day and passed through the legislature in the spring of 2018.

UMSU president Jakob Sanderson called the process a “necessary nuisance.”

“This isn’t our choice,” he said, “this is provincial law that’s dictating this.”

“So if the price increases with or without a summer U-Pass — $160, $150, $170 — we have to go back to referendum.”

Sanderson raised concerns that bringing the U-Pass increase to a referendum would result in losing the service entirely. A referendum to back from Winnipeg Transit. introduce the pass was only marginThe city currently has no plans to ally successful in 2014, passing with initiate a summer U-Pass.

53 per cent approval of the 4,548 votes Sanderson called for the increase cast. in fees to accompany an expansion of “We definitely want the U-Pass the winter term pass into the summer, program to continue, but I have very, a proposal included in the commitI think legitimate, fears that going tee’s report to council. back and asking students to pay $50 “What we’re asking is simply that more for the exact same service that we’re able to give our students an they’ve been using for the past four option of ‘OK you know, you still years is going to result in a failed ref- want a U-Pass, you’re going to have erendum and the end of the program to pay more but you’ll also get added at the University of Manitoba,” he benefits,’” Sanderson said. said.

UMSU’s alternate plan estimates When pressed if he believed a an additional $1.4 million in revenue, U-Pass could be successfully passed which Sanderson said is more than through a second referendum, twice of what Winnipeg Transit Sanderson said he is “not here to estimates the summer U-Pass would play pundit.” cost and enough to cover the cost of “In terms of projecting the suc- expanding the service to RRCSA cess of the referendum,” he said, “I students. think that there’s a direct correlation Sanderson pointed to a reported in terms of how much of a benefit 25 per cent increase in ridership on we’re giving to students.” routes to the U of M and an internal survey conducted by UMSU UMSU’s alternative that showed a majority of students A point of contention between would support an increase in fees if it UMSU and the city has been the expanded service into the summer in pass’s coverage period. support of UMSU’s proposal.

UMSU had been pushing for a Sanderson — who campaigned summer-term U-Pass as recently as for his second term as president on this spring, when the union executive a promise to improve environmenchose to negotiate directly with city tal sustainability on campus, calling councillors after what it called push- it his “biggest passion” — said the

PHOTO BY QUINCY HOUDAYER

city stands to benefit most from the Monday that should UMSU and the and with students’ feedback.”

U-Pass, saying UMSU was paying UWSA back out of the program, the “The U-Pass program is mutually into “the program to promote the U-Pass will still be offered to RRSCA beneficial to students and the city and interests of the city.” members. we hope that we can find an agree“The U-Pass isn’t really a subsidy — Sanderson said the “extent of ment for it to continue,” she wrote. the U-Pass is a tax,” he said. which Winnipeg Transit would be “What we can say for now is that the “And it comes with a carrot in the saddened at this loss” was “unclear” to $24 increase they’ve proposed is unafform of any student who’s already him, and said he believed Winnipeg fordable for students, increases the been busing or chooses to bus now Transit was looking at riders like barriers to university education and gets cheaper access to transit than subsidies. we can’t accept it.”

“Even if the program were to still they ever would have gotten. But it RRCSA president Joshua also comes with the stick, where if remain adopted at [the] University Roopchand stated in an email that you choose to drive, if you choose to of Winnipeg, which I think is also while the organization is in favour not make a positive impact on emis- a large assumption, and is added at of the recommendation to add Red sion reduction in the city, we will tax Red River College, that’s over half of River College to the U-Pass program, this program’s users being taken off they acknowledge that the price the roles,” he said at the committee increase is a worry.

“The U-Pass isn’t “Whether this proposal is amended meeting.

In an email, UWSA president or accepted is to be seen but this is a really a subsidy — Meagan Malcolm said she agreed concern that we know will be raised the U-Pass is a tax” with UMSU’s opposition to the fee and addressed, hopefully in a manner increase, saying the recommended that benefits the students involved,” — Jakob Sanderson, hike is higher than expected. he wrote.

UMSU president “University students can’t afford Sanderson said that at the end of it and it will create further financial negotiations, his sole responsibility is barriers to post-secondary education,” to the well-being of UMSU members. you at a rate of $134 per term.” wrote Malcom.

“Frankly, Transit has always pre“UWSA is very concerned about ferred that it negotiates one contract Student unions react the proposed fee increase and will for three schools with three differThe University of Winnipeg be advocating on behalf of students.” ent needs. That’s not necessarily our Students’ Association (UWSA) is Malcom did not say whether the preference,” he said. currently the only other Winnipeg UWSA would also hold a referendum “My concern is what works best for student association taking part in the if fees increase, but noted the decision the University of Manitoba student U-Pass program. to continue to take part in the pro- body.”

It was noted in committee gram would be “made democratically

4

News

News Editor: Garett Williams and Ty Brass Contact: garett@themanitoban.com /ty @themanitoban.com / 474.6770

Racist campaign appears on campus for second year Two posters, email sent out to faculty members include white nationalist slogan MALAK ABAS, STAFF

The poster campaign originated on the online message board 4chan, where organizers encourage individuals to hang the posters anonymously in Halloween costumes. The goal is to use a simplistic phrase to “bait” those who respond to it into revealing antiwhite sentiments.

“I feel like it’s important for the university to speak out on this, and to be doing more proactive anti-racist work on campus” — Joe Curnow, assistant professor

GRAPHIC BY EVAN TREMBLAY

A

n attempt at a second year of racist campaigning on campus was dampened this year after increased vigilance by security and information services and technology (IST) services.

Campus security services said they found only two posters with the phrase “It’s okay to be white” on the Fort Garry campus. Additionally, an email with the same message was sent to at least 11 faculty members this week.

The posters are part of a widespread white nationalist campaign that typically takes place overnight Oct. 31.

They first appeared at the U of M in the fall of 2018. Stickers with the same message were discovered near the U of W in 2017.

Last Oct. 31 a similar campaign took place at the U of M on a larger scale. The “It’s okay to be white” posters were concentrated in the faculty of arts including the Tier, Isbister and

Fletcher Argue buildings. Campus security cameras recorded at least one person in a costume hanging the posters, but they could not be identified.

The women’s and gender studies department were also sent a fax message with the phrase signed with the pseudonym “A Wyatt. Mann.”

The campaign was met with condemnation by both the university and UMSU, as well as a number of student groups.

Security services confirmed posters were found on campus again this year Friday and security staff said they had been instructed to take them down.

It was also confirmed that a report has been filed as of Friday morning but the posters were first noticed Thursday evening.

Assistant professor in the faculty of education Joe Curnow received an email that repeated the phrase six times and that was delivered to her and 10 other faculty members Thursday afternoon from a nonencrypted email address named “Pepe the Frog.”

She said she forwarded the email

to vice-provost of academic affairs Diane Hiebert-Murphy, who said IST blocked the sender and is continuing to monitor for any additional emails.

Curnow said she did not see a pattern in who was sent the email.

“There are women of colour on the list, which I would expect. There are some of the faculty who teach antiracist content, which I would expect.

But then there’s also faculty for whom that’s not true,” she said.

UMSU president Jakob Sanderson released a statement condemning the campaign, noting the union was conflicted about providing a further platform to those responsible by recognizing it.

“When we remain silent, we allow it to remain unchallenged,” he said.

“We must acknowledge its rampancy and its impact on our campus community, and on the safety of marginalized students.”

U of M spokesperson John Danakas said security services would remain vigilant.

“Security services are aware of what took place last year, and so they will be vigilant in their patrolling and are aware of certain things to look for,” he said.

Curnow said the incident was an opportunity for the U of M to emphasize its commitment to fighting hate on campus and beyond.

“I feel like it’s important for the university to speak out on this, and to be doing more proactive anti-racist work on campus,” she said.

“That’s more useful than trying to chase white nationalist trolls on campus.”

UMSU hires consultant to evaluate board structure Possible cost of consultation set for a maximum of $10,465 AMIRA TEKLE, STAFF

A

n external consultant has been appointed to evaluate the “structure and effectiveness” of the UMSU board of directors.

A motion was put forward by UMSU’s governance committee at its Oct. 24 meeting. Committee chairperson Eric Schillberg said the purpose of the external review is to address inconsistencies within the organization’s governing documents without internal bias.

“When it’s done strictly internally, it can often create a sense of bias on the committee’s opinion,” he said, noting that past councils have tried and failed to complete successful internal reviews.

UMSU president Jakob Sanderson said it is important for the consultant to bring an outside perspective to the evaluation.

“It’s a great opportunity for us to bring in an external, nonpartisan

voice to look at how we operate and ernance and operations manual, “a “If it’s a women’s representative or how we can improve,” he said. board member may only appoint a an Indigenous representative, does Three proposals for the work were proxy who holds a seat on the same any individual that recognizes as a considered by the governance com- organization the director represents. woman or Indigenous then be able mittee with Susan Rogers of Rogers At no point may another director be to receive that proxy as well?” said Leadership Consulting selected. appointed as a proxy.”

Schillberg, noting the current frameThe funding — nearly $10,500 has Under this rule, not all direc- work allows it because there are no been approved — will be drawn from tors are given equal opportunity to rules in place. the union’s “What if a special priorimember just “It’s a great opportunity for us to bring in ties fund. joins council The special for the puran external, nonpartisan voice” — Jakob priorities fund poses of wantSanderson, UMSU president is a contribuing to get a tion donated resume builder to UMSU for or professional particular projects. appoint a proxy. Executives cannot experience and they don’t take their The motion directs the consultant appoint proxies. position seriously? So they don’t to examine several areas of interest Other existing problems include show up to as many meetings as they to the board, including the use of non-members actively looking to should,” he said proxy votes, election requirements serve as a proxy for absent board “The other issue with proxies is for directors and overlapping chan- members in order to push a particular sometimes, people would be searchnels of representation. issue, as well as members not taking ing to proxy who are not a board According to the UMSU gov- their sitting on the board seriously. member because they feel very

strongly about a resolution that’s coming forward,” he added.

The motion was the subject of lengthy debate, with several members questioning aspects of the motion and its motivations. UMSU was asked when the last governance review was conducted, and Sanderson said none had occurred “in the last five to seven years.”

The consultation will take place in the coming weeks and is expected to be completed in less than two months.

“We’re wondering if the board is working as optimally as it should be,” said Sanderson.

“We’re interested to get [the consultant’s] perspective — both through consultation with students currently on the board and currently not on the board — and a comparison of how other student unions are governed.”

VOL. 106 NO. 12 November 6, 2019

News

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UMGSA selects former UMSU president as new VPA Tanjit Nagra plans to pick up where previous VPA left off TY BRASS, STAFF

T

he UMGSA council has ratified the selection of Tanjit Nagra — a former UMSU president and Liberal candidate for Fort Richmond in September’s provincial election — as the organization’s new vice-president

pool of applicants to present to the VPA, and spoke about how much UMGSA council, who then ratified she enjoyed her time in the position. the decision.

“I’ve really enjoyed my time with The interview process went on the UMGSA,” she said. “I’ve really longer than expected, and so rather liked how much it exposed me to than presenting its choice at the Oct. understanding how the university 24 UMGSA meeting, the executive functions.” committee presented Nagra as its “I have a better understanding of “I thought it might choice over email on Oct. 31. The what we can do as a student and what council voted to ratify the selection we can’t, and finding sort of loopholes be a good fit given the same day, and Nagra began the and seeing where we fit in.” my past experiences” role on Nov. 1.

When asked about why she put Speaking after her ratification her name forward for the position, — Tanjit Nagra, as VPA, Nagra said she is planning Nagra pointed to her past experience.

UMGSA viceto focus primarily on continuing “I thought it might be a good fit Koohgoli’s work until she becomes given my past experiences,” she said, president academic “especially if they’re looking for somemore familiar with the role.

“For now, it’s ensuring that I pick one to pick up midway through the up where Roxie has left off, and then year.” academic (VPA). seeing, once I have a better idea as “I thought that my skill set, my Previous VPA Roxie Koohgoli to what resources I have available to experience as UMSU president announced to the council she was me, then based on that I’ll see what would make me well-equipped stepping down due to family issues else we’ll be able to do for graduate for the role, and I believe that the in September. In accordance with students,” she said.

UMGSA executive and the council UMGSA policy, the organization She specifically mentioned fur- also believe that as well.” sent out an email to the graduate stu- thering access to graduate student Nagra will serve the remainder of dent body inviting anybody interested research stipends and mental health the position’s term, until April 2020, to apply for the role of VPA. and said it is too early to say whether initiatives as focuses for herself.

The organization’s executive comKoohgoli said she remained she will run for the position in the mittee then made a selection from the involved with Nagra’s selection as upcoming UMGSA general election.

PHOTO PROVIDED BY TANJIT NAGRA

UMSU showcases open educational resources OER fair puts affordable textbooks in students’ hands GILLIAN BROWN, STAFF

O

ne of UMSU president Jakob Sanderson’s chief goals is to see the U of M expand the use of open educational resources (OERs) in courses.

“The biggest benefit to OERs for students is that they represent a dramatic cost reduction” — Dylan Woodcock, Campus Manitoba associate Last week, UMSU hosted an open educational resource fair to give students and faculty the chance to see some of the materials directly.

“What we are doing this week is getting the books right in front of students,” said Sanderson.

“People can see them, people can touch them, people can interact with them, and I think it can resonate a lot more easily.”

Open educational resources are free, downloadable learning materials developed in place of traditionally published textbooks to help save students money.

The texts are produced by experts and are peer-reviewed, but remain in

the public domain and outside copyright controls.

“I think this is something that all government, university and faculty needs to take super seriously,” Sanderson said.

“I think it’s the next frontier in education in terms of something that’s innovative and really, really helps improve student performance and student affordability.”

Sanderson noted that the texts are completely adaptable and rather than having students purchase a new textbook for each new edition, the existing online materials can be easily updated.

The books may also be printed at a significantly lower cost to students, who only have to cover actual printing costs, said Sanderson.

UMSU is working closely with the Manitoba Open Textbook Initiative of Campus Manitoba — a consortium of publicly funded colleges and universities that works to expand access to post-secondary programs — to spread awareness of OERs through the university’s students, faculty and administration.

Sanderson outlined a four-tiered plan to bring the materials into more U of M classrooms, which includes placing open resources on the student agenda, introducing the materials to the faculty and working to address its concerns, striking a working group within the university’s administration

PHOTO BY ALEX DECEBAL CUZA

to develop a three- to five-year action plan toward adopting the materials, and lobbying the government to establish grants to support the creation and adaption of open materials.

The Manitoba Open Textbook Initiative was launched in 2015 and a recently published report estimates that Manitoba students have saved more than $1 million in textbook costs.

Dylan Woodcock, an associate with Campus Manitoba, said the benefits of open materials are shared between faculty and students.

“The biggest benefit to OERs for students is that they represent a dramatic cost reduction compared to tra-

ditional and commercially published resources have been implemented texts,” he said. in the department of computer sci“The biggest benefit to faculty is ence and first-year courses in other that they are adaptable because they departments. are under that open licence, so faculty Woodcock said Campus Manitoba can tweak them to the specifics of had set an initial goal to see Manitoba their course schedules.” students save more than $1 million by The movement is starting to gain 2020. With that benchmark already traction on a national and interna- eclipsed, he said the potential for tional level.

OER is limitless.

According to Campus Manitoba, “There is never going to be a hard students in British Columbia have end goal because that amount of stusaved more than $12 million through dent savings can always keep increasOER programming. Students in ing year after year after year,” he said.

Ontario saved more than $5 million “More and more open texts are and students in Saskatchewan more being created and added to the than $1.1 million. repository, so it’s not ever something So far at the U of M, open that can really end.”

6

News

News Editor: Garett Williams and Ty Brass Contact: garett@themanitoban.com /ty @themanitoban.com / 474.6770

GPA’s officially reopens for business Total cost of renovations to UMSU University Centre space estimated at $2.5 million AMIRA TEKLE, STAFF

F

PHOTO BY QUINCY HOUDAYER

ollowing months of extensive ren- the creation of more jobs on campus. ovations, the ribbon was cut and UMSU general manager Thomas GPA’s Campus Convenience store Blumer noted that there are about was officially reopened for business 20 students currently employed by Thursday.

UMSU at GPA’s.

The student union-owned space on the main floor of UMSU University Centre that includes the store, the “So far we’ve had UMSU offices and Answers had not a great response” seen major renovations since 1999.

The store and offices reopened for — Mbuli Matshe, business within the last month.

UMSU VPFO UMSU vice-president finance and operations Mbuli Matshe said the renovations were driven by student demand.

The store was expanded from 1,500 “A lot of what we changed in GPA’s to 2,700 square feet. was on the recommendation of stuMatshe said the larger space helps dents from a survey that we put out,” accommodate a larger selection of he said. stock, including the healthier options “They wanted more from GPA’s that many students, faculty and staff — not just in terms of quantity but in asked for. terms of variation and different goods The project was pegged at an estiand things that we supply there.” mated cost of $2.5 million dollars. The He added that survey responses final cost is not yet known. also raised issues of sustainability and Major renovations were also

undertaken to improve the UMSU office space and Answers, which were amalgamated into a single desk in the UMSU office now branded the UMSU Service Centre.

Matshe said the reaction from students has been positive.

“With GPA’s we’ve had an increase [in usage],” he said.

“We had an estimation of revenue that we thought we were going to hit by this period in time, and we’ve exceeded that revenue [compared to] this time last year.

“In terms of Answers, as you can obviously see, the process has now been streamlined to a point where students can come in [and] we have more staff available to them.”

Matshe said UMSU will continue to collect feedback from students, faculty and staff.

“At the end of the semester we want to put a survey out which will get a more concrete review process of what the student experience actually is.”

UMSU gearing up holiday hamper program

Student union incentivizing donation efforts for annual food and toy drive GILLIAN BROWN, STAFF

F

or many students on campus, the holiday season is more worrying than it should be. To help out, UMSU’s holiday hampers are back for another year.

As tuition and course material fees increase across Canada, food bank usage for students is rising as well. The situation is so severe at the University of Calgary that its food bank is running out of food.

UMSU VP community engagement Kyra Fanning said that she wants to ensure that students can focus on studying for exams in December, instead of having to worry about providing for their families or going hungry over the holidays.

“We just want to take a little bit of The hampers will supply a family tion this holiday season between the stress off of their plates during the with food — including the ingredi- faculties to incentivize fundraising. holidays,” said Fanning, who is acting ents for a traditional holiday meal — Donation collection stations will be as head of this year’s holiday hamper and wrapped gifts for children. put in place, and every food item or program.

Every year, like the year-round donation will count for points.

“Obviously we The wincan’t write their ning faculty exams for them w i l l have “We just want to take a little bit of stress off or do that sort of a meeting of their plates during the holiday” — Kyra thing but this is catered by something that Degrees.

Fanning, UMSU VP community engagement we can [do]. All This year, they have to do is t he longa little application standing process and we can hopefully help food bank, success relies heavily on initiative for U of M students and them and provide for them." donations of food and toys from stu- families has made some changes.

Applications opened Monday and dents and faculty.

In the past, UMSU offered only will be received until Nov. 22.

UMSU is holding a competi- small and large hampers. This year,

a medium size is being introduced for families of three to five people to provide enough food for the anticipated demand of between 115 to 150 hampers.

UMSU will be publishing a list of food needed to fill the various sizes on its website and social media outlets.

The goods will be packed and assembled into hampers by UMSU staff and volunteers between Dec. 9 and 11 so they are ready for pick up or delivery Dec.12 to 14.

Anyone interested in volunteering or applying for a hamper can email hampers@umsu.ca.

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UMSU WEEK

November 4-7 Take part in fun programming and interactive contests throughout the week – stay tuned to UMSU’s social media @MyUMSU for the full schedule!

WHAT WOULD

YOU

DO WITH

$20,000?

Tell us how you would spend $20,000 to benefit students on Fort Garry campus!

UMSU’s Participatory Budget Committee needs your input!

You can participate by: Visiting: www.surveymonkey.com/r/YZ8SBSS Emailing: VPFO@umsu.ca Stopping by the UMSU table anytime November 5-7 in UMSU University Centre!

Editorial Editor-In-Chief: Malak Abas Contact: Editor@themanitoban.com / 474.6770

8

Mosh pit safety should be enforced by moshers’ manners A lack of proper show etiquette has given mosh pits a bad reputation that must change MEGAN PIETRUS, STAFF

GRAPHIC BY ERNEST ZARZUELA

P

eople are living in the past, which lent, and often was, it was and can means mosh pits are getting a bad still be considered a form of bonding reputation. between like-minded people.

Some believe modern mosh pits Mosh pits are a chance to connect by nature are violent, aggressive and with other people, however brief the a place to start fights. This is because, connection may be. Mosh pits aren’t from time to time, the types of people about one single person — they’re who behave this way do show up in about everyone coming together to the pit. enjoy the music and show appreciaSome people view mosh pits as tion for the band. an excuse to be hostile and aggresDespite this, some people don’t sive. These are the people who try to seem to understand the communal start fights in the pit — they act as aspect of mosh pits. if they’ve just stepped into a boxing A few weeks back, I attended the ring and are looking to take out an Descendents show at the Burton opponent.

Cummings Theatre. Never in my Unfortunately, these types of peo- life have I been so worried to enter a ple are crushing the spirit of mosh pits pit, or so eager to get out of one. I’ve by getting them all wrong. Mosh pits never before actually feared for my aren’t supposed to be an adversarial safety while in a pit. thing. In fact, quite the opposite is Early in the show, it became clear true. that the pit belonged to a group of Mosh pits began popping up aggressive fans seemingly looking shortly after the emergence of punk to assert dominance and show off. rock music in the late 1970s as a way This pit was much different from the for people to build community and shoulder bumping pits I’m used to. connect with each other while blowPeople were throwing elbows, ing off steam and enjoying a band’s punching and even kicking — music. Although the act seemed vio- actions which should never be a thing

in a mosh pit. No one seemed to be A sort of unwritten set of rules. mindful of people who didn’t want Generally, elbows should be kept to be in the pit. They were smash- low and close to the body, and hands ing into those who simply wanted to should be kept open to push people be close for a good view of the band who are falling against you back into and wanted no part of the violence the pit without digging your knuckles in the pit. into their back. Most importantly, when someone falls, you pick them up.

Mosh pits don’t Thankfully, there are mosh pits where these “rules” are clearly have to die, they understood. just have to change Two days after the Descendents show, I went and saw PUP at the with the times Garrick Centre. The difference between the two pits was night and day.

One reason some people are still Everyone seemed happy to be in violent in pits might be out of nostal- the PUP pit. People mostly kept their gia for early mosh pits. Fans may wish elbows to themselves and, though it to recreate the mosh pits of the early was a dense mosh pit, people minded 1980s that they came across when they their space. first discovered punk music. However, While PUP reaches a slightly people have died in these types of different demographic than the pits. This is one reason mosh pits are Descendents, the difference in their becoming so discouraged. pit might be an outcome of the band What fans need to understand being vocal about behaviour in the pit. before entering a pit is that there is One of their tweets from Sept. 26 such a thing as mosh pit “etiquette.” reads: “A friendly reminder that if

you try to start a fight in one of our pits, we will see you, ensure that you are kicked out of the show and then play the heaviest parts of the set to everyone who isn’t being a complete asshole!”

In my opinion, bands should follow this example and make sure their fans know the rules. A brief statement at the beginning of a set could go a long way.

Of course, every pit is different, and some would say they enjoy the risk associated with overly violent pits. But when it comes down to it, people need to be more self-aware.

If you’re clearly bigger and stronger than somebody, be mindful of that while in a mosh pit.

Now that punk, along with most types of music, reaches wider audiences, it’s important to let mosh pits evolve in a safe way. Mosh pits don’t have to die, they just have to change with the times.

It might sound corny but, at the end of the day, mosh pits are about lifting people up, not pushing them down.

2019-2020 EXECUTIVES

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November 20 - 22 Campus Centre - 2nd Floor

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Video shenanigans with host and Manitoban favourite Joe Gonzales.

Comment Comment Editor: Kenny Ingram Contact: comment@themanitoban.com / 474.6529

10

It’s time for city council to stand up for taxpayers Sam Katz case a reminder that needs of many must come ahead of those of millionaires KENNY INGRAM, STAFF

GRAPHIC BY ERNEST ZARZUELA

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n dealing with big business, it’s — something he refused to do. lines just how poor a job Winnipeg was scrapped. any real numbers — anyone with any time for city council to finally put In his first term as mayor of city council has done to represent They saw the trend continue common sense knows if this were the needs of the average citizen over Winnipeg, city council’s executive the average citizen. Because while when council sold Portage Place to truly the case, he would have sold the policy committee coincidently voted Winnipeggers — who have a median “Canada’s biggest landlord,” Starlight franchise and cashed out years ago. those of the elite owners.

City officials have recently 4-1 to eliminate $223,000 in taxes he annual income of between $30,000 Investments, in a likely move toward Instead, Katz likely understands attempted again to renegotiate the would have otherwise had to have and $40,000 — are working hard just gentrification. what he has to lose. He would lose Shaw Park lease with former mayor paid to the city. to get by, city council has a constant With the millions of dollars in a favourable deal to another profitand Goldeyes baseball team owner, A city report found that the team knee-jerk reaction to pad the pockets subsidies doled out to Katz over the seeking tenant, the ability to conSam Katz. Officials wish to change also receives over $700,000 in corpo- of the richest few. past 20 years, Winnipeg could have tinually overcharge for tickets and the current arrangement, which has rate welfare each year. instead invested in public transit to turn profits year after year and lose Katz profiting $525,000 annually off Let’s call the current arrangement make necessary improvements, built the ability to hand over the entire of two city parking lots and a lease between Katz and the city what it affordable housing for those who are business to his seven-year-old son to Let’s call the current that has him paying $1 per year on really is: legalized corruption. struggling to get by or invested in the keep those profits in the Katz family arrangement property with a market value of Despite this reality, Katz recently city’s crumbling infrastructure — an in perpetuity. $150,000. had the temerity to tell city council area where the city has a deficit of Not only this, but the average between Katz and The original agreement was made he has no intention of paying the fair nearly $7 billion.

Winnipegger has seemingly fallen the city what it in 1998 by city council for a 25-year rate council is asking for.

In Katz’s case, up until now, coun- out of love with the franchise. period. In 1999, the stadium we now Instead, he made egregious cil has been little more than gutless.

With lowest-priced tickets more really is: legalized know as Shaw Park was built for statements suggesting that council They have been attempting to rene- than doubling in price over recent roughly $20 million. Just over half of would like to put the Goldeyes out gotiate this deal since before 2016 and years and the games no longer being corruption that was paid by Katz and his part- of business. have accomplished nothing. affordable for the average family, ners with the rest of the bill — $8 milUnbelievably, city councillors This time, the city cannot cave. it’s no wonder that the attendance lion — footed by the city, province are taking this bait. Charleswood Council must demand that Katz stop has fallen almost every year since it and federal government.

Councillor Kevin Klein is already This siding with big business and fleecing the taxpayers, as he has for peaked in 2004.

In addition to this, Katz was caving to Katz’s demands by propos- its owners over taxpayers is an alarm- the past 20 years, and pay a fair rate.

When it comes to the negotiation allowed to set up a non-profit organi- ing a quarter-measure deal that would ing pattern in Winnipeg.

It is only after council plays hard- table, it is not Katz with the upper zation, Riverside Park Management, see Katz continue to receive all of Winnipeggers watched it play out ball with him that Katz will cave. hand. to funnel all of the city-Goldeyes the subsidies he’s currently receiving, in the True North deal, where invesThis is because while he has City council must finally go forbusiness dealings through. At the while increasing the lease to a third tors were paid millions in taxpayer claimed that the Goldeyes “don’t ward with a deal that puts the needs time, critics argued that Katz should of its market value. funds to build luxury condos, while always make money” — a claim of the average tax-paying citizen make the organization’s books public This recent display further under- an affordable housing requirement which he refuses to back up with ahead of millionaires like Katz.

VOL. 106 NO. 12 November 6, 2019

Comment 11

Failure to prosecute hate reflects settler-colonialism People need to create a strong culture to combat racism on a community level CAM CANNON, STAFF

GRAPHIC BY EVAN TREMBLAY

I

n combatting the growing problem articles 318 and 319 of the Criminal a country dedicated to maintaining make initial judgements on whether of incitement of hatred, Canadians Code of Canada — the laws which settler colonialism and imperialism or not a crime is a hate crime, conmust look beyond a legal system that deal with hate crimes — are consti- as features of its economy, these so- duct investigations and recommend has perpetually failed. tutional, very few people ever even called “ideological state apparatuses” the appropriate charges is wishful will provide justification.

Just over a week ago, a video face charges for such crimes. thinking at best. began circulating online of a white Further compounding the issue Another difficulty in dealing with A lack of trust in the police and woman berating Asian employees in is the function of law itself, obscur- hate crimes lies in the enforcement of justice system also contributes to the a Burnaby, B.C., pharmacy for speak- ing and preserving existing power these laws. Across the country, there fact that about two-thirds of indiing a language other than English structures within society to ensure is no uniform definition of “hate viduals who have experienced hate in front of her. To date, there is no its continued operation. Law is what crime” in use by the police. Instead, crimes have not reported them. information on the aftermath beyond 20th century French philosopher every city’s police department has its Given that counting on legal the employer offering resources to the Louis Althusser termed an “ideologi- own definition of the term. means and policing is essentially affected employees. cal state apparaa dead end, the Such incidents are far from iso- tus,” which in a standard “law and lated and are part of a growing trend nutshell refers Given that counting on legal means and order” approach to across Canada. to the institucrime is especially policing is essentially a dead end, the According to Statistics Canada, tions within a ineffective. the number of hate crimes reported society that pass Where does that standard “law and order” approach to police in Canada has been steadily on the ideas that leave us, then? to crime is especially ineffective rising since 2013 — from 1,167 in the are necessary for Considering that same year to 2,073 in 2017. This trend society to operhate crime not only likely shows no signs of slowing, with ate as is. affects the individmounting economic difficulties of Schools, the media and religious This lack of consistency creates a ual survivors, but also their entire Canadians like a continually shrink- institutions are also part of this disparity across the country in what communities, even if legal means ing middle class and the emergence of apparatus. crimes are actually counted as hate were a viable option, in practice they the far-right into the spotlight.

From this idea of law as ideol- crimes. likely would not do much to address One of the main difficulties in ogy, it follows that a society such as In turn, this creates a massive issue and rectify harm. dealing with hate crimes comes Canada, a country built on a foun- where we don’t really know exactly Such an issue must be dealt with from the right to freedom of expres- dation of settler colonialism and how many hate crimes are being com- on a wider community and society sion, enshrined in the Canadian imperialism — the corresponding mitted nationwide. level — something that punitive constitution. ideology of which is racism — is funAn expectation of police, an insti- measures such as prison sentences Even though the Supreme Court damentally incapable of appropriately tution which itself constantly grap- can not solve. of Canada has ruled that the limits resolving these issues through law ples with carrying out the law in a fair Settler colonialism and imperialimposed on freedom of expression by alone. So long as Canada remains and consistent manner, to correctly ism have to end entirely — a project

which by any standard is a massive undertaking.

A more manageable endeavour for the moment, instead of setting our sights on the complete elimination of hate crimes, is to focus on what we can do within our own communities.

It is necessary to create a strong culture of people committed to antiracism, who are willing and able to do the hard work of mediating between perpetrators — keeping in mind that, of course, the most violent hate crimes should involve the state justice system — and their communities, in order to facilitate collective healing.

Strong unions for workers, renters and students also have roles to play.

Be they education initiatives or outright campaigns for stronger protections against bigotry — for example, institutionalized sanctions against individuals who perpetrate these crimes as well as institutionalized forms of restorative justice.

The most effective possibilities for combating racism and dealing with hate crimes exist outside of the justice system — affected communities have already been doing this out of necessity for decades.

The next steps are to build the solidarity in our communities required to not only deal with hate but prevent it.

T O G E T H E R

WE ARE STRONGER. R E A C H O U T F O R H E L P. If you have experienced any form of sexual violence, know it is not your fault.

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VOL. 106 NO. 12 November 6, 2019

Comment 13

Meth crisis fuelled by institutionalized neglect

Communities suffer consequences as drug epidemic remains unresolved MEAGAN HUGHES, STAFF

GRAPHIC BY EVAN TREMBLAY

T

he meth epidemic in Manitoba is a complex problem that can only be solved with progressive legislation.

Manitoba Liquor Mart store thefts have become a serious issue.

So much so that it’s hard to escape the viral videos swirling around Facebook — as people in masks storm the stores taking as much as they can carry while bystanders look on in dismay.

The Winnipeg Police Service (WPS) has reported a current average of 10 to 20 liquor store robberies per day with a warning to the public not to intervene in the event of a theft so as not to endanger themselves.

According to the WPS, this increase is largely driven by the increased use of meth.

Meth is an extremely addictive substance that may cause people to engage in aggressive or compulsive behaviour. When someone is caught up in the addiction of this powerful drug, they often do whatever it takes to obtain the means to feed their addiction and survive. This includes shoplifting and reselling goods on websites such as Kijiji to generate

quick cash. that both civic representatives and of urgency by the provincial govern- were based on safe injection sites in But it’s not only shoplifting that provincial legislators have a choice ment, which is unacceptable, given Vancouver, B.C. has seen an increase with the rise of to make. They can either spend our the current situation.

These types of harm reduction meth use. The July statistical report limited resources to hire more police In similar fashion, the provincial practices are an integral component released by the WPS shows that and build more prisons or they can government established the Illicit of any addiction treatment strategy. property crimes increased almost 25 understand that the vast majority of Drug Task Force (IDTF) with the Along with safe consumption sites, per cent from July 2018 to July 2019, this crime comes from people who federal and municipal governments. representatives must take things a and in July 2019, were almost 39 per just need help. Sadly, it seems they’ve The IDTF's final report was released step further by providing the necescent higher than the five-year average. chosen the former, and the problem in June outlining recommendations sary volume of supportive services Similarly, for reducing where people can go to detox and seek the impacts immediate treatment, an area where needles have The solution is not only the economical of illicit drugs Manitoba has been dangerously lackbeen found on our com- ing. People who want help should not l it tered i n approach, but the humane option the streets of munities, but be forced to wait and further suffer Winnipeg in the report is due to a lack of funding. increasing numbers. The Bear Clan is only getting worse. underwhelming in its lack of clearIt’s clear that we are at a crossroads Patrol, a volunteer-based neighbourManitoba Premier Brian Pallister cut solutions and strategies to combat in Manitoba. We can either spend our hood patrol group, has found a record has opted to obfuscate and mislead the drug crisis. finite resources to hire more police for number of needles on their patrols of the public by selectively choosing the The experts are already clear on our streets and more security guards the city this year. As of March, the few data points that contradict the what will solve the issue at the root. for our liquor stores or we can combat Bear Clan had already found approxi- larger provincial trend.

The solution is not only the economi- the problem with the humane and mately 20,000 needles on the streets The most egregious part of all is cal approach, but the humane option. empathetic approach it deserves. since the beginning of the year. This the $4.1 million Manitoba received This solution is to establish superThe problem demands immedimeans that they are on track to pick from the federal government in vised consumption sites all across ate action, or we will continue to see up 80,000 by the end of 2019 — dou- December 2018 to help the prov- Manitoba. A 2014 review of 75 stud- more ill effects due to the lack of it. ince fund addictions treatment pro- ies found that supervised consump- Manitobans need support and our ble the amount found in 2018.

As a society, we now know the grams — money which has remained tion sites lower the rate of overdoses, representatives must get on board by uptick in theft and crime is due to the unspent. The province has the fund- public injections and dropped needles doing everything possible to bring meth crisis. It’s now a matter of what ing needed to take action and simply while improving access to health- balance into the lives of citizens we’re going to do about it. It’s clear has not. This shows a shameful lack care. The majority of these studies before any more harm is done.

Features Contact: features@themanitoban.com / 474.6520

14

UMEARTH takes a trip to the Experimental Lakes Area ALEX DECEBAL-CUZA, STAFF

S

even students from the U of M Efficient and Renewable Technology Hub (UMEARTH) travelled to the Experimental Lakes Area (ELA) Oct. 27 with great interest in making the facilities there greener.

These facilities have been around since the ’60s and are currently running off of a few different sources of energy — its primary energy source being diesel.

With these goals in mind, these students from UMEARTH travelled to the facilities in Ontario, a 4 hour and 30 minute drive from the U of M, to take a tour of the ELA. The tour showed the

areas powering the facilities, several of the laboratories and a couple of the ELA’s many lakes.

After inspecting the ELA’s facilities, this group of individuals is now in the process of finding out and deciding how they can help the ELA reduce its footprint and achieve UMEARTH’s goals of increasing energy efficiency.

This will be a long-term project, but the ELA’s researchers are happy to collaborate with UMEARTH in making a more sustainable facility.

(Above) Examining the facility’s solar panels.

One of the engineers on the project after examining the facility’s solar power.

PHOTOS BY ALEX DECEBAL-CUZA

15

Arts & Culture Arts & Culture Editor: Grace Paizen Contact: arts@themanitoban.com / 474.6529

The intricate art of resistance and survival U of M student Jack Theis uses beadwork to reconnect with his ancestors GRACE PAIZEN, STAFF

PHOTO PROVIDED BY JACK THEIS

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assionate about his Anishinaabe- up with which are all in black and in the Pembina Hills for the winter down to each family’s cart and horses. cally and currently. […] Women have, Métis roots, third-year U of M white from the 1800s and turn of the months.

“So that it looks like […] they’re in all areas of art — European art, native studies student Jack Theis century.”

“This may be one of the only eye- moving,” he said, “it’s not just pic- Indigenous art — have always been became a beadworker as a means to “So that I can invite them to be in witness accounts of my ancestor,” tures on a hide up and down, and kind of cast aside, but you know, connect with his ancestors. my life and to be with me at all times Theis said. that way you have to move if you want of course, Indigenous women, it’s “All my life pretty much, I’ve been […] to keep them close by,” he said.

“It’s a very vivid and beautiful to view the piece, you have to move tenfold.” obsessed with my ancestors,” he said, After moving to Winnipeg three passage.” around the hide.”

As for who gets to do beadwork, “because I was raised on their stories, years ago, Theis discovered “twice as The purpose of Theis’s project is Theis said “beadwork as an artform their photos.” many beadwork circles” and began “to break down a bunch of stereo- — no one really owns that.”

“Being raised in Dallas, [Texas,] focusing on traditional Ojibwa and “I don’t want all types about Indigenous life at the “Humans have been doing that for, which is hundreds, even thousands, Métis beadwork designs. time about Indigenous histories and like, a hundred thousand years.” the beadwork I do of miles away from any of my homeThis past summer, Theis was an identities — stereotypes that I’m However, Theis emphasized that lands, the only way I could connect Indigenous scholar-in-residence at met with all the time that I’m tired Indigenous people “have the right to just to be a piece of with my culture and my ancestors, or the Manitoba Museum where the of breaking down.” safeguard our ancestors’ designs and art, or something one of the only ways I could connect inspiration for his next big project Theis’s hide project has been our peoples’ designs.” with them, was through art.” came to him. requested to be exhibited at a museum “I’m not against white people that looks pretty” Moving to Minneapolis at 22 with Theis said he “got to do extenand the Festival du Voyageur has teaching a class on beadwork,” he said.

— Jack Theis, artist the hope of reconnecting with his sive archival research in both the asked him to present it at this year’s “It depends on what’s being taught, ancestral roots, Theis discovered “a Manitoba Museum archives as well festival. so if you’re trying to teach a class on culture of beadwork […] in the Twin as the Parks Canada archives.”

As well, his ancestral portrait […] Métis beadwork, but you’re not Cities.”

At the end of the research, Theis project that he started while in Métis, there’s a slight issue there and “I was willing to learn beadwork said he was supposed to do a project, Theis said the passage had been Minneapolis has been requested by if you’re not Indigenous at all there’s from any Native person in the com- “preferably involving beadwork.” used in academic texts to describe a gallery and a museum in Winnipeg. a huge issue there.” munity,” he said.

“For my project I wanted to focus the culture of this region at the time.

“The homeland is definitely the For Theis, beadwork is a form of “I’m very grateful to my Dakota on my ancestors,” he said, “so I “But this has never been depicted place for me,” he said. cultural resistance and survival. friends for teaching me […] [how to decided that I would use this passage in any way through art,” he said, “so Though Theis thinks more can be “I don’t want all the beadwork that do beadwork] because that’s been an in the journals of Alexander Henry I was like, ‘This is a perfect chance for done at the University of Manitoba I do to be just a piece of art, or someintegral form of connecting with my (the Younger).” me to get a hide’ […] I started bead- to promote beadwork as a high art thing that looks pretty,” he said. ancestors and it’s led to so many other Theis recounted that this passage ing the image. I did hours and hours form, he believes it is still not seen “I want it to make a statement things in my life.” is an eyewitness account written in and hours of research, I mean, just to in this light. and I want it to be a form of healWhile in Minneapolis, Theis 1803 that depicts his ancestors and make sure it’s historically accurate.”

“It’s not white art,” he said. ing, survival, resistance, education, began beading portraits of his ances- several other families getting ready Theis wants to bead each family “It’s connected to women. A lot all of that.” tors and “their photos that I grew to depart for a smaller satellite fort along the edges of the hide in detail, of beadworkers are women, histori-

16

Arts & Culture

Arts & Culture Editor: Grace Paizen Contact: arts@themanitoban.com / 474.6529

Prairie kitchen parties and the Manitoban spirit The 2nd annual Winnipeg Crankie Festival is sure to be a madhouse of homegrown talent KAELEN BELL, STAFF

Simmons, a celebrated children’s entertainer and lynchpin of whackadoo Manitoban spirit, is one of nearly 60 performers who have agreed to participate. This level of enthusiasm Podolak believes is partly because this year’s festival is being held in honour of his father, the late Mitch Podolak.

PHOTO PROVIDED BY CRANKIE FESTIVAL

B

efore winter fully settles over the city and forces us inside for the next four months, Crankie Festival organizer Leonard Podolak wants to bring Winnipeggers together for a final hurrah.

“We’re getting ready for winter, here’s something to kind of bring us together,” he said, describing the upcoming second annual Winnipeg

Crankie Festival, a madhouse of homegrown art and music held in the Crescent Fort Rouge United Church.

The crankie — the festival’s namesake — is a versatile, traditional storytelling device that dates back centuries.

Illustrated panoramas on scrolls are moved by cranks to tell tales.

Podolak said the crankie is the

embodiment of what he’s trying to accomplish with the festival.

“I thought it could be a perfect theme for a community festival, because we could invite visual artists, musicians, poets, freaks — you know, Al Simmons,” he said.

“He was the first person I ever invited to the first Crankie Festival, actually.”

depth of the impact his father had.

“The tributes were obviously lovely, but there were so many really cool stories and stuff that I learned about my dad, that I had no idea,” he said.

“He mentored hundreds, he created work for thousands and he created fun for millions.”

The idea of coming together and creating, something his father was “Bring your guitar, adept at, is what drives the three-day festival, Podolak said. bring your fiddle, Interactivity and a genuine love of music and art is essential to every bring your mandolin, aspect of the festival, from the whatever” — instrument and crankie workshops — where you can learn to build and Leonard Podolak, use your very own crankie — to the organizer Prairie Kitchen Party, a flatland reimagining of the longstanding maritime jamming tradition.

“We’re trying to get back to the Before his death in August , the place where we all started playing senior Podolak was a visionary in music in the first place, which was Canada’s folk community, responsi- socially, for sure,” Podolak said.

“Bring your guitar, bring your fidble for the creation of the Winnipeg Folk Festival among countless other dle, bring your mandolin, whatever.” festivals, venues and events across The goal, Podolak said, is to bring Canada. people together and create something Podolak said the torrent of sup- new.

“This festival is a barn-raising, litport, both for the Crankie Festival and beyond, has demonstrated the erally. It’s kind of like my old man.”

Documenting the fight for a connection U of M graduate directs docuseries shining light on Shoal Lake 40’s struggles and victories ZACHARY SIGURDSON, STAFF

IMAGE PROVIDED BY ANGELINA MCLEOD

F

reedom Road is a five-part docuseries that chronicles the story of Shoal Lake 40 Anishinaabe First Nation’s battle for a road connecting the community to the Trans-Canada Highway.

The series was filmed during the construction of Freedom Road between 2017 and 2019. Freedom Road premiered Nov. 5 at the Winnipeg Art Gallery as a part of the 11th annual Gimme Some Truth documentary film festival.

Directed by activist, scholar, community member and U of M graduate student Angelina McLeod, each of

the five episodes isolates and focuses dead of winter. on specific segments of the comPart three, “Women/Ikwewag,” munity based on the Shoal Lake 40 details the terrifying journeys expectgovernance structure. ant and new mothers take on the The first episode focuses on the thawing lake in order to haul basic context of the series. It follows necessities to the community, and McLeod and consultation officer features their walk to Winnipeg to Daryl Redsky who overview the raise awareness. brutal colonial project that has left The penultimate chapter ­— titled Shoal Lake 40 isolated and without “Youth/Oshkaadiziig” — emphasizes running water for decades in order to the youth whose future depends on provide water for Winnipeg. the new road and who got jobs buildEpisode two — titled “Men/ ing the road, and documents their Ininiwag” — highlights the daily uncertain futures once the job is comstruggles to keep the remaining water plete. Shoal Lake 40’s local school infrastructure working even in the only goes to Grade 8, forcing many

students to leave their community. renewed hope.

“Children are still forced to move McLeod said she “got to reconnect away for their education,” McLeod with the community,” through the said. filmmaking process.

“It’s still like the residential school “It reconnected everyone in the system. Children are still being taken whole community altogether as a away from their families.” whole. We all realized that we all The docuseries concludes with had the same struggles.” the episode “Elders/Gitchi-aya’aag,” focusing on the fall harvest where the community Elders pass on their “It’s still like the knowledge that ensures the commuresidential school nity’s survival while recounting their own history with residential schools, system. Children trauma, isolation and survival. are still being taken “My film crew was properly trained with cultural protocols,” McLeod away from their said.

“We ensured that we always con- families” — Angelina sulted with community members that McLeod, director were in the film and we invited them to the studio to make sure that everything that they said and everything that we cut was what they would like McLeod hopes this series will to see.” shine a light on the continuing issues Freedom Road is equal parts haunt- that still need to be resolved. ing, beautiful and inspiring.

“It’s a good educational tool that On a strictly technical level, the will help non-Indigenous people and series is brilliantly put together with newcomers to Turtle Island [underhaunting images of the community stand] the struggles in First Nations and its struggles combined with communities,” she said. paradoxically hopeful scenes of con“This is still happening today.” struction equipment used to build Freedom Road.

Freedom Road premiered in its Each personal story is cherished entirety at the Winnipeg Art Gallery and intimate, offering visions of Nov. 5 as a part of the Gimme Some incredible resilience in the face of Truth documentary film festival. hopelessness, recovery, triumph and Further showings are to be announced.

VOL. 106 NO. 12 November 6, 2019

Arts & Culture

17

’Toban turntable

Cultural healing after a corporate career Nicole LeClair’s ‘Juncture’ opens at the Cre8ery art gallery

Nêhiyawak — ‘nipiy’ 4/5

ZACHARY SIGURDSON, STAFF

KAELEN BELL, STAFF

IMAGE PROVIDED BY NICOLE LECLAIR

F

rom Nov. 1 to 12, the Cre8ery Gallery and Studio will be hosting Juncture: Modern Métis Culture by local Métis artist Nicole LeClair.

As a single mother, LeClair focused on her corporate career in marketing and advertising for 25 years before diving into life as a full-time artist.

“I really wanted to get back to my community, my culture, so I took a job as a communications director at the Manitoba Metis Federation,” LeClair said.

“I was so lucky to be a part of that group because I learned a lot about Métis culture and ceremony and more of the spiritual aspect. I’ve always found a connection to animals and Earth, and I always feel more at peace when I’m around water for some reason.”

LeClair’s style is influenced by Mother Nature, the spirit of animals and a unique beaded style that reflects Métis tradition.

“A big factor of me being an artist too was that I was really sick,” she said.

“The only think I could do to relieve the pain was stand […] so I could

either cook or paint.”

“I can tell them the history of Through painting, LeClair was what the sash colours mean and able to heal, refocus and rebuild after how it all fits into Canadian hisdecades of stressful and overwhelm- tory,” she said. ing work in a corporate industry. She harnessed the gift she had used for “It literally healed others and used it for herself.

“It literally healed me, you know me, you know when when you’re sick like that […] I was like ‘OK, I just got to get going,’ and you’re sick like that it gave me a purpose,” she said.

“I can’t imagine going back to any- [...] I was like ‘OK, I thing other than what I’m doing now.” just got to get going,’ Connecting art to her Métis heriand it gave me a tage is central to LeClair’s work.

“It gives me an opportunity to purpose” — Nicole share my culture,” she said.

LeClair, artist “There’s a lot of things that people don’t realize that Métis people do, or have done, and I’m really proud to be For her next project, LeClair a part of sharing that knowledge and will be illustrating a series of exchanging.”

Sharing stories is LeClair’s life. Michif — Métis language — chilEven during her life in the corporate dren’s books in partnership with the world, sharing stories was how she Manitoba Metis Federation. approached brand management and Juncture runs at the Cre8ery from marketing.

Now she is able to share stories Nov. 1 to 12. More information can be that are deeply personal and cultur- found at www.cre8ery.com ally significant.

IMAGE PROVIDED BY NÊHIYAWAK

I

n the long, diaphanous tradition of New Age and the more insidious mutation that is Chill Vibes playlist fodder, the music of water has been co-opted by those who would reduce it to steady drips, running streams and rain pattering on rooftops.

The sounds that reveal water’s true, earth-moving power — the thrum inside your head as you’re engulfed by surf, the roar of a pregnant, charcoal cloud or the bone crushing, dominating silence that exists thousands of feet beneath the ocean — are typically lost.

The debut album from Nêhiyawak, nipiy — which is Cree for “water" — works to correct that imbalance.

Harnessing water’s more violent rhythms, the amiskwaciy-based band — the land known to English speakers as Edmonton — conjures clean, glowering experimental rock meditations that weave personal trials and Indigenous histories.

Guitarist and vocalist Kris Harper, drummer Marek Tyler and synth/ bass player Matthew Cardinal, along with New Pornographers producer Colin Stewart, create a soundscape that melds elliptical synths, dense drones and wiry post-punk guitar to an often-thrilling effect.

Traditional instruments — Tyler plays carved cedar drum logs repeatedly throughout the record — mingle among celestial, bell-like synths and drones that could push a stone across the river bottom on opener “kisiskâciwanisîpiy pêyak.”

However, the meditative introduction is something of a red herring.

The next few tracks flow wildly through various styles — from indierock-meets-witch-house stomps on “copper,” to bright, bluesy guitar pop on “somnambulist” and the aqueous,

angular post-punk on “page.”

Though it covers plenty of stylistic ground, nipiy’s spacious, flinty production lends a blue-tinged richness that helps tie each additional experiment to the previous — everything just seems to flow.

Though it feels modern for its genre-hopping and electronic modulations, nipiy retains a sense of deep and unshakeable tradition, a sense of home and place.

Though it feels modern for its genre-hopping and electronic modulations, nipiy retains a sense of deep and unshakeable tradition Samples of Indigenous voices flit in and out of frame like ghosts, playing against Harper’s keening timbre and placing this searching, waterbound record in the endless realm of traditional storytelling.

It’s quite the feat, to craft something so present and yet so eerily of another place.

It will likely take many more listens to plumb the full depths of nipiy, and to understand the world, both ancient and new, that it conjures.

Want us to review your band? Email arts@themanitoban.com today!

Diversions Graphics Editor: Evan Tremblay Contact: graphics@themanitoban.com / 474.6775

18

19

Sports Sports Editor: Jason Pchajek Contact: sports@themanitoban.com / 474.6529

Bisons extinguish the Heat in dominant season opener Men’s and women’s basketball both pick up pair on the hardwood JASON PCHAJEK, STAFF

T

he IG Athletic Centre janitorial staff had an easy job over the weekend, as the U of M Bisons basketball teams did all the sweeping for them. The men’s and women’s sides both doubled up on the visiting University of British Columbia Okanagan Heat to open the season.

Men’s basketball

There is dominance, and then

herd took over the game, allowing took the Heat to task on the weekend. just eight points by the Heat while The herd crushed UBC Okanagan in putting up 20 of its own to take game one, but in game two the Heat a 48-23 lead into halftime. UBC gave Manitoba a bit of a scare.

Okanagan fared a little better coming Game one was over almost immeout of the break, with 15 points in the diately for the Heat. The opening third quarter, but Manitoba added quarter was close until the final four to its lead with 24 points to build a minutes where UBC Okanagan massive 72-38 lead with a quarter left stopped scoring, and Manitoba kept to play. on going.

The fourth quarter was Manitoba’s worst, being outscored 20-14 by the Manitoba’s Heat. The Bisons shot at 27.78 per cent from the field and 20 per cent from dominance carried beyond the arc, but still claimed the 86-58 win. over into game two Manitoba’s dominance carried of the weekend, over into game two of the weekend, with a strong 91-66 drubbing of UBC with a strong Okanagan.

91-66 drubbing of Manitoba brought the heat early, PHOTO BY DAVE MAHUSSIER firing efficiently from the field to UBC Okanagan there is what the Bisons men’s bas- build a 43-26 lead heading into halfketball team did on the weekend. time. UBC Okanagan mustered some Manitoba iced out the Heat in two offence of its own in the third quarter, games, both in lopsided fashion.

The herd had a 21-8 lead coming actually outscoring Manitoba 22-21, Game one of the weekend started but the herd again dominated its out of the first quarter, but in the slow, with both sides trading buckets West Coast foe with a 27-18 fourth second the Heat dialed it up, keeping pace with Manitoba for a 46-30 in the first quarter. Manitoba held a quarter to take the 91-66 finish.

Bisons lead at halftime. The Heat 16-15 lead with 3:36 to go in the opening frame before they broke open a Women’s basketball gave it their all in the second half 12-point run to end the first up 28-15.

Like its male counterpart, the but could not catch the Bisons, as The second quarter is where the Bisons women’s basketball team Manitoba opened the season with

an 82-69 win.

In the second game of the weekend, UBC Okanagan came back with fire and fury, but the herd survived a final charge to hold on to a 60-59 win.

The game started close, both sides trading buckets in the opening quarter with Manitoba coming out of it with an 18-17 edge. The Bisons heavily outscored the Heat in the second quarter to build a 10-point lead — 38-28 — at halftime.

UBC Okanagan battled back in the second half, outscoring the Bisons 13-12 in the third quarter, before closing the gap in the fourth.

An Emma Thompson layup gave Manitoba a nine-point lead at 57-48 with 6:35 to go, but the Heat was not done. The club got back to within three, an Addison Martin layup gave Manitoba some breathing room, then Kelsey Falk struck twice for UBC Okanagan to get the Heat within one.

Alessia Brutto missed a gamewinning jumper with two seconds left, and Manitoba escaped with a 60-59 win and the weekend sweep.

Both clubs will be back in action Nov. 15 and 16 in Lethbridge, Alta., to take on the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns.

Heartbreak for the herd Failed two-point convert on final play spells end to Bisons season JASON PCHAJEK, STAFF

Then the fourth quarter happened, and it looked like a sports movie in the making.

Riley knocked down a 38-yard field goal, followed by Shae Weekes and Philpot trading 97-yard punt returns for a 40-26 Dinos lead with less than three minutes gone in the fourth quarter.

Next it was Catellier’s turn to work some magic.

PHOTO BY DAVE MAHUSSIER

I

t was almost something out of a football drama — a scrappy team from the Prairies winning the big game in the dying seconds.

For the U of M Bisons football team, there was no such happy ending. The herd failed to topple the University of Calgary Dinos Saturday in the opening round of the Hardy Cup playoffs, losing 47-46.

Manitoba battled back from a 33-19 third-quarter deficit, with a Trysten Dyce touchdown as time expired getting the team within a point of tying the game.

Bisons head coach Brian Dobie went for the win, but Des Catellier and the rest of the Bisons could not get it done.

After a relatively quiet first quarter, the game broke open in the second.

Matt Riley picked up his second field goal of the contest to give the herd a 6-1 lead early in the quarter, but Calgary responded with the game’s first touchdown.

Jalen Philpot snagged a nine-yard pass from Dinos quarterback Adam Sinagra for an 8-6 Dinos lead.

Victor St. Pierre-Laviolette

rumbled into the end zone just over two minutes later to get Manitoba back ahead, but Hunter Karl scored a touchdown of his own and Niko DiFonte knocked down a 28-yard field goal to give Calgary a lead of 18-13 at halftime.

In the third, Riley again opened a quarter with a successful field goal attempt before Dallas Boath spoiled the fun and built a mountain for Manitoba to climb. The fifth-year receiver brought down a pair of passes from Sinagra to give the Dinos a 33-16 lead at the end of the third quarter.

Then the fourth quarter happened, and it looked like a sports movie in the making Manitoba battled all the way to the Dinos goal line with just over seven minutes to go in the game.

The two sides lined up, the ball was snapped and Catellier took off with a Dinos defender trailing.

The Bisons quarterback beat his man, looked up and spotted Macho Bockru faking out a defender to make some room. Catellier fired a pass and Bockru made the catch, drawing the herd close at 40-33.

Then Manitoba tied it. At the

Calgary 12-yard line, Catellier took to snap and found Abdul-Karim Gassama streaking across the field.

Gassama had nothing but open field ahead, cruising into the end zone for the touchdown and a 40-40 tied game.

Sinagra took the ball to the house himself for a late 47-40 Dinos lead, setting Manitoba up for a storybook ending.

At the Dinos 50-yard line, with just seconds on the clock, Catellier took the snap, stepped back and fired a long bomb downfield. The Dinos defence drew into a crowd to intercept, but batted the ball right to the hands of Dyce.

The defenders scrambled to recover, falling over each other, but could not get to Dyce streaking into the end zone to make it 47-46.

Manitoba lined up for a twopoint convert to win the game, but the fantasy turned into a horror story.

The ball was snapped to Catellier, he looked up and threw to Dyce again, but this time he could not make the catch as Calgary recovered to end the game.

The 47-46 loss brings the 2019 Bisons football season to a close. The Dinos move on to face the University of Saskatchewan Huskies for the Hardy Cup, while the Bisons come home empty-handed.

20

Sports

VOL. 106 NO. 12 November 6, 2019

Playing passive on the kill does not work for Bisons Analysis: Herd needs aggressive penalty kill, better usage of star players JASON PCHAJEK, STAFF

PHOTO BY DAVE MAHUSSIER

T

he U of M Bisons men’s hockey team has a problem.

No, it is not the club’s record — it currently sits 4-4-0 on the season and fifth in the conference. No, it is not the club’s relative inexperience — of its top 10 scorers, only two have played more than two seasons in Manitoba.

The problem is that Manitoba’s penalty kill — to put it mildly — is faring quite poorly. Currently last in the conference, just behind the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds, at 66.7 per cent, the Bisons have given up 13 goals on 39 short-handed situations.

This does not need to be the case, as the herd has all the tools necessary for a strong penalty kill, preventing goals against and turning the tide in games. It all comes down to how the kill is deployed.

The problem: Passivity

When Manitoba takes a penalty and the opposing team sets up in the Bisons zone, the puck is kicked to the point, with the opposing team setting up in an umbrella — the typical offensive scheme favoured in hockey today.

In response, the Bisons retreat into a tight diamond setup around the slot.

One player stays in the high slot to pressure the defender at the top of

the umbrella, two players man either faceoff dot to cover movement down to the corners and the last player battles in front of the crease.

crease to clear loose pucks away. A a shallow patrol. physicality on the roster, this can be similar style is used at even strength, The effect is to give the opposing easily accomplished. and has led to heavily lopsided shot team a chance to breathe and set up Colton Veloso springs to mind as counts. their zone exit, while Manitoba gets the best man for the job, being the Bisons starting goaltender Riley to keep a player near the neutral zone prototypical power forward, similar Lamb has faced the second most to cause more pressure in transition. to former Bisons captain Brett Stovin. shots of all goaltenders in Canada When it works, it’s effective, but the Though, where Stovin could take Unfortunately for West, at 247, in his six games played. plan can leave the herd open for odd- draws and be used as both a forward Manitoba, the way Only Taz Burman of the University man rushes, and more aggressive and defender, Veloso brings more size of Lethbridge Pronghorns has faced forechecks on the penalty kill serve and strength which can be used to it plays this style more, but Lamb faces more on aver- to create pressure and kill more time wreak havoc in the defensive zone. sacrifices shot off the clock.

Veloso also has the speed and age — 41.17 to 37.71 shots per game.

This passive defending style may This is playing conservative hockey, offensive awareness to be used as a quantity for cutting cut down on the high-quality chances and in Canada West this just does deep forechecker once the puck is down on shot quality Bisons head coach Mike Sirant is try- not work. dumped down the ice, being a physiing to limit, but the increased workcal presence able to worry defenders load on Lamb will wear down the The solution: into making mistakes or physically What this setup does effectively rookie netminder while still giving Aggressiveness removing the puck if needed. is protect the home plate area of opponents plenty of chances to score.

Thankfully for Manitoba, the soluAlso effective for this role — albeit the ice, clogging up movement The passivity does not end there, tion to this problem is simple. While in a slightly different deployment — is through the slot and toward the goal. as when the herd clears the puck on the penalty kill, speed and physi- Jeremey Leipsic, who has the speed Unfortunately for the herd, the way down to the offensive zone, a new cality can be used to create pressure and stick skills to irritate opponents, it plays this style sacrifices allowing issue arises. all over the ice. knock down passes and strip pucks shot quantity for cutting down on Unlike most penalty-killing The herd can broaden the diamond off sticks. shot quality. schemes in Canada West, which while in the defensive zone, pressurBoth forwards do a great job in The root cause of this issue comes emphasize speed and pressure on the ing the top of the umbrella and forcing the offensive zone at pressuring puck down to how Manitoba plays passive forecheck once the puck is cleared attacking players to the boards where carriers and battling with defenders. defence in its own end. from the zone, Manitoba goes its you can tie them up and kill precious They take away time and space, forcInstead of challenging the puck own way. seconds off the clock. Then, when the ing opponents to make mistakes and carrier no matter where they are, the Where other clubs elect to send puck is dumped down the ice, it can generate scoring chances.

Bisons sit back in the diamond using a forechecker deep into the opposi- use an aggressive forecheck to presThis same aggressive style they play positioning to try and force the oppo- tion’s zone to pressure players trying sure backcheckers and force them to can be used to kill time and create sition to take shots from low-danger to set up transition back down the make mistakes. turnovers while on the penalty kill — areas, and then collapsing on the ice, Manitoba sends one skater in for With Manitoba’s mix of speed and the Bisons just need to use it.